Acne can be very irritating and can make those who are afflicted by it, desperate to get rid of it, and they may resort to doing nearly anything it takes to do so. The most common prescription medication given by doctors for acne is a compound containing benzyl peroxide, and it is still the most reliable treatment at least for mild acne.

For mild acne, apart from the benzyl peroxide, local topical creams can be applied that are retinol based, and also aid in synergy with the benzyl peroxide to clear acne and acne outbreaks. If the acne is more than mild then the retinol compounds would have to be taken orally.

The disadvantage of using retinol compounds is that over a long period of time, they can result in liver damage. The liver is responsible for the production of important blood products, and it breaks down toxic materials, so maintaining liver function is very important. Your skin will also become very sensitive to the sun. Because of this you will have to stop going out in the sun to prevent sunburn, or instead apply stronger sunscreen. Do not worry though, this will only be during the treatment regime and not post treatment.

Microdermabrasion is another treatment that can be both prescribed in a clinic, or you can carry it out freely with a microdermabrasion home system. It involves the painless spraying of fine crystals over the affected area to remove the upper-most layer of dead skin cells, so revealing the lower healthier skin. Microdermabrasion can really make a significant difference to acne and acne scars, so it is recommended if conventional acne treatments do not work for you.

A course of antibiotics can also be used for over a period of 5-7 weeks. They are only used for more severe acne, and infected acne. Antibiotics are very common, but they, like any other drug can have unpleasant side-effects, such as nausea, and malaise in the user. In the end, this is only a prescription medication, so make sure you see a doctor with experience in using antibiotics to treat acne, because part of the results will mirror the expertise of the doctor. The rest will depend on how well your body will cope with the medication, and this is something you cannot control.

In conclusion, there is no perfect prescription acne medication, and it also depends on how much you can dish out and the severity of your acne. Go with the general topical applications first, but if you have money to spend and really find your acne affecting your quality of life, go for microdermabrasion.