Acne treatment: 3 months minimum to be effective
Acne is a chronic skin disease that affects the glands that secrete sebum. It causes clogging of the pores and the appearance of lesions (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, and even nodules.
It is according to the severity of these lesions that the dermatologist will grade the type of acne from which one suffers, from very mild (grade 1) to very severe (grade (5).
Depending on the degree of severity, various treatments will be offered in “first intention” (that is to say as first treatment) for at least 3 months. Indeed, no acne treatment is effective immediately. It must be followed for several weeks before obtaining an improvement and only the follow-up of the treatment is a guarantee of its success.
On the other hand, if the failure is proven after 3 months of correctly followed treatment, the dermatologist can change therapy.
Very mild acne attack treatment
Acne is said to be grade 1 (very light) when there is hardly any lesion and rare comedones scattered on the face (open or closed) or a few rare papules.
The recommended treatment: treatment with benzoyl peroxide (a local antibacterial and anti-inflammatory treatment such as generic Afacne) WHERE local retinoids (which contain adapalene and work by unclogging the hair follicle).
If failure at 3 months: benzoyl peroxide treatment AND local retinoids.
Mild acne attack treatment
Acne is said to be grade 2 (slight) when less than half of the face is affected and there are a few open or closed comedones and a few papulo-pustules.
The recommended treatment: treatment with benzoyl peroxide (a local antibacterial and anti-inflammatory treatment such as generic Afacne) AND local retinoids (which contain adapalene or tretinoin and work by unclogging the hair follicle).
If failure at 3 months: intensification of first-line local treatment
WHERE local treatment with antibiotics and retinoids or azelaic acid
WHERE combination of oral antibiotics from the cyclin family and treatment with benzoyl peroxide and local retinoids.
Attack treatment for average acne
Acne is said to be grade 3 (mean) when more than half of the face is affected and there are many papulo-pustules and many open or closed comedones. Sometimes a nodule may be present.
The recommended treatment: benzoyl peroxide treatment AND local retinoids (0.025% to 0.050% tretinoin or 0.1% adapalene)
WHERE oral antibiotic treatment (doxycycline 100 mg / d or lymecycline 300 mg / d) and treatment with benzoyl peroxide and local retinoids.
If failure at 3 months: oral isotretinoin (known by its old name Roaccutane) is recommended. The first prescription is reserved for the specialist. Renewal is possible by the general practitioner.
Treatment of severe acne attack
Acne is said to be grade 4 (severe) when the whole face is affected, covered with numerous papulo-pustules, with open or closed comedones and rare nodules.
The recommended treatment: oral antibiotic treatment (doxycycline 100 mg / day or lymecycline 300 mg / day) associated with local treatment combining treatment with benzoyl peroxide and local retinoids.
In case of failure at 3 months: oral isotretinoin is recommended. This treatment can be started before 3 months in the event of failure of the first-line treatment if there is a significant scar risk or if there is rapid recurrence.
It should be noted that due to their modest efficacy and the emergence of resistant strains, antibiotics are limited to only situations where they are necessary. And in accordance with its restrictions on use, minocycline (a cyclin antibiotic) is still not indicated in the treatment of acne.
Very severe acne attack treatment
Acne is said to be grade 5 (very severe) when it is very inflammatory and covers the entire face with nodules.
The recommended treatment: oral isotretinoin (at least 0.5 mg / kg / day in attack and up to a cumulative dose of between 120 and 150 mg / kg).
Note that this medication can cause serious malformations in the fetus. Young girls who suffer from very severe acne should take effective contraception and take a pregnancy test within 3 days of the first prescription. This test should be repeated every month, within three days of the monthly prescription for isotretinoin and up to 5 weeks after stopping treatment.
Read also :
Acne: 3 solutions to regain beautiful skin
Severe acne: a handicap for many teens
Acne scars: how to get rid of them
