Control of acne becomes easier and more effective if the basic pathogenesis and type and extent of the pimples are understood well. Most teenagers who suffer from acne take it lightly, at least in the early stages, and resort to self treatment with acne home remedies and OTC acne medications.
Several acne treatment aspects have been evolving since the last decade such as combination therapies, the role of lasers and light based therapies and the various modalities of treatments for acne scars.
Acne: Cure Vs. Control
There is no cure for acne. It is impossible to get rid of acne in 3 or 10 days as is being claimed by some commercial websites. Following are some facts about acne:
- The goal of treating pimples is to control the disease activity and limit inflammatory response within the dermal layer of skin before it damages the skin structures. This will help prevent formation of acne scars and blemishes.
- There is no single effective treatment for all types of acne. Treatment of blemishes varies according to the type, severity and extent of acne eruptions. The age and sex are also deciding factors while planning a treatment schedule for the acne.
- There are a number of proven systemic and topical treatments available to keep acne under effective control.
- Maintenance therapy is required to prevent recurrence of the pimples.
Duration of Treatment in Acne
The commitment for treatment in acne calls for patience and confidence on the part of the acne patient.
- After the initiation of treatment, It could take anywhere between 2 to 16 weeks for the acne eruption to get under control.
- Required duration of treatment for pimples varies from individual to individual.
- Duration of treatment depends upon the types and severity of acne
Acne Treatment Principles
Most people tend to believe that acne is a natural phenomenon and a minor irritation during adolescence. The latest updates from the global alliance to improve outcomes in acne recommend early and aggressive treatment of acne to reduce the chances of permanent scar formation in acne sufferers.
- Treatment of acne depends upon the type of acne and its severity.
- Combinations of systemic and topical anti-acne medications are instituted to initiate the treatment of acne. Once new acne eruptions stop appearing, the oral medications are gradually tapered. The topical medications, usually a combination of tretinoin/ adapalene/ tazarotene or benzoyl peroxide with topical antibiotics clindamycin or erythromycin are continued as maintenance therapy. Later, topical antibiotics are also stopped as new eruption of acne is not evident for a few weeks.
- The topical retinoids and benzoyl peroxide applications should be used only at night; never during daytime. When you are using these creams, it is advisable to avoid prolonged sun exposure. A sun screen with sun protection factor (SPF) 30 or above should be worn while outdoors.
- In those with a family history of acne scarring and severe eruption of comedonal or inflammatory acne, initiation of treatment with oral isotretinoin is advised by most dermatologists
- Topical medications, especially the retinoids, may cause flare up of the pimples during the initial stages of treatment. There is no need to stop or change the treatment in such cases. If irritation continues, the frequency and strength of application may be reduced till the skin tolerance is regained.
Learning the basic principles on which the treatment of acne is based will be beneficial for those suffering from this most common skin disease so that the physical and psychological consequences of the pimples may be minimized. This will also help in taking appropriate precautions to eliminate the risks associated with the acne and its treatment.
Related Articles
- Acne Myths. Being the most common skin disease, there are many misconceptions and myths about acne and its treatment; the most common of which are discussed in this article.
- Tips on How to Prevent New Acne Eruptions . A few selected tips on how to prevent acne eruptions will help most acne sufferers maintain a healthy and clear complexion.
Sources:
- Leydon JJ. A review of the use of combination therapies for the treatment of acne vulgaris. J Am Acad Dermatol 2003; 49:S200-10
- Diane T, Gollnick H et al. New insights into the management of acne: An update from the Global Alliance to Improve Outcomes in Acne Group. J Am Acad Dermatol, 2009;60:S1-50.
- Simpson NB & Cunliffe WJ. Disorders of the Sebaceous Glands in Rook’s Textbook of Dermatology. 2004; 7: 43.1-43.75.
Disclaimer
The information given in this article is for educational purposes only so that patients are aware of the options available. No diagnosis should be made or treatment undertaken without first consulting your doctor. If you do so, the author or Suite101 will not be responsible for any consequences. The images provided are for illustration purpose only.
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