Suffering from acne as an adult can at times feel more frustrating than being a teenager with acne. If you had acne as a teenager, then you likely heard that you would "grow out of it" and that may have made you feel a bit better knowing it would eventually go away. If your acne never went away and now you are an adult with acne, you may feel like you have lost hope of ever getting rid of it. With many adults suffering from acne today, dermatologists are looking into new treatments for adult patients who have already tried many of the standard acne medications. Here are three alternative acne treatments for adults who feel like they have already tried it all. 

1. Blue Light Therapy

Blue light therapy is very simple, yet it has been proven in studies to work very well in fighting acne. You can obtain blue light therapy in the office of a dermatologist that provides it, and your dermatologist may recommend that you use a blue-light emitting device at home once in-office treatments get your acne under control. 

Blue light has a very short wavelength of about 475 nm. It fights acne by killing acne bacteria not only on the skin's surface but also deep down in your skin pores where it wreaks havoc and combines with sebum to form acne. It also reduces general skin inflammation, which also plays a part in acne development. 

Blue light devices in dermatologists' offices are stronger than units used at home, so your dermatologist may recommend a combination of in-office and home treatments for you or just one or the other depending on the severity of your acne.

2. Salicylic Acid Peels

Another newer treatment for acne that is gaining popularity is the salicylic acid chemical peel. You may recognize salicylic acid as a chemical included in many over-the-counter acne-fighting products. Unlike daily-use acne treatments that contain just one- or two-percent salicylic acid, professional peels contain anywhere from 15-percent to 30-percent or even 50-percent of this active ingredient. 

Unlike other types of peeling agents, such as glycolic acid or lactic acid that are water-soluble and only exfoliate the skin's surface, salicylic acid is oil soluble. That means it can penetrate deep into clogged pores to unclog them and reduce inflammation in them. 

Even if you have not had success in the past with daily-use salicylic acid skincare products, remember that salicylic peels are much stronger, and they may help your acne greatly. Your dermatologist will decide how often you need them and likely start with a low-strength peel and gradually increase the strength until your acne is gone. 

If you have adult acne and have not had success in the past with over-the-counter and prescription acne-fighting creams and pills, then one or both of these alternative treatment options could end up finally clearing up your skin. For more information, contact a dermatologist in your area.

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