When should I see a doctor for acne treatment?

If over-the-counter treatments, with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, along with gentle cleansing, don’t work for you (give them a chance — it can take 4-12 weeks to improve acne), a doctor can prescribe stronger treatment. 

Our co-founder/CEO Dr. Sophia Yen spoke to the founders of Pro-Activ who were dermatology residents at the time. They said, if you have access to prescription grade acne treatment, that is almost always better than anything you can get over the counter.

Severe acne requires aggressive treatment to prevent scarring.