MYTH 11 - ACNE MEDICATIONS WORK IMMEDIATELY

By the time some patients (clients) develop the motivation to make the appointment and arrive at the office, they want immediate results.  In one study, 66% of patients believed that acne would improve immediately after the first treatment.  They need to know that medications may take up to 12 weeks to make a significant difference, and that acne can relapse as well.  The average acne patient is used to a strip throat getting better with a few days of antibiotic treatment, whereas we know as clinicians that even the strongest medication like oral isotretinoin or minocycline can take months to significantly clear acne.  But whatever patients (clients) may think, results will not be immediate.


Taken from "15 Acne Myths Addresses" June 2011 issue of Skin & Aging