Acne

A brief discussion of treatment options that are available for various patients. Factors like severity, type of acne, response to previous treatment that are unique to the patient can influence the best course of treatment.

This article is a brief overview of OTC (over the counter) treatment options for acne, which are available to patients without a prescription. Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide treatments are discussed, as well as other management of other factors like dry skin.

This article is an overview of the common topical agents used for treating acne: Benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, topical antibiotics, azelaic acid, and combination products.

Benzoyl peroxide has been a reliable treatment stable for decades. This article briefs various indications for BP, combination products, potential side-effects, and mechanism of actions.

This article reviews the role of tretinoin for the treatment of acne. This vitamin A derivative is used primarily for treating acne and sun damage. Side-effects, conditions, brands, use, and indications are discussed.

Adapalene is a designer retinoid, with a similar molecular make-up with vitamin A. A guide to patient use, at what point in time should patients expect improvement, mechanism of action, side-effects, and other drug interactions are discussed in this article.

Tazarotene is a designer retinoid. It is approved by Health Canada as a treatment for psoriasis, acne, and photodamage. This article discussed its indications, side-effects, use, and drug interactions.

Combination therapy is a strategy of combining antibiotic treatments with other treatments with different mechanisms of action to treat acne. This has the effect of preventing or mitigating the unwanted effects of antibiotic resistant bacteria, and may confer other benefits such as lower required dosage as well.

Isotretinoin (Accutane®) is a retinoid or vitamin A analog, which means that its molecular structure is similar to Vitamin A. Mechanism of action, efficacy, side-effects, and contraindications are discussed as well as an FAQ section for this drug.

Isotretinion is a powerful drug, and sometimes the only treatment option for severe acne. The most common side-effects such as dry skin, dry eyes, and hair problems, and headaches, and other side-effects are discussed.

Isotretinion will require monitoring by a doctor. While relatively rare, side-effects can be serious, and affect blood, bone, liver, neurologic, and muscle, and require periodic testing to ensure safety and healthy. It is also teratogenic, so pregnancy will also be a part in patient education.

Oral antibiotics are an important treatment option that is available for treating inflammatory acne. This portal provides an organized list of the most commonly used oral antibiotics for the treatment of acne.

Erythromycin is an antibiotic in the macrolide group and is used in acne treatment. This article provides a summary of erythromycin, including side-effects, uses, and potential drug interactions for both topical and oral indications.

Minocycline is a tetracycline antibiotic which is used for acne treatment. This article provides an overview of minocycline, side-effects, brands, and drug interactions are discussed.

Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic which is used to treat acne for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Mechanism of action, side-effects, drug interactions, and various brands were discussed.

Tetracycline was developed in 1953 and is a broad spectrum antibiotic. This article discusses the various indications of tetracycline, side-effects, and drug interactions.

Oral contraceptives (OCs) have been available since 1960, and can be useful for treating certain types of acne. Various acne-approved OCs are discussed.

This article organizes contraceptive pills is to compare the effects that the progestins that are used will have on acne.

Progestin only and combination pills are discussed in this article. Monophasic, biphasic, and triphasic pills are considered and listed.

Oral contraceptives can have side-effects that are undesirable. Common and rare side-effects, contraindications, and possible drug interactions.

Anti-androgens are drugs that block the receptors which allow your body’s cells to absorb the male hormones. The indications of these drugs, side-effects, and contraindications are discussed in this article.

Progestins have multiple influences on acne. Cyproterone acetate, found in Diane-35® seems to be an exception in that it is not affected by estrogen.

Spironolactone is a diuretic and has anti-androgen effects, and can play a role in acne treatment. Its indications, potential side-effects, and contraindications are discussed.

Scars are a common problem that is often caused by acne. Various classifications of acne scars and their treatments and expectations are discussed.

Acne scars are challenging to treat. This article discusses the non-surgical treatment options like topical treatments, chemical peels, skin fillers, cover-ups, and injectables.

Optimal acne therapy must take into account not only acne type and severity, but also the impact of this skin disorder on the patient’s quality of life.

Acne vulgaris can represent a therapeutic challenge in terms of managing ongoing symptoms and preventing scar formation. Dermatologists may now have viable new alternatives for treating all grades of acne severity that circumvent the negative side-effects associated with many conventional options.

The proven therapeutic benefits of OCs offer a valuable option to physicians for the treatment of acne. The accumulating evidence on the efficacy and safety of recently available drospirenone-containing hormonal preparations provides dermatologists with a new option for the treatment of acne and other hyperandrogenic disorders.

Successful treatment of acne with topical therapy can be achieved with patient education, patient engagement in treatment selection, and counseling on aggravating factors.

Oral contraceptives (OCs) have been used for many years by dermatologists as a treatment option for women with acne. The proven therapeutic benefits of OCs extend a valuable alternative to physicians for the treatment of acne.

Oral contraceptives (OCs) are a valuable option for the treatment of women with acne. The use of OCs can be considered across the spectrum of acne disease severity in women. In Canada, three preparations are approved for mild-to-moderate acne, and a fourth is indicated for severe acne.

Topical retinoids are the cornerstone of acne therapy and they can be used across the entire spectrum of acne severity. Selecting the most suitable retinoid formulation, as well as dispensing proper advice in terms of drug application, can improve patient compliance.

Since patient compliance is a concern, a great deal of attention must be given to the methods available to minimize the chance of irritation. In the opinion of the author, this may be the single most important factor influencing the success of topical therapy in acne.

Acne vulgaris remains a therapeutic challenge, in large part due to its multifactorial pathophysiology. Evidence for improved and quicker efficacy with safety and longer remission has been noted with combination therapies.

Learn about who would be a suitable candidate for Accutane® (Isotretinoin) treatment and who should avoid it.

Acne scarring is common but surprisingly difficult to treat. Scars can involve textural change in the superficial and deep dermis, and can also be associated with erythema, and less often, pigmentary change. In general, treatment of acne scarring is a multistep procedure.

Almost everyone at some point in his or her life will be troubled with mild acne. It can be related to athletic activities, travel, cosmetics, or hormonal changes. Various treatment options are discussed.

Cystic acne is characterized by the formation of cysts enclosing a mixture of keratin and sebum in varying proportions. It is the most severe of the four main types of acne, which are comedonal, papular, pustular, and cystic. Identification and treatment options are discussed.

Management of the patients’ expectations and compliance are crucial aspects of acne treatment. Disease chronicity and long-term treatment should be discussed at length during the initial consultation.