Medication

There are many products available for treating acne. A combination of treatments can reduce the amount and severity of acne in many cases.

Benzoyl peroxide

Bactericidal products containing benzoyl peroxide may be used with mild to moderate acne. The gel or cream containing benzoyl peroxide is rubbed, twice daily, into the pores over the affected region. In addition to its therapeutic effect as a keratolytic (a chemical that dissolves the keratin plugging the pores) benzoyl peroxide also prevents new lesions by killing Propionobacterium acnes. Benzoyl peroxide products should be used in a low concentration, combined with suitable non- comedogenic moisturisers to help avoid overdrying the skin.

Topical antibiotics

Externally applied antibiotics, such as Erythromycin and Clindamycin, aim to kill the bacteria in the blocked follicles. While the topical use of antibiotics is equally as effective as oral use, this method avoids possible side effects including upset stomach and drug interactions (e.g. it will not affect use of the oral contraceptive pill).

Oral antibiotics

When acne is resistant to topical therapies oral antibiotics may be used. Erythromycin or one of the Tetracyclines decreases acne and has anti-inflammatory effects. Oral antbiotics often have to be taken for months and maybe have to be used in combination with topical products.

Hormonal treatments

Female afflicted may be helped with hormonal treatments. The common oestrogen/progestogen combined methods of hormonal contraception have some effect, but antiandrogen in combination with an oestrogen is particularly effective at reducing androgenic hormone levels.

Cortisone

A dermatologist may administer an injection of cortisone directly into a pimple, which will usually reduce redness and inflammation almost immediately. This has the effect of flattening the pimple, thereby making it easier to cover up with makeup, and can also aid in the healing process.

Topical retinoids

A group of medications for normalizing the follicle cell lifecycle are topical retinoids which are related to vitamin A. They help to prevent the hyperkeratinization of the cells.

Oral retinoids: Isotretinoin

A daily oral intake of vitamin A derivative Isotretinoin (marketed as Accutane, Amnesteem, Sotret, Claravis) over a period of 4-6 months can cause long-term resolution or reduction of acne. It is believed that isotretinoin works primarily by reducing the secretion of oils from the glands. Isotretinoin has been shown to be very effective in treating severe acne and can either improve or clear well over 80% of patients. The drug has a much longer effect than anti-bacterial treatments and will often cure acne for good. The treatment requires close medical supervision by a dermatologist because the drug has many known side effects (many of which can be severe).