When it comes to skin care, there’s no guaranteed way to remove acne. But when you go about it the right way, it can often be significantly improved, which makes it a non-issue. 
The five-step plan
Here, then, is a step-by-step plan of action to win the war against acne.
Step 1: See a dermatologist
It’s easy enough to spend weeks, possibly even months, trying out one over-the-counter medication after another with no clear sign of improvement. Why not get expert help right away?
Step 2: Be patient
You’ve seen a dermatologist, you’re either trying prescription medication or an over-the-counter remedy that was recommended … and nothing happens. The fact is that acne treatments take time to work.
Sometimes, too, what works for one person may not work for another. You may have to try out several options before you find the right one.
Step 3: Consider scar treatment
After your acne has cleared, you still may not have the skin you desire because you find acne scars that existed before treatment. With a clear skin, they may now appear more visible.
Alternatively, your skin now shows an uneven tone, a condition known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Your dermatologist will be able to make suggestions. This too can be treated.
Step 4: Develop a skin care regimen
As you work through your acne treatment, or after you’ve cleared your skin, you must become very strict about keeping a skin care regimen. This may include cleansing and exfoliation.
It may also include moisturizing and some form of sun protection. If your acne treatment is still in progress, include your acne medications in this routine.
Step 5: Invest in monthly facials
At least once a month, invest in going to a day spa. An esthetician is well-trained to provide deep-cleansing treatment that will not only help with acne, but also extract whiteheads and blackheads. However, you should not do spas if you are still using acne treatments, even if they do not involve prescription but over-the-counter meds.
A backup plan
Usually, this five-step plan works remarkably well. But what if it doesn’t work for you? Here are three questions to help you review why the plan did not work:
1. Did you miss a few steps?
It’s possible that you missed a few steps, such as failing to see a dermatologist. Or you saw one, but did not follow through. Perhaps you saw one, followed through, but did not report back that the treatment wasn’t working.
2. Did the acne come back?
You may have actually cleared up the acne, but were inconsistent about keeping your skin clean and healthy afterward, which resulted in the acne coming back.
3. Do you have high stress?
You may be having acne outbreaks because of stress. If you happen to be highly stressed because of life or work problems, you’ll have to find effective ways to dissipate the stress.
Popular solutions to de-stress include adding leisurely activities such as long evening walks and reading books, trying holistic techniques like yoga and meditation, or getting more exercise by running or going to the gym.
