Best Acne Treatments

Archive for 2009

Acne, those unsightly pimples that we have all suffered, occurs most frequently during adolescence, beginning at puberty. About 75% of young people suffer. It is caused by sebaceous gland stimulation of the skin, usually by hormonal causes.

The skin pores become clogged by fat and skin cells accumulate rapidly. This produces a follicle bulge and sometimes forms a small infected area, if it is bulging, it becomes a pimple.

It usually occurs on the face, although, also shown in trunks, arms and legs. Dirt, stress or use of certain medications can aggravate acne, making it more visible and even causing a person to have a greater predisposition to suffer.

Contrary to what our mothers said, acne is not contagious, that is, not by touching it to play. Also appears to be an inherited factor in his presence.

There are several treatments that help prevent its onset. In the medical field can name those medications that are applied as creams and gels that dry the fat and thus make your skin peel off.

In severe cases may need antibiotics. It is also usually topical, that is, applied to the skin. Vitamin A has also been proven effective for treating severe acne.

If we went off the medicine, there are number of home treatments that can be used to minimize the effects of acne. First thing should we do, cleaning with soap and water as often as necessary to remove excess fat that may be on the face. This cleaning should extend to the hair, if necessary using dandruff shampoo. We must also try to keep hair away from your face, combing it back.

As we have said everything, scratch or rub the pimples may aggravate the injury, leaving marks difficult to remove.

Finally, take the sun in moderation helps too fat to dry and acne to fade away.

The tea tree oil is an essential oil obtained by steam distillation from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant native to Australia.

This oil is also an ingredient found in a number of commercial products such as gels, lotions, creams, toothpaste, mouthwash, and shampoo.

With respect to its effect on acne, tea tree oil contains a constituent called terpinen-4-ol that is thought to be responsible for the great anti-microbial capabilities that it possesses oil Australian species, resulting in its effectiveness to beat the serious problem of Acne.

Therefore oil can kill bacteria through topical application on acne lesions generated, whose origin is in most cases the “Propionibacterium acnes“, which inhabits the skin, one of bacteria that is dedicated to cause acne.

In a comparative study gel tea tree oil, compared with benzoyl peroxide, oil has fewer side effects than the peroxide, which in turn is associated with itching, burning and dryness.

What is the evidence of Tea Tree Oil and Acne?

We performed a randomized blinded in the Department of Dermatology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Australia, which compared the efficacy and tolerance of 5% gel of tea tree oil with 5% benzoyl peroxide in lotion, about 124 people with mild to moderate acne.

The effectiveness of tea tree oil was based on the fewest side effects, although it took longer to work initially.

The experts made a facial patched, addition to keeping your skin clean, and will return tone, freshness and youth. These cleanups consist of the following steps:

• Clean. First is disinfected at length on the face with a cleanser that can remove traces of makeup, impurities and dead cells.
• Exfoliation. The peel helps fight acne, regenerate your skin and eliminate acne scars, chickenpox or measles. It consists of applying a substance that opens the pores and deep impurities descale failed to remove the cleanser. The exfoliating product is removed with wet sponges and upward movements that activate your skin’s circulation.
• Extraction. The purpose of this step is to remove impurities. This makes a small incision in each outbreak and squeezed to remove the infection. This will improve the appearance of your skin gradually.
• High Frequency. The high frequency is used to cauterize, close pores, bactericide and oxygenate the skin. It consists of applying, with a special high frequency, soft touch on his face, without causing any irritation or burn. This device is used on a special mesh that covers the face and neck.
• Mask. Then apply a mask to dry and eliminate outbreaks. Leave to stand for several minutes and rinse.
• Screen Protector. Finally, with a lotion to prevent acne, it seals the skin to be protected all day against environmental bacteria and sunlight. This should continue to apply lotion every day at home.

No matter what causes acne or skin type affected, the first rule to consider is that of hygiene. Good hygiene measures will promote the reduction of acne.

• Avoid skin handle to remove the smear as it causes the sebaceous follicle rupture, spreading the organisms found there and consequently infecting the area. This infection can cause pustules that usually leave permanent scars.
• Clean the skin of the face twice a day and do the same with the back or the affected area.
• The best thing is water and soap (preferably syndet “Anti-seborrheic dermatological or bread) and dried thoroughly after rinsing the area.
• Reduce intake foods that tend to cause skin reactions in young people. These foods are strawberries and chocolate, but there is no evidence that eating habits are directly responsible for acne lesions.
• Reduce the use of cosmetics. Systematically dispense cosmetic products that have not been formulated with the specific indication “suitable for acne or seborrheic skins. And is that certain fat components are capable of promoting the emergence of smear.

