No matter what your doctor may call it, for most people, acne is simply a curse. Not only does in look unsightly when you have an outbreak, but it can also leave you with permanent scarring, both physically and psychologically. It’s hardly surprising then that those who suffer from the condition want to get rid of it as soon as possible, and at any cost.
Fortunately for millions of people, fighting acne is not a lost cause. There are several steps you can take to cure acne yourself and there are a few simple things you can do to prevent further outbreaks. Both medical and natural treatments tend to focus on reducing the amount of oil being produced in your skin. They are also designed to combat infections, reduce inflammation, and speed up recovery. When it comes to treating acne, patience is essential, bearing in mind that a cure will take from 4 to 8 weeks before you see any results.
Removal Methods for Acne
Once an outbreak has started, dermatologists usually prescribe various medications. Some will be for reducing the appearance of acne, while others will be aimed at bringing your condition under control. The nature and strength of the drugs you receive will depend on your skin type, and also on the severity of your condition.
- First, over-the-counter and prescription topical treatments are considered to be the first line of defense for those suffering from mild to moderate acne. The vast majority of these medications contain substances such as benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, lactic acid, salicylic acid, tretinoin, adapalene and tazarotene, all of which work by either promoting cell turnover, killing bacteria or by preventing hair follicles from becoming blocked. Some patients may experience side effects like redness and/or burning and peeling sensations, although these can easily be alleviated.
- Second, depending on your circumstances, you may be prescribed antibiotics in order to stop the infection and reduce inflammation. With that said, doctors are not overly keen on prescribing antibiotics because of the fact that you can build up immunity to them.
- Third, isotretinoin is usually prescribed for sufferers that have deep cysts of acne, as this represents the most severe form of acne. While isotretinoin is undeniably a very effective treatment for acne, its side effects can be severe. If you are prescribed this drug, your dermatologist must monitor you very closely.
- Fourth, oral contraceptives can often be effective at helping women beat acne, but not always. To the contrary, birth control pills can actually cause acne in many women. Dermatologists may however prescribe oral contraceptives such as Ortho-Cyclen in order to see what effects they have on an individual’s skin.
- Fifth, medical applications, including the likes of laser therapy, microdermabrasion and chemical peels are used in conjunction with other acne removal methods. Obviously only dermatologists are qualified enough determine whether or not an individual will benefit from these more extreme procedures.
Medical science has the ability to cure even the most severe acne. Even so, there are several things people can do to avoid suffering from acne in the first place.
Preventing Acne
Good skin care is key to the treatment and prevention of acne. These tips should help toward this purpose.
- Never use any form of harsh cleanser to clean affected areas. In other words, no masks, scrubs and astringents.
- Avoid using cosmetic products like makeup that can irritate skin. Hypoallergenic products are usually the best choices.
- Dirty objects need to stay far away from your face, and this includes your fingers, your mobile phone, and even your caps.
Last but not least, if you have acne, you need to immediately stop popping your pimples unless you want to end up with scars. You should also consider going to see a dermatologist if your condition appears to be getting worse.