Acne is a result of clogged pores. Pores can be blocked by dirt or bacteria on the skin. The blocked pores causes a build-up of sebum (secretions by skin glands), which can lead to acne.
All acne treatments aim to suppress skin infection and open up pores to remove the sebum blockage. Acne treatments come in a variety of forms: topical gels, ointments, medicines, patches, antibiotics, etc. One of the quickest ways to clear up acne is by using a combination of antibiotics and topical gels alongside a change in lifestyle (Misery, et al., 2015).
What Lifestyle Changes Can Help Acne?
Careless eating habits and skincare routines can often trigger acne. People who regularly indulge in oily foods suffer more from acne compared to people who eat more fruit and vegetables (Melnik, 2013). Similarly, smokers and people who suffer from high-stress levels are also more prone to acne. Insufficiently removing makeup can also cause the pores to become blocked, causing acne. Changing these small lifestyle habits can prevent acne from occurring in the first place.
What is Duac Gel?
Duac Gel is a topical antibiotic gel that treats acne by killing the bacteria responsible for the acne infection. Duac Gel is extremely effective in treating people who have a long history of acne breakouts, improving results within the first four weeks of treatment. Over a 12 week course, your acne should disappear completely. However, health professionals recommend that the Duac gel be used for the time course prescribed. Acne may return if the treatment is stopped before advised.
What is Lymecycline?
For milder cases of acne, over-the-counter medicines, such as Lymecycline, can help clear up breakouts. If the condition does not improve over eight weeks, then it is best to switch to an antibiotic treatment. Lymecycline is one of the most effective treatment cures for acne. It is packaged and commonly administered as 408mg capsules, and is recommended to be taken once daily (Bossuyt, et al., 2003).
Can I use Duac Gel and Lymecycline?
When using Duac Gel or Lymecycline, it is strongly advised that each treatment should be used individually and not in combination. Both Duac Gel and Lymecycline are antibiotics and cannot be used together at the same time. If a course of Lymecycline is initiated, then it is best to switch from Duac Gel to some other topical gel such as Differin or Epiduo. These can be used at the same time as Lymecycline.