Acne Treatments: What’s Available?

Through the years, effective acne treatments have grown, offering a wide variety of medically prescribed and alternative options. Acne is a skin condition caused by the over-activity of the sebaceous glands that secrete oily substances. The male hormone testosterone, also found in women, causes the sebaceous glands to produce sebum, an oily substance that makes the skin greasy. Excessive sebum on the skin clogs pores and allows the bacterium called Propionbacterium to aggregate and infect the skin.

According to studies, acne is not curable but controllable. To control the onset of this condition, dermatologists usually prescribe topical preparations containing benzoyl peroxide for mild to moderate breakouts. Other prescribed acne treatments include salycilic acid, glycolic acid, sulfur and azelaic acid. These are prescribed in concentrations that match the intensity of the condition. The side effects common to all the treatment options are skin drying and irritation. Medicines based on vitamin A or retinoids are also prescribed to peel off the skin's outer layer. There are also topical antibiotic lotions recommended in combination with other medications to control Propionbacterium.

Oral antibiotics are prescribed for more severe cases. They work by eliminating the bacteria infecting the skin. The effects of this option become apparent only after three to four months, as most bacteria are resistant to common antibiotics. Oral antibiotics treatment is usually combined with topical treatments that unclog skin pores.

For advanced cases of acne, hormone treatment is recommended. Standard combined oral contraceptives containing estrogen and progestogen are usually prescribed to women. Some of the most common hormone treatment drugs are Dianette and Isoretinoin.

Another option is the use of botanicals. These medications can be taken alone or in combination with a prescribed treatment. Some of the more commonly used botanicals are licorice and green tea extract for regulating sebum production, centella asiatica, willow and birch extracts to prevent scarring and abnormal keratinization and green tea and tea tree oil extracts which serve as antimicrobials against Propionbacterium. Other botanicals such as aloe vera and passionflower are also used to treat acne.

Acne treatments can vary based on the type or severity of the breakout and the physical condition of the patient. Although this skin problem cannot be totally cured, the use of treatment options can still help in controlling its onset.