Guide to Acne Treatments

Acne could easily be described as one of the most common skin complaints, it may also be the most annoying. Acne usually begins in adolescence and can continue throughout life. There have always been treatments available but recently, there is a growing concern regarding a number of recent therapies.

An overproduction of naturally occurring oil and cells inside the skin follicle causes the development of acne. This causes a blockage of the pore, causing the follicle underneath to swell. The buildup of oil and dead cells allows the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes to grow unchecked. The result is an infection. The infection can present itself as a blackhead, whitehead, a tiny pimple barely visibly, larger pus-filled nodules, and even fluid-filled cysts embedded deeply in the skin.

For years, doctors and dermatologists have treated acne with both a pore cleanser (benzoyl peroxide) and topical antibiotic to kill the bacteria. For mild to moderate acne, this is still a very effective treatment. It is both easy and economical and works well for most people. Prices range from $5 to $20 depending on the type of treatment you prefer. The drawback is that these treatments have a tendency to dry out the skin leading to irritation.

Oral antibiotics like minocycline, doxycycline, and tetracycline have been used for a number of years with good results. The monthly cost for these antibiotics is relatively inexpensive at about $20. Retin-A (about $40 an ounce) and oral antibiotics, once quite popular, are now being used less and less frequently. Retin-A has been shown to cause skin inflammation and redness while taking oral antibiotics long term may contribute to drug resistant bacteria.

Other prescription topical products like Azelex, Finacea, Benzaclin, Benzamycin, Cleocin, or A/T/S can cost between $20 and $60 per ounce depending on the medication.

Recently, a product known as ProActiv Solution has hit the market. This treatment was developed due to the complaints of dry and irritated skin. With infomercials and celebrity endorsements, it quickly became the most popular and asked about acne treatment on the market. The solution used is not as drying as the creams and ointments found in traditional treatments and the concentration of benzoyl peroxide is lower. These adjustments make ProActiv less irritating to the skin. ProActiv does not require a prescription and costs about $40 for a one month supply.

Another brand new product for acne is Nicomide-T. The cream or gel derived from vitamin B has been shown to reduce the redness and inflammation associated with acne. It has also been shown to be equally effective as the topical antibiotic clindamycin. The cost for Nicomide-T is about $40 a month.

The latest acne treatment is neither a cream nor an antibiotic but rather a device for electronically killing the acne causing bacteria. It is marketed under the name Zeno and literally heats up the pimple for two to three minutes killing the bacteria. To completely destroy the pimple, one to three treatments in 24 hours are needed. This treatment is best for the occasional acne breakout and not for a severe widespread problem. The unit sells for about $210.

For those with severe acne, one can choose to use several different laser options. The professional lasers work similarly to the Zeno product but can be used over the entire problem are. These specialized lasers not only destroy the acne causing bacteria, but shrink the oil producing glands. The procedure is relatively painless but requires several treatments. With each treatment session costing between $500 and $800, this option is certainly not cheap. The results are also not permanent.

Another option is called