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alone or in combination.

Prescription Topical Medicines

Several types of prescription topical medicines are used to treat acne. They include

¢ Antibiotics. Help stop or slow the growth of bacteria and reduce inflammation

¢ Vitamin A derivatives (retinoids). Unplug existing comedones (plural of comedo), allowing other topical
medicines, such as antibiotics, to enter the follicles. Some may also help decrease the formation of
comedones. These drugs contain an altered form of vitamin A.

¢ Others. May destroy P. acnes and reduce oil production or help stop or slow the growth of bacteria and
reduce inflammation.

Like OTC topical medicines, prescription topical medicines come as creams, lotions, solutions, gels, or pads. Your
doctor will consider your skin type when prescribing a product. Creams and lotions provide moisture and tend to be
good choices for people with sensitive skin. If you have very oily skin or live in a hot, humid climate, you may
prefer an alcohol-based gel or solution, which tends to dry the skin. Your doctor will tell you how to apply the
medicine and how often to use it.

For some people, prescription topical medicines cause minor side effects including stinging, burning, redness,
peeling, scaling, or discoloration of the skin. With some medicines, these side effects usually decrease or go away
after the medicine is used for a period of time. If side effects are severe or don’t go away, notify your doctor.

Prescription Oral Medicines

For patients with moderate-to-severe acne, doctors often prescribe oral antibiotics. Oral antibiotics are thought to
help control acne by curbing the growth of bacteria and reducing inflammation. Prescription oral and topical
medicines may be combined. Common antibiotics used to treat acne are tetracycline, minocycline, and
doxycycline.

Other oral medicines less commonly used are clindamycin, erythromycin, or sulfonamides. Some people taking
these antibiotics have side effects, such as an upset stomach, dizziness or lightheadedness, changes in skin color,
and increased tendency to sunburn. Because tetracyclines may affect tooth and bone formation in fetuses and young
children, these drugs are not given to pregnant women or children under age 14. There is some concern, although it
has not been proven, that tetracycline and minocycline may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills.
Therefore, a backup or another form of birth control may be needed. Prolonged treatment with oral antibiotics may
be necessary to achieve the desired results.

Treatment for Severe Nodular or Cystic Acne

People with nodules or cysts should be treated by a dermatologist. For patients with severe inflammatory acne that
does not improve with medicines such as those described above, a doctor may prescribe isotretinoin, a retinoid
(vitamin A derivative). Isotretinoin is an oral drug that is usually taken once or twice a day with food for 15 to 20
weeks. It markedly reduces the size of the oil glands so that much less oil is produced. As a result, the growth of
bacteria is decreased.

Advantages of Isotretinoin

Isotretinoin is a very effective medicine that can help prevent scarring. After 15 to 20 weeks of treatment with
isotretinoin, acne completely or almost completely goes away in most patients. In those patients where acne recurs
after a course of isotretinoin, the doctor may institute another course of the same treatment or prescribe other
medicines

Disadvantages of Isotretinoin

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¢ NIH Clinical Research Trials and You was designed to help people learn more about clinical trials, why
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¢ ClinicalTrials.gov offers up-to-date information for locating federally and privately supported clinical trials
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citations and abstracts in the fields of medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, the health care
system, and preclinical sciences.

Where Can People Find More Information About Acne?

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Information Clearinghouse
National Institutes of Health

1 AMS Circle

Bethesda, MD 20892-3675

Phone: 301-495-4484

Toll Free: 877-22-NIAMS (877-226-4267)
TTY: 301-565-2966

Fax: 301-718-6366

Email: NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov
Website: http://www.niams.nih.gov

Other Resource
American Academy of Dermatology
Website: http://www.aad.org

Acknowledgments

The NIAMS gratefully acknowledges the assistance of the following individuals in preparation and review of the
original version of this publication: Laurence H. Miller, M.D., Chevy Chase, MD; Kenneth A. Katz, M.D., M.Sc.,
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA; Edward W. Cowen, M.D., National Cancer
Institute, NIH; and Alan Moshell, M.D., NIAMS/NIH.

The mission of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), a part of the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institutes of Health (NIH), is to support research into the
causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases; the training of basic and
clinical scientists to carry out this research; and the dissemination of information on research progress in these
diseases. The NAIMS Information Clearinghouse is a public service sponsored by the NIAMS that provides health
information and information sources. Additional information can be found on the NIAMS website at

www.niams.nih.gov.
For Your Information

This publication contains information about medications used to treat the health condition discussed here. When
this publication was developed, we included the most up-to-date (accurate) information available. Occasionally,
new information on medication is released.

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People of all races and ages get acne. It is most common in adolescents and young adults. An estimated 80 percent
of all people between the ages of 11 and 30 have acne outbreaks at some point. For most people, acne tends to go
away by the time they reach their thirties; however, some people in their forties and fifties continue to have this
skin problem

How Is Acne Treated?

