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Skin Care > Acne Treatments

Acne is a common skin condition affecting more than 85% of adolescents and many people well into their thirties and forties. Treatments abound, many of which are unproven. Most successful treatments take two or three weeks to show any improvement.

Established treatments include mild exfoliants like salicylic acid, topical batericidals like benzoyl peroxide, topical or oral antibiotics, topical retinoids like Retin-A ® or Tazorac ®, Aczone ® brand of dapsone gel, oral retinoids like Accutane ® for severe acne, phototherapy such as intense pulsed light (IPL), and laser skin resurfacing or dermabrasion to deal with noticeable scarring.

Intense pulsed light is an attractive option in many adults where outbreaks tend to be more sporadic and less severe. IPL is discussed in the Medical Spas Section.

A vaccine against inflammatory acne has been tested in mice, but a human version does not yet exist.