ACNE TREATMENTS

Before we dwell upon various ways and methods of getting rid of acne, we need to understand what they are and how they are caused. Although all factors and causes of acne are yet to be ascertained and understood, the most well known cause of acne is the secretion of an oily substance which promotes hair growth and keeps it healthy. This oily substance keeps hair and skin soft, so the secretion is not without a reason. This oily substance is also called Sebum. Sebum is produce din a human body in large quantities during adolescence.

Although sebum in itself is not harmful, it comes in contact with dust particles and tends to block hair follicles. These hair follicles thus blocked turn into acne lesions. Apart form this, since sebum is an oily substance it forms a conducive environment in the acne lesion thus formed for bacterial growth. The bacterium thus grows into what we normally call a Pimple.

Effective Acne Treatments

Acne treatments are varied and wide spread. Probably my grandmother will suggest a cure and your grandmother would suggest another and both might work effectively or neither might. This essentially implies that acne treatments go a long way back, probably to the beginning of civilization and none of them are concrete.

Acne treatments depend on various factors like skin type, environment, hygiene and of course the primary cause of acne. However, people suffering from acne have a common symptom, they keep worrying about them incessantly. Let alone treatment, they worry about scars that may come up after they are treated. Be assured, the scars go away all by themselves after proper treatment has been done.

With a plethora of acne treatment products available across the globe, it is not so difficult to choose the right one. Dermatologists across the globe have also developed ways of healing scars that do not go away automatically. Some procedures like dermabrasion, microdermabrasion are popular where the external layer of the skin is removed using lasers.

Acne treatment can be very simple. Before acne take over and run amok, it is necessary that we take some preventive care to reduce the chances of acne.

We could begin with cleansing the face. Cleaning and washing the face removes only the surface dirt and does not remove any dirt accumulated in hair follicles filled with sebum. Cleansing the face is important so to prevent further accumulation. While cleaning the face, make sure never to

1. Scrub: Scrubbing will only worsen the acne situation.

2. Over-wash: Washing too often upsets the pH balance resulting in dry skin.

3. Use strong soaps: Strong and harsh soaps remove the oil, thus misbalancing your skin configuration.

4. Use heavy make up: Oil content in heavy makeup clogs skin pores which will increment the acne problem.

The next best option to maintain a healthy and glowing skin is to have proper diet and exercise regularly. Diets should be full of fruits and vegetables and other nutritious food. Avoiding oily food and fattening food is recommended. Exercising regularly helps maintain the water balance in the skin. Exercise also helps control stress level helping maintain a hormonal balance in the body. It is however, very important to remember that drinking lots of water, while exercising or otherwise is very essential to the body and helps the skin heal fast.

Sleep is another essential factor that contributes towards health and acne treatment. Sleep removes stress and thus the body’s hormonal balance does not get disturbed. A minimum of eight hours is recommended.

Acne treatment is a wide ranges science. However, traditional treatments of acne are basically oral and topical. Topical creams like Retin-A, benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid help open up pores and prevent development of blackheads and whiteheads. Exfoliation procedures are also available and help in reduction of discolored pigmentation.

For adults, oral antibiotics are a preferred form of acne treatment. Tetracycline family based antibiotics can help reduce bacteria on the skin, thus fighting inflammation to prevent redness of skin.

Although acne treatments are wide and varied, localized treatments are available and the most effective since these acne treatments are formulated as per the local environmental conditions and effects.

Despite all kinds of acne treatments available, naturopathic treatments are recommended to be the best.



By: 10acne.com -

Most people in their lifetime are affected by acne at some time. An overproduction of oil and cells usually occurs during puberty, for women before a menstrual cycle and during menopause. Depending on the severity of the acne, the reaction to the medicine prescribed and the progress made in the treating of the symptoms, you may want to consider Light Therapy or Acne Laser Treatment. Some of the treatments you may want to discuss with a dermatologist and investigate are Light Therapy, Laser Therapy, Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), Laser Therapy and Chemical Peels.

Light Therapy – FDA has approved blue-light therapy for treating acne. Blue-light therapy is widely advertised and is probably the best-known of the light therapy for acne. It works by killing the acne-causing bacteria, and is used to treat inflammatory acne that will not respond to other acne therapies. The blue-light products of today do not contain ultraviolet (UV) light. UV light can damage skin and is no longer used. Blue-light therapy is usually prescribed in eight sessions and given over a four-week period. Each session can last about 15 minutes. Side effects can be mild and include short term pigment changes, swelling of treated areas, and dryness.

