Posted by admin on December 1, 2009 under Treatment For Acne | 
Back in the day when I was just a teenager, it was widely believed that your diet was entirely responsible for any horrible outbreaks of acne. Now it is nearly twenty years on and I read articles and ebooks that all claim that your diet has very little to zero effect on your acne. In other words, they are saying that your diet is not considered a natural treatment for acne or breakouts. On the other hand, we have also been told many times that “We are what we eat”, and I strongly believe that the skin and our health in general is a reflection of the type of diet we choose to maintain. There are many people who have seen drastic changes in their acne condition simply by changing their diets.
It is said by many specialists that if you have very severe acne, the home remedies that can be found all over the internet these days are not a solution to their problem. This is then encouraged by selling them expensive and continuous medications to treat their problem that may have actually responded well to a much less expensive alternative. Acne medications come in both pills as well as topical creams that are intended to treat the more severe cases. Some of them work really well but they are known to have some nasty side effects.
The major problem with acne medications is as we said above, the uncomfortable side effects that most people experience while taking them while the natural treatments usually don’t have any. Your body may begin to adjust to the medication that you are on and the effects will slowly diminish and if you stop completely, your acne will start to appear all over again. Some natural and herbal products don’t have this effect.
Some of the more popular home remedies are tea tree oil, benzoyl peroxide and even tooth paste! These have worked better for some people than the most expensive prescription medications. The other upside is that you don’t have to worry about any permanent scaring that you can get from harsh medications.
Most people with severe acne are prescribed very strong antibiotics that kill the bacteria that is said to cause acne. The problem with these antibiotics is that your body will slowly build up immunity to them until they no longer work that well. Sometimes, your acne can return even worse than when you started. Natural remedies on the other hand, help to boost the immune system so that it can take care of the bacteria problem itself.
You need to remember that your skin may not respond the same way to a particular treatment as it may have for someone else. You might have potential allergies to certain herbs or ingredients. It is always best to make a wise choice when choosing your treatment type. If one product fails you, remember that it’s ok and the best treatment method for you may be just around the corner.
Posted by admin on November 20, 2009 under Treatment For Acne |
Blemishes. Zits. Pimples. Bumps.
No matter what you call it, nearly everyone has had to deal with acne breakouts at least one time in their life. For some women, dealing with acne is a daily struggle; however, even if you only have to deal with the occasional eruption, acne can be a painful experience.
Many different factors are considered by researchers to be the cause of acne, but a specific cause is still unknown. Factors such as increased hormones, heredity and even the use of some medications have all been attributed to triggering breakouts. In the case of women, it is often the changing levels of hormones in the 2 to 7 days prior to the beginning of a menstrual period that will trigger or worsen an acne flare-up. This combined with skin irritation (caused by rubbing, squeezing or picking at blemishes), pressure from tight clothing (in the case of body acne), pollution, and hard scrubbing can cause acne to worsen.
While dermatologists generally treat moderate to severe cases of acne, it is possible to treat a mild acne flare-up at home. Over the counter treatments that contain such compounds as benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid and sulfur are often used to treat acne, but each works a little differently. When using over the counter acne treatments, always be aware of possible side effects such as skin irritation, burning or redness, which may lessen with continued use of the product. If symptoms persist or worsen, consult your dermatologist. You may need to consult a dermatologist to see which treatment type is best for your skin type, acne type and cycle of breakouts. Your doctor may also recommend a prescription medication to help control breakouts. This group of treatments include antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide, tretinoin, adapalene and azelaic acid. With all treatments, either over the counter or prescription, products may have to be used for 8 weeks or more before results are visible.
For women, a dermatologist may be able to determine whether acne is related to environment (factors such as pollution and skin irritation) or normal hormonal fluctuation. Medications such as low-dose birth control pills, corticosteroid drugs, and antiandrogen drugs may help control hormone-related acne flare-ups. The use of these types of drugs must be considered carefully, as side effects may vary greatly from person to person and sometimes include irregular menstruation, tender breasts, headache and fatigue.
The first step in any acne treatment should be prevention. By adopting a daily cleansing routine, acne breakouts can be greatly reduced. All skin types can follow these simple steps to help stop acne before it starts:
Clean Skin Gently. Using a mild cleanser twice a day and after strenuous exercise to gently clean the skin can help to reduce the chance of an acne flare-up. Using strong detergents or rough scrubbing pads may seem like the correct way to get a thorough cleaning, but these types of cleansers may actually worsen a breakout. Clean the face from under the jaw line to the hairline; use astringent only if the skin is excessively oily, and only on oily patches.
Avoid Touching the Skin. Squeezing or picking at acne blemishes raises the risk of developing scars or skin discoloration.
Avoid Excessive Sun Exposure. Women have long believed that allowing acne to “get some sun” can help in the healing process by drying out excess oil near the lesion. These benefits are only temporary, and medications to help with acne breakouts often react badly to sun exposure, making the skin more likely to burn.
Choose Cosmetics Wisely. Cosmetics that are noncomedogenic may help in preventing acne flare-ups, and all cosmetic products (including moisturizers, eye shadows and blushes) should be oil-free to help stop acne before it starts.
