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How can I get Rid of Acne?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

It can be very difficult to get rid of acne. In fact, acne is a lifelong issue for some people. Others just deal with it in adolescence, with a stray pimple or two cropping up during adulthood. Either way, there are some treatments that help to get rid of acne or at least minimize it.

Topical treatments are often used to get rid of acne. These treatments work to dry up oil on the surface of the skin and kill bacteria that cause acne. Some of the topical treatments also help the skin shed dead cells. Most over-the-counter topical acne treatments use benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or lactic acid in fighting pimples; in general, they are considered best for those with very mild acne. For those with Acne that doesn't respond to over-the-counter treatments, doctors often prescribe prescription topical treatments, such as Differin (adapalene) or Retin-A (tretinoin); sometimes topical antibiotics are used as well.

There are various methods available to help reduce acne.
There are various methods available to help reduce acne.

When a person has moderate or severe acne, it may be necessary to use oral antibiotics to get rid of it. These antibiotics serve to lower the number of bacteria that cause acne, reducing inflammation as well. Often, it is necessary to use oral antibiotics for months at a time before significant results are obtained. In many cases, doctors prescribe antibiotics for use along with topical medications. A combination approach is often very helpful in the fight to get rid of acne.

Drinking eight glasses of water a day promotes clear skin.
Drinking eight glasses of water a day promotes clear skin.

For those who are struggling with severe cystic acne, something more may be necessary to get rid of it. Medications like Accutane (isotretinoin) are used for this type of acne because they're more powerful than some other medications and often work when other treatments fail. Typically, when very powerful medications like this are used to get rid of acne, it is necessary to see a dermatologist on a frequent basis to make sure harmful side effects are not occurring.

Depending on the cause, certain types of acne naturally disappear without treatment.
Depending on the cause, certain types of acne naturally disappear without treatment.

Sometimes, people who are not experienced with acne may suggest such things as washing your face and giving up greasy foods to put a stop to pimples; unfortunately, such things usually don't work. While it is important to wash your face every day, doing so usually won't get rid of acne. In fact, if you wash your face too frequently throughout the day, you may strip it of its natural oils, irritating it and causing it to produce even more oil. Likewise, there is no evidence that eating certain foods or omitting other foods helps to get rid of acne. However, there is one exception; drinking eight full glasses of water every day does seem to help promote clear skin.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Bri

The article is right - most products work to dry up oil on the surface or strip oil off the surface. The problem is that this doesn't address the cause of oil. Oil continues to be produced as fast as you try and strip it away.

You need a product that attacks the root cause of oil production. You need a product that reduces DHT that is the key to oil production.

There is only 1 non-prescription product that does this and it works. The product is called CTRL. They make a gender specific version that is customized based on gender.

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    • There are various methods available to help reduce acne.
      By: Picture-Factory
      There are various methods available to help reduce acne.
    • Drinking eight glasses of water a day promotes clear skin.
      By: Sikov
      Drinking eight glasses of water a day promotes clear skin.
    • Depending on the cause, certain types of acne naturally disappear without treatment.
      By: Cheryl Casey
      Depending on the cause, certain types of acne naturally disappear without treatment.
    • Topical antibiotics are sometimes used to treat acne.
      By: Coprid
      Topical antibiotics are sometimes used to treat acne.
    • Medications containing isotretinoin can be highly effective, but depression is a common side effect.
      By: silent_47
      Medications containing isotretinoin can be highly effective, but depression is a common side effect.
    • Washing is important, but too frequent washing of the face can dry the skin and make acne worse.
      By: naka
      Washing is important, but too frequent washing of the face can dry the skin and make acne worse.
    • Acne can be a lifelong issue for some people.
      By: Piotr Marcinski
      Acne can be a lifelong issue for some people.