1. Acne Treatment Works
Because there is a wide variety of ways to treat your acne, sometimes it's hard to find the one that really works. Some people search for years before happening upon the medication that does the trick. This process of trial-and-error can be discouraging, especially when your acne seems to get worse as time goes on. If you're caught in this cycle, keep your chin up and remember that there are many different combinations of medication and therapy you can try, most of which have been proven to work in research studies.
2. Start With OTC Solutions
Many people start treating their acne with over-the-counter (OTC) products like soaps, cleansers, foams and pads that are supposed to unclog your pores and keep your skin from becoming too greasy. These products often contain active ingredients like salicylic acid (Clearasil) or benzoyl peroxide (Proactiv) that promote skin cell turnover and control bacteria beneath your skin. Although they're extremely popular, they're effective in treating only mild cases of acne. Folks with moderate to severe acne will need to visit a dermatologist, who can prescribe stronger, more effective medical treatments.
3. Give Antibiotics a Shot
After giving over-the-counter cleansers a try, your next line of defense against mild to moderate acne is antibiotic treatment. These medications fight the bacteria Propionibacterium that grows in your clogged pores and causes you to break out. Antibiotics come in two main varieties--topical and oral. The first includes creams and ointments you apply directly to the affected areas, while the second includes pills you take by mouth. Doxycycline, tetracycline and clindamycin are a few of the antibiotics most commonly prescribed to treat acne. You will need a prescription to get antibiotics, though, so talk to your dermatologist if you're interested.
4. Bring in the Big Guns
If your acne doesn't respond to treatment with over-the-counter solutions or prescription antibiotics, there's a stronger alternative your can pursue--isotretinoin. Sold under the brand name Accutane, isotretinoin is a powerful drug that effectively treats the worst kinds of acne, including cystic or nodular acne. Although it's effective, isotretinoin carries the risk of serious side effects, including birth defects and depression. For these reasons, it's extremely important for you to talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of taking isotretinoin before starting treatment.
5. Zap Your Acne With Lasers
It seems far-fetched, but doctors can actually treat your acne with light. Laser therapy and light therapy both use intense beams of light to reach the deep layers of your skin without damaging its surface. Many of these procedures also have cosmetic benefits and may make your skin appear younger or more youthful, in addition to controlling your acne.
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