ACNE TREATMENTS

Most people experience acne in some form during puberty, with many individuals suffering from acne well into adulthood. From the occasional pimple to severe lesions, the severity of acne differs with each person, but can be unpleasant for all. Acne is a health condition that needs to be treated as such, and there are many medical, preventative acne skin care products on the market now that can soothe, treat, and clear this common skin complaint.

What is acne?

Acne is a condition marked by inflammatory outbreaks that result from the blockage of hair follicles and pores. New skin cells that form in the lower tiers of the epidermis make their way to the skin surface. Once depleted of moisture, they slough off. Acne sufferers may slough off dead skin faster, and in conjunction with an excess of sebum (oil), creates a plug that seals hair follicles. This creates a hive for the bacteria P. acnes. Non-inflammatory acne, such as whiteheads and blackheads, are more manageable than their inflammatory siblings. Inflamed papules and postules develop when white blood cells respond aggressively to increased bacterial presence.

What can be done to prevent acne?

Adapting your skin care regime and lifestyle can have a positive effect on diminishing acne. Scientifically developed acne skin care products are now available to sufferers, products that will minimize skin discomfort and eradicate the emotional stress that comes hand in hand with break outs. The key is utilizing medical treatments that resolve the underlying causes of acne.

Unclog pores with salicylic acid.

Promote skin peeling by opening up pores with a variety of mild scrubs, exfoliants, and masques that contain salicylic acid in a concentration. This Beta-Hydroxy acid acts as a peeling agent that removes the outer layer of the skin. Products like Benev’s “Salicylic Acid Exfoliator 2%” remove the surface skin cells and boosts skin tenacity. This acid is oil-soluble and lipophilic, penetrating sebum filled follicles and draining pores.

Kill bacteria with external applications of products that contain benzoyl peroxide.

Benzoyl peroxide is known to destroy P. acnes bacteria and has been used in the treatment of acne for over thirty years. It has now been developed in acne skin care products like Skin Medica’s ‘Acne Treatment Lotion’ as an active ingredient alongside naturally derived ingredients like tea tree oil, willow bark extract, and menthol, which soothe and rejuvenate skin. Eliminating the bacteria P. acnes decreases the onset of acne.

Minimize oil by using products that contain sulfur.

The rate at which our oil glands produce oil is as unique as we are. This is not a process that can be halted, but acne-prone oily skin can be given a helping hand with acne skin care products that contain sulfur. Sulfur draws out facial oil from the epidermis, minimizing the probability of clogged pores. For example, Murad’s Acne Complex Kit balances a partnership of sulfur, triclosan and salicylic acid that is efficient without side effects or over drying.

Make well-informed lifestyle choices.

When it comes to cosmetics, it is advised to make choices that will compliment your acne skin care regimen. Look for oil free and water-based make up products that are labeled as non-comedogenic. However, the right makeup depends on the skin you are in, and thus, it is important to choose wisely. Read the ingredients and understand what you are applying to your face to minimize any acne flare-ups.

In addition, it is important to follow the critical skin care commandment: do not overexpose your skin to UV rays. It is a dangerous myth that excessive sun exposure will rid your skin of acne. The sun may dry and redden skin, thus allowing acne to blend in, but that is entire extent of the benefit. In reality, sun overexposure can cause skin irritation which only serves to make acne worse – and the sun can cause your acne to scar darker and stay longer. In addition, acne skin care products that contain Retinoids (Vitamin A derived) leave the customer more likely to sunburn.

Acne is an unpleasant old friend…

…but not a problem that has to be endured. By taking positive, informed steps and using the right medical products for you, a fresh acne skin care regimen will give you clear, glowing skin.



By: Farid Mostamand

Some of the most effective treatments for acne are over the counter acne products. These products are literally easily within reach that more and more people suffering from acne are giving up their expensive prescription medicines for these more affordable acne solutions. Over the counter acne products are not only generally less expensive, but they are also usually just as effective with minimal bad side effects.

Before deciding on self-medication, there are a number of things to consider before buying an over the counter acne product. You will be choosing among hundreds of acne products, all proclaiming that they are the best. It is not enough that you just go and buy the best-selling product or the most expensive brand. Here are 3 simple steps to help you choose the right over the counter acne product for you.