Pulsed Light Therapy – FDA approved for acne treatment, it combines pulses of green-yellow light and heat to treat mild to moderate acne, including inflammatory acne. The pulsed light and heat energy destroys acne and shrinks sebaceous glands, decreasing oil production. One of the main attractions of Pulsed Light Therapy is that these acne treatments cause little or no downtime and few side effects.

Diode Laser – Diode Lasers are designed to reach the sebaceous glands in the dermis, concentrating on this thick middle layer of skin, without harming the outer layer of skin. A study was performed on acne patients who were treated up to five times within a two week period. The patients acne lesions were reduced by 63%. Side effects of diode laser treatment include temporary redness and swelling of the treated areas.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) – This procedure is done with the combination of a drug that is activated by light called the photosensitizer. During this acne treatment, the hyperactive sebaceous glands are targeted. The photosensitizer is applied to the skin and is left on for a variable period of time. The skin is exposed to the light source laser light and the photosensitizer is then removed. This kills P. acnes, the bacteria responsible for acne. Side effects include pain during the procedure and discoloration afterwards.

Microdermabrasion – With this treatment, your practitioner presses a hand held device against your skin, blowing crystals to remove oils, breaking up dead skin and other imperfections. It’s like you’re polishing your skin and encouraging new skin growth. There are many materials that may be used, including aluminum oxide crystals, sodium bicarbonate crystals, diamond-tipped crystals, or salt crystals. Usually used with prescribed acne creams and gels for better penetration of the medication and increase the effectiveness.

Chemical Peel – Chemical peels have been used for a long time. Studies have shown that twice a week chemical peel treatments for 12 weeks can significantly improve acne. Under a doctor’s supervision a chemical peel of Glycolic acid or salicylic acid is applied to your skin to remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, remove whiteheads and blackheads, and generate new skin growth. Chemical peel are often used with prescribed acne creams and gels for better penetration of the medication. Side effects range from temporary redness, blisters, and crusting to scarring, infection and abnormal skin coloring.

Acne laser treatment and light therapy are more options for patients to consider in acne treatment. Each case of acne treatment is evaluated differently depending on the severity of what treatments have been used in the past and the success and failures of each one. By consulting with your doctor or dermatologist about acne laser treatment you will be able to incorporate the best plan of attack. The Acne Treatment site www.bestacnehelp.blogspot.com and www.AcneDevices.blogspot.com to help keep you up to date on news and treatment ideas.



By: Matthew Green

Lex asked:

I think the best is Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment!!!

Today I dabbed a bit on my HUGE pimple at around 5:00pm hoping it would go away overnight. Then I looked in the mirror later at around 10:00pm and it shrunk so much! Like it was almost gone! Totally amazing! So I dabbed more on and am hoping that it will be completely gone when I wake up tomorrow.

Anyone other good acne treatments?

It wasn’t that long ago when acne (Zits) was considered a curse for the many individuals that suffer from this problem; but there are now many treatments available which can help the condition so it is more bearable. It is one of those areas where research has continued to make advancements; the result of this effort is new, more effective, treatments are becoming available.

We can classify skin care products for acne into 3 broad categories:

* Drugstore or Internet: Preventative medication

* Over-the-Counter: Treatments for conditions that do not require prescription

* Prescription: Issued for specialized medication from a doctor etc.

Those that fall into the preventative category are based around general skin conditioning to help stop acne from forming; this sector deals with skin creams, lotions and cleansers that can help stop the problem. This is a market where many people use this type of product every day to condition their skin; many use these products to protect their skin from the environment even if they do not have the acne condition. Some of these products are designed to act like an acne skin care product and act against the causes of this complaint; they ensure the facial pores (and other areas) remain free of oil. Excess oil needs to be stopped from clogging the pores as this oil make it easier for bacteria to grow, exacerbating the condition.

Exfoliation skin peels have proved quite effective as a skin care treatment and at controlling the problem; these can be bought easily over the counter or on the internet. Dead skin cells and other atmospheric pollutants are removed cleaning the pores which reduce the chance of any bacterial growth. The growth of the skin care market has allowed even more specialized acne skin care products to be available without the need to visit the doctor. These formulations contain the chemical benzoyl peroxide and the naturally occurring salicylic acid; these ingredients are used to remove the additional oil in the pores of the skin. Therefore, there are a variety of very decent Toners And Cleansers For Acne readily available to buy off the shelf.

