There are many different methods available now for treating acne, ranging from diet and lifestyle changes to very powerful prescription medicine. Before deciding on a treatment it is important to decide how powerful of an effect acne is having on your life. There are stronger treatments out there, you jus have to seek them out through a qualified dermatologist.

After simply trying to eliminate most factors from your diet that can cause acne, the next easiest solution is to purchase a simple over the counter topical solution. Almost all of the creams, cleansing pads, sticks, or whatever that you purchase over the counter contain the same active ingredient, benzoyl peroxide. This is essentially an antibacterial agent that is applied to the problem areas in an attempt to dry up and remove any bacteria from the pores. Many people with mild acne report some success with these treatments, but more severe cases may need to seek stronger remedies.

There is a wide variety of antibiotics that are used to treat stronger acne cases. These attack the bacteria that are clogging the pores, and are distributed in both topical and ingested form.  Antibiotics have a very good record of having an effect of some description on the acne, but carry the problems that normally come with using any antibiotics. Antibiotics should always be used sparingly, because the more a person uses them the more their body’s bacteria begin to build up resistances to the drugs. Used consistently over a long period of time antibiotics become les and less effective.

There is also a much stronger drug called Acutane that is available.  This is something that would probably only be prescribed to you by a dermatologist after a referral from your regular doctor. Acutane is a very powerful drug with a high success rate, but can have very dangerous side effects which must be monitored very closely. The drug can have adverse effects on the liver. It is especially dangerous for females as the drug can cause birth defects if a woman takes it while pregnant. Even if she becomes pregnant while taking the drug this can happen.

There other new treatments and therapies that are emerging as well. Laser therapy has been emerging as a new treatment for acne that some are reporting great success with. Laser treatment has also been used in the healing of acne scarring to some success.
The best way to avoid acne is to try and use the best control methods possible. Hopefully that way the problem never gets out of hand to the point that some of these more drastic measures are necessary. Most people will suffer from mild to severe acne of some kind at some point during their life.

The ways to reduce your chances of acne are by eating a clean diet, low in refined carbohydrates and sugars, high in protein. Keep your stress down as low as you can. And also use a proper skin care regimen.

Although that is a large enough topic for an entire new post, it deserves a quick mention here. Proper skin care will go a very long way towards preventing breakouts. Once you find a product that works for you stick with it, don’t think you need to keep switching, as constant change is bad for your skin.

With any of these treatments, even the ones that promise otherwise don’t expect to see instant results. The fact of the matter is that it can take weeks to months before you start to see results in acne treatments. However, the best results come when the treatment is patiently and religiously stuck to until the problem has cleared up, or for as long as recommended by your dermatologist.