Get the Facts About Acne Treatments

(MS) - By now, most people are familiar with the common skin condition acne. Everyone from teenagers to adults, and celebrities to regular folk have experienced acne, and all of the nodules, blackheads, whiteheads, and cysts that go along with the package.

Because acne is such a visible condition, and one that brings embarrassment to many people despite how commonplace it is, the search is on for the fastest and most effective ways to clear up the complexion. Over time certain myths have developed promising miracle treatments for acne. It should be noted that treating acne takes diligence and time.

Acne treatment can be categorized in three main ways: OTC for minor to moderate cases, prescription for moderate to severe cases, and experimental - made up of homespun remedies that may or may not work.

Over the Counter (OTC) Treatments

OTC acne treatments typically consist of face washes, soaps and topical products that work over a series of days or weeks. The pimple that you see on your face has been developing for a while, so it's unreasonable to expect that any treatment method will produce immediate results. However, with regular use, results may be apparent anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks.

The common ingredients found in OTC acne treatments are benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. Here's a brief explanation of what they do.

Benzoyl peroxide is an antibacterial medication that is used to clear up the bacteria that aggravate the acne condition. Acne is not caused by dirt or eating greasy foods. It is the result of excessive oil production in hair follicles that gets trapped in pores along with shed skin cells. Bacteria can grow in this environment, aggravating the pores. Benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria and also dries out the skin so that outer layers fall off and therefore do not contribute to pore blockage.

Salicylic acid is a keratolytic drug (a drug that removes the outer layer of skin) that is used to treat various skin conditions, like warts and pimples.

Many OTC products feature a combination of benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, so that skin is exfoliated and cleansed of bacteria.

Aggressive Treatments

Topical products are applied directly to the skin. There are prescription products that dermatologists can suggest.

Topical antibiotics help stop, slow, and prevent bacterial growth and reduce inflammation. Topical retinoids are made from vitamin A and work by opening clogged pores. Dermatologists claim that topical retinoids work to normalize the life cycle of the pilosebaceous unit (follicle and sebaceous glands). Some other topical products that may be prescribed include sulfur, zinc, and resorcinol.

Oral medications can also be prescribed for acne. They are either antibiotic or retinoid in nature. Because they are ingested, the side effects of oral medications are usually more marked. They can affect birth control pills and make the skin more sun sensitive.

Other possible treatments may include phototherapy, where a light absent of harmful UV rays is shone on the skin to clear up conditions; hormonal treatments, since sebum (oil) production in glands is usually triggered by hormonal changes; and cryotherapy, where liquid nitrogen is used to freeze and break up pimple lesions.

Alternative Treatments

These homespun remedies may work for some people, but because the skin is delicate, could end up causing more harm than good.

Toothpaste: A dab of paste - not gel - in a non-whitening variety is purported to dry up pimples. However, sensitive skin could be irritated by toothpaste.

Aspirin: Some people say you can break up a regular aspirin (not acetaminophen or ibuprofen) and make a paste using a little water and dab it on the pimple until it clears up. The aspirin will reduce the swelling and pain.

Tea Tree Oil: This has natural antibacterial properties that can help clear up pimples.

Keywords: acne nodules blackhead whitehead cysts treatment benzoyl peroxide pores salicylic acid pimples warts inflammation antibiotics remedies