Acne Treatment Options

Stubborn acne can be difficult to treat on your own. No matter how faithfully you apply over-the-counter medications, they're not always acnestrong enough to get rid of acne and prevent it from coming back. Dr. Robert Dyer and Dr. Vincent Criscione, your dermatologists at South County Dermatology in East Greenwich, RI, share some information on more effective treatment options.

Prescription medications can help

When drugstore acne medications don't clear your skin, it's time to turn to stronger medications prescribed by your East Greenwich dermatologist. Topical medications like adapalene, tretinoin and tazarotene are applied directly to your skin. They work by unblocking pores and preventing skin oils from clogging pores. If these medications alone don't improve your acne, your dermatologist may recommend combining them with an oral or topical antibiotic for a few months. Antibiotics kill the p. acnes bacteria on your skin and decrease redness and inflammation.If you have severe cystic acne that doesn't respond to other treatments, you may benefit by taking isotretinoin, the strongest acne medication available.

Blue light therapy is effective in killing bacteria

Blue light therapy not only kills bacteria on your skin but also promotes healing. The treatment isn't painful and involves exposing your face to a blue light for about 15 minutes. You'll probably need at least two sessions per week for several weeks to notice results.

Chemical peels can rid of acne in the outer layer of skin

A chemical peel is a good choice if you want to get rid of pimples quickly. A few days after you have your peel, your skin will begin to flake off, revealing acne-free skin underneath. Chemicals peels also relieve pore blockages and encourage rapid skin cell turnover.

Help is available for stubborn acne. Dermatology services provided by Dr. Dyer and Dr. Criscione, at South County Dermatology in East Greenwich, RI, can improve the condition of your skin. Call the dermatologists at (401) 471-3376 to schedule an appointment.

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