Is it vain to see a dermatologist?

[Mustangsally82]

I think I know what everyone is going to say, but I wonder if anyone else has ever had the same thoughts.

I remember in 8th grade this girl with pretty blonde hair and almost entirely clear skin except for the occasional (and I mean occasional!) blemish mentioned that she had to go see her dermatologist, and I rmember thinking about how vain that was.

I've struggled with acne since I was a teenager. I think I was 12 when it started, and I'm now 25, so that's half my life. I always thought I'd grow out of it, when I was in high school. Then I started college and felt a little immature to still be having breakouts, but I knew it would go away soon.

I have been out of college for several years now, and it's still here. I finally figured out that it's because of my PCOS when I was diagnosed in 2005, but nothing helps it and it's really hard on my self esteem.

I've tried to talk myself out of it: it's just a little blemish or two, that shouldn't affect how you feel about yourself, right? but no matter how much I try to be positive, it's still a big issue. I hate it. It's painful. I have oily, shiny skin. I already look like I'm 12 years old because I'm short and have a baby face, but the acne just adds to the impression that I'm a little kid.

I've tried everything: Proactiv, Carley's Clear and Smooth, Acnexus, Clearasil, Neutrogena. I've tried toothpaste, honey, and tea tree oil. I've tried masks. I've tried just about everything except the pee suggestion.

It would mean the world to me to have clear skin, but is this just a pipe dream? Is there really anything that can help me? I don't want to see a dermatologist if it's going to be a waste of my time and false hope. I don't want to go on Accutane or use harsh prescription gels on my face.

has anyone seen a dermatologist and had good results? I think if I could just get rid of some of the blackheads and scarring I'd feel better, but then again maybe I'd be just as depressed as I am now. It's hard enough to be predisposed to facial hair, gaining weight, and sweating: but the acne really gets to me!

[catsnack]

I had a very similar situation, but my skin was more clear growing up than it has been since I passed 25. (Before I knew of my PCOS).

I have mixed feelings about the dermatologist. I finally went to one this year, for an unrelated issue, and ended up talking about acne stuff as well. Long story short, I found it to be an expensive waste of time. The best thing I got out of it was the advice to use Dove on my face instead of harsh cleaners like I had been using, wash my face before bed and to moisturize adequately.

The prescriptions kind of worked, but honestly I've stopped using them for months and haven't noticed much of a difference.

The problem I had with the idea of the dermatologist is that everything is a topical solution.. with PCOS there is so much internal stuff to consider, it just seems like they should be interested in solving the problem from the inside, while helping it along on the outside. In my case, they weren't and I was very clear about my PCOS.

I think a consultation would be worthwhile, at least then you could decide if you wanted to pursue any treatments or not.

[montana_in_la]

I've been to a couple dermatologists with poor results, but the current clinic that I'm going to now (which is actually a plastic surgery clinic and I just see the ecsthetician(sp) there) has been working out great for me.

On one hand, yes, it's kind of vain, but so is wearing makeup and wearing nice clothes. It's a very natural desire to want to be pretty and attractive, and that's OK.

I would say, ask around to see if there's someone you know who can recommend you to someone great, and if not to look at one of the clinics that specialize in plastic surgery or image building.

While a lot of PCOS *is* internal, a large part of how your skin looks is external. My skin tends to build-up a lot (not sure if that's because I have PCOS or not, but regardless it doesn't help my acne or complexion), so I need stronger products to put onto my skin that will exfoliate it, like high strength AHAs and Retin-A. (I use Obagi Nu-Derm and get chemical peels every 5-6 weeks, and it's been working great for me)

Also, if you look better, you'll feel better too. It goes both ways.

[hbenesh]

No, I have seen one. Wanting clear skin is nothing to be ashamed of.

[ColeyOley]

It's not vain! It's only natural to want clear healthy skin. I have been seeing an excellent dermatologist for years, and he helps with everything--moles (checks and removals), skin tags, scars, acne, keratosis pilaris, etc. As long as it's skin related, he helps. If he doesn't know something, he'll refer me to someone who knows the answer. You go to the regular dr. or gyno for checkups, right? Why not a skin doctor, too?

[christyc82]

My derm is amazing. i went to him to check a few moles I was worried about..as well as my face. He put me on a pill for my face which worked for about a year then i built up a resistance to it. im currently starting accutane which is my last resort..ive tried everything else and it just keeps getting worse as i get older. The best part of my derm though, he knows PCOS and what its about. i didnt even metion to him i had it. my first visit, he walks in, looks at my face, and goes, you have pcos dont you. i was shocked as anything, as my normal doctor doesnt believe me. im 80% sure i have pcos as my older sister has it, and ive got the same signs she did..just cant get my normal doctor to the do the bloodwork to confirm this. anyway, if you find one that is really good, and understands pcos and how everything relates, they will be able to clear you up and really truely care. my derm prescribes me anything he feels will help make the pcos a little easier on my body. he stopped my hair from falling out, he's cleared my skin up, he's helped me drop 50 pounds....stuff that my normal doctors down here wont.

now my derm is a quack...he's like 80 and just crazy..but the man knows what he's talking about and can fix anything. im soooooo glad i went to him last year...i just wish i hadnt waited 12 years!!!!

