The Best Treatments to Get Rid of Acne

Acne (pimples, papules, pustules, or nodules on the skin) is a common skin condition that can happen at any age. Treatment to get rid of acne can include washing the face with gentle products at home as well as medication, corticosteroid injections, and other therapies (laser therapy or light therapy).

Acne is a common skin condition characterized by chronic or recurrent development of pimples, papules, pustules, or nodules on the skin. Acne is common among adolescents and young adults but can occur at any age.

Home treatments to prevent or get rid of acne include: 

• Wash twice daily and after sweating and rinse with lukewarm water
• Use gentle, non-abrasive cleanser and apply with fingertips
  • Avoid washcloths and sponges, which may irritate the skin
  • Don’t scrub skin
• Use gentle products on the skin
  • Use products that are alcohol-free 
  • Avoid products that can irritate skin because this may aggravate acne
  • Look for products that don’t cause acne – check labels for the following words: 
    • Won't clog pores
    • Non-comedogenic
    • Non-acnegenic
    • Oil free
• Don’t use too many products at once, because this may worsen acne
• Shampoo oily hair daily
• Don’t pick, squeeze, or pop pimples
  • Let skin heal naturally
  • Picking at acne can make it take longer to go away and may increase the risk of scarring
• Don’t touch your face because bacteria on your fingers can get into pores and cause acne
• Avoid the sun and tanning beds
  • Ultraviolet (UV) light damages the skin
  • Some acne medications make the skin sensitive to UV light
• Regularly wash all items that touch acne-prone skin, such as pillowcases and hats
  • Change sheets at least every week and pillowcases two or three times a week

Medications to get rid of acne include: 

• Topical (on the skin) medications 
  • Benzoyl peroxide to decrease bacteria
  • Salicylic acid, to ease inflammation and unclog pores
  • Retinoids, such as adapalene gel, to unclog pores and reduce oily skin
  • Azelaic acid 
  • Benzoyl peroxide plus a retinoid or a topical antibiotic 
• Women may be prescribed a birth control pill or patch approved to treat acne

Other treatments for more severe cases of acne include: 

• Laser or light therapy
  • May help clear acne
  • Works best combined with other acne treatments
• Corticosteroid injections
  • Used for large, painful, deep acne breakouts
  • Relieves pain and inflammation quickly
  • Usually reserved for treating a few severe acne breakouts due to possible side effects 

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using an acne treatment at least 4 to 6 weeks to give it time to work. If you don’t notice improvement after that time, add a second product to your treatment regimen.