Acne treatment
Article by David Mitchell
Acne should never be dismissed as a trivial complaint which the sufferer will eventually ‘grow out of’. Acne can be both disfiguring and embarrassing, and scarring resulting from severe acne can leave its mark on the psyche as well as on the skin.
Treatment of acne must be tailored to the individual sufferer. Dermatologists are guided by the severity and type of acne, areas affected, age of patient, family history, and whether or not a patient has any other medical problems. Pregnant and breast-feeding women have special requirements. Cystic Acne needs more potent forms of treatment than other types of acne. A pre-pubertal girl with mainly black-heads and whiteheads and relatively few inflamed pimples will need a different approach from a woman nearing menopause. The personal preferences of the individual patient will also be taken into account. Treatment programs are aimed at one or more of the main causes, namely the over-production of sebum, blockage of sebaceous ducts, bacterial activity, and inflammation.
Cleaning the skin in acne
Washing is important to remove grime and surface oil, make-up and dead surface cells. Ideally this should be done twice daily with a mild soap and buy Female Passion Strips online water or a non-oily soap substitute. The proverbial ‘good scrub’ will only irritate the skin. Abrasive cleansers, cleansing granules and abrasive
sponges are not generally recommended. Because there is always a background of overproduction of oil in acne, most external applications prescribed are in the form of non-oily or alcohol-based lotions or gels which tend to dry the skin. If, in addition, the skin is over-washed or scrubbed excessively the result is uncomfortable flakiness.
Anti-bacterial soaps are not necessary because the bacteria involved are part of the skin’s normal ‘flora’ and are furthermore located deep in the oil ducts where soap will have little effect. These types of cleansing agents are generally too irritating. Sometimes it is appropriate to use special cleansing agents, for example those containing a weak mixture of salicylic acid, which encourages shedding of surface cells by producing a mild peel. Other cleansing agents contain benzoyl peroxide, which counteracts acne by penetrating the follicle and reducing bacterial activity as well as causing a mild peeling effect.
These types of cleansers might be introduced to supplement mild soap and water washing in a treatment program. Because soaps and cleansing agents are rinsed off immediately after being applied, they can only have a limited therapeutic effect as their contact time with the skin is so short.
Externally applied acne treatment (topical applications)
In the past sulfur, salicylic acid and resorcinol were the main ingredients of acne applications. These chemicals help by producing a mild peel and/or having a mild anti-bacterial effect. Although they are still used they have been largely superseded by more effective products. Some sulfur-containing applications can be useful as they come as flesh tinted creams which can be used as a make-up substitute to camouflage blemishes. The mild peel caused by salicylic acid helps unclog pores and loosen blackheads and, when combined with alcohol in a lotion form, it helps temporarily degrease the surface.
The peeling and flaking produced by these applications will not suit everybody. Some people with problem oily skin may find them quite useful.
Benzoyl peroxide is particularly useful with its two- pronged attack on bacteria and clogged pores. It is available as alcohol- or water-based gels, masks and washes in varying strengths. It is usually advisable to start with the weakest (2.5%) and gradually move up to 5% or even 10% as your skin gradually becomes tolerant. Oily skin may be able to tolerate the alcohol-based gel, whereas more sensitive or more mature skin is best treated with the water-based preparations. Benzoyl peroxide can bleach clothing and bed linen, which some people find annoying. Very rarely some people develop an allergy to benzoyl peroxide that makes its use impossible.
Azelaic acid in a topical cream works by reducing black-heads, decreasing bacterial activity and reducing inflammation and may cause less peeling and irritation than benzoyl peroxide. It may take several weeks before an effect is noticed.
Tretinoin is a topical treatment particularly aimed at dislodging blackheads by its effect on the keratin lining the oil ducts. It is available as gel, cream and lotion. Tretinoin should not be used in pregnancy or when breast feeding. People using topical tretinoin usually experience some redness and flaking initially. Sometimes the acne pimples appear more inflamed in the first six weeks until the skin builds up a tolerance. If persevered with, the inflammation will eventually reduce as the sebaceous ducts become unblocked.
Tretinoin is also a potential sun sensitiser so that you will sunburn more easily on areas where it has been applied. This should not detract from its use, as non-oily sunscreens can be used in conjunction. More recently, isotretinoin has become available as a topical application. It has the same effect as topical tretinoin but with less irritation.
Antibiotic lotions are useful in combating the bacterial side of acne. They can be formulated in free cialis alcoholic bases, or as non-oily lotions if alcohol is too drying for your skin. Although they are usually not as effective, they can be useful in patients who cannot or prefer not to use antibiotics by mouth. Dermatologists often combine these antibiotic lotions with other topical treatments.
Find out more about the Types of Acne Scars and more information on quick, safe and effective acne treatments. This site also recommends things to consider when trying to choose an effective Acne Soap for your skin type.
About the Author
David Mitchell is an author who writes for health-related websites. You can read his articles at this Anti Wrinkle site, as well as at the Tattoo Removal website.