Lifestyle and home remedies (1)
- Over-the-counter acne products: What works and why
Treatments and drugs (3)
- Acne treatments: Emerging therapies for clearer skin
- Combination birth control pills
- Laser resurfacing
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Acne treatments: Emerging therapies for clearer skin
Other 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. Chemicals, such as glycolic acid or salicylic acid, applied to your skin help remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, remove whiteheads and blackheads, and can generate new skin growth. These chemical peels are often used with acne creams or gels for better penetration of the medication. Depending on strength of the chemical, side effects of chemical peels 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 tube removes the crystals and skin cells. The procedure exfoliates and unclogs pores. Similar to chemical peels, microdermabrasion is often used with other acne treatments to increase their effectiveness.
These procedures are best done by a doctor. Trying these treatments at home could cause infections, acne flare-ups or scars. If your skin tends to form scar tissue, chemical peels or microdermabrasion could make your complexion worse.
Keep realistic expectations
If you're interested in new acne treatments, talk to your doctor about your options and the risks and benefits of each. He or she can help you create a treatment plan that's right for you.
Regardless of the treatment you use, keep realistic expectations. Acne can't be medically cured, only controlled. You won't start seeing improvements from most treatments for six to eight weeks, and your acne might appear worse before it gets better. But if you stick to your treatment regimen, your patience usually pays off with clearer skin.
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- Thiboutot D, et al. New insights into the management of acne: An update from the Global Alliance to Improve Outcomes in Acne Group. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2009;60:S1.
- Ofori AO. Light-based, adjunctive, and other therapies for acne vulgaris. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 21, 2010.
- Haedersdal M, et al. Evidence-based review of lasers, light sources and photodynamic therapy in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 2008;22:267.
- Taub AF. Procedural treatments for acne vulgaris. Dermatology Surgery. 2007;33:1005.
- Shamban AT, et al. Multimodal treatment of acne, acne scars and pigmentation. Dermatologic Clinics. 2009;27:459.
- Munavalli GS, et al. Combination light therapies for the treatment of acne: An overview and introduction to photopneumatic therapy. Medical Laser Application. 2008;23:141.
- Acne. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/public/publications/pamphlets/common_acne.html. Accessed Jan. 26, 2010.
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