Hello. Thanks for writing to us at heathcaremagic
You have been using topical
clindamycin gel, during day time, which is a topical antibacterial, and calamine lotion at night.
As such calamine lotion has no role whatsoever in acne.
I would suggest that you seek an appointment with
dermatologist in your region for a visual assessment of the severity of your problem and appropriate treatment. It would not be possible for me to give you a time frame for improvement of acne without having been able to judge the severity of your acne.
Treatment of acne varies according to the severity of acne. While topical treatment alone suffices for mild acne; for moderate to severe grade of acne Oral as well as topical treatment needs to be combined.
Topical treatment mainly revolve around 3 broad categories: Topical antibacterials like clindamycin, nadifloxacin; Topical
benzoyl peroxide and Topical retinoids.
Topical antibacterials are mainly given for inflammatory acne (red lesions, papules, pustules and nodules etc). They are antibacterial as well as anti-inflammatory.
Similarly, topical benzoyl peroxide is also antibacterial, antiinflammatory as well as
keratolytic in its action. Its main use is for inflammatory acne.
Topical retinoids are first line treatment in all grades of acne (inflammatory or non-inflammatory). They are comedolytic, anti-inflammatory and therefore prevent formation of new acne lesions as well.
Oral antibiotics are usually also combined with topical anti-acne treatment, specially for moderate to severe grade of acne.
Commonly prescribed oral antibiotics in acne are either Doxycycline,
Azithromycin , Or
Minocycline.
Kindly visit a dermatologist for the needful.
Regards