Hello. Thank you for writing to us at healthcaremagic Acne can be recurrent and chronic, sometimes lasting for years and even decades in those who have moderate to severe acne. Treatment of acne requires an approach that involves not only treating existing acne lesions but also prevent new ones from erupting and therefore maintenance of improvement is an important part of the overall treatment of acne. Moderate to sever grade inflammatory acne requires treatment with Oral antibiotics like doxycycline, azithromycin or minocycline. The duration of treatment being guided by the severity of acne and response to treatment. Topical treatment is an important part of the overall treatment. Topical treatment options include antibacterials like benzoyl peroxide gel Or clindamycin gel and Topical retinoids like adapalene gel. Topical antibacterials are antiinflammatory; benzoyl peroxide is keratolytic in addition. Topical retinoids are antiinflammatory as well as comedolytic; prevent new acne in addition to treating existing one. Therefore, topical retinoids are ideally also suited for maintenance of improvement once acne activity has resolved as they prevent new comedones, which are the precursor lesions of acne. You must find a skin specialist that is approachable. Your dermatologist will assess the severity of your acne and advice accordingly. Regards