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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Medications For Acne

28, 5'7'', 64, i have been suffering from severe acne for past 11 years tried all kinds of oral and topical medications after consultation with numerous dermatologists, but the disease still remains . right now i have asne and spots all over my face. Provided the fact that it has been there for so many years even after all kinds of medical treatments how do i deal with it?
Mon, 30 Jun 2014
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Dermatologist 's  Response
Hi. Thanks for posting on Healthcaremagic.

Acne can persist well into 3rd OR even 4th decade of life. Almost all cases of Acne can be ultimately cured with proper medication and follow up.

Fluctuating hormone levels, Stress are implicated in the causation of acne.


Treatment of acne mainly centres around topical antibacterials, topical benzoyl peroxide and topical retinoids.

If I were your treating doctor i would have advised you to use benzoyl peroxide gel for day time use It is available in both OTC and prescription acne products. 2.5%, 5% gel/cream is recommended for use on face once or twice daily. For night time use I would suggest a topical retinoid e.g Adapalene gel.

In addition to that, I would advice that you be put on a course of oral antibiotics like either Doxycycline OR Azithromycin for 4-6 weeks, if the lesions are inflammatory (Papules and pustules).

In my practice I usually start my patients on oral retinoids (Isotretinoin) if they present to me with frequent relapses OR less than expected response to traditional anti-acne medication. Oral retinoids are Sebostatic(decreases oil production), normalises keratinization, are anti-inflammatory and decreases proliferation/population of Propionibacterium acnes as well as yeast(which feeds on your oil) in hair follicles.

As these are all prescription medications therefore I would advice that you visit a dermatologist to get a prescription for antiacne medications before trying them.

General measures that you should follow are Washing your face with a mild cleanser like cetaphil twice daily.
Avoiding all the regular use creams, moisturisers, sunscreens that you may be using for the time being till you are on anti-acne treatment.
Avoiding facials.
Avoid picking your acne.
Use an Anti-dandruff shampoo since acne is worsened by dandruff.
Reducing your Stress levels.

Hope this helps
regards
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Suggest Medications For Acne

Hi. Thanks for posting on Healthcaremagic. Acne can persist well into 3rd OR even 4th decade of life. Almost all cases of Acne can be ultimately cured with proper medication and follow up. Fluctuating hormone levels, Stress are implicated in the causation of acne. Treatment of acne mainly centres around topical antibacterials, topical benzoyl peroxide and topical retinoids. If I were your treating doctor i would have advised you to use benzoyl peroxide gel for day time use It is available in both OTC and prescription acne products. 2.5%, 5% gel/cream is recommended for use on face once or twice daily. For night time use I would suggest a topical retinoid e.g Adapalene gel. In addition to that, I would advice that you be put on a course of oral antibiotics like either Doxycycline OR Azithromycin for 4-6 weeks, if the lesions are inflammatory (Papules and pustules). In my practice I usually start my patients on oral retinoids (Isotretinoin) if they present to me with frequent relapses OR less than expected response to traditional anti-acne medication. Oral retinoids are Sebostatic(decreases oil production), normalises keratinization, are anti-inflammatory and decreases proliferation/population of Propionibacterium acnes as well as yeast(which feeds on your oil) in hair follicles. As these are all prescription medications therefore I would advice that you visit a dermatologist to get a prescription for antiacne medications before trying them. General measures that you should follow are Washing your face with a mild cleanser like cetaphil twice daily. Avoiding all the regular use creams, moisturisers, sunscreens that you may be using for the time being till you are on anti-acne treatment. Avoiding facials. Avoid picking your acne. Use an Anti-dandruff shampoo since acne is worsened by dandruff. Reducing your Stress levels. Hope this helps regards