Treatment for Acne

Treatment of acne is designed to prevent formation of new lesions and aid the healing of the old.

Acne can be treated with:

Skin care-

Clean your skin gently with a mild, nondrying soap. Avoid scrubbing. Remove all dirt or make-up before sleeping at night. Avoid repeated skin washing. Wash the face once or twice a day.
Use a clean cloth to dry the face every day to prevent bacterial re-infection.
Use steam or warm moist compresses to open up clogged pores.
Use topical astringents to remove excess oil.
Hair should be shampooed daily, especially oily hair. Ensure that the hair stays away from the face.
Avoid touching the face. Wash your hands before and after caring for skin lesions to reduce the chance of infection.
Try not to squeeze, scratch, pick or rub the pimples. This can lead to skin infections and scarring.
Avoid wearing tight headbands, helmets and caps.
Avoid oil based cosmetics. Use water-based or ‘noncomedogenic’ formulas.
Identify and avoid anything that aggravates acne. This may include oily foods, lotions and make-up.

Over-the-counter acne medications:

OTC acne medicines dry up the oil or promote skin peeling. They can be applied directly on the affected part of skin. These medicines may contain:

Prescription medicines for acne:

Antibiotics are helpful to treat acne in some people. They can be taken orally or applied topically.

Oral antibiotics- tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, erythromycin, trimethoprim, amoxicillin.
Topical antibiotics- clindamycin, erythromycin, dapsone.

Retinoic acid cream or gel can be used. Isotretinoin can be used for treating cystic acne and scarring.

Minor surgical procedures for acne: