Acne Treatment
The right acne treatment approach depends largely on how severe the acne problems are. Anything from natural acne remedies to over the counter and prescription acne treatment products to advanced medical procedures using laser light are available.
One of the main goals with acne treatment is to treat the underlying skin conditions that cause acne and acne scarring. These conditions most often appear due to a combination of severely clogged pores and the excess sebum (oil) that results. Bacteria then builds up causing acne breakouts. By keeping the pores free of debris such as skin cells, makeup and pollutants you can make great strides in treating acne and rosacea.
Keeping Your Pores Clear
The pores of the skin are responsible for secreting sebum, an oily substance that is made of fat and dead cells and functions to keep the skin from becoming dry. Unfortunately, under certain conditions, it can make the skin oily and introduce acne skin, facial redness and even acne cysts which can scar the skin. As a result, effective acne treatment focuses on keeping the pores clear and controlling the amount of sebum that is secreted onto the skin.
Skin pores can be kept clear by the use of exfoliating acne products such as those with alpha hydroxy acids. These acids help loosen dead skin cells and allow them to be removed from the skin. Astringents and skin toners are also effective in keeping the pores clear and preventing them from becoming enlarged. Many astringents however are known to contain alcohol which can cause excessive dryness in the skin causing it to over moisturize which can lead to worse acne problems.
Acne Medicine
Acne treatment often includes over the counter and prescription acne therapy. Perhaps the most common ingredient used to remove acne is benzoyl peroxide. This usually comes in concentrations of 2.5% to 10% in prescription strength versions. This medication works by helping to break down and remove the top layers of the skin. This can cause irritation in some users as well as overly dry skin.
Salycilic Acid is another ingredient commonly found in acne treatment (usually in face pads). This compound helps to slow down the creation of dead skin cells which can keep the pores from becoming clogged and excess sebum to be produced. It is important to note that overuse of this acid can cause excessive dryness in the skin as well as irritation.
There are several prescription acne medications to choose from and most are aimed at destroying the bacteria that is responsible for acne problems. Acne treatment with these medications can often be more effective that over the counter or natural remedies and include ingredients such as azelaic acid, tretinoin, erythromycin, adapalene and oral antibiotics. Consult with a dermatologist about which acne medications are appropriate for your condition.
Advanced Acne Treatment
The advanced methods commonly used in the treatment of acne are chemical peels and laser acne treatments. Chemical peels consist of using chemicals directly on the skin that cause a mild chemical burn. This skin ultimately blisters before peeling off, taking with it the layers of skin containing acne tissue. These procedures require recuperation and may require multiple sessions. Glycolic acid and lactic acids are normally used in high concentrations.
Laser acne treatments work in a similar fashion. Laser light is applied to acne skin where it removes the outermost layers (or deeper if desired) revealing the more pristine skin underneath. More localized treatment can be done using tools such as the Fraxel Laser which can treat acne problems locally without affecting the surrounding tissue.
Chemical peels and laser resurfacing are medical procedures for acne treatment and should be performed by a license cosmetic dermatologist and only after acne skin care products have proven ineffective..
Using aloe vera juice along with tea tree, lavender and eucalyptus essential oils which can be applied directly to pimples for a fast, effective natural treatment.