Self-treatment of acne is the most common situation. Most acne is mild enough that over the counter, non-prescription medications work fine. Combined with a regimen of overall good skin care, they will do an effective job of clearing up acne in as short a time as possible.
Benzoyl Peroxide
One of the most common - and most effective - treatments possible for mild acne, benzoyl peroxide is used daily by millions. It works by helping combat the bacteria that is partly responsible for acne in the first place: Propionibacterium acnes. It also helps to remove dead skin cells from the area. If those don't move to the surface where they can be sloughed or washed off, they can accumulate, upping the odds of getting acne.
Benzoyl Peroxide has been in use for decades so the pros and cons are well known. One possible side effect is excessive drying of the skin. It can also bleach fabric, and so should be used with care when treating acne while dressed.
The risk of side effects can be minimized by using the proper amount. If a 2.5% concentration is working, don't assume that 10% is better, or will work faster. Higher dosage only increases the odds of side effects without any compensating value.
Salicylic Acid
This is the active ingredient in aspirin and part of the reason this simple compound is sometimes called a miracle drug. It has many uses and is safe and effective, used properly.
Often coming in the form of soaked pads, salicylic acid helps break down blackheads and whiteheads. It slows down the process of shedding dead skin cells inside the follicle, making build up and compaction less likely. It also helps remove them. This helps prevent bacteria build up in the sebum (skin oil) inside the pore.
It should not be combined with other treatments, unless recommended by your dermatologist. Excessive skin irritation can occur.
Resorcinol
Resorcinol is another popular OTC medication and is effective in many cases, especially when combined with other compounds such as sulfur. It functions by breaking down hardened skin, leading to more effective removal from the follicle and the area outside. That also produces lower odds of clogging, a major factor in acne formation.
It should not be used in conjunction with astringents such as alcohol.
Alcohol and Acetone
Both of these common chemicals are safe, but are generally much less effective than more modern treatments. Alcohol is a mild antibacterial and helps remove oil from the surface. Similarly, acetone is a degreasing agent and helps keep the surface clear. But the excess oil (sebum) that contributes to acne lies well under surface where it lends a growth medium for bacteria and helps clog pores. Removing surface oil is of limited benefit.
The small savings over other treatments is generally money wasted, except as part of an overall skin care regimen.
Use all over the counter medications in the manner directed on the instructions. If acne persists for more than a couple of weeks, or grows worse, see a dermatologist. He or she may recommend a stronger treatment, such as a prescription medication.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Prescription Acne Treatments
There are dozens of prescription medications to treat moderate to severe acne. Some are topical (applied to the skin surface), others are taken as pills or injections. All require at least one visit to a professional dermatologist or physician. Fortunately, the majority fall into a few simple classes with pros and cons that are relatively easy to describe.
Isotretinoin (Accutane)
Accutane is one of the oldest, and among the most effective, prescription medications for the treatment of moderate to severe acne. It is used on cystic and other advanced forms and has been used safely by millions for that purpose. But it does have some potential side effects and risks.
Pregnant women are generally advised to avoid taking isotretinoin. Several studies have suggested that it can produce birth defects. It's a synthetic molecule, a retinoid similar to Vitamin A, available in pill form. As such, it can be abused. Normal dosage is once or twice per day for 4-5 months.
It works to reduce oil production, unclog pores and kill the bacteria that contribute to acne. It can also cause headache, excessive skin dryness, diarrhea and other problems. However, like all side effects, everyone is affected differently. That's one of the major reasons it's important to see a professional regularly during the course of treatment.
Oral Antibiotics
Acne is caused, in part, by a bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes). So, the disease can be combated, in part, by taking antibiotics. Like all powerful antibiotics some care is necessary when using these.
Tetracycline (or its derivatives, doxycycline and minocycline) is one of the most commonly used. Both forms have been in use for many years and can substantially reduce inflammatory acne. Normal dosage is 5-10 grams per day at first, though it's reduced as treatment progresses. Treatments may take several months. It, too, though carries some risk. Some patients' skin becomes sensitive to the sun during treatment.
Erythromycin is another common treatment for acne. It's a broad spectrum antibiotic and can kill Propionibacterium acnes effectively. Like any powerful antibiotic, though, it can sometimes cause gastrointestinal irritation. That's a major reason it's a prescription drug.
Topical Treatments
Some topical antibiotics can attack the Propionibacterium acnes bacteria directly through the surface of the skin. They're typically used to treat less severe cases of acne. They may even be used in cases of acne vulgaris, a mild form.
A number of retinoids are sometimes prescribed. They may be the same compound used in over the counter medications, but in dosages high enough to warrant or require a prescription. Adapalene is a gel or cream that is usually effective within two or three months. It can cause minor skin dryness and irritation. It helps unclog pores. Tretinoin is a natural retinoid that has similar effects.
Anyone who has tried over the counter medications or treatments and not received satisfactory results has many other options. Nearly all acne can be successfully treated. Get a professional diagnosis to explore your options.
Isotretinoin (Accutane)
Accutane is one of the oldest, and among the most effective, prescription medications for the treatment of moderate to severe acne. It is used on cystic and other advanced forms and has been used safely by millions for that purpose. But it does have some potential side effects and risks.
Pregnant women are generally advised to avoid taking isotretinoin. Several studies have suggested that it can produce birth defects. It's a synthetic molecule, a retinoid similar to Vitamin A, available in pill form. As such, it can be abused. Normal dosage is once or twice per day for 4-5 months.
