Acne is usually treated by physicians who specialize in skin and hair problems (dermatologists). These physicians are able to treat all mild to severe cases of acne. Medical doctors who are family physicians, pediatricians, or internal medicine specialists may treat patients with mild cases but refer more severe cases to a specialist.

The primary goals in treating acne is to:

• heal acne lesions
• prevent acne scarring
• stop new acne lesions from forming
• reduce embarassment

The goal of acne medication is to reduce several conditions that can contribute to acne problems. These include:

• bacteria
• inflammation
• excessive oil production
• cell clumping in the follicles

A physician may recommend one of several treatments which are readily available at local pharmacies. Some acne medications are available only by prescription while others are available "over the counter." Depending on severity of acne, the physician will suggest oral or topical acne medication, and sometimes a combination of both.

There are several topical medications used to treat acne. These include benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, sulfur, and resorcinol. Benzoyl peroxide works to kill P. acnes and helps to reduce excess oil production. Salicylic acid, resorcinol, and sulfur help to minimize whiteheads and  blackheads.

In some patients, these topical acne medications can cause mild side effects including redness, skin irritation, and burning. Any severe or long-lasting side effects should be immediately reported to the physician.

For moderate and severe cases of acne, there are several types of prescription topical medicines available. These include certain antibiotics, adapalene, azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and tretinoin. Both antibiotics and azelaic acid can help to reduce bacterial growth and inflammation. Tretinoin can be an effective topical medication for minimizing the development of new black or white heads. This works by helping to unplug existing comedones which then allows other topical medications like antibiotics to enter the follicles. A physician may also prescribe newer medications called retinoids, such as adapalene or tazarotene which can help reduce white and black head development.

Physicians will often prescribe antibiotics for acne. These antibiotics are believed to control acne by helping to reduce inflammation by interfering with the growth of bacteria. Sometimes prescription oral acne medication and topical medications are combined. Other oral antibiotics include doxycycline, minocycline, and tetracycline. These acne medications are not without their side effects, however. These can include:

• dizziness
• lightheadedness
• stomach upset
• skin color changes
• increased sunburn risk

It should be noted that tetracycline should not be prescibed to pregnant women or to children under the age of eight. Both tetracycline and minocycline can decrease the effectiveness of oral contraception.