Acne Treatment - Discovering The Best Acne Treatment Options

Whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, cysts are all types of acne. Acne is a skin condition that causes inflammation, spots and pimples on the face, neck, chest, shoulder, back and upper arms, leaving people desperately wanting acne treatment.

Every now and then a pimple can be concealed. But if your acne is becoming more rampant, see these quick tips:

• Over-the-counter cover-up creams and cosmetics must be water-based.
• Even if outbreaks of acne cannot be avoided, conventional treatment can provide relief.
• The best treatments inhibit sebum production, limit bacterial growth, and promote the shedding of skin cells to unclog pores.
• Acne treatment can have side effects, any patient with acne must proceed with caution when trying a new treatment.
• If acne starts to lower your self-esteem or makes you unhappy, or if acne is leaving scars or if you're someone with severe, persistent cases of acne, get the guidance of a dermatologist as soon as possible.

The Best Acne Treatment From Face Wash To Prescribed Drugs

How Can I Prevent Acne?

Before we get started with the treatment just quickly read this part to see if you've tried EVERYTHING to stop acne from forming. Acne is associated with fluctuating hormone levels and possible genetic influences, so if you get it, then you get it and neither good hygiene nor diet can prevent outbreaks.

On the other hand, I got rid of all my acne the second I stopped piling on lotions and creams recommended by YouTube beauty gurus. So, it had more to do with topical crap I was applying as my "day routine" and "night routine" and not really listening to my skin, combined with stress.

Treatments can control acne and minimize future breakouts. Sensible skin care is recommended, especially during the teen years and adolescence but also during adulthood. Fundamentally, regular daily baths or shower and washing the face and hands with unscented or mildly antibacterial soap is important.

Other tips for preventing future outbreaks include:

• Using non-comedogenic or sensitive skin products to reduce the chance of new lesions and minimize skin irritation.
• Using a mild cleanser twice a day.
• Avoid cleansers or products that contain scrubbing particles or have a gritty texture. These products can irritate the skin and lead to breakouts.
• Using a daily non-comedogenic moisturizer and sunscreen.
• Wearing makeup that is non-comedogenic and un-expired. Always ask for a sample before you buy to ensure that you don't develop acne.
• Avoid picking, squeezing, or popping zits as this can lead to scarring and skin infections.

Nonprescription Acne Treatments:

Soap And Water:

Washing your face with soap and water no more than two times a day can help with acne. However, this does not end acne that is already present. Aggressive scrubbing can injure the skin and can lead to other skin problems.

Cleansers:

There are many cleansers and soaps manufactured for cleaning acne and most commonly contain benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or sulfur.

• Benzoyl peroxide: For mild acne, it is most recommended that treatment with a nonprescription drug that contains benzoyl peroxide is carried out.

Most frequently used, it is believed that this compound works by destroying the bacteria associated with acne. For it to work, it usually takes at least four weeks to work and it must be used continuously to keep acne at bay.

Like many over-the-counter and prescription products, it does not come to fight sebum production or stop the way the skin follicle cells naturally shed, and when you stop using it, the acne comes back. BP is advertised and available in many forms: creams, lotions, washes, foams, cleansing pads and gels.

As opposed to tea tree oil, Benzoyl peroxide can cause dry skin and can bleach fabrics, so take that into consideration when applying it. Put on an old T-shirt to bed if you are applying it to your back or chest overnight.

• Salicylic acid: Salicylic acid helps to correct the abnormal shedding of cells on the skin. For milder acne, salicylic acid helps with unclogging pores that resolve and prevent lesions. It does not come in the way of sebum production and does not kill bacteria. It must be used continuously, just like benzoyl peroxide. This is due to the fact that it stops working when you stop using it -- pores clog up again and the acne returns. Salicylic acid is advertised in many acne products, including lotions, creams, and pads.
• Sulfur: Paired up with other substances such as alcohol and salicylic acid, sulfur is a component of many over-the-counter acne medications. It usually isn't used by itself because of its unpleasant odor. It's unclear how sulfur works, but it has only a marginal benefit in most cases.

Topical Retinol Gel Or Creams:

Retinol works to keep pimples from being able to form. It affects the growth of cells, causing increased cell turnover to unblock pores.

While using retinol, acne gets worse before it gets better because it will work on the pimples that have already started forming beneath your skin.

Retinol must be used continuously and may take 8-12 weeks to get results. Retinol used to be available in only a prescription strength. While shopping, look for topical retinoids that are approved as an over-the-counter treatment for acne.

Alcohol And Acetone:

Alcohol is a mild antibacterial agent, and acetone can remove oils from the surface of the skin. Combined, these are present in some over-the-counter acne drugs but both dry out the skin, have little or no effect on acne, and are generally not recommended by dermatologists.

Herbal, Organic, And "natural" Medications:

While there are many herbal, organic, and natural products marketed to treat or prevent acne, unless you have an occasional pimple, the effectiveness of these agents isn't proven and they are unlikely to have much benefit.

Prescription Acne Treatments:

Antibiotics:

These are used on top of the skin (topical) or taken orally (systemic). They work by clearing the skin of acne-causing bacteria and bringing down inflammation. There are several topical acne treatment products available in creams, gels, solutions, pads, foams, and lotions.

