Acne relievers, from ointments to antibiotics

Acne remedy

Acne is a non-contagious skin disease that can happen to anyone. This condition, which is characterized by small bumps resembling white blackheads, is a skin problem that can be resolved easily.

There are many ways you can do to get rid of acne. One of them is with certain drugs. Acne medication is available in various variants, both over-the-counter and from a doctor's prescription, such as:

• topical acne relievers (including creams and ointments),
• oral medications to treat acne, such as antibiotics, as well
• certain types of vitamins, such as vitamin A derivatives.

Topical acne medication

One type of acne medication that is often used to get rid of acne is a topical medication. There are also various types of acne topical medications, including creams, lotions, ointments, and cleansing soaps.

Ointments and creams as acne-fighting drugs usually contain active compounds with different doses.

Keep in mind that over-the-counter acne topical medications generally come with a lower dosage than those obtained by prescription.

Benzoyl peroxide

In cases of mild to moderate acne, the benzoyl peroxide content in acne medications is quite popular in treating acne. Benzoyl peroxide is an active substance that eliminates acne by killing the acne-causing bacteria.

In addition, this active compound also prevents dead skin cells from clogging pores. If you are using this medication, the time it will take to see results is about 4 weeks or more.

For those of you who have acne problems due to bacterial infection, maybe benzoyl peroxide is the solution

You can buy acne products that contain benzoyl peroxide at most pharmacies. The dosage of drugs sold in pharmacies tends to be lower than those prescribed by doctors, namely 2.5% to 10%.

Side effects

Although fairly effective, benzoyl peroxide has side effects in the form of:

• the skin is easier to dry,
• appears itching and pain on the skin, as well
• white streaks appear when the skin is scratched.

Salicylic acid

Apart from benzoyl peroxide, another ingredient that is often used in acne remedies is salicylic acid. The active compounds that can also be found in this soap help speed up the process of forming new skin cells.

Salicylic acid has no impact on sebum (oil) production and cannot kill bacteria. This acne medication is usually recommended to clean the pores so they don't get clogged and the skin becomes smoother.

Therefore, salicylic acid is more often used in those who have rough skin problems due to blackheads or sand acne (bruntusan).

You can find acne medications containing salicylic acid in pharmacies at doses of 0.05% to 5%. Higher doses usually require a prescription from a doctor because they can cause natural peeling of the skin.

Side effects

This medicine requires long-term use because when it is stopped it can stimulate blackheads and pimples to reappear. Not only that, the use of this drug also causes some side effects, such as a stinging irritation on the skin.

Alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA)

Alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) is a combination of two types of acids, namely glycolic acid and lactic acid. This active compound derived from fruit that contains sugar is believed to treat acne by removing dead skin cells and reducing inflammation.

The content in this acne medication also stimulates the growth of new, smoother skin by increasing the collagen in the skin.

Side effects

Although relatively safe, acne removal products that contain AHAs can cause skin pain and cause redness. If this happens, stop use and consult a doctor.

Also keep in mind that using acne medications that contain AHAs can make your skin sensitive to sunlight. It would be nice if you always use sunscreen and other skin protection when you go outside.

Retinoic acid

Retinoic acid or commonly referred to as Retin-A is a skin care ingredient that is included in vitamin A derivatives. This type of vitamin is a vitamin that can help treat various acne problems, such as:

• disguise acne scars,
• close pores,
• increase collagen,
• cure acne, and
• accelerate the growth of new skin cells.

A number of studies have shown that the retinoic acid content in topical acne medications is effective in treating various types of acne, both non-inflammatory and inflammatory.

How to use this acne medication is quite easy, which is applied to skin with acne once a day at night. The results of retinoic acid treatment will usually appear in about three to four weeks if used routinely.

Side effects

Just like other drugs, retinoic acid also has side effects, including:

• peeling skin,
• the face looks red and feels itchy, as well
• the skin becomes dry more easily.

In some cases, using retinoic acid can make the acne look worse. If you are worried, consult your doctor to get the right treatment.

Sulfur

Sulfur or sulfur is an active compound that has been proven to be effective in getting rid of stubborn pimples.

This acne medicine ingredient, which has been used for centuries, can exfoliate the outer layer of skin cells to prevent clogged pores. In addition, sulfur also inhibits the growth of acne-causing bacteria.

Although it has been used for a long time, sulfur is not the first choice drug for treating acne due to its unpleasant smell.

This is why the use of sulfur is often combined with benzoyl peroxide or sodium sulfacetamide to reduce the smell.

Side effects

Apart from causing an unpleasant odor, the sulfur content in acne medications can also cause various side effects, such as:

• the skin becomes dry more easily,
• peeling skin, and
• the skin around the mouth is cracked.

It is also not recommended that you take sulfur together with sulfacetamide, especially if you are allergic to certain drugs.

Antibiotics

If you have a bacterial acne infection, your doctor will usually prescribe antibiotics. Antibiotics are a type of acne medication that is quite effective, both oral and topical drugs.

Antibiotics for acne can kill skin bacteria and reduce redness and inflammation. Ointments or creams containing antibiotics are usually not used alone, but in combination with other drugs.

