October 15, 2007
How To Treat Acne Effectively
Many people don’t know how to treat acne. They try hundreds of methods but in vain. Here are certain tried and tested ways of treating acne.
Cleansing
First, wipe off the belief from your mind that acne is caused due to not washing your face enough. Acne starts under the skin. Therefore, no matter how much your wash your face, you cannot prevent it once it’s formed. Ask people how to treat acne and they will tell you to keep washing your face. The only thing you can do through keeping your face clean is to avoid spreading of the infection.
However, excessive washing aggravates blackheads and whiteheads. They get more infected, which means more pimples. There are mild cleaners available in the market such as Cetaphil. You can also use acne cleansers like Neutrogena Acne Wash, Aveeno acne bar, or Benzoyl Peroxide 5% bar.
Exfoliation
Exfoliating your skin is vital. It removes the dead skin from the surface. After cleansing, you should exfoliate your skin with a facial scrub once or twice a week. With no dead cells or debris on your skin, there are less chances of clogging of pores.
Oil-Free Make-Up
Go easy on your make-up and ensure it’s oil-free. Right from foundations to sunscreens, lotions and creams - everything touching your skin surface should be oil-free. Also be careful about the hair products you use. Buy products that have “Non-comedogenic” written in their labels. This means they won’t block your pores.
Topical Gels
- Benzoyl Peroxide – most doctors recommend this medication. It’s available over the counter. It destroys the acne causing bacteria, thus, opening the pores and hastening the process of healing. Start by applying 5% gel solution once daily, after thoroughly washing your face. After a week, apply two times a day. In case you don’t find any results after a month of application, switch to 10% solution.
- Retin-A – It’s available only on doctor’s prescription. It works by opening the clogged oil glands, thus, preventing the further formation of pimples. Use this gel only at night, as it sensitizes your skin and makes it vulnerable to sunburn. It is advised to use extra sunscreen when out in the sun. Retin-A may cause redness and dryness of skin, and also peeling. If this happens, you can stop using it. It takes at least 2-3 months for results. For women, doctors may prescribe birth control pills before starting Retin-A. This is because it can be dangerous for the fetus.
Antibiotics
When other medications don’t work, antibiotics are the solution. They are effective for swollen and red acne. They destroy the bacteria. Antibiotics for acne are available with a doctor’s prescription. Take the pills with lots of water. You might experience an over sensitive skin due to the antibiotics.
Accutane
This is a strong medication for severe scarring and acne. You need to test your blood frequently while taking Accutane, as it can cause a change in the count of blood cells and its level. For women, your doctor may prescribe two types of birth control before starting Accutane. It is very dangerous for fetus. Some doctors don’t recommend Accutane.
How to treat acne effectively is one big question on every acne victim’s minds. With the above remedies, you are sure to get an answer.