Acne Treatment
Duration
Acne outbreaks can occur at any time after puberty, but are most common during adolescence.
Treatment
Acne can be treated with:
* Cleaners with salicylic acid, help to empty comedones of sebum.
* Benzoyl peroxide Jellies: These products are applied as a thin layer on the skin. Dry and exfoliate (peel) skin, fight the growth of bacteria and help clear blocked hair follicles. Some are available in softer lotions that do not require a prescription. If not, your doctor may prescribe the more concentrated gels are more effective.
* Tretinoin (Retin-A) is applied to the skin as a cream, gel or liquid. Helps clear the skin of plugged follicles by increasing the renewal of epithelial cells (surface cells of the skin). Also increases the skin sensitivity to sunlight, tretinoin should be used with a sunscreen.
* Antibiotics may be applied clindamycin (Cleocin) and erythromycin (there are several brand names) directly on the skin to reduce the growth of bacteria that cause acne.
If these topical treatments (local) do not work, acne is treated with oral antibiotics (usually tetracyclines) or isotretinoía (Accutane). However, these medications can have side effects and are only available by prescription.
Also, because isotretinoin can cause birth defects in newborns, women who take it and who are sexually active must use contraception to be absolutely sure not to get pregnant, both during the five months of treatment with Accutane as one month after treatment ends.
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