First of all, evaluate the severity of your acne. Do you have a few pimples and possibly a smattering of whiteheads and blackheads? Then you might have mild acne. Or maybe you have more than a few pimples, some red spots, and perhaps acne scarring in some areas of your face? You could be diagnosed with moderate acne. If you have a major breakout of pimples and lesions that are scattered all over your face, then you might be suffering from a severe case of acne. Knowing how mild or how severe your acne is can help you choose the right acne products that contain the right ingredients to treat your acne.

The second step is to analyze your skin type. Is your skin dry and flaky, or clogged and oily, or maybe a combination of the two? Those who have dry skin will benefit most from over the counter acne products that are in cream or gel form. These will treat acne and hydrate the skin at the same time. Those who have oily skin should stick with acne products that are in the form of a wash or liquid. Water-based products will wash away excess oils and will not clog pores. Combination skin types need to be spot-treated, which means use water-based products for oily skin and then moisturize the dry areas with cream or gel products.

The third and last step is to define your goals for treating acne. Do you just want to prevent acne? Then use the proper skin care products. Is your objective to get rid of your current pimples? There are mild over the counter acne products that are made specifically for that purpose. Do you want to achieve smooth, crater-free, and scar-free skin? There are many acne treatments that minimize scarring and clear away existing acne scars.

Regular usage of over the counter acne products may take a couple of weeks to a few months before they start showing any effects. It is important to read the product’s packaging first to know the proper dosage and application. You might have to go through a number of over the counter acne products before you find the right one that works for you. Just remember not use two products at the same time without the guidance of a doctor.

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

Cystic acne has become a common skin problem these days. However, most people are unaware of the term ‘cystic acne’. Cystic acne is a serious problem of skin that occurs when people deal with acne pimples roughly. This process results in formation of the cystic acne.

Cystic acne can be defined as the most severe kind of acne. Under this type of acne, the pimples work towards forming cysts. These are actually filled with pus. The problem results in scarring of the skin. These tend to aggravate more when the cysts are squeezed to express the pus. This results in a permanent scar.

There are several effective methods available these days to treat cystic acne. Don’t expect acne creams and gets to work wonders when the skin is suffering from cystic acne. Experts suggest injectable medication or oral antibiotics that are required to cure the cystic acne.

You should visit a good doctor to prescribe you some effective drugs to treat cystic acne. Under circumstances where initial antibiotic treatment proves ineffective, your doctor will prescribe you a stronger medication course to treat the problems.

These are also some effective methods that can treat cystic acne permanently. Cystic acne is termed as one of the most severe forms of acne that gets deeply penetrated in to the skin layers. You should try to understand the causes that result in cystic acne.

You can characterize cystic acne by hard, semi-liquid bumps that grow below the skin with the potential of causing severe acne scars. Acne cysts are quite larger and painful as compared to whiteheads and conventional spots. This type of acne is a result of oil gland blockage that triggers inflammation and pus in the surrounding tissue area.

Cystic acne is further worsened by Retention keratosis, under, this condition, skin cells of cystic acne are shed improperly. This further leads to clogging of the skin follicles and the dead cells in conjunction with the over production of sebum. This environment is perfect for growth of bacterial infections. The infection has potential of spreading to other follicles that can further aggravate the inflammation, swelling and redness.

Experts believe that natural approach works towards fixing the internal problem those results in acne. The holistic approach utilizes multidimensional protocols such as supplementation, dietary changes, rebuilding of the organs of elimination and internal as well as external cleansing. The whole process neutralizes an environment that encourages formation of acne work better to treat cystic acne in the long run. This treatment also prevents further acne scars.

Any oral medication should be taken, under the supervision of a dermatologist.

Isotretinoin is the most common and most powerful drug prescribed for cystic acne treatment. It can be defined as a man-made form of retinoid or vitamin A. It is taken in pill form. It is the only medicine that effectively treats excess oil productions, inflammation and clogged skin pores. The pill is supported to be taken up to twenty weeks and does not require more than one course of therapy in order to cure the problem.

Pregnant women should avoid taking this medicine as there is a possibility of birth defects to a developing fetus. You also require to go for regular checkups while using this medicine.



By: Bertil Hjert