Acne treatment

There are a variety of products that can help to build a daily regimen to control acne, here are some options we would recommend.

Daily skin cleansers that can help to unclog pores and minimise sweat build-up, thereby reducing outbreaks.

There are products that contain medicated cleaning pads that can reduce the appearance of spots or help clear the spots more quickly. Clearasil pads are a good example of this type of product. It contains salicylic acid amongst other ingredients to bring down inflammation and reduce spots.

For more persistent spots or outbreaks of acne, antibacterial treatments can help to control symptoms. A topical product such as Acnecide Gel 5% which contains benzoyl peroxide is shown to be effective. The gel needs to be applied regularly for between six and eight weeks to achieve optimum control of acne spots. This product works by killing bacteria, absorbing excess oil while releasing glycerine to hydrate the skin.

Your doctor can prescribe topical treatments such as benzoyl peroxide (available over-the-counter), alongside other topical treatments such as adapalene (from the family of treatments known as retinoids). They can prescribe them separately or in a combination treatment.

Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotic topical solutions or antibiotic tablets. These treatments will normally be performed as a time-limited trial initially, with 8-12 weeks a good length of time to see whether the treatments are making a noticeable difference. The antibiotics are specially selected for their anti-inflammatory, rather than anti-bacterial properties.

Women also have the option of being offered a hormonal option, as contraceptive pills can sometimes be used as an addition to treatment. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor or pharmacist for advice before starting or continuing any acne treatment, as some may be harmful.