Acne Treatments and Remedies | Clear up Acne with OTC and Prescriptions Medication Therapies

Acne Treatments

Most treatment for acne starts with the family doctor. They can often treat mild cases successfully. Severe cases of acne are often treated by dermatologists (doctors who specialize in skin problems). These doctors treat all kinds of acne.

The goals of any treatment are to heal the existing lesions, stop new ones from forming and prevent scarring. All these help minimize the psychological stress and embarrassment caused by acne.

Treatments can range from washing procedures and topical applications to prescription drugs, and in serious cases to other medical procedures.

Drugs are designed to reduce several problems that play a part in causing acne. They can target:

• Abnormal clumping of cells in the follicles
• Increased oil production
• Bacteria
• Inflammation

All medicines can have side effects. Some side effects may be more severe than others. You should discuss any and all potential side effects with your doctor before you start taking drugs.

Creams and lotions to clear up acne

While there is no guaranteed way to get rid of acne, there are many products that can help prevent acne, or at least make it less of a problem. We use the word topical to describe something that you apply to the skin, for example a cream for acne or a lotion for acne. Over-the-counter or OTC means something that you can buy at a drugstore or online, without a prescription. OTC topical medicines for mild acne include:

• Salicylic acid - this is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) drug that can break down whiteheads and blackheads, and it can also help reduce the shedding of cells lining the hair follicles.
• Benzoyl peroxide - this is a drug that can destroy the bacteria which causes acne. It may also reduce oil production.
• Resorcinol and sulfur - these are drugs that can help break down both whiteheads as well as blackheads

There are also medications that require you to have a prescription for acne. Usually these acne medications are for more serious cases. Prescription topical medications for acne include:

• Vitamin A derivatives which are also called retinoids - these types of acne drugs can unplug existing blackheads, and also encourage skin to slough off more rapidly. Example of retinoids used for acne include tretinoin (Retin-A2), adapalene (Differin), and tazarotene (Tazorac)
• Antibiotics - these types of drugs can help stop or at least slow down the growth of bacteria. They may also reduce inflammation.
• Prescription strength Benzoyl peroxide
• Sodium sulfacetamide/sulfur-containing products
• Azelaic acid (Azelex)

Acne pills

Sometimes you need to take a pill or oral medications to treat acne. There are several common antibiotics that can help to stop acne, including:

• Tetracycline (Achromycin V)
• Minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin)
• Doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Monodox)
• clindamycin (Cleocin)
• erythromycin
• sulfonamides (Bactrim).

The first three are used more commonly.

If your acne is a severe case, your doctor may prescribe a drug called isotretinoin (Accutane). This is a retinoid or vitamin A derivative. You take it by mouth, usually once or twice a day for 15 to 20 weeks. It should not be taken on an empty stomach. Basically, isotretinoin can reduce the size of oil glands and reduce the amount of oil your skin is producing, all of which can help treat your acne. There are dangers with isotretinoin however. Women must take extreme precautions about getting pregnant. Isotretinoin is known to cause birth defects.

Some kinds of acne in women are caused by hormones, and can be treated by hormonal medicines. If a woman has hormonal acne, she may also have other issues such as irregular menstrual periods or she may be very hairy (a condition called hirsutism). Hormonal drugs for acne include:

• Birth control pills can help suppress the androgen produced by the ovaries
• Low-dose corticosteroid drugs - for example prednisone (Deltasone) and dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol) - can help to suppress androgen from the adrenal glands
• Antiandrogen drugs - for example spironolactone (Aldactone) - can help to reduce excessive oil production

Zeno and acne

Zeno is a portable hand-held device. It produces a controlled low level of sustained heat for use in treating dermatological disorders, specifically, mild to moderate acne. Individual acne blemishes are treated for a preset time. The treatment tip is made from a biocompatible material and delivers the specific low-level heat to the individual acne blemish. The device is powered by rechargeable AAA nickel-metal hydride batteries.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says Zeno is indicated for the treatment of individual acne pimples in persons with mild to moderate inflammatory acne. The theory behind Zeno is that p. acnes bacterial cells (the bacteria that is behind acne) are susceptible to the effects of sustained low-level heat.

Zeno is available without a prescription.

PPx (Photopneumatic) Pore Cleansing System

PPx (Photopneumatic) Pore Cleansing System was originally developed for hair removal. It is a vacuum system that vacuums oil from pores, then uses laser. Proponenets say that when the skin is cleared of impurities, its appearance is improved as well. PPx can be used to treat pustular and comedonal acne, as well as acne vulgaris. PPx is used in a doctor's office, and may not be effective on darker complexions.

Mild Acne

People with mild acne usually start with at-home treatments, including thorough washing and OTC topical medicines. If the acne does not improve, you can try seeing a dermatologist for more advice.

Moderate Acne to Severe Acne

People with moderate to severe acne or severe inflammatory acne may be treated with prescription topical or oral medicines, alone or in combination. Nodular or cystic acne can be treated with prescription oral medication, isotretinoin.

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Updated May 2008

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