Acne That Never Goes Away

It seems like no matter how old you are, acne is always there. We dread the teenage years because of hormones, but even as adults we seem to suffer. Fortunately, there are many options out there that help control and get rid of those dreaded bumps. We are going to delve into the many options available because I know how overwhelming it can get. With so many options, how do you know what the best option is for you? But don’t forget… you always want to make sure you consult your doctor before trying any new products or treatments.

So, let’s start of by learning about acne and classifying what type of acne you may have. Acne is caused by a bacterium called P. Acnes. When your pores get clogged and the bacterium gets stuck in there, pimples arise. There is mild, moderate, and severe acne. Depending on the severity is how we determine how it’s managed. Mild acne is more easily controlled with over the counter (OTC) medications, such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. Other products that you may want to look into are niacinamide (which also helps with oil production and minimizing the appearance of pores) and Adapalene. There are even little medicated stick-on patches, which I like to refer to as “pimple patches,” that you can purchase in stores or online (LIFE SAVERS)! There is a general step-up approach to treating acne. If these OTC products aren’t enough, then the next step would be adding a topical antibiotic like clindamycin. Clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide are typically used together to prevent resistance to the medications. Still not enough? The next step would be to try an oral antibiotic or topical Retin-A. When you start to have inflammatory pustules and papules we need to start thinking about using Accutane (Isotretinoin). This is classified as severe acne and is a lot tougher to manage. There are also very strict rules you need to follow while using Accutane; this will be discussed with your doctor. It takes time and patience to manage acne, so be patient.

Ok, so you have a general idea of what the treatment for acne may look like, but what about your skin care routine? Oh, you don’t have one. Well that may be part of the problem. The most important step to having clear skin is having a daily routine for cleansing and maintaining your face. This includes a daytime and nighttime routine. Keep it simple. You need a good face wash that fits your skin needs, moisturizer, and sunscreen to start off. Once you get the hang of that then you can add new products. And don’t forget to stay hydrated!

We talked about the medications and creams, whether OTC or prescribed, that can be used for acne but there are so many other methods that help clear acne! Head over to our post Get Rid of Acne that talks more about what treatments you can do to help get rid of your acne.