Treating acne breakouts can range from quick fixes to long-term regimens for skin care set by a dermatologist. With good skin care, acne can be controlled or prevented. Finding the right acne treatment may take time, as women have varying skin types and sensitivities; but with proper skin care and proper treatment of acne, every woman can have beautiful, glowing skin.
Tags: Acne, Acne Care, Acne Medication, Acne Medicine, Acne Solution, Acne Treatment, adult acne, Cosmetics, Cure, Medication, Medications, Prevention, skin care, Weblog
Posted by admin on November 6, 2009 under Clear Acne |
Prescription Acne Treatments
Tetracycline, Doxycycline, and Minocycline
Antibiotics have been used for decades to combat acne by inhibiting the p. acnes bacteria from producing a certain protein it needs to live and multiply. By killing p. acnes, these antibiotics treat the cause of acne, ending the infection and clearing your complexion. These antibiotics can also reduce acne scarring because they speed up the healing process.
However, like most acne medications, these antibiotics do have side effects; some of them can be severe, especially those from Minocycline. Tetracycline and Doxycycline are gentler, and their potential side effects include nasea, diarrhea, blurred vision, and increased sensitivity to the UV rays, either from the sun or tanning beds.
Side effects of Minocycline include the development of very serious conditions, such as heart and respiratory difficulty and failure and Minocycline use has been linked with at least two deaths. Minocycline can also affect your ability to operate a car and can cloud your judgment. It is also very dangerous for pregnant women to use Minocycline, as it can cause skeletal defects in their unborn child. Also, children under eight years old cannot take Minocycline because it can cause permanent graying or yellowing of the teeth and can impair their growth and development. Outdated Minocycline must be disposed of, as it can cause kidney damage if taken.
In addition, the use of any antibiotic can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills, which can make the use of antibiotics to treat acne risky for many women.
Although the body does not build a resistance to Minocycline quickly, experts are increasingly recommending other antibiotics because reduced risk of serious side effects.
Accutane
Accutane, also known as isotretinoin, Amnesteem, and Clarvis, is a prescription acne medication used to treat moderate to severe acne. It comes from a family of chemicals called retinoids, which are a derivative of vitamin A. Accutane has been for over twenty years to treat and, in many cases, completely cure acne. Accutane accomplishes this cure by stopping your body from secreting oil while you are taking it, which is generally about 4-5 months. Unfortunately Accutane is a toxic substance and has a long list of potential side effects, especially concerning women who are pregnant or may become pregnant. There are several birth defects that may result from Accutane use, including mental retardation, facial abnormalities, heart problems. There is also an increased risk of infant mortality and premature birth. Because Accutane is so dangerous to unborn children, the manufacturer has set up a rigid program to regulate Accutane’s use and distribution. Before a woman can be prescribed Accutane, she must pass a pregnancy test and begin taking birth control pills. It is also required that she must use an additional form of contraception while she is taking Accutane and for a period of time afterward.
In addition to severe birth defects, other common side effects include hair loss, soreness, dry skin, nosebleeds, dry eyes, and chapped lips. There is also significant evidence that Accutane can cause users to become depressed and attempt suicide.
Accutane is very effective for permanently clearing acne, but it has several serious medical and cosmetic side effects. Before taking Accutane you should first try some other, safer acne treatments.
Retin A
Retin A is a Retinoid like Accutane, but Retin A is much less toxic and is applied topically instead of taken as a pill. Retin A works by causing the skin to shed cells more quickly, which clears pores and gives acne less chance to develop. However, like Accutane, Retin A has some bothersome side effects.
Because Retin A essential causes your skin to become thinner, it is more sensitive to light, gets dried out easily, and can become irritated. Retin A also carries a risk for birth defects and must be avoided by women who are pregnant or may become pregnant.
Many people find that their skin gets very dry when they first begin using Retin A, and discontinue use. However, you must use Retin A for 1-2 months to see noticeable results.
Birth Control Pills
Some birth control pills claim to reduce the appearance of acne because of the effect it has on hormones. Although many women say that birth control has cleared their complexion, many others say it has no effect or made their acne worse.
Although birth control pills have several benefits, they may not be the most effective treatment for acne, and should be considered carefully before using, since it does alter your hormonal imbalance. Many women report than the pill does help ease cramps, but weight gain and reduced sex drive are also fairly common.
Interlesional Corticosteroid Injection
This treatment is injected directly into cystic nodules to help them heal. The fluid injected is very diluted, but is similar to anti-inflammatory injections use to help knee and back problems. In addition its anti-inflammatory effects, this injection helps to dissolve the cyst and begin healing within 3-5 days. Interlesional Corticosteroid Injection must be done by a trained physician.
Conclusion
No matter how severe your acne is, there is a treatment option that will work for you. Your skin type and acne type will determine what treatments are effective and which have little effect. For most people, using some type of over the counter acne treatment will improve their skin, although it may not clear their acne altogether. However, some people may elect to seek the help of a dermatologist, especially if their acne is more severe. Although dermatologists are trained professionals, you should learn and understand any treatments they suggest, and be familiar with any side effects. In some acne treatments, side effects are a possibility, but in others, like Accutane, you are almost guaranteed to experience several of the known side effects. Before beginning any treatment, you need to know the risks and decide if being acne free is worth the risks that come with your acne treatment.
