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Professional Care for Acne

If home remedies have not seemed to work for clearing your acne than you may consider going for professional help to clear up your acne. Friends may be able to give you the names of those who they know have worked with others who have acne. Personal recommendation can give you confidence in your choice. Be prepared that some professional services may not be covered by insurance, so check first with your provider.

Your primary care physician can give you a consult to a dermatologist who can prescribe for you a topical antibiotic or antibacterial. Some that may be prescribed for you are: azelaic acid, clindamycin or erthromycin.

Acne is a skin inflammation that is localized and is a result of overactivity of oil glands at the base of hair follicles. Individuals of all ages can get acne and should not be ashamed of its appearance.

Acne can be treated with time and patience anyone's acne can be cleared up. Seeking professional help should be done after home remedies have been exhausted or if the individual with the acne has experienced emotional upset over the appearances.

Retinoids may also be prescribed such as Retin-A, adapalene or tazarotene. These medications are used to unclog your pores. They may have side effects, which could include irritation or mild sensitivity to the sun. If your skin does become sensitive sun protection products work well.

Oral antibiotics may also be prescribed such as tetracycline, doxycycline, cefadroxil or amoxicillin. Sulfa drugs might also be prescribed for you. Watch out for allergic reactions, or gastrointestinal upset while taking oral medications of this nature and tell your doctor is you experience these side effects. Oral antibiotics are usually only prescribed when necessary and for the shortest amount of time as possible.

Cortisone injections are sometimes used to flatten out large pimples or cysts.

Individuals who suffer from severe acne may be prescribed Isotretinoin. You will need to have scheduled blood tests to check for liver function during treatment. Isotretinoin has a high risk for birth defects so it should not be used if there is any chance of becoming pregnant.

Improvements are long lasting and noticeable using isotretinoin and it is safe to use with very few side effects. Women should avoid pregnancy for at least one month after the last treatment has been taken. Women need to have two negative pregnancy tests before starting this drug as a precaution against birth defects.

Laser treatments are another effective way to treat acne. Health insurers may not reimburse policyholders for laser treatments.

Professionals in the doctor's office perform chemical peels such as glycolic acid.

Treating acne at home or with professional help takes time and patience. Most treatments take 2 to 3 months to complete even isotretinoin. Each treatment plan should be followed through before giving up on it. Just about anyone's acne can be cleared up today using the current medications and treatments.