Tips How to Reduce Acne

Eliminating acne can be quite a challenge as the problem of acne varies from one person to the next. Most people start off trying the over the counter medications or creams. These can work well for some people however for many these kinds of acne treatments are not always the best option.

Over the counter cleansers and creams focus on cleaning the skin and keeping it oil and dirt free. For many people these products tend to dry out their skin excessively and this can cause quite a bit of irritation. Acne prescription drugs can come with unwanted side effects so it is best to avoid them if you can and look for an alternative solution.

Diet can play a role in your acne condition so it is important to keep an eye on what you are consuming. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables is often a good idea as these kinds of foods tend to have a cleansing effect on your body and are very useful in removing toxins from your system. Reducing the amount of oils and fats you are consuming can have a positive effect also. Many foods like cookies and bagged potato chips and similar ‘junk foods’ contain excessive amounts of vegetable oils. Simply reducing your intake of these kinds of foods can make a positive difference to your acne.

Stress is also believed by many to contribute to acne. There are many ways to reduce stress from your life. One of the best ways is to exercise such as doing aerobics and strength training. Just going for a short jog or walk in a nice natural environment like a park or the beach can do wonders when it comes to relieving stress.

Many people today work from home so it becomes very important for them to get out of the house on a regular basis otherwise stress levels may increase and cause your acne condition to get worse. Many acne treatment systems often recommend solutions that are not practical like going on severe fasting diets and such so you need to find something that is easier to follow and that you will stick with in the long term.

Some people believe that acne is caused by an imbalance of hormones in your body. One of the ways to potentially solve this imbalance is by taking some sort of colloidal silver supplement. Visit your local health food store and ask for a colloidal silver supplement. There is unfortunately no single product that can get rid of acne for all people so keep an open mind and try different approaches.

Available Types of Acne Treatments Overview

The problem with having acne is that it is the first thing that people will see. It really doesn’t matter if you have the most beautiful eyes, highly proportioned face or ruby red lips. People you have just met will refer to you as that girl or that boy with a colony of zits on the face. Furthermore, acne, especially the very big ones, leaves pockmarks and scars that can be permanent.

If you have acne, however, you don’t have to fret and hide in the corner. Nowadays, you have a wide variety of acne medications to choose from. Moreover, you can surely find an acne medication regardless of the type and severity of your acne.

Here is the list of the type of acne medications that is available on the market today:

Topical Acne Medications
Visit your local drug store, or even convenience store, and you will find a wide array of creams, gels, lotions, and other topical treatments for acne. These over-the-counter acne medications are usually for mild to moderate types of acne.

The common active ingredients that topical acne medications contain are sulfur, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, resorcinol or lactic acid. If you find that these medications do not work on your acne, it is time for you to visit a doctor, preferable a skin or acne specialist, so that you will be given prescription for a stronger type of topical acne medication.

Adapalene and Tretinoin are some of the active ingredients of the more potent topical creams. These two chemicals are derived from Vitamin A. These types of topical lotions or creams usually work by preventing hair follicles from clogging, which is the main reason for the development of acne, and hastening of cell regeneration.

If your acne is severe, your doctor might prescribe the use of topical antibiotics. These medications are aimed at killing or eliminating skin bacteria. Usually, topical antibiotics are used in conjunction with other acne medications.

Antibiotics
Acne problems that are severe usually need the help of oral antibiotics to help fight off the bacteria that are causing the breakout and ease the inflammation. You should never take oral or topical antibiotics without prescription. Usually, oral antibiotics are taken for weeks or months.

Oral Contraceptives
Women who have acne can take advantage of oral contraceptives to improve their acne condition. Usually contraceptives that contain ethinyl estradiol and neogestimate are the ones that are effective pimple fighters. However, since oral contraceptives might have side effects, you need to consult first with your doctor before taking such medications.

Isotretinoin
For the type of cysts and nodules that antibiotics cannot reach, isotretinoin may be the answer. This is a strong medication that is a last resort treatment for stubborn acne. A lot of people have confirmed the effectiveness of this type of treatment for hard-to-treat acne.

However, it also might have potential side effects. Thus, dermatologists usually closely monitor people who are using this type of acne medication. Some of the adverse effects of isotretinoin are birth defects, triglycerides increase and reproduction problems.

Cosmetic Surgery
Cosmetic surgery is actually more useful in removing or reducing the appearance of the scars or craters from acne infections. Usually, the procedure called dermabrasion is used for the removal of scars on the face. This works by peeling off the top layer of the skin by use of chemicals and equipment.

Whatever type of acne medication you use, it is wise to consult a doctor first so that your treatment will be monitored. Furthermore, it is still best to know what is the underlying cause of your acne breakouts so that you can handle the situation right at its roots.