Acne sufferers are often prescribed with oral antibiotics and topical gels to improve their skin condition. This medication is advised to be used in a regular basis to keep the pimples from reappearing. However, some people may experience sensitivity to antibiotics that a lot of dermatologists only recommend use of antibiotics for a maximum of three months. This practice is also not ideal because some bacteria may develop resistance to the drug.

The May 2006 issue of Archives of Dermatology featured two new studies that said topical gels even without antibiotics can effectively cure acne.

A physician that took part in both studies Dr. Diane M. Thiboutot, of the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine and the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center remarked, “This can change the way we treat acne.” What both these studies show is that we can stop the antibiotic if patients are continued on a topical retinoid like adapalene or tazarotene,"

The first study test if adapalene gel (brand name Differin) can successfully keep the skin smooth and soft by preventing the onset of pimples.

Research method made use of 253 patients with severe acne. One group was treated with antibiotic alone and the second group with adapalene plus an antibiotic. The patients are regularly evaluated during the duration of the experiment that lasted for sixteen weeks. According to Dr. Diane m. Thiboutot from Pennsylvania State University and colleagues, 75 percent of patients who continued with differin gel maintained the improvements they achieved when on combination therapy. In contrast, only 54 percent of those on placebo gel maintained their clearer skin. The second study makes use of another gel tazarotene. The study also confirmed the same result," Thiboutot said.