When it comes to getting rid of acne, the best cure is consistent treatment. Learning about the available acne treatment options will help you choose one that works well for you. Each person, however, is a little bit different, so you might need to try a few methods before you find the one that works with your skin type.

Treating Acne with Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most common and effective over-the-counter acne treatments, especially for mild to moderate acne. Most OTC benzoyl peroxide treatments come in cream or gel forms. Most products instruct users to rub the cream or gel twice a day onto areas that are affected by acne. Most of the OTC products contain between 2 and 10 percent benzoyl peroxide.

Benzoyl peroxide has become such a popular acne treatment because it attacks pimples in a variety of ways. First, benzoyl peroxide helps heal the acne that is already present by dissolving the troublesome keratin that blocks the pores. The products then help prevent future outbreaks by killing the P. acnes bacteria that causes acne. Benzoyl peroxide-based products also encourage bacterial resistance in the skin by introducing more oxygen into the environment. This reduces the long-term development of acne.

Treating Acne with Antibiotics

Antibiotics are also a useful way to treat acne because they kill the P. acnes bacteria. Antibiotics, however, are not available over the counter. You will have to get a prescription from your doctor to purchase them. Topical and oral antibiotics also don’t offer the secondary advantages of benzoyl peroxide: they don’t break up keratin or increase the presence of oxygen. Prescription antibiotics, however, are usually stronger than products that are available over the counter.

Treating Acne with Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Many people find that acne is troublesome because it creates irritable, red sores that stand out from the rest of the skin. Those who are mostly concerned with the appearance of acne can often get some relieve from anti-inflammatories. You can purchase them with a doctor’s prescription, but some products are also available over the counter. Some of these products have proven them especially useful at treating premenstrual acne.

Treating Acne with Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion can help eliminate acne, but it is cosmetic medical procedure that often creates a significant amount of pain for the patient. This option removes the top layer of skin to eliminate any blemishes such as acne, scars, and wrinkles. Most patients are given general anesthetics while undergoing dermabrasion to help mitigate the pain. Although the patient is still partially conscious during the procedure, the anesthesia distracts them from the pain and allows the doctors to perform their work. The skin can appear quite red and irritated for several days after the procedure.

Treating Acne with Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a less intense skin cleansing technique that can help reduce the instances of pimples. These techniques only remove the very top layer of skin. Although some microdermabrasion procedures are performed in doctor’s offices, they are also provided at some day spas. This is not an invasive procedure, so it does not require the use of anesthetics.