Acne Treatment

More than three quarters of all adolescents will experience acne; in some cases it is a condition that will persist into adulthood. Acne is an inflammation of the skin caused by overactive glands that secrete oil called 'sebaceous glands'; these glands are caused by androgens - male sexual hormones (found in both men and women). Contrary to popular belief acne is neither caused nor intensified by eating fatty foods or chocolate.

Acne most commonly affects areas of the face, but is also frequently found on the back, chest and shoulders, it can cause emotional distress and a lack of self-confidence; physically, in more severe cases, it can cause scarring of the skin tissue. There are a number of treatments that can counter acne dependent upon the severity of the inflammation.

In mild cases acne can be counteracted with the application of unperfumed cleansers, antibacterial face washes and soaps. It is important that the product used is not too strong, the skin needs to maintain a natural balance and a product that is too strong will remove oil that is needed for healthy skin. Home treatments can take time - weeks, sometimes months to work, during this period it may be tempting to pick the acne but this will cause infection and scarring, it is also important not to wash too vigorously, this can damage the skin further.

Moderate acne sufferers should obtain an over-the-counter treatment, it is advisable to get a lotion that contains benzoyl peroxide; this is the main defence against acne and is an exfoliant found in all good anti-acne treatments. Benzoyl peroxide is an antibacterial chemical that dries out the skin causing the surface layer of dead skin to be shed.

If a case of acne is more acute then a GP should be consulted who can prescribe stronger solutions, these can be taken either in tablet form (oral) or applied to the skin (topical).

Topical treatments include azalaic acid, topical retinoids (that contain vitamin A) and antibiotic lotions, such treatments need to be taken for sustained periods of time, usually no less than three months.
Oral treatments include antibiotics such as tetracycline, however these do not counter the blockage of pores and are usually prescribed with benzoyl peroxide.

Women are sometimes prescribed hormonal treatment, a pill called Dianette has been found to be effective by cutting down the amount of androgens in the body.

An oral retinoid named isotretinoin is prescribed in severe cases, it works by drying up the skin and blocking the pores but has side effects including aches pains and headaches, due to its strength it can only be prescribed by hospital specialists.

In most cases acne is an unavoidable condition but there are preventative measures to avoid clogged pores:
Drink plenty of water to detoxify
Keep hair away from the face as much as possible
Remove makeup before sleeping, regularly clean makeup brushes
Exercise regularly to increase blood circulation and oxygen penetration to the skin
Wash towels and pillowcases regularly

When treating acne it is important to get the right treatment for you, the successful treatment of acne is largely dependant on the individual's body makeup and the severity of the case; as with most medical treatments, there can be side effects to treatment and they can take time to be effective. Other treatments to combat acne include homeopathic treatments; herbs such as chamomile, lavender and juniper can reduce the toxicity of the skin and are a popular alternative to medicines; in extreme cases new methods such as laser treatment can be implemented.