How to Get Rid of Acne

Acne treatments: Medical procedures may help clear skin

Acne treatments aren't one-size-fits-all. If prescription creams and antibiotics aren't working for you — or if you can't tolerate the side effects that medications can cause — you might consider acne treatments that can be provided at your doctor's office.

      Several types of office-based medical procedures — such as light therapy, chemical peels and steroid injections — may be helpful.

    Regardless of which acne treatments you use, try to keep your expectations realistic. In most instances, acne can't be cured, only controlled. You won't start seeing improvements from most treatments for four to eight weeks. And your acne might appear worse before it gets better.

Light therapy

  Acne bacteria can also be killed with pulsed light and heat energy. These treatments may also shrink oil (sebaceous) glands, which decreases oil production.

  Possible light therapy side effects in the treated areas include:

• Redness
• Crusting and peeling
• Changes in skin tone
•   Sensitivity to sunlight
•   Pain

• Chemical peels

• Have skin that tends to form exaggerated scar tissue (keloids)
• Have used the oral acne medication isotretinoin (Morisan, Clara, others) in the past six months
• Are pregnant
• Have frequent or severe outbreaks of cold sores
• Lifestyle remedies

• Many people with mild acne or pimples can manage their condition with lifestyle changes. Oil is a major cause of acne, so keeping your face clean and your hair away from it is important, especially if your hair tends to be greasy. Oils from your hair and face also build up on your bedding. Changing your pillowcase daily or weekly can help prevent this buildup.

  Wash your face two to three times per day with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser that’s not abrasive. Don’t scrub your skin too hard. This can aggravate your skin even more. Also, try not to use skin care products that can be irritating, such as scented lotions or oil-based makeup. Choose moisturizers and sunscreens that are labeled “noncomedogenic.” This means that the product won’t clog your pores.

  These adjustments can go a long way in helping you resolve mild acne. If you need something a little stronger, your doctor may suggest you also use topical or oral medication.

• Acne treatments during pregnancy

  Almost everyone experiences acne at one time or another. It’s most common among teenagers. However, adults can have a breakout now and then, especially during pregnancy. But pregnant women with acne may not have all of the same treatment options as others.

  Most of the medications used to treat acne in teens and adults are not safe to use during pregnancy, or the safety of the drug isn’t known.

  Topical retinoids are category C drugs. This means that animal studies have shown that they’re harmful to a developing fetus if given in large amounts. Check with your doctor before using tretinoin.

•  Aloe vera

  Aloe vera is a natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, meaning it may reduce the appearance of acne and prevent acne breakouts.

  Aloe vera contains lots of water and is an excellent moisturizer, so it is especially suitable for people who get dry skin from other anti-acne products.

  In a 2014 study, researchers gave people with mild to moderate acne aloe vera gel and tretinoin cream, which is a common OTC acne remedy, to use for 8 weeks.

  The participants reported a significant improvement in both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne compared to people who used just tretinoin gel.