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Acne Information |
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How to Find the Best Acne Treatments Available
Acne, which affects the majority of teenagers, and a very large number of adults as well, can be treated using various different methods, with prices ranging from relatively inexpensive to incredibly expensive. However, the best acne treatments are those that treat acne from inside the body, as well as on the surface of the skin - since acne starts inside. The name on the package really doesn't matter as much as what is inside the package. Some ingredients have proven to be quite effective for treating acne, while others don't seem to have any affect. Some ingredients are perfectly safe, while other's have risks associated with them. What you use to treat your acne is up to you - but it is important that you make informed decisions, in order to find the best acne treatments for you. Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most effective ingredients found in a large majority of acne medications, however, there is quite a bit of controversy surrounding this chemical. Benzoyl peroxide has been linked to skin cancer, and it is on the FDA's 'unsure' list. This means that while it has been approved by the FDA for human use, the FDA cannot say that it is safe to use - but the FDA hasn't determined that it is unsafe either. Some of the most effective treatments for a large majority of people who suffer with acne are: ProActiv, Accutane, and Retin-A. This doesn't mean that these medications work for everyone - it just means that it is effective for the majority of people who use these treatments. ProActiv is a three step topical acne fighting system that does not require a prescription, although it does contain prescription grade Benzoyl peroxide. Accutane is an oral prescription medication. There are many side affects associated with the use of Accutane, such as chapped lips, dry skin, nosebleeds, eye irritation, joint and muscle pain, hair thinning, skin rash, intestinal problems, urinary problems, headaches, and vision problems. There are even some psychological side effects, such as depression. Accutane is not prescribed to women who are pregnant or nursing, due to serious birth defects. Retin-A has very few side effects, and is available in both prescription and over the counter forms. Retin-A is used to treat a variety of skin problems other than acne as well, including wrinkles, lines, scars, and discoloration. If using one of these products is of interest to you, you should start with ProActiv. If ProActiv doesn't work, try Retin-A next. Avoid using Accutane if you can, and if you do decide that you want to give Accutane a try, make sure that you weigh the potential side effects carefully. While these treatments are costly, they have proven to be the most successful. Therefore, in most cases, they are well worth the expense. People spend billions of dollars purchasing inexpensive acne treatments that simply do not work. If you look at it in terms of how much money you would spend buying products that do not work, in relation to the amount you will spend to purchase an acne treatment that works for a large majority of the population, you will find that you are better off spending the money on the products that work in the long run, bypassing those that do not work. Keep in mind, however, that even though these are the best acne treatments available, this doesn't mean that other, less expensive treatments won't work for you. What works for you will depend on many factors, including how severe your acne is. Discuss your options with your dermatologist. No matter which acne treatment you use, you must keep your face clean, keep your hair and hands off your face, use the treatment as directed, and give the treatment time to work. Failure to do any of these things will keep your acne treatment from working - no matter how good it is. You should also remember that what works for some people may not work for others. The best acne treatments are not always the best for everyone. What worked for your neighbor may cause your acne to become worse. Work to find the best acne treatment for you - and make sure you give it time to work! Acneteam.com strives to provide you with the latest information with regard to acne, the best acne treatments, the "old wives' tales" and cures. Don't blame the blemishes, we love to help! See for yourself at: AcneTeam.com (http://www.acneteam.com/)
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Acne 11/20/08
by Helen Jones
Acne has a characteristic appearance and is not difficult to diagnose. General practitioners, pediatricians, and internists can treat most individuals with mild and moderate forms of acne. People with more severe cases of acne however, are often referred to a dermatologist or a skin disease specialist. The practitioner will take a complete medical history that includes questions about skin care, cosmetic use, and diet; factors that trigger flare-ups; medication use; occupational and environmental exposures; and prior treatment. The practitioner will also examine the face, chest, back, and other areas for blemishes, lesions, and scars. Several factors, including the size of the blemishes and whether or not they are inflamed, help a practitioner determine the most appropriate treatment.
Treatment of Acne
The main goals of acne treatment are to prevent scarring, reduce the number of painful lesions, and minimize the stress and embarrassment related to the condition. The basic principle of skin care is to wash the affected area no more than one to two times per day with a mild, nondrying soap. Frequent washing and the use of harsh soaps can actually make the condition worse. Healthcare practitioners will often recommend topical medications as their first choice for treating acne (generally either benzoyl peroxide or a class of drugs known as retinoids). These are designed to wear away the top layer of skin (exfoliate) as well as to reduce abnormal clumping of cells in the follicles, oil and bacteria production, and inflammation. Additionally, facial steaming with accompanying manual extraction of the comedones (such as by a professional aesthetician) is valuable for exfoliation as well. Expect to use medications and/or complementary and alternative remedies for at least 6 to 8 weeks before seeing a noticeable improvement in symptoms. Seek medical care if infantile acne does not improve within three months.
Medications
Topical
Topical medications (those applied directly to the skin) are available in many forms including gels, lotions, creams, soaps, or pads. The most commonly used topical medications for acne include:
Benzoyl peroxide works by killing bacteria and unclogging pores. This medication comes in prescription and over-the-counter preparations. Benzoyl peroxide should not be applied at the same time of day as topical retinoids. To avoid adverse reactions, apply to small area on forearm and observe the area for two to three days. If no reaction occurs, application to the face should be safe.
Retinoids work by unclogging pores and reducing inflammation. These medications come in prescription form only. Commonly prescribed retinoids include tretinoin, adapalene, and tazarotene. They are intended for individuals with significant numbers of both open and closed comedones as well as papules and pustules. Side effects may include redness, peeling, and photosensitivity (high risk of sunburn). Most retinoids are applied at night and should not be applied at the same time as benzoyl peroxide (with the exception of adapalene). Topical retinoids should not be used during pregnancy as they may cause harm to the fetus.
Antibiotics work by killing bacteria and reducing inflammation. Topical antibiotics such as clindamycin or erythromycin are available in prescription form. They may be used to treat mild to moderate acne.
In some cases, healthcare practitioners may recommend a combination of topical medications, such as benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin. Other topical acne medications available by prescription include sodium sulfacetamide and azelaic acid.
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Oral
Healthcare practitioners may prescribe oral (taken by mouth) antibiotics either alone or in addition to topical medications for individuals with moderate to severe acne. For those with severe, inflammatory acne that does not improve with other medications, healthcare practitioners may prescribe an oral retinoid called isotretinoin. Further information about these medications is discussed below:
Antibioticswork by killing bacteria and reducing inflammation. Commonly prescribed oral antibiotics include doxycycline, minocycline, and tetracycline. Oral antibiotics should not be used during pregnancy or by those under 9 years of age.
Isotretinoinworks by reducing the size of oil glands and lowering sebum production. It is usually prescribed by a dermatologist for individuals with severe, inflammatory acne that does not improve with other medications. Isotretinoin is taken twice a day for 20 weeks. It should not be used by pregnant women as it may cause harm to the fetus.
In some cases, healthcare practitioners may also prescribe certain oral contraceptives in addition to acne medications.
Surgery and Other Procedures
Individuals with severe acne scars may require surgery or other procedures to improve the appearance of their skin. Dermatologists can perform skin resurfacing techniques such as dermabrasion (a procedure that uses a rapidly rotating brush to remove acne scars or pits) or chemical peeling (a chemical solution is applied to the skin that causes it to blister and eventually peel off). Dermatologic surgeons can also perform scar excisions (a technique in which the scar is removed and the surrounding healthy skin is joined together) and punch grafting (a method in which the surgeon punches a hole in the skin, removes the scar, and replaces it with a small plug of new skin) to correct deep acne scars.
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