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.

Acne Scar Removing Creams

Acne scar removing creams are specially designed to reduce the intensity of the blemishes and sometimes, dispel the blemishes completely from the skin’s surface. The market is flooded with an assortment of scar removing products, of which some may be effective, while others may fail to produce results. Hence, you have to be alert and buy the product that is apt for your skin type.

Acne scars and their causes
Acne scars are caused by two reasons – the first, is the increased tissue formation and the second, is the loss of tissue. When the acne scars are caused by the increased tissue formation, it is known as keloids and hypertrophic scars. These scars are not the perennial problem, and get diminished in size, overtime.

Again loss of tissue is responsible for ugly spots on the skin. Usually, tissue loss is caused by inflammation of the skin, which is encouraged by the trapped oil under the pores of the skin. Nonetheless, the modern technology has come up with innovative products, to help remove the blemishes.

Creams – The ultimate solution for acne scars
The purpose of the scar removing creams is to remove the scars permanently or reduce its intensity. There are different forms of scar removal creams, but the most common one contains a kind of acid, known as Alpha Hydroxy. The cream is abrasive and therefore is very effective in removing the top layer of the skin. The process enables to expose the healthy skin lying underneath and as a result you can minimize the scarring problem.

There are exfoliating creams which work wonders for the scarring problem. However, remember to apply the creams only after the pimples or zits completely disappear. Those creams which have the presence of topical Vitamin A brings miraculous results for your skin.

Prior to using these creams, make sure that the cream has the combination of various ingredients, such as silicone gels, vitamins, natural ingredients, botanical extracts and many more. These creams are usually available over the counter and therefore you need not visit a doctor.

However, prior to the usage of the various scar removal creams, remember that the creams have their own side-effects. Therefore, it is best to consult with a doctor and then seek to the cream, which is suitable for your skin.