Adult Acne Treatments You’ve Never Heard Of

If your first instinct after noticing a breakout is to head to the acne treatment section of your local drug store, stop right there. Over-the-counter treatment methods can be moderately effective for mild cases, but you are unlikely to get the dramatic results you’re seeking from these products alone. Research shows that adult acne is on the rise, and although treatment results vary from case-to-case, the following lesser-known solutions just might lead to the clear, beautiful skin you’ve been dreaming of.

Blue Light LED Treatment

You’ve heard of cleansers, creams, and ointments, but what about lights? According to one study from The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, daily self-treatment using a blue light, light-emitting diode device significantly reduced the number of acne lesions in patients with mild-to-moderate acne. So how does it work?

Specific wavelengths of blue light stimulate the development of oxygen radicals that kill the P. acnes strain of bacteria, which is known to cause acne. Unlike other forms of treatment targeting the bacteria, blue light LED treatment is able to kill the P. acnes bacteria without damaging healthy skin.

Adult acne is on the rise, and these lesser-known solutions just might lead to the clear, beautiful skin you’ve been dreaming of.

Turmeric

Used as a skin-perfecting beauty treatment in India for thousands of years, turmeric has only recently gained traction in the U.S. for its capacity to treat acne—among a surprisingly long list of other benefits. Users have claimed the plant can prevent sun damage, reduce acne, reduce the risk of skin cancer, heal wounds, treat psoriasis, fade hyperpigmentation, and delay signs of aging. A 2013 study in the Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research found that regular applications of turmeric reduces sebum production in human skin, which has beneficial effects on those with acne caused by excessively oily skin.

Spironolactone

Accutane is a well-known medicinal treatment for acne; and although it produces significant results in patients, there are many other treatments available with less potentially serious side-effects. Spironolactone is one such treatment that has demonstrated substantial results as a treatment for hormonal acne. The drug works by blocking receptors of the hormone androgen, effectively limiting the testosterone surges that can cause breakouts. A 2012 study of adult women found that spironolactone can improve the appearance of the skin and provide complete or near-complete control of acne flares.

Tea Tree Oil

Topical tea tree oil has been used for a variety of skin-related ailments, and has exhibited particularly positive results in the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). However, recent studies also attest to tea tree oil’s efficacy as an acne treatment.

One study found that topical tea tree oil was superior to a placebo in acne treatment, while another compared tea tree oil with benzoyl peroxide and found that the two produced similar results, though tea tree oil was better tolerated by acne patients.

Revere Health dermatologists have advanced training in new, specialized treatments and access to equally advanced equipment to ensure safe, effective treatment.

In part because of the rise of adult acne, there is continual research conducted on new treatments. The highly-trained and experienced dermatologists at Revere Health have advanced training in new, specialized treatments and access to equally advanced equipment to ensure safe, effective treatment. If you think you’ve already tried it all, ask a dermatologist at Revere Health about these lesser-known options to find the right solution for you.

 

Our experienced physicians share a collaborative approach that puts our patients’ needs first. Our focus includes surgical dermatology, skin cancer, pediatric dermatology and general dermatological issues and conditions. We provide cutting-edge diagnostics and treatments to help you maintain good health and great skin.