Acne is a large problem for many individuals, including both teenagers and adults. Many people believe that the presence of acne will lessen after their teen years are over but for many adults, this is simply not the case. No matter their age, anyone with acne may need to seek an effective acne treatment in order to help rid their skin of this unwelcome intruder.

Many individuals turn to an over-the-counter acne treatment and, while there is no blanket system that works for everyone, these products often provide beneficial results. In order to ensure safety during the use of any acne treatment, individuals are urged to read the instructions carefully and pay close attention to any warning labels.

During the first use of any acne treatment, whether it be in the form of a lotion or pad, consumers are urged to apply the medication to a small portion of the skin before proceeding with application to the rest of the area. In some cases, an acne treatment product may cause irritation to the skin, which may be minimized by applying the medication to a small test area. This process is not exclusive to the first use of the product and may actually be used before each application. Even if irritation does not present itself at first, it may later appear in future applications.

In an instance of a prolonged or extreme case of acne, it may be necessary to consult a dermatologist for an appropriate acne treatment. These physicians are educated toward the treatment of skin and related illnesses, which allows them the advantage of recommending a customized treatment program. If a commercial acne treatment is not helping, there may be no use in continuing to subject the skin to that specific product. Instead, a dermatologist may be able to prescribe an acne treatment that is available by prescription only.

In addition to commercial and/or prescription treatments, there are a number of home remedies that can be applied toward acne treatment. By avoiding contact or a disturbance to the acne prone area, individuals will lessen the chance of infection or added redness. In addition, washing the face both morning and night may help to ease the presence of acne. Exfoliation products may also help to rid the skin’s surface of bacteria and dead skin cells, both of which may cause acne or clogged pores. A quality exfoliation product will reveal the healthy skin cells and rid the face of the old ones.

When using any type of acne treatment product, individuals should avoid contact with eyes and are advised to wash their hands immediately after use. In order to avoid skin irritation, most acne treatment products should not be used in conjunction with any other similar product.

The information in this article is intended for informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or recommendations for acne treatment. If acne is present, individuals should consult a licensed dermatologist for proper diagnosis and/or treatment.

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Acne Vulgaris, commonly referred to as pimples, is an inflammatory disease of the skin. This condition is very common in puberty. As one reaches their early twenties, it either disappears or decreases. Acne begins because of the comedo, an enlarged hair follicle plugged with oil and bacteria. The comedo is invisible to the naked eye and is present beneath the surface of the skin. When it gets the right condition, it grows into an inflamed lesion. The oil produced from the skin helps bacteria to flourish within the swollen follicle.

Non-inflammatory acre are of two types – Closed comedo or white head, and Open comedo or black head. There are 4 types of inflammatory acne –

· Papule – It is the mildest form that appears on the skin as a small, firm pink bump.

· Pustule – They are small round lesions containing visible pus. They may appear red at the base and yellowish or whitish at the center.

· Nodule or Cyst – Large and painful, they are pus-filled lesions lodged deep within the skin. The nodules may persist for weeks or months with the contents hardening into a deep cyst. Both nodules and cysts often leave deep scars.

· Acne Conglobata – This severe bacterial infection develops mostly on the back, buttocks and chest.

The chief causes of acne are hormones like androgen, production of extra sebum, follicle fallout, bacteria and inflammation. For controlling acne, you can carry out the following steps –

· Avoid excessive washing of your skin. It can leave the healthy skin dry, thus irritating the acne prone areas. Over-washing may also stimulate extra oil production.

· Avoid alcohol products to tone your skin. Alcohol is a strong astringent that strips the top layer of the skin causing sebaceous glands to produce more oil.

· Do not squeeze or pick the acne with fingernails, pins or any other thing. It forces the bacteria deeper into the skin and often leaves a permanent acne scar.

· A wash is required after exercise. The heat and moisture trapped against the skin creates an ideal breeding ground for the spread of bacteria.

· Consume food rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin B-2, Vitamin B-3, Vitamin E and Zinc like eggs, nuts, liver, milk, fish and leafy green vegetables.

· Proper sleep and a life without stress and emotional anxiety can reduce acne.

· Wear little make-up while exercising. Avoid garments that are made exclusively with nylon.

Laser surgery is often used to reduce the scars left behind by acne. Treating acne with azelaic acid, salicylic acid, tropical retinoids and benzoyl peroxide is also common. A large number of people started trying herbal acne treatments over the traditional medications by using teas, oils and herbal creams.

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At one point all of us have been trying to find ways on how to be completely acne-free. Here are some natural and not so natural acne treatments that are proven to be effective.

1. Witch Hazel Astringent
This astringent comes from the plant with the same name. It is widely spread from Nova Scotia in Canada down to Texas and Florida. Simply steam the twigs of this plant and voila! The extract you get from it serves as your astringent. Remember to cool it though. What’s good about this is that it occurs naturally and even the process it has undergone is all natural. You can be assured it is less harsh compared with commercially-produced astringents.

2. Commercially Produced Astringents
There is no doubt that astringents we can buy over-the-counter are also effective. There are lots of variants to choose from with additional ingredients that promote better skin. The only downside is it can be a little harsh because of the chemicals added to produce this formula. Use them with extra care as they can dry the skin.

3. All-Natural Treatments
Kitchen and acne are two enemies we may not be aware of. Scout your kitchen for stuff like oranges and lemons, fresh garlic and raw potatoes.

- Oranges and lemons just need to be squeezed on cotton balls. Apply the extract on affected areas and wash it after about 20 minutes.

- Fresh garlic is used much easier. Just remove its peeling and rub it on your face.

- As for raw potatoes, peel them and rub its flat surface on your face.

The natural extracts from these fruits and vegetables can help minimize the redness at the same time can clean the skin.

4. Oral Antibiotics
For severe cases, antibiotics are prescribed. These medications are orally taken to reduce the amount of bacteria inside and around skin follicles. They also decrease the exasperating chemicals that the white blood cells produce. Lastly, antibiotics diminish the concentration of the free fatty acids found in sebum, also creating an anti-inflammatory action. Consult your dermatologist for the right antibiotic and dosage.

Tetracycline is still the most commonly prescribed antibiotic for acne treatment. Most of this antibiotic should be taken on an empty stomach. Also, this shouldn’t be used by pregnant women and children under 9. Usually, the starting dose is initially 500 milligrams twice daily and is continuously taken until prescribed, or until a considerable dropping off of lesions is visible.

Erythromycin comes close second and can be prescribed to pregnant women. However, it can cause nausea and even upset stomach. Compared to tetracycline, which can only kill bacteria, Erythromycin has both anti-inflammatory and bacteria-killing properties. Also, this antibiotic needs to be taken in a food-filled tummy. You may discuss other possible antibiotics with your doctors regarding the effects and side-effects of each.

5. Topical Treatments
Externally applied creams are also proven effective for acne treatment. However, it results to drying and flaking but it is said to be the most effective treatment for severe acne. Benzoyl peroxide is one very common and effective topical acne treatment.

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