There are many treatment options available for acne.  No one treatment is best for every person, so treatment is individualized.  Virtually every case of acne can be controlled with proper treatment.

Very mild acne can be treated with over the counter products such as benzoyl peroxide and products containing salicylic acid.  This will typically control acne breakouts and clear the skin, but this does not occur overnight.  At home treatment usually takes about 4-8 weeks to see results, despite advertising claims.

If acne does not clear at home after a certain time period, you may need a prescription.  There are different types of prescriptions available, depending on the type of acne you have.

Topical treatment is applied directly to the skin.  There are different types of topical medications.  Some help by reducing oil and some work by killing bacteria.  There are some combination medications that do both.

If topical treatments are not working or you have the type of acne that requires a stronger medication, there are oral medications that help as well.  This type of treatment is usually required if acne is red and irritated.  Cysts and nodules will not respond to topical treatment.  Oral medications that may help are antibiotics, oral contraceptives, anti-androgen medications and isotretinoin.  Isotretinoin is the only acne medication that works on all types of acne, in every situation.

There are also procedures that can be done to treat acne.  We offer chemical peels to treat blackheads and acne scarring.  We also can perform an incision and drainage or extraction for larger acne cysts.

There is no need to wait for acne to take care of itself or to go away on its own.  Rather than allow the situation to lead to permanent scarring, schedule an appointment to determine the best treatment options available.