Acne Is All About

The first and the foremost point to be remembered in the treatment of acne is not to panic. Whiteheads or blackheads will have to be treated with a cool head! No doubt, acne on the face is bound to cause a confusing contour in the curtain of your mind, but desperate remedies are not the solutions for desperate situations.

A basic understanding of the acne situation in each individual case requires a thorough study. Fortunately or unfortunately, the literature and expertise regarding the treatment options available are likely to be confounded! A mountain of literature about the molehill that is acne!

Let it be perfectly understood that total cure of acne is an impossibility. If someone, some product or some company- national or multinational promises it, take it as a business advertisement! They dwell upon it, because they have to sell. And all the selling is done at somebody's cost!

If the golden rule, an ounce of prevention is better than a cure, is to be applied anywhere, apply it here; and apply it with profit. What is your basic formula for skin care? If it is no new spots, improved skin condition and making efforts to deny future scarring, you are on the right track! You have understood your acne! Personal treatment for a universal disease!

Human skin needs a certain amount of oil to maintain its natural condition. And when it comes to acne skin, skin care becomes even more important. Keep the spot-prone areas clean. Wash the affected area twice a day with a perfume free cleanser. Note that aggressive washing and strong soaps are big enemies of your acne skin.

Plus, hundreds of over-the-counter remedies are available with your chemist. The anti-bacterial agents in them, like benzoyl peroxide will help you a great deal to defeat acne. The skin areas where you feel that the spot is likely to emerge, must be kept clean. In effect, these agents dry out the skin and encourage it to shed the surface layer of dead skin. These effects make it harder for pores to become blocked and infection does not spread. When the antibacterial effects dry out the skin, the surface layer of the skin begins to fall. The pores are not blocked and infection is checked.

No treatment will tender on the spot results. Significant effects, if they materialize hopefully, will take their own time. If results are not forthcoming, say within a period of two months, then it the time to switch over the treatment after consulting a dermatologist. At this stage, he has many options depending upon your case-history and his understanding of the problem, after certain investigations, if necessary. He has an armory of treatment options- both for external application and internal consumption.

And finally, do not fail to consult your Grandma! That walking 'encyclopedia' may have unfailing solutions!

Copyright 2006 David Maillie

Acne is a skin condition that simply refuses to go away. It’s a nagging skin ailment that we commonly call pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, red or yellow spots, cystic nodules or scars. The acne prone age is between 12 and 25 years. But beware; it’s not just a teen trouble. Even in your 30s and 40s you may get acne attacks. Acne can cause lifelong scars, if left untreated. Hence, it is vital to be proactive about acne treatment, beginning right from home remedies. Acne treatment essentially involves the use of both preventive and curative products.

Preventive products

The natural way to keep off acne begins at home. If you wish to keep off acne, follow this home treatment attentively and be sure of great results.

- Keep your face spotless clean, by washing it often with a gentle anti-bacterial cleanser or some home-made natural product - Never use greasy, oil-based moisturizers - Never use products containing synthetic chemicals and vegetable oils - Keep your hair off your face - Never dig or touch scars - Keep skin pores unclogged with products containing sulfur plus resorcinol

However, pregnant women, kids and patients under some other medication, should consult a doc before they use such products.

Medication methods

The condition of your acne will determine the treatment options. Treatment also depends on the oil balance of your skin, your gender and your existing medications. The most proactive acne treatment is with topical products (gels, creams) containing Salicylic acid, Benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, tetracycline, erythromycin or a retinoid. Many times a combination of these products also works well.

Physicians also prescribe oral medications like antibiotics, hormones, and isotretinoins. Go for such acne treatment only after knowing the side effects.

Laser treatment

Laser treatment has completely cured many. Here the laser destroys the excess oil producing glands and removes scars. It is painless, harmless but costly. However, to get rid of the existing acne you need medication.

Cystic treatment

Acute cystic acne needs cystic treatments with Accutane or isotretinoin. But, there are side effects. Since most other treatments are not effective on cystic acne, these severe products are unavoidable. Chinese treatments

The Chinese method is a natural herbal acne treatment. They believe in getting to the root of the problem like liver ailments, emotional upsets, wind heat, damp heat, blood heat etc. “They even trace acne to reasons like a stagnant qi (energy). Their natural products do help many,” says dermatologist Dr Manela Humphrey. Peel power

TCA Peels are an easy, safe and affordable acne treatment. “They are also more effective than other clinic or spa-based treatments,” says salon specialist Mary Roberts. Peels were earlier available only through costly treatments by skin specialists, at US$ 500- 1000 per session. These same peels are now easily available at less than US$30. No prescriptions are required either.