It works to reduce oil production, unclog pores and kill the bacteria that contribute to acne. It can also cause headache, excessive skin dryness, diarrhea and other problems. However, like all side effects, everyone is affected differently. That's one of the major reasons it's important to see a professional regularly during the course of treatment.
Oral Antibiotics
Acne is caused, in part, by a bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes). So, the disease can be combated, in part, by taking antibiotics. Like all powerful antibiotics some care is necessary when using these.
Tetracycline (or its derivatives, doxycycline and minocycline) is one of the most commonly used. Both forms have been in use for many years and can substantially reduce inflammatory acne. Normal dosage is 5-10 grams per day at first, though it's reduced as treatment progresses. Treatments may take several months. It, too, though carries some risk. Some patients' skin becomes sensitive to the sun during treatment.
Erythromycin is another common treatment for acne. It's a broad spectrum antibiotic and can kill Propionibacterium acnes effectively. Like any powerful antibiotic, though, it can sometimes cause gastrointestinal irritation. That's a major reason it's a prescription drug.
Topical Treatments
Some topical antibiotics can attack the Propionibacterium acnes bacteria directly through the surface of the skin. They're typically used to treat less severe cases of acne. They may even be used in cases of acne vulgaris, a mild form.
A number of retinoids are sometimes prescribed. They may be the same compound used in over the counter medications, but in dosages high enough to warrant or require a prescription. Adapalene is a gel or cream that is usually effective within two or three months. It can cause minor skin dryness and irritation. It helps unclog pores. Tretinoin is a natural retinoid that has similar effects.
Anyone who has tried over the counter medications or treatments and not received satisfactory results has many other options. Nearly all acne can be successfully treated. Get a professional diagnosis to explore your options.
Acne - Who Gets Acne?
The short answer to the question 'Who gets acne?' is: nearly everyone sooner or later. But the breakdown of who and when is interesting and helpful.
Acne is a condition in which a skin pore becomes clogged as a result of excess dead skin cells and sebum, a natural skin oil, being unable to exit the follicle. That can lead to bacterial growth, rupture of the follicle wall and other circumstances that promote acne. Hormones called androgens are thought to be a major driver of the increase in sebum production.
Since it is during our teen years that hormone levels increase dramatically, it's not surprising that acne shows up most prominently during this period. Acne typically develops in girls around age 11 and 13 in boys, reflecting the average age at which the two genders start puberty.
Once it develops, the incidence and severity is greater for males. Boys produce considerably more androgen hormones than females, and so they tend to develop more (and more severe) acne. Around 40% of teen acne is severe enough to warrant treatment by a dermatologist.
But the scales tip later in life.
Young or even mature adults can get acne, women more often than men. Nearly 85% of the population of the U.S. between age 12 and 24 develop some form of acne. Males and females tend to suffer about equally during the period, but women have a higher incidence after that time.
One quarter of these people have acne on other parts of the body besides the face - most commonly the back and neck areas. 40% of acne sufferers seek medical attention because of the severity of their breakouts.
There are studies that suggest that the monthly hormonal cycle of women has an effect on the occurrence of acne. Nearly 44% of women between the ages of 20-32 experience premenstrual related acne. The odds are even higher for women aged 33 and older. This is according to one of the largest studies of the menstrual cycle's effect on acne.
But acne can occur at any age.
Babies often get small whiteheads. It may take 3-6 weeks for baby acne to disappear, which it generally does, spontaneously. Acne can appear in those over 50 and even later in life. Often it is correlated with taking certain drugs, such as lithium, corticosteroids or phenobarbital. It's not just a teen's disease and it can have many causes.
Acne affects all races, too. Though more prevalent among Caucasians, blacks, Hispanics, Asians and others all get acne from time to time. Treatments are essentially the same for everyone.
Acne is a condition in which a skin pore becomes clogged as a result of excess dead skin cells and sebum, a natural skin oil, being unable to exit the follicle. That can lead to bacterial growth, rupture of the follicle wall and other circumstances that promote acne. Hormones called androgens are thought to be a major driver of the increase in sebum production.
Since it is during our teen years that hormone levels increase dramatically, it's not surprising that acne shows up most prominently during this period. Acne typically develops in girls around age 11 and 13 in boys, reflecting the average age at which the two genders start puberty.
Once it develops, the incidence and severity is greater for males. Boys produce considerably more androgen hormones than females, and so they tend to develop more (and more severe) acne. Around 40% of teen acne is severe enough to warrant treatment by a dermatologist.
But the scales tip later in life.
Young or even mature adults can get acne, women more often than men. Nearly 85% of the population of the U.S. between age 12 and 24 develop some form of acne. Males and females tend to suffer about equally during the period, but women have a higher incidence after that time.
One quarter of these people have acne on other parts of the body besides the face - most commonly the back and neck areas. 40% of acne sufferers seek medical attention because of the severity of their breakouts.
There are studies that suggest that the monthly hormonal cycle of women has an effect on the occurrence of acne. Nearly 44% of women between the ages of 20-32 experience premenstrual related acne. The odds are even higher for women aged 33 and older. This is according to one of the largest studies of the menstrual cycle's effect on acne.
But acne can occur at any age.
Babies often get small whiteheads. It may take 3-6 weeks for baby acne to disappear, which it generally does, spontaneously. Acne can appear in those over 50 and even later in life. Often it is correlated with taking certain drugs, such as lithium, corticosteroids or phenobarbital. It's not just a teen's disease and it can have many causes.
Acne affects all races, too. Though more prevalent among Caucasians, blacks, Hispanics, Asians and others all get acne from time to time. Treatments are essentially the same for everyone.
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