Acne Treatments
Acne is an extremely common skin disease that affects many Americans.
While acne is not life threatening, it can be extremely uncomfortable
physically, as well as socially embarrassing. Acne affects both men and
women of all ages; however it is predominately associated with
teenagers going through puberty. If you or a loved one is experiencing
acne, the good news is that acne in all its forms can be treated
effectively. Here are some tips on the different types of treatments
available for acne sufferers.
It is important to note that each person s skin is unique and
will respond to treatments differently. A treatment that works for your
friend very well, may not work at all on your skin. When trying to
treat acne, it is important to experiment with several treatments
before choosing the treatment that works best for you.
There are many types of treatments, but they usually fall into
two distinct categories, over the counter and prescription medicine.
Over the counter treatments are usually less potent, more affordable
and very convenient to use. Prescription medications require a
prescription from your doctor, so they are more difficult to try; some
prescription medications are extremely potent and can cause adverse
side effects. Usually prescription medications are used for moderate to
severe forms of acne.
Over the Counter Treatments
Over the counter treatments usually include cleansers and topical
solutions. They focus on cleaning the skin of excess sebum (oil) and
removing or neutralizing any bacteria on the face. They also may dry
the skin so that the skin is not full of sebum. For the most part over
the counter treatments work very well, especially for mild to moderate
forms of acne. It is important to note that over the counter treatments
may take a while to work, don t just test them for one night and decide
whether to continue. You should use the product as directed in order to
determine if it is useful for your specific acne situation.
Prescription Mediations for Acne
If you are
suffering from moderate or severe forms of acne, you should definitely
seek advice and treatment from a doctor (dermatologist). Most
dermatologists will usually prescribe medications that can treat
specific traits of your acne. For instance, many dermatologists will
combat an increase of hormones by prescribing birth control or
medication to help control hormones. Another type of medication that
your doctor may prescribe is either an oral or topical antibiotic.
Antibiotics can easily help control the P. acne bacteria that cause
pimples.
In addition, for extremely severe or stubborn forms of acne,
there are treatments that can combat all major factors that cause acne.
One treatment is called Accutane. It is important to note that Accutane
is only available by prescription. Accutane is extremely potent and can
cause adverse side effects in certain users. Your doctor can consult
with you on the specific adverse effects, however, they can include
birth defects for those taking Accutane that are pregnant or become
pregnant while on the treatment.