Tired of trying over-the-counter products for your acne but nothing seems to work? Acne is a common skin condition that occurs when the pores of your skin get clogged. Some pimples are filled with pus, which causes pain when broken and leaves a scar on the skin. However, with many effective treatments, all types of acne are treatable. Learn different treatment options for acne in this article. If you notice changes in the appearance of your skin, you can consult the best dermatologist in East New York. Please contact Doral Health and Wellness Dermatology Center.
Effective treatment options for acne
Treatment of acne depends on several factors like your age, type of acne, and severity. The most common and effective treatment options for acne are:
- Medication:
Usually, medications are prescribed to reduce oil production, swelling, and treat bacterial infections. Keep in mind, these medications don’t show any major results for 4 to 8 weeks (about 2 months). To completely clear the acne, it may take months or sometimes years.
The doctor prescribes medications based on your acne type, severity, and your willingness to follow the procedure. For example, if topical medications are prescribed, you may need to apply them after washing your skin where acne appears twice a day for several weeks. Usually, the doctor prescribes oral or topical medications in combination for better results. However, treatment options can be different for pregnant women as they are prone to side effects with some acne treatment.
You can consult with your doctor about the risks and benefits of the medication you’re taking. Regular follow-up appointments with your doctor every 3 to 6 months help you monitor your skin improvement.
Topical medications:
These medications are directly applied to acne. Here are the most common topical medications for acne treatment:
- Retinoids and retinoid-like drugs:
Medications containing retinoic acids or tretinoin can be used to treat moderate acne. It comes in the form of creams, gels, and lotions. For example, tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene, etc. You can apply this medication in the evening 3 times a week, then regularly as your skin gets used to it. It prevents clogged hair follicles, however, don’t apply with benzoyl peroxide. Avoid going directly in sunlight as retinoids increase skin sensitivity. You may develop dry skin or redness, especially in brown or black skin. Adapalene is commonly tolerable.
- Antibiotics:
It is used to kill excess skin bacteria and to reduce redness and inflammation. For the first few months of acne treatment, the doctor may prescribe both a retinoid or an antibiotic, you need to apply an antibiotic in the morning and a retinoid in the evening. However, antibiotics are mostly combined with benzoyl peroxide as it reduces the risk of antibiotic resistance. For example, clindamycin with benzoyl peroxide and erythromycin with benzoyl peroxide. Generally, topical antibiotics without combination are not prescribed.
- Azelaic acid and salicylic acid:
Azelaic acid is naturally produced by yeast and contains antibacterial properties. A 20% azelaic acid cream or gel is effective to use for conventional acne treatments. You can use it twice a day. Prescription azelaic acid is also considered safe during pregnancy and while breast-feeding. It is also prescribed to manage discoloration with some types of acne. You may experience side effects like skin redness and minor skin irritation.
Salicylic acid may help prevent plugged hair follicles which are found in wash-off and leave-on products. While the studies that show its effectiveness are limited, it’s useful for some people. You may experience side effects like skin discoloration and minor skin irritation.
- Dapsone:
Doctors prescribe this gel for daily usage to prevent inflammatory acne, especially for women with acne. Its side effects are redness and dryness.
- Benzoyl peroxide:
It is an over-the-counter medication that is used to remove bacteria that aggravate acne. Using lower concentrations and wash formulations form is less irritating to the skin.
Studies strongly suggest avoiding topical acne treatments that contain zinc, sulfur, nicotinamide, resorcinol, sulfacetamide sodium, or aluminum chloride.
Oral medications:
These medications are taken by mouth to treat acne. The most common oral medications for acne treatment are:
- Antibiotics:
Oral antibiotics are used to reduce bacteria that cause moderate to severe acne. Usually, doctors recommend tetracycline or macrolide for treating acne. A macrolide is recommended for people who can’t take tetracyclines, including pregnant women and children under 8 years old. Remember, avoid using oral antibiotics for too long to prevent antibiotic resistance. It should be given with other drugs like benzoyl peroxide, to reduce the risk of developing antibiotic resistance. It causes similar side effects as topical antibiotics for skin sensitivity directly under the sunlight.
- Combined oral contraceptives:
Only 4 combined oral contraceptives are approved by the FDA for acne therapy in women who want to use them as contraception. These contraceptives are a combination of progestin and estrogen. However, you may not see the benefit of these treatments until a few months later, so you can use other acne medications for the first few weeks. You may experience side effects like weight gain, breast tenderness, and nausea. These drugs are also linked with an elevated risk of cardiovascular problems, breast cancer, and cervical cancer.
- Anti-androgen agents:
Doctors may prescribe the drug spironolactone for women and adolescent girls if oral antibiotics aren’t helping. This medicine blocks the effect of androgen hormones from oil-producing glands. You may experience side effects like breast tenderness and painful periods.
- Isotretinoin:
Isotretinoin is a derivative of vitamin A and is prescribed for people who have moderate and severe acne that hasn’t responded to other treatments. You may experience side effects like inflammatory bowel disease, depression, and severe birth defects. People who take isotretinoin must participate in an FDA-approved risk management program, so that, doctors can regularly monitor your side effects.
- Hormone therapy:
It is useful for some people with acne, especially when your acne flare-ups during menstruation or irregular periods caused by excess androgen. Hormone therapy is a combination of low-dose estrogen and progesterone, or a medication called spironolactone that blocks the effect of certain hormones at the level of your hair follicles and oil glands.
- Therapies:
In case topical or oral medications don’t work well for your acne or leave scars then, a healthcare provider may recommend different types of acne therapies to clear your skin, including:
- Steroids:Steroids are used to treat severe acne with injections into large nodules to lower inflammation.
- Lasers:Lasers and light therapy are used to treat acne scars. A laser is directly applied to the skin and heats the scarred collagen under your skin. This relies on your body’s wound-healing response to create new, healthy collagen, which promotes new skin growth to replace it.
- Chemical peels:This treatment involves the use of special chemicals to remove the top layer of old skin. After removal of the top layer of skin, new skin grows with smoother or lesser acne scars.
Acne treatments can vary depending on the type of acne, severity, age, and other health factors. Treatments usually include oral or topical medications or different acne therapy approaches if you want to remove your acne completely. Keep in mind that several treatment options can cause side effects, so discuss with your dermatologist first about them to manage them properly.
Looking for a solution for your acne, visit our dermatologist clinic in Brooklyn to get all the latest acne treatment options. At Doral Health and Wellness Dermatology Center, we have the best dermatologists that can help you take care of your skin. As dermatology experts in East New York, we are dedicated to providing the best services. You can visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York to schedule an appointment. You can also call us at 1-347-384-5690 or visit our website at https://www.bestbrooklyndermatologist.com.