For most people, acne first appears at the onset of puberty. Acne is caused when the sebaceous glands (glands that produce oil) are activated. The oil, called sebum, is meant to hydrate hair follicles, but too much of it can clog pores. When combined with dead skin cells, bacteria and dirt, breakouts can form. Luckily, several home remedies and prescription treatments are available for treating acne.
Soap and Water
For mild acne, keeping skin clean with soap and water can go a long way toward preventing breakouts. Soap will wash away dirt, bacteria and dead skin cells on the skin. Showering also reduces the production of sebum for several hours.
Salicylic Acid
For mild to moderate breakouts, using salicylic acid as a supplement to washing with soap and water will help unclog pores and will also slow cells from shedding into the pores. Salicylic acid comes on pretreated pads, or as a liquid that can be applied to skin using a cotton ball. In 1992, the journal Clinical Therapeutics published a review that found that, compared with a placebo, salicylic acid was superior in reducing the number of acne lesions as well as the severity of the lesions.
Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide comes in three formulations: 2.5, 5 and 10 percent. It works by killing the bacteria that causes acne. This medication also dries pimples and encourages skin to peel. Benzoyl peroxide is sold as a cream, gel and wash. A 2007 study by the University of Pennsylvania found that subjects tolerated the 2.5 percent formulation better than the higher concentrations. It took about two weeks for the medication to take full effect.
Prescription Medications
The Acne Resource Center reports that 20 percent of Americans have acne so severe it can cause scarring. For moderate to severe acne breakouts, prescription medications have been proven to be effective. Some commonly prescribed medications used to treat acne include adapalene (sold as Differin), azelaic acid (Azelex), and clindamycin (available in generic form). Oral antibiotics are also prescribed to people with stubborn and severe acne.
These medications work by restricting sebum production, slowing the cells inside the pore from shedding so quickly (which is a big problem for people with severe acne), helping renew skin faster, and killing the bacteria that causes acne. Antibiotics also have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Laser Therapy
The Mayo Clinic reports that laser therapy is showing promise in treating breakouts. Blue light therapy beams a low-intensity laser onto skin and destroys acne caused by bacteria (known as P. acnes). Pulsed light and heat energy destroys the P. acnes and reduces oil-producing glands. Diode lasers destroy sebaceous glands.
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