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’.

Main Reason For Hair Loss

Avoiding unnecessary concern and fear about hair loss is easily obtained by simply educating oneself on the possible causes and available follicular replacement therapies (hair replacement treatments) available in this day and age.

The primary cause of up to 90% of balding can be contributed to a condition known as Androgenetic Alopecia. This type of hair loss affects both men and women. Finding extra handfuls of hair falling out can be quite unsettling. Going bald affects not only the outward appearance, as a sign of premature aging, but can also lead to depression and a lack of self-worth.

There are three basic elements that must co-exist in order for this kind of baldness to occur. One is that certain hormones need to be reacting in a particular way, the next is that this needs to be happening for an extended period of time and the third is a genetic susceptibility to baldness.

Sometimes as early as the twenties or thirties, people begin to notice more hair than usual falling out each day. It is normal for 20-100 hairs per day to fall out; when a greater amount begins coming out regularly, this may be an early warning sign of future baldness and a good time to research follicular enhancement technologies and begin treatments.

This can occur in both men and women, since they both produce the hormones that are commonly associated with men: testosterone, androsteinedione, and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). People with a predisposition for baldness produce too much of an enzyme known as 5-alpha-reductase. Then through an interesting process this enzyme changes testosterone into DHT. Sooner or later, the hormone DHT binds with the receptor sites and these vulnerable hair follicles become unstable.

There are many types of drugs that have given cause for positive expectations as follicular replacement therapies for their ability to retard the production of DHT, one such drug is Propecia. According to the studies, when used in the early stages of hair loss, Propecia can be beneficial in slowing, ending or even in some cases, reversing hair loss.
The growth cycle of hair consists of three stages, anagen-the growing phase, catagen-the transitional and resting phase and telogen which is the final phase when the hair falls out and a new hair begins to grow and the cycle starts all over again. For most people this growth cycle can range from 3 to 8 years. However, a person with balding in their genes may find each growth cycle becoming progressively shorter and any new hair that does grow may start to become more and more thin. Going bald takes time, so noticing the subtle clues is important.

A number of factors including nutritional deficiencies, poor thyroid function, aging, nervousness, hormonal imbalances, chemotherapy and the use of various prescription drugs may explain the remaining 10% of people who experience hair loss.

By becoming a knowledgeable consumer you will be able to choose the type of follicular replacement therapies from the many available options that will best suit your hair loss needs. You may choose treatments ranging from drugs to various shampoos or topical lotions, hair replacement systems, natural remedies and several different types of surgery.