Acne Treatments Available Through Qualified Dermatologists
Posted on: 18 June 2020
Whether you have mild or severe acne, the discomfort and dissatisfaction with your appearance can negatively affect your life. Although there are over-the-counter products that all promise to be the be-all-and-end-all solution for acne, they don't work for everyone. Only a dermatologist can properly diagnose and treat persistent acne.
If you are tired of dealing with acne and its impact on your life, it may be time to visit a dermatologist. Your dermatologist will grade your acne's severity and assess your skin type to make a diagnosis and create a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs. Here are a few of the possible treatments your dermatologist might prescribe for your acne.
1. Antibiotics
If you have severe cystic acne, you may need a systemic antibiotic prescription. Your dermatologist will assess the severity of your acne and prescribe an antibiotic like doxycycline that reduces the amount of acne-causing bacteria on your skin. It's important to limit the amount of time you take antibiotics for because they can have side effects. If antibiotics are the right treatment for your acne, expect to take them for around three to four months. If you do begin taking antibiotics, your dermatologist may also recommend that you take a probiotic supplement to mitigate some of the potential side effects of the antibiotics.
2. Photodynamic Therapy
Laser and light therapy options for acne have come a long way. Photodynamic therapy is a promising option for those with severe acne. During a therapy session, the dermatologist coats the skin with a solution that makes it more sensitive to light. After the solution has settled into the skin, the dermatologist treats the acne with a laser or infrared light. The radiation from the light source destroys acne cells and acne-causing bacteria. These treatments are only available through qualified professionals, and no over-the-counter products have come close to their effectiveness.
3. Hormonal Therapy
Some acne is best treated through hormone rebalancing. The most common prescriptions for hormonal therapy are oral contraceptives and Spironolactone. Oral contraceptives can be taken on their own or paired with Spironolactone, but Spironolactone can cause birth defects, so it should be taken with contraceptives if possible. These medications come with significant side effects, including blood clots, migraines, and cancer, so it's best to go over the pros and cons of this treatment option with a dermatologist. They can assess your acne and compare hormonal therapy with other options that may work for your skin.
To learn more about treatments for acne, contact services such as Desert Dermatology & Skin Cancer Specialists.
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