Prescription Medication for Acne

Acne

At IPSA, our doctors can offer a range of treatments for acne. As well as over-the-counter products, we can recommend Prescription Medication for Acne such as:

• Topical antibiotics
• Topical retinoids
• Azelaic acid
• Antibiotic tablets
• Hormonal treatment.

It can take several months of treatment before your symptoms improve.

The treatment we recommend will depend on how severe your acne is. If you have a large number of papules and pustules on your chest and back in addition to your face, or if you have painful nodules, we recommend booking an appointment to see a doctor at IPSA.

Acne Treatment at IPSA

At the IPSA clinic you will be seen by our doctor who has a special interest in skin. We can offer immediate appointments and your symptoms will always be taken seriously.

Our doctor will discuss all available methods of treatment for you and will choose the most effective prescription regimen suited to your skin. We will also give you a regimen for skin care, which you can follow at home.

Following your consultation with our doctor, we will review your skin and follow up carefully throughout your skin’s recovery period. After the acne has resolved, you will be given the best advice to minimise scarring.

Treatment Options

At IPSA, our doctors will recommend a treatment based on your acne symptoms and skin type. Here are some of the treatments we may recommend:

Topical Acne Treatments

Topical acne treatments are gels, creams or lotions that are applied to the skin. Benzoyl peroxide works by preventing dead skin from plugging up the hair follicles and killing bacteria on the skin that can cause plugged follicles to become infected.

You may experience some side-effects when using benzoyl peroxide, including dry and tense skin, a burning, itching or stinging sensation, and some redness and peeling of the skin.  The side-effects are usually mild and will pass when treatment is finished.

Topical Retinoids

These reduce the production of sebum and prevent dead skin cells from plugging the hair follicles. We will not recommend topical retinoids to pregnant women as there is a risk that they might cause birth defects.

You may experience some side-effects when using topical retinoids, the most common one being mild irritation and stinging of the skin.

Topical Antibiotics

Topical antibiotics can come in lotion or gel form, which is applied to your skin once or twice a day. Topical antibiotics work by helping to kill the bacteria that can infect plugged hair follicles.

You may experience some side-effects, including minor irritation of the skin, redness and burning, and peeling of the skin.

Azelaic Acid

If the benzoyl peroxide or topical retinoids produce painful or irritating side-effects, our doctor may recommend azelaic acid as an alternative. Azelaic acid gets rid of dead skin and kills bacteria.

The side effects are usually mild and could include burning or stinging, itchy skin, dry skin and redness.

Antibiotic Tablets

If you suffer from more severe acne, we may recommend antibiotic tablets,in addition to topical treatments.

Hormonal Therapies

Women with acne who have hormonal conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome may find hormonal therapies effective.

If you suffer from acne, contact IPSA for consultation with our doctor. Call us for a same-day appointment or book online.