Acne Treatment Overview

Acne, commonly known as pimples is considered a serious health issue which can affect each one of us over uncertain period of time so acne treatment is a must. This problem can be seen in young people and grown-ups, particularly teenagers. Acne usually appears during adolescence when people tend to be most socially insecure.

Acne may permanently damage the skin, diminished one’s self-esteem, depression and in very extreme cases suicide. Many teenagers suffer acne because of accelerated glandular activity associated with puberty. At first, the issue could be off and on and vice versa. Acne appears on other individuals in their 30s and 40s.

Scientifically known as acne vulgaris, it is a very common skin disease in both gender, characterized by parts of the skin having scaly reddish skin(seborrhea), whiteheads and blackheads(comedones), pinheads(papules), pimples(pustules), large papules(nodules) and even scars. Acne can be found largely on the skin that contains the highest number of sebaceous follicle; which include the upper chest, back and the face. Acne in severe form is classified as inflammatory, but it can also present in the non-inflammatory form.

acne treatmentAccording to research, skin lesions are due to *pilosebaceous unit changes(*skin components consisting of sebaceous gland and hair follicle found all around the body excluding the sole of our feet, palms of our hand and the lower part of our lip), when androgen was stimulated. Numerous amount of sebaceous glands beneath the skin generates sebum, which is a greasy substance that nourishes the skin and hair making it oily to touch. However, when this sebum gets trapped inside the follicle, blackheads and whiteheads will result. Other than this, there are also several other reasons namely:

Genetics

Scientific research states that one is more vulnerable to acne if their parent  has already been a sufferer to such an illness. Although the specific genome that produces acne, hasn’t yet been proven, researchers are convinced that heredity plays a major role in acne break-outs.

Hormonal factors

Sebaceous glands in adolescent, generate more sebum because of the androgen hormone’s influence. When this greasy chemicals mix up with the dead cells and  bacteria on the surface of the skin, the result will be clogged follicles. Later,  the bacteria will spread within the glands, causing inflammation.

Unbalanced diet

Nowadays, individuals are more subjected to fast foods that have a considerable amount of chemicals and fats. Ingestion of such foods in great amount result in hormonal dysfunction that affect sebaceous glands and cause acne.

Environmental Factors

Medical studies have proven that individuals living in extremely polluted places are more vulnerable to acne.

Stress

Stress boosts adrenaline production which causes pimples and minimizes the skin’s healing capabilites to heal wounds or  pustules.

Vitamin Deficiency

Lack of Vitamins A, B, C and E and dietary elements like Zinc could cause pimples. Vitamins normally behave as antioxidants that help fight toxic substances and dangerous free radicals.

Other Facets

Research has found out that some pharmaceutical services, beauty products and medications can cause acne flare-up. Cosmetic make-up which has a base material of oil, may cause, blackheads whiteheads pustules, and cysts. Rough exfoliation/cleaning  will harm your skin by leaving it( specifically the follicles) exposed to microbes attacks.

Most people who are suffering from acne have tried over-the-counter medications and treatments. Others experimented with some natural acne treatment at home. When acne is becoming severe, you shouldn’t just choose mere OTC medicines or other “common” acne treatment other than opting to see a qualified skin doctor. Dermatology is the best treatment solution for any type of skin issues. Dermatologist treats the condition from its real cause. With proper acne treatment, acne cannot recur anymore if you follow strictly your dermatologist’s advice and prescription.

Acne Treatment: Resorcinol

acne treatmentResorcinol for acne treatment is usually a topical keratolytic, meaning that it breaks down difficult, scaly and/or old skin debris. Resorcinol is produced by a particular distillation from Brazil wood extract.

It is really very dissolvable with water, ethanol and ether. It’s used externally as a disinfectant shield for the management of other skin color disorders, for instance: skin psoriasis.

Acne Treatment: Rosorcinol As An Epidermal Rejuvenator

Keratolytic help rejuvenate the epidermis by simply removing virtually deceased, roughened tissue. Resorcinol will help digest tricky, rough epidermis, meaning it does a great job from extracting active whiteheads and blackheads.

Then they allow the disintegration of epidermis as well as exposing the available pores and skin cells. A peeling result helps that prevent the development of comedones.

Resorcinol is used with sulfur or even salicylic acid for specific acne treatment. It is also helpful in addressing calluses, along with genital warts. Basically; sulfur kills acne bacteria.

Acne Treatment Using Resorcinol For Other Skin Disorders

Because of its ability to soften and peel flaky skin, it’s also recommended for other skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis and scabies. Resorcinol on its own just isn’t an efficient acne cure. It can be very bothersome for some people, and it might blemish non-white individuals, thus dark-skinned people usually are recommended to stop using products containing it.

