![]() And they should be combined with other drugs, such as benzoyl peroxide, to reduce the risk of developing antibiotic resistance. Oral antibiotics should be used for the shortest time possible to prevent antibiotic resistance. A macrolide might be an option for people who can't take tetracyclines, including pregnant women and children under 8 years old. Usually the first choice for treating acne is a tetracycline (minocycline, doxycycline) or a macrolide (erythromycin, azithromycin). For moderate to severe acne, you may need oral antibiotics to reduce bacteria. Side effects include redness and dryness.Įvidence is not strong in support of using zinc, sulfur, nicotinamide, resorcinol, sulfacetamide sodium or aluminum chloride in topical treatments for acne. ![]() Dapsone (Aczone) 5% gel twice daily is recommended for inflammatory acne, especially in women with acne. Side effects include skin discoloration and minor skin irritation. Studies showing its effectiveness are limited. Salicylic acid may help prevent plugged hair follicles and is available as both wash-off and leave-on products. Side effects include skin redness and minor skin irritation. It can also be used to manage discoloration that occurs with some types of acne. Prescription azelaic acid (Azelex, Finacea) is an option during pregnancy and while breast-feeding. A 20% azelaic acid cream or gel seems to be as effective as many conventional acne treatments when used twice a day. Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring acid produced by a yeast. Topical antibiotics alone aren't recommended.Īzelaic acid and salicylic acid. Examples include clindamycin with benzoyl peroxide (Benzaclin, Duac, others) and erythromycin with benzoyl peroxide (Benzamycin). The antibiotics are often combined with benzoyl peroxide to reduce the likelihood of developing antibiotic resistance. For the first few months of treatment, you may use both a retinoid and an antibiotic, with the antibiotic applied in the morning and the retinoid in the evening. These work by killing excess skin bacteria and reducing redness and inflammation. They can also cause dry skin and redness, especially in people with brown or Black skin. Topical retinoids increase your skin's sun sensitivity. Do not apply tretinoin at the same time as benzoyl peroxide. You apply this medication in the evening, beginning with three times a week, then daily as your skin becomes used to it. Examples include tretinoin (Avita, Retin-A, others), adapalene (Differin) and tazarotene (Tazorac, Avage, others). Drugs that contain retinoic acids or tretinoin are often useful for moderate acne. The most common topical prescription medications for acne are: And make follow-up appointments with your doctor every three to six months until your skin improves. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of medications and other treatments you are considering. Treatment options for pregnant women are limited due to the risk of side effects. Topical medications and drugs you take by mouth (oral medication) are often used in combination. For example, you may need to wash and apply medications to the affected skin twice a day for several weeks. The treatment regimen your doctor recommends depends on your age, the type and severity of your acne, and what you are willing to commit to. It can take many months or years for your acne to clear up completely. With most prescription acne drugs, you may not see results for four to eight weeks. “Simultaneously, the procedure itself can trigger a new wound healing process that can stimulate new collagen.” The almost-surgery-not-quite-surgery typically requires multiple treatments to achieve the desired results, but Nazarian says that the cost is substantially lower than using laser devices, which typically range from $100 to $500 a session depending on the number of lesions on the face that are being treated (as well as other factors including geographical location and the expertise of the professional performing the procedure).Acne medications work by reducing oil production and swelling or by treating bacterial infection. The subcision procedure itself helps to “break the fibrous strands that tether the scar to the underlying tissue to release them, allowing the skin to lift up,” Garshick shares. Rachel Nazarian, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology who specializes in general dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, skin cancer, and dermatological surgery.Azadeh Shirazi, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology.She is also a clinical assistant professor at Cornell, where she teaches residents about reviewing the latest dermatology literature. Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.Purvisha Patel MD, FAAD, FASDS, FACMS, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare.
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