[Lola22]

Oh my gosh Sally, I could have written those exact words! I'm 22 and have been dealing with acne since I was about 10 or 11. I have it now plus the scars and it dramatically effects my self esteem too. I know what you mean about feeling like you look like you're twelve. In fact I use that exact phrase all the time! I've tried EVERYTHING, and the only time I've ever had clear skin I was on a combination of ortho tri cyclin, spiro, and the antibiotic Keflex. Unfortunately, the spiro caused major fatigue so I stopped taking it. I am also uncomfortable being on antibiotics for long periods of time and without the spiro it wasn't helping anyway, so I stopped taking the Keflex as well. The BCP kept me from having major breakouts, but I still had some. I switched to Yasmin recently to see if it will work better. I'm just rambling on now, but the point I guess I'm trying to make is that in my experience with dermatologists (I agree with Catsnack) is that they mainly focus on topical solutions and antibiotics . I've been on everything topical known to man and nothing ever worked because the problem is internal. It's about getting hormones in check. However that may be. However, I'm thinking that they may be able to help with scars so it may be worth seeing someone about that.

I definitely don't think that it is vain to seek help for your acne. This is how I see it. I want clear skin not only because it will look better, and improve my self esteem and blah blah blah, but also because I want to be as healthy as I can. The skin is an organ. Acne is a sign that something is off balance. Perhaps if you think about it in terms of doing something for your health rather than your looks, then maybe you won't feel like you're being vain for seeing someone about it.

[LandonsMommy]

I see a dermatologist for a few issues. I had a scalp condition brought on by stress a few years ago. Since then I go maybe once a year when I have a bad flare-up. I just had one in fact a couple weeks ago. I woke up on a Saturday with the whole right side of my face covered in acne. Literally I went from having maybe three blemishes to at least 30. I freaked out. I called and he had a cancellation. He put me on erythromycin pads in the morning. These are similar to clearasil or oxy face pads, but with antibiotics in them. He also put me on another face pad for at night with beozoyl peroxide. Both have seemed to help. I have had to struggle through it since then because as you know with PCOS there is no quick fix. The acne was due to a surge in my testosterone level. So no, it's not vain. IMO it is trying to take the best care of yourself you can.

[HippieMama76]

There is nothing wrong with wanting to be the best you can that you can be! When I think of vanity, I think of someone that is so obsessed with their appearance to the detriment of everything else. In a way, going to a dermatologist would be beneficial. Once your skin is clear, that's one less think to worry and think about, freeing up your mind and your emotional energy to focus on other things.

Good luck!

[jill7755]

Hi there, no you aren't vain! We all want to look our best and I dont think there is anything wrong with that. Actually, I tried every single topical I could and I agree that since its a hormonal issue with us, there should be an "internal" answer. I was just about to try accutane (my last hope) but then tried spirolactone. That did the trick and I had been on it for the past 7 years! I just came off it b/c I am ttc and it can cause birth defects and my wonderful dermatologist suggested photodynamic light therapy treatments with levulan kerastick. It took a while to work and can cause redness and peeling for a few days after treatment, but the results have been really great! anyway, dont feel bad and dont give up until you find what works you you, good luck!

[HippieMama76]

I was just reading this again and had a thought - maybe that "pretty blond girl with the occasional pimple" had such good skin because she was going to the dermatologist. Maybe without some help, her skin would have been a lot different.

[BeccaUK]

i totally think it is no where near vain. going for a blemish and going for ance are different things. i know from experience that acne is painful, and because it is so visible, its debilitating. i've been known to walk down the street with my hair almost completely covering my face because of it. and i've also been known to go nowhere until i can at least move my face without wincing in agony.
if it gives you confidence and some self esteem, then go to the dermatologist. we all need something every now and then.

[mahjab]

I had a bout of moderate acne when i was about 17. I went to the derm and she prescribed me antibiotics which totally cleared up my skin for about 5 years. Then i started getting acne again at 22, same time my hair was thinning. But it's never been as bad as it was the first time I got it. I went to a derm again a few months ago and he just gave me samples of antibiotic cream with benzoyl peroxide. It stopped the zits but my skin was as dry as sandpaper. I'm using clindamycin as a topical ointment now and I think it's working ok.

[restfulhaven]

I'm 31 and it's been 10 years in the making that I keep dealing with adult acne. I've like you have tried all the above mentioned items, but with PCOS if your hormone levels aren't somewhat balanced you will continue to keep getting breakouts. One solution I'm looking at now is what I put into my body and what I can help do natural with supplements and food to help with what's going on inside. Once you find out what works best for you to get your hormones in check then stick with one product for atleast 3-6 months and see if your results are bettr. I would find a dr who knows you have PCOS so then he could better find a good regime for you to use, and not end up wasting time or money. Best of luck to you!!

[montana_in_la]

Even so, getting started on a good skin care program *will* improve the skin that's not breaking out, and she'll look better.

Of course, do something to take care of the PCOS, but also do something to take care of the external symptoms (extra hair, acne, psychological things we all deal with). When her hormones get back in sync her skin will already have a jumpstart on looking fantastic.