How To Treat Acne

How To Treat Acne

WHAT IS ACNE?

Acne is inflammation of skin glands and hair follicles which is often caused by a skin disorder. The glands that lay just beneath the skin's surface produce oil called sebum, which is our skin's natural moisturizer. These glands and the hair follicles inside them open onto the skin through pores. Acne sufferers produce excess oil that fills these pores. Combine that with dead and sticky skin cells which then condense in form and block the pores, which lead to zits and pimples (white and black heads).

Acne is not something only teens suffer from due to hormonal changes. In fact, it can be brought on at any stage in life by a number of factors which include diet, cosmetics, heredity, drugs (side effects) as well and environment and many more.

HOW TO TREAT ACNE?

One fact to recognize when considering treatment for acne is that the inflammation happens under the skin; hence washing away the surface oils will not assist in clearing or curing acne.

There are generally four methods that are most common to treating acne. These methods are ‘Cleansing', 'Exfoliating’, ‘Maintaining clear skin’ and ‘medications’. We will discuss each of these further below.

Cleansing

Let’s get something straight; it is a complete myth that people think acne is caused by the lack of sanitation (or by not washing enough). In fact, as important as washing is, too much of it can lead to irritation of the white and black heads resulting in further infection and/or more zits and pimples.

To begin a cleansing routine that will genuinely help with acne, try something that contains Glycolic Acid. Glycolic acid is a naturally occurring acid which powerfully exfoliates when applied to the skin in controlled amounts. There are many different products available on the market which contains this powerful ingredient. The effects of Glycolic Acid have been proven by the scientific community as mentioned in Acne.org.

Exfoliating

The importance of exfoliating cannot be overstated. Dead skin cells and clogged pores are a key contributing factor to irritation and infection around the skin pores. Exfoliation is what will break down the buildup of these pore-clogging suspects and minimize the cause of the infections. It is important to combine exfoliation into a cleansing routine approximately once or twice per week, depending on the aggressiveness level of acne. Be careful however not to over exfoliate, which can lead to further irritation, as mentioned above. Keeping a routine of just once or twice per week should be sufficient to remove any build-up of dead skin cells and any clogged pores.

Maintaining clear skin

An important part of dealing with or treating acne is the need to maintain clear skin. This is relatively easy to achieve when you think about it. The main cause of acne is the over production of sebum (skin’s own natural moisturizer) in the glands that sit just under the skin. When deciding on the best products that help with oily skin, such as acne, be sure to look out for products that work in harmony with the skin’s natural processes. If the skin is already suffering from an over production of oil, then a daily wash that contains Glycolic Acids, Panthenol and Defensil would be best. Other key ingredients include naturally found oils such as Moringa oil and key vitamins such as Vitamin E that help the skin with anti-erythemal and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Medications

There are a wide range of dedicated prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) acne medications available. Some of the main medications are as follows.

Benzoyl Peroxide

This is a relatively common acne medication which helps by killing the acne causing bacteria. It can be found over the counter at many chemists or pharmacists. Look out for products which contain less than 5% in a gel or lotion form. Apply nightly, after washing hands and before bed. After about one week of usage, increase the application to twice per day as your skin will be more used to the ingredients. A solution of more than 10% gel or lotion can be used if the acne has not improved after four to six weeks of use at the lower content ratio of 5%.
Retin-A

This is both a prescription and an over-the-counter solution. There are some side-effects to consider such as dry/redness of skin which may result in peeling. The brand of medication will make a difference as newer medications tend to be milder on the skin. This solution should only be used at night due to its effect on the skin, making your skin sensitive to UV rays (i.e. sun and sunburn). If you do venture outside, ensure you have a strong sunscreen applied (SPF30 or above). If you are applying make-up or cosmetics, be sure to use a primer that already contains UV protection so as to not over apply many different lotions which may further clog the skin’s pores. With Retin-A, it typically takes longer to see improvements. Expect to see some improvements to the skin after about two or three months, but be patient as different skin conditions will react with varying lengths of time. Also, be mindful that your physician may suggest birth-control pills ahead of a Retin-A prescription as it is considered harmful in fetal development.

Antibiotics

These are available via a prescription only. Antibiotics are generally used when other forms of medication do not work. Antibiotics will kill off the bacteria that cause white heads, but in the process can also kill off good bacteria in the body. Examples of good bacteria are those in the digestive system which help to break down and process food. When taking antibiotics, ensure you are drinking plenty of fluids. Also, depending on the antibiotics being subscribed, some may cause your skin to become sensitivity to the sun, hence ensure you are fully prepared with sunscreen or a primer with SPF included when going outdoors.

Accutane

Again, similar to antibiotics, Accutane is only available through a prescription provided by a Doctor. You must follow your doctor’s advice as Accutane is very powerful. In fact, Accutane is often prescribed to those with scarring or where other medications have previously failed. Accutane is so powerful that it can even lead to an imbalance of blood cell count, hence a regular blood test will be required if Accutane is prescribed. Also, similar to Retin-A, the physician may either prescribe or require proof of birth control as Accutane can be harmful in fetal development.

Please note the above information is provided as guidance only and you must always consult and follow your docto