Because acne is the most widespread skin disorder in the world, a lot of research has been done to determine how acne forms and how it is eliminated. Over the years a number of different treatments, medicines, and products have been developed to help control and eliminate acne.
Currently there are about 7 different treatments that are widely used in the prevention and elimination of acne. Subsequently, there are literally thousands of different products that use these treatments in one form or another.
Acne Treatments
Accutane (Isotetinoin): Accutane is a very powerful drug that is a derivative of vitamin A. It is normally prescribed for severe acne in cases where other treatments have failed to work. Accutane is normally taken for 4-6 months. The downside to Accutane is the high occurrence of side effects, some very serious.
Antibiotics: Antibiotics are designed to fight bacteria and are thus used to control acne mainly from the inside. There are topical antibiotics such as clindamycin that are applied directly to the skin. Other antibiotics such as tetracycline are in pill form.
Benzoyl Peroxide: This is an anti-bacterial agent that has been used to control acne for many years. It has been proven to work very well in the elimination and prevention of acne. Benzol Peroxide can be found in many prescription and over-the-counter medicines and products.
Herbal Remedies: A relative newcomer to mainstream acne fighting are herbal remedies. It is thought that certain herbs are effective in regulating oil levels and other bodily functions that pertain directly to acne.
Retin-A (tretinoin): Retin-A is a combination of retinoic acid and vitamin A acid. It is designed to treat acne, wrinkles, and sun damage. It supposedly does this by unplugging follicles and turnover over dead skin cells.
Salicylic Acid: This is another widely used formula in controlling acne, especially preventing future breakouts. Salicylic acid helps slow down the shedding of cells inside the follicle. It is available in many over-the-counter treatments.
Sulfur: Sulfur is used in acne control mainly to promote drying and peeling of the skin. This may be good for eliminating existing acne but its effects on preventing future acne are questionable.
There you have it. Most acne regimens consist of one or more of the above formulas. It is important to note that everyone's skin seems to react differently to these treatments. For some people, benzoyl peroxide works great. For others salicylic acid may work better. You really have to experiment a bit and find out which treatment works best for you.
Some of the best acne treatments offered today are based or developed through high technology and scientific innovations. The emergence of high tech medical devices and instruments has changed the way medical and health-related concerns are addressed by specialists and the public in general.
One of the areas of medicine that has benefited from technology is dermatology. The emergence of biotechnology, LEDs and laser has allowed scientists to develop some of the best acne treatments that man has ever seen. Arguably, technology is the best thing that has ever happened to medicine.
The discovery of LEDs, lasers and fluorescent lighting has led to the development of the use of visible light in treating acne, a process better known as phototherapy. This method of treatment has been shown to reduce 64 percent of acne lesions when used twice a week. The method apparently works better when combined with red visible light. The combination has been found to reduce lesions by 76 percent after three months of daily use.
Laser surgery is already used in reducing scars caused by acne and researchers are now focusing on whether the same method can be employed to prevent the actual formation of acne. Laser technology is currently being developed to burn away follicle sac and sebaceous gland and induce the formation of oxygen in the bacteria to kill them. As of 2005, these scenarios remain in the research stage and are not yet established as definite treatment methods.
Another area of high technology that presents a lot of promise for treating acne is biotechnology, particularly the fields tied with genetics. Since acne is believed to be linked with heredity, whole-genome DNA sequencing has been the focus of some research efforts. The aim is to understand the body mechanisms involve in acne formation. The use of gene therapy to alter the DNA of the skin also seems to be a not too far possibility.
Technology has provided us with some of the best acne treatments ever known to man. More possibilities are still waiting to be discovered and 21st century science is on the verge of making all these possibilities a reality.
The tackling of acne eruptions on the skin can be given a thorough cleanup by using a vigorous proactive approach to its control and medication. The proactive acne treatment is a combination therapy that studies all aspects of the acne problem in order to search out a viable solution.
The first step of proactive treatment in acne relies on the premise that the skin blemish is healed before further steps to check its reappearance are taken in hand. The start point of skin healing in the proactive approach is to examine the ways in which the skin can be cleaned, with the help of an effective skin cleanser.
The ideal cleanser to effect a healing of skin blemished by acne is one that will help exfoliate the skin and expose the dead skin cells. The exfoliated skin can then be treated with benzoyl peroxide as that will kill the bacteria causing acne to appear on the skin surface. The benzoyl will also be in a position to penetrate the skin pores as the cleanser has exfoliated the skin sufficiently. This action will not only heal the blemishes but also attack the bacteria, providing a curing and preventive action in one go.
With the immediate problem taken in hand the next stage of the three-way proactive approach to control acne is to choose an ideal skin toner. When shopping for the right product one should look for a skin toner that is alcohol free and is a water based toner. This kind of skin toner will help remove dead skin cells and unplug clogged pores, allowing the skin to remain healthy and acne free. It will also help in the removal of excess oil that usually forms on skins prone to acne eruptions. The application of such a skin tone on a regular basis will thus help balance the skin tone and maintain a skin that is acne free and free of oil imbalance and clogged pores.