For example, use of retinoids and antibiotics is often combined during the first few months. This also happens to benzoyl peroxide and antibiotics to prevent antibiotic resistance.

Side effects

Topical antibiotic drugs, such as clindamycin and erythromycin, can certainly cause various side effects, including:

• the skin becomes dry more easily and looks scaly,
• skin irritation,
• contact dermatitis which can be caused by irritation or allergies, as well
• bacterial resistance due to incomplete use of antibiotics.

Hydrocortisone cream

Hydrocortisone creams, ointments, and lotions are products that are included in corticosteroids. Its main function is to reduce itching, swelling, irritation due to eczema, to overcoming insect bites.

The function of this ointment is quite limited, so hydrocortisone cream needs to be used in conjunction with other acne medications. For example, a hydrocortisone product taken with benzoyl peroxide can reduce inflammation and cause acne to dry out quickly.

Even so, hydrocortisone cream is not recommended for long-term use. The reason is, this cream can damage the skin and cause acne scars.

If you have severe skin problems, it's best to talk to your doctor before buying hydrocortisone cream.

Drink acne medication

Apart from creams and lotions, other ways to get rid of acne can also be done with oral medications. Keep in mind that most oral medications for acne can only be obtained through a doctor's prescription.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics for acne are often used to treat moderate to severe skin diseases.

Its function is similar, namely reducing acne infections caused by bacteria. Here are some choices of antibiotics that are used to treat severe acne.

• Tetracyclines (minocycline, doxycycline)
• Macrolides (erythromycin, azithromycin)

It should be remembered that drinking antibiotics should be used as short as possible so that antibiotic resistance does not occur. In addition, this drug will also be combined with other drugs, such as benzoyl peroxide.

The use of antibiotics, especially macrolides, is not recommended for pregnant women and children under 8 years of age.

Side effects

In rare cases, antibiotics can cause serious side effects, including:

• the skin becomes more sensitive to the sun,
• skin rash due to an allergy to tetracyclines,
• indigestion, such as stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea, as well
• thrush in the mouth and vagina.

Contraceptive drugs (oral)

Contraceptive drugs such as birth control pills are often recommended by doctors as a treatment for acne, especially in women. Generally, this drinking acne medication is used for women who have acne and need contraception.

One of the factors that trigger acne is hormonal changes. Taking birth control pills that contain estrogen and progesterone will suppress the body's androgen levels. As a result, oil production is suppressed, which reduces the risk of acne.

Apart from birth control pills for acne, other types of oral contraceptives can reduce androgen hormones. You may not see results from this treatment for several months, so commitment is needed when undergoing this acne treatment.

Side effects

The side effects that most often occur when using oral contraceptives to get rid of acne are:

• weight gain,
• breast pain,
• nausea and vomiting, as well
• increased risk of heart problems, breast cancer, and cervical cancer.

Isotretinoin

Drinking acne medication is usually prescribed by doctors for severe acne and isotretinoin is one of them.

Isotretinoin is a type of retinoid drug group. This acne medication helps suppress sebum production and kills acne-causing bacteria so that pores don't get clogged.

Just like other oral medications, this acne medication that works from within will show results after being used for several months.

Despite its long history, isotretinoin has been shown to clear up acne, including stubborn acne like nodules and cystic acne.

Side effects

There are various kinds of side effects that can arise due to the use of isotretinoin (accutane), namely:

• skin is more sensitive to sunlight,
• the skin becomes dry more easily, and
• can cause birth defects if consumed by pregnant women.

Minerals and vitamins for acne

Diet is one of the factors that trigger acne, namely when the intake of vitamins for the skin and minerals is not fulfilled. As a result, the body is deficient in these two important elements.

Lack of vitamins can produce chronic skin problems, such as acne. Therefore, it is important to meet the amount of vitamins and minerals in the body.

Below are the types of vitamins and minerals that can be considered as acne remedies.

• Zinc supplements to reduce oil production and fight bacteria.
• Vitamin E for maintaining healthy skin because it contains antioxidants.
• Nicotinamide (vitamin B3) can reduce skin inflammation caused by acne.

Some facial acne treatments may involve vitamin and mineral supplements.

However, keep in mind that even vitamins and minerals can have certain side effects, especially when consumed in excess.

Tips for using acne medication

What needs to be considered when using acne remedies?

The type of acne medication to be used, both oral and topical, will depend on many factors, such as your skin type and the type of acne you have.

Here are the habits that need to be considered when treating acne prone skin with medication.

• Start with benzoyl peroxide if confused about where to start.
• Use an over the counter acne product at a low dose.
• Be patient and don't give up quickly.

How do pregnant women use acne medication?

For safety and health reasons, pregnant women should avoid using or taking acne remedies as much as possible, especially below.

• Accutane
• Retinoids
• Antibiotics
• Hormone therapy, such as flutamide and spironolactone
• Nonprescription acne medications, such as salicylic acid

It is feared that the use of some of the above drugs can affect the health of the fetus and mother, such as birth defects, damage to the mother's liver, and miscarriage.

If you have further questions, please contact a dermatologist to get the right solution.