Best Acne Treatments - For Mild, Moderate and Severe Cases

The best acne treatments for various case levels differ in their formulation and in how they work. When it comes to pimple solutions, some medications work by killing the acne-causing bacteria Propionibacterium acnes, while others work by preventing inflammation. Some manipulate the activities of hormones and some normalize the shedding of dead skin cells to prevent pore blockage.

To know the best acne treatments for your kind of acne, take a look at the list below.

1. Non-inflammatory. Acne that is non-inflammatory or comedonal is considered a mild form of the condition. It can be either closed comedo or whitehead, or open comedo, which is also known as whitehead. For such conditions, topical ointments are often the preferred form of treatment. Antibacterials that contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid can be used. Another option that can be explored is topical retinoids. These ointments are typically applied to the affected area to induce the destruction of P. acnes and prevent the pimple from getting inflamed and getting worse.

2. Inflammatory. This is also called mild papules, often characterized by redness on and around the area where the pimple appears. For inflammatory conditions, topical retinoids and antibacterials with benzoyl peroxide are the most commonly used treatment. Topical antibiotics are also common when dealing with this kind of acne. These medications are primarily used to ease the inflammation and kill the bacteria in the skin.

3. Moderate inflammation. This is a level slightly higher than mere inflammatory acne. Like mild inflammation, topical antibacterials with benzoyl peroxide and topical retinoids are used. The topical treatments are often combined with oral antibiotics. The use of the combined therapy is usually monitored closely by skin experts since using both might cause the bacteria to build a resistance against the treatment.

4. Severe acne. Severe inflammatory acne is often treated with strongly formulated topical medications like Isotretinoin, a form of retinoid derived from vitamin A. Another option, specifically for women, is the use of oral contraceptives. The use of both options should be discussed first with a dermatologist, since both carry potential adverse effects.

5. Acne resistant to oral and topical treatments. If oral and topical medications do not work, a more advanced procedure might be used, such as laser therapy. Laser therapy burns away the oil-producing sebaceous glands and kills the acne-causing bacteria. Photodynamic therapy, or the use of blue-violet light, is another option being explored by dermatologists. Initial studies have shown that this form of treatment can reduce acne lesion by up to 70 percent. The use of photodynamic procedure, though, is yet to be established as a safe and accepted acne treatment and is rarely suggested by skin experts.

The best acne treatments can only be called "best" if they really work for the patient. Each level of condition requires a different treatment; and making the decision as to what is best for you should be done with the help of a dermatologist.