Current and future treatment options for acne.

Abstract

Acne is a frequent skin disease with abnormalities in the process of keratinization, sebaceous gland functioning and inflammation. In this review, our understanding of the pathogenesis of acne has been updated. An overview of efficacy and side effects of available anti-acne treatments is presented. Based on the present overview a recommendation for the treatment of various manifestations of acne is provided, also reconciling beneficial combinations of treatments. It is attractive to speculate that the increased insight into the pathogenesis of acne will create new treatment options. Challenging new options comprise blue light, photodynamic therapy, retinoic acid metabolism blocking agents and inhibitors of Th-1 cytokines.