Treating Acne

Unfortunately, there is no medical cure for acne, although it can be controlled until you outgrow it. This often takes years; therefore treatment may require many months or years.

Antibiotics taken orally are the best medicines for controlling acne. Although there are new antibiotics that penetrate into the deeper skin, they aren't as effective as antibiotics taken orally. Antibiotics do not remove blackheads and whiteheads. Certain other medicines put on the skin will help get rid of them and are very important to use in addition to oral medication. These preparations may slightly irritate the skin, and some patients find they're more trouble than they're worth, but stick with them and your skin will clear faster. If you feel your blackheads and whiteheads are a real problem, discuss it with Dr. Ellerin and he can institute some very beneficial office treatments that will help speed up the process. The same is true for red pimples and pustules.

Antibiotics
Tetracycline, Erythromycin, and Minocycline are among the antibiotics used in treating acne. Sometimes it's necessary to try several different antibiotics, or a combination, before acne is controlled.

Tetracycline/Minocycline are the most widely used antibiotics for acne. It helps about two out of three acne patients. Just how it works-and why it sometimes doesn't work-is not known. Tetracycline/Minocycline (T/M) works slowly; you have to take it for three to six weeks to determine if it will help you. If you're better after six weeks, the treatment will be continued because T/M controls your acne only while it's being taken. If your acne doesn't improve, the treatment will be changed.

• Tetracycline should be taken with a full glass of water on an empty stomach since food, especially milk and dairy products, interferes with its action. It's simplest to take two capsules on arising and another two in the evening.
• Minocycline, on the other hand, can be taken with food.

Tetracycline/Minocycline is remarkably safe and does not interfere with other medicines, except for iron and antacids. T/M causes some persons to sunburn easily. If you notice that you're sun burning faster than usual, protect your skin with a sunscreen or clothing. Sun sensitivity is a problem mainly in the spring or summer, and when skiing. Women occasionally develop an annoying itch and vaginal discharge. This can happen with any antibiotic. If it occurs, continue your medication and telephone the office to arrange for treatment.

Sunshine
Sunlight benefits many acne patients, but also ages the skin. If sunlight improves your complexion, get moderate amounts of it. Don't sunburn or "bake" for hours. If the sun actually makes your acne worse, try to avoid heavy exposure.

Camouflage
Women may safely cover their acne with makeup or a foundation lotion. Use a water-based product. Wash the makeup off thoroughly at bedtime with soap and water. If you prefer, you may use a flesh-tinted acne lotion instead of makeup. Some men choose to use an acne lotion to disguise prominent pimples.

Don't let your pimples get you down. They are only a temporary cosmetic nuisance. Try to live with them while you treat them. They won't interfere with your life unless you waste a lot of time worrying about them.

Always keep in mind that we can provide additional office treatments if you find home treatments are not working quickly enough. Office treatments have been quite successful especially just before important social events (proms, weddings, class photos, etc). Let us guide your treatment program and make changes to fit your individual situation—not all acne is treated the same!