best acne treatments 2011
Acne is by far the most common dermatological complaint. Acne affects men and women, young and old. Nearly everyone in their teens suffers from acne.If you think clear skin is just a memory, think again! Science has discovered dozens of acne treatments that are safe and effective. Our goal is to bring you up-to-the-minute information about acne treatments.
Simple steps
It's sometimes the most basic efforts that can help alleviate mild acne. Simple soap and water can be just as effective as some harsher facial washes, and doesn't strip the natural oils from your skin. Keeping to a regular cleansing routine will help enormously to keep bacteria under control. Home-made remedies can also help improve the condition but do bear in mind that some ingredients, such as lemon juice, tea tree oil (known for its antiseptic properties) and aspirin can irritate the skin.
Face masks are also worth a try. They soothe the skin and remove the surface layer of dead skin cells, which leads to a brighter and healthier complexion while also unclogging those bacteria-laden pores.
Over the counter
For some sufferers, over the counter acne treatments can be drying to the skin, particularly if the concentration of the effective ingredient is too high for sensitive skin types. Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most common active ingredients that can be bought from a pharmacist. It works by destroying the bacteria, which collects deep in the pores and causes the spots to form. If you have ethnic skin, be careful using benzoyl peroxide as it can lead to loss of pigment, causing white spots. Another commonly used substance is salicylic acid, but this too can dry the skin, leading to irritation and redness.
It's best to be cautious with over the counter choices as unless they contain a moisturising ingredient to sooth the otherwise drying effect, the result could actually make your acne worse. You may also find that some harsh face washes could produce a stinging sensation after application. If your skin if particularly sensitive, it may be best to avoid topical creams altogether and try tablet forms.
Prescription
More severe forms of acne may not respond to over the counter treatments. Doctors have several popular medications that are very effective. These contain chemical derivatives of vitamin A and are known to work extremely well to improve and clear up acne. However there can be bad side effects so it's worth weighing them up against the severity of your acne.
Other topical treatments also contain similar vitamin A derivatives. For adults using this treatment, there's an added bonus. They are also great for their anti-wrinkle and anti-ageing effects, smoothing fine lines and wrinkles and slight skin discolouration. Other options are the contraceptive pill for women. These work by regulating the hormones that cause acne to flare up. In worst case scenarios, antibiotics can be used to clear up the bacteria clogging up the pores and help combat any infection that could result from acne eruptions.
Gill Grozier - sk:n was established in 1990 and is the UK's leading provider of skincare conditions treatment and products including: botox, laser hair removal and laser treatments such as hair removal and laser tattoo removal.
