Types of Acne Treatment - OTC, Oral, Topical, and Laser And Light Therapies

Acne is a skin condition characterized by red pimples on the face. It is caused by the occurrence of infected or inflamed sebaceous glands in the skin. The treatment of acne works by reducing the production of oil, preventing bacterial infection, fastening skin cell turnover or a combination of these techniques.

Over-the-counter treatment

Acne lotions are used to dry up oil, promote sloughing of dead cells in skin or kill bacteria. These lotions can include ingredients like sulfur, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or resorcinol as their main ingredients. OTC treatment is effective against mild acne. Initially, you may experience some side-effects, such as dryness or irritation in skin.

Prescribed Topical Acne Treatment

Topical treatments are also available through prescription. If OTC treatment proves ineffective, consider seeing a dermatologist for more effective prescription lotion. Typically, drugs rich in Vitamin A are employed, such as adapalene, Tretinoin and tazarotene. Antibiotic lotions are employed to kill excess bacteria on the skin.

If you treat acne through prescribed drugs, the results may not be visible for up to four to eight weeks. In some cases, the skin gets worse before the drugs start showing their results.

Your dermatologist may recommend a mix of topical and oral medication for treating acne. During pregnancy, oral medication should be avoided, especially in the first trimester.

Oral Antibiotics

Oral antibiotics are typically recommended for treating moderate to severe acne. Such medication is used to fight skin inflammation and kill excess bacteria. In most cases, oral antibiotics are prescribed in combination with topical treatment.

Isotretinoin

This powerful medication is used to treat acne that does not respond to other methods. Though it's highly effective, there remains a possibility of severe side-effects. As such, dermatologists closely monitor people who use this form of treatment. Isotretinoin is used against the severest forms of acne and should not be consumed during the course of pregnancy. Women of reproductive age are required to undergo a Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment program to receive prescription. Common side-effects of this treatment include itching, dry lips, nose and skin, nosebleeds, sun sensitivity, reduced night vision and muscle pains.

Oral Contraceptives

Oral contraceptives may also help against acne. Known side-effects of oral contraceptives include nausea, depression and headaches. The most serious potential side-effect is risk of blood clot, high blood pressure and heart disease.

Laser Therapy

Laser therapy aims at reaching the inner layers of skin without damaging its surface. It is used to damage oil glands and induce them to produce lesser oil.

Light Therapy

Light therapy functions similar to laser treatment. It is used to treat bacteria that causes skin inflammation. A mix of laser- and light-therapies are also used to improve the texture of skin and reduce the visibility of scars. These therapies may cause slight skin irritation.

Worried about acne? We have just the solution you need. Treat acne on your face to stop the appearance of pimples and get your skin glowing once again. For more details on acne condition and treatment, visit Nitai today.

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