Treatments for Acne

Acne treatments depend on the severity of the condition. Treatments can go on for several months before the symptoms can have some significant improvement. If you’re just experiencing some minor spots, blackheads or whiteheads, you should be in a position to treat them more effectively. This will be achievable through the use of topical treatments containing benzoyl peroxide.

Treatments from your Doctor

Be sure to see your doctor if your acne is more widespread since you certainly need prescription medications. For instance, if you have a greater number of pustules or papules and over-the-counter drugs have failed to work as required. 

Prescription medications that are ideal for treating acne include Isotretinoin tablets, topical retinoids, antibiotics, and combined oral tablet pills for women.
If you have severe acne, your physician might suggest that you see a medical specialist who’s highly trained in the treatment of acne. This person is referred to as a dermatologist. You can consult a dermatologist if you have a widespread of papules or pustules on the back, face, and chest, or if you have extremely painful nodules. 

Combining antibiotic tablets and topical medications can facilitate quick recovery. It’s often the most preferred form of treatment and has proven to work excellently for most patients. Hormonal therapies plus the combined oral pill can also work efficiently among women who are suffering from acne. Nevertheless, progesterone-only pills or contraceptive implants can sometimes worsen acne-related symptoms. Most of these treatment options can last 2 to 3 months before an improvement is noticed. It’s imperative that patients become patient while taking the recommended treatment, even if they don’t see any immediate effect.

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Most of these treatment options can last up to 2 to 3 months before an improvement is noticed. It’s imperative that patients become receptive while taking the recommended treatment, even if they don’t see any immediate effect.

Topical Treatments

Benzoyl peroxide

This drug works as an antiseptic to suppress the number of bacteria on the skin surface. Again, it plays an important role in reducing the severity of whiteheads or blackheads as well as bringing an anti-inflammatory effect. This form of treatment is often available as creams or gels. It’s taken twice or once a day. It should be applied twenty minutes after washing the affected areas of the body. Remember, benzoyl peroxide should be utilized sparingly since too much of it can irritate your skin. It also causes your skin to be highly sensitive to sunlight, therefore, avoid excessive exposure to the ultraviolet light or apply some sun-protective cream.

The side effects accompanying benzoyl peroxide are some redness and even peeling of the skin, dry and extremely tense skin, and a burning, stinging or itching sensation. Many people require a 6-week course of medication for their acne to disappear completely. You might be advised to continue taking your treatments less frequently to avoid any further occurrence of acne.

Topical antibiotics assist in killing the bacteria present on the skin that attack plugged hair follicles. They are available as gels or lotions, often applied twice daily. The side effects aren’t very common for topical antibiotics, but they might include peeling, irritation, reddening and excessive burning of the skin.

Non-pharmaceutical Treatments

Using photodynamic therapies, comedone extractor, and application of chemical-based peels don’t involve acne medication. Photodynamic therapy is a treatment where intensive light is directed onto the skin in an attempt to relieve the severity of acne. A comedone extractor is a small pen-shaped device used to clean out whiteheads or blackheads. Moreover, chemical-based peels involve the application of certain chemical solutions on the face, making the skin to peel and new skin to be formed and replace it.