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Treating Mild Acne
Mild acne consists of small lesions,
such as blackheads, whiteheads or pustules, which appear at or near
the surface of the skin. As such, mild cases of acne can sometimes
be controlled at home by:
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Gently washing the affected area(s)
with warm water and a mild soap twice a day to remove dead skin
cells and excess oil
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Using a topical (applied to the skin)
over-the-counter acne treatment containing benzoyl peroxide or
salicylic acid
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Following the
12 Ways to Get Better Results from
Acne Treatment
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Most mild acne can be controlled by
gently washing the affected area(s) and using a topical
preparation, such as benzoyl peroxide. |
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(Photos used with permission of the American Academy of
Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides)
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At-home treatment
requires 4-8 weeks to see improvement. Once acne clears, treatment
must be continued to prevent new lesions from forming.
Even mild cases of acne may require the
help of a dermatologist. If the acne does not respond to at-home
treatment, a dermatologist can assess the situation and determine an
appropriate therapy. In these cases, combination therapy (two or
more treatments) may be used. Combination therapy may include use of
a prescription topical antimicrobial
or topical retinoid.
These prescription topicals can be
very effective in clearing mild
acne.
All
content solely developed by the American Academy of Dermatology |
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© American
Academy of Dermatology, 2010 All rights reserved.