It is often a good idea to start with a product that has lower concentration of benzoyl peroxide (e.g. 5 percent) to see how the skin responds; should a reaction occur, products containing alpha hydroxy acid are generally safer. It might just be a case of trial and error to find an acne skin care product that works; if finding something that works is proving difficult, your dermatologist should be able to help. On-prescription treatments are prescribed by a dermatologist and can include ointments that can be applied on the affected area or oral antibiotics or just any topical ointment.Under certain circumstances, having the infected material removed from the pores under a local anesthetic may be suggested by your dermatologist; specialists never recommend the sufferer tries this themselves as it can cause permanent skin damage.

An alternative that has been shown to work well is hormone therapy; this type of skin care treatment has been very effective in many cases. Finally, if you would like a more expensive, but highly reviewed treatment, you may want to opt for Acne Laser Surgery. This should be investigated before you commit to it and you must certainly find a reputable company with a good name first.Tackling and stopping acne is not the problem it once was and if treated properly, permanently marked skin does not have to occur.



By: Fabiola Castillo

Jess B asked:


There are a lot of acne treatments out there like Proactive, Neutrogena, Clean and Clear, etc. Which acne treatment is the best in your opinion? Thanks!!

When we talk about acne, only two things come to mind – treatment of acne and control of acne. Easy to think, hard to know and harder to try. Which or what kind of acne treatment would you opt for? With a plethora of products occupying already dwindling shelf space in most drugstores, picking up the right acne treatment would be like groping for a light switch in the dark. You know it is there, but cannot find it..!

With many acne treatment products using a lot of marketing slogans like “magic acne pills” or “clear acne in 72 hours”, what works and what does not is difficult knowledge to attain, much less buy an acne treatment option. Most claims, of course are dubious. Many over the counter acne treatments are known to worsen the acne situation, much less cure it.

An overall life style change is absolutely necessary. An acne free face not only depicts good skin but also represents a good and clean life style with healthy habits.

Life style changes are hard to get used to but not entirely impossible. A little bit of discipline can go a long way in changing life styles, part-by-part. You could begin with a clean, oil free, fat free and nutritious diet that consists of fruits and vegetables in good quantities.

An effective acne treatment is more of an inside-out process.

The more garbage you eat, the more it shows on the outside. Conversely, a healthy diet will depict health on your skin.

However, there are various varieties of acne that require acne treatment. It is important to know the skin type and the cause of acne. Moreover it is important to know and understand the composition of the acne treatment you would be using. Many acne treatments are known to have side effects that could even set you back in your efforts of getting rid of acne.

Unfortunately, many acne treatments are known to result in creating different complications. Allergic reaction is a primary complication and most prevalent. Many acne victims may have allergic reactions chemicals that make the acne treatment. Very often, it happens that the victims themselves are not informed of such allergies and only come to know once it has happened and the doctor enlightening them about the outcome of using a particular acne treatment.

Apparently, this could cause serious problems to may people who are unfortunate. In a bid to get their acne treated, they may end up with other health complications which may need expensive treatment.

Other allergies that may crop up by use of acne treatments could be redness, flaking or inflammation of the skin. Most acne treatments tend to dry up the skin and over drying could result in such complications like flaking. However redness and inflammation may also be caused due to light allergies.

Research and investigation into any acne treatment as to its compositions and their ill effects on human skin is absolutely necessary before using any acne treatment products, either prescribed or bought over the counter.

It is not advisable to take unnecessary risks, just because someone else has used it or because the salesman has emphasized on no side effects. Such decisions may not only be detrimental to health but also to your finances. Finally, it is your own health and you are only person that can take good care of it.



By: 10acne.com -

Almost 100% of people between the ages of twelve and seventeen have at least occasional breakouts of whiteheads, blackheads or a pimple, now and then. The problem with most acne treatments and acne products is that not everyone reacts the same way to the same treatment; what worked for one may not work for another. Because I’m a registered nurse and have come in contact with many acne patients, I’ve learned a lot over the years about acne, acne scars, and acne treatments.

Baby acne is a rash seen on the cheeks, chin, and forehead of infants. Acne vulgaris is most commonly experienced around puberty, typically of the face, shoulders and chest. In a survey conducted in Great Britain, 95% of 16-year-old males and 83% of 16 year-old females had acne. While almost all young people experience acne at least once, it’s been reported that 47% of those in their 20s and 30% of those in their 30s had acne.

