Clear Clinic Acne & Acne Scar Treatment Centers

Prescription vs Over the Counter (OTC) Acne Treatments

Anyone who has ever suffered from acne breakouts has probably wondered if it’s time to go on prescription acne medication. If you are even thinking about that question, the answer is that it’s most likely time for you to see a dermatologist to discuss prescription treatment options. Once you find that over the counter (OTC) treatments are not performing the way you would like them to, it’s time to book that appointment.

There are many more treatment options for prescription medications than OTC treatments. Prescription acne medications are available in these forms: oral, topical gel, topical cream. The most common oral medications are Tetracycline, Erythromycin, oral contraceptives, Solodyn. The most widely prescribed topical treatments for acne are Differen, Retin-A and Tazorac.

Finding the correct acne prescription treatment is a very personal matter. Only after a dermatologist takes a close look at your skin and medical history will they decide which prescription acne medication is right for you.

Even the mildest acne can be treated effectively with prescription medications and in-office treatments, such as Photodynamic Therapy and the Isolaz acne treatment.  Earlier treatment of acne is ideal, as these patients will avoid scarring that can occur with even mild breakouts.  Often patients with mild acne can see huge improvement with a simple at-home prescription regimen and maybe a few in-office treatments.

Does Green Tea Fight Acne?

The proven over the counter (OTC) acne-fighting ingredients on the market are salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. Salicylic acid works by aiding skin to peel and thus peel off the acne lesion. Salicylic Acid also helps the cells to shed, which prevents clogging of the pores. Benzoyl Peroxide works by introducing oxygen into the pores, which kills the acne-causing bacteria P. Acnes.

But what about the more alternative ingredients on the market that are thought to treat acne lesions? A recent study done in the United Kingdom showed that thyme may be a force in the fight against acne. Another alternative ingredient that has ties to acne treatment is green tea. Acne breakouts are brought on by surges in hormones. Green tea is packed with antioxidants that are thought to help regulate hormonal activity. Some patients say their acne clears up after drinking green tea, while others use green tea topically for acne treatment.

Other less traditional ingredients that help fight acne are tea tree oil, lactic acid and sulfur. Our recipe for clear skin combines the traditional with the alternative. We recommend using salicylic acid in conjunction with one of these alternative acne-fighting ingredients for the best results.

Smartphone App as Effective as Blue LED Light Therapy?

Over the past few years, there has been significant buzz about two new smartphone apps that claimed to treat acne through the phone.  The concept was patterned after Red and Blue LED Light devices; the apps claimed that the light emitted from the phone could provide similar results to Blue and Red LED light therapy.  After investigation by the Federal Trade Commission, it was determined that these apps did not help reduce acne.  The FTC ordered the apps to stop marketing to consumers as effective acne treatments.

Dr. Schweiger explains that, “There are absolutely options for at-home Red and Blue LED light therapy, but the answer is not in your iPhone.  I recommend the Tria Skin Perfecting Blue Light for our acne patients to use at home.  Five minutes of Tria Blue Light treatment every day can have a significant antibacterial effect on p. acnes bacteria.”

Red and Blue LED light therapy is also available as an in-office acne treatment.  Red light provides an anti-inflammatory effect, while improving the appearance of the skin, and Blue light fights the p. acnes bacteria that leads to acne.  There is no downtime after Red and Blue LED light therapy.

Blue LED light is often used to activate a medication called Levulan, during a treatment called Photodynamic Therapy.  Levulan is applied to the skin’s surface for a set amount of time; Blue light is then placed over the skin to activite the Levulan.  The result is a decrease in sebum production and a reduction in p. acnes bacteria that causes acne.

Acne Fighting Secrets

Acne breakouts can seem like a mystery, always popping up at the exact wrong time. The cause of acne is multifactorial, Hormones play a big role in the formation of acne. When the hormone androgen increases, so does sebum production, leading to breakouts. You see, the P. Acnes bacteria lives on everyone skin–along with a whole host of other organisms–but when the skin becomes overrun with sebum, the acne bacteria then gets trapped inside the follicle along with dead skin cells, causing an acne lesion (aka acne vulgaris).

At Clear Clinic, we recommend our patients use proven acne bacteria fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, to stop breakouts. But what about those lesser known tricks to fighting acne? Here, some secrets we’ve heard from patients who swear by them:

• Change your pillow cases on a regular basis. Our pillow cases collect bacteria and dead skin cells, which can clog the pores and contribute to further acne breakouts.
• Wash your hands before you touch your face. The bacteria and oils on your fingers could exacerbate your acne lesions.
• Use an alcohol swab to rub down your cell phone and cleanse it of any oils and bacteria. The same idea as with your fingers.
• Eat a healthy, low-sugar, low carbohydrate diet. Some studies have shown that carbohydrates can contribute to acne breakouts.
• Don’t stress! Stress can release hormones in the body and cause acne breakouts.
• Drink a lot of water — about three liters a day. Water will help moisturize the skin from the inside out and will help your body flush out any toxins.