Warnings on The Use of Antibiotics in Acne Treatment

Some strains of bacteria, usually found in hospitals, have mutated and become resistant to known antibiotics. Bacteria, like all life forms, follow the simple rules of natural selection. Chance genetic changes that help an organism survive and reproduce in a challenging environment will be passed down to its progeny and thus become more prevalent. Bacteria cells can reproduce every 20 minutes; therefore, genetic change is very quick for them. Since even the most common bacteria become resistant to antibiotics within 2 to 3 months, acne sufferers face repeated trips to the dermatologist for new antibiotic prescriptions. Darwinism, or "survival of the fittest," has created superbugs which cannot be killed by normal antibiotics. Using Acne-Ltd III may reduce the need for antibiotics since skin stays clean, toned, and in a better condition to naturally resist infection. Help guard against resistant bacteria and keep the strong antibiotics for emergency situations. (For information on the latest FDA findings on bacteria resistance.)

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania retrospectively analyzed data on some 85,000 people who took antibiotics for acne and another 34,000 acne patients who didn't take those drugs. Regardless of whether the acne patients used oral or topical antibiotics, they developed roughly twice as many upper-respiratory infections as the other group did in one year. One possible explanation for the apparently increased risk: Antibiotics--even topical ones for some reason--may increase the infection-causing capacity of certain bacteria and viruses in the nose and mouth.

Other 2005 studies suggest that overuse of certain antibiotics can increase the chance of infection with a virulent, drug-resistant strain of Clostridium difficile bacteria, apparently because the drugs knock out protective intestinal bacteria.

Overuse of antibiotics can create drug-resistant bacteria. The infection studies add another possible reason to use these drugs only when necessary. For acne patients, that generally means when other topical treatments--such as salicylic acid (in Clearasil Clearstick, Oxy Night Watch, Stri-Dex), benzoyl peroxide (Brevoxyl, Desquam-X), sulfur-containing drugs (Klaron, Novacet, Sulfacet-R), or retinoin (Retin-A)--have failed.