Available in over-the-counter acne remedies in 2% concentration or less, doctors will prescribe concentrations based on individual’s acne problems. It can be also used as an anti-dandruff shampoo , soap, sun block lotion and even in some of the make-up products.

It was recently used in the treatment of gastric stomach problems inside dosage level of 125- 400 milligrams as an analgesic. Overdosage will trigger toxic, deafness, salivation, sweating, in addition to convulsions.

Reported side effects by users are unpleasant odor and dryness. Pregnant women are not recommended to use it unless prescribed by a doctor. There are no major known adverse effects in resorcinol’s combination with sulfur.

It is sometimes combined with different acne medications, often sulfur and rarely used by itself as a single medication alone. It is a very effective acne treatment if combined with other skin medications and will eventually see results in no time if you strictly follow your medical doctor’s instructions.

Acne Treatment: Sulfur

Acne treatment using sulfur has currently created its way up to the dermatology ladder. Perhaps you could still remember  your periodic table in your subject chemistry at school where sulfur is one of the elements. Although today, Salyclic Acid  and Benzoyl Peroxide have substituted sulfur as the major acne remedy, but many people still choose sulfur for acne remedy.

Sulfur is well known to possess  an important element  in acne treatment. According to Roman history, the Romans used it for treating eczema and dandruff. Sulfur  acts as an antibiotic on the skin  layer, which eliminates active microorganisms and stops the growth  of new bacteria. It is an organic substance which can be  seen around hot spring areas and volcanoes and available in powder form or  yellow crystals. Sulfur is commonly used to manage numerous  skin conditions like psoriasis and acne. It can be bought  as  lotions, soaps, ointments, shampoos, creams and gels.

acne treatment

Because of its acidic nature, this element has natural properties of being antibacterial, keratolytic, and antifungal. It works actively in drying up unwanted oil on the epidermis and unclogging pores. These qualities are perfect treatment qualities for acne as it kill bacteria and germs and stimulates peeling thereby reinforcing pores unclogging. Combining sulfur with zinc oxide is an ideal treatment approach because of latter’s ability to heal wounds and being anti-inflammatory.

Acne Treatment: Strict Adherence To Sulfur Usage Intructions

Granted the dryness that it could render the skin, it’s encouraged that sulfur acne therapy directions be followed discreetly. A lot of time, it is recommended that it should be left on the skin for just a specific length of time only. Many believed that prolonging the sulfur treatment program may hasten the consequences; therefore, it is very important to adhere to the instructions.

Side Effects
Many users have experienced some immediate reaction on skin, which includes irritation, flaking, drying of skin, and itching and redness, which are very familiar with sulfur usage as common side effects. These symptoms would continue for a while and does not call for a person cease treatment and get medicinal alternatives. However, in case of allergic reactions, like inflamed, lips, mouth, lips, tongue, throats, lips, fever, rashes, or joint pains, seek medical attention immediately. Expectant mothers are encouraged to consult their doctors during the course of pregnancy, before using any topical sulfur products.


Acne Treatment: Sulfur As An Antibacterial Agent

In spite of being an all-natural anti-bacterial agent, it is very smart to examine what the substance’s safe level of usage. This can basically be decided by a skin doctor or dermatologist who analyses concentration of sulfur for each different user. Many sulfur products cause skin discoloration and a typical unique sulfur odor. If you cannot stand its “foul smell” it is advisable to look for another type/brand. This scent varies from every product.

In case you are by now adhering to a sulfur remedy , eliminate the abrasive soaps. Moderation and patience are your keys to success. The effects of sulfur could presently be enough to slough off dead skin and stimulate healing, so this is a very good reason to consider sulfur as one of the effective acne treatment options.

Acne Treatment: Salicyclic Acid

Another over the counter acne treatment is salicyclic acid. Salicylic acid is an anti-inflammatory substance known since ancient times  for its ability to relieve pains, aches and lower fevers. It is also found in numerous skin care products for other  skin disorders that involve overgrowth or scaling of the skin like psoriasis (scaly, red patches on the skin), ichthyoses (hereditary scaling and dryness) and warts exclusively found on  feet and hands as a key ingredient . It is available in creams and lotions, shampoos, medicated treatment pads, cleansers, toners and solutions.

Salicylic acid works by reinforcing normal process of desquamation that takes place on a skin that is prone to acne. It functions as an exfoliant, pushing and abrades off  dead skin cells, opening clogged pores, causing epidermal cells to shed more readily, and then the bacteria within will be neutralized, clogging up of pores will be prevented again by making the pore diameter to constrict,thereby allowing room for new cell growth.

