Acne Treatment, Finally Some Facts

[Guest guest]

You have permission to publish this article electronically

or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are

included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be

appreciated - send to gefsmith@....

Title: Acne Treatment, Finally Some Facts

Word Count: 771

Author: Forgan

Email: gefsmith@...

Article URL:

http://www.submityourarticle.com/articles/easypublish.php?art_id=2640

The article is preformatted to 60CPL.

Acne Treatment, Finally Some Facts

Copyright 2005 Forgan

Acne is, perhaps, the single treated skin disorder and has

been addressed in a wide variety of ways. Often the wisest

step is to develop a program in consultation with a

dermatologist or medical practitioner. Even with help,

there may be a trial-and-error process in finding the right

solution. There are also some solutions advised by

alternative medicine practitioners of various sorts and we

will also touch on them.

Some mild washing of the face may be useful. But vigorous

and frequent washing is discouraged by dermatologists.

Topical creams may be helpful but overuse can lead to side

effects and problems. One popular home treatment is

salicylic acid, found in face washes and medicated facial

pads. It curtails the hair follicles from shedding excess

skin, which leads to the clogging of pores. Another home

treatment is benzoyl peroxide, found in certain soap and

face wash products, but also in topical creams. It can

produce excessive drying and redness- so it is often

recommended that one begin by trying it once a day and,

then, if that works, try it twice. Results should be

apparent after a few weeks.

In the world of orthodox medicine, there are various types

of prescription medications and face washes. If you go to

your local drugstore or supermarket, you can find lots of

different products whose objective is to treat acne. None

of these products produce instantaneous results and one

part of a sensible prescription for treatment is patience.

Since some of these products may have side effects, you

should know their contents and possible effects. Over-use

of the wrong product can actually exaggerate the condition.

Experts generally think that acne is caused when an excess

of oil, secreted by tiny glands surrounding the hair

follicles combine with dead skins to clog the pores of the

skin. Bacteria, chiefly Propionibacterium acnes or P. acnes

develops in these pore pockets which leads to the

blackheads, white heads and more common pimples that we

associate with this unpleasant form.

Some of the prescription topical solutions include

antibiotics. Antibiotics, along with azelaic acid can

impede the development of the bacteria, reducing the ugly

inflammation that characterizes acne.

Comedones, which are the compromised hair follicles,

plugged with dead cells and sebum, that cause blackheads,

which penetrate the surface of the skin, and whiteheads,

which operate at semi-surface levels. They can actually be

treated by retinoids, which are Vitamin-A like biochemical

formulations, which actually help to unplug comedones,

paving the way for topicals, including antibiotics, to

enter into the follicles and do their damage.

Dermatologists sometimes use the newer retinoids to curtail

further comedone development.

In the case of severer forms of acne, dermatologists may

prescribe the less physically invasive route of oral

medicine. Some common antibiotics, used to curb the

development of the P. acnes bacteria and reduce

inflammation are doxycycline, tetracycline and

minocyclyine. The common topical, benzoyl peroxide, may be

used with antibiotics such as sulfur, erythromycin or

clindamycin. There can be disturbing side affects to

antibiotics, depending on the drug and the individual’s

sensitivity. Changes in skin color, an increased propensity

for sunburns, dizziness, stomach problems can occur.

Tetracycline is contra- indicated in children and pregnant

women. The antibiotic route must be taken with caution and

with awareness of problems. Substances such as minocycline

and tetracycline can even affect the potency of oral birth

control methods.

In very serious cases of nodular or cystic acne that seems

resistant to treatment, a dermatologist may prescribe

isotretinoin or “Accutane,” a retinoid that might be taken

once or twice a day for up to twenty weeks. Oil glands

actually can be shrunk by Accutane and there is a marked

effect on the growth of bacteria. Its great advantage is

that it can prevent scarring and markedly disappears the

acne in something like 90 per cent of patients.

The downside of isotretinoin is that it can cause birth

defects in an unborn child if it imbibed by a pregnant

woman. So woman undergoing this treatment often have two

take several forms of birth control to make sure they don’t

get pregnant while undergoing therapy.

Are there natural treatments for acne? Alternative medical

practitioners recommend such substances as pantothenic

acid, a B vitamin, said to combat stress, a factor that

aggravates acne, grapeseed extracts and grapefruit seed

extracts; various essential fatty acids like primrose or

flax seed oil which can allegedly clear the pores of the

skin, colloidal silver, said to be a powerful natural

antibiotic; tea tree oil soap- whose main active

constituent is tea tree oil, said to be made from a natural

antibiotic.

About the Author:

Learn more about the treatment of acne at

http://www.acne-sucks.com