A breakout sends many scurrying to find a good acne spot treatment. While many acne fighting medications are meant to be used continuously to prevent future acne blemishes, a spot treatment is used to treat blemishes that have already erupted on the skin. An acne spot treatment can be used to fight different types of acne blemishes. Acne generally occurs when the oil and dead skin cells become clogged in the skin’s pore. Bacteria grow at the clog, and a blemish is formed. Blackheads and whiteheads are similar forms of light, non-inflammatory acne. With blackheads, the pore is open at the surface of the skin, allowing the clog to become darker. With whiteheads, the pore is closed over the clog. Papules are red, inflamed blemishes, while pustules have white pus visible at the top. Nodules and cysts form the more serious inflammatory acne lesions. In these blemishes the clog is located deep in the pore. Nodules are smaller and solid, but cysts are larger, painful and filled with pus that can affect the surrounding area. Cystic acne is more likely to lead to scarring.

An acne spot treatment can be used along with an individual’s regular daily acne fighting treatments. A spot treatment usually carries a stronger dose of medicine. It is often too strong for daily use and can irritate skin if used daily, but is perfect to diminish the appearance of a blemish overnight. Many treatments are intended to be dabbed on at bedtime and work while a person sleeps. She wakes in the morning to a noticeably smaller blemish. However, some are only meant to be used for 30 minutes, so make sure to read and follow all directions carefully.