You might have experimented with over-the-counter products, different diets, cosmetics, facials, and soaps. Maybe you’ve even seen a few TV infomercials and tried the things, only to be disappointed. So, it appears that you’re ready for a change of pace.
The good news is that doctors have access to a wealth of effective topical treatments for any acne. Topical medicines are sometimes the only therapy option for many people.
This post covers all you need to know about the topical acne treatments available through your doctor and how to use them properly. There are three crucial aspects that you as an acne patient should be aware of before we begin our acne treatment journey:
- It may take six to eight weeks of treatment to notice any significant improvement.
- Back, chest, and shoulder lesions respond to topical and oral treatment more slowly than those on the face.
- Because each patient is unique, your doctor is in the best position to tailor therapies to your specific needs. Always adhere to your doctor’s advice.
How do topical acne treatments work?
Topical treatment has several advantages over oral therapy (taking medications by mouth). The most obvious benefit is that pharmaceuticals are applied directly to your skin, with relatively few serious adverse effects, whereas the oral route may result in more severe side effects.
A vehicle (an inert medium) “delivers” the active component (the medicine itself) to its desired target in topical therapy.
A cream, ointment, gel, lotion, or solution (an oil-free liquid made mostly of water or alcohol) can be used as the vehicle.
Active ingredient-containing solutions, gels, and lotions can also be delivered via pledget or swab, conveniently travel-friendly delivery devices. These are little absorbent pads made of cotton or wool used to medicate the skin. Place them in your bag, backpack, or pocket and go.
How to choose the best topical acne treatment?
Many factors influence the topical therapies for different types of acne, including:
- What kind of skin do you have: dry, oily, combo, or normal?
- You have the following types of lesions: Papules and pustules, blackheads and whiteheads, or both
- How long have your lesions been there?
- Your previous experience with acne treatments and any side effects you’ve had
- Your propensity for scarring or unsightly acne areas
- How much will therapy cost you, and will you be able to pay it?
The ideal product is tailored to your needs. Topical treatment typically includes a trial-and-error approach, with the most effective, least expensive, and fewest adverse effects items being used first.
As you discover things that don’t work, you and your doctor work together to eliminate them from your routine and replace them with new (hopefully healthier) products. As a result, you must maintain a constant dialogue with your dermatologist to determine the best product or mix of products for you to use.
To make the drying product less irritating, your dermatologist may combine a drying product (which most acne products are) with a moisturizing product.
Topical combination acne treatment
Topical acne treatment seeks to combat some of the critical causes of acne:
- Hair follicles that are clogged
- Inflammation caused by the acne-causing bacteria P. acnes.
Other key acne-causing factors that must be addressed with oral treatment include:
- Hormone production has increased.
- Sebum (oil) production that is excessive
Topical treatment is sufficient for most people with acne, but oral supplements are usually required if you have more extensive, deep, or scarring acne with nodules and cysts.
Keep in mind that one size does not fit all, and finding the proper treatment for your skin can take some time and trial and error. Most dermatologists believe that using topical retinoids in conjunction with topical or oral antibiotics or antibacterials like benzoyl peroxide decreases inflammatory and noninflammatory lesions more quickly and effectively than using any of these drugs alone.