If you have tried countless nonprescription or over-the-counter acne treatments for weeks or years to no avail, it’s time you see a dermatologist for stronger medications. These dermatologist-prescribed treatments will help you in:
- Controlling your acne;
- Preventing scars or other skin damage during treatment; and
- Making your scars less visible.
At the Savannah Dermatology Clinic in Savannah, GA, Dr. Adam Pritzker can prescribe the right combination of acne treatments to help you combat stubborn acne.
How Acne Treatments Work
Acne treatments function by minimizing oil production, reducing inflammation, hastening skin turnover, and combating bacterial infection. Studies have shown that most prescription acne products may make you break out at first before finally clearing up your skin, so diligence and supervision of your dermatologist is crucial. The acne treatments your dermatologist in Savannah, GA, recommends will significantly depend on the severity and type of acne you have and your age.
Topical Medications for Acne
- Retinoids and similar medications: These are available in creams, lotions, and gels. They work by preventing the clogging of hair follicles and making skin cell turnover faster.
- Azelaic Acid and Salicylic Acid: Salicylic acid helps prevent clogged hair follicles, while azelaic acid has natural antibacterial properties.
- Benzoyl Peroxide: This works by banishing acne-causing bacteria.
- Topical Antibiotics: These function by minimizing redness and eliminating skin bacteria. They’re usually used in tandem with benzoyl peroxide to help prevent antibiotic resistance.
Oral Acne Medications
- Oral Antibiotics: These work for moderate to severe cases of acne by reducing bacteria and combatting inflammation. They’re typically used in combination with benzoyl peroxide and topical retinoids.
- Combined Oral Contraceptives: The FDA has approved four oral contraceptives containing progestin and estrogen, including Yaz and Ortho Tri-Cyclen for controlling acne. In most cases, you’ll also need to use other acne treatments for the first couple of weeks until the pills take effect.
- Anti-Androgens: These are usually recommended for people whose acne doesn’t respond to oral antibiotics. They function by blocking the androgen hormones’ effects on your sebaceous glands.
- Isotretinoin: This is one of the most potent topical oral medications and is only recommended for individuals who have tried everything or for those with very severe acne. It does, however, come with significant side effects when used incorrectly, so it’s only taken under the supervision of a dermatologist.
Therapies for Acne
- Laser Therapy: These come in various types from those that stop acne from forming, to those that smoothen scars and other skin damage caused by acne.
- Blackhead and Whitehead Extraction: This is performed by your dermatologist with help from special tools to remove blackheads and whiteheads gently.
- Chemical Peels: These entail repeated applications of select chemical solutions like retinoic acid, glycolic acid, or salicylic acid in varying concentrations.
- Steroid Injections: These are used to reduce inflammation of cystic and nodular acne lesions.
Ready to Get Rid of Your Acne For Good?
Call Savannah Dermatology Clinic in Savannah, GA, at (912) 352-8974 to arrange a visit with Dr. Adam Pritzker. He will conduct a thorough evaluation of your case and recommend the best acne treatments for your needs. You can also request an appointment through our online form found on our website.