Your Source Of Acne Treatment Information
Acne treatments usually work by speeding up cell turnover, fighting surface bacteria, reducing the production of oil, and reducing the inflammation on the skin. Most prescription treatments will not let you see immediate results; wait for four to eight weeks and you will notice that your skin will begin to clear up. There are basically two types of treatments you can choose from: topical and oral medication.
Here are some treatments you might want to consider:
• Topical treatments – anti-acne topical products such as cleansers, creams, and lotions will dry up the oil, promote cell turnover, and kill surface bacteria. Most topical treatments contain sulfur, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, resorcinol, or lactic acid as the active ingredient. These types of products can cure mild to moderate acne. However, if your acne does not respond to these products, stronger products such as Tretinoin and adapalene may be required.
• Antibiotics – prescription oral medication can reduce bacterial inflammation on skin surface. Usually, these antibiotics need to be taken for months before you see the results. It is recommended to combine antibiotics with topical treatments.
• Isotretinoin – if you have deep cysts, antibiotics alone might not be sufficient to fight it. Isotretinoin should be used for cystic acne that does not respond to other acne treatments. Take note that this should be reserved for the most severe types of acne because of its dangerous side effects. Isotretinoin has been associated with birth defects, increase in triglyceride levels, and the increase in liver enzyme levels.
• Laser therapy – laser and other light-based treatments will reach the deeper layers of the skin without damaging the surface. Laser treatments will damage the oil glands so it will produce less oil. Laser therapy is used to target the bacterium that causes skin inflammation. A great benefit of laser therapy is that it improves the overall texture of the skin and lessens the appearance of acne scars.
• Cosmetic procedures – microdermabration and chemical peels is also observed to be helpful in controlling acne. These procedures have traditionally been used to reduce the appearance of sun damage, fine lines, and minor scars. But it can be an effective anti-acne treatment as well especially when it is combined with other treatments.
As you can see, there are many different types of acne treatments. But the key to successfully overcome acne is to choose the right treatment for your particular skin condition.