Salicylic acid or sulfur

Specific medications containing salicylic acid or sulfur, can help reduce the lock of hair follicles, and thereby alleviate the burning sensation that you experience because of them. Many medicines sold without prescription, contain such ingredients and are very commonly used by both teenagers and adults.

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most widely used ingredients in medicines against acne. The same is available in various medications, both of which do not need prescriptions such as prescription, and works to kill bacteria and slow the action of the skin glands. It is most effective when the condition is moderately serious, but may cause some irritation, as extremely dry skin may peel and it was packaged very steadily.

Retinol

Retinol, a derivative of Vitamin A has been used quite successfully for some treatments. It works by drying the rash, and preventing the formation of new grains. This medicine is a drug that is sold by prescription, and should not be used by those who have a high exposure to the sun. If the acne becomes infected or inflamed, doctors usually prescribe antibiotics as a cream or lotion. These treatments are often very effective.

Isotretinoin

In severe cases of adult acne, treatment is usually performed with preparations containing isotretinoin, also a derivative of Vitamin A. Although these preparations can sometimes eliminate acne for very extended periods, even years, they have drawbacks. Part of the side effects are muscle aches, headaches, itching and possible birth defects if taken by women who are pregnant.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are also frequently used to treat severe cases of adult acne. The varieties of this drug can be taken orally or sometimes injected directly into the grains.

Estrogens

Estrogen, which suppresses the production of oil in the skin, has also been used as effective for adult acne, but also have their disadvantages, which include blood clots, and therefore rarely used.

Keep in mind that it is important to avoid the accumulation of fat that can cause acne, wash your face at least twice a day with soap and warm water.

Do not scrub hard with a towel after washing your face because in this way may worsen acne by irritating the skin and pores. Try to be as sensitive as possible to clean your face every time you do.

If you wear makeup or sunscreen, make sure the label says it contains no oil or “non-comedogenic” or “does not cause acne. This means that such products are developed specifically to let your skin breathe so as not to clog the pores and hence acne. And when you wash your face, make sure you devote enough time to take off all makeup.

If you use spray or hair gel, that seeks to apply them not come into contact with the face, because they can also clog pores.

If you have long hair that touches your face, be sure to wash your hair frequently enough to prevent your skin comes into contact with the oil away.

If you have a job where you are in contact with oils, for example, a fast food restaurant or a gas station, always wash your face well when you get home.

Also wash your face after you exercise, because the perspiration on the face is a major cause of the occurrence of acne.

Acne treatment has two pillars: the topic, ie the treatment with creams, gels or solutions, and oral treatment, including antibiotics and isotretinoin. A dermatologist, depending on the degree of acne. Often start with a type of treatment, and if no appropriate response or relapses occur, treatment change.

All treatments have potential side effects. It is important to good communication between doctor and patient, and, of course, the trust. All this comes to snacks, because in the forum raised some fears of a patient on oral isotretinoin.

Treatment includes topical acne antibiotics such as erythromycin and clindamycin, alone or associated with benzoyl peroxide. Also used topical retinoids which are derivatives of vitamin A, and include retinoic acid, adapalene, tazarotene and isotretinoin.

Retinoids are highly effective in acne, but its irritant effect, especially at first, discouraged some patients to continue their use. Currently there are less irritating formulations as well as partnerships with antibiotics in the same product. Remember that topical treatments, we must be consistent and wait a while, 4 to 6 weeks to see results.

As for oral treatments, is often begun with oral antibiotics such as doxycycline or minocycline, which act as anti-inflammatory and should be kept months: 2 to 6, depending on the patient and the degree of acne. The average is usually three months, and as topical treatments, are beginning to see results from the month. You must follow the signs to your dermatologist about the dosing schedule (number of times daily and doses) and management (with or without food) and reports of other diseases and/or medications you to take.

Concerning isotretinoin, noted that treatment is more definitive results in acne. It is also especially useful in prone acne scars. Requires periodic analytical tests, and in women due to risk of teratogenicity or fetal malformations, it is necessary to use double contraception to prevent pregnancy. When taking antibiotics for acne such as doxycycline or minocycline, should also be avoided in pregnancy and should take into account possible interactions with oral contraceptive antibiotic.

The duration of treatment with isotretinoin is established according to the total dose per kilo of weight, and should always be prescribed by a dermatologist. As I commented both peels and laser hair removal should be delayed 6 months and in the case of lasers more abrasive to wait 12 months. It should also be alert if you go to undergo laser surgery for myopia, or if you have submitted, to assess the time before starting isotretinoin treatment because delays healing.