There is major conflict going on in the world of acne treatment that is driving patients more crazy than the condition itself. I’m referring to the repeated lack of confidence a patient has for their chosen practitioner.
The real problem is that this lack of confidence is often times justified and makes sense when you consider the amount of failure currently going on in the world.

In order to preserve the minds of the many continuing sufferers, I want to do another pro and con list specifically regarding Board Certified Dermatologists. I will make a new blog category today organizing these pro and con lists to help people get their heads around what is going on in the world of acne treatment. My intention with these lists is to prevent patients from being baffled by what is going on in the offices they choose. I want everyone to understand the reality of the medical world we live in and work wisely from within the confines of this reality.

Pros of seeing a Board Certified Dermatologist:

1) They are legally and ethically held accountable:
This aspect immediately makes going to see a real doctor completely different than taking irresponsible advice on a blog site. Doctors have an accountability that is monitored by the state government, their specialty associations, and their peers. They are held to a high standard of “First doing no harm”
For this reason, seeing a real doctor is a relatively safer move.

2) Powerful Remedy Options: A good dermatologist has the ability to quickly blast old bumps with injections, lasers, aestheticians, antibiotics, and creams. With this extended arsenal, a dermatologist is the best place to go if you have one large rogue bump that needs to be fixed fast.

3) Credentials: There is no doubt that your dermatologist is more knowledgeable regarding the anatomy, physiology, statistics, and science of skin than any other practitioner you will ever run across. The amount of hours, meetings, competitive testing, and speaking on the topic is far more extensive than any patient can ever imagine.
For this reason, doctors who have been in practice for many years are true experts in the field, having spent tens of thousands of hours at their craft.

4) Some really do care: Although they get a bad rap, some dermatologists are still very passionate about helping acne sufferers. It may take a few tries before you find one you can connect with on an emotional level.

Let’s look at the other side to break down why so many patients are losing their minds in this system.

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Cons of seeing a Board Certified Dermatologist:

1) Too Little Time: This is the biggest problem with the system at this time. There is a shortage of dermatologists in many towns. Ask yourself this question, ” why does my dermatologist’s daughter look amazing and my skin is falling apart”
Part of the answer to this question is time. A five minute consult every few months for an emotionally ravaging condition is not cutting it, and this lack of attention is being illustrated by the massive global acne failure rate.

2) Overconfidence in Acne Treatments: I believe dermatologists need to stop running into an acne patient’s room with a big smile and prescription pad that is thought to be magical. Whether this is being done on purpose as a placebo, or cluelessly regarding the current failure rate, it needs to stop as it is causing further emotional trauma for patients. The appropriate attitude confronting acne should be similar to the way a doctor approaches a treatable cancer. Very focused, detailed, and without the distraction of heightened emotions. (for example: you don’t get giddy when starting cancer chemotherapy)
(Doctors out there, please take note)

3) “In the Box” Despite their vast knowledge of other people’s experimentation, many doctors are very slow to adapt or bend what they believe to be “facts of medicine”. I teach both doctors and patients that in the artistry of practicing medicine, there are no hard facts. With a heavy science background sometimes comes a lack of artistry, creativity, improvisation, and seeing of new possibilities. (I know this from not only seeing a dozen dermatologists for my own skin, but remember that my dad is an old school internist and my mother is a holistically minded acupuncturist)
In addition, I witness this lack of artistry at every doctor’s meeting I attend.

Here’s an example of how an “in the box” practitioner can create mistaken hopelessness for a patient.

Frequently Asked Question: Can you fix cystic acne with topical products? My dermatologist said it is “impossible” and accutane is the only treatment that will work for me?

Here is my response to this common question that is obviously causing horrible pain around the world. If Accutane is the “ONLY” answer to cystic acne, what happens when multiple rounds of Accutane Fails???!!!! Should we send these Post-Accutane cystic acne patients to a leper colony???!!

ANY practitioner who ever says that any “ONE” treatment is the “ONLY” cure is completely “in the box”. This type of novice thinking is as uninformed, lazy, and unartistic as a practitioner could ever behave. It is completely disregarding the reality that all current treatments were at one time in the past created by other innovators.

Do they think all further innovation has ceased since the discovery of Accutane in 1982??!!

I’m usually saying “wake up patients!” in regards to doom and gloom, but in this example for the record, “Wake up Doctors!”

On the home page Video Gallery, there is a whole playlist of severe “cystic” acne being completely inactivated by a topical program. If you are struggling with this concept, show your doctor the videos or have them call me anytime to learn about what is now possible in the world of acne.

4) Not In Tune With The Global Failure Rate:
More specific than the overconfident persona mentioned above, I believe many doctors are clueless to their own failure rate with acne. When a failed patient does not follow up, the doctor never learns of the massive failures they are having. If they had, a passionate dermatologists would not like this, and would quickly make changes in their practice. This lack of bad outcome communication has dermatologists mostly seeing follow ups from the patients doing well. Of course they are going to think retin A is incredible…, they do not get to witness the failure!!

Even worse, this mistaken confidence in their favorite acne treatment creates false blame on a failing patient for not being compliant.

For the record, so there is no confusion:
Millions of perfectly compliant patients have failed prescription acne treatments.
(acne patients in my experience are often times the most regimented people in the world)

Bottom Line: While a Board Certified Dermatologist is still one of the best options to get started on your acne treatment, do not be surprised or baffled if you reach a dead end with their ability to adapt, create, or see possibilities for any case.
Also, learn to efficiently extract as much as you can from a 5 minute interaction because that is really all the time you may have. If done without distraction, 5 minutes has been enough to help many other prior sufferers.

And Finally, a special tip from me to you…

“Remember that dermatologists are often times overworked, well-intended human beings. If you show them love and compassion for their vigorous efforts, you may be surprised at how much special attention you get in return”

©2010 “Pros and Cons: Board Certified Dermatologists” by Dr. Neal Schwartz

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