Topical Antibiotic / Topical Keratolytic
Reviews
4.0
150 Reviews
Topical Antibiotic / Topical Keratolytic
Efficacy
81%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Topical Antibiotic / Topical Keratolytic
Side Effects
Low-Medium
Topical Antibiotic / Topical Keratolytic
Acne.org’s Real World Take
Not often used because it smells bad, colors the skin when applied, and can (rarely) lead to severe side effects. Limited evidence shows that it does significantly clear mild-to-moderate acne, but we need more research to know for sure how well it works.
Topical Antibiotic / Topical Keratolytic
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 Sodium Sulfacetamide / Sulfur
Compare To Other Treatments
5
38%
4
37.3%
3
15.3%
2
7.3%
1
2%

Used Sodium Sulfacetamide / Sulfur? Rate It:

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April 15, 2012
Product used: Prascion (Cleanser)

Pros:

-Gets rid of acne after persistent use(Approximately around a month to see improvement and around 3-4 months to be fully clear

Cons:

- did not get rid of the non visible whiteheads(very very small), but doesnt really matter cause no one can see them

RECOMMEND TO EVERYONE.
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February 18, 2010

Pros:

Works pretty fast

Cons:

smells kinda bad

at worst it dried my face out really bad. i only use it where the acne is. i saw my face clearing up in as little as 2 days. i use it in the morning and at night. i got this at costco for 4.00
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July 24, 2008

Pros:

i got it yesterday and it already has shown some improvement i feel a little to hopeful i it is going great

Cons:

smell is not that bad just kind of weird but im used to it=]

i paid about 5.50 with insurance and ive never been happier=]
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July 15, 2008

Pros:

Antibacterial properties

Cons:

Too harsh for skin

The wash was way too harsh for my skin. It made it so dry it was tight and my skin over-produced oil to moisturize itself. I have stopped using it. I actually have been more clear not washing my face.
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June 14, 2008

Pros:

Foams up really well(soak your face), Fairly quick to heal acne

Cons:

Smell

I think this is one of the best products i have used.it took about 2 weeks for my moderatly severe acne to,for the most, part clear up.
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September 30, 2007

Pros:

Worked wonderful on my skin, cleared it up without drying. Loved it!

Cons:

A single-use application pad, with only 30 pads in a pack--I cannot afford it any longer. Expensive product even with insurance.

Useful if you can afford the monthly fees on it. I'm still looking for new products to use, that's similar to this one.
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August 20, 2007

Pros:

keeps me clear from acne, evens out and smooths out my skin

Cons:

just a little drying at times, but nothing serious

it's the best cleanser i have ever used and i always come back to this cleanser when i try other products that break me out. Especially now that I am on birth control, it has kept me clear because i usually breakout out on bcp but this cleanser hasn't allowed that. i LOVE it! And the generic version is really affordable, just $10!
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May 24, 2007
this is a great product!!!! i do not have severe acne problem but my dermatologist recommended it for the blackheads i get in my chin and nose--- i have been using it for only 2 days and my blackheads are very noticeably just starting to disappear!!!!!! this is the most wonderful thing ever i only paid a co-pay of 15 dollars i have definately spent way more on a bunch of products that never gave any results!!! if you are looking for a mild - severe acne solution i would definately recommend this product:)
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October 29, 2017
My face has never been this soft since pre-puberty
I've been struggling with mild acne since puberty, and it's been only getting worse the older I get and now it's pretty moderate along with new hormonal cystic acne. I've tried harsh things like Acanya and clindamycin, only to find out I am very sensitive to those. Having an unknown facial reaction last February also led my skin to being ultra sensitive today. So, my physician finally gave me samples for sodium sulfacetamide and ones with sulfur since she was worried of my sensitivity. The samples with just 10% sulfa alone weren't helpful at all as I got a lot of side effects like burning, warmth, redness, etc. I moved onto Avar LS which was 10% sulfa and 2% sulfur, and my goodness was there a huge difference with only 6 uses from that tiny tube! It was very gentle, and I had no side effects. The sandpaper texture on my face was melting away, I was getting less oily, and my face was overall becoming soft and fewer pimples were showing up. I moved onto higher concentrations of sulfur (up to 4.5%), but that was overkill and I got very irritated and had to rest my skin while I waited for the prescription. It wasn't covered by my insurance so I had to use their savings plan which brings down the cost to $40 a bottle for 12 refills. It's well worth the cost and would last a very long time since you only need a very small amount for it to work. As I waited for the full bottle of Avar LS, I've noticed that from only those 6 small uses my face still was less oily and the scaly areas around my nose and eyebrows didn't come back as fast as it used to (I'm assuming that's sebhorreic dermatitis, but I'll ask the next time I visit). When the full bottle arrived, there was added fragrance but I had to laugh since it did not help at all once the sulfur settled into my skin, I still smelled it in full and just had to get used to it. It's only been a week since I've used the Avar LS and I'm already so excited to share my experience. My skin is just really soft now and it's slowly brightening up. I tried using my oil cleanser to exfoliate before Avar LS one time, and it did not pick up much remnants of peeling skin or hard sebaceous filaments. That's extremely good news--Avar is really doing its work gently exfoliating chemically instead of me attempting to roughhouse with my hands trying to scrub out everything. Some leftover pimples and cystic acne do come up, but then they are quickly dried out by the sulfur. My problematic scaly, dry, irritated nose that I've been struggling with for several years no longer bothers me. I still have no side effects from this cleanser. My face has never felt so clean before. It no longer itches, except for the dry pimples. While my face still looks bad, I can definitely feel that this is working in my favor even if it's slow. My twice a day routine consists of just washing my face with Cetaphil cleanser, and then following up with a dime sized amount of Avar LS and lather it all around my face and neck for 10 seconds. I rinse very well and then pat dry. I follow up with Elidel cream if needed because I have lingering eczema sometimes. Lastly, I just put on some Cetaphil lotion. Please give this a try, and ask for a lot of different samples. It's very good and sulfur has been used for centuries especially in hot springs for skin problems.
November 30, 2017
Update 11/30/17 (1 month later) - This product is still fabulous! I switched to CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser to aid with repairing my skin barrier and it works in great synergy with Avar LS. My face is even more smooth with it. This is a slow process, but I can definitely feel the difference each day. I still also use Elidel occasionally to aid in eczema flare ups. I still get cystic acne flare ups but I can't help that because of hormones, I'm going to try birth control (if I can get it) in combination with it soon.
December 27, 2018

Update 12/27/18 (over a year later) - I switched to a generic a few months ago and it works way better with the thicker consistency and lack of sulfur smell. I am able to use this twice a day morning and night. My face is usually baby smooth now and I rarely get any breakouts. I only have eczema (I no longer have to use Elidel) that comes and goes and continued use does not irritate it at all, but rather helps by sloughing off the dead skin faster. My complexion is also getting lighter and slowly matching the rest of my body.

Still love this stuff so much.

I still use CeraVe products with this, no problems at all. Rather it's very gentle and the hyaluronic acid helps, I never have dry skin anymore since the sulfur can be very drying.

I still use the leftover Avar each night on my back in the shower, and it does smooth it out a good deal however I still get bumps there. Doesn't work that well on the back, but I don't want to waste it. It lasts a long time, this is still the original bottle I got last year.

June 10, 2013
Product used: Prascion (Cleanser)
The only thing that worked

Pros:

Clear skin

I am disappointed that I was told they discontinued the prascion cleanser. My daughter and I have used it for a long time and it was the only thing that worked for us. We have been prescribed other cleansers since and they wont work. We really wish the manufacturer would bring it back.

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.