The face, chest, and back have the highest amount of oil glands, so we normally get acne in these areas. The oil glands are regulated by hormones in the body, so when hormone levels fluctuate, the oil glands produce more oil, thus clogging skin pores, leading to inflammation, and eventually resulting in pus-filled acne lesions. Fast, effective acne treatment requires a series of prescriptions (Rx), as listed below.
Rx 1: Effective treatment of acne requires a thorough evaluation by a Dermatologist who practices scientifically. Success with acne requires the use of a combination of individually-tailored treatments within a holistic framework or regimen.
Rx 2: Prescription-based treatment is extremely important. Most patients find that “over-the-counter” acne medications are not very effective – this makes sense, because treatments sold on television, the internet, or in magazines are often missing key ingredients that are needed to successfully treat acne.
Rx 3: Cosmetic peels, such as the salicylic peel, are a very helpful adjunctive therapy and are often overlooked by most Dermatologists in favor of more expensive treatments. Laser light therapies such as the IPL laser (intense pulsed light) can also be employed as well, as IPL treatments shrink the sebaceous glands and decrease oil production. In short, each acne program must be tailored to each individual patient and the proper combination of therapies must be employed.
Rx 4: For treatment of acne flare-ups, a short course of prescriptive oral antibiotics may be utilized. I use antibiotics only for short periods of time, since patients will eventually become resistant to oral antibiotics. My main approach is to combine all of the best treatments into one effective program.
Rx 5: Some patients find that topical acne treatments irritate their skin – this can be avoided if the right medications are chosen and if your doctor takes the time to educate you on how to use the medications in a way that won’t cause irritation.
Rx 6: Certain contraceptives may worsen acne, and others may improve acne. In short, some contraceptives are far more helpful than others, and the patient who uses contraceptives should consult with a Dermatologist for information on which contraceptives actually improve acne.
Rx 7: Natural supplements can help too. I recommend a multivitamin and a high-potency B complex vitamin to boost the immune system, promote health, and reduce stress levels. Also, it is equally important to exercise regularly and maintain a balanced diet. Foods that are high in fat and sugar may set off a cascade of reactions in the body which promote acne. Environmental factors such as stress, lack of sleep, lack of exercise, nutritional deficiencies, alcohol, and smoking must all be considered. Finally, the astute dermatologist will assess the skin-care products that you are currently using, since many products such as certain cleansers, moisturizers, and make-up may be contributing to your break-outs. It is also important to assess the home and work environment for other exposures that may be aggravating factors. Seeing a Dermatologist who specializes in acne treatment and takes a “big picture” approach is the key. A multi-modal approach will bring about the best results.
