Acne is often difficult to treat. The reason is that every person's acne problem is unique. Large amounts of experimentation with treatments, and some trial and error, are the only way to find the treatment that will work. Stubborn types of acne illustrate this well. The professional experience of a doctor or dermatologist, especially one with significant experience treating acne, offers the most benefit.



There are some strict "no no's" when dealing with acne. One should never scrub skin that is affected by acne. Doing so will irritate and inflame the acne, causing more pimples and prolonging the healing process.

The treatment prescribed for you will be determined by the symptoms that are exhibited. The emphasis of your treatment will be in one or more of the following areas: unclogging pores; eradicating bacteria through use of antibiotics; reduction in the quantity of oils by using medications such as Accutane; or changing the balance of hormones that affect the sebaceous glands, perhaps by using oral contraceptives.

In most cases, a doctor will first recommend a topical cream. Like all acne treatments, topical creams will not cure acne, but will help manage the symptoms of it. In the event that topical creams alone are ineffective, doctors may combine the creams with an oral antibiotic.

Benzoyl peroxide is the main ingredient found in many topical creams and while it is normally effective, it should be used sparingly. Using too much or using this medication over a long period of time can be a factor in premature aging of the skin.

To get rid of acne, it is essential that you work with someone you trust who is a trained professional. Treating yourself for acne is not advised. Pimple removal should be done by a doctor in a sterile environment.

Don't get too anxious when results are not immediate. Even in the best of outcomes, acne will not just quickly vanish. In many cases your skin might get worse before the acne begins to clear, even when you have found the treatment that will ultimately work for you. Doctors generally recommend a minimum of four to six weeks of any treatment in order to begin seeing results. Don't give up if the first type of treatment does not work, because it is normal to try several different treatments before the answer for your type of acne is found.