This post is written by Meleah Johnson, nurse practitioner at REN Dermatology.
I have struggled with acne since I was a teenager, and this is what first sparked my interest in dermatology as a nurse. I began studying at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and obtained my RN at Middle TN State University, where I listened to a nursing lecture given by a nurse practitioner on burns — I knew at that moment that I loved the skin. This led me to my first job as a nurse at Vanderbilt Regional Burn Center, where I gained invaluable experience with wounds and the skin in general. I went on to work in cosmetics and plastic surgery at Vanderbilt where I also did clinical rotations, as I was working to become a nurse practitioner. I graduated with my master of science in nursing from Tennessee State University, became board certified and have worked at REN since that time.
My battle with acne began when I was in high school and has continued until even now. I still have bad days with break outs, so I understand how frustrating it can be. Effective acne treatment seems to be different for each patient and affects such a broad range of ages. Treatment needs to be tailored to each individual patient, based on the type of acne and their age. I always have a soft spot for my acne patients and really love to see them come back in with clear skin.
Seeing a dermatologist before acne gets too out of control is important, but if you are looking for good, over-the-counter treatment regimens, try washes with benzoyl peroxide. These can be somewhat drying to the skin so be sure to have a good moisturizer that’s non-comedogenic, so that application won’t clog the pores. Avoiding high fat and high dairy diets is also important, since some studies show a correlation between these foods and breakouts. Whey protein supplements have also been known to make acne worse, so avoid these if you have acne-prone skin. This condition can be very stubborn, so over the counter regimens don’t always do the trick. If you have tried and failed with clearing, make an appointment and let us help you with a prescription regimen.