Understanding that hormones may have some influence on the cause of acne is still being researched. New studies show that during times of high emotional stress, such as during exam time in high school, there are more acne breakouts; so are stress hormones the culprits? The cause of acne is unknown and there is still much to be learned.

The treatment plan for acne includes trying to heal the pimples, stopping new pimples from forming, preventing scarring and helping reduce embarrassment. Use baking soda on a test area carefully for exfoliation, if you feel you need it. A new, non-invasive treatment using red light and blue light in combination has been extremely successful on severe acne.

Try not to touch your affected skin to eliminate possible contamination. Any makeup you use should list on the label non-acnegenic or non-comedogenic. Acne and its treatment is one of the most misunderstood topics there is when it comes to acne skin care. Make sure not to use hot water on your face, always use lukewarm water. Shave carefully and try both electric and safety razors to see which works best for you. Some natural home remedies include dabbing on non-gel toothpaste or lemon juice to dry out zits.

Acne prone, sensitive skin can get irritated by using astringents, skin toners, rubbing alcohol, facial masks, make-up and certain hair care products. No over-the-counter creams can help your acne from the inside out; they can only kill some of the bacteria on your face and help reduce the redness. Most commercial cleansers are harsh on the face and trying to find the right one for you could cost a fortune.

If you wear make-up choose it carefully; it should be oil free. A skin specialist in New York is using the new red light-blue light combination therapy to treat severe cases of acne successfully; ask your skin doctor or dermatologist if he’s familiar with it.

When your liver gets overloaded with toxins it’ll send the toxins out through your skin as well as other organs of elimination. The best acne treatment is a diet that will help the body eliminate waste; if you’re eating the standard American diet (SAD) it’ll be reflected in your skin. To cure yourself of acne, you need to correct the problems going on inside of your body that are causing the acne.

Whether you eat a natural diet of living fruits and vegetables or eat dead junk food, what you eat may have a direct or indirect affect on the male hormones which may or may not play some part in acne. In any case, no matter what skin or acne treatment you choose, whether it’s chemical, drugs, alternative, or natural methods, changing your diet alone will be the best treatment you can do for your acne and you’ll achieve overall good health in the process.

Eating fruits that are red or orange in color will help improve you skin health and help to prevent acne. Good clear skin is often a reflection of a good digestive system. When the skin is dehydrated, dead skin cells remain on the skin which may block pores and promote acne; drink plenty of water.

Drink plenty of pure, filtered water, a minimum of a quart a day. Drink freshly extracted carrot juice, if you can, every day; carrot juice is an excellent cleanser for the liver, great for the skin and contains tons of nutrients, all beneficial for acne.

Fortunately, many people have discovered through trial and error how to cure their acne. There is hope – keep researching and testing. And you should be able to get rid of your acne, zits and pimples and their symptoms so it doesn’t reoccur.

By: Helen Hecker

You will be surprised with the number of products in the market for Acne Treatment? They leave you even confused wondering of the best treatment for Acne. Most of them are not even scientifically proven. Most successful treatments do not work magically in that you apply today and withing a week the acne disappears! Not at all. Acne treatment is actually a process and for you to successfully treat Acne do not jump for those cheap offers available in the market before being sure of what you are especting or consulting a doctor just like you would do for any other deffect.

However some treatments can give quick results and improve some active spots but not usually all spots. The modes of improvement are not necessarily fully understood but we can classify the treatments in different ways. Normalising shedding into the pore to prevent blockage, Antinflammatory effects, Hormonal manipulation, Killing of propionibacterium acne bacteria which are ways of treatment based on the cause of Acne.

In many cases, a combination of treatments can greatly reduce the amount and severity of acne . Those treatments that are most effective tend to have greater potential for side effects and need a greater degree of monitoring, so a step by step approach recommended. Many people consult their doctors when deciding which treatments to use, especially when considering using any treatments in combination.

There are a number of treatments that have been proven effective. These examples are like Topical bactericidals which are widely available OTC bactericidal products containing benzoyl peroxide and may be used in mild to moderate acne. Others are Topical antibiotics which are Externally applied, Oral Antibiotics, Hormonal treatments especially in women through some contraceptions. Topical retinoids which are a group of medications for normalizing the follicle cell lifecycle can also be used. Also Oral retinoids (a daily oral intake of vitamin A), phototherapy, laser treatment and not forgetting the natural acne treatments. This is just light pass of minute information that you need to kick acne out of your life.

