Acne Treatments
One of the most important factors in treating and preventing acne is to find a regime that works for you and stick with it.
Most cases of mild acne can be improved with "over-the-counter" products that don't require a prescription from your doctor.
There’s a wide range of acne treatments available, so there’s a great chance one of them will work for you. If you start treating acne early before it gets too severe, you’ll have a much better chance of avoiding physical and emotional problems down the track.
If your acne gets worse or lasts more than a couple of weeks, you should see a dermatologist to find the right treatment for your particular situation.
Some of the most common products used to treat acne are:
What it is
One of the most commonly used ingredients, Benzoyl Peroxide can be very effective in treating mild cases of
non-inflammatory acne. It can also be combined with other topical or oral treatments.
How it works
Benzoyl Peroxide works by destroying P. acnes, the bacteria that causes acne. It acts as an antiseptic and oxidizing agent, reducing the number of comedones, or blocked pores. Because Benzoyl Peroxide treats acne at its source below the surface of the skin, it may be 2–3 weeks before you begin to see visible improvements.
NOTE: While Benzoyl Peroxide kills existing P. acnes (Propionibacterium acnes), it does not increase your body’s natural resistance to bacteria. So even when your breakouts begin to disappear, you should keep treating acne prone areas. Why? This course of acne treatment kills bacteria, but it does not affect sebum production or the rate at which you shed your dead skin cells. If you stop using it, the bacteria — and your acne — will return.
Where to get it
Benzoyl Peroxide is available in a wide range of gels, creams, lotions and cleansers (such as Proactiv) in
non-prescription concentrations of 2.5%, 5% and 10%. It is also available in prescription medications. As with any product, read the label carefully and follow the instructions for proper use.
Common Side Effects
Dryness: The most common side effect, dryness, is usually mild. If the skin is visibly scaly, apply a light oil-free moisturiser.
NOTE: If you experience dryness, irritation or dermatitis and you are using a 5% or 10% solution of benzoyl peroxide, you may want to give your skin some time to heal by trying a lower concentration.
Irritation: Mild irritation may be reduced by less frequent use. Keep from eyes, lips, mouth and sensitive areas of the neck. If excessive swelling, irritation, redness or peeling occurs, discontinue use. If these persist, consult a physician. Avoid excessive exposure to sunlight and other sources of ultra violet light.
Dermatitis: Contact dermatitis (red, dry, itchy skin) can be caused by irritation or allergy. If you experience contact dermatitis, discontinue use immediately and treat it with a mild topical steroid, such as hydrocortisone cream (available in most pharmacies), or consult a healthcare professional.
Bleaching of clothing: Benzoyl Peroxide products may bleach or discolour towels and fabrics. Wash hands after use and allow skin to dry completely before coming into contact with clothing.
What it is
Salicylic Acid is a mild acid that works as a keratolytic agent which means it encourages the shedding of dead skin cells. For acne sufferers of most skin types, Salicylic Acid is a safe, effective treatment for mild acne conditions, oily skin, and changes in skin texture.
How it works
Mild acid solutions, such as Salicylic Acid and Glycolic Acid, can be an effective treatment for acne. Mild acid solutions work by encouraging the top layer of the skin to peel and plugged follicles to open, which helps to re-set the normal skin-cell replacement cycle. For milder acne, Salicylic Acid helps unclog pores. Mild acid treatments don’t have any effect on the production of sebum or the presence of P. acnes bacteria however. Like many other topical acne treatments, Salicylic Acid must be used continuously, even after acne lesions have healed to prevent further acne breakouts.
Where to get it
Many “over-the-counter” acne products contain Salicylic Acid, including lotions, creams, alcohol-based solutions and medicated pads. As with any product, make sure you read the label carefully and follow the instructions for proper use.
Common side effects
Dryness: Dryness is the most common side effect and is usually mild. If the skin is visibly scaly, apply a light oil-free moisturiser.
Irritation: Children are more likely to get skin irritation from Salicylic Acid. If you experience mild irritation, try using the product less frequently. If irritation is severe or persists even when you’re not using it as often, you should stop using the product and consult a healthcare professional.
