How To Choose Effective Acne Medicine
By
Author: Jon Arnold
Source: articledashboard.com
Whether someone is suffering from non-inflammatory or inflammatory acne, sufferers will tell you that it is no laughing matter. Fortunately, help is always available. The severity of the acne would determine which treatment would be the most suitable. A wide variety of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, mainly for mild acne, is available.
Antibacterial cleansers: Most of the antibacterial cleansers contain Triclosan, which kills germs on the skin. While this is usually used to prevent pimples and acne, a side effect may be a dry skin.
Benzoyl Peroxide: Available in lotions and creams, Benzoyl Peroxide kills pimple-causing bacteria on the skin. It is available in different strengths, like 2.5, 5 and 10%. The highest level of 10% should not be used on sensitive areas like facial skin since it can cause irritation of sensitive skin.
Salicylic Acid: Salicylic Acid eliminates white and blackheads; it unclogs pores and is very effective in the prevention of pimples.
Alpha-hydroxy Acids: Derived from natural acids, Alpha Hydroxy Acids is not a bacteria killer, but removes dead skin cells. Look for beta-hydroxy acid and tri-alpha hydroxy acid.
If acne does not improve after a couple of month’s use of over-the-counter drugs, you should see a dermatologist. Everybody is different, and your form of acne may be particularly aggressive, where typical OTC (Over The Counter) acne medicine may not be sufficient. By prescribing specific drugs, a dermatologist can offer treatment that is more aggressive. It is especially important to see a dermatologist if acne scars develop.
Topical Antibiotics
For moderately severe acne, antibiotics like erythromycin and clindamycin also kill bacteria on the skin. It is available in astringents, creams lotions and gel. There is less chance of side effects, as it is not absorbed into the bloodstream.
Oral Antibiotics
With oral antibiotics such as erythromycin, tetracycline and minocycline it can take a few months before improvement is visible. Treatment might also have to be continued for a number of years. The high cost of some of these antibiotics, as well as the fact that bacteria can develop a resistance is definite drawbacks. Other side effects could be sun sensitivity.
Accutane is a very powerful, very expensive drug. It is normally used in very severe cases of acne, which did not respond to other treatments. Treatment lasts 16 weeks and blood tests have to be done during treatment. Accutane kills bacteria and decreases the size of oil glands. A common side effect is very dry skin. Since Accutane has been possibly associated with birth defects, it is very important that women who receive treatment with Accutane take precautions against pregnancy.
Retinoids
Retin A, Avita, Differin and Tazorac are all excellent treatments. Unclogging follicles and restoring oil flow, they also helps to fade lesions. Some people find that their skin’s condition worsens before it gets better. It also sometimes takes weeks before improvement is visible. It is advisable to cover the skin when using retinoids as sunlight could lessen effectiveness.
Hormone Treatment
Cortisone injections, which reduce inflammation, can be used as another treatment. Other medications to restore hormonal imbalances in men and women can also be effective.
Chemical skin peeling is sometimes necessary in cases where healed lesions on the skin left deep acne scars.
Although research is still being done to establish its effectiveness as an acne treatment, Tea Tree Oil, with its antibiotic properties, is considered by many people as a natural acne medicine.
October 25th, 2009
Acne Control – How To Get Rid Of Pimples
By
Author: thomas dean
Source: articledashboard.com
So you want to get rid of pimples? Well there are a load of treatments you can try, mostly for free. Most of them might not work for you, as we all have different acne types, but the treatments I’m going to tell you have been used by someone successfully. I’m guessing your part of the 85% from the USA that suffer from acne in the age range of 12 – 25, so you’re not alone.
Acne control #1: The free methods you can try consist of homemade treatments, I’ve had great success with one of these methods which is; Fresh mint juice and raw papaya juice, you simply mix both of these ingredients together, and gently rub on the infected areas. From experience it’s better to leave the solution on over night, for a better outcome. I tried this for 2 weeks, and noticed a big difference in my acne. There are other free home treatments that you can try at home aswell, I’ve personally not tried these ones, but other people have had success with them; Lemon juice and rose water, mix the solution together, apply to the infected areas, leave it on for around 30 minutes, then gently wash off with warm water. Again do this everyday for 2 weeks, you never know it might work for you. You can also try rubbing fresh garlic over the infected areas, if you have a mild case of acne, this may work best for you. You can try the common toothpaste method also, apply a small amount of toothpaste on the infected areas, and leave on overnight, then wash off in the morning.
Acne control #2: Try searching around in your local drug stores for a 5% to 10% benzoyl peroxide cream. Only your skin on your body can accept this cream, but it’s too strong to be used on your face. You can use this to dry out pimples on your body. And then use an alpha hydroxyl acid to exfoliate and combat any dryness.
Acne control #3: If none of the above works for you, I’d go speak to your local doctor, and they will probably advice you go to with laser treatment. I’ve never had laser treatment, but about 80% of people who go for it, come out successful, with no acne. It will leave the infected areas really tender for a few days, so avoid touching the areas at all costs.
So that should keep you busy for a while. Your guaranteed success with atleast one of the above methods, so take action today, and let’s combat acne together.