All the effective treatments for acne
It doesn’t matter if you’re a teen suffering from acne, or an adult suffering from acne related to stress or hormones; it hurts to have acne. I know what it’s like to suffer from acne and not know where to turn to for acne help.
So, here are all the effective treatments for acne with some additional skin-care tips to prevent it from ever happening:
Topical acne medications
The most common topical prescription medications for acne are as follows:
1-Retinoids
Retinoid drugs are derived from vitamin A and include tretinoin (Avita, Retin-A, others), adapalene (Differin) and tazarotene (Tazorac, Avage). These come as creams, gels and lotions.
If you have moderate to severe acne that hasn’t gotten better with other treatments, a retinoid may help.
When spread on the skin, retinoids can unclog pores, allowing other medicated creams and gels to work better.
They also reduce acne outbreaks by preventing dead cells from clogging pores. By clearing acne and reducing outbreaks, they may also reduce the formation of acne scars.
Usage: apply it in the evening, beginning with three times a week, then daily as your skin becomes used to it.
2-Antibiotics
Antibiotics work by clearing the skin of acne-causing bacteria and reducing inflammation. There are several topical antibiotic products available in creams, gels, solutions, pads, foams, and lotions.
Examples of topical antibiotics are clindamycin and erythromycin (Benzamycin). Topical antibiotics alone aren’t that effective in treating acne, so they have to be combined with benzoyl peroxide to reduce the chances of developing antibiotic resistance.
Usage: For the first few months of treatment, you may use both a retinoid and an antibiotic, with the antibiotic applied in the morning and then retinoid in the evening.
3-Azelaic acid
Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring acid found in whole-grain cereals and animal products. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
It comes in a gel or cream and It is more commonly used for another type of condition called rosacea, but it may help with mild acne.
It’s even more effective when used in combination with erythromycin.
Prescription azelaic acid (Azelex, Finacea) is an option during pregnancy and while breast-feeding.
Usage: A 20 percent azelaic acid cream seems to be as effective as many conventional acne treatments when used twice a day for at least four weeks.
4-Dapsone
Dapsone is another antibiotic that has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity. Have been used in severe acne conditions such as nodulocystic acne. It comes in a gel.
dapsone gel has lower response rates than currently available topical treatments that are less expensive, but it may have a role in those few patients who are allergic to or cannot tolerate other treatments.
Usage: Dapsone (Aczone) 5 percent gel twice daily is recommended for inflammatory acne, especially in adult females with acne.
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Oral acne medications
1-Antibiotics
For moderate to severe acne, you may need oral antibiotics to reduce bacteria and fight inflammation. Usually the first choice for treating acne is tetracycline such as minocycline or doxycycline or a macrolide.
Oral antibiotics are best used with topical retinoids and benzoyl peroxide, but for the shortest time as possible to prevent antibiotic resistance.
Side effects: the problem with systemic (oral) antibiotics that they have more side effects than topical antibiotic such as allergy, photosensitivity, Gastrointestinal disturbance, thrush and bacterial resistance.
2-Oral contraceptives
Oral contraceptives are Birth control pills contain female hormones that work by counteracting the effect of male hormones (such as testosterone) on acne.
As for acne treatment, you should take four combined oral contraceptives as the FDA approved it for acne therapy in women who also wish to use them for contraception.
You may not see the benefit of this treatment for a few months, so using other acne medications with it the first few weeks may show you faster result.
Side effects: weight gain, breast tenderness and nausea. A serious potential complication is a slightly increased risk of blood clots.
3-Spironolactone
Spironolactone is an anti-androgenic agent that works by blocking the effect of androgen hormones on the sebaceous glands.
The drug spironolactone (Aldactone) may be considered for women and adolescent girls if oral antibiotics aren’t helping.
Side effects: breast tenderness and painful periods.
4-Isotretinoin
Isotretinoin is a powerful drug for people whose severe acne doesn’t respond to other treatments. It works by decreasing facial oil (sebum) production.
The course of treatment takes about 4 to 5 months. Sometimes, one course of treatment takes less time or a bit more time. Dermatologists tailor the treatment to each patient.
The Oral isotretinoin course is very effective. But because of its potential side effects, doctors need to closely monitor anyone they treat with this drug.
Side effects: dry lips and mouth, minor swelling of the eyelids or lips, crusty skin, nosebleeds, upset stomach, thinning of hair, ulcerative colitis, an increased risk of depression and suicide, and severe birth defects.
Dermatological Therapies
These therapies may be suggested in special cases with or without medications:
1-Lasers therapy
Laser and other light-based therapies have been tried with some success in treating mild types of acne.
2-Chemical peel
This procedure uses repeated applications of a chemical solution, such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid or retinoic acid. This treatment is not long lasting, so repeat treatments are usually needed.
3-removal of white/black heads
The doctor may use special tools to gently remove whiteheads and blackheads that haven’t cleared up with topical medications.
4-Steroid injection
Injecting a steroid drug into Nodular and cystic lesions can be effective in improving the condition and decreasing the pain.
Additional skin-care tips to prevent acne
You can try to avoid or control mild acne without taking any prescriptive drugs, and here are some good basic skin care and other self-care techniques to prevent acne:
- Wash problem areas with a gentle cleanser twice a day.
- Avoid certain products, such as facial scrubs, astringents and masks.
- Avoid Excessive washing and scrubbing.
- Avoid oily or greasy cosmetics, sunscreens, hair styling products or acne concealers.
- Use products labeled water-based or noncomedogenic, which means they are less likely to cause acne.
- Protect your skin from the sun by using a sunscreen.
- Avoid friction or pressure on your skin.
- Protect your acne-prone skin from contact with items such as phones, helmets, tight collars or straps, and backpacks.
- Avoid touching or picking at the problem areas.
- Shower after strenuous activities.
