Acne, an eyesore for many, is a common skin condition developed due to inflamed sebaceous glands (oil glands). Reddened spots appear, mostly around the face and neck area, but could well extend to other parts such as shoulders and the back. Several factors are known to be linked to this eruption, given that the root cause is as such not clear.
Family/Genetic History, Stress, Inflammation of Skin, Hormonal Activity, reaction to medication etc. are some primary causes. Scores of pimple healing products and treatments happen to be now available over the shelf, however choosing the one that really works for you best is a challenge.
Acne Forms And Treatment
Treatment for Acne comes in two forms; Topical Treatments (applied to the skin) and Oral Medicines (taken through the mouth). To help select the most appropriate treatment, it is a good idea to understand how severe your condition is.
Minimal to Mild Cases: Self Care and OTC Treatments
It is always preferable to start treatment during this stage, before acne has a chance to aggravate .Cleansers, OTC treatments, Topical benzoyl peroxide, Topical antibiotics in general respond well.You don’t require a prescription to buy Over-The-Counter(OTC) products from your pharmacist. The following are all appropriate for Minimal to Mild cases of Acne.
1) Home Care: A consistent skin care routine consisting of cleansing, exfoliating, lightly moisturizing spot-prone areas, twice a day is good start to a healthier skin. Aggressive scrubbing and picking of pimples should be avoided as it could result in scarring.
2) Skin Cleansers: These usually contain anti bacterial agents such as benzoyl peroxide or Salicylic acid useful in removing dirt and accumulated oil on the skin. In doing so, these products generally make it easier for topical acne treatments to be absorbed.
3) Benzoyl Peroxide: It breaks down and removes dead cells on the skin surface and also kills bacteria. These effects make it hard for pores to become blocked and for infection to develop.
4) Natural Treatments: There are a number of natural treatments to help manage your outbreak.
Moderate To Severe Cases - Topical and Oral Prescription Treatments
Topical treatments are applied to the skin’s surface. All of the following are prescription medicines can be prescribed only by your consulting doctor or dermatologist.
1) Topical Retinoid: These medications are derivatives of Vitamin A and works towards the extrusion of plugged material from the follicle.
2) Topical Antibiotics (Clindamycin and erythromycin): They work by killing bacteria and keeping pores open by reducing small infections in them. These are available in the form of solution, lotion, or gel.
3) Oral Antibiotics: are prescribed for moderate to severe acne.
4) Oral Retinoid (Isotretioin/Accutane): This drug is effective for most severe forms. It reduces the formation of sebum by decreasing the size of sebaceous glands. It has a much longer effect than other anti-bacterial treatments and will often cure acne for good.
The length of many of these treatments usually lasts between 8-20 weeks. Do not feel disheartened if one doesn’t work for you. It would help to consult your doctor on the right choice of acne treatment suitable for you.