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Acne Information >> Acne Treatments

Acne Treatments

A wide variety of acne treatments are available over the counter, and these are usually sufficient to treat mild to moderate acne. In some cases, however, when these treatments don’t work, sufferers seek medical advice from a qualified dermatologist, who may prescribe stronger medications to help clear their acne.

Over-the-counter treatments are typically either “preventative” or “spot” treatments. Preventative treatments typically prevent pimples from occurring by keeping skin clean and pores clear. A spot treatment, such as a gel or lotion containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, is used to treat pimples that have already occurred.

Preventative Therapy

Preventative treatments are used on a regular basis to prevent breakouts from occurring. When it comes to preventing pimples, the best thing you can do for your skin is to be diligent about keeping it clean. Use a gentle cleanser twice daily, in the morning and at night.

Cleansers

Contrary to the marketing efforts of many skin care products, for most people, a cleanser need not contain an “anti-acne” ingredient like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid; in fact, these ingredients can dry the skin and cause irritation. In some cases, these ingredients, when used too often or at too high a dose, can make your skin appear more damaged than it actually is.

There are those, however, who do benefit from a stronger, anti-acne cleanser—or from the regular application of an anti-acne cream or gel as a preventative measure. If you can use these products without experiencing dryness or irritation, and you feel your breakouts are regular and frequent, it’s fine to include an anti-acne ingredient in your preventative regimen.

Exfoliants

Exfoliants can also help gently remove excess skin cells and debris that can clog hair follicles and lead to pimples.

Moisturizers

Even if you have oily skin, a moisturizer is a must. Choose an oil-free moisturizer, preferably with a sunscreen. If you’re using an anti-acne medication like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, a sunscreen is also a must-have, as these ingredients can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays.

Spot Treatments

Spot treatments are used to speed the time it takes to eliminate those inevitable pimples that appear (unfortunately, they do break through—no matter how good your preventative regimen may be).Most over the counter spot treatments contain one of two common active ingredients: salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Most treatments contain a small percentage of the active ingredient—starting at around 1%—but they can sometimes contain as much as 10%. Both salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide can have a drying effect on the skin; in general, the higher the concentration of the active ingredient in the product, the more likely it is that some users will experience a degree of dryness on the treated areas.

High Tech Acne Solutions

These days, a wide variety of high-tech acne solutions are becoming very trendy, earning shelf space at major retailers like Sephora and Ulta and generally creating a whole new category of acne-fighting products. Most of these devices have clincial studies to support them, and use any of the following technologies to clear acne:

• Heat therapy. FDA-cleared devices like ThermaClear and Zeno use heat to penetrate beneath the skin's surface and kill the bacteria that causes acne. There may also be an anti-inflammatory response created within your body that speeds healing, although this hasn't been comletely proven.
• Blue light therapy. The FDA has also cleared high-intensity blue light devices, which also work by killing the bacteria that causes acne. These newer devices do not contain ultraviolet light light like earlier versions of this treatment did. Typically, the science behind these devices involves an understanding of what causes acne inflammeration. The P. acnes bacteria, which causes acne, emits little molecules called porphyrins. When these are exposed to certain wavelengths of light, they produce free radicals that fight the bacteria.
• Red light therapy. Similarly, red light therapy helps aid the healing process after a breakout; that's why many devices offer a combination of blue and red light therapy. Limited clinical studies on the "at-home" versions of this kind of treatment make it tough to determine if the devices are worth the money, but rest assured we'll be testing them here, soon!
• Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy. Also FDA-cleared in the form of Claro, a handheld device available by prescription from medical professionals, intense pulsed light penetrates the skin and eliminates bacteria, as well as reduces inflammation.
• PhotoTherapy / LED Technology. This is a generic catchall name for various light therapies, and one used by ANSR, an acne system that uses a light-producing device combined with topical treatments to treat acne and reduce the signs of aging. The ANSR uses a combination of both blue and red light to achieve the desired results.

Medical /Prescription Treatments

If you have more severe skin problems, including severe acne, a dermatologist can offer stronger solutions such as antibiotic treatments, in-office laser treatments, and other anti-acne solutions available only under a doctor’s care.

Your treatment may begin with anti-acne measures similar to those available at home, such as a prescription-strength cream containing benzoyl peroxide, only stronger. If these do not work, or if you have more severe acne, there are other treatment options, which you can either rub onto your skin (topical) or take in tablet form (oral).

Topical treatments

There are several topical treatments you may be prescribed, including those listed below:

• Topical retinoids (i.e., Adapalene) are vitamin A based medicines, which are rubbed into the skin once or twice a day. They work by encouraging the outer layer of skin to flake off.
• A topical antibiotic lotion applied to the skin may be used to control the P. acnes bacteria. Treatment needs to continue for at least six months. Preparations that combine an antibiotic with other acne medication are also available (i.e., Benzamycin, which combines an antibiotic with benzoyl peroxide)

Oral treatments

There are several oral treatments a dermatologist might prescribe for acne, including those listed below:

• Oral antibiotics (tablets), such as tetracycline, can be prescribed for inflammatory acne. They should be taken daily for around three months, although you might not see benefits for four to six months. The success of this treatment can be limited because some strains of bacteria are resistant to antibiotics. Antibiotics do not prevent pores from becoming blocked, so a treatment to prevent blackheads, such as benzoyl peroxide, is often also prescribed at the same time
• Some types of oral contraceptive tablets can help women who have acne. A combination of the usual pill hormone, ethinylestradiol, with cyproterone acetate suppresses testosterone activity and is often used in women with acne, since testosterone production may contribute to acne.
• Isotretinoin (aka, Accutane) is an oral retinoid. Like its topical counterparts, it works by drying up oily secretions. It tends to be prescribed to people with severe forms of acne that have proved resistant to other treatments. A number of serious side effects, such as liver disorders and depression, can occur in people who take this drug. You should not take isotretinoin if you are pregnant, as it is very dangerous to an unborn baby.