Acne is a common problem, so much so that there are countless over-the-counter treatments and home remedies to help solve it. But when these acne treatments do not cut it, it is recommended to consult a professional. A wellness center has a variety of targeted acne treatments to choose from to reduce stubborn acne and scarring.
It is never too late or too soon to get professional acne treatment. Some patients may make an appointment as soon as they start to have trouble with acne. Others may wait to try nonprescription treatments first, helping them discover whether they may need prescription-strength treatments for their acne or scarring.
Home remedies can be effective, but there is also the risk of damaging one’s skin barrier and worsening the acne problem. It is, therefore, often a better idea to seek professional advice.
Further, while most people will try various at-home skincare routines before deciding to see a professional, these healthcare providers may help patients develop an effective at-home routine to start with. For example, which type of face wash and moisturizer a patient should use depends on their skin type; a trained professional can determine one’s skin type and recommend products and ingredients. They may also recommend additional home remedies.
Healthcare providers offer topical treatments, oral medications, and therapies to treat stubborn acne. Patients will typically have a few options to choose from, and they can explore each with a provider’s help. Check out the most common acne treatments from a wellness center below.
Topical treatments available at a wellness center will contain prescription-strength products, such as retinoic acids. Topical means that the product—usually a cream or gel—goes on top of the skin. Tretinoin, adapalene, and salicylic acid are other common examples of active ingredients in these treatments. In some cases, patients may also receive prescription antibiotics for topical use.
A healthcare provider may prescribe oral antibiotics, such as tetracycline, for patients with stubborn acne. However, care must be taken not to overprescribe antibiotics to prevent the patient from developing antibiotic resistance, which is when bacteria are resistant to and can survive a course of antibiotics. Inform the provider if the patient has recently taken a course of antibiotics for their acne problem.
There are other oral acne medications besides antibiotics. Vitamin A derivative isotretinoin is an effective option for patients with hard-to-treat acne.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, this type of treatment helps patients who are assigned female at birth (AFAB) clear up stubborn hormonal acne through medications that influence the body’s hormones. There are two main types: spironolactone and the combination birth control pill.
Spironolactone’s primary use is to treat patients with high blood pressure. Dermatologists have long prescribed it as a stubborn acne treatment, however. While patients assigned male at birth (AMAB) may take this medication, it is not usually recommended because AMAB patients have developed breasts as a side effect.
As for the combination pill, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it for use in clearing up acne. There is the added benefit of the pill being an effective contraceptive as well. That said, not all patients are good candidates for the pill. Anyone who has ever had migraines with aura, for instance, should not take this medication due to an increased risk of stroke. Other preexisting conditions may put the patient at a higher risk of blood clots when on the pill. Spironolactone would likely be a better, safer option in these cases.
Many people associate steroids with bodybuilding, but they have many other uses. A healthcare provider may recommend corticosteroid injections to help with cystic acne or nodular acne, both of which can be stubborn and hard to treat. The injection involves a fine needle to get the steroid into the lesion and shrink it.
Acne often leaves people feeling less confident in their skin; it is normal, therefore, to be frustrated when faced with stubborn acne that does not seem to want to go away. If you have found yourself struggling with hard-to-treat acne, consult our team at Optimal Medical Group. We can discuss your treatment options and help you develop a skincare routine aimed at clearing up acne and preventing scarring. Call {{PHONE}} today to find out more.
Request an appointment here: https://omgwellnessmd.com or call Optimal Medical Group at (559) 425-1118 for an appointment in our Fresno office.
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