CONTROL ACNE

Acne can be controlled in several ways, but the choice of methods is up to the individual, and may depend on the severity of the skin condition.

Oral Antibiotics

Taking oral antibiotics is one sure way in which acne can be controlled. Some of the best known antibiotics for acne are erythromycin, minocycline, doxycycline and clindamycin.

Erythromycin

Of these, erythromycin is the safest. It is better than tetracycline. Erythromycin has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce redness in lesions in addition to killing the bacteria. The usual dosage is one 250 mg capsule taken twice a day after meals. Erythromycin has the advantage of being safe for pregnant women.

Minocycline

Minocycline is a derivative of tetracycline. The recommended dosage is 50 mg to be taken twice a day after meals.

Doxycycline

Doxycycline can be used by individuals who do not respond to erythromycin or tetracycline. The recommended dosage is 50 mg to be taken twice a day after meals.

Clindamycin

Clindamycin is also a very useful antibiotic used mostly in tropical climates. The recommended dosage is 75 mgs twice a day after meals.

Antibiotic Common Side-effects

All the above antibiotics have a common side effect in addition to specific side effects related to each antibiotic. The common side effect is nausea. It is highly recommended that, before taking any antibiotic medicine, a physician should be consulted to determine the most suitable antibiotic based on side effects tolerance.

Light and Laser Treatments

Other than the antibiotics, acne could be controlled using light or laser treatment. This is one of the most successful ways how acne could be controlled quickly and with no side effects. Basically, laser treatment is exposure of the affected skin area to sudden bursts of light. An individual could get substantial results within a period of six weeks if this treatment is done effectively.

Diet, Exercise and Stress

Another way in which acne can be controlled is by regulating your diet, daily exercise and stress releasing relaxation. Eating a well balanced diet coupled with good exercise and some 'yoga' for relaxation will help to control acne.