Types Of Acne Treatments

By Cory Schuett, 05 Feb 22:31

If you you can't find an acne treatment that works, then you have come to the right place.

Acne is the result of hormonal shifts, normally during puberty and (for women) before a menstrual cycle or menopause. During these times, too much oil and too many cells inside a skin follicle are produced. This blocks the opening of the pore and makes the follicle under it enlarge.

This produces a large quantity of bacteria, which causes irritating chemical substances that increase inflammation. This results in whiteheads, blackheads, small and hard pimples or pus-filled lesions.

Inflammation plays an important role in the development of acne, so future of treatment will involve medicine directed at skin inflammation.

However, here are many acne treatments available right now. There are two types: pore cleaners and products directed at stopping oil or hormones from being made.

Pore cleaners are over-the-counter treatments that include benzyl peroxide and/or salicylic acid, and normally work. For some patients, this might be the only treatment needed. They can be more efficient if you use two or three products and alternate them every few months.

Pre-packaged products sold on infomercials and the Internet normally have the same ingredients as medications in drugstores. These products come with a suggested schedule that helps them work properly.

For random breakouts, you may want to skip the previously mentioned remedies and go with Zeno, an FDA approved "zit zapper." Zeno uses the body's heat shock response to get rid of bacteria and acne.

While Zeno can clear pimples with just a few 2 1/2-minute treatments, it only works for about 2/3 of patients. It works best on mere minor breakouts.

When over-the-counter treatments don't work, a dermatologist can lend a hand. The first line of prescription defense is most likely antibiotics.

One of the newest antibiotics is Solodyn, an extended release drug that offers a constant (but low) dose of the antibiotic minocycline.

Another is MinocinPac, the first prescription treatment that brings minocycline together with skin calming products.

One of the most interesting new advances involves the use of Oracea, an oral medicine initially intended to treat rosacea, another inflammatory skin condition. in the latest design, it has a very low amount of the antibiotic doxycycline.

The result is a product that affects inflammation and works well for many acne patients, including middle-aged women who also have symptoms of rosacea.

Doctors also prescribe Aldactone, and say it works women of all ages, especially if acne develops near the chin.

If your acne is stubborn, doctors say there are a number of "big guns" that can help. These treatments go to the root of the problem by stopping oil production.

Isotretinoin turns off your "oil faucet," and the breakouts stop. However, the use of Isotretinoin comes with dangers. It considerably increases the risk of birth defects and has been connected to incidents of violence. Doctors say all of these risks are rare, though.

If you are still worried about risks, you can pursue acne treatments that use lasers or other light devices. While this is more expensive, doctors say some of these treatments have effects similar to Accutane and can stop oil production without danger.

When all other treatments fall short, photodynamic therapy (PDT) can be used. This laser-like device is combined with the topical drug Levulan. This gives skin a comination that kills bacteria, shrinks oil glands and can offer permanent acne relief in just weeks of use.

Since many treatments are costly and insurance coverage of acne treatments is often scarce, make sure you know what you can pay for.

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Tags: acne treatment skin