Brief Answer:
Advice regarding acne treatment and acne scaring

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us

I have gone through your query and I have understood your concern.

Acne is a chronic skin problem and it can last for years Or even decades though the intensity of acne comes down with time.
Therefore, treatment for acne involves not only treatment of existing acne but prevention of new acne eruptions.

Treatment of acne involves both topical and oral medications.
For mild acne, Topical antiacne treatment alone suffices whereas for moderate to severe grade of acne, Oral as well as Topical treatment is required.

Oral antiacne treatment is given when the patient has inflammatory acne lesions like papules, pustules, nodules etc.
Oral treatment comprises one of Oral antibiotics like doxycycline, azithromycin, minocycline.
They may be continued for 4- 12 weeks depending on the severity of acne and response to treatment.

Oral retinoids like Isotretinoin is also an option for those acne patients who have not responded adequately to traditional antiacne treatment and in those in whom acne have lasted for years/ decades and are also prone to scaring.

Topical treatment includes day time application of topical antiacne antibacterials like benzoyl peroxide gel, clindamycin gel, nadifloxacin gel for inflammatory acne lesions.
At night I usually ask my patients to use Adapalene gel which is anti-inflammatory as well as comedolytic i.e it helps resolve existing acne as well as prevents new acne lesions.
Adapalene therefore forms an important part of maintenance treatment of acne, on account of its comedolytic property.

Besides topical and Oral treatment for acne chemical peels are also quite useful for acne.
Salicylic acid chemical peel is particularly useful for acne.

Apart from all these treatments acne in females may be due to underlying hormonal imbalances as suggested by irregular/ scant menstural cycles, coarse facial hair etc.
Hormonal acne requires treatment with monthly hormonal pills to correct hormonal imbalances.

Acne scars can be greatly improved by procedures like chemical peeling, dermabrasion, fractional CO 2 Laser, dermaroller etc.
These procedures can be combined along with antiacne treatment.

I suggest that you seek another appointment with a dermatologist in your region and discuss further about the best course of action for acne and acne scaring.

Regards

---