The acne treatments can be carried out by reduction in oil production, fighting bacterial infection, increase in skin cell turnover and decrease in the inflammation or carrying out all these four. There will be no results for four to eight weeks with most of acne treatments and your skin might get worse before getting better. The prescription medication given by dermatologist can be taken by mouth or applied on skin. The oral medications should not be used in pregnancy. There are many treatments of acne available in the market which is described as follows.
Over the counter topical treatments
The bacteria on the skin can be killed by drying up the oil in this treatment. There is benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, sulfur, lactic acid and salicylic acid are used in over the counter lotions as an active ingredient. These products can be helpful for mild acne. There can be some side effects like dryness, skin irritation and flaking.
Topical treatments
Topical prescriptions include adapalene, tretinoin and tazarotene which are derived from vitamin A. cell turnover is promoted by these products which can kill excess skin bacteria. There can be some side effects burning, redness, stinging or peeling. You can use gradual dose of these products in order to decrease the side effects.
Antibiotics
You will need to have oral antibiotics to reduce bacteria and inflammation. You will be prescribed by the doctor to use the topical medications and oral antibiotics together. There will be reduced risk of antibiotic resistance by using oral antibiotics with topical benzoyl peroxide. There can be some side effects like dizziness, skin discoloration and stomach upset with antibiotics.
Isotretinoin
It is a powerful medication used for scarring cystic acne. This medication is very effective for severe forms of acne. There can be severe side effects of this medication as well. The pregnant women should not take this medication as it can cause sever birth defects. There can be side effects like nosebleeds, itching, sun sensitivity and muscle aches with this medication. There can be increase in level of cholesterol and triglycerides in blood this medication. There can be increase risk of depression as well.
Oral contraceptives
There is combination of ethinyl and norgestimate used in oral contraceptives to improve acne in women. There can be some side effects with this medication like nausea, headaches, depression and breast tenderness.
Laser and Light Therapy
These treatments can reach deeper layers of skin and it can damage the sebaceous glands to produce less oil. The bacteria are targeted by light therapy which can cause acne inflammation. The skin texture can also be improved with these therapies. There may be some temporary skin problems with these therapies.
Cosmetic procedures
The acne can be controlled by using chemical peels and micordermabrasion which are cosmetic procedures. These procedures are used in case of minor facial scars and sun damage.
Soft tissue fillers
The soft tissues can be filled by injecting fat or collagen into scars and under the skin to make these scars less noticeable. It can produce temporarily results.
Dermabrasion
It can be used in more severe scarring in which top layer of skin is removed. This treatment can remove the surface scars completely and it will make deeper acne scars less noticeable.
