Acne Treatment

Acne is a common dermatological disorder, especially among teenagers and other individuals who are undergoing hormonal changes. Acne produces a rash of pimples and blemishes that is unsightly and sometimes painful. Acne can range in severity from mild to extremely severe acne that is known as deep cyst acne or cystic acne. Depending on the type of acne a patient has will often determine what kind of Acne Treatment they will get. Some treatments are fairly simple and can be purchased at the drug store and some are more complex and need to be done under the supervision of a dermatologist.

The most common acne treatment for mild acne is the combination of a gentle astringent face scrub combined with a topical over the counter medication. Acne lotions may dry up oily skin, kill bacteria and allow the sloughing of dead skin cells. Over-the-counter lotions are generally mild on the skin and contain benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, resorcinol, salicylic acid or lactic acid. These products can be very effective against mild acne.

If acne becomes more severe, then it is time to visit a dermatologist for an Acne Treatment that is more aggressive. The dermatologist has a full arsenal of treatments at their disposal to help with all kinds of acne, regardless of the severity. They have topical treatments that are prescription strength that can help eradicate acne. The most common topical treatments are tretinoin and adapalene. These products are derived from vitamin A and they work by promoting cell turnover and preventing hair follicles from being plugged up. Sometimes a topical antibiotic is also prescribed along with these lotions to help kill excess bacteria. The combination of the topical skin creams and the antibiotic usually prove to be the optimal solution for combating acne.

For more aggressive cases of acne such as cystic acne, there is more aggressive Acne Treatment. In addition to oral antibiotics, a doctor may prescribe a medicine known as Accutane which is very effective for deep cystic acne. While the results are amazing, there are side effects to this drug and not everybody can take it. Pregnant women and women who are planning to get pregnant should not take Accutane because there is a high risk of birth defects. It can also increase the levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in the bloodstream and increase liver enzymes. For those who cannot take Accutane, there are other alternatives such as cosmetic procedures like chemical facial peels and light and laser therapy, which has proven effective in reducing acne and acne scars.