What is the treatment for mild acne?

From the Guidelines

Mild acne is typically treated with topical therapies, not photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Treatment Options

• Topical retinoids, such as adapalene or tretinoin, are commonly used to treat mild acne [no citation available, general medical knowledge].
• Benzoyl peroxide, either alone or in combination with other topical agents, is also effective in treating mild acne [no citation available, general medical knowledge].

Photodynamic Therapy

While PDT has been studied as a treatment for acne, the evidence suggests it is more effective for moderate-to-severe acne, and its use in mild acne is not well established 1.

• Studies have shown that PDT can reduce inflammatory lesion counts and sebum excretion, but it can also cause skin exfoliation and hyperpigmentation 1.
• The evidence for PDT in mild acne is limited, and it is not a recommended first-line treatment 1.

From the Research

Treatment Options for Mild Acne

The treatment for mild acne can involve various approaches, including topical and physical therapies.

• Topical antimicrobial treatment is indicated for mild to moderate acne vulgaris 2
• A combination of benzoyl peroxide, topical antibiotics, and topical retinoids can provide the greatest efficacy and safety profile for the treatment of mild to moderate acne 2
• Alternative agents such as dapsone, salicylic acid, azelaic acid, and zinc can be safe and efficacious when combined with traditional therapies 2
• A new non-drug combined therapy using aloe vera gel, ultrasound, and soft mask has been shown to significantly improve acne in patients with mild to severe acne 3

Specific Treatment Regimens

Specific treatment regimens for mild acne include:

• Combined retinoid with benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as a topical pharmacological treatment 4
• Chemical peels, such as salicylic or mandelic acid, as a physical treatment 4
• Photochemical therapy, such as combined blue/red light, as a physical treatment 4
• A combination of salicylic acid-based products for the topical treatment of mild comedonal-papular acne 5

Guidelines and Recommendations

Guidelines from various dermatology societies recommend the following treatments for mild-to-moderate acne:

• Fixed topical treatment combinations as first-line treatments 6
• Topical retinoids and benzoyl peroxide as effective treatments for mild-to-moderate acne 6
• Oral antibiotics combined with topical treatments for moderate-to-severe acne 4