What treatments are available?

To treat acne effectively it is important to understand the causes of acne and to tailor treatment carefully to the individual patient. The latest generation of topical creams for acne are highly effective and often very helpful when used regularly either as a stand alone treatment or with other therapies.

Women with acne may find that certain types of combined oral contraceptive pill can have a very beneficial effect, but it is extremely important to choose contraception carefully as some forms can make acne much worse. Oral antibiotics can be highly effective (producing 80% improvements), but need to be chosen carefully and used in combination with other treatments to give the best results.

The most effective tablet treatment for acne is isotretinoin, which usually completely clears acne within 4-6 months, although spots may slowly return after some years. Oral isotretinoin is a strong treatment and needs to be discussed carefully, but can produce excellent results.

Physical therapies such as hyfrecation (treating the spots with a small electric pulse) and laser therapy can also be very helpful for people with acne..