Acne Treatments

Over-the-Counter Acne Treatments

A wide range of medications are available today which have proven effective in the treatment of acne. Sometimes it may be necessary to take a combination of medicines to successfully and completely treat the acne. The earlier you treat your acne, the less likely you are to develop severe acne and scars from pimples. Do consult your dermatologist before embarking on any course of medication. Also, do remember that there are no miraculous cures for acne and medications that promise an overnight cure are probably not proven to do so. Results from these acne drugs are generally seen in six to eight weeks.

Most over-the-counter (OTC) medications are suited for mild forms of acne. For moderate to severe forms of acne you will probably have to consult a dermatologist and get medicines prescribed for your specific condition. Amongst the OTC medicines, there are as many medicines as there are forms of acne! Choosing the right one for your condition can be a challenging task. Topical acne medications available are found in the form of creams, gels, lotions and soaps. Some of the common over-the-counter medications are:

Benzoyl Peroxide

This is a strong oxidizer that helps to kill the bacteria responsible for the inflammation and redness that are present in the clogged pores. It has been proven successful in treating acne in the short term. It also helps to clear the acne by removing dead skin cells in the clogged pores. Be warned that benzoyl peroxide can cause dryness and irritation, so do apply only as per directions. It is also a known bleaching agent so be careful of your clothes and sheets when using it.

Salicyclic Acid

This is a common exfoliating agent that helps in peeling the top layer of the skin and thereby prevents the build up of dead skin cells which are partially responsible for clogging the pores. It also assists in unblocking already blocked pores. It can be a skin irritant, so again use as per directions. Also, it does not prevent the formation of new blemishes.

Resorcinol

Resorcinol, found in many OTC medicines, is used to treat acne, seborrhic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and other skin disorders. It breaks down blackheads and whiteheads and this helps to control acne.

Sulfur

Rarely used alone due to it abhorrent smell, sulfur is present in many OTC medications, especially in combination with alcohol, salicyclic acid and resorcinol.

Prescription Medications for Acne

Why should you visit a dermatologist?

With the host of over-the-counter medications available, it can be quite a frustrating experience and long drawn process finding the right medication that suits your particular type of acne and skin. The easier and most often desirable option would be to contact a dermatologist, a medically trained professional who specializes in treating skin conditions, to help you sort the options and customize an acne treatment that specifically tackles your exclusive case.

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The author, Jack Smith writes about various topics. Please feel free to re-print this article. If you do re-print, please keep all links, bio information and article content unchanged. Thank You! Acne Info

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Types of Prescription Treatments

Prescription treatments include oral medications and topical treatments. In the oral type of medications you could be advised to have antibiotics or contraceptives. You might also be prescribed a topical antimicrobial or retinoid to be used in conjunction with the oral medication or separately.

Oral Antibiotics

Antibiotics help to kill the bacteria that are in the blocked skin pore. They are usually prescribed for a more severe case, although sometimes a person suffering from moderate acne may also be prescribed antibiotics. Common prescription antibiotics for acne are tetracycline, doxycycline and minocycline. However, it can been noticed that as the P. acnes bacteria is becoming more and more common, it is developing a certain amount of resistance to antibiotics. Oral antibiotics for acne usually show results within a few weeks.

Oral contraceptives

Many women resort to oral contraceptives as long-term treatments for acne. Oral contraceptives suppress the over active sebaceous glands which produce the excessive sebum and lead to blocked pores and acne. A new pill with the progestin drospirenone has been known to be effective in controlling this hormonal activity. Oral contraceptives have several side-effects like strokes, heart attacks and blood clotting which need to be considered before starting on this course.

Topical Antimicrobials

Topical acne microbials include clindamycin and erythromycin and are most commonly prescribed to treat this condition. They work by attacking the P. acnes bacteria and its inflammatory effects and thus help to minimize papules and pustules.

Topical Retinoids

Derivatives of vitamin A, these topical retinoids such as tretinoin, adapalene and tazarotene all influence the cell creation and lifecycle of the cells in the follicle lining. This prevents the cells from getting blocked. Topical retinoids have been found to be quite effective in the treatment of acne but they have side effects like skin irritation and increased sun sensitivity.

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