When it comes to finding an effective acne treatment, there are so many products out there. From creams and acne washes to skin therapies, options are overwhelming! 
 
Though some medications reduce the breakouts in the first place, deep painful pimples are harder to get rid of. Sometimes, you may require stronger prescriptions or dermatologist-approved skin treatments to fight acne.
 
Here are some of the most effective topical, oral and cosmetic procedures to get an acne-free skin-
 
Topical Medications To Fight Acne
It is the most common type of acne treatment. Some of these methods work by killing bacteria, while others help to decrease facial oil. Some of the ingredients used in topical acne treatments are:
 
Benzoyl Peroxide
This antibacterial ingredient is quite effective at killing P.acnes bacteria that causes breakouts. But, the cleansing treatments and leave-on creams containing peroxide may dry out your sensitive skin. 
 
Stronger concentrations may be hard on your skin without being effective on bacteria. So, it is advised to go for the formulations that don’t have more than 2% of benzoyl peroxide listed on the ingredient list.
 
Salicylic Acid
It is a beta-hydroxy acid that works on dissolving the excess oil and exfoliating the skin. The anti-inflammatory properties of this ingredient help with cystic breakouts.
 
Though it’s fine to use salicylic acid in a face wash, you can find better results by using it as a moisturizer, toner, or leave-on acne treatment. 
 
Retinol
You might have heard about the effectiveness of retinoid creams for anti-aging. However, Vitamin A also works wonders in treating acne. It helps skin cells to turn over faster, decreases oil production, and exfoliates the skin.
 
Oral Medications For Acne
Topical medications are often taken in combination with oral prescriptions. The most commonly used oral medications are:
 
Antibiotics
For severe acne breakout, you might need antibiotics to kill bacteria and reduce inflammation. Tetracycline is usually the first antibiotic choice for treating acne. The use of oral antibiotics, along with topical medications (retinoids, benzoyl peroxide), reduces the risk of developing antibiotic resistance. 
 
Anti-Androgen Pills
If oral antibiotics aren’t working, women and adolescent girls may consider anti-androgen medications such as Aldactone. It works by reducing the effects of androgen hormones in the sebaceous glands. 
 
Birth Control Pills
If you’re breaking out right around your monthly cycle, the acne might be linked to the hormones. Birth control or contraceptive pills contain progesterone and estrogen that lower the amount of androgens in the body. It further reduces sebum production and acne risk.
 
Don’t forget to consult a doctor or a dermatologist before taking any of these medications.
 
Effective Medical Procedures For Acne
Sometimes, acne breakouts are more stubborn, and there is no single treatment for everyone. If the problem is more severe, you might need to visit a professional dermatologist for effective medical procedures such as:
 
Laser Skin Resurfacing
The laser skin resurfacing diminishes all the acne scars on the skin’s surface. It helps to restore a youthful glow, smooth skin texture, and stimulates the natural production of collagen. Besides acne, it also fights other common skin problems:
• Lax Skin
• Wrinkles
• Skin Texture Irregularities
• Pigmentation
 
Steroid And Botox Injections
Corticosteroid injections are used to treat nodular and cystic lesions. It is an anti-inflammatory steroid that shrinks the swollen wall of the cyst and reduces blemishes. 
 
Sometimes, the skin around acne scars gets puckered. Injecting Botulinum toxin (Botox) relaxes the area and helps improve the skin’s appearance. You might need to repeat the procedure periodically.
 
Needling Or Rolling
It is a safe and effective technique for acne scars. This procedure involves rolling a needle-studded device on the skin to stimulate the underlying tissue. It loosens the skin fibers below the scars and improves the appearance.
 
These were some of the commonly used methods to fight acne. To determine which one is the best for you, discuss the severity of the skin problem with your doctor or dermatologist!