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- What is acne?
- Symptoms of acne
- Causes of acne
- Prevention of acne
- Risk factors for acne
- Complications of acne
- When to see a doctor about acne
- Diagnosis of acne
- Conventional treatment of acne
- Alternative/complementary treatment of acne
- Living with acne
- Caring for someone with acne
Conventional treatment of acne
Conventional treatment of acne is through a combination of treatments:
Lifestyle modifications
There are a number of lifestyle modifications that are recommended by some doctors:
- Avoid alcohol - moderate to excessive intake of alcohol should be avoided because it can trigger worsening of symptoms (clogging of sebaceous glands, worsening of pus and other acne symptoms) because the liver may not be functioning as well as it should be to remove toxins, because it is being over-burdened by the alcohol
- Exercise regularly - regular physical activity can help to ensure proper circulation in the body, which can greatly assist with removing toxins out of the body (especially excessive amounts of circulating hormones which are known to trigger acne)
- Some sunshine - moderate levels of sunshine can help reduce risk of worsening of symptoms. Only about 10-20 minutes of sun on the skin are required on a daily basis, in the hours when the sun is at the weakest (before 10am or earlier or after 5pm, and later, depending on how hot the day will be)
- Stop smoking - studies show that smoking cigarettes can exacerbate or even trigger symptoms and should be stopped. People who do not smoke should also avoid second hand smoke from people smoking around them
Acne is treated with the following topical treatments, when it is mild to moderate, which can all be purchased over-the-counter at a pharmacy:
- Benzoyl peroxide - is a common ingredient in many topical acne treatments (lotions, gels and creams). Benzoyl peroxide was one of the first proven treatments for acne and it is still widely used as it is very successful in drying up the acne and reducing symptoms
- Resorcinol - this ingredient is most often used together with sulfur in topical acne treatments to help improve mild acne symptoms
- Salicylic acid - this is a beta hydroxy acid which is used to treat mild acne with no inflammation and it is found in many creams, lotions and gels used to treat mild acne
- Sulfur - this is an ingredient which is found in many topical acne treatments (creams, gels and lotions) to help reduce acne symptoms
The following topical treatments for more moderate acne and require a prescription to be dispensed:
- Azelaic acid - a topical cream or gel which helps to reduce acne symptoms
- Topical antibiotics - such as clindamycin, erythromycin, sulfacetamide help to reduce infection in the sebaceous glands and reduce symptoms
- Topical retinoids - such as adapalene, tazarotene, tretinoin, in a topical cream, gel or solution to help reduce acne symptoms
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Medications
Moderate to severe acne is treated with the following medications and treatment can include either just one type of medication or a combination of medications. These medications are taken orally to help stop the internal reasons for the acne and are often used in conjunction with the topical acne treatments:
- Antibiotics - oral antibiotics are given to help clear up infection in the skin. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics are: erythromycin, tetracycline, minocycline, doxycycline
- Hormonal treatments - these medications are used to control the excess hormones which may be causing the acne to occur. The main form of hormonal treatments are: birth control pills, spironolactone
- Isotretinoin - this medication (also known as Accutane, Amnesteem, Claravis, and Sotret), is a powerful drug which is used to treat severe acne, especially if there are cysts present and if there is a great deal of inflammation. This medication is used as a last resort for people whose acne has not responded to other treatment (mostly because it has a number of severe side effects). Isotretinoin is known as a retinoid, which means it has properties similar to vitamin A, but is a synthetic version. People who are taking this medication should not also take any vitamin A or betacarotene supplements as they can overdose on vitamin A and this can cause a number of adverse health effects
Procedural acne treatments
There are a number of procedures which can be undertaken to help improve the condition of the skin and are meant to be used in conjunction with the other advised treatments. These are usually performed by a dermatologist or beauty care professional:
- Chemical peels - these deeply exfoliate the skin using an alpha-hydroxy, beta-hydroxy, or glycolic acid. Chemical peels improve acne by removing dead skin cells and helping to clear pores of debris and may be useful for people with mild to moderate acne
- Dermabrasion - this involves a machine which rapidly discharges super-fine crystals over the skin's surface, blasting away dead skin cells. A microdermabrasion treatment deeply exfoliates the skin, loosening debris from within the pore and is not suitable for people with acne that involves inflammation of the skin
- Phototherapy - this is normally done by a dermatologist and involves light (or laser) therapy to the affected parts of the face and skin and may help people with all types of acne (from mild to severe) . Phothotherapy redues inflammation and shrinks the sebaceous glands and reduces acne symptoms. There are many different types of light and laser treatments available
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< 8: diagnosis 10: alternative treatment > Last reviewed: 15 August 2008 || Last updated: 26 February 2009
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