Because of its power to seep through the follicle, it is extremely useful in eliminating acne. It stimulates shedding off of dead skin cells from inside the follicle, aiding   the pores free from cellular debris. By doing this, it lessens the amount of  blocked pores  as well as skin break-outs

Salicyclic acid can be bought by  strengths of  0.5% to 2%. Applying a number of salicylic acid solutions would certainly produce  skin that is excessively dry, and hastening the healing process will be slow. You should keep in mind that regular use  is important to get  great result. As soon as the  skin is on the stage where the skin is almost acne-free, a  scrub or salicylic acid wash is used instead of  pads or gels  for clear skin maintenance.

Possible side effects of this kind of treatment includes burning, stinging, and irritation of the skin. Other users reported  dryness, flaking and peeling  of the skin. Using an oil-free moisturizer daily  can alleviate/control these kind of side effects. If dryness and/or irritation  is uncomfortable, it is advisable to  change frequency of usage every other day. Salicylic acid combined with other acne treatment products like benzoyl peroxide can cause flare-ups and therefore should not be employed as your treatment protocol.

As a precaution, obviously, do not ingest topical salicylic acid. So we should take care not to  get topical salicylic acid inside our mouth, nose and eyes. Never apply topical salicylic acid to broken, red, infected, irritated or swollen skin.  Should you by accident get topical salicylic acid in your mouth,nose or eyes, water flushing for 15 mins will be helpful.

Additionally, do not use it to huge portions of  your body and cover bandage or dressing except your physician tells you otherwise. It is very important as in any other medications to read  label and follow directions very carefully.

Notify your doctor if you are breast-feeding or expectant mother as it absorbs through the skin. Better  talk to your physician first if you are planning to  use treatment options like  salicyclic acid. Greater precaution should be implemented on children younger than 2 years since the absorbtion is greater compared to adults.

 See a doctor if  your symptoms persists after trying this over the counter acne treatment.

Acne Treatment: Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide remains one of the most widely used preparations in acne treatment products. It is a natural and organic substance within the family of peroxide and contains 2 benzoyl groupings bridged with a peroxide link. It is probably the most essential organic peroxides when it comes to applications and  degree of its production. Benzoyl peroxide is commonly used for acne remedy,  improving flour,  whitening teeth and hair, for polymerising polyester and lots of other usages.

Benzoyl peroxide is integrated in the World Health Organization (WHO) Model Lists of Essential drugs, a  list of minimum medical needs for a basic health care system.

Benzoyl peroxide regarding acne treatment is normally rubbed into the areas affected in ointment or gel form, within concentrations of 2. 5% raising through they considered effective range of 5% to up to 10%. Studies suggest that concentrations of 5 and 10%  aren’t more effective significantly than 2. 5% as 2. 5% is generally a lot better tolerated, although many important scientific studies reviewing it with other remedies utilize the higher concentrations.

The solution usually leads to dryness and soreness, although the skin area builds up tolerance right after a about a week. A small % of individuals are far more hypersensitive to it and prone to itching, burning, peeling and even swelling. It is certainly wise to use the minimum concentration and use the substance within the acceptable range for acne treatment.

As soon as threshold is reached, raising the amount of concentration and increasing tolerance at a higher stage can provide a lot better for pimple clearance. Benzoyl peroxide functions as a good shedding agent, maximizing skin turn over and clearing skin pores, therefore decreasing the microbe number  and directly as an anti-microbial.

Side effects:

The most commonly seen unwanted effect involving Benzoyl peroxide is dry skin. The dryness usually is mild, and if skin looks noticeably scaly, use a light oil-free moisturizing lotion.

Quite a few subjects may suffer inflammatory reaction when applying benzoyl peroxide. Should you encounter slight irritation, consider lowering the number of application. If irritation is really serious or goes on, quit using benzoyl peroxide.

Contact dermatitis (reddish, dried, itchy skin) occur in some affected individuals and may be because of irritation or allergic reaction to the medications. If dermatitis happens, stop usage right away and speak to your acne doctor.
1-2% from the affected  number of people go through a minor hypersensitive reaction and usually seen as a itchiness and also inflammation.

Benzoyl peroxide produces free-radicals which is regarded as a contributor of untimely aging of the skin, much like repetitive exposure to the sun or chronic acne. Injury is dependent upon the level of benzoyl peroxide concentration as well as the rate and frequency of use. Whilst moderate to very severe acne will result in the skin to get older swiftly, the utilization of benzoyl peroxide will tremendously boost this pace.

Pregnant women are cautioned to see their Doctor before using an acne treatment with benzoyl peroxide as according to research it can affect a developing fetus.

The impact of benzoyl peroxide differ from one individual to another. It will always be smart to seek advice from a health care professional before starting any acne treatment methods.