Oral medications
Antibiotics
If you have moderate to severe acne, your doctor might give you oral antibiotics to help reduce the bacteria that cause acne. The usual first choice is a type of antibiotic called tetracycline, such as minocycline or doxycycline. Another type called macrolide, like erythromycin or azithromycin, can be used if you can’t take tetracyclines. This includes pregnant women and children under eight years old.
You should take oral antibiotics for the shortest time possible to avoid developing resistance to them.
It’s also important to use them with other medicines, like benzoyl peroxide, to lower the chance of resistance.
Severe side effects from using antibiotics to treat acne are rare.
However, these medicines can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
Combined Oral Contraceptives
Four types of combined oral contraceptives have been approved by the FDA for acne scar treatment singapore in women who also want to use them for birth control. These medicines contain both progestin and estrogen, such as Ortho Tri-Cyclen 21 or Yaz. You might not see the full effects for a few months, so using other acne treatments together during the first few weeks may help.
Common side effects of combined oral contraceptives can include weight gain, breast tenderness, and nausea.
These medicines are also linked to an increased risk of some health problems, like heart issues, breast cancer, and cervical cancer.
Anti-Androgen Agents
Spironolactone (Aldactone) might be recommended for women and young girls if oral antibiotics don’t work. It helps by blocking the effects of androgen hormones on oil glands. Possible side effects can include breast tenderness and painful periods.
Isotretinoin
Isotretinoin (Amnesteem, Claravis, others) is a medicine made from vitamin A. It might be prescribed if your moderate or severe acne doesn’t improve with other treatments.
Isotretinoin can cause serious side effects like inflammatory bowel disease, depression, and severe birth defects.
Everyone taking this medication must take part in an FDA-approved program to manage risks. They will also need regular check-ups with their doctor to watch for side effects.
Therapies
Some people find the following treatments helpful, either on their own or together with medicines.
Light Therapy
A number of light treatments have shown some success in treating acne. Most require several visits to your doctor’s office. More research is needed to find out the best type of light, how long it should be used, and the right dose.
Chemical Peel
This treatment involves applying a chemical solution like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or retinoic acid several times. It can help with mild acne but the results are not long-lasting. You may need repeated treatments.
Drainage And Extraction
A doctor can use special tools to remove whiteheads, blackheads, or cysts that don’t go away with topical treatments. This can temporarily improve your skin’s look, but it may also lead to scarring.
Steroid Injection
This treatment involves injecting a steroid medication into large or painful acne bumps to reduce inflammation and pain. It can work quickly but may cause thinning or discoloration of the skin in the treated area.