Once the day of your appointment arrives, be sure your skin is clean, and try to avoid wearing makeup. This will give the dermatologist an accurate picture of your skin.
Here are some other things you should expect on your first trip to the dermatologist.
It’s important for your dermatologist to know your medical history so they can appropriately treat your acne. It’s all relevant, even the issues that aren’t directly related to your skin.
Before your visit, you may want to take a few steps to prepare. Write down:
Any over-the-counter acne products you’re using Other products you’ve tried Any prescriptions you’re already taking
The chances are good you’ll get another prescription from your dermatologist, and it’s important they know about your current medications to avoid any potential interactions.
Although this may seem odd if you’ve made the appointment because of acne, remember that your dermatologist is there to help you with all of your skin problems, even ones you may not know about yet.
Is rude or demeaningDoesn’t spend any time looking at your skin and listening to your concernsGives you a hard-sell for skincare products
You should feel comfortable with this person, and your dermatologist should act professionally and respectfully.
Make sure you understand how to use your new acne medication, know what side effects to look out for, and how to manage them. You’ll also want to ask how long it will take to see improvement and what you should do if you aren’t seeing good results.
It can sometimes take a few tries to hit on the right treatment, or a combination of treatments that will work well for your acne. Don’t be discouraged by these return visits.
Once you get significant results, your dermatologist will still want to see you periodically to make sure that the medication you have is working well, that you aren’t bothered too much by side effects, and to simply monitor the overall health of your skin.
Plus, you’ll need to continue to refill your prescription acne medications. These don’t cure acne, but instead control breakouts.
Use these subsequent visits to your advantage, both for acne treatment and beyond. This first dermatology appointment is the first step to a lifetime of healthy skin.
A Word From Verywell
Going to your first dermatology visit can seem intimidating if you’re not sure what to expect. If you’re prepared for your dermatology visit, you’ll get the most out of your time with the dermatologist and be well on your way to clearer skin.
