Lifestyle and home remedies (1)
- Over-the-counter acne products: What works and why
Treatments and drugs (5)
- Acne treatments: Medical procedures may help clear skin
- Combination birth control pills
- Chemical peel
- see all in Treatments and drugs
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Acne treatments: Medical procedures may help clear skin
Steroid injections
Steroid injections are most often used for nodules and cysts — two types of acne that cause large, painful lumps beneath the surface of the skin. These types of acne can take weeks to resolve on their own. After a steroid injection, the acne lesion flattens, and symptoms resolve within two to four days. Though effective, complications can include:
- Thinning of the skin
- Appearance of small blood vessels on the surface of the skin
- Skin tone that turns lighter than normal
Steroid injections are typically used as a temporary or occasional fix for stubborn acne lesions. They aren't used to treat widespread acne because of potential complications and the need for frequent doctor visits.
Cosmetic procedures
Chemical peels and microdermabrasion may be helpful in controlling acne. These cosmetic procedures — which have traditionally been used to lessen the appearance of fine lines, sun damage and minor facial scars — are most effective when used in combination with other acne treatments.
- Chemical peels. Mild acids applied to your skin help remove dead skin cells, unclog pores and remove whiteheads and blackheads. Chemical peels can also generate new skin growth. Side effects can range from temporary redness, blisters, scaling and crusting to scarring, infection and abnormal skin coloring.
- Microdermabrasion. This type of treatment involves a hand-held device that blows crystals onto skin. These crystals gently abrade or "polish" the skin's surface. Then, a vacuum device removes the crystals and skin cells.
If your skin tends to form exaggerated scar tissue — such as keloids — chemical peels or microdermabrasion could make your complexion worse.
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- Sakamoto FH, et al. Photodynamic therapy for acne vulgaris: A critical review from the basics to clinical practice. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2010;63:183.
- Dover JS, et al. Light-based, adjunctive and other therapies for acne vulgaris. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed June 22, 2012.
- Acne: Diagnosis, treatment and outcome. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/skin-conditions/dermatology-a-to-z/acne/diagnosis-treatment. Accessed June 22, 2012.
- Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2012:5 Books in 1. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?about=true&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05611-3..C2009-0-38601-8--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05611-3&uniqId=291436269-101. Accessed June 25, 2012.
- Barbara Woodward Lips Patient Education Center. Photodynamic therapy: Blue light treatment for skin conditions. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
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