The basics for treatment of any kind haven’t changed and remain crucial to succes:

• Clean skin – mild cleansers, never scrub or abrade skin. Remove dust and perspiration throughout the day (try baby wipes) and wash oily hair often.

• Healthy diet – Once believed to be a food-related condition, opinion is now divided about acne. Good nutrition is helpful for any condition.

• Choose products advertised as “oil free”, “won’t clog pores” and “noncomedogenic”.

• Remember to apply sunblock; many acne products increase skin sensitivity. Look for something with “natural/organic” ingredients.

• Give a treatment time to work, i.e. 4 to 12 weeks to see definitive results.

 The basics for treatment of any kind haven’t changed and remain crucial to success:

• Clean skin – mild cleansers, never scrub or abrade skin. Remove dust and perspiration throughout the day (try baby wipes) and wash oily hair often.

• Healthy diet – Once believed to be a food-related condition, opinion is now divided about acne. Good nutrition is helpful for any condition.

• Choose products advertised as “oil free”, “won’t clog pores” and “noncomedogenic”.

• Remember to apply sunblock; many acne products increase skin sensitivity. Look for something with “natural/organic” ingredients.

• Give a treatment time to work, i.e. 4 to 12 weeks to see definitive results.

Here are some of the treatments currently in use. You can get user feedback for a lot of different therapies by visiting forums and support groups related to acne.

Benzoyl Peroxide: Otherwise known as Benzol, Benzoic Acid, Benzaknen, Desanden and Benzoyl Superoxide. This is a time-tested ingredient in topical acne treatments in concentrations from 2.5% to 10%.

Salicylic acid: Another proven ingredient that helps to shed older cells of the epidermis and open pores, neutralizing bacteria. You don’t want more than a 2% concentration (or 3% if you’re washing it off again immediately, e.g. in a cleanser). Skin will be easily irritated so be gentle, and check with a doctor about other products that may react badly while you’re using salycylic acid .

Antibiotics: Topical or oral antibiotics are often used to treat moderate to severe acne and may be prescribed for anything from 8 weeks to 2 years. Concern is now being voiced over the dangers of long-term oral antibiotics, i.e. killing your “good bacteria”, creating resistant strains of bacteria, higher breast cancer and respiratory infection risk, and extended exposure to antibiotic side effects.

Oral Contraceptives: Effective for women but with their own side-effects so no longer used much solely for acne treatment.

Isotrentoin : Better known as Accutane, this potent Vitamin A derivative is less popular than it once was. The list of possible side effects is long and it is proven to cause severe birth defects. Distribution is restricted in many countries.

“Alternative” Solutions: You might want to explore vitamin supplements and herbals like tea tree oil (natural antibiotic/antibacterial agent). Don’t expect documentation on risks, effectiveness, clinical trials, etc.

Dermatologic Intervention: Laser, cryo, chemical, aspirational and excisional surgeries are available, as are microdermabrasion, corticosteroid injections and laser/light therapies (blue light, pulsed light & heat energy, diode laser, photodynamic). These treatments may come with substantial pricetags.

Combinations from the above options probably have the best success rates. Do your research and consult a dermatologist for more information.