Severe Acne

Acne is a problem that many people face at one point in their lives. Often it comes in the form of mild to moderate acne. However, there are times when it does come in a severe form and thus different treatment must be made.

Severe acne must go through a different treatment process from mild to moderate acne. Although the treatment options vary for severe acne cases, the overall idea is the same. With severe acne dead skin cells need to be removed along with bacteria under the skin surface, and excess oil production decreased.

Most of the time, severe acne does not respond to over the counter products such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Instead a doctor needs to prescribe a stronger topical medication such as Tretinoin or Differin. Both of these topical lotions contain synthetic Vitamin A which is the vitamin needed to fight the hair follicle from becoming clogged with too much oil.

As well as using prescribed topical lotions to fight severe acne, one should also consider antibiotics. Oral antibiotics prescribed by your doctor in conjunction with the topical lotion may be needed for months before you see any sign of improvement. With this in mind, do not stop the medication as it does take some time for it to work on severe acne. The antibiotics will fight the bacteria in the body and will help reduce the inflammation of the acne. This is why it does take some time for the reduction in acne to appear.

Accutane is one type of oral medication that is used for severe acne. It is a very powerful medication and should be used with only severe acne present. There are some side effects from using this type of oral medication and that should be taken into consideration prior to usage. This is why this type of oral medication should only be used under the direction of a doctor.

Birth control pills (oral contraceptives) are another option to use to fight severe acne. Ortho Tri-Cyclen and Ortho-cyclen are types of oral contraceptives that have been medical proven to help reduce moderate to severe acne in women. As with any oral contraceptives, there are potential side effects and these should be discussed with your doctor prior to use.

The final option to get rid of severe acne is through cosmetic procedures. Examples include Dermabrasion, laser acne treatment options, and chemical peels. Only turn to these options under the direction of a certified doctor.