Acne is often treated by dermatologists, who are doctors who specialize in skin problems. These doctors treat all
kinds of acne, particularly severe cases. Doctors who are general or family practitioners, pediatricians, or internists
may treat patients with milder cases of acne.

The goals of treatment are to heal existing lesions, stop new lesions from forming, prevent scarring, and minimize

the psychological stress and embarrassment caused by this disease. Drug treatment! is aimed at reducing several
problems that play a part in causing acne:

¢ abnormal clumping of cells in the follicles
¢ increased oil production

¢ bacteria

¢ inflammation.

| All medicines can have side effects. Some side effects may be more severe than others. You should review the
package insert that comes with your medicine and ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have any
questions about the possible side effects.

Depending on the extent of the problem, the doctor may recommend one of several over-the-counter (OTC)
medicines and/or prescription medicines. Some of these medicines may be topical (applied to the skin), and others
may be oral (taken by mouth). The doctor may suggest using more than one topical medicine or combining oral and
topical medicines.

Treatment for Blackheads, Whiteheads, and Mild Inflammatory Acne

Doctors usually recommend an OTC or prescription topical medicine for people with mild signs of acne. Topical
medicine is applied directly to the acne lesions or to the entire area of affected skin.

There are several OTC topical medicines used for mild acne. Each works a little differently. Following are the most
common ones:

¢ Benzoyl peroxide. Kills P. acnes, and may also reduce oil production

¢ Resorcinol. Can help break down blackheads and whiteheads

¢ Salicylic acid. Helps break down blackheads and whiteheads. Also helps cut down the shedding of cells
lining the hair follicles

¢ Sulfur. Helps break down blackheads and whiteheads.

Topical OTC medicines are available in many forms, such as gels, lotions, creams, soaps, or pads. In some people,
OTC acne medicines may cause side effects such as skin irritation, burning, or redness, which often get better or go
away with continued use of the medicine. If you experience severe or prolonged side effects, you should report
them to your doctor.

OTC topical medicines are somewhat effective in treating acne when used regularly; however, it may take up to 8
weeks before you see noticeable improvement.

Treatment for Moderate-to-Severe Inflammatory Acne

People with moderate-to-severe inflammatory acne may be treated with prescription topical or oral medicines,

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Isotretinoin can cause birth defects in the developing fetus of a pregnant woman. It is important that women of
childbearing age are not pregnant and do not get pregnant while taking this medicine. Women must use two
separate effective forms of birth control at the same time for | month before treatment begins, during the entire
course of treatment, and for 1 full month after stopping the drug. You should ask your doctor when it is safe to get
pregnant after you have stopped taking isotretinoin.

Some people with acne become depressed by the changes in the appearance of their skin. Changes in mood may be
intensified during treatment or soon after completing a course of medicines like isotretinoin. There have been a
number of reported suicides and suicide attempts in people taking isotretinoin; however, the connection between
isotretinoin and suicide or depression is not known. Nevertheless, if you or someone you know feels unusually sad
or has other symptoms of depression, such as loss of appetite, loss of interest in once-loved activities, or trouble
concentrating, it’s important to consult your doctor.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the side effects of isotretinoin. You can also visit the Food and Drug

Administration (FDA) website2. To determine if isotretinoin should be stopped if side effects occur, your doctor
may test your blood before you start treatment and periodically during treatment. Side effects usually go away after
the medicine is stopped.

2 For updates and for any questions about any medications you are taking, please contact the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration toll free at 888-INFO-FDA (888-463-6332) or visit its website at www.fda.gov. For additional
information on specific medications, visit Drugs@FDA at www.accessdata. fda. gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda.
Drugs@FDA is a searchable catalog of FDA-approved drug products.

Treatments for Hormonally Influenced Acne in Women

In some women, acne is caused by an excess of androgen (male) hormones. Clues that this may be the case include
hirsutism (excessive growth of hair on the face or body), premenstrual acne flares, irregular menstrual cycles, and
elevated blood levels of certain androgens

The doctor may prescribe one of several drugs to treat women with this type of acne:

¢ Birth control pills. To help suppress the androgen produced by the ovaries

¢ Low-dose corticosteroid drugs, such as prednisone or dexamethasone. To help suppress the androgen
produced by the adrenal glands

¢ Antiandrogen drugs such as spironolactone. To reduce the excessive oil production.

Other Treatments for Acne

Doctors may use other types of procedures in addition to drug therapy to treat patients with acne. For example, the
doctor may remove the patient’s comedones during office visits. Sometimes the doctor will inject corticosteroids
directly into lesions to help reduce the size and pain of inflamed cysts and nodules.

