Treatment for acne depends on how severe it is. It can take several months of treatment before acne symptoms improve.
\nThe various treatments for acne are outlined below. You can also read a summary of the pros and cons of the treatments for acne, allowing you to compare your treatment options.
\nIf you just have a few blackheads, whiteheads and spots, you should be able to treat them successfully with over-the-counter gels or creams (topical treatments) that contain benzoyl peroxide.
\nTreatments from your GP<\/p>\n
See your GP if your acne is more widespread, as you probably need prescription medication. For example, if: Benzoyl peroxide Antibiotic tablets (oral antibiotics) are usually used in combination with a topical treatment to treat more severe acne. Hormonal therapies can often benefit women with acne, especially if the acne flares up around periods or is associated with hormonal conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome. Isotretinoin has a number of beneficial effects: Several treatments for acne don’t involve medication. Treatment for acne depends on how severe it is. It can take several months of treatment before acne symptoms improve. The various treatments for acne are outlined below. You can also read a summary of the pros and cons of the treatments for acne, allowing you to compare your treatment options. If you just have … <\/p>\n
\nyou have a large number of papules and pustules
\nover-the-counter medication hasn’t worked
\nPrescription medications that can be used to treat acne include:
\nVitamins supplements<\/a>
\ntopical retinoids
\ntopical antibiotics
\nazelaic acid
\nantibiotic tablets
\nin women, the combined oral contraceptive pill
\nisotretinoin tablets
\nIf you have severe acne, your GP can refer you to an expert in treating skin conditions (dermatologist). For example, if you have:
\na large number of papules and pustules on your chest and back, as well as your face
\npainful nodules
\nA combination of antibiotic tablets and topical treatments is usually the first treatment option for severe acne. If this doesn’t work, a medication called isotretinoin may be prescribed.
\nHormonal therapies or the combined oral contraceptive pill can also be effective in women who have acne. However, the progestogen-only pill or contraceptive implant can sometimes make acne worse.
\nMany of these treatments can take two to three months before they start to work. It’s important to be patient and persist with a recommended treatment, even if there’s no immediate effect.
\nTopical treatments (gels, creams and lotions)<\/p>\n
\nBenzoyl peroxide works as an antiseptic to reduce the number of bacteria on the surface of the skin. It also helps to reduce the number of whiteheads and blackheads, and has an anti-inflammatory effect.
\nBenzoyl peroxide is usually available as a cream or gel. It’s used either once or twice a day. It should be applied 20 minutes after washing to all of the parts of your face affected by acne.
\nIt should be used sparingly, as too much can irritate your skin. It also makes your face more sensitive to sunlight, so avoid too much sun and ultraviolet (UV) light, or wear sun cream.
\nBenzoyl peroxide can have a bleaching effect, so avoid getting it on your hair or clothes.
\nCommon side effects of benzoyl peroxide include:
\ndry and tense skin
\na burning, itching or stinging sensation
\nsome redness and peeling of the skin
\nSide effects are usually mild and should pass once the treatment has finished.
\nMost people need a six-week course of treatment to clear most or all of their acne. You may be advised to continue treatment less frequently to prevent acne returning.
\nTopical retinoids
\nTopical retinoids work by removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin (exfoliating) which helps to prevent them building up within hair follicles.
\nTretinoin and adapalene are topical retinoids used to treat acne. They’re available in a gel or cream and are usually applied once a day before you go to bed.
\nApply to all the parts of your face affected by acne 20 minutes after washing your face.
\nIt’s important to apply topical retinoids sparingly and avoid excessive exposure to sunlight and UV.
\nTopical retinoids aren’t suitable for use during pregnancy, as there’s a risk they might cause birth defects.
\nThe most common side effects of topical retinoids are mild irritation and stinging of the skin.
\nA six-week course is usually required, but you may be advised to continue using the medication less frequently after this.
\nTopical antibiotics
\nTopical antibiotics help kill the bacteria on the skin that can infect plugged hair follicles. They’re available as a lotion or gel that is applied once or twice a day.
\nA six- to eight-week course is usually recommended. After this, treatment is usually stopped, as there’s a risk that the bacteria on your face could become resistant to the antibiotics. This could make your acne worse and cause additional infections.
\nSide effects are uncommon, but can include:
\nminor irritation of the skin
\nredness and burning of the skin
\npeeling of the skin
\nAzelaic acid
\nAzelaic acid is often used as an alternative treatment for acne if the side effects of benzoyl peroxide or topical retinoids are particularly irritating or painful.
\nAzelaic acid works by getting rid of dead skin and killing bacteria. It’s available as a cream or gel and is usually applied twice a day (or once a day if your skin is particularly sensitive).
\nThe medication doesn’t make your skin sensitive to sunlight, so you don’t have to avoid exposure to the sun.
