Condition: Acne

Topical Medications Available

You know - acne is a terrible thing. My 16 year old daughter has had a rough few years dealing with acne breakouts. I went online to find different acne medications that could help us. We found several different brands that contained Benzloyl Peroxide - according to her dermatologist, these medications are the best over-the-counter acne meds available.

These "topical medications," are available in many forms including acne gels, lotions, creams, soaps, or pads. The most commonly used topical medications for acne is Benzoyl peroxide which works by killing bacteria and unclogging your pores. This medication comes in prescription and over-the-counter strengths. Benzoyl peroxide should not be applied at the same time of day as topical retinoids. To avoid adverse reactions, apply to small area on forearm and observe the area for two to three days. If no reaction occurs, application to the face should be safe.

Retinoids work by unclogging pores and reducing inflammation. These medications come by prescription only. Commonly prescribed retinoids include Tretinoin, Adapalene, and Tazarotene. If you are prescribed this you have a significant numbers of both open and closed comedones as well as papules and pustules. Side effects may include redness, peeling, and photosensitivity (high risk of sunburn). Most retinoids are applied at night and should NOT be applied at the same time as benzoyl peroxide. Topical retinoids should not be used during pregnancy as they may cause harm to the fetus.

Antibiotics work by killing bacteria and reducing inflammation too. Topical antibiotics such as Clindamycin or Erythromycin are available in prescription form. They may be used to treat mild to moderate acne. In some cases, your doctor may recommend a combination of topical medications, such as benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin. Other topical acne medications available by prescription include sodium sulfacetamide and azelaic acid.

Oral Healthcare practitioners may prescribe oral antibiotics either alone or in addition to topical medications for individuals with moderate to severe acne. For those with severe, inflammatory acne that does not improve with other medications, healthcare practitioners may prescribe an oral retinoid called isotretinoin.

Oral antibiotics should not be used during pregnancy or by those under 9 years of age.

Isotretinoin works by reducing the size of oil glands and lowering sebum production. It is usually prescribed by a dermatologist for individuals with severe, inflammatory acne that does not improve with other medications. Isotretinoin is taken twice a day for 20 weeks. It should not be used by pregnant women as it may cause harm to the fetus. In some cases, healthcare practitioners may also prescribe certain oral contraceptives in addition to acne medications.

Surgery and Other Procedures...Individuals with severe acne scars may require some surgery or other office procedures to improve the appearance of their skin. Dermatologists can perform skin resurfacing techniques such as dermabrasion (a procedure that uses a rapidly rotating brush to remove acne scars or pits) or chemical peeling (a chemical solution is applied to the skin that causes it to blister and eventually peel off). Dermatologic surgeons can also perform scar excisions (a technique in which the scar is removed and the surrounding healthy skin is joined together) and punch grafting (a method in which the surgeon punches a hole in the skin, removes the scar, and replaces it with a small plug of new skin) to correct deep acne scars