As we all know there are a multitude of acne treatments available to us on the market today. Everything from our own personal hygiene regimen, over the counter gels and creams, right up to the latest laser technology. In order to best handle the condition some sufferers will use a combination of different acne treatments. In this article I want to give a brief overview of some of the more popular treatment options and how they can work for you.
It will seem obvious to most but a very effective acne treatment is a good personal hygiene routine. Regular washing can help eliminate the bacteria and oils that contribute to acne. You can help to prevent the spread of bacteria from one part of your body to another by washing your hands before touching any area affected by acne.
One of the most popular and widely used acne treatments are the topical gels and creams available from local stores and pharmacies. They contain an organic compound called Benzoyl Peroxide which works as a peeling agent increasing skin turnover and helping to clear pores. They are one of the more effective acne treatments when dealing with mild to moderate cases. There are potential side effects when using these creams as some users have reported experiencing dry irritated skin and redness around the area treated.
Many acne sufferers look to antibiotics as a solution when store bought creams and gels have failed. They are only available on prescription from a health care professional and come as both a topical cream or in pill form. Antibiotics applied as a cream look to kill bacteria found in blocked follicles, they can be effective in treating small areas but they may prove incapable of treating larger outbreaks. More severe cases can be treated with oral antibiotics, they work by reducing the bacteria population which in turn helps to reduce redness and inflammation. Oral antibiotics are usually only prescribed after topical treatments have been ruled out due to the potential side effects associated with them.
Initially used as a remedy for the scarring that acne can leave behind, lasers are now used as one of the newer acne treatments. Laser acne treatments work by looking to eliminate acne causing bacteria or by shrinking acne producing glands. Of the two methods many skin scare specialists believe tackling the oil producing glands is the best method to achieving acne free skin.
Of course these are just a few of the many acne treatments available to sufferers of the condition. Others available include topical retinoids, they normalize the life cycle of the skin cell thus preventing blockages in the pores. Hormonal treatments are used for cases of acne in some women. Anti-inflammatories are used to reduce swelling and redness and microdermabration treatments are used to help remove blackheads from within pores.