The goal of acne treatment is to prevent scarring and reduce the psychological distress that can occur when acne is left untreated. Acne is the most common skin disorder, affecting people of all ages and races. Acne can be persistent, but there are many treatments available that can clear it quickly and permanently.
Treatment for acne usually involves a combination of medications. Those include daily oral antibiotics, which decrease bacteria, and topical medication that treats blemishes and reduces oil. Topical medications are lotions, gels and creams that you apply to the face and neck. There are some that you can buy over the counter, and others that require a prescription. Benzoyl peroxide, for example, helps to break up the excess oil that causes a blemish. It is often used in conjunction with other topical medicines, such as retinoids.
Retinoids help to reduce the amount of oil your body produces. They also decrease inflammation. They are used in conjunction with other topical medicines, including sulfacetamide, benzoyl peroxide and zinc oxide.
In some cases, you may need to take an antibiotic pill (such as tetracycline) to reduce the bacteria that cause acne. Or you may need to take a different type of antibiotic, called a macrolide. A macrolide is sometimes prescribed for pregnant women, who can’t use tetracyclines.
Girls tend to reach puberty at a younger age, and they can often experience a flare before their menstrual cycle. Regular cleansing with a cleanser developed for acne-prone skin and avoiding oily hair products and cosmetics can help. Your dermatologist can recommend special draining and extraction procedures to remove whiteheads or blackheads, which are clogged pores that don’t open and close properly. acne treatment