Acne: 7 Reasons Why Treatment Should Not Be Delayed
December 12, 2025White Spots on the Skin: The Most Common Causes
December 12, 2025Managing acne is not an easy task, as it often persists even though sufferers do everything in their power to fight it or at least keep it under control.
In this effort, however, they unintentionally make many mistakes. Dr. Markos Michelakis, Dermatologist–Venereologist (Aesthetic Dermatology–Dermatosurgery), has some advice to help correct the most common of these mistakes.
- Give the treatment time. Impatience is a bad advisor when it comes to acne because every product or therapy needs time to work. Worse yet: frequently changing products can irritate the skin and worsen acne.
«Most acne products usually need 4–6 weeks to show any visible results,» says Dr. Michelakis. «However, to clear the skin, it may take 2–3 months or even longer. Moreover, when the skin begins to clear, it does not mean the treatment should stop. On the contrary, it should continue to prevent potential flare-ups.»
Another big mistake is applying many different products at the same time. «One or two at a time are more than enough,» says the specialist. «Testing more products within the same 24 hours overburdens the skin and can worsen acne.»
- Target the cause. Ideally, acne treatment should begin with one product. If no improvement is seen after 4–6 weeks, a second product with a different mechanism should be added to target a different cause of acne.
These causes include certain bacteria, pore blockage, excess sebum production, and inflammation.
Bacteria (Cutibacterium acnes) can be combated with products containing benzoyl peroxide. Pores can be unclogged by ointments and creams with retinoids, which also reduce sebum. Salicylic acid, in addition, soothes inflammation and opens pores.
Products containing these ingredients are available over the counter, but it is advisable to consult a dermatologist to recommend a suitable combination and treatment sequence for you.
- Follow the instructions. For acne products to work, they must be used correctly. This means carefully reading and adhering to the instructions.
«If the treatment plan has been prescribed by the dermatologist, the patient must follow those instructions,» clarifies Dr. Michelakis. «One of the most common reasons acne treatment fails is patient non-compliance with the prescribed regimen—just as in many other medical and dermatological conditions.»
- Be careful where you apply it. Do not apply acne products only to the spots with pimples, but to the entire affected area (for example, if you have pimples on the sides of the face, apply to the cheeks as well, or if you have back acne, cover the entire back).
«A thin layer of product on acne-prone skin works not only therapeutically on existing pimples but also preventively against new ones,» explains Dr. Michelakis.
- Wash frequently anything that touches your pimples. Practically, this means changing pillowcases 2–3 times per week and washing your hat and scarf just as often. It is also necessary to regularly disinfect your phone and headset, and of course, change the shirt that touches your pimples daily.
Cleanliness can make a difference in acne care because dead skin cells, bacteria, and dirt accumulate on the aforementioned items and can clog the pores.
- Pay attention to what you buy. If you have acne and use cosmetics, make sure they are suitable for acne-prone skin, otherwise, you may unintentionally worsen your condition.
Appropriate cosmetics state that they do not contain pore-clogging ingredients (non-comedogenic), do not cause acne (non-acnegenic), and are oil-free.
If a cosmetic that meets these standards worsens your acne, try a different one.
- Do not wash your skin too often. You may think washing your skin morning, noon, and night is helpful, but in reality, it worsens acne.
Acne-prone skin is very sensitive, and washing should only occur in three situations: in the morning upon waking, before going to bed at night, and when sweating.
However, be careful how you wash. Do not scrub your skin at all, no matter how dirty or oily it seems, because friction worsens acne.
«With modern acne treatments and good collaboration between the patient and the dermatologist, it is rare to encounter a case of acne that cannot be managed,» concludes Dr. Michelakis.
