Ask a Skin Doctor: Moderate Acne Treatment
Dear Doctor
Acne red and scar are problem.
Dear Patient
Your symptoms are suggestive of Moderate Acne Vulgaris.
I recommend that you first get the acne under control before you start treating the scars because if you don’t you will keep developing new scars which will defeat the whole process.
As you work on controlling the acne ensure that you do not squeeze or pick any of the pimples as this will increase your chances of developing acne scars since it pushes the infected material deeper into the skin.
Treatment of Moderate Acne Vulgaris
1. Use an anti-acne face wash twice a day
Use an antiseptic wash like Clean and Clear Acne Cleanser which contains 10% benzoyl peroxide to wash your face twice a day.
Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) treats acne by preventing the dead skin cells from clogging skin pores and killing the acne causing bacteria P. acnes.
Side effects of BPO include dryness, burning, itching, redness and peeling of the skin. It makes the skin more sensitive to sunlight and thus you should use apply a non-comedogenic sunscreen (means it won’t clog skin pores and cause breakout) every day. A good example is EltaMD SPF 46 Sunscreen.
2. Apply an acne treatment moisturizer in the morning
Apply an oil-free moisturizer that contains ingredients like salicylic acid to your face after washing it in the morning. A good example is Clean and Clear Oil Free Moisturizer with 0.5% Salicylic Acid.
3. Apply a retinoid at night
Get a prescription of a retinoid like tretinoin (Retin-A) or adapalene (Differin) that you can apply to your face at night after cleansing.
Retinoids increase the turnover of skin cells and unclog skin pores. They also reduce sebum production. Common side effects include irritation and stinging. They can also cause a flare-up of the acne after using them for around 2-3 weeks once they unclog the pores and drain their contents.
4. Take tetracyclines by mouth
Get a prescription for a 2 to 6 month course of tetracycline antibiotics like doxycycline or minocycline since they reduce inflammation and the population of the bacteria P. acnes.
These tetracycline antibiotics should be taken before meals and they should not be combined with drinking milk.
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