Acne Maintenance Therapy

2023 Author: Wallace Forman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 11:04

Acne: maintenance therapy

After acute skin changes have healed through appropriate therapeutic measures, maintenance therapy is continued. It should prevent relapses or the flare-up of acne and eliminate skin changes after the acne has subsided. In addition to medical maintenance therapy, measures such as cleaning and caring for the skin, but also the use of peelings, etc. play a major role.

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Medicinal procedures
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Medicinal procedures

Topical retinoids, azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide and adapalene are used to treat acute skin changes and as medical maintenance therapy (*). In addition, dermatocosmetic measures play a major role. The aim is to prevent relapses or the flare-up of acne and to eliminate skin changes after the acne has subsided.

Physico-chemical processes

Medical-dermatocosmetological measures (skin cleansing and skin care) are an important part of acne therapy and should be adapted to individual needs. The aim is to regulate the production of sebum, to inhibit the growth of Propionibacterium acnes, to prevent the formation of comedones or to eliminate them.

Skin cleansing: Syndets with an acid content tailored to natural skin gently remove the excess sebum lipids and reduce the growth of bacteria. Antibacterial additives (nicotinamide, Montaline 40) can be used as support.

Important: Soaps lead to a disruption of the skin barrier and are therefore not suitable for cleaning acne skin.
Skin care: The acne skin is often irritated and sensitive by drug measures. Therefore, any additional irritation in skin care must be avoided. Light oil-in-water (O / W) emulsions and hydrogels are particularly suitable for acne-prone skin. A care product adjusted to the natural acidity of the skin also has an antibacterial effect. Additions with fruit acids, glycolic acid, salicylic acid and lactic acid have a proven effect against blackheads.
Decorative cosmetics: Covering substances can be applied just ten minutes after a drug therapy has been applied. Inflammatory skin changes are initially covered with green tones according to the complementary color principle, then an individually selected skin-colored cover is applied. Ready-made, complexion-correcting make-ups are also available.
Chemical peelings: are used in maintenance therapy, especially for inflammation-related overpigmentation and to reduce comedones. Medium-depth peels are suitable for correcting sunken acne scars. Fruit acids (AHA) (especially glycolic acid) or salicylic acid (SA) are preferably used for superficial and very superficial peels. Combinations of salicylic acid, lactic acid and citric acid are also used. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is particularly suitable for half-deep and deep peels.

Note Since the substances can also have side effects, peelings should only be carried out under medical supervision and by well-trained beauticians. Thereafter, consistent light protection should be ensured over a period of six to eight weeks.

Whom can I ask?

The prescription of medicinal acne therapies as well as advice on medical-dermatocosmetic measures is given by dermatologists. Peelings should only be carried out under medical supervision and by trained beauticians. Appropriately trained beauticians are responsible for decorative cosmetics.

How are the costs going to be covered?

The e-card is your personal key to the benefits of the statutory health insurance. All necessary and appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic measures are taken over by your responsible social insurance agency. A deductible or contribution to costs may apply for certain services. You can obtain detailed information from your social security agency. Further information can also be found at: