i<3Killua asked:
What brand should I use that isn’t too expensive but still works? I’ve tried Acne Free, Clearasil, and Neutrogena. What should I do about acne scars and blemishes? Homemade remedies are also fine.
One of the more effective acne treatments is benzoyl peroxide, which is the active ingredient behind many different topical treatments such as Clearasil Max and ProActive. However, you have to be careful with benzoyl peroxide on your face because it could cause irritation of your skin. It is better used on thicker skin, and is therefore widely used for treating back acne. It not only possesses antibacterial properties but also promotes the flaking of dead surface skin cells.
One of the problems with acne is that a treatment that one person finds effective might not be so for another. Each person has to find an acne treatment that is most effective for their own condition. Some of the milder forms of acne can be treated simply with a mild facial cleanser. If you follow this up with a commercial antibacterial acne treatment, then you will have as good a chance as any of controlling your condition or even of curing it.
If your acne is deeper and more persistent, a treatment needs to be designed to effectively reduce the production of sebum. This is the oil that is believed to be responsible for most acne conditions. This treatment approach would be an effective way of preventing the acne from getting worse and possibly even stopping it altogether. One prescription for achieving this is called isotretinoin (e.g. Accutane), a Vitamin A based treatment. It will only be prescribed by a doctor if the acne is severe and persistent, and is not suitable for anybody with liver problems.
With regard to topical acne creams, Vitamin A (retinol) can be effective, although a proportion of the population contract dry and flaking skin when they use it. In fact that is how it works: by promoting flaking off of the top skin cell. It is basically a topical form of the oral isotretinoin, but not as strong. It is not the perfect treatment, and like most acne treatments, it will suit some more than others.
Antibiotic treatments can be effective, particularly when used in conjunction with skin-shedding applications such as benzoyl peroxide or retinol. However, most topical treatments will show few benefits for at least six months. So you are looking at long-term treatments rather than the quick fix. In fact there really are no quick fixes for acne, although laser treatment can produce rapid results in serious cases.
Oral contraceptives have been found to work for women with acne. A combination of the testosterone suppressant, cyproterone acetate and the hormone ethinylestradiol (eg. Dianette) have been found to be an effective treatment. It works by suppressing the male hormones (that all women have) and with it, the production of sebum.
There is really no such thing as the best acne treatment because each works differently with different people. This simply indicates the difficulty in understanding the true causes and nature of the condition. The way for you to find the best acne treatment is start off with the milder treatments and work up. Thus, antibacterial soaps and body scrubs should be followed with topical over the counter acne creams. If these don’t work, then your physician might suggest a prescription treatment, and eventually, with a bit of persistence on your part, you will come across an acne treatment that suits you. The best acne treatment for an individual is the one that works.
Nearly everyone at some time or other gets spots, pimples or whatever you want to call them. The best thing to do is keep your hands away from your face, don’t be tempted to pick, squeeze or scratch, just leave it alone. It will only ruin your day if you allow it to. If you really feel the need to do something about it, then pay a visit to your local drugstore and see if they can supply you with a cream, something like Clearasil, which will temporarily disguise a pimple and at the same time help the healing process.
Before buying products for acne there are certain factors to take into consideration. You should know your own skin type as different skin needs different treatments. If your skin is oily, you should use a gel-based product. If you have dry skin, a cream will be more suitable. If like most people you have a combination skin, then buy the product that will treat your acne in whichever zone your pimples appear, such as gel for oily areas and cream for dry areas.
Your problems could be made worse if your skin is sensitive and you opt for a product which is too harsh. It could cause your skin to produce even more oil or dry out your skin which will result in even more pimples. All labels should be carefully read and the mildest cream or ointment available should be used on sensitive skin.
There are medicated products on the market which contain a chemical that dries up the pimple and acts as a defoliator. Benzoyl peroxide and Salycic acid are the two most frequently used of these products. Clearasil, Dryox, Persa-Gel, and Fostex are some of the brand names. They all have benzoyl peroxide and come in lotions, creams, gels and soap. Products containing salicylic acid are Stridex, Oxy Night Watch, Clearasil Clearstick Maximum Strength, and PROPApH. Sulfur is also used in some over the counter acne products and is present in Liquimat, Therac Lotion, Sulmasque, and Sulpho-Lac Acne Medication. Those medications which have a combination of benzoyl peroxide and sulfur include Dryox 10S, Dryox 20S and Sulfoxyl.
Extreme outbreaks of acne and some other sorts of pimples may not react to medication available over the counter and may require the attention of a professional such as a doctor or dermatologist.
To help you through the day, try putting a light dusting of face powder over the pimple. Leave off the heavy make up as this will only make things worse. Squeezing the pimple will only make it more irritated and is likely to spread the infection to other parts of your face.
So we have established that there are no quick fixes available when you wake up on the morning of a special occasion, or any other day for that matter, to find a large pimple on your face, but you can ensure things don’t get any worse by keeping your hands off it! Chances are, no-one will even notice you have a pimple, so chin up, eyes ahead and don’t let it ruin your day or worse still, your life.
By: Ken Black
