Acne is tough to deal with, no matter the age of the sufferer. There are a variety of things that can make acne worse (like stress, certain facial cleansers, and even specific foods), but it can hard to figure out what to do to make it better.

But there are some treatments that are more effective than others. Half the battle is identifying the severity of the acne and treating it according to the severity. Acne treatments for someone with mild acne will be vastly different than for those with moderate to severe acne.

Treatment for mild acne is fairly simple. In fact, overdoing any treatment regimen can create more problems, so it’s best to take a moderate approach first. For mild acne, which is identified as just a clustering of whiteheads or blackheads or simple pimples, the best treatment is using a mild soap, following with a benzoyl peroxide treatment and using a product with salicylic acid. These treatments usually work for people with relatively mild acne, but if they don’t work for you, your doctor can prescribe lotions that are a bit more intense.

For those with moderate to severe acne, the treatment changes a bit. Moderate or severe acne is usually defined as acne that includes nodules or cysts and that are deep enough to leave scars if not treated properly. If you go to the doctor with severe acne, a doctor will often prescribe oral antibiotics to get the skin healthy faster; this will accompany a prescribed regimen of care.

The treatment for this kind of acne is usually a combination of treatment regimens and products designed for more severe cases of acne.

Some treatments that might be prescribed for moderate or severe acne include prescription gels, creams and lotions which contain antibiotics, and prescription retinoids that are applied via a lotion. Some other treatments include taking oral retinoids, the most common of which is Accutane. Sometimes a doctor will treat severe acne by draining cysts and pimples, or having the patient apply azelaic acid.

It can take six to eight weeks for some treatments to begin working; sometimes the acne gets worse before it gets better. Sometimes lifestyle changes are ordered along with treatment options; these can include a change in diet, changes in hair or other product that might come in contact with facial skin, and avoiding the sun. The sun can exacerbate acne problems in some people, especially those on medications for acne.

Acne can be uncomfortable and embarrassing to live with, but it’s not incurable. There are many things people can do to make acne less of a lifestyle problem and more of a simple nuisance that requires regular care and attention.

Sick of your acne and pimples and sitting there wondering what the best acne treatments are? We can help you find out!

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