Early treatment is the best way to prevent acne scars. Once scarring has occurred, the doctor may suggest a medical
or surgical procedure to help reduce the scars. A superficial laser may be used to treat irregular scars. Dermabrasion
(or microdermabrasion), which is a form of “sanding down” scars, is sometimes used. Another treatment option for

deep scars caused by cystic acne is the transfer of fat from another part of the body to the scar. A doctor may also
inject a synthetic filling material under the scar to improve its appearance.

How Should People With Acne Care for Their Skin?
Clean Skin Gently

If you have acne, you should gently wash your face with a mild cleanser, once in the morning and once in the

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6/8/2015 National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
For updates and for any questions about any medications you are taking, please contact

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Toll Free: 888-INFO-FDA (888-463-6332)
Website: http://www. fda. gov

For additional information on specific medications, visit Drugs@FDA at
www.accessdata. fda.gow/scripts/cder/drugsatfda. Drugs@FDA is a searchable catalog of FDA-approved drug
products.

For updates and questions about statistics, please contact

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics

Website: http://www.cde.gov/nchs
This publication is not copyrighted. Readers are encouraged to duplicate and distribute as many copies as needed.

Additional copies of this publication are available from:

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Information Clearinghouse
National Institutes of Health

1 AMS Circle

Bethesda, MD 20892-3675

Phone: 301-495-4484

Toll Free: 877-22-NIAMS (877-226-4267)
TTY: 301-565-2966

Fax: 301-718-6366

Email: NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov
Website: http://www.niams.nih.gov

NIH Publication No. 13-4998

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6/8/2015 National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

(E U.S. Department of Health & Hu Services www.hhs.gov
=z
NIH) National Institute of www niams.nih.gov
and Skin Dis
Acne
May 2013

Questions and Answers about Acne

This publication contains general information about acne. It describes what acne is and how it develops, the causes
of acne, and the treatment options for various forms of acne. Information is also provided on caring for the skin. If
you have further questions after reading this publication, you may wish to discuss them with your doctor.

What Is Acne?

Acne is a disorder resulting from the action of hormones and other substances on the skin’s oil glands (sebaceous
glands) and hair follicles. These factors lead to plugged pores and outbreaks of lesions commonly called pimples or
zits. Acne lesions usually occur on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. Although acne is usually not a serious
health threat, it can be a source of significant emotional distress. Severe acne can lead to permanent scarring.

How Does Acne Develop?
What Causes Acne?

Who Gets Acne?

How Is Acne Treated?

Treatment for Blackheads, Whiteheads, and Mild Inflammatory Acne
Treatment for Moderate-to-Severe Inflammatory Acne

Treatment for Severe Nodular or Cystic Acne

Treatments for Hormonally Influenced Acne in Women

Other Treatments for Acne

How Should People With Acne Care for Their Skin?

What Research Is Being Conducted on Acne?
Where Can People Find More Information About Acne?

Illustrations

¢ Normal Pilosebaceous Unit
¢ Types of Lesions

How Does Acne Develop?

Doctors describe acne as a disease of the pilosebaceous units (PSUs). Found over most of the body, pilosebaceous
units consist of a sebaceous gland connected to a canal, called a follicle, that contains a fine hair (see illustration
“Normal Pilosebaceous Unit”). These units are most numerous on the face, upper back, and chest. The sebaceous
glands make an oily substance called sebum that normally empties onto the skin surface through the opening of the
follicle, commonly called a pore. Cells called keratinocytes line the follicle.

Normal Pilosebaceous Unit

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evening, as well as after heavy exercise. Wash your face from under the jaw to the hairline and be sure to
thoroughly rinse your skin

Ask your doctor or another health professional for advice on the best type of cleanser to use.

Using strong soaps or rough scrub pads is not helpful and can actually make the problem worse. Astringents are not
recommended unless the skin is very oily, and then they should be used only on oily spots.

It is also important to shampoo your hair regularly. If you have oily hair, you may want to wash it every day.
Avoid Frequent Handling of the Skin

Avoid rubbing and touching skin lesions. Squeezing, pinching or picking blemishes can lead to the development of
scars or dark blotches.

Shave Carefully

Test both electric and safety razors to see which is more comfortable. When using a safety razor, make sure the
blade is sharp and soften the hair thoroughly with soap and water before applying shaving cream. Shave gently and
only when necessary to reduce the risk of nicking blemishes

Avoid a Sunburn or Suntan

Many of the medicines used to treat acne can make you more prone to sunburn. A sunburn that reddens the skin or
suntan that darkens the skin may make blemishes less visible and make the skin feel drier. However, these benefits
are only temporary, and there are known risks of excessive sun exposure, such as more rapid skin aging and a risk

of developing skin cancer.

Choose Cosmetics Carefully

While undergoing acne treatment, you may need to change some of the cosmetics you use. All cosmetics and hair-
care products should be oil free. Choose products labeled noncomedogenic (meaning they don’t promote the
formation of closed pores). In some people, however, even these products may make acne worse.