Keeping your skin clean is very important in preventing acne. By keeping your skin clean, using either cleansers or just plain soap and water, excess dirt, oil and sweat are removed which would otherwise have clogged up skin pores causing pimples.However over washing is to be avoided as it removes the natural oils necessary for ensuring the skin doesn’t become irritated. Gentle soaps or acne cleansers can also be used to prevent acne.

A person with acne should desist from popping the pimples. Though this is assumed to get rid of the infectious pus,in reality it pushes the bacteria deeper into the skin and causes irritation round the area. A skin toner is a better solution for dealing with the pimples. Avoiding stressful situation prevents acne breakouts to those people who experience breakouts when stressed. Plenty of rest and eating right puts one in the right frame of mind.

To avoid back and chest acne, lose clothing is recommended. Tight clothing aggravates acne and may increase breakouts. This is because tight clothing traps sweat close to the skin, which leads to clogging of skin pores. Please, take my advice. Do not use any treatment products without knowledge of how it works. Get enough advice from your doctor on how to treat Acne and do not be in a hurry to treat Acne because it may worsen the situation. Acne will not disappear tomorrow for applying a treating cream on to your skin. Please give it time and follow the directions well.

This is an original article written by Poly M. on ACNE TREATMENT Visit her for more information on ACNE

By: Esteri Maina

Acne is one of the most common of skin disorders. It often starts in adolescence and mainy afflicts the teenage age group. With 70% of adolescents afflicted with this common skin problem, it is often considered to be one of the most irritating diseases especially during an adolescent’s life. Although it may not always be serious in the sense that is not fatal, it can cause serious emotional trauma to any person ridiculed because of their complexion.

There are numerous medical interventions to help people of all ages to resolve their acne problems. Physicians and researchers are continually seeking the ultimate treatment and the question always is as to which is the most effective. Natural and artificial compounds are continually being tested and combined in an attempt to make a super-treatment.

Here is a breakdown of a number of acne treatments which claim to be successful in dealing with different types and severity of acne spots:

Mild and Juvenile Acne

This kind of acne – often described as teenage spots – can be effectively treated using over-the-counter (OTC) medicines available in most good drugstores. This kind of acne is considered to be amongst the easiest to treat but many prescription medical interventions are also effective as acne treatments. These include a range of antibiotics, adapalene, benzoyl peroxide and tretinoin. These treatments help prevent or stunt the development of bacteria and decrease inflammation and redenning.

Depending on the person’s skin type a doctor may choose to prescribe an acne treatment they believe to be appropriate and effective. As an example, if a patient has oily skin then certain creams and lotions would not be advisable, mainly as these are oil-based medications. Certain Gels and liquid solutions will be more suitable in this case since they are predominantly alcohol-based and therefore tend to dry out the skin.

Physicians and medical researchers would test a vast range of treatments before allowing them to market, and individual physicians would test a number of products on their patients before committing to a specific course of treatment for any one person. Because there is such a range of options this is very prudent.

Moderate or more severe acne

Those who have oily skin or those who used to have a form of mild acne (often this is in their later teens and early twenties) may experience worsenning acne as they grow older. This may develop into a moderately severe form of acne requiring more advanced intervention. Moderately severe acne is often charcterised by an increased number of whiteheads and increased redness around sores. This is often due to ruptured blood vessels.

Severe acne is categorised as when it has spread to cover a larger area, often the entire face, or parts of the back and neck. Often this will involve the development of larger spots and this type of acne is often treated with oral antibiotics. They work by preventing or reducing the development of bacteria which can contribute to or cause acne and reducing any inflammation. When dealing with this increased level of acne a combination of medications may be required. Often oral medication and skin rubs or creams used together may be necessary. Certain topical medications such as sulphur drug preparations have been considered extremely effective as acne treatments. Sulphur creates a peeling effect on your skin and this loosens the poor dead skin and can dislodge blackheads from their pores. Sulphur has no known side effects and as such is an effective acne treatment.

However it is always advisable to test any medication on a small area of your skin before applying them, and only take medicines oraly if instructed to do so. Examples of effective acne treatments come in the form of oral antibiotics are tetracycline, minocycline, isotretinoin, doxicycline and erythromycin.

Most of these effective acne treatments when taken orally are deemed hazardous to pregnant women and their children’s health. Of the above, only erythromycin is reputed to be safe for use by those who are either expecting a baby or breastfeeding.

By: Abhishek Agarwal

Lolly77 asked:


I get quite bad Hormonal Acne breakouts a week before my period. It is driving me mad. I need to know what kind of hormonal acne treatments are out there that could or would work best to help me control it or get rid of it. Please help