Different Types of Acne Treatments

For some people acne is considered an adolescent right of passage. For other it follows them from puberty all the way into adult hood and can be quite distressing. This skin disease affects millions across the country and there are thousands of treatments for it. This article will examine what acne is and the different treatments that are available for it.

Acne is a skin condition that occurs as a result of the overproduction of oil by the oil glands of the skin. For acne to occur, the oil that your skin naturally produces becomes logged in oil ducts. As a result of this we will have the formation of whiteheads, blackheads and pimples. This is essentially what acne is and there are different levels of this condition. You may have pimples that contain pus, or blackheads, whiteheads and finally cysts that can have the skin looking broken.

There are different ways to treat acne, but some people use various natural products. One such product is Azelaic acid. This product is often used in many skin creams, lotions and gels. It is especially good at treating acne because of its efficiency at killing bacteria and also its anti inflammatory properties. Azelaic acid is also attacks bacteria that infects the pores and inhibits the production of keratin which can also lead to the break out of acne.

Another product that is good at treating acne is Tretinoin. It is a Vitamin A derivative and it is very useful at getting rid of acne, whiteheads and blackheads. No one really knows how tretinoin works but the way it works on the skin is remarkable. It will unclog pores and also aide in the peeling of skin. This product has been approved by the FDA since 1971 for the treatment of this type of acne. It is available in a topical liquid, gel or cream. For this product it is best used everyday. If used properly, the individual should see some positive changes in the skin between six to eight weeks. One thing about the tretinoin treatment is the fact that acne will get worse, before it starts to clean up.

Desogen to Cure Acne

It is widely known that the contraceptive pill is often prescribed for the treatment of women’s acne and was approved by the FDA in 1997 for this treatment of this condition. However, if you are considering asking your doctor for the popular brand, Desogen , there are some facts you should know, especially if you have certain health problems or inherited medical conditions.

What exactly is Desogen and How does Desogen work in my body?
Desogen is an oral birth control pill that contains a combination of synthetic female hormones to stop an egg being released from a woman’s ovary. If an egg is not released, it cannot be fertilized by a male sperm- so the woman cannot become pregnant. Most women take Desogen to prevent them from falling pregnant but others have found it to be extremely effective for clearing up their acne or significantly reducing breakouts.
Desogen does this by controlling the level of androgen (a male hormone) connected with the production of oil in our skin (from our sebaceous glands). Why is the amount of oil produced by our sebaceous glands important?

Why does acne occur and what does it look like?
On the surface of our skin are little ‘breathing holes’ or pores and ‘pockets’ (follicles) out of which each hair grows. The sebaceous gland in each follicle produces oil or sebum. When too much sebum is produced, these glands become blocked and inflamed which results in pimples, ‘zits’ and blackheads - a chronic outbreak is known medically as acne. In acute cases, these pustules can result in cysts or abscesses that become infected and scar the skin’s surface. If the production of sebum can be decreased then the acne is usually reduced also.

Since the hormone, androgen, controls the release of sebum, it is not surprising that if there is an imbalance in hormone levels, especially during adolescence, then there is going to be an imbalance in the level of sebum produced. Even though contraceptive pills work effectively on acne treatment, they are not ideal for teenagers to take if they are not sexually active (unless they have had a thorough talk to their doctor first).

Desogen and acne is a ‘balancing act’.
Since Desogen affects the level of the androgen hormone within a woman’s body, it follows that every woman’s body will be operating on varying levels of hormone production so, to some degree, it is trial and error with a contraceptive medication such as Desogen for controlling the level of sebum produced and therefore controlling the severity of her acne. It is for this reason that Desogen can be extremely effective or in some cases, just not be compatible with the level of androgen being produced in certain women so their acne seems to get worse. Ethinyl etradiol is the synthetic estrogen in contraceptive pills that affects the level of androgen.

The contraceptive pill Desogen resolves acne conditions in many women
Doctors prescribe Desogen specifically for the treatment of acne in woman they consider suitable for this combination of synthetic hormones. Woman who can take Desogen will find that this birth control pill balances their hormones effectively and is the ideal drug for helping them to manage their acne. It should be noted though, that no single treatment for acne, including Desogen, should be relied upon to treat this severe skin condition. A dirty skin, make up and bacteria also aggravate acne so topical products, such as lotions, creams and anti bacterial skin cleansers should be considered for use in conjunction with Desogen.

Always consult your doctor if you wish to try Desogen for your acne treatment and tell him which other medications/topical products you are also using.

As with many medications, however, some women find they do experience various side effects when taking Desogen.
Some common side effects include nausea, headaches, slight bleeding, weight gain and possible mood changes.
After taking Desogen for three months, many of these effects disappear but you should monitor your body closely and consider a different treatment if they persist or if they worsen.

