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Treatments for Acne
Over-the Counter Acne Treatments
Prescription Acne Treatments
In-office Dermatologist Procedures for Acne
Over-the-Counter Acne Treatments
Preventative acne treatments and skin care regimens are designed to clean and/or exfoliate your skin to prevent pore blockages or to deliver acne medication to the surface of the skin to help prevent new breakouts from occurring.
Cleansers
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. This regular regimen cleanses and nourishes your skin, helping to keep your pores open. Since clogged pores can lead to the start of new pimples, this is an important goal of any preventative regimen.For most people, a daily 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.
Exfoliants
Exfoliants can also be incorporated into your daily regimen. These products help by gently removing excess skin cells and debris that can clog hair follicles and lead to pimples.
Acne Creams, Acne Cleansers and Acne Gels
There are those times, however, when you will benefit from a stronger, anti-acne cleanser—or from the regular application of an anti-acne cream or gel as a preventative measure. These products typically contain one of two active ingredients (i.e., medicines) designed to fight the outbreak of new acne–benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Each works in a different manner: Benzoyl peroxide reduces p.acnes bacteria and removes dead skin cells, while salicylic acid helps correct the abnormal shedding of skin cells. Both products may have side effects, primarily excessive drying and/or irritation of the skin, and both can take six to eight weeks to work.
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 product in your preventative regimen.
Moisturizers for Acne
Even if you have oily skin, experts recommend using a moisturizer. Choose an oil-free moisturizer, and make sure it is labeled as non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic – that means it is specifically designed not to clog your pores. If you’re using an anti-acne medication like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, it is also very important to use a sunscreen to protect your skin, as these ingredients can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays.
Acne Devices
Acne devices like ThermaClear use advanced technologies similar to those used by dermatologists to treat acne and pimples--only you can use them at home. Recently FDA-cleared for over-the-counter use, one leading product, ThermaClear, uses a unique, proprietary 2-second Thermal Pulse Technology™ to reach deep beneath the skin's surface and neutralize the bacteria that causes pimples. This advanced thermal energy promotes and preconditions tissues for improving healing. And, since there is no medicine delivered to the surface of your skin, you won't experience over-drying or irritation like you can with some topical acne medications.
Prescription Acne Treatments
If you have more severe skin problems, including severe acne, a dermatologist can offer stronger solutions such as antibiotic acne 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 higher levels of benzoyl peroxide. 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). Pregnant women should be very cautious when considering prescription acne medicines, as many prescription treatments for acne are not clinically proven to be safe during pregnancy.
Prescription Acne Treatments (Topical)
There are several topical treatments you may be prescribed, including those listed below:
Topical retinoids (e.g., Tretinoin)
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.
Topical antibiotics (or “antimicrobial”)
Lotions applied to the skin 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 (e.g., topicals that combine an antibiotic such as erythromycin with benzoyl peroxide).
Prescription Acne Treatments (Oral)
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.
Oral contraceptives
Can sometimes help women who have acne. A combination of the hormone pill, ethinylestradiol, with cyproterone acetate suppresses testosterone activity and is often used in women with acne, since testosterone production may contribute to acne.
Oral retinoids (i.e., Isotretinoin, aka, Accutane)
Like their topical counterparts, oral retinoids work by drying up oily secretions. These drugs tend 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.
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In-Office Dermatologist Treatments
Dermatologists occasionally use the following procedures to help clear acne.
Chemical Peels
Dermatologists may use light chemical peels of salicylic acid, glycolic acid and other chemical agents to loosen blackheads and decrease acne papules.
Comedo Extraction
Sometimes removing comedones proves beneficial. To extract whiteheads and blackheads, dermatologists use a sterile pen-sized device. This is not the same thing as picking or squeezing pimples at home, which can lead to worsening of the acne, scarring and infection. Tissue injured by squeezing or picking may also become infected by staphylococci, streptococci and other bacteria.
Drainage and Surgical Extraction
Some large acne cysts do not respond to medication and may require drainage and extraction, also called “acne surgery.” This procedure reduces the pain associated with these cysts and decreases the likelihood of scarring. Again, you should not attempt to drain cysts by squeezing or picking, as it can lead to infection, worsening of the acne and scarring. Dermatologists are trained in the proper technique and perform “acne surgery” under sterile conditions.
Intralesional Cortisone Injections
This treatment may be applied for larger, longer lasting acne lesions to reduce pain and swelling of acne nodules or cysts. Each lesion is injected with a dilute cortisone solution using a tiny, ultrathin needle.
Phototherapy (Laser and Light Treatments)
Over the last several years, laser technology has also assumed an increasingly important role in the treatment of acne scars. Several laser and light treatments are available to treat acne. A dermatologist can determine if laser or light treatment is appropriate for you.
With laser and light treatments, you do not have to remember to apply or take any medication. The procedure can also treat hard-to-reach areas, such as the back. However, laser and light treatments can be very expensive. Anyone considering laser or light therapy should consult a dermatologist experienced in providing the therapy. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the physician’s experience and qualifications.
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