It's this problem alone that causes people in the USA alone to spend over $ 1.4 billion every year to treat acne. Though many treatments yield unsatisfactory results, a few of them have even yielded bad side effects. What is even worse is their conditions.

Acne can be treated by using non-prescription acne products, like skin cleansers, astringents, moisturizers and acne-fighting creams available at the local drug store. Of course prescribed medicines are still a very popular method for treating acne.

Whatever acne treatment you choose to help you cure your acne, the basic methodology that these medicines and non-prescription products employ remains fairly identical. They either help you unplug your blackheads and whiteheads, they let your affected skin shed so that you get a new fresh look or else they kill the bacteria that infect the pores.

Most acne treatments usually take from between six to eight weeks to take affect. However, it can take several months for a treatment to work in severe cases.

If you decide is to visit a dermatologist, he or she will more than likely suggest you to take antibiotics, topical creams or ointments, vitamins or all of these, depending on what is deemed necessary for your treatment.

Although topical antibiotics like Cleocin T and Azelex help to kill bacteria, they may also cause dry red skin and an increase in sun sensitivity. Oral antibiotics can cause even more serious side effects, like nausea and dizziness.

Taking Vitamin A is another popular method for treating acne. The derivatives like Retin-A, Differin and Tarzorac prevent skin cells from clumping together and shedding, but they may also cause dryness, redness and irritation.

Aware of these numerous side effects, many dermatologists are now suggesting a fairly new acne treatment, which works by employing light at wavelengths between 405 to 420 nm. The treatment consists of 8 visits that take 15 minutes each, distributed over 4 weeks. This acne treatment has been producing quick and impressive results when used to treat mild to moderate inflammation acne.