Isotretinoin (Accutane)
Is Isotretinoin (Accutane) Overprescribed?
Isotretinoin (Accutane®) is FDA approved for only severe cases of acne that do not respond to other treatments. However, it is often prescribed for less...
July 09, 2021
Acne Treatments
For a quick list of acne treatments and how well they tend to work, check out the acne treatments overview page.
Generally speaking, for most people, proper application of benzoyl peroxide can completely clear acne and keep it clear until it naturally subsides with time.
For people with severe, widespread, and scarring acne, isotretinoin (Accutane®) is an oral treatment that can produce long-term remission of acne in about 2/3 of people, but comes with many side effects, some of which can be lifelong. It also causes severe birth defects, and may cause premature aging and joint pain in the long-term. For all of these reasons, all other options should be exhausted first. If it is used, it must be administered in close partnership with a physician.
Females: If you are experiencing irregular menstruation, particularly if it comes with excessive hair growth, be sure to see your doctor concerning poly-cystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). If PCOS is diagnosed, oral contraceptives are normally prescribed and can clear acne and relieve other symptoms at the same time.
Many other topical and oral treatments exist for acne, most of which produce moderate, yet incomplete, results. Home remedies, aside from a few exceptions, tend to produce little to no results.
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Latest in Acne Treatments
Antibiotics
The Dangers and Ineffectiveness of Antibiotics for Acne
Antibiotics provide only temporary relief from acne when they do work at all. They also come with uncomfortable side effects, and perhaps most concerning, they create strains of resistant bacteria that can live on or in a person forever and can be easily passed to others.
June 22, 2021
Spot Treatment
Does Ice Help to Heal Acne?
The application of cold temperatures reduces inflammation, as seen in soft tissue injuries such as sprained ankles. The same is true of the skin. Icing acne lesions should reduce inflammation and hasten healing. It is particularly effective when applied at the early onset of a pimple.
June 21, 2021
Spot Treatment
The ZIIT Method (Acne Spot Treatment)
A kitchen sink approach to acne spot treatment: Zinc + Ibuprofen + Ice + Treat. If you want to do absolutely everything you can to prevent a pimple from forming, follow this guide.
June 14, 2021
At Home Treatments
Topical Apple Cider Vinegar and Acne
Applying apple cider vinegar topically might help reduce bacteria and have antioxidant effects. However, there is no scientific evidence that it does help with acne....
June 10, 2021
At Home Treatments
Can Aloe Help Acne?
Available scientific evidence shows us that Aloe is unlikely to improve acne. This could be partially because Aloe is unstable once removed from the plant itself and degrades quickly.
June 03, 2021
At Home Treatments
Can Honey Masks Help Clear Acne?
Honey is antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and can help heal wounds. However, we only have one study on honey and acne so far, and while only providing very weak evidence, the study shows that it may not be effective against acne.
May 24, 2021
At Home Treatments
Do Aspirin Masks or Other Forms of Topical Aspirin Work to Clear Acne?
Aspirin breaks down into salicylic acid - a well-known ingredient in topical acne products - when dissolved in water. However, getting salicylic acid this way and applying it to the skin can be unsafe. Salicylic acid products are widely available and inexpensive, so simply buy one over-the-counter.
May 12, 2021
Prescription Treatments
What Medications Can Cause Acne?
Corticosteroids, testosterone and other anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), lithium, isoniazid, halogens, and EGFR inhibitors (EGFR-I) are common medications that can result in acne.
April 29, 2021
At Home Treatments
Can Applying Toothpaste to the Skin Treat Acne?
Even though you may have heard that toothpaste can help spot treat a pimple, it is unlikely to do much good, if any. Fluoride-based toothpastes in particular are a concern because they may irritate the skin, which can theoretically make acne worse.
April 20, 2021