The first step toward effectively treating stubborn acne is to recognize that it is a medical condition. Seeing a dermatologist who can determine what will work best for your acne and skin type is the best way to approach acne treatment. There are prescription acne treatments that come highly recommended for moderate to severe acne and are regularly prescribed by dermatologists.
Oral Antibiotics
Oral antibiotics effectively reduce the population of certain skin bacterias that cause or worsen acne. Because of this, dermatologists often use oral antibiotics as one of the first lines of defense against moderate to moderately severe acne. According to the American Academy of Dermatology's AcneNet, a course of oral antibiotic treatment lasts about six months, beginning with a higher dose and tapering off. If you undergo antibiotic acne treatment, inform your physician if you feel that the antibiotic has stopped working. Occasionally, skin bacteria becomes resistant to a certain antibiotic and a different one needs to be prescribed. Using antibiotics along with topical treatments may prevent this. The most common side effect of oral antibiotic treatment is gastrointestinal upset or irritation. Erythromycin and tetracycline are examples of oral antibiotics used to treat acne.
Topical Retinoids
Your dermatologist may recommend topical retinoids if you have moderate to moderately severe acne. Retinoids are derived from vitamin A, and are potent medications for treating acne. They typically come in the form of a gel or cream, and are applied once or twice daily. Retinoids effectively clean out engorged pores and prevent future clogging of the pores. Retinoid treatment may last up to 12 weeks to achieve full clearing of the skin. If you are undergoing treatment with topical retinoids, you may experience temporary worsening of your acne breakouts due to the medication bringing underlying blemishes to the surface. Topical retinoids may be harsh on the skin at the commencement of treatment, causing redness, peeling, itching, stinging and burning. These adverse effects will likely subside with continued treatment.
Isotretinoin
If you have severe acne that hasn't responded to other treatments, your dermatologist will likely recommend isotretinoin treatment. This powerful oral retinoid is the most effective acne treatment available. One course of treatment lasts up to five months, and for many people, their severe acne won't return again after a single course of treatment. Isotretinoin is so effective because it unclogs pores, reduces inflammation, decreases bacteria and reduces excess oil production, making it a well-rounded medication for battling acne. Unfortunately, isotretinoin treatment is not for everyone. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, do not take isotretinoin, as it has been proved to cause severe birth defects. Additionally, two forms of birth control are recommended while undergoing treatment. Other side effects include nausea, vomiting, headache, chest pain, depression and dryness of the skin, eyes and nose. Registration in the iPLEDGE program is required along with monthly checkups. The iPLEDGE program is a database that keeps track of all isotretinoin users.
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