New Acne Treatment 2012
There are many different treatments for mild acne, such as gently washing the face, over-the-counter lotions, or prescription creams. Treatment for moderate to moderately severe acne can include antibiotic lotions or gels, as well as retinoic acid. To help prevent scarring, a dermatologist should recommend treatment for severe acne. Severe cases may require acne treatment in the form of oral antibiotics, Accutane, contraceptives, injections, or even surgery.
Acne is
often treated by dermatologists (doctors who specialize in skin problems). These
doctors treat all kinds of acne, particularly severe cases. Doctors who are
general or family practitioners, pediatricians, or internists may treat people
with milder cases of acne.
The goals of acne treatment are to:
- Heal existing lesions
- Stop new lesions from forming
- Prevent scarring
- Minimize the psychological stress and embarrassment caused by acne.
There are many treatments for mild acne. Mild acne can consist of
whiteheads, blackheads, and small pustules.
At home, you can wash your face twice per day with warm water and a gentle
cleanser or soap. Your doctor may also suggest that you try an over-the-counter
lotion or cream for acne treatment. These medicines may make your skin dry if
you use them too much, so be sure to follow the directions carefully.
If these acne
medications don't work, your doctor may prescribe a cream or lotion with
benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid, or sulfur. Benzoyl peroxide works
to reduce the oil made by the glands. Resorcinol, salicylic acid, and sulfur
help break down whiteheads and blackheads.
If your acne does not get better after six to eight weeks, talk with your
doctor about changing your acne treatment.
This type of acne consists of several whiteheads, blackheads, papules, and
pustules that cover from one-quarter to three-fourths of the face and/or other
parts of the body.
Treatment for this type of acne can include antibiotic lotions or gels, as
well as retinoic acid. Retinoic acid is an altered form of vitamin A. It helps
prevent whiteheads and blackheads.
Your doctor may also prescribe an antibiotic pill, such as erythromycin
for your acne treatment. If you take birth
control pills to prevent pregnancy, antibiotics can affect how well they
work. Be sure to use a second method of birth control with the pill, such as a
condom.
Retinoic acid and antibiotic pills can make the skin sensitive to the sun,
so wear sunscreen and stay in the shade while using them.
Severe acne consists of deep cysts, redness, swelling, extreme damage to
the skin, and scarring. A dermatologist should recommend an acne treatment in
this case. Scarring can be prevented with appropriate treatment.
Your dermatologist can prescribe oral antibiotics and oral
contraceptives. Large inflamed cysts can be treated with an injection of a
drug that lessens the redness, swelling, and irritation, and that promotes
healing.
Your dermatologist may prescribe Accutane® if other acne treatments
have not worked. This is a strong medicine that can help prevent scarring and
treat active disease. But Accutane can also cause birth defects. It is important
that you are not pregnant and do not plan to get pregnant while taking this
drug. You must use two methods of birth control at the same time during
treatment. This is done for one month before treatment begins, during treatment,
and for a full month after stopping the drug. Talk with your dermatologist about
when it's safe to get pregnant.
Other side effects of this medication for acne may include:
- Dry eyes
- Itching
- Mood changes
- Changes in the blood and liver.
You and your dermatologist can decide whether this medication is right for
you based on the pros and cons. It's important to use any prescribed acne
medicine exactly as you are advised. Taking more medicine than you are supposed
to take may make your acne or general health worse. Ask your doctor what to do
if you miss a dose
Some large cysts do not respond to medication and may need to be drained or
removed. Your dermatologist is the only person who should drain or remove these
cysts. You should never try to drain or remove your acne by squeezing or
picking. This can lead to infection, worsen your acne, and cause scarring.
If you have scarring, your dermatologist may suggest surgery to help heal
lesions and remove scarring. A laser can reshape scar tissue and reduce redness.
Dermabrasion is a type of surgery that can remove surface scars and reduce the
depth of deep scars. Another option is to transfer fat from one part of the body
to the face. In some cases, a single treatment can help scarring. But for
lasting results, several sessions of this acne treatment are often needed. There
are also topical treatments for acne scarring.
Photodynamic
therapy is a new treatment for acne. It begins with light microdermabrasion.
This is used to remove dead skin cells on the face's surface. Then, an acid is
put on the skin for 30 to 60 minutes. After this, the acid is taken off. Lastly,
the skin is treated with a laser. This treatment is still being researched, but
seems to give positive long-term results.
For adult women who break out mainly around their menstrual cycle, some birth
control pills can help. Research shows that these pills can clear acne by
slowing down overactive oil glands in the skin.
Sometimes, birth control pills are used along with a drug called spironolactone
to treat acne in adult females. This medication lowers levels of the hormone
androgen in the body. Androgen stimulates the skin's oil glands. Side effects
include irregular menstruation, breast tenderness, headache, and
fatigue. Spironolactone is not an appropriate form of acne treatment for all
people.
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