What is Acne?
Acne is the medical term for pimples. Pimples happen when pores get clogged with dead skin and oil, and bacteria build up. Then the skin can get inflamed and can turn red or swell.
Acne Treatment
There is no single best treatment for acne hence combinations of treatments are sometimes recommended. Since acne lesions take at least eight weeks to mature, you should use a treatment for a minimum of two to three months before deciding if the treatment is effective.
Acne skin care— Skin care is an important aspect of acne treatment:
Skin hygiene — Wash your face no more than twice daily using a gentle non-soap facial skin cleanser (eg, Cetaphil, Oil of Olay bar or foaming face wash, or Dove bar) and warm (not hot) water. Some providers recommend avoiding use of a washcloth or loofah, and instead using the hands to wash the face. Vigorous washing or scrubbing can worsen acne and damage the skin's surface. Do not pick or squeeze pimples because this may worsen acne and cause skin swelling and scarring. It can also cause lesions to become infected.
Moisturizers — Use of a moisturizer minimizes dryness and skin peeling, which are common side effects of some acne treatments. Moisturizers that are labelled as "non comedogenic" are less likely to block skin pores.
Sun protection — Some acne treatments increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight (eg, retinoids, doxycycline). To minimize skin damage from the sun, avoid excessive sun exposure and use a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher that is broad spectrum (blocks both UVA and UVB light) before sun exposure. (See "Patient education: Sunburn prevention (Beyond the Basics)".)
Can I treat my own acne?
If you have mild acne, you can try to treat yourself with nonprescription products initially. Nonprescription acne treatments may include salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, sulphur, alpha hydroxy acids, adapalene, or tea tree oil, all of which are available in nonprescription strengths. A combination of these treatments may be more effective than using one single product alone. In rare cases, people have a severe allergic reaction to acne products, so for the first three days, try them on just a small area.
If you do not improve after three months of using nonprescription products or you have moderate or severe acne, consult a healthcare provider for advice on the most effective treatments.