Acne Treatment: Types, Side Effects, and More
By Derma 2018
Lifestyle changes | Topical drugs | Oral drugs | Medical procedures | During pregnancy | Side effects | Takeaway
Acne
and you
Acne results
from plugged hair follicles. Oil, dirt, and dead skin cells on the surface of
your skin clog your pores and create pimples or small, localized infections.
Treatments work to clear away bacteria and dry up the excess oils that lead to
acne. Different acne treatments include lifestyle remedies, topical medication,
oral medication, and medical procedures.
The
treatment that’s right for you depends on your individual condition. If you
have mild to moderate acne, such as whiteheads or blackheads, your treatment
should be relatively easy. However, if you have cystic or inflammatory acne,
your treatment may be more challenging. Cystic acne is one or more large,
painful, red cysts under the surface of your skin. Your doctor or dermatologist
can help you figure out what type of acne you have.
Lifestyle
remedies
Many
people with mild acne or pimples can manage their condition with lifestyle
changes. Oil is a major cause of acne, so keeping your face clean and your hair
away from it is important, especially if your hair tends to be greasy. Oils
from your hair and face also build up on your bedding. Changing your pillowcase
daily or weekly can help prevent this build-up.
Wash
your face two to three times per day with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser
that’s not abrasive. Don’t scrub your skin too hard. This can aggravate your
skin even more. Also, try not to use skin care products that can be irritating,
such as scented lotions or oil-based makeup. Choose moisturizers and sunscreens
that are labeled “noncomedogenic.” This means that the product won’t clog your
pores.
These
adjustments can go a long way in helping you resolve mild acne. If you need
something a little stronger, your doctor may suggest you also use topical or
oral medication.
Topical
medications
Topical
medications are lotions, gels and creams that you apply to your skin. You
typically apply a thin coat on your skin in the morning and before bedtime
after washing your face. Some are available over the counter, and others
require a prescription.
OTC acne
products usually contain the active ingredient salicylic acid or benzoyl
peroxide. These substances reduce the amount of oil your body produces. They
also fight inflammation. These effects help treat existing blemishes and
prevent new ones from forming.
Prescription
topical medications can help when OTC products aren’t strong enough. These acne
gels or creams may contain tretinoin (a retinoid drug that comes from vitamin
A), a stronger version of benzoyl peroxide, or an antibiotic called
clindamycin. These may do a better job of killing bacteria when your acne is
moderate to severe.
Oral
medications
Oral
medications for acne are also called systemic treatments because they are
absorbed throughout your entire body. They’re only available with a prescription
from your doctor. These drugs are commonly used to treat moderate to severe
acne that doesn’t respond to topical agents. The three types of systemic drugs
used to treat acne include:
Antibiotics
Your
doctor may prescribe a daily antibiotic pill, such as tetracycline. It can help
fight bacteria and infection from the inside out. Antibiotics are commonly used
with topical medication when gels and creams alone don’t improve your
condition.
Birth control pills
Regulating
hormone levels can help improve acne for some women. However, you should not
use birth control pills during pregnancy. If you’re pregnant, ask your doctor
what you can do to banish breakouts.
Isotretinoin
Isotretinoin
is a strong drug in the retinoid family. It reduces the size of oil glands so
that they make less oil. It also helps regulate skin cell turnover so that the
cells don’t block the release of bacteria and excess oil from your pores.
Isotretinoin is mostly reserved for people with severe cystic acne. Your doctor
may prescribe it when other acne drugs haven’t worked. However, the side
effects can be severe, so it isn’t for everyone.
Procedures to treat acne
Though
not prescribed as commonly as medication, a few medical procedures may be used
to treat severe acne. These procedures can all typically be performed in your
doctor’s office. They may be painful and in some cases cause scarring. Health
insurance plans don’t always cover them, either. You should confirm that your
health insurance will cover these procedures before you schedule them.
Drainage and extraction
During
drainage and extraction, your doctor manually drains large cysts that form
under your skin. They remove fluids, dirt, pus, and dead skin inside the cyst
to reduce infection and pain. Your doctor may inject antibiotics or a steroid
into the cyst to speed healing and reduce the risk of scarring.
Laser therapy
Laser
therapy may also help improve acne infection. Laser light helps reduce the
amount of bacteria on your skin that causes acne.
Chemical peels and microdermabrasion
Chemical
peels and microdermabrasion remove the top layer of your skin. In the process,
whiteheads and blackheads are also removed.
Acne treatments during pregnancy
Almost
everyone experiences acne at one time or another. It’s most common among
teenagers. However, adults can have a breakout now and then, especially during
pregnancy. But pregnant women with acne may not have all of the same treatment
options as others.
Most of
the medications used to treat acne in teens and adults are not safe to use
during pregnancy, or the safety of the drug isn’t known.
Topical
retinoids are category C drugs. This means that animal studies have shown that
they’re harmful to a developing fetus if given in large amounts. Check with
your doctor before using tretinoin.
Isotretinoin
and tetracycline can harm a fetus. Isotretinoin has been linked with birth
defects, and tetracycline can discolor your baby’s teeth. Do not use either of
them during pregnancy.
The acne
products that are safe to use during pregnancy are the ones that use benzoyl
peroxide.
Side
effects
Side
effects of acne treatments vary depending on the method you choose and the
strength of the medication.
For
topical acne drugs, the most common side effects are skin dryness and
irritation. Fortunately, these symptoms are temporary. They often improve as
your body gets used to the medication. If your skin itches, burns, or peels
heavily, tell your doctor.
The
potential side effects for oral medications can be more serious. Antibiotics
can give you an upset stomach or make you dizzy and lightheaded. If you’re also
taking birth control pills, use a back-up birth control method. Some
antibiotics reduce how well birth control pills protect you from pregnancy.
If
you’re using birth control pills to manage your acne, be aware that side
effects of oral contraceptives include an increased risk of blood clots and
high blood pressure.
Oral
isotretinoin can cause severe side effects, especially if you become pregnant
while taking it. Severe birth defects have been reported in babies whose
mothers took isotretinoin during pregnancy. The medication can also increase
the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts and affect your cholesterol levels
and liver function.
Talk
to your doctor
Acne is
a very treatable condition. When basic lifestyle changes don’t seem to do the
trick, try the least invasive treatment, OTC products. If you need something
stronger, schedule an appointment with your doctor. They will assess your acne
and suggest next steps for treatment. Advanced medical research is finding new
ways to fight infection.
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