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TREATMENTS FOR ACNE
In light of my experience in treating thousands of cases of acne, I would advise any young person who begins to develop acne to consult a dermatologist. The appearance of the pustules themselves as well as the marks and scars they leave have an enormous influence on the mood and even on the social standing of a young person.
It is most unfortunate that many young people do not know that 99% of acne cases can be treated, and that proper treatment prescribed by a skilled dermatologist can greatly alleviate the suffering and symptoms.
Individual treatment is prescribed according to the severity and type the acne. During the first visit at the dermatologist’s office, the doctor examines the acne, determines which factors worsen the case and explains to the patient how to avoid them. Since most of the ointments and lotions used to treat acne dry the skin, I advise the use of a soap which cleans the skin but does not dry it. In most cases an antibiotic liquid should be swabbed onto the skin in the morning (brand names: Acnetrim, Akne-mycin, Dalacin T), and in the evening an ointment or gel 
containing a substance called benzoyl peroxide (brand names: Panoxyl Gel, Oxy, Akneroid) should be applied. These substances open the sebaceous glands and reduce the number of bacteria found in them. If there are many blackheads or whiteheads present, it is advisable to use a preparation containing various concentrations of retinoic acid (brand names: Retin A, Locacid). Since the use of retinoic acid can cause redness and sensitivity, it is important to protect the skin from direct sunlight during the morning and afternoon hours.
In severe and moderate cases of acne it is advisable to complement the treatment with the use of antibiotics from the tetracycline group. Antibiotic treatment can last from four months to several years, and in most cases has no side effects.
In exceptionally severe cases, those which do not respond to antibiotic treatment, a drug called Roaccutane should be considered. This preparation is based on Vitamin A and represents a real breakthrough in treating dermatological diseases. It reduces the size of the enlarged sebaceous glands of people suffering from severe cases of acne and thus leads to a significant improvement in the most difficult conditions. 
The course of treatment lasts three months and only in extremely rare cases is an additional three-month course necessary. Accutane’s most usual side effect is a dryness and slight peeling of the skin around the lips and fingernails, and these disappear when the treatment has been completed. In spite of the fact that the drug is considered safe, it is advisable to check the level of blood lipids and liver function monthly during the course of the treatment.
IMPORTANT: It is absolutely forbidden to initiate a pregnancy while this drug is being taken or until at least two months after the cessation of treatment.
Remember that at least a month to six weeks will be necessary before the influence of any acne treatment is noticed, and that the treatment must continue for a matter of months. Sometimes the condition becomes worse at the beginning of the treatment, and for that reason it is important for the patient to schedule regular visits to the dermatologist at least once every other month, since the treatment may have to be changed as it progresses.
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