I am 15 yrs. old, and i have Acne on my back, face, and some on my chest. I have tried pro-activ, and other things, so I asked my mom to go to a dermatologist. She does not think I need it, but I do. Also, my mom has severe acne on her face, while my dad has severe acne on his back.

I am wondering what to do now, because nothing seems to work. I wanted to go to the dermatologist because I wanted to treat it before it got worse, but it might be expensive. I would really like to know the price range for the first consulting visit, and what and how much the possible treatments are. I also began trying some folk remedies (such as echinacea and oatmeal), but so far no progress, it only got slightly worse.

I also have acne scars that I hope to eliminate. My questions are: what type of treatments do you suggest or what is the best course of action to take, how much are they, and what is the probability of it working well?
I would really appreciate the help. Thanks.

PrettyLady

There are the three main factors that causes acne, which are hormones, heredity and plugged oil ducts. If your parents or siblings had acne, it is more likely that you have inherited oily skin and a sensitivity to the effect of hormones.

Benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid, and sulfur are the most common topical over-the-counter medicines used to treat acne. Benzoyl peroxide is best at killing bacteria and may reduce oil production. Resorcinol, salicylic acid, and sulfur help break down blackheads and whiteheads. Salicylic acid also helps cut down the shedding of cells lining the follicles of the oil glands. Topical over-the-counter medications are available in many forms, such as gel, lotion, cream, soap, or pad. Patients must keep in mind that it can take 8 weeks or more before they notice their skin looks and feels better. You can also try skin cleansers with alpha hydroxy acids or AHA. Be sure to follow the directions carefully when using any over-the-counter remedy.

If you have a lasting case of acne that does not respond to over-the-counter lotions, you may want to go to a dermatologist, a doctor who specializes in skin problems. A dermatologist can work with you to find the most appropriate acne treatment. She or he can prescribe several types of medications to treat acne.