Shave

Yes Doc, It's me again!

ITs been about 6 weeks now  on the 3 medications, (clind., moncly. and diff) and I see  improvement.  However, it is still the worse by like where I shave.  I shave about 2 times a week.  Does shaving have anything to do with it?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Matt:

It's me again, too!

Actually, shaving doesn't have much effect on acne, other than irritating what's already there.  As the acne goes away, so does the ill-effect of shaving.

You may, however, also have a component of pseudofolliculitis  ("Razor bumps), which refers to pimple-like bumps caused by shaving too close, especially in people with curly hair.  If these pimples persist after the acne has gone, you may want to consider dealing with shaving by, for instance, trying to shave with an electric, or at least always shaving with the grain.

Best.

Dr. R