🤔 Why Some People Don’t Respond to Acne Treatments

Why Some People Don’t Respond to Acne Treatments

Acne is one of the most frustrating skin problems—for patients and sometimes even for doctors. Many people come to my clinic saying:

“Doctor, I’ve tried everything—creams, face washes, antibiotics, even home remedies—but my pimples just don’t go away.”

So why does this happen? Let’s look at the main reasons I see in practice.

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1️⃣ Wrong Diagnosis

Not every pimple-like bump is acne. Conditions like fungal acne, rosacea, or folliculitis can look similar but need completely different treatments. If the diagnosis is wrong, no acne treatment will work.

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2️⃣ Over-the-Counter Creams

Many patients use steroid-based creams from local shops. These may temporarily reduce redness but eventually make acne worse. Self-medication delays proper care.

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3️⃣ Hormonal Factors

For some, especially women, acne is linked to hormonal imbalance (like PCOS). Creams and antibiotics won’t solve it if hormones aren’t addressed. In such cases, treatment needs a broader approach with medicines, lifestyle changes, and sometimes hormonal evaluation.

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4️⃣ Irregular Use of Medicines

Acne treatment requires patience. Stopping creams in 1 week because “it’s not working” or skipping tablets breaks the treatment cycle. Consistency is key.

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5️⃣ Lifestyle Habits

Late nights, junk food, stress, or smoking often play a hidden role. Even the best medicines struggle to show results if lifestyle triggers are ignored.

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6️⃣ Resistant Bacteria

Sometimes, the acne-causing bacteria (Cutibacterium acnes) become resistant to certain antibiotics. That’s when we shift to different medicines or treatments like chemical peels, lasers, or isotretinoin.

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✅ Dermatologist’s Advice

If your acne is not improving:

• Don’t keep changing creams every week.

• Get a proper diagnosis first.

• Be patient—real improvement takes weeks, not days.

• Discuss all possible triggers (hormonal, lifestyle, stress) with your dermatologist.

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✨ Takeaway: Acne that doesn’t respond is not “untreatable”—it just needs the right diagnosis, consistent care, and a personalized plan.

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