As Dieting Keeps Weight Gain at Bay, Maintenance Therapy Keeps Acne Away

After a patient has finished taking their acne medication (eg, an oral antibiotic for 3 months or isotretinoin), it is important to discuss maintenance therapy with say a retinoid plus or minus benzoyl peroxide, either nightly or 3 times per week. Teenagers often think, “My skin is clear, why should I bother?” One way to explain the need for maintenance therapy is to liken it to a diet: “After losing weight, you need to actively watch what you eat or you’ll gain back your weight. Likewise, to prevent acne from returning, you must be vigilant about skin care.”