Spots, acne and other skin questions: what does the dermatologist advise?
Het Nieuwsblad, 21 February 2022
In Het Nieuwsblad, Dr Griet Voet answers readers' questions about acne: which treatment suits mild and severe acne?
Het Nieuwsblad put a series of readers' questions about the skin to several dermatologists. They covered topics such as psoriasis, blackheads, milia, dry winter skin, brown spots and adult acne.
Dr Griet Voet answered the question of how to tackle acne. She stresses that treatment takes time and perseverance. For mild acne, suitable creams are often enough, possibly combined with a medical facial treatment. For more severe forms, treatment with tablets comes into play, such as antibiotics or isotretinoin, and the contraceptive pill can sometimes help too. According to her, zinc can be a useful addition because of its anti-inflammatory effect.
On the question about the pill and the skin, she also notes that a hormonal IUD can actually make acne worse.
Key advice
With acne, expect a long-term treatment, not a quick fix.
Mild acne can often be brought under control with suitable creams and medical facial treatments.
Severe acne may require treatment with tablets.
If you are prone to acne, be careful with a hormonal IUD.
“Acne does not disappear overnight, and treatment often requires long-term attention” — Dr Griet Voet
Want to know more? Read about Acne at Clinique Dermatologie Gent.