In the final stages, when the healing effect is well on the course and the skin is limping back to its original health, steps have to be taken to assist the process and recover lost ground. In such state a repairing lotion must be applied regularly on the skin. The skin at this stage is acne free but the scars of blackheads and whiteheads are just skin deep. So the users are advised to apply oil-free repairing lotion that will heal blackheads and whiteheads, while making the skin glow and acne blemishes, a thing of the past.
natural acne remedy
There are many products designed to treat acne. Some are over-the-counter cleansers, creams, and medicated pads, while others are prescribed medications given to you by a dermatologist. The increasing popularity of
This article discusses one of the most common natural remedies and why it is preferred. It may even surprise you.
One of the best natural remedies for treating acne is water. Water is used to hydrate the body, which, of course, hydrates the skin as well. The skin is the largest organ in the human body, and must be properly hydrated to work correctly and serve its purpose. This is accomplished in two ways: by washing the face, which hydrates the surface of the skin, and by drinking water, which hydrates the entire body, from the inside out. This, of course, includes the skin. Drinking plenty of water will keep the skin looking and feeling healthy. Healthy skin cells promote a healthy body.
Doctors tell us we should drink six to eight eight-ounce glasses of water a day. While this sounds like a lot of water, think of what it can do for your body. In addition to improving skin tone and texture, it can stimulate cell growth and will help all your organs work correctly. It also helps filter out unwanted substances that can be harmful to your skin.
Water is also a crucial component deep within your skin. It provides the basis for a soft, smooth, and healthy complexion and will help you look more youthful. Though very little water is stored in the outer layers of your skin, this moisture is important and is constantly removed by outside elements such as sun and wind.
Sun and wind can dry your skin, removing moisture and irritating its surface. When this occurs, pre-existing acne can become even more irritated, which in turn prolongs the problem. While irritation won't directly cause more acne to form, it can worsen the problem. It is important to keep proper moisture in the skin.
Perhaps one of the most common myths is that oily skin does not need moisture. This is not true. Just because skin is oily, does not mean it is moisturized. By cleansing the skin, you are wiping away excess oil, and my moisturizing it, you are helping it remain smooth and decreasing your chances for irritation.
Properly hydrating the skin not only promotes and stimulates cell growth, but also helps the other organs of the bodywork together. If properly hydrated, the skin will not wrinkle or sag as easily, and will appear youthful for a longer period of time.
Though water is not the only natural remedy for the skin, it is the most important. Without it, the skin could not do its job in keeping the rest of the body in check.
natural acne remedy
Steve
Article Body:
What vitamins can be used to treat acne?
Due to the incredibly unhealthy diets that have become the norm in modern day America, it is no wonder that vitamin deficiencies are so rampant. Only about 10-20% of Americans consume the recommended amount of the important vitamins and minerals on a daily basis. This vitamin deficiency has led to many problems in the bodies of Americans, and obviously the skin, the largest organ of the body, is affected by this deficiency as well.
There are many vitamins that can all contribute to fighting and preventing the formation of acne on the skin. Different vitamins have different uses ranging from antioxidants (clearing the skin of harmful toxins) to antibacterial (fighting bacteria which can cause acne, helping to prevent it from forming) and more. This article will help to point out and explain which vitamins can be used to help against acne and what it is that they do.
The main vitamins that help to combat acne are Vitamin A, the B Vitamins, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Chromium and Zinc. Each of these vitamins helps to fight acne in a different way and when used in conjunction they can help greatly to reduce the affects of acne and even prevent its breakout altogether. If you decide to use these vitamins, most likely through form of supplements since trying to consume the right amounts through dieting can be difficult, it is extremely important to follow the dosage instructions and to never take too much of any vitamin. Taking too much of many vitamins can be toxic and can lead to illness and worse problems, so always be careful and patient.
Vitamins A and E are strong antioxidants and help to promote healthy skin. Zinc is also an antioxidant but more importantly it helps to regulate the production of oil in the oil glands. Chromium aids in reducing the infections in the skin which can prevent acne from spreading. The B Complex vitamins and Vitamin C are more like super-vitamins. Both of these have countless functions in maintaining a healthy body and involving these in your daily diet is only too important.
The main reason that each of these vitamins is so important is not only their assistance to fighting and preventing acne but also the simple fact that a deficiency in any single one of these vitamins can lead to acne breakouts. Because of this, the importance of consuming the correct amounts of these vitamins every day through either diet, which can be very difficult, or in supplement form is simply undeniable. By being knowledgeable of these vitamins and by attempting to meet the recommended amounts each day, a person can combat acne much more effectively and help to prevent it from occurring altogether.
If you suffer from acne, then you are not alone. Every day, people try new acne medicine in the hopes that it will prove to be successful in ridding them of the redness, swelling and discomfort that goes along with the ailment.
