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Acne Information |
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How to Choose an Over The Counter Acne Medication
There are literally hundreds of various treatments available to reduce acne. There is everything from all natural herbal remedies, to powerful chemical pharmaceuticals such as Accutane. However, the most commonly used acne treatments in the United States are over the counter acne medications. They are generally inexpensive when compared to prescription medications, and some work very well. Benzoyl peroxide is the most commonly used over the counter acne medication, and for good reason; Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most effective acne treatments available. A 5% solution is usually all that is needed to treat acne, and it has almost no side effects for most people who use it. Unlike antibiotics and other prescription medications, Benzoyl peroxide can be used for months, even years at a time, and there are really no long term side effects (including a tolerance) that can be associated with it. Furthermore, benzoyl peroxide has been compared to some of the prescription medications for acne, and it is nearly as effective as many acne antibiotics. Over all, benzoyl peroxide is the most successful over the counter acne medication. However, there are others that can be very beneficial as well, including salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid, and it works as an astringent to remove dead skin cells. By removing the dead cells, this helps eliminate clogged pores, as well as help the skin renew itself faster. Since acne is caused by p.bacteria that builds up in sebum in the pores of the skin, it is very important for the sebum to have a way of draining out of the pores before it becomes infected. Once salicylic acid is used to eliminate the dead skin cells, then the sebum is much less likely to become trapped under the skin and infected. Salicylic acid is often sold as a makeup remover, but it is most commonly used in acne treatment via stridex pads or oxy pads. Sulfur is also used in some over the counter acne medications. Sulfur is one of the oldest acne treatments, and reacts with the skin in such a way that it makes it dry, and peel. This works on acne by drying out the Sebum, and therefore, stopping the bacterial growth. Many soaps and facial cleansers have sulfur in them. Sulfur is effective in getting rid of whiteheads and blackheads. It doesn't work well against the more inflamed cystic acne. One of the drawbacks is that it can increase skin cell adhesion to the skin, and therefore help cause more pimples in the future. It is best to use a gentle exfoliator when using sulfur to treat acne. Sulfur also has a strong odor, and some people have skin that reacts harshly to sulfur, causing excessive redness and peeling. Resorcinol is another over-the-counter chemical that is used to treat a variety of skin conditions, including acne. It works by breaking down hard skin. For acne, this means less clogged pores, and faster skin growth. Resorcinol is commonly used with sulfur to treat acne. It is also good for eczema and dandruff. Because it is a strong chemical, don't use resorcinol with other astringents or cleansers unless advised by a dermatologist to do so. These are the most commonly used over the counter acne treatments. For anyone who is suffering from acne, these 4 over-the-counter treatments have a good chance of helping to reduce or eliminate acne. Greg Podsakoff is a former acne sufferer, and editor of http://www.acne-treatments-guide.com
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Generally characterized by red bumps and whiteheads, acne also includes blackheads and lumps that form beneath the skin. How to Choose an Over The Counter Acne Medication There are literally hundreds of various treatments available to reduce acne. There is everything from all natural herbal remedies, to powerful chemical pharmaceuticals such as Accutane.
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Acne Medications 11/20/08
by: Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, Ph.D, ND, DACBN
Acne is an annoying skin condition that affects people of every age, gender, and race. Few skin conditions are as bothersome and disturbing as acne. The scientific name for the condition is acne vulgaris because acne usually strikes in plainly visible locations such as the face, neck, chest and back. Acne is an age-old problem that has likely been plaguing people for centuries. But there are numerous treatment methods available for this bothersome condition. Read on to learn more about acne, and the herbal, homeopathic, and traditional medications used to treat it.
What is Acne?
