Say Goodbye to Acne

If you are unfortunate to suffer from acne then you should be aware that it is treatable. This article will describe some of the available forms of treatment to reduce the effects of acne on the skin. You should be aware that these methods will not stop the acne, but they will help to prevent new spots developing.

The most common form of treatment and the one that is likely to be recommended by your doctor is benzoyl peroxide. Acne is usually caused by excess oil production that blocked the pores in the skin. It is therefore important to keep the skin clean and fresh and so washing the affected areas on a regular basis will help to alleviate the problems. With this in mind, benzoyl peroxide can be found in soaps, creams and other antibacterial agents.

These treatments are available without prescription and can be purchased at most pharmacies. Although effective in improving the appearance of acne, benzoyl peroxide can cause dry skin and severe redness of the affected area.

If this treatment is not effective or you are suffering from severe acne, you can ask your doctor to prescribe either topical or oral treatments. There are a number of different types of topical treatments available. Antibiotics such erythromycin helps to remove the bacteria from the affected areas and unblock the skin pores. Other treatments such as topical retinoids work by applying to the skin on a daily basis. This causes the skin to flake and after a period of time improves its appearance.

Oral Treatments can be used if the side effects of the external treatments are too great. The most common forms of treatment in this case are the use of tetracycline. A doctor will recommend that they should be taken for a minimum of three months before any improvements in the skin can be expected. Unfortunately, although initial improvement may occur with this treatment, the bacteria that causes the acne seems to rapidly develop resistance to the antibiotics.

Should the acne not respond to any of these more common methods of treatment then your doctor may suggest the use of Isotretinoin. Effectively this works by reducing the amount of oil-based secretions in the skin. This drug is the most effective but also causes some severe side effects such as liver damage and is potentially dangerous for women who are pregnant. For this reason, its application is always closely monitored by a doctor.

If none of these conventional methods of acne treatment work then you may also consider a relatively new form of treatment known as phototherapy. This works on the principle that sunlight seems to improve skin generally if we are exposed to it in moderation.

This procedure involves the use of ultra-violet light, which when used regularly appears to dramatically reduce the appearance of acne in the affected areas. Unlike the traditional forms of treatments, Phototherapy also seems to last longer with the signs of acne not returning for several months after its first application.

However it should be remembered that this form of treatment is new and so is very expensive. Phototherapy has been classified as safe but the long term effects are as yet unknown.

So if you are suffering from acne then you now know that there are plenty of treatments available. The worst thing you can do is suffer in silence.

When reaching the age of puberty, acne can be a menace to both boys and girls aged between 12 up to 25 years old. However, men and women in their 30s and 40s are sometimes not spared of this skin problem that look as ordinary as blackheads, whiteheads, red or yellow spots, or greasy skin to scars.

Acne typically affects the skin of the face, back, neck, chest and arms and the severity of the condition can vary. It affects people of all skin colours and the processes that cause acne are exactly the same in people with black or brown skin but the impact is altered by the skin pigmentation.

The surface of the skin has lots of small sebaceous glands just below the surface. These glands make an oily substance called sebum that keeps the skin smooth and supple. Acne is caused by the over activity of the sebaceous glands that secrete oily substances onto the skin.

In more severe inflammatory acne, cysts develop beneath the skin surface. These acne cysts can rupture, spreading the infection into nearby skin tissue and can result in scarring.

Acne is easily recognised by the appearance of the spots, and by their distribution on the body.

There are several varieties of acne and your doctor will be able to tell you which type you have after examining your skin. For most teen-ager and adults alike, acne may cause considerable emotional distress but there is a range of acne treatment options to help you tackle the problem.

No acne treatment will completely cure it but the aim is to prevent new spots forming, to improve those already present, and to prevent scarring.

For simple acne treatment at home, it is important to keep spot-prone areas clean, so wash the affected area twice a day with an unperfumed cleanser. The skin needs a certain amount of oil to maintain its natural condition, so avoid aggressive washing with strong soaps.

There are a number of over-the-counter remedies available from pharmacies to treat mild acne. These usually contain antibacterial agents such as benzoyl peroxide and along with its antibacterial effects, it can dry out the skin and encourage it to shed the surface layer of dead skin. Together, these effects make it harder for pores to become blocked and for infection to develop.

Benzoyl peroxide can cause redness and peeling, especially to start with but this tends to settle down if you reduce the number of times you use it. You can then build up your use gradually.