The best way to correct this skin problem is to select an acne medicine that carries little or no side effects. Today, many conventional medicines carry side effects that are often worse than the ailment itself. When searching for an acne medicine, whether it be over the counter or prescription, make sure that you understand any potential side effects that may result from it’s use. It may be difficult to reason with an acne medicine designed to rid you of the discomfort and embarrassment of acne when it, itself, carries a possible side effect of irritation and/or a rash.
The best types of acne medicine will be those that are gentle to the skin and perhaps are even designed for sensitive skin. Always look for a product that is simple to use and understand. It should not promise instant results because, quite simply, there is no miracle cure for acne. There are, however, medications that are designed to treat the ailment. As is the case with any treatment, results will take time. When searching for the right acne medicine, look for one that promises realistic results in a realistic timeframe.
If you are seeing a dermatologist and are receiving prescriptions, make sure that your physician/dermatologist is aware of any current or past medical conditions. Certain illnesses, either past or present, may prevent you from being able to safely use some acne medicines. For instance, women who are pregnant or think they may be pregnant, children and the elderly must be very careful about the medications that they are prescribed or use via over the counter purchases.
A final thought to consider with acne medicine is, in some cases, the offer of a guarantee. This symbolizes a company’s belief in their product, which goes a long way in consumer trust. When you do use a product, make sure to use as directed and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines exactly.
This article is to be used for informational purposes only. The information contained herein is not intended to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice regarding the use of acne medicine. Prior to beginning any treatment regimen, the patient must consult a licensed medical doctor or dermatologist for advice and/or to determine the best course of action for his/her individual situation.
One of the most frustrating and irritating skin conditions that can afflict a person is body acne. Indeed, when a person is afflicted with body acne, that men or woman -- or young person -- aches for relief from the condition that cause an itchy sensation in the best case scenario and pain in the worst of all situations.
Left without proper and effective treatment, body acne can actually end up festering and causing infection and ultimately permanent damage to the skin in the form of irreversible scarring. Therefore, if you are a person who is experiencing the early stages of body acne or if you are in the midst of a full blown body acne outbreak, it is imperative that you undertake a proper course of treatment.
Primary Causes of Body Acne
In many instances, there is not a solitary or primary cause for a body acne condition or outbreak. Rather, in many cases, a body acne outbreak is the result of a combination of factors -- an acne perfect storm, if you will.
One significant contributing factor to an outbreak of body acne is a lack of effective cleansing. By this it is not meant that a person fails to bathe. Rather, what is meant that in such a circumstance a person fails to utilize the right types of cleansing and body washing products that can work effectively to keep the skin clean as well as free from dead cell and oil buildup.
Choice of fabrics can also be a contributing factor to body acne in some instances. Many people who are experiencing what is in fact a body acne outbreak assume that they are having some sort of more routine allergic reaction to a certain type of material. While on some level this is true, an outbreak of body acne due to a reaction to a certain type of fabric requires a different type of treatment regimen than what would normally be associated with caring for a rash that is the result of an allergic reaction.
In some instances a person’s diet can contribute to an outbreak of body acne. There is a significant amount of dispute as to which types of food items might be a contributing cause to body acne. In the final analysis, the best way to avoid having your diet contribute to an outbreak of body acne is to make the best possible effort to eat a well balanced diet each and every day.
A final common contributing cause to body acne in some cases is the bed linen a person uses at night. In this regard, some people are a bit lax when it comes to caring and laundering their bed linens. As a result, bodily oils and dead skin cells can accumulate on bed linens leading to an outbreak of body acne across a person’s skin in some instances.
Once again, you need to keep in mind that in most instances there likely is to be more than one contributing factor in the outbreak of body acne.
Treating Your Body Acne Condition
The best course of action to take in the care and treatment of body acne is to develop and adopt a comprehensive treatment regimen. When it comes to body acne, an appropriate, complete care and treatment regimen should include:
-- the elimination or adjustment of the root causes of the body acne condition (for example, diet changes, clothing fabric alterations and a change in body cleansing products)
-- the adoption of whole body cleansing practices with soaps and washes designed to combat and prevent body acne
-- the adoption of a whole body exfoliation routine
-- the use of body acne treatment and cleansing products such as ZENMED™ Body Acne Combo
Because body acne can have a number of different sources, launching a full frontal attack on the problem as described in this article will be the best source to resolving the condition in the near future. In addition, by adopting a comprehensive regimen that includes the use of such proven products as ZENMED™ Body Acne Combo, you will be in a far better position to prevent future body acne outbreaks. (If you don’t completely eliminate future outbreaks, you will at least be able to effectively reduce the severity of such future body acne outbreaks.)
Conclusion
The care and treatment of body acne is something that you must take seriously. If you fail to adopt a comprehensive care and treatment regimen, you will fail in your attempts to treat and eliminate body acne. On the other hand, if you do adopt a truly comprehensive body acne care and treatment regimen, you not only will be able to deal with a present flare-up but you will be well on your way to preventing future outbreaks of body acne in both the near and long term future.