The clearly documented risks associated with all contraceptive pills must be noted for Desogen also, whether taken for acne or as your preferred birth control method. These risks include stroke, blood clotting and breast cancer (although the contraceptive pill has positive benefits in reducing ovarian and uterine cancer)

Smoking is bad for you anyway but the risks of developing heart disease increase if you are on the ‘pill’.

If you do take Desogen to prevent acne, take it as prescribed by your doctor - even if you buy it on line

Missing a dose of Desogen will not have such a bad effect on your acne but it will affect your risk of getting pregnant.
Check the leaflet that comes with the Desogen pack if you miss a pill and of course, if you are unsure as to whether you can two pills on one day, check with your doctor or medical practitioner. To reduce the anxiety or stress further, it would be wise to use additional contraception at this time.

Desogen is ideal for reducing the painful and embarrassing condition of acne in many women but unfortunately it is just not suitable for a certain percentage of woman. It is probably worth trying though as the benefits can be excellent and it is likely that if you keep in contact with your doctor you will eventually find a combination of the ‘pill’ and a topical skin product that will help you through your acne ‘chapter’.

For the Love of Puppy

A gorgeous, delectable, cute new puppy given out of sheer love to someone can bring much joy and happiness to child or adult alike. The first five minutes are absolutely wonderful; up to the point when the new puppy fouls the living room carpet.

Firstly, many people in their blissful exuberance fail to realise that to own a puppy, comes with nearly as much responsibility as raising your own child. Secondly, one needs get out of one’s comfort zone to clean up after the puppy messes on the carpet. Thirdly, your new puppy needs the staples of life as would your own baby child.

A puppy cannot survive on love alone. The need to water and feed your new puppy will be one of the first considerations. You need to know how old your puppy is and at what stage of development he/she is, in order to feed your puppy the correct food. You cannot assume as some people do; that your diet is good. Therefore, it is a good diet to feed your puppy.

The right food is vitally important or you could find yourself up all through the night with a very sick and whimpering puppy. In addition the subsequent Veterinary bill can set you back $200.00 or more.

The puppy then needs somewhere to sleep and some sort of bedding. A basket or cardboard box lined with an old blanket works fine. Make sure the area is warm and there are no drafts. Puppies can catch colds, coughs and respiratory ailments just like humans.

You then need to be aware that your puppy needs a special environment in which to live. This living space must address his/her eating, sleeping and toileting needs. A puppy will not foul his/her living space; and this needs to be separate from the toileting area. A litter box placed in the opposite corner away from your puppy’s living and eating area should suffice. Some owners use a crate to keep their puppies in and the rules of toileting still apply.

When you observe your puppy needs to do its toilet; put him/her in their litter box and toileting area. Later you can move the litter box outside and show your puppy the new toileting area.

Like your child; your puppy needs to be bathed regularly. Again do not assume products such as family shampoos, soaps and dishwashing detergents are good for bathing your puppy. A small puppy can have allergic reactions and suffer severe skin irritations caused by strong chemicals and toxins. Suitable products developed especially for your puppy can be found at your local Veterinary Clinic, Pet Store and pet area at your local supermarket.

Above all; you need to be loving, sensitive, caring, and observant to your puppy’s every need. This is a trait central to socialization; to assist your puppy in obedience; learning commands; collar and leash training, as well as early potty training. Yelling at your puppy is not recommended or helpful in training your puppy. A Puppy can wander off and sometimes get into trouble e.g. stuck under the house and caught in a wire fence, or wander on the road into traffic. Your puppy can also swallow small articles whole and can choke.

Be ever vigilante that your puppy is toileting regular stools, if he/she does not it could mean puppy has swallowed a large solid object that has caused a blockage and the puppy cannot pass it normally. The short answer in this case is the Veterinary Clinic and resultant cost. Again I use the analogy as to be responsible and watchful of your own child.

Your puppy will also need regular exercise and play. This interaction teaches your puppy boundaries of both good and unacceptable behavior. Interaction with other dogs is also essential to help your puppy become socialised and friendly.

Be also aware that you need to find out when your puppy will need compulsory shots and vaccinations to prevent canine disease. Without vaccinations disease could prove fatal. You will also need to be aware of common infections such as Parvovirus and how best to recognise this. You can get all the relevant information and essential services from your local Veterinary Clinic.

Education is a lifelong learning experience. Having said that; there are many more things your puppy needs to learn. As like every responsible parent, you must also learn to adapt and teach correctly. Therefore, a good book on puppy training and/or puppy obedience training; is an essential aid to achieve success. This reference material is an excellent guide to revisit at any time and whenever the need arises.