Topical antibiotics are acne treatments that don't have the ability to penetrate the skin and fight more deep-seated acne, whereas systemic antibiotics circulate throughout the body and into sebaceous glands. However, systemic antibiotics should only be used for more severe kinds of acne as they often cause more side effects than topicals.

Usually, topical antibiotics aren't recommended alone as an acne treatment, as they can worsen the risk for antibiotic resistance in skin bacteria. However, using benzoyl peroxide with a topical antibiotic can decrease the chances of developing antibiotic resistance.

Other oral anti-inflammatory antibiotics often used are doxycycline, minocycline, and tetracycline, all of which are quite effective in many cases of acne.

Antibiotics do not fight the other causative factors in acne and it may take several weeks or months to clear the acne. Antibiotics are often used in combination with other drugs that "unclog" follicles.

Oral antibiotics for acne must be discontinued during pregnancy without second guessing!

Retinoids Or Vitamin A Derivatives:

Such drugs are available as topical or oral drugs.

Topical retinoids is an acne treatment that clears up moderate-to-severe acne by affecting the way the skin grows and sheds. They can be used along with other acne products, such as benzoyl peroxide and oral antibiotics. Topical retinoids don't have the severe side effects of oral retinoids; however, they aren't recommended for pregnant or nursing women. Side effects of this type of acne treatment includes redness, dryness, and itchy skin.

For severe cystic acne solutions like isotretinoin in the form of Absorica, Accutane, Amnesteem, Claravis or Sotret is the most effective therapy. This drug is the only drug that intervenes in all of the causes of acne. It can often even clear severe acne that hasn't responded to other treatments as it is very responsive. However, the product can have side effects such as:

• It can cause severe birth defects and must NEVER be taken by a woman who is pregnant or who is not using contraception. In addition, it shouldn't be taken by a woman who is nursing.
• Certain studies suggest its use has been associated with an increased risk of depression, suicide, and inflammatory bowel disease.
• Other side effects of this acne treatment are dry skin and lips, muscle and joint pain, headache, elevated triglyceride levels (a type of cholesterol), elevated liver enzymes, and, rarely, temporary hair shedding.
• For a lot of people taking these drugs, the side effects are tolerable and not a reason to discontinue therapy before the acne clears up.
• Talk to your doctor about the potential risks of this drug.

Azelaic Acid:

Another topical acne treatment is azelaic acid, which comes in a gel, cream or foam. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This acne treatment is more commonly used for another type of condition called rosacea, but it may help mild acne.

Dapsone:

This is a topical gel that is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.

Oral Contraceptives:

Birth control pills contain female hormones that work by counteracting the effect of male hormones (such as testosterone) on acne. Their use is limited to female patients. The maximum benefit of oral contraceptives as an acne treatment occurs in three to four months. Side effects include nausea, weight gain, spotting, breast tenderness, and blood clots.

Spironolactone (Aldactone):

Spironolactone is an oral acne treatment that can block the action of the body's hormones on the skin's oil glands. This drug medication, however, is not FDA-approved for acne.

Spironolactone especially helps those women who have acne that worsens around the time of menstruation and menopause as it is purely hormonal.

Risks Of Acne Treatments:

• Consuming acne drugs have possible side effects and interactions with other drugs and herbal remedies.
• Beware that topical retinoids and benzoyl peroxide can leave skin reddened, dry, and sensitive to sunlight, you have to be extra careful and use hats.
• Oral antibiotics may cause sensitivity to sunlight and even an upset stomach.
• Benzoyl peroxide can reduce the effects of some topical retinoids, so never apply them at the same time of day.
• Taking oral antibiotics for a few weeks or more may leave women susceptible to yeast infections.
• Some over-the-counter acne products can cause rare but fatal allergic reactions or severe irritation. Seek emergency medical attention if you have symptoms such as throat tightness, difficulty breathing, feeling faint, or swelling of the face or tongue.
• Discontinue using the product if you develop hives or itching.
• Symptoms can take anywhere from minutes to a day or longer after use to show up.

Acne Scar Treatments:

Adults tend to carry scars from acne which they experienced as teens and these relatively aggressive surgical procedures can improve scars.

Procedures include dermabrasion, several types of lasers, and chemical peeling. These procedures remove the scarred surface and expose unblemished skin layers. Dermatologists may also use the following:

• microneedling to stimulate collagen and lessen the appearance of scars
• subcision is where a needle is used under the scars to break them up
• fillers are injections under the scars that are injected to lift them up to the surrounding skin surface

Dermatologists may use more superficial peels such as glycolic or salicylic acid to help loosen whiteheads and blackheads and decrease pimples which is much much safer. They might also prescribe using tea tree oil to help reduce the scars in a natural way.

Microdermabrasion has little effect on acne itself, but it is effective when combined with lasers. Before considering any treatment, it is important to discuss the procedures, necessary precautions, and likely results with a doctor.

Hopefully, you are able to get some information on what method of acne treatment you want to progress with. You can start off with the non-prescribed treatments first. If that fails, then ask your doctor about any of the types of prescribed treatments you've read here and remember to avoid it during pregnancy.