Acne is a skin condition that occurs when the pores in your skin become blocked with excess oil. This can cause the pores to erupt into pustules, which can result in pimples and blackheads. Medication can treat acne effectively through several mechanisms. Acne medication can reduce the rate of oil production by your sebaceous glands, they can attack the bacteria that can aggravate acne and they can help keep your pores from becoming clogged.
Step 1
Use topical medications to treat acne, according to the instructions. Topical medications are creams, lotions and oils that you apply directly to your skin. Topical acne medications typically contain benzoyl peroxide as the active ingredient. Benzoyl peroxide releases oxygen which inhibits the growth of bacteria on your skin. Tretinoin can help clear pimples and slow the development of lesions. Adapalene also reduces the rate at which new acne lesions form.
Step 2
Apply resorcinol and sulfur to your acne. Medications that contain these active ingredients are disinfectants and antiseptics, which can eradicate a variety of bacteria on your skin. Medications that contain resorcinol and sulfur are effective against whiteheads and blackheads. These medications are also available over-the-counter (OTC), but they have more restriction on their use than other acne medications.
Step 3
Treat acne with oral antibiotics. These medications include drugs such as doxycycline, erythromycin and tetracycline. Oral antibiotics kill bacteria throughout your body which may aggravate your acne. They will require a prescription from your dermatologist.
Step 4
Obtain a prescription for isotretinoin (Accutane) to treat severe acne. This drug decreases the rate at which your sebaceous glands produce oil and is highly effective in the treatment of inflammatory acne. Accutane can have severe side effects and should never be taken by women who are pregnant or who are planning to become pregnant.
Things You'll Need
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Tretinoin
- Adapalene
- Doxycycline
- Erythromycin
- Tetracycline
- Isotretinoin
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