Treatments Your Provider May Prescribe
Topical (or external) treatments include one or more creams, washes, or gels that include:
- Antibiotics such as benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, erythromycin, sulfur, sodium sulfacetamide, and azelaic acid.
- Retinoids – vitamin A-derived products such as tretinoin, tazarotene, and adapalene.
Oral treatments may include:
- Antibiotics such as tetracycline, minocycline, doxycycline, erythromycin, ampicillin, clindamycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, azithromycin, or cephalosporins.
- Oral contraceptives and spironolactone have been found to help regulate hormones.
- Isotretinoin, a strong drug with many side effects, for severe acne unresponsive to the above treatments.
Procedures:
- Special "blue light" treatments are a new way being investigated to treat acne but are usually not covered by insurance.
- Several types of laser treatments also help acne and are often used with other treatment methods; however, treatments are expensive, must be repeated for several months, and have variable efficacy. Insurance may not cover laser therapy.
- Laser resurfacing, plastic surgery, and/or dermabrasion may help reduce the prominence of old acne scars.
If there is evidence of excessive anxiety or depression, counseling may be suggested. Sometimes, anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medication may be prescribed.
Self-Care Guidelines