Acne is an inflammation of the skin that can be caused by a number of factors. Contact with an oily substance such as mineral oil, vegetable oil, or petroleum is a common cause of acne, as is the use of certain medication, steroids, on the contraceptive pill. However, acne is most often cause by the secretion of androgens. Androgens are sex hormones that are initially secreted at the onset of puberty. They are male hormones but they are secreted by females as well. Androgens stimulate the production of oil from the skin's oil glands. Acne occurs when these oil glands become overactive and the exit from the gland is blocked, causing the oil to build up in the gland and swell. A bacterium called Propionibacterium acnes normally colonizes this swollen gland causing the development of inflammation and pus. In particularly severe cases, the glands may burst into the skin and produce cysts.
Over ninety percent of acne patients respond to acne medication, although the treatment may need to be continued for months or even years. Here are a few of the common herbal, homeopathic, and traditional medications that can be used to treat acne.
Acne Medications
Herbal Medications: Herbs such as chamomile, lavender, juniper, bergamot, dandelion root, and burdock root can be used to reduce toxicity and improve the overall condition of the skin. Echinacea and poke root are often used for their anti-inflammatory properties and red clover may be beneficial for its estrogenic action. Witch hazel has excellent astringent properties and may be very effective on acne. I recommend the skin rejuvenation program at the www-acne-answers.org website.
Homeopathic Remedies: For patients with pustules and blind boils, especially on the face, neck, and back, may be helped by Kali brom. Taking selenium internally is often used for acne sufferers with oily skin, blackheads, and pustules. And hepar sulph. is typically used for patients who suffer from pustules that are painful and filled with yellow pus.
Nonprescription Medications can be toxic to the skin over a period of time. (Not Recommended for Use).
Benzoyl peroxide is a common acne treatment. It is an exfoliant and therefore helps to remove dead skin cells from the skin's surface. It also prevents bacteria from multiplying on the skin. It may come in gel, cream, or lotion form. And it may also be found in combination with sulphur which is another exfoliation agent. Benzoyl peroxide helps to prevent the development of new blemishes and clear up ones that are already present. It needs to be used on a daily basis and may initially cause itching, redness, and dryness. Skin will slowly show improvement over time with continued usage.
Salicyclic Acid: The chemical is very effective in the treatment of blackheads. It can loosen and soften thick, clogged pores. However, it does little to prevent the development of new blemishes.
Retinoic Acid: This medication may be used alone or in combination with a benzoyl peroxide preparation. Retinoic acid is derived from vitamin A, which is an important nutrient in the maintenance of healthy skin. Vitamin A reduces the blockage of oil glands and is therefore very useful in the treatment of whiteheads and blackheads. It can cause itchiness and redness, especially if the skin is exposed to strong amounts of sunlight. As with benzoyl peroxide, retinoic acid needs to be used for an extended period of time (at least six months) and it may be several weeks before any initial improvement is noticed.
Prescription Medications can be toxic to the skin over a period of time. (Not Recommended for Use).
Tetracycline: This antibiotic is the most popular conventional treatment for acne. It may be used alone or in combination with benzoyl peroxide. Food, antacids, iron supplements, and milk can interfere with the absorption of this antibiotic, so it is important to remember to take it alone. This medication must be taken for a minimum of three months, and it often needs to be continued for even longer. It will take at least two months before any improvement is noticed. Other antibiotics may also be prescribed if tetracycline is not effective. These include: trimetoprim-sulfamethoxazole, minocycline, doxycycline, and erythromycin. Antibiotics also kill the good bacteria in your bowel and can cause your teeth to turn gray.
Oral contraceptives: For women with acne who also need birth control, some doctors will prescribe an oral contraceptive that contains either mestranol or ethinylestradiol. These drugs interfere with the androgen hormone that causes acne.
Therapeutic Injections: In severe cases of acne where cysts form, doctors have had some success with injecting steroids directly into the cyst to resolve them.
Isotretinoin: Like the topical retinoic acid, this medication is a derivative of vitamin A and it works to prevent the blockage of oil glands. Blocking the glands does not fix the problem.
To learn more visit http://www.acne-answers.org.
About The Author
Dr. Group, the founder/CEO and clinical director for the Global Healing Center, heads a research and development team producing advanced, new, natural health protocols and products. To learn more visit http://www.ghchealth.com.
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