Tried-and-true ways to zap zits

If you're looking to get rid of acne, you'll find a lot of the past in the present: Acne sufferers still turn to the same medications that treated previous generations.

Clearasil and similar over-the-counter creams with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid remain popular and, for many, they are all that's needed. Antibiotics and drugs called retinoids are still considered a good option for those who need stronger treatments. Even generic forms of Accutane, the powerful but potentially dangerous medication that is no longer sold in the United States, continue to be available to treat people with the worst cases.

For now, though, dermatologists cannot offer a magic bullet guaranteed to vanquish the pimples that torture so many teenagers and often stick around through adulthood. Still, "there are things that can be done, and it doesn't have to be expensive," said Dr. Amy Slear, a Plainview dermatologist. "It's worth seeking help."

WHERE TO START

In general, dermatologists suggest that people with acne start treatment with over-the-counter creams. Benzoyl peroxide creams may irritate your skin, however, and some people are allergic to them, Slear said.

If the creams don't help, the next step would be to visit a dermatologist. A doctor could inject individual pimples with steroids to lower inflammation, if that were deemed appropriate, and could prescribe medication.

"You want treatments that target the different reasons why you have acne," Slear said. You can't do anything about genetics, which is one of the factors behind skin problems, but antibiotics can slow inflammation, as can prescription retinoid drugs, which do the same thing and also help unclog pores, she said.

Though antibiotics for acne are generally not expensive, retinoid medications can be very high priced. Slear said they can cost $100 to $200 for a tube that lasts a few months, and the drugs are not always covered by insurance.

A GENERIC ACCUTANE

In the most severe cases, dermatologists may turn to isotretinoin, the generic form of Accutane, which was pulled from the U.S. market in 2009. It's a controversial drug, long linked to birth defects and more recently connected to a broader range of other health problems. Those who take it must agree to extensive monitoring and fill out lots of paperwork.

"It scares people," Slear said. "It is a serious medicine. But it does work."

In terms of acne treatments overall, "there hasn't been anything really revolutionary in the last 10 years," said Dr. Adam Penstein, department head of dermatology at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Medical Center. "A lot of it is the same old stuff, repackaged."

However, there are newfangled treatments that use lasers and special lights. Penstein said the light treatments hold promise. But their full potential remains to be seen.