How is acne treated?
How you are treated for acne will depend on how severe it is. For your symptoms to improve, it can take many months of treatment before you see results.
If you have a couple of whiteheads, blackheads, or spots, your doctor or pharmacist may recommend over-the-counter or prescription creams or gels (topical treatments) first line.
Can acne be cured?
Acne cannot be cured, but, it can be controlled with treatment. If you have acne, you should speak to a doctor or pharmacist for advice. There are also lotions, gels, and creams that you can use to treat spots that are available to purchase from a pharmacy.
How to get rid of acne permanently
There is no completely foolproof method to get rid of acne permanently. Although, you can reduce breakouts and keep your skin healthy by not washing your face more than twice a day and using acne treatment.
When should I talk to a doctor about my acne?
You should talk to your doctor if you have moderate or severe acne, or if you develop cysts or nodules. This is because they will need to be properly treated to avoid scarring. Avoid squeezing or picking your spots as this can cause permanent scarring.
How to treat acne on the face
At Superdrug Online Doctor, we offer a range of treatments that can treat acne on the face. Our doctors will review your answers to a short questionnaire and photos of your acne and recommend a treatment. It’s important to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, suffer from any health conditions or take any other medications before you start treatment for acne. Treatments include:
Lymecycline
Lymecycline is an antibacterial medication which can be used to treat acne. This medication works by killing bacteria responsible for acne. In most instances, you should take 1 capsule per day. You must drink lots of water when you take the capsule. This is to stop any irritation to your oesophagus (food pipe). Research indicates that lymecycline can reduce the severity of acne by over 42%. It’s always recommended to use lymecycline in combination with a topical acne treatment for the best effects.
Oxytetracycline
Oxytetracycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic. This means the medication can be used to kill a variety of bacteria, especially those responsible for acne. Your doctor will advise the correct dose for you. You should take these tablets 1 hour before you eat, or 2 hours after you have eaten. You must avoid drinking milk 2 hours prior to or after taking oxytetracycline. Studies show that this medication can reduce acne symptoms by roughly 70%.
Epiduo Gel
Epiduo gel is a topical gel that contains Benzoyl Peroxide and Adapalene. This combined works to unblock pores and kill bacteria which causes acne. Simply apply a thin layer of Epiduo gel to the affected area once each day. You should take care when applying the gel to make sure it does not go on a cut, scratch, or sunburnt area. Studies show that participants using Epiduo gel noticed a reduction in acne by over 75% in the total number of lesions in combination with topical treatments.
Zineryt
Zineryt is a skin lotion which contains the antibiotic erythromycin with zinc. Zinc is a healing agent. This means it can repair some damage caused by pimples and spots. You should apply Zineryt directly to the affected area twice each day and ensure you cover the whole area. Treatment should be used for up to 10 to 12 weeks. One study found that Zineryt was 64% effective at reducing acne by the end of treatment.
Aknemycin
Aknemycin contains tretinoin and erythromycin. Erythromycin is an antibiotic that can kill bacteria in the affected area. Tretinoin is a retinoid that accelerates the turnover of skin cells and gets rid of dirt and dead cells from the skin. You should use an applicator to apply the treatment and ensure you cover the whole affected area.
How to get rid of acne scars
Treatment for acne scarring is classed as a type of cosmetic surgery and is not normally available on the NHS. Exceptions have been made in the past if the acne scarring has been shown to cause serious psychological distress.
Typical treatments for getting rid of acne scars include steroid injections, micro needling, laser treatment, and subcision.