Topical Anti-inflammatory
Reviews
3.9
77 Reviews
Topical Anti-inflammatory
Efficacy
52%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Topical Anti-inflammatory
Side Effects
Low-Medium
Topical Anti-inflammatory
Acne.org’s Real World Take
An anti-inflammatory that takes weeks or months to kick in, so you’ll need patience. Provides modest benefit in some users. It’s never hit the big time in acne treatment. But it’s an interesting way to target acne on a purely inflammation level.
Topical Anti-inflammatory
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this medication. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one.
Read All About Dapsone (Aczone®)
5
40.3%
4
33.8%
3
13%
2
5.2%
1
7.8%

Used Dapsone (Aczone®)? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
February 8, 2013

Pros:

* Changed complexion - more clear, softer
* Drastic reduction in blemishes
* Few side effects
* Does not bleach fabric like BP
* Free with rebate from derm

Cons:

* Can make skin seem a little more oily
* Is not a cure - still have a blemish here and there, but not as frequent and go away much more quickly

I'm using this with Sprionolactone and Ziana (both of which I've been on for over a year) and the combination seems to be working very well.
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January 7, 2013

Pros:

Doesn't dry skin
Scentless
Goes on easily under makeup
Seems to help with inflammation

Cons:

Doesn't noticeably do much.

I've was prescribed this with Tretinoin to help with the initial breakout. It does not seem to help prevent acne, it just seems to help with the swelling, if that makes sense. I have actually stopped using this cream and started using BP instead as a treatment since the Tretinoin was giving me a horrible breakout. I'll conisider using it again if my skin gets better. Bottomline, I would recommend this to someone with ight acne. For me, it wasn't nearly strong enough.
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November 6, 2012

Pros:

Does not stain clothes, very gentle on skin, seems to work, makes my skin less oiley

Cons:

For me, I needed to use a BP wash before putting it on in order for it to work

I am a female in my 30's and suffer from severe adult cystic acne. I have wonderful skin on my face except my chin/jawline area which gets riddled with acne and every 2 months or so I get massive cysts (the kind that you can barely move your face and need injections). I was using this for about 4 months with some success until I started washing with Equate acne cleanser which is a BP wash and using the equate sulfar mask 2 times a week and I have noticed a great difference in my skin. Aczone, combined with the BP wash and the masks have really cleared up my skin. The nice thing about Aczone is that is is very gentle and does not dry out my skin at all and it makes my skin less oily which is why I think I can use the BP and the sulfar masks without over drying my skin. I can't say that it is perfect, I still break out, but it's better then nothing and better then most topicals that I have been on. I would suggest this product for any adult women with hormonal acne.
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October 28, 2012

Pros:

works
doesn't stain
no smell
light
works great under makeup

Cons:

takes time to work, twice a day (morning and night)

I was on Doryx and Ziana but i still had a lot of hyper pigmentation left from my blemishes no matter what! Even if i didn't touch them at all, i would have a dark spot and redness. Aczone is great! it has a creamy white consistency (its the newer version). It doesn't seem to work at first, but over time my skin has REALLY improved. I have much much less pigmentation left and its great on any blemish i'll get. Just use it religiously and you'll see some great results. I've been using it since june or july and by september it made a huge difference.
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July 20, 2012

Pros:

-doesn't stain fabric
-controls acne when Benzaclin or benzoyl peroxide stop working

Cons:

-doesn't prevent all pimples
-drying when combined with tazorac

Free with a coupon from my dermatologist, otherwise it would cost me about $50.00. I've had acne since I was 12. I'm now 27 and for the last year have experienced hormonal breakouts and irritated, inflamed skin, almost rosacea-like with clogged pores(blackheads). After using this product in the morning along with Tazorac at night, my skin has improved significantly. My face looks 75% clearer since I started using these two products almost 3 months ago.
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June 24, 2012

Pros:

-As a topical antibiotic, Aczone prevents acne from becoming Cystic but does not necessarily prevent acne from forming.
-Does seem to kill off pimples faster.
- Does not irritate my skin at all
- Doctor says it is safe for me to be used in the morning.
- Goes on the skin and spreads out easy.
- No smell, Won't stain clothing

Cons:

-Very expensive and for some reason many insurance companies will not cover it. (however most doctor offices have coupons for $25 per tube)
-Does not prevent acne. (But prevents acne from getting bigger)

Bottom line is if you can get the coupons from your doctor then Aczone can be included in your daily regimen, otherwise, it is well over 200 dollars per tube here in California. My doctor has had me use Aczone in the morning and evening, along with Differin (Adapalene) at night AFTER the Aczone has been applied to my skin for 45 minutes. The combination of these 2 has turned my hormonal, adult moderate acne into smoooooth skin. Aczone doesn't seem to prevent acne from forming but if I feel like a pimple is brewing under the surface, I will put a dab of this Aczone on it and it usually prevents it from becoming a full fledged cystic acne. Because the Aczone doesn't seem to prevent acne from forming, I usually only use it as a spot treatment. Good luck!
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June 2, 2012

Pros:

Acne was gone within a week
No irritation or side affects
No burning or stinging
Doesn't smell

Cons:

It is a little chalky when applied and dries

I was given this after 6months of accutane and it is great my skin never looked better. I use this in the morning, and differin .3% at night these are great products.
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June 1, 2012

Pros:

Dries Quickly
No bad smell
Clears up acne

Cons:

No covered by my insurance

So this isnt covered by my insurance so I've been using the sample tubes given to me by the derm (she gave me like 15) plus a card so that I would only have to pay 25$ for the prescription. It works pretty well so far, in combination with my retin A that I use at night, the aldactone 50mg I take twice a day, and the sulfur wash I use. Its worth a try, and doesnt make my skin do anything crazy!
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April 3, 2012

Pros:

Great if you are allergic to BP or it has stopped working for you

Prevents pimples, but doesn't overdry

Helps existing pimples heal faster

Goes on well under makeup

Big tube, will last a few months

Doesn't smell or stain

Cons:

Makes red marks more noticeable and they last longer

Expensive! Try to get a coupon from your derm

Not a miracle cure

I really like this stuff. I was carrying it around in my purse and putting it on my pimples during the day, which seemed to help them go away faster. I think it is making my red marks worse, but as long as it keeps the actives away, I will tolerate it. I put it on my trouble areas and it seems to keep new pimples at bay.
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March 21, 2012

Pros:

Goes on well under makeup
Does not bleach fabric like BP
Does dry up current acne well

Cons:

Causes breakouts
Does not prevent break outs
There is no good research out there that explains how this product even works

My skin has really cleared up since my prepubescent and using the made my skin go completely insane! I don't believe in "purging" like many people do. If this product claims to be calming then it shouldn't cause a purge. Purging from talking to derm and aetheticians is defined as a skin irritation from a new product. In conclusion, this may work for some people but it made my skin a nightmare. I literally want to yell at my derm for putting me something when all I wanted was a new BP cream. My acne has gone from very light with one inflamed pimple and some noninflammatory acne to cysts and tons of papules and whiteheads! UGH
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.