Remember that no home acne treatments will work immediately. It can take weeks, if not months, for significant effects to be noticeable. If home treatments have not worked after two months, or you have severe acne, you should visit your dermatologist or physician, who may start again your treatment by prescribing a preparation containing benzoyl peroxide. If this does not work, or if you have more severe acne, there are a range of other treatment options that you can either rub onto your skin (topical) or take in tablet form (oral).

An alternative to benzoyl peroxide is azelaic acid and this may not make your skin as sore as using the former. There is also the topical retinoids that are based on vitamin A, which are rubbed into the skin once or twice a day. They work by encouraging the outer layer of skin to flake off.

A topical antibiotic lotion applied to the skin can be used to control the P. acnes bacteria and the treatment needs to continue for at least six months.

Finally, there are several oral treatments you may be prescribed including oral antibiotics (tablets), such as tetracycline for inflammatory acne. They should be taken daily for around three months, although it might take four to six months for the benefits to be seen. The success of this treatment can be limited because the strains of bacteria are often resistant to the common antibiotics. Antibiotics do not prevent pores from becoming blocked so treatment to prevent blackheads, such as benzoyl peroxide, is often also prescribed at the same time.

Acne is a skin infection that causes spots and in severe cases can cause scarring. Acne normally starts at the onset of puberty which is why acne is normally associated with teenagers, although for some people it may be lifelong. 80% of the population may be affected at some time of their life. Acne spots normally occur on the face, neck,chest, back and upper arm.

It is generally thought that acne is caused by skin over-reacting to hormones, probably the male hormone testosterone. More men suffer from acne than women because of their higher levels of testosterone. Skin is covered with tiny hair follicles each with a gland that produces an oily substance called sebum. In some people the gland becomes over-active producing more oil which mixes with dead skin cells and blocks the follicle. An infection then builds up behind the blockage causing acne. Acne spots develop in several ways. Blackheads and whiteheads form when the follicle is blocked. These can become infected as the oil builds up and the infection then causes the characteristic acne spots to appear.

Acne treatment can either topical, applied to the acne, or oral. Mild acne such as blackheads and whiteheads can be treated with over the counter treatments such as topical creams, lotions, gels or soaps. These treatments normally contain antibacterial agents such as benzoyl peroxide, or retinoids which loosen the dead skin cells that are blocking the hair follicles. Benzoyl peroxide dries the skin and may cause some irritation and redness. Normally this settles down but if it persists you should consult your doctor. Always apply topical medicine carefully, damaging the skin risks spreading the infection.

If the acne is caught early enough by treating blackheads and whiteheads, infection may be prevented. Over the counter treatments take time to work and should continue for six months. If the acne does not improve after several months you may need a prescription medicine.

Prescription medicines for moderate acne may be either topical or oral treatments. Initially, if the acne is not too severe, your doctor may recommend a topical treatment. If this does not work he may prescribe a low dose oral treatment or a combination of topical and oral treatments. Some women find that taking the contraceptive pill helps to clear their acne.

If you are suffering from severe acne your doctor may refer you to a dermatologist and you could be prescribed isotretinoin which is a highly effective oral treatment. It works by reducing the amount of oil produced. However, isotretinoin should never be taken except under strict supervision as it can have side effects . Pregnant women should never take it and women are advised to practise two forms of birth control if they have been prescribed isotretinoin. This protection should be taken for one month before and after using isotretinoin.

Acne can cause scarring and can be treated in a number of ways. These can include laser resurfacing, dermabrasion, collagen injections, and chemical peels. The effectiveness of these acne treatments depends on the individual patient and the extent of the acne scarring.

As a parent of a teenage you should be particularly sensitive to the psychological effects of acne and watching for warning signs. Many acne sufferers start to withdraw from normal social activity. A teenager is particularly sensitive about their appearance. They may believe they are unattractive, particularly if they have been teased about the acne. They cease to interact with their friends and if you notice that they are dropping activities they have previously enjoyed, for example sport or clubs, preferring instead to spend time in front of a computer or in their rooms, it is probable they are embarrassed. Shutting themselves off from society can lead to depression and other problems such as eating disorders. Makeup to camouflage the acne can help and using medicated concealer is best

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Emotional support is essential. Explaining the causes of acne will help the sufferer to understand the problem has nothing to do with poor hygiene. Although diet is not the primary cause of acne, encouraging a good diet will help lessen the risk of developing an eating disorder.

Curing acne takes time and anyone, regardless of their age, suffering from what they see as a disfigurement, needs support. If necessary their doctor may suggest counselling.

This article is for information only and no liability is accepted for action taken. Health problems ahould always be discussed with your physician.

By: Margaret Tye

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Solve your acne & skincare problems at http://www.acnepimplezits.com