Apply the basic Acne Cure program, for 4 weeks. If you see no improvement, you may have intractable acne. In that case, take careful notes of the skin’s condition at that time Now continue the program for another 2 weeks. If, after that time, there is further improvement, continue for yet another 2 weeks, and again reexamine the skin. Occasionally, you will continue to see improvement over several 2-week periods; the Cure is working, but more slowly than usual. Continue to apply the full program in 2-week increments until there is no further improvement over the last 2 weeks.

Your doctor will prescribe the concentration of Retin-A that is most appropriate for your skin, and will advise you on how to use it to best effect. Generally, we recommend that you apply it in the evening before your final ice and BP treatment.

You can expect to see some redness as you implement this plan, usually during the second week. However, if it starts to become severe, or if you start to suffer from unpleasant irritation, reduce the frequency.

If the acne persists beyond the 3-week period of Retin-A usage, continue the Acne Cure program, but stop the Retin-A. Instead, add an internally administered antibiotic.

Tetracycline, that old but effective standby, works well for most patients-and is relatively inexpensive and widely used. Several other antibiotics also work well (although all have possible side effects). Your physician, knowing your history, will advise you of your best alternative, dosage, and length of usage.

Tetracycline, and minocyclin (and several other antibiotics), in addition to destroying P. acnes, have an anti-inflammatory impact, which helps slow down the spread of the disease.

The Acne Cure program will eradicate the large majority of acne, and the remainder will be entirely wiped out by one or more of the steps in the four-step “intractable acne” program .