Aggressive Acne Treatment

In brief

Too often acne treatment focuses on diminishing lesions without considering what an active patient really wants: completely clear skin. In addition to benzoyl peroxide cleansing and topical acne medication, a three-tier approach of oral agents often achieves clear skin regardless of the severity of acne. Tetracycline is the first line of treatment, followed by minocycline if the first drug is not effective. If these two antibiotics fail to clear the acne, isotretinoin can be highly effective—but patients need to know that the drug produces birth defects in almost all women who take the drug while pregnant.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ronald C. Savin

Dr Savin is a dermatologist in private practice in New Haven, Connecticut, and a clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine In New Haven.

Lisa M. Donofrio

Dr Donofrio is In private practice with Dr Savin and is a clinical instructor at Yale University School of Medicine. Both are members of the American Academy of Dermatology and are active clinical investigators for new dermatologie drugs.