Breakouts, whether severe or mild, are certainly frustrating to deal with. Luckily, though, there are many trusted skin professionals out there who specialize in treating this condition. The two most common professionals that people reach out to are estheticians like myself and dermatologists. But who should you see for your skin and how do their approaches differ? The answer really lies in what you think is the best fit for you. Let me explain.
Recently, I had a first-time client who told me that she had battled terrible cystic breakouts in the chin and jawline area (those hard, sore, infected bumps that linger under the skin for weeks). She came across this blog post that talked about how dairy might exacerbate cystic breakouts. She decided to follow my advice and cut out dairy for two weeks to see if there would be an improvement. Sure enough, she didn’t get any new breakouts. She had been on antibiotics several times in the past and while this did offer some improvement, the breakouts would come right back after she stopped taking them. She was absolutely ecstatic.
A few months later, she went to see her dermatologist for her annual skin check. She mentioned that she had cut out dairy and her breakouts completely disappeared. He replied, “No, that can’t be. Foods have no effect on your skin.” She shared this with me and it got me thinking about how completely different an esthetician’s and a dermatologist’s approach can be.
A Dermatologist’s Approach
A traditional dermatologist has the ability to prescribe medications to treat breakouts and other skin conditions. Prescription medications can certainly work, and there are times when I will refer a client to consult a dermatologist for one. However, they don’t always address the underlying cause of the issue.
Note: dermatologists do offer non-prescription options as well. They don’t necessarily rely exclusively on medications.
An Esthetician’s Approach
Which Professionals to Seek Help From
If you’re struggling with severe breakouts, I recommend you schedule a consultation with the following professionals:
- A Licensed Esthetician: This is helpful to discuss skincare products and professional treatments, such as chemical peels and deep pore-cleansing facials.
- A Dermatologist: This is helpful to discuss medical options.
- A Gynecologist: This is helpful to discuss and identify possible hormonal issues, particularly if you have adult acne.
Celebrity Esthetician & Skincare Expert
As an esthetician trained in cosmetic chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching skin, educating her audience, and building an award-winning line of products. Her hands-on experience as an esthetician and trusted skin care expert has created a real-world solution — products that are formulated for nine different types of skin so your face will get exactly what it needs to look and feel its best. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare obsessives around the globe, her vast real-world knowledge and constant research are why Marie Claire calls her “the most passionate skin practitioner we know.”
