Can acne be cleared with antibiotics? part 2

What topical antibiotics are available?

Types of topical antibiotics used to treat acne include erythromycin, clindamycin, and sulfa drugs. Most people believe that applying a topical antibiotic directly to skin can help cure acne- this is a fallacy. The majority of these topical antibiotics fail to penetrate skin and have no affect on acne. Sure, there are fewer side effects from a gel than a pill, but over time, all antibiotics have one major disadvantage- bacteria that cause acne quickly become resistant to the drug and no longer respond.

Almost all topical antibiotics lead to a skin rash or irritation after prolonged application. Sometimes this reaction is related directly to the antibiotic but often the irritation is to some chemical in the formulation. Topical antibiotics have to be applied 2-3 times a day.

Oral Antibiotics

The most frequently prescribed antibiotics for acne are tetracyclines. While some doctors love to prescribe these antibiotics, these drugs do very little. Part of the problem is that some doctors are clueless and never really follow up patients well. Tetracyclines help less than 1% of individuals with acne. These drugs are only meant to be taken for a short time—a few weeks. The most common tetracycline prescribed for acne includes minocycline and doxycycline.

Cyberspace is full of negative testimonials about these drugs. They are expensive, have side effects and most of all, do jack shit. Today, some doctors have been combining antibiotics with Retinoids, benzyl peroxide and a hodge podge of other creams.

For all consumers, a tetracycline only helps the rare individual with inflamed acne. If your acne has not improved after 2-3 weeks, then you need to change to a doctor who knows a little more about acne and/or will not prescribe you more of these crappy antibiotics.

Final Advice

With a large lucrative acne market and millions of individuals seeking to look young, beautiful and acne free, there are newer products, herbs, spices, mineral, and nutrients being hyped up every single day. The majority of these acne treatments are scams.

Besides antibiotics, now light-based treatments, zinc, and magnesium are also being promoted as superior acne therapies. However, there are no scientific data to back up claims made by individuals who sell or offer these products.

Please consumers do not waste your money on nonsensical products for your acne. If you are going to select a product, then make sure it is a retinoid. As far as everything else is concerned- all you will get is a lot of disappointments, frustration, prolonged acne, and loss of money.