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BASIC SKIN CARE AND TREATMENT FOR ACNE

By far the most common skin condition in the country, acne affects about 50 million American adults and children every year. Acne causes blocked pores, whiteheads, blackheads, inflammation, pimples, cysts and other lesions on the skin of the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and upper arms. While not as dangerous as some other skin conditions, acne can cause significant physical and psychological harm and permanent scarring if left untreated or improperly treated.

That said, acne treatment requires patience and basic skin hygiene.

Expectations

It takes patience, time and correct & consistent use of your acne treatment plan to achieve treatment success!
Acne can be stubborn and may take up to 3 months to improve. While some medications target the acne you currently have, others are designed to prevent new acne from forming in the future.
Do not switch or combine your morning and night regimen. Some acne medications should not be mixed together or do not work once exposed to sunlight.
Topical acne medications can cause irritation, especially in the first weeks of use. If this occurs, skip your topical medications for 1-2 days and use extra moisturizer. If irritation is severe or persists, please call our office.
Regular follow-up visits may be scheduled to monitor your treatment progress and/or tailor your acne treatment plan as needed.

Side Effects and Use of Common Acne Medications

Benzoyl peroxide: Over-the-counter: Panoxyl 4% Creamy Acne Wash, Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask, CVS Creamy Acne Wash. Prescription: Benzoyl peroxide-clindamycin

Note: This will bleach towels and linens. Use white towels, if possible

Topical Retinoids: Over-the-counter: Differin. Prescription: tretinoin

Skin dryness & irritation. Use a green pea-sized amount of the medication to create a thin film on the face. Avoid applying near your eyes or lips. Start by using 3 times a week and increase to daily use as tolerated. Use moisturizer generously on top of medications.
Sensitivity to the sun. Wear daily sunscreen as directed.

Spironolactone: Prescription.

Start with ½ pill at night, increase to 1 tab at night as tolerated. Stay hydrated while on this medication.
Avoid excessive intake of potassium-rich foods (bananas, spinach, coconut water) or supplements.

*IMPORTANT (for females): Stop all acne medications 1 month before attempting to become pregnant. In the event of an unplanned pregnancy, stop all acne medications and notify our office as well as your OB/GYN.

Gentle Cleansers