For the first few weeks of treatment, applying foundation evenly may be difficult because the skin may be red or
scaly, particularly with the use of topical tretinoin or benzoyl peroxide

What Research Is Being Conducted on Acne?

Medical researchers are working on new drugs to treat acne, particularly topical antibiotics to replace some of those
in current use. As with many other types of bacterial infections, doctors are finding that, over time, the bacteria that
are associated with acne are becoming resistant to treatment with certain antibiotics, though it is not clear how
significant a problem this resistance represents.

Scientists are also trying to better understand the mechanisms involved in acne so that they can develop new
treatments that work on those mechanisms. For example, one group of NIAMS-supported researchers is studying
the mechanisms that regulate the development of the sebaceous glands. Another group is trying to understand how
P. acnes activates the immune system in order to identify possible immunologic interventions. Other areas of
research involve examining the effects of isotretinoin (a potent drug for acne) on the sebaceous glands. Moreover, a
new drug called isoprenylcysteine is currently being evaluated for the treatment of P. acnes-induced inflammation
and overproduction of sebum.

More information on research is available from the following websites:

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Hair

Skin surface

Sebum
Follicle

Sebaceous x \ \
gland WL

The hair, sebum, and keratinocytes that fill the narrow follicle may produce a plug, which is an early sign of acne.
The plug prevents sebum from reaching the surface of the skin through a pore. The mixture of oil and cells allows
bacteria Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) that normally live on the skin to grow in the plugged follicles. These
bacteria produce chemicals and enzymes and attract white blood cells that cause inflammation. (Inflammation is a
characteristic reaction of tissues to disease or injury and is marked by four signs: swelling, redness, heat, and pain.)
When the wall of the plugged follicle breaks down, it spills everything into the nearby skin—sebum, shed skin
cells, and bacteria—leading to lesions or pimples.

People with acne frequently have a variety of lesions, some of which are shown in the illustrations below. The
basic acne lesion, called the comedo (KOM-e-do), is simply an enlarged and plugged hair follicle. If the comedo
stays beneath the skin, it is called a closed comedo and produces a white bump called a whitehead. A comedo that
reaches the surface of the skin and opens up is called an open comedo or blackhead because it looks black on the
skin’s surface. This black discoloration is due to changes in sebum as it is exposed to air. It is not due to dirt. Both
whiteheads and blackheads may stay in the skin for a long time.

Types of Lesions

Skin surface
Skin surface Blackhead

Blockage of
follicle ni ‘Enlargement f 7
renin“ ottolicle | /

Bacteria ene ll
Sebaceous
Folticie
Sebaceous 38: Follicle |
gland 253
22223)

Microcomedo OpenComedo (Blackhead)

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Skin surface
Whitehead
Enlargomont

of follicie
opening

gland
Follicle

Closed Comedo (Whitehead)

Other troublesome acne lesions can develop, including the following:

¢ Papules. Inflamed lesions that usually appear as small, pink bumps on the skin and can be tender to the
touch.

¢ Pustules (pimples). Papules topped by white or yellow pus-filled lesions that may be red at the base.

¢ Nodules. Large, painful, solid lesions that are lodged deep within the skin.

¢ Cysts. Deep, painful, pus-filled lesions that can cause scarring.

What Causes Acne?

The exact cause of acne is unknown, but doctors believe it results from several related factors. One important factor
is an increase in hormones called androgens (male sex hormones). These increase in both boys and girls during
puberty and cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge and make more sebum. Hormonal changes related to pregnancy
or starting or stopping birth control pills can also cause acne.

Another factor is heredity or genetics. Researchers believe that the tendency to develop acne can be inherited from
parents. For example, studies have shown that many school-age boys with acne have a family history of the
disorder. Certain drugs, including androgens and lithium, are known to cause acne. Greasy cosmetics may alter the
cells of the follicles and make them stick together, producing a plug.

Factors That Can Make Acne Worse

Factors that can cause an acne flare include:

¢ changing hormone levels in adolescent girls and adult women 2 to 7 days before their menstrual period starts

¢ oil from skin products (moisturizers or cosmetics) or grease encountered in the work environment (for
example, a kitchen with fry vats)

¢ pressure from sports helmets or equipment, backpacks, tight collars, or tight sports uniforms

¢ environmental irritants, such as pollution and high humidity

© squeezing or picking at blemishes

¢ hard scrubbing of the skin

¢ stress.

Myths About the Causes of Acne

There are many myths about what causes acne. Chocolate and greasy foods are often blamed, but there is little
evidence that foods have much effect on the development and course of acne in most people. Another common
myth is that dirty skin causes acne; however, blackheads and other acne lesions are not caused by dirt. Stress
doesn’t cause acne, but research suggests that for people who have acne, stress can make it worse.

Who Gets Acne?

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