There are many treatments available for acne, and some people may need more than one product. Your treatment will depend on the type, location and severity of your acne. Because it takes a couple of months for acne lesions to mature, many of these treatments will need 2 to 3 months before you can judge their effectiveness. Occasionally during treatment, the acne may worsen in the beginning before it improves. Below are some of the common treatments given for acne:
Topical
- Non-prescription acne products include benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid. When used alone, they are effective for milder cases of acne. They are peeling agents that unplug clogs and help the skin shed dead cells. Benzoyl peroxide is also antibacterial.
- Topical antibiotics can be used to treat the acne bacteria that causes inflammatory acne.
- Retinoids are often used for non-inflammatory acne, but is helpful for inflammatory acne as well. They work by making your skin turn over faster and can cause skin irritation in the beginning (though this often goes away as your skin gets used to the treatment).
Topical products should be applied to the entire affected area, not just to individual pimples. There are many combination products available that contain different combinations of the above.
Oral
- For some women, taking the birth control pill can help regulate the hormones that cause acne flare-ups.
- For more severe inflammatory acne, an antibiotic (e.g., tetracycline*, minocycline, doxycycline) pill may be given.
- Isotretinoin, a strong oral retinoid, is very effective in treating severe acne, but because of its potential side effects it is typically only used when multiple other treatments have failed, especially in women of child-bearing age.
Many of these treatments can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. They should be used along with appropriate sun protection. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the risks and benefits of the different treatment options you are considering.
Many of the cleansers you see advertised for acne aren't necessary. In fact, some may actually make your acne worse. Follow these basic guidelines to help prevent and treat acne:
- Wash no more than twice daily with a mild, unscented soap or soap-less cleanser.
- Pat (don't rub) your skin dry with a clean towel.
- Don't pop, squeeze, or pick at pimples.
- Avoid scrubbing or vigorous washing with a harsh or rough (abrasive) soap.
- Use a fresh washcloth every day.
- Avoid the use of oil based cosmetics
- Shampoo your hair at least twice a week.
- Wash off sweat and oil as soon as possible.
- Blackheads should only be removed by your doctor.
- Although foods do not cause acne, some people find their acne worsens with certain foods. If that's the case, avoid these foods.
For deep acne scarring, collagen injections and laser resurfacing may be used.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For information on a given medication, check our Drug Information database. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2021. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Acne