Vitamin A-containing agents against acne

Vitamin containing drugs are very effective drugs for the treatment of acne. Through a therapy that usually lasts for several months, the sebaceous glands of the skin are severely restricted in their function. The skin is less oily and fewer and fewer pimples form over time.

Due to the possible multitude of side effects, however, treatment should only be carried out if other measures are hopeless, the patient’s level of suffering is high, and the patient understands and accepts the risks. This is especially true if the drug is to be used as a tablet to be taken. In addition to fewer undesirable effects such as increased sensitivity to glare, in some cases psychological changes up to and including depression may even occur.

Less effective, but with fewer side effects, acne can be treated with creams containing vitamin A. They are often also used for maintenance therapy. That is, if the acne is treated with tablets, for example, and one wants to prevent a recurrence of the disease. It is absolutely essential that reliable contraception is used during treatment with vitamin A preparations of any kind in women and girls of childbearing age. Otherwise, pregnancy could result in serious deformities of the child.

Cream containing vitamin A

Creams containing preparations containing vitamin A can be used for various skin diseases. They are most frequently used for acne. They counteract excessive keratinization of the sebaceous gland ducts.

This reduces the occurrence of blackheads and fewer pimples appear. The inflammatory reaction, which plays an important role in acne, is also counteracted by the vitamin A in the cream. Often the creams contain an additional active ingredient called benzoxyl peroxide.

However, there are also creams that only contain vitamin A preparations, which are also called retinoids, as active ingredients. The advantage of a cream is its external application. This means that it is applied directly to the diseased skin and no medication needs to be taken.

Nevertheless, the side effects of a vitamin A therapy can occur, since the active ingredient is also absorbed into the blood through the skin. However, the risk of adverse effects on the eyes or liver is much lower with a cream containing vitamin A than, for example, if the active ingredient is taken in tablet form. Nevertheless, the creams are only available on prescription and should only be prescribed by a dermatologist after professional consultation. Under no circumstances should they be passed on to third parties, even if they suffer from acne. A dermatologist must always be consulted before a therapy can be given.