Acne! One of the most common skin problems that is affecting a large number of people’s skin all over the world. Acne can lead to itchy and dry skin. People all over the world are facing acne problems regardless of age. When skin faces such problems, proper treatment is crucial to protect the skin from further damage. There are many treatments available for acne that can offer effective results. Accutane for acne treatment is also considered the best option. Accutane is an effective oral medication that is used to treat severe acne. But Accutane also has potential side effects, so many seek alternative treatments. In this blog, we are going to understand the top 5 Accutane alternatives for effective acne treatment.
Top 5 Accutane Alternatives for Effective Acne Treatment
Accutane has specific benefits for acne on your skin, but due to its side effects, it can cause redness, dryness, and itchiness to damage your skin. Alternative treatments are also beneficial for reducing acne. Here is a detail about the top accutane alternatives that offer effective acne treatment.
Oral Antibiotics
Oral Antibiotics are one of the best and common alternatives for Accutane to treat mild to severe acne. Oral antibiotics are medications that work by reducing inflammation and eliminating the bacteria that involves in the acne development in the skin. These medications can be used for inflammatory acne as well as for non-inflammatory acne. When the topical treatments are not helpful to combat acne, then the oral antibiotic treatments are generally prescribed. There are common oral antibiotics for acne treatment, including tetracycline, Doxycycline, and Minocycline.
- Tetracycline is an antibiotic that helps in inhibiting the growth of bacteria and decreasing inflammation, resulting in a reduction of acne lesions.
- Doxycycline is a commonly prescribed oral antibiotic that helps in effective results for acne.
- Minocycline is used for the treatment of inflammatory and cystic acne.
1. Oral Antibiotics are helpful in the treatment of mild acne as well as severe acne.
2. Helpful in showing the results of improvement quickly, within 6-8 weeks.
3. These oral antibiotics are not recommended for prolonged use as they can pose the risk of antibiotic resistance.
4. It can show the side effects such as dizziness, skin sensitivity to the sun.
Topical Retinoids
Another Accutane alternative for acne treatment is topical retinoids, which are derivatives of vitamin A that help in preventing clogged pores. Retinoids are useful in the reduction of inflammation and helpful in encouraging the skin cells that offer clear skin by preventing dead skin cells. The popular topical retinoids helpful in acne treatment are tretinoin, tazarotene, and adapalene. These retinoids help with active acne and acne scars. These are available in a range of strengths. With benefits, there are a few side effects also, such as skin irritation, dryness, and redness. Skin can be more sensitive to the sun's exposure. For noticeable results, it may take several weeks.
- Tretinoin helps in increasing cell turnover and prevents clogged pores.
- Highly effective for treating acne, adapalene is a gentle retinoid option for acne.
- Tazarotene is used to clear up acne and helps in improving the skin texture over time.
Laser Therapies
Getting popularity in the modern world, Laser therapies are one of the effective treatments for acne as compared to traditional treatments. This type of therapy uses laser or light to reduce acne and oil production in the skin by targeting the bacteria. Different types of light and laser therapies are used in acne treatment, such as blue light therapy, red light therapy, and laser resurfacing. Blue light therapy is used to kill the bacteria that are responsible for acne and offers painless acne treatment. Red light therapy is used for active acne and scars. Helps in promoting collagen production. For reducing acne scars by targeting deeper layers of the skin, laser resurfacing is used which can be more aggressive than light therapy.
Hormonal Treatments
One of the effective alternatives to Accutane for those women who experience acne linked to the hormonal fluctuations. Such medications can regulate the hormones by triggering the excess oil production in the skin, which is the main cause of acne development. Birth control pills can help in reducing the acne lesions and prevent the breakouts by controlling androgens. Common birth control pills used for acne treatment are Estrostep, Ortho Tri-Cyclen, and others.
- It is an effective acne treatment for acne caused by hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy and menstruation. It can help regulate periods and reduce the risk of hormonal imbalances.
- Helpful in improving the skin texture.
- With benefits, the cons of the hormonal treatment include potential side effects such as headache, mood changes, and dizzying.
- This treatment is not suitable for women who have certain health conditions.
Chemical Peels
It is a type of chemical solution for acne treatment in which the outermost layer of the skin is removed. This treatment helps in promoting the growth of smoother skin and reduces clogged pores. Dead skin cells and acne scars can be removed easily. These peels are best to offer the treatment for different acne problems from mild to serious. Salicylic acid peel, glycolic acid peel, and Jessner peel are some types of chemical peels used in acne treatment.
- Effective acne treatment for active acne and scars can be used based on skin type and is non-invasive.
- It can also cause skin irritations and peeling of the skin after treatment. It cannot be effective for cystic acne.
Conclusion
Accutane is one of the effective acne treatments but its side effects pose a risk. Several alternatives range from antibiotics to therapies. These alternatives also offer effective results in acne treatment. Each Accutane alternative has its pros and cons, so it's crucial to have an appointment with a dermatologist to determine which of the treatments is beneficial and suitable for you. With the right approach, you will be able to get rid of the stubborn acne and acne scars.
Frequently Asked Questions for Accutane Alternatives for Effective Acne Treatment:
Q. How can I determine the suitable Accutane alternative for my skin?
Ans. To determine the effective and best Accutane alternative for your skin, it is important to consult a dermatologist who can assess the acne type and discuss the treatment options for your skin with their risks and benefits.
Q. After how many days, the result of accutane alternatives can be seen on the skin?
Ans. A course of Accutane treatment can last about 4 to 5 months. The improvement in the skin for acne can be seen in 4 weeks (1 month). Sometimes, in cases, it may take more time to show the response for acne treatments.
Q. Does the Accutane alternative have side effects?
Ans. With the pros, there are cons to the Accutane alternative too. These alternatives can cause potential side effects such as irritation, redness, itching, and other problems. These also take the time to show the effective results.
Q. How can I know that Accutane is showing the results?
Ans. When your skin feels clear and reduced appearance of the dark spots due to acne, it means accutane is showing effective results on your skin.
