If you have acne, you may be wondering what your options are for treating it. With the numerous acne treatments out there, it can be confusing to find one that suits your specific needs. Take the time to learn a little bit about what acne treatments are out there before spending your time and money on something that may not work for you.
Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide is the active ingredient in many over-the-counter (OTC) acne products. In addition to washes and scrubs, it is also used in creams and lotions formulated to treat acne. Benzoyl peroxide cleans out the pores and dries up excess oil in addition to fighting P. acnes, the bacteria that exacerbate acne breakouts. OTC concentrations range from 2.5 percent to 10 percent, with higher concentrations having a more drying effect.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is another common OTC ingredient in acne products. Like benzoyl peroxide, it can be found in washes and creams as well as masks. However, salicylic acid doesn’t fight the P. acnes bacteria or decrease oil production. According to the AcneNet website, it primarily unclogs pores and regulates the shedding of skin cells to prevent uneven skin shedding, which is a common cause of acne. The most common side effect is mild skin irritation.
Retinoids
OTC medications may not be enough to adequately treat breakouts. If this is the case, a dermatologist may prescribe something stronger. Retinoids are just one group of medications that a dermatologist may employ in fighting acne. Retinoids are applied directly to the skin and slowly unclog the pores and prevent further clogs from forming, allowing other medications, such as benzoyl peroxide, to go into the pores and clean out deeper debris. The most common side effects of retinoid use are drying of the skin and irritation as well as sensitivity to sun exposure.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are also an effective treatment for acne, and can be used in conjunction with OTC treatments. Antibiotics are used primarily to fight the P. acnes bacteria in people who have moderate-to-severe chronic acne. The downfall of antibiotic treatment is that the bacteria may become resistant to one type of antibiotic, which would require switching to a new medication. Using other treatments along with antibiotics, such as benzoyl peroxide, can help prevent this from happening. The most common side effect of antibiotic treatment is gastrointestinal irritation.
Isotretinoin
Isotretinoin is often the last line of defense against severe or stubborn acne. It is in the retinoid family, but it comes in the form of a pill that is taken once or twice a day. Treatment sessions typically last up to four or five months. According to the AcneNet website, isotretinoin is a very effective treatment for acne, with one treatment session often being all that is needed. This is because isotretinoin treats all the major causes of acne including clogged pores, excess oil production, P. acnes bacteria and inflammation. Side effects include dry skin and eyes, nausea, abdominal pain, depression and headache. Women who are of childbearing age are required to be on two reliable forms of birth control to prevent pregnancy, as isotretinoin can cause severe birth defects if used during pregnancy.
