ACNE TREATMENTS

The most appropriate and prudent acne treatments are the ones that address the underlying cause. Although teenagers are more prone to acne outbreaks and are the single largest group of sufferers many of them still have acne outbreaks as adults. There is also another group of adults who suddenly develop acne in their twenties, thirties and forties. While acne is not considered a serious medical problem it does cause serious emotional upheaval in the lives of most sufferers.

At the onset of the initial acne outbreak many first time sufferers will turn to over-the-counter products to treat their acne.  With a little luck they may pick one that suits their skin type and the outbreak clears up leaving their skin free of pimple, pustules and other lesions. The symptoms have gone but the triggers that will cause future acne outbreaks are still in place. Most acne treatments, whether over-the-counter or medically prescribed only attack the surface problem of removing the lesions and blemishes, and basically ignoring the underlying factors responsible for acne outbreaks.

If an acne sufferer has not been lucky in their choice of an over-the-counter product and their outbreak of acne has not cleared up or has even worsened they will invariable buy another brand.  And it may well be the other brand has exactly the same ingredients as their original choice which did not work.  So it is advisable to know exactly what ingredients are in the medication that is being used.

The products that seem to have the best results in treating acne outbreaks contain mainly natural ingredients. It is sometimes better to choose a product that has been recommended by a fellow sufferer but there is still no guarantee that the medication will return the same results as there is a skin type factor involved.  What works with one individual does not necessarily work with another individual.

Whether applied topically or taken orally medications often have unwanted side effects.  The side effects that are most common are dryness of the skin, flakiness and a skin irritation that can lead to more outbreaks. It is wise to only purchase a product that offers at least thirty day money back guarantee.  If the guarantee is for a shorter period of time then the manufacturer would appear not to have a lot of confidence in the product.

The most common ingredient in over-the-counter medications is benzoyl peroxide which has been shown to be effective in clearing the skin of acne lesions. Benzoyl peroxide is also incorporated into many acne prescription medications. But it does not suit everyone. It can often cause irritation and swelling and sometimes be responsible for further outbreaks.

Nutrition is often the key to a successful acne treatment. Green leafy vegetables increase the intake of essential vitamins and minerals that promote a clear healthy skin.  Cut down on fatty foods as one of the underlying causes of acne is overproduction of an oily substance in the skin that clogs the pores stimulating an outbreak of whiteheads and the other lesions associated with acne.

Another underlying factor in prolonging an out break of acne is stress. Studies have shown that stress levels will increase an acne flare-up.  The stress itself doesn’t affect the skin directly but does affect hormonal levels that also control the production of sebum the oily substance which clogs the pores that leads to acne.

The treatment for acne outbreaks encompasses a number of protocols that range from the use of nutrition to chemical creams and antibiotics to destroy any bacterial infection.  The main problem would appear to be able to find a product suitable for a specific skin type.  There certainly will be one. It is just a matter of trial and error. Before discarding a particular medication enough time must be allowed to see whether it is working or not.