The Best Treatments for Acne

Acne is a term to describe a skin condition, commonly seen in the face, neck, back, shoulders, and chest, wherein a reddish lesion or lesions erupt on the skin, causing much distress and discomfort. It usually occurs when hair follicles become filled with oil and dead skin cells. It may be non-inflammatory, such as the comedones, commonly known as blackheads and whiteheads, or inflammatory, such as the pustules, papules, nodules, and cysts.
Inflammatory acne is usually a sign of infection since aside from oil and dead skin cells, the lesion also contains bacteria. The worse the infection, the bigger the lesions, and the more likely it is to leave scars. They are also painful, with pus secretions. It may also persist and multiply in number.
Acne may be triggered by hormones, especially during puberty, the things you eat especially food high in carbohydrates, and even some medications such as corticosteroids and androgens. It may also be caused by some cosmetics and oily substances that get in contact with the skin. Acne may be aggravated, although not caused by stress. Genetics also plays a role in the occurrence of acne.
There are several treatments for acne, all based on reducing the production of oil by the skin, increasing the turnover of skin cells, bringing down the inflammation, and treating the bacterial infection. Prescription medications for acne are either topical or oral. They often contain benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, sulfur, vitamin A derivatives, and antibiotics such as clindamycin, and erythromycin. However, these medications will not clear acne all at once. It will take about several weeks to see the results of the treatments for acne. It may even cause several side effects such as peeling, burning, and redness. In some cases, it may even become worse before any positive result occurs. It is also quite dangerous for pregnant women or women planning to be pregnant to take this medication as it may cause birth defects.
Laser therapy is one of the treatments for acne. It uses a beam of light to target and kill the bacteria responsible for inflammation. It is not recommended for everyone since this may cause burns. Other treatments for acne include chemical peels, dermabrasion, and microdermabrasion, especially for the scars that form afterwards.
The best way to treat acne is to prevent it from occurring. There are several ways on how to prevent acne, but the most basic is to wash the skin, especially of the face, with a mild cleanser, appropriate for the skin type. Scrubs and exfoliants may be used although in moderation since irritating the skin may further cause acne to occur. Use water-based cosmetics so as not to add on the oil on the skin. Furthermore, try to stay out of the sun especially when using acne medications as this may aggravate the effects of the sun’s UV rays on the skin.
Looking after your skin and keeping it healthy and clean will help a great deal in preventing acne. It will also save you the trouble of undergoing expensive treatments for acne, as well as keeping you from having the stigma of acne scars on your face.