With the advancements in medical science and research it is easy to choose the correct acne medication, today. If you are suffering from acne then you should consult an experienced dermatologist. Your doctor will prescribe you certain drugs, which you may need to apply or take orally.
Various forms of improved drugs and medication act on skin disorder in four main ways. The drugs aim to decrease the production of sebum or oil, kill bacteria, normalize the duct keratinization and reduce inflammation. The treatments can also act in all these four ways.
Prevention Before Medication
Before you begin medication, you have to keep you skin free from greasiness, if it is very oily. Thus, you should choose special cleansers for treating acne as these remove excess oiliness without clogging the pores. As normal bar soaps are comedogenic or pore clogging in nature, they are not encouraged.
Different Forms Of Acne Treatments
Dermatologists across the world prescribe two kinds of medication to tackle acne. It may be topical medication, which you need to apply on the affected skin, or oral medication. A precaution about oral prescription drugs is that you should not take them during pregnancy, particular during the first three months, since they may cause birth defects. In case of most over-the-counter acne medication, it takes a month or two before you can notice the results on your skin.
Topical Treatments For Acne
In case of mild acne, topical agents like antibiotics and kerotolytics are useful. A kerotolytic such as benzoic peroxide works effectively because it does not cause resistance to antibiotics. Common antibiotics for treating acne include clindamycin and tetracycline, which kill bacteria and reduce inflammation. You can apply any of these antibiotics, twice a day for clear and radiant skin.
Over-the-counter gels and lotions containing salicylic acid, resorcinol, lactic acid, and sulfur, as active ingredients are gentle and useful. When these topical treatments do not work, you need topical gels and contain retinoid-like agents and retinoids such as adapalene and tretinoin. These products contain vitamin A derivatives and act on the skin by removing the dead cells and preventing clogging of pores.
Oral Treatment For Stubborn Acne
Oral acne medication is helpful, when topical treatment does not provide relief. Isotretinoin is very effective for treating deep cysts, when simple antibiotics are not sufficient. Isotretinoin or accutane is a strong medicine that cures cystic acne.
Although it is effective, you should visit your dermatologist often, while taking it because it may cause serious side effects. Isotretinoin may be responsible for some birth defects. Therefore, this antibiotic is not meant for women who are trying to conceive or for pregnant women. Isotretinoin may raise levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.
Some oral contraceptives are effective in reducing flare-ups due to acne. Doctors prescribe a combination of ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate as it improves the condition of acne. However, you should learn about the side effects of oral contraceptives from your doctor. Your doctor is the best person to advice you on the acne medication, which would suit your condition and skin type.