\nYou’ll usually need to use azelaic acid for a month before your acne improves.
\nThe side effects of azelaic acid are usually mild and include:
\nburning or stinging skin
\nitchiness
\ndry skin
\nredness of the skin
\nAntibiotic tablets
\nBody Washes<\/a><\/p>\n
\nIn most cases, a class of antibiotics called tetracyclines is prescribed, unless you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
\nPregnant or breastfeeding women are usually advised to take an antibiotic called erythromycin, which is known to be safer to use.
\nIt usually takes about six weeks before you notice an improvement in your acne.
\nDepending on how well you react to the treatment, a course of oral antibiotics can last four to six months.
\nTetracyclines can make your skin sensitive to sunlight and UV light, and can also make the oral contraceptive pill less effective during the first few weeks of treatment.
\nYou’ll need to use an alternative method of contraception, such as condoms, during this time.
\nHormonal therapies<\/p>\n
\nIf you don’t already use it, your GP may recommend the combined oral contraceptive pill, even if you’re not sexually active. This combined pill can often help improve acne in women, but may take up to a year before the full benefits are seen.
\nCo-cyprindiol
\nCo-cyprindiol is a hormonal treatment that can be used for more severe acne that doesn’t respond to antibiotics. It helps to reduce the production of sebum.
\nYou’ll probably have to use co-cyprindiol for two to six months before you notice a significant improvement in your acne.
\nThere’s a small risk that women taking co-cyprindiol may develop breast cancer in later life.
\nFor example, out of a group of 10,000 women who haven’t taken co-cyprindiol, you would expect 16 of them to develop breast cancer by the time they were 35. This figure rises to 17 or 18 for women who were treated with co-cyprindiol for at least five years in their early twenties.
\nThere’s also a very small chance of co-cyprindiol causing a blood clot. The risk is estimated to be around 1 in 2,500 in any given year.
\nIt’s not thought to be safe to take co-cyprindiol if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Women may need to have a pregnancy test before treatment can begin.
\nOther side effects of co-cyprindiol include:
\nbleeding and spotting between your periods, which can sometimes occur for the first few months
\nheadaches
\nsore breasts
\nmood changes
\nloss of interest in sex
\nweight gain or weight loss
\nIsotretinoin<\/p>\n
\nit helps to normalise sebum and reduce how much is produced
\nit helps to prevent follicles becoming clogged
\nit decreases the amount of bacteria on the skin
\nit reduces redness and swelling in and around spots
\nHowever, the drug can also cause a wide range of side effects. It’s only recommended for severe cases of acne that haven’t responded to other treatments.
\nBecause of the risk of side effects, isotretinoin can only be prescribed by a specially trained GP or a dermatologist.
\nIsotretinoin is taken as a tablet. Most people take a four- to six-month course. Your acne may get worse during the first 7 to 10 days of treatment. However, this is normal and soon settles.
\nCommon side effects of isotretinoin include:
\ninflammation, dryness and cracking of the skin, lips and nostrils
\nchanges in your blood sugar levels
\ninflammation of your eyelids (blepharitis)
\ninflammation and irritation of your eyes (conjunctivitis)
\nblood in your urine
\nRarer side effects of isotretinoin include:
\ninflammation of the liver (hepatitis)
\ninflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
\nkidney disease
\nBecause of the risk of these rarer side effects, you’ll need a blood test before and during treatment.
\nIsotretinoin and birth defects
\nIsotretinoin will damage an unborn baby. If you’re a woman of childbearing age:
\ndon’t use isotretinoin if you’re pregnant or you think you’re pregnant
\nuse one, or ideally two, methods of contraception for one month before treatment begins, during treatment and for one month after treatment has finished
\nhave a pregnancy test before, during and after treatment
\nYou’ll be asked to sign a form confirming that you understand the risk of birth defects and are willing to use contraceptives to prevent this risk, even if you’re not currently sexually active.
\nIf you think you may have become pregnant when taking isotretinoin, contact your dermatologist immediately.
\nIsotretinoin is also not suitable if you’re breastfeeding.
\nIsotretinoin and mood changes
\nThere have been reports of people experiencing mood changes while taking isotretinoin. There’s no evidence that these mood changes were the result of the medication.
\nHowever, as a precaution, contact your doctor immediately if you feel depressed or anxious, have feelings of aggression or suicidal thoughts.
\nNon-pharmaceutical treatments<\/p>\n
\nThese include:
\ncomedone extractor \u2013 a small pen-shaped instrument that can be used to clean out blackheads and whiteheads
\nchemical peels \u2013 where a chemical solution is applied to the face, causing the skin to peel off and new skin to replace it
\nphotodynamic therapy \u2013 where light is applied to the skin in an attempt to improve symptoms of acne
\nHowever, these treatments may not work and can’t be routinely recommended.<\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"