Acne is the most prevalent skin disorder that usually afflicts the adolescent population. With over 70% of adolescents affected with this skin disease, it is considered one of the most menacing diseases especially during this transitional period of an adolescent's life since, although it may not be fatal, it can cause serious emotional trouble to a person ridiculed because of his or her ?not so clear? complexion.

Here's a brief outline of the various acne treatments that claim to be successful in dealing with acne problems according to the type or severity of acne:

Mild or juvenile acne

This type of acne, also known as teenage spots, may be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) topical medicines available in most drugstores/chemists. These are considered to be the easiest to treat. Some prescription medicines are also very effective acne treatments. They include powerful antibiotics, Benzoyl Peroxide, Adapalene and Tretinoin. These acne treatments help stunt the growth of bacteria and reduce inflammation. Depending on the skin type of the person, a doctor will prescribe the appropriate acne treatment. For instance, if you have oily skin, creams and lotions will not be advised since they are oil-based medications. Gels and solutions suit oily skin better since they are usually alcohol-based and tend to dry the skin and leave it very tender.

These medications should be tested first before you can really consider them as effective acne treatments for your skin problem. As a case-by-case basis, side effects from some medicines may arise and these side effects may include rashes, stinging, redness, burning, scaling and discoloration of the skin.

Moderate to severe acne

Those with oily skin and used to have mild acne (often in their late teens or early twenties) may worsen into a moderate condition of acne.

Moderate severity is often characterized with the presence of more white heads and redness on the affected spots due to the vessels rupturing.

Severe acne is when acne has already reached the entire face, back and neck of the person. Usually severe acne conditions translate to much bigger spots. This kind of acne is often treated with oral antibiotics. These powerful acne treatments work by curbing the reproduction of bacteria and reducing inflammation. With dealing with moderate to severe acne conditions, a combination of prescription medications and oral acne medications may be combined. Some medications like sulphur drug preparations are considered extremely effective acne treatments. Sulphur has a peeling effect on the skin, thus loosens it and dislodges the blackheads from the pores. Sulphur, as an effective acne treatment, has no known major side effects.

It is always advised to test any medication before applying or taking them. Samples of effective acne treatments in the form of oral antibiotics are Tetracycline, Minocycline, Isotretinoin, Doxicycline and erythromycin.

Most of these effective acne treatments taken orally are hazardous to a pregnant woman's and her child's health. Only erythromycin is reported to be safe to use for those who are either expecting a baby or breastfeeding.

So, whatever acne treatment route you wish to take it is imperative that you do your homework and test each potential treatment. What works for some acne sufferers may not always work as effectively for others.