Acne 101: Treatments

Courtesy of drugstore.com
Courtesy of drugstore.com

Hannah Morrill



Top dermatologists reveal how to annihilate any form of acne in a matter of days-or even hours.

If acne had an online dating profile, it would look pretty appealing. First of all, it's not afraid of commitment. The pimples that followed you through high school can still make an appearance well into your 30s. Acne is also forgiving. You can blast it with medicated creams, face washes, or masks, but it will keep coming back for more. "Even after pimples subside, the fire isn't totally out," says New York City dermatologist Joshua Zeichner. "Acne patients are ultra-vulnerable to future breakouts." And boy, does acne have a way with women. In a recent study, researchers at Harvard Medical School surveyed the skin of almost 3,000 females ages 10 to 70 and found that over half of them, no matter their age, get acne. That's because hormone fluctuations resulting from menstruation or stress boost oil production, which clogs pores. The good news? While acne may be persistent, it's not like you have to marry it. The right products, treatments, and skin-care routine can help your complexion remain happily independent of zits.

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If you see: Red bumps with a white surface


They're probably caused by:
Underexfoliating. When dead skin cells collect on the surface of the skin and block pores, oil and sebum balloon up, and a whitehead forms.

The fix: Treat the spot with a 2 percent salicylic acid product, such as Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment, twice a day. Resist the urge to squeeze, as it will cause bad things to happen: swelling, infection, and likely a scar (drugstore.com).

Next time:
Wash daily using a cleanser with 0.5 percent salicylic acid, such as Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser, which lightly exfoliates. If you feel a zit brewing, dab on an antibacterial gel, like DDF Benzoyl Peroxide Gel, to prevent inflammation (Aveeno, drugstore.com; ddfskincare.com).

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If you see:
Hard, red cysts

They're probably caused by: Excessive oil production, which can be triggered by hormonal shifts or stress.

The fix:
Hold an ice cube on the blemish to reduce swelling. Then dab on a 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide product to kill bacteria and dry out the area. If it's a real honker, apply cortisone cream a couple of times a day. "The pimple should be gone in about 24 hours," says New York City dermatologist Diane Berson. Limit this solution to once a month; the ingredients are too irritating for regular use.

Next time:
"If you get regular flare-ups, see a doctor," says Boston dermatologist Emmy Graber. She can recommend solutions such as birth control pills, anti-androgen medications like spironolactone, and oral antibiotics like minocycline, which help to level out hormonal fluctuations.

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