It is now very easy to select the correct acne medicine due to the improvement of medical science. First of all, if you have acne, you should see a dermatologist for a professional opinion. Medicine will be prescribed by the doctor that either have to be applied on the affected area or taken orally.
There are several types of medication and drugs available that act on the skin in four ways. The medicines try to reduce oil or sebum production, regulate the keratinization of the duct, kill the bacteria and decrease inflammation. The medications will try to remove acne in one of these ways.
Before you start your medication, you need to make your skin oil-free by using specially formulated cleansers that can be used on the acne-affected skin. These cleansers remove the excess oils from the skin without blocking the pores. Soaps block the skin pores and are therefore discouraged.
Dermatologists all around the world give two types of acne medicine to cure the condition. These are topical medications and oral medications. Topical medication is applied on the affected area of the skin. Acne medicine should not be taken during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, because it may result in birth defects. The over-the-counter medicines take one or two months to show any result on the skin.
Kerotolytics and antibiotics prove to be useful in treating mild acne. Benzoic peroxide is a kerotolytic which works efficiently as it does not cause any reaction with the antibiotics. Clindamycin and tetracycline are the antibiotics that are generally used to eradicate bacteria and decrease inflammation. These medicines can be applied for clear and glowing skin twice daily.
The lotions and gels that contain resorcinol, salicylic acid, sulfur and lactic acid are very useful and mild. If this acne medicine does not work, you have to apply topical medicines containing retinoids like tretinoin and adapalene and agents of that type. They possess derivatives of vitamin A that remove the dead cells, preventing the blockage of pores.
When topical medicine cannot give any relief, then oral medicines are useful. Cysts that are deep can be treated effectively with acne medicine like isotretinoin. It is a very efficient medicine for treatment of cystic acne when antibiotics prove to be insufficient. But you should always be in touch with your dermatologist while using it as the use of the medicine may lead to severe side effects. It may cause defects at birth. So isotretinoin should never be used by pregnant women or those who are trying to conceive. It may raise blood cholesterol and the level of triglycerides. There are certain oral contraceptive pills that are also helpful in decreasing the scar caused by acne. Ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate combined together make the acne better. But, your dermatologist make you aware of the side effects of using these acne medicines. You should always take the advice of your doctor before taking any acne medicine, as he can suggest the appropriate medication that suits your type of skin and condition.