Acne sufferers are ready to go to any extent to get rid of their acne. This is the main reason why they take up any treatment without realizing that some of these treatments have disturbing side effects. Each and every acne medication and treatment is known to have some side effects.
It is very important to fully understand the risks in the treatment that you undertake.
Acne Treatments
Here is a brief overview of some commonly applied acne treatments and their side effects:
• Isotretinoin: This is a powerful acne medication that is prescribed by almost all dermatologists for severe acne. This medication is seen as the last resort to cure acute acne. One must not take this medication lightly as even though it might ultimately help you get rid of your ugly acne, it can have some devastating side effects. Some such effects include:
1. Birth defects: This is one of the most serious side effects caused due to Isotretinoin. Men who are under Isotretinoin treatment are advised not to impregnate their partners as the baby can suffer from serious birth defects.
2. Some other effects include: chapped lips, urinary problems, temporary thinning of hair, headaches, depression, joint and muscle pain and worst of all, a decrease in night vision.
• Antibiotics: Antibiotics are often prescribed by most medical practitioners to control the spread of acne. But acne sufferers need to realize that even though the use of antibiotics can successfully treat their condition, they also have some harmful side effects.
1. Firstly, excessive use of antibiotics leads to resistant strains of bacteria. So a prolonged use of antibiotics makes the acne resistant to the medication.
2. Some other affects of long-term antibiotic treatment include rashes, gastrointestinal problems and photosensitivity.
• Hormonal treatments: The use of birth control pills or oral contraceptives is commonly used nowadays to control acne. Possible side effects associated with birth control pills include: vaginal bleeding, water retention, increased risk of heart attack, depression and Melasma.
• Inter lesion Corticosteroid Injection: This treatment is used on severely inflamed acne cysts. The cysts are injected with diluted corticosteroid which helps lessen the inflammation and promotes healing.
• Tetracycline derivatives: This medication should not be taken by young children and pregnant women. Even during pregnancy and breast feeding, tetracycline affects the development of a child’s bones and teeth and can even lead to skeletal defects.
• Azelaic acid: This acid is used to treat mild to moderate acne. The treatment is well tolerated by most and can be safely used for several years. Some side effects include skin dryness and lightening of skin where the solution is applied.
• Benzoyl Peroxide: Found in most gels, lotions, creams and body washes meant for acne, benzoyl peroxide is a common ingredient of all acne treatments. Possible side effects include skin irritation and mild allergic reactions.
• Clindamycin: This is a semi-synthetic antibiotic and is known to be extremely successful for treating acne. It is safe and well tolerated, though some minor effects like skin irritation and dryness have been reported.
• Erythromycin: It is a topical antibiotic which is mostly combined with benzoyl peroxide for achieving the maximum relief. Much like clindamycin, even erythromycin can cause skin dryness and irritation.
• Sodium Sulfacetamide: This is a topical antibiotic which inhibits acne growth and helps open clogged pores. It is extremely useful in treating inflammatory acne. The only possible side effect associated with the product is its offensive smell and grittiness.
• Topical Retinoids: These are used to treat mild to severe acne. Retinoids help unclog pores and prevent blackheads and whiteheads from forming. Some side effects due to prolonged usage of retinoids include skin irritation and increased sun sensitivity.
Hope the above information about acne treatments and their side effects will help you decide the right kind of treatment for yourself.