Precautions
The approved range of Salicylic Acid concentrations for acne treatment is 0.5%–2%. Salicylic Acid can be very drying to the skin, even in low concentrations. If you experience dryness or irritation, take a look at the other skin products you're using. Some products can enhance the keratolytic properties of Salicylic Acid, leaving your skin dry.
A few things to avoid if you are experiencing dryness or irritation when you’re using Salicylic Acid products:
- Abrasive soaps or cleansers
- Alcohol-containing preparations
- Any other topical acne preparation or any preparation containing a peeling agent (Benzoyl Peroxide, Resorcinol, Sulfur, or Tretinoin [Vitamin A Acid])
- Cosmetics or soaps that dry the skin
- Medicated cosmetics
- Other topical skin medicine
For patients who suffer from moderate to severe acne, doctors may prescribe a combination of topical treatments and oral antibiotics.
How they work
Antibiotics control breakouts by curbing the body’s production of P. acnes, the bacteria that causes acne, and by decreasing inflammation. This process may take several weeks or months however, so be patient. And remember, you’re not “cured” just because your breakouts have subsided. That’s simply the medicine doing its job.
Where to get them
If you have moderate to severe acne, consult your dermatologist; he or she will discuss your options and help you make the best choice for your particular condition. Once you’ve begun treatment, give it time to start working. Keep your doctor informed about your progress, so he or she can make changes to the course of treatment if necessary. And remember, don’t stop using your medication when your skin clears — always consult your doctor before deciding to stop or change treatments.
Common side effects
With most antibiotics used to treat acne, common side effects include photosensitivity (higher risk of sunburn), upset stomach, dizziness or light-headedness, hives, lupus-like symptoms and skin discoloration. Some women report a higher incidence of vaginal yeast infection while taking antibiotics; these can usually be treated with over-the-counter antifungal medication or a prescription antifunga.
For some female patients, acne that is resistant to treatment is caused by excessive production of hormones called androgens. With extra androgens in your system, your oil-producing glands go into high gear - and so does your acne. Several signs can help your doctor identify acne that might be influenced by hormones: acne that appears in adults for the first time such as acne flare-ups preceding the menstrual cycle; irregular menstrual cycles; hirsutism (excessive growth of hair or hair in unusual places); and elevated levels of certain androgens in the blood stream. Adult women and teenage girls with acne that has resisted treatment with antibiotics or topical retinoids may benefit from hormonal therapy. Once a patient’s acne is identified as hormone-related, the doctor will be able to prescribe a number of different therapies, or perhaps a combination of several different medications; "Combination Therapy" is often the best approach to this kind of acne. Following are a few common components of therapy for hormonal acne, but remember, consult your doctor before using any of these treatments.
Birth-control pills (a combination of oestrogen and progestin taken orally) are often prescribed for hormonal acne. Low doses of estrogen help suppress the androgens produced by the ovaries, and the newer progestin agents, including desogestrel and norgestimate, are less androgenic than those found in older formulations. Consult your doctor to find the formula that’s right for you. While side effects are uncommon, some women may experience brownish blotches, or melasma (hyperpigmentation) on the skin.
In combination with oral contraceptives, doctors may also prescribe an anti-androgen medication which reduces androgen production in the ovaries and adrenal glands and helps prevent existing androgens from causing excessive oil production. Side effects may include breast tenderness, menstrual irregularities (in women not using oral contraceptives), headache and fatigue.
Small doses of corticosteroids may curb inflammation and suppress the androgens produced by the adrenal glands. Keep in mind that in some acne sufferers, corticosteroids may actually aggravate acne; they’re most effective when used in combination with oral contraceptives.
If you think your acne may be hormone-related, see your doctor right away. While hormonal acne requires a different course of treatment, it can be treated very effectively.
There are a growing number of people who choose herbal acne treatments over traditional medications.
Keep from eyes, lips, mouth and sensitive areas of the neck. If excessive swelling, irritation, redness or peeling occurs, discontinue use. If these persist, consult a physician. Avoid excessive exposure to sunlight and other sources of ultra violet light. Contains Benzoyl Peroxide. Always read the label. Use only as directed.