What is the strongest medicine for acne?

Genetics and Acne. Even in identical twins, one twin may get tiny little pimples that last a week while the other develops cysts that permanently scar the skin. However, experts agree that if both of your parents had significant acne, your risk for developing hereditary acne is very high.

So how does Accutane work? According to Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, founder and director of Capital Laser & Skin Care, “One of the main effects acne has on the body is in the sebaceous glands of the skin. [Accutane] reduces sebum production and makes the pores less ‘sticky’ so they don’t get clogged and cause acne.”

For moderate to severe acne, you may need oral antibiotics to reduce bacteria and fight inflammation. Usually the first choice for treating acne is tetracycline — such as minocycline or doxycycline — or a macrolide. Oral antibiotics should be used for the shortest time possible to prevent antibiotic resistance.

Picture of Cystic Acne. Cystic acne is a type of abscess that is formed when oil ducts become clogged and infected. Cystic acne affects deeper skin tissue than the more superficial inflammation from common acne. Cystic acne is most common on the face and typically occurs in the teenage years.

Isotretinoin

Acne Can’t Be Prevented or Cured, But It Can Be Treated Effectively. There’s no way to prevent acne, there’s no cure and today’s over-the-counter remedies contain the same basic ingredients as those on drugstore shelves decades ago. And acne won’t just go away: Not treating it can actually make things worse.

Your dermatologist may prescribe one or more of these: Antibiotics (helps to kill bacteria and reduce inflammation). Birth control pills and other medicine that works on hormones (can be helpful for women). Isotretinoin (the only treatment that works on all that causes acne).

Acne is a broader term than pimples. Acne refers to the skin disease involving sebum (skin oil), keratinization (shedding dead skin cells), and bacteria. It can range from very mild acne consisting of mostly blackheads, to severe cystic acne. A clogged pore filled with sebum has bacteria in it eating the sebum.

Below are 13 home remedies for acne that you might want to try.

Apply Apple Cider Vinegar.

Take a Zinc Supplement.

3. Make a Honey and Cinnamon Mask.

Spot Treat With Tea Tree Oil.

Apply Green Tea to Your Skin.

Apply Witch Hazel.

Moisturize With Aloe Vera.

Take a Fish Oil Supplement.

These glands make sebum, which is an oil that lubricates your hair and skin. Pores become clogged if there is too much sebum and too many dead skin cells. Bacteria (especially one called Propionibacterium acnes) can then get trapped inside the pores and multiply. This causes swelling and redness — the start of acne.

Antibiotics may be prescribed at higher doses than what is really needed to treat acne. While antibiotics can kill the bacteria associated with acne, it’s their anti-inflammatory effects, not their antimicrobial effects, that yield the biggest skin-clearing benefits.

Although the name is still widely recognized, Accutane was discontinued in 2009 due to lawsuits over side effects and diminishing market share due to the availability of the many generic versions of the drug. The drugs are prescribed to patients ages 12 and older whose severe acne has not responded to other treatments.

A standard course of therapy is 16 to 20 weeks. At the end of 16 weeks, about 85% of patients are clear. The beneficial effects of isotretinoin do not stop when the drug is discontinued. A further reduction of acne lesions and scarring is seen for months after treatment has stopped.

In some cases, a doctor or dermatologist may suggest a chemical peel or microdermabrasion to help improve the appearance of scarred areas. These milder treatments can be done right in the office. For serious scarring from previous bouts with acne, several types of treatment can help: Laser resurfacing.

The oral antibiotics most commonly prescribed in New Zealand for acne include:

Tetracyclines – doxycycline (Doxine®, Doxy®), limecycline (Tetralysal®), minocycline (Mino-tabs®, Minomycin®).

Erythromycin – E-mycin®, ERA®

Trimethroprim – TMP®

Cotrimoxazole – Trisul®, Deprim®

Sometimes bacteria get trapped inside the pore, too, causing the area to become red and swollen. Cystic acne happens when this infection goes deep into your skin, creating a red, tender bump that’s full of pus. It may hurt or itch. If a cyst bursts, the infection can spread, causing more breakouts.

Q: How long should I take Accutane (isotretinoin)? A: Your doctor will most likely prescribe Accutane treatment for 15 to 20 weeks. If your condition does not improve over that time, you can usually resume treatment 8 to 10 weeks after your first course is over.

Zinc. This fundamental mineral plays a strong role in cell division and regrowth. In other words, it accelerates the development of skin cells necessary for clear skin. Therefore it is important for acne sufferers to include zinc in the diet because it works to reduce the inflammatory response to bacteria.

P. acnes can also colonize the nose, where it can then be responsible for local spread of acne to the face and back through contact, such as from touching the nose and then touching the face or back. However, acne is not known to spread from person to person and is not considered contagious.

In general, the answer is no, alcohol and Accutane are probably not a safe combination, particularly if you drink large amounts. Accutane can have side effects related to the liver and liver toxicity in rare cases, and if you combine alcohol and Accutane, you could increase the chances of these dangerous side effects.