Our team of licensed skin care professionals have been helping patients treat both active acne outbreaks and the scarring that can result from lesions.
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The acne treatment plan that’s right for you depends on many considerations, including:
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What type of acne (i.e., blackheads, pimples, etc.) you have
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Where the acne appears on your skin
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What treatments you’ve already tried
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When the breakouts started
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Your age
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Whether the acne has left you with dark spots or scars
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While a treatment plan can vary from one patient to the next, treatment often follows these guidelines:
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Whiteheads, blackheads, or both: If you have these breakouts, you’ll likely apply acne medication to your skin.
Your treatment plan may include one of the following: -
A retinoid
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A retinoid + benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, or salicylic acid
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Benzoyl peroxide + an antibiotic you apply to your skin
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Pimples: mild or moderate pimples can be treated with medication you apply to your skin. Treatment will often consist of applying one of the following:
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Benzoyl peroxide
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A Retinoid
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Azelaic acid
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Benzoyl peroxide + a retinoid or an antibiotic you apply to your skin
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Women who continue to get breakouts may need medication, such as a birth control pill that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved to treat acne. The birth control patch may also be effective, as can some other medications.
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Acne nodules and cysts: if you have deep, painful acne that often leaves a permanent acne scar, effective treatment can help you see clearer skin and prevent new scars.
Treatment may consist of:-
Prescription medication that you apply to your skin + taking an antibiotic
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Hormonal therapy (women only)
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Isotretinoin (medication approved to treat severe acne)
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To help you get the best possible results from treatment, your dermatologist may also recommend adding one of the following to your treatment plan:
Treatment may consist of:-
Laser or light therapy: Studies show that laser and light devices can help to clear acne. This type of treatment works best when combined with other acne treatment.
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A corticosteroid injection: If you have a large, extremely painful, and deep acne breakout, a dermatologist can inject it with a corticosteroid. This can rapidly relieve the pain and the size of the breakout. While effective, this treatment is reserved for treating a few severe acne breakouts. Using it more than a few times can cause side effects.
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A healthy diet: Some studies suggest that what you eat can also help to give you clearer skin. If you think that what you’re eating could be causing breakouts, be sure to find out what the research shows.
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