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Acne treatments aren't one-size-fits-all. If prescription creams and antibiotics aren't working for you — or if you can't tolerate the side effects that medications can cause — you might consider acne treatments that can be provided at your doctor's office.

Several types of office-based medical procedures — such as light therapy, chemical peels and steroid injections — may be helpful.

Regardless of which acne treatments you use, try to keep your expectations realistic. In most instances, acne can't be cured, only controlled. You won't start seeing improvements from most treatments for four to eight weeks. And your acne might appear worse before it gets better.