Acne Treatment 101

Acne can be an embarrassing and annoying condition. Anyone can get acne, young or old, and making it go away can prove to be a challenge. There are several types of treatment for acne from medicine to home remedies. The type of acne and its severity will usually dictate which treatments will work best.

What is Acne?

Many people have acne and they don’t really understanding what it is. Acne is the result of pores in the skin becoming blocked which causes bacteria to grow. The results are two types of acne, non-inflammatory and inflammatory. Non inflammatory acne is when a whitehead or blackhead forms due to the bacteria growing in the pore. When the pore ruptures from the pressure of the bacteria, inflammatory acne occurs. These are usually called pimples.

Causes of Acne

There are a number of factors that can cause acne. Hormones are the top reason for the increased oil production that can cause breakouts. Stress and a poor diet can also add to increased acne flare ups and cosmetics can outright clog pores. Heredity and certain types of medication can also be factors that affect the skin. It is not true that greasy foods and chocolate cause acne but overall diet does play a role.

Home Remedies

There are several types of home treatments for acne, some as old as the condition itself. Some home remedies may be a bit exotic and not all treatments will work for everyone. Here is a list of a few popular home remedies:

• Lemon juice. Apply lemon juice to pimples to reduce the size.

• Aloe Vera juice. Drinking Aloe Vera juice and applying it to existing pimples is said to be effective.

• Cucumber. Grated cucumber or a paste from cucumber applied on the face, neck and eyes for about 30 minutes can help treat blackheads and pimples.

• Fresh garlic. Garlic, when applied to pimples, can dry out acne and fight the bacteria on the skin. Also, eating garlic purifies the blood and may help fight acne from the inside

• Orange peel. Orange peel can be turned into a paste and applied to pimples for treatment.

• Fenugreek. Making a paste from fenugreek leaves and applying at night can treat pimples and blackheads. Rinse the paste off in the morning.

There are several other home remedies out there, many untested and not founded in science. Some will work and others do not, the only way to know is to try.

Over the Counter Treatments

There are a large variety of over the counter acne treatments available. If acne is mild to moderate or not very frequent, these are an effective approach to treatment. Most over the counter products are variations on just a few types of medications. Each medication has a different approach to treatment as outlined below.

• Alpha Hydroxy. These acids reduce inflammation and remove dead cells from the skin. They can also reduce the appearance of acne scars by helping new, healthy skin to grow.

• Benzoyl Peroxide. This ingredient is highly effective for destroying bacteria and removing dead cells and oil from the skin. It is available in a variety of strengths and can cause some side effects and bleaching of hair.

• Salicylic Acid. This acid works by slowing down the shedding of dead cells. It prevents pores from clogging and is effective for treatment of whiteheads and blackheads.

There are also many products that help to prevent breakouts. It is best to start with weaker products and work up in strength to minimize side effects. Just remember to not be discouraged. Every product is different so you may need to try a few before finding one that works for you.

Prescription Drug Treatments

Depending on the severity of the acne, a doctor may prescribe a topical or an oral treatment for the condition. Topical treatments are usually attempted when over the counter products have failed. Many are made from vitamin A which can prevent clogged pores and can keep dead cells from settling on the skin. There are also lotions that are mixes of acne fighting ingredients and antibiotics to attack any bacteria on the skin. Short courses of oral antibiotics may help to fight bacteria internally to reduce inflammation. The most severe acne may need to be treated with Accutane. However, this is only for the most severe cases as there are several side effects associated with the drug. Prescription treatments are usually a last resort and can typically be avoided by improving hygiene and using over the counter products.

Acne is a part of almost everyone’s life at one time or another. The best treatment is keeping the face clean, getting a proper diet & rest and minimizing stress. When this does not work, there are plenty of treatment options available. Finding a treatment that works may take a bit of effort, but it can save pain and aggravation when future breakouts occur.