Say Goodbye to Acne

If you are looking for an acne medication solution, there are many over the counter treatments to choose from. But what is the best acne treatment? This gives you a quick OTC acne treatment comparison, so you can choose the OTC acne skin care product that works best for you.

Over the counter acne products should be used for mild, or Grade I acne. If you treat acne during this stage, you have a better chance of controlling it before it progresses to the next stage.

It is typical to find blackheads and whiteheads with mild acne. There may be some papules and pustules at this stage, but they are more infrequent. Mild acne can improve quite a bit by the application of over the counter topical treatments.

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl Peroxide is probably the most common acne medication. It works by killing the bacteria that causes breakouts. It also unclogs pores and can reduce inflammation. You can purchase Benzoyl Peroxide over the counter in strengths from 2.5% to 10%. It is the main ingredient in many popular acne treatments, including Proactiv.

Benzoyl Peroxide is extremely drying to the skin, so you should always use it along with acne face moisturizer. It is always best to get your skin used to it gradually by using lower strengths, and applying very small amounts to begin with. You may even want to only use it every other day in beginning. Over a few weeks time, you should be able to build up to using it more frequently and can opt for a strength that is stronger, if you think you need it.

Resorcinol and Sulfer

Recorcinol and sulfer are typically found together in acne products. Resorcinol helps remove dead skin cell buildup. Sulfer has been used for a number of years to prevent acne. Resorcinol usually comes in strengths of 2% and surfer usually comes in strengths of 5% to 8%. These ingredients are found in some Clearasil products.

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic Acid corrects abnormal shedding of skin cells that block pore openings to reduce breakouts. This product works very well for those who have blackheads and whiteheads. The typical strength is .5 to 2%. Some Oxy, Noxema and Stridex products contain salicylic acid.

Alcohol and Acetone

Alcohol and acetone are typically found together in many treatments for oily skin. Alcohol helps reduce bacteria and acetone removes excess oil in your skin. You typically will find these two ingredients in astringents, toners and cleansers.

Now when you are looking for an acne medication solution, you will be better prepared with this quick OTC acne treatment comparison.

By: Eileen Childs

About the Author:

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

Acne is a very common skin infection caused by excessive sebaceous gland secretion. Acne usually appears on the face, back, chest and shoulders. It is commonly seen in teenagers and adults. Acne is believed to be caused by the hormonal imbalance and toxins within the body. Acne can cause scars on the skin and make the skin sensitive and painful. The most effective acne treatment is that which offers long lasting results without any side effects. There are two types of acne treatments available and they are nonprescription acne treatment and prescription acne treatment.

Nonprescription acne treatments are mainly used for the treatment of mild types of acnes. This treatment is the best solution for reducing sebum production, killing bacteria and removing dead cells from the skin. Nonprescription acne medications include antibacterials, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and alpha-hydroxy acids. Prescription acne treatments are used for the treatment of inflammatory acnes.

The common prescribed acne medications include retinoids, topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics, and accutane. Several natural acne treatments are also used to remove acne and the scars it causes, and are considered to be the most effective acne treatment by many people. Drinking at least eight glasses of water daily, avoiding stress, and proper exercise will ensure a healthy, toxin free body which is necessary for clear skin.

A diet that is rich in natural minerals helps to maintain the health of the skin cells and avoid the occurrence of acne. Proper diet and skin care is the basis of the most effective acne treatment Avoiding food with high fat content can considerably reduce the risk of acne. By avoiding diary products, fatty foods, processed foods, sugar, alcohol, and tobacco you can remove toxins from your body. A variety of advanced treatments exist. Depending upon whether the acne is mild, moderate or severe, you have to try different applications to find the one suitable for you.

But before you go thinking that you can get clear skin but just hoping for it, let me correct you. For you to get clear skin it is going to take dedication and a commitment to a routine, and once you have that clear skin will be the next thing to follow. Because acne is a condition, if you fall out of your routine and get back into your hold habits, then the acne will come back, and sometimes even stronger. Commitment and dedication, you can accomplish almost anything.

By: Ben Levanger

About the Author:

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

A cyst is a severe form of acne that is filled with bacteria, white blood cells and dead skin. Cysts can be very painful and extend inside the skin damaging the skin tissue. In nodulocystic acne, cysts and nodules form together. Some experts say that cysts are severely infected nodules and should be called as such. Treatment of cysts is a challenging task. Because cysts invariably form scars, they need to be treated as soon as possible and before they damage more skin cells.

Acne Treatment – stages of acne

Acne begins with plugged skin pores and develops in stages. In the first stage, acne usually begins in the form of whiteheads and blackheads (caused by plugged pores of the skin). Blackheads are called open comedones. Whiteheads are called closed comedones. The blackheads and whiteheads are the first stage of acne. The second stage is pimples or zits. They are medically known as papules and pustules. Pimples form when the acne gets inflamed. Some people suffer from third stage of serious acne, called as nodules and cysts. These are very large and deep lumps of acne. Skin develops scars if acne progresses to second and third stages.

Acne Treatment Regimen For Cysts-

In severe form of acne, you develop nodules and cysts that are all inflamed. Treating this acne takes more time and patience. Your doctor will treat you with combination therapy to control and cure the acne while trying to take care that minimum scars form. The treatment regimen for severe acne may include physical as well as oral and topical treatments. The options may include- isotretinoin, oral antibiotics, oral contraceptives for female patients, injecting corticosteroid in the lesions and surgical procedure.

Acne Treatment – Isotretinoin:

Isotretinoin is one of the most potent treatments for severe form of acne which has not responded well to other therapies. Isotretinoin is a retinoid which is a form of vitamin A. Isotretinoin helps treat all the four reasons of acne formation-

a. Excess oil,

b. Clogged pores,

c. Inflammation, and

d. The bacteria p.acnes.

The normal course of isotretinoin is one or two pills a day for up to twenty weeks. Your dermatologist will decide the dose. Don’t take Isotretinoin without medical supervision.

Side Effects Of Isotretinoin:

For women, it is very important to be in constant contact with their doctor because isotretinoin can cause damage to development of fetus. It cannot be given during pregnancy and before the treatment begins, all possibilities of pregnancy have to be eliminated. Talk to your doctor in detail about this and follow his/her instructions very strictly. The other side effects of isotretinoin may include joint pains, headaches, nausea, depression and others. You must not miss your appointment with your doctor while taking isotretinoin.

Acne Treatment -Oral Antibiotics-

Broad-spectrum antibiotics can reduce the bacteria P.acnes substantially. With reduction in the population of this bacterium, inflammation reduces. The antibiotic may include drugs such as – tetracycline, erythromycin, doxycycline, etc.

Acne Treatment -oral contraceptives for women-

Overactive sebaceous glands produce more sebum and are one of the main causes of acne. Some oral contraceptives can reduce the production of excessive sebum. These drugs should be taken only under medical supervision. Sometimes, you may have to consult the gynecologist, for which your doctor will advise you.

Acne Treatment -injecting corticosteroid

In this treatment, a mild steroid is injected in the cyst. The steroid reduces the acne substantially within a few days. This treatment also prevents scarring as it reduces the possibility of bursting of a cyst and dries it totally. Your doctor may find it necessary to cut open the acne and drain it. This procedure needs skill and patients should not try this themselves.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

By: CD Mohatta

About the Author:

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