Find Acne Treatments that Work Well for You

If you’ve not enjoyed much success in controlling spots, finding acne treatments that work is going to be a priority for you. Not all treatments are created equal, and some can actually exacerbate the problem. For example, there are certain chemicals that – although they do dry out the skin – can cause an allergic reaction. That’s why you need to be mindful of what you are applying to your skin so that you can achieve optimal results. It’s all about knowing and understanding what works best for you, and not just the actor whose life has been transformed in the commercial.

Understanding Your Own Skin Type

There is a saying that if you want a fast service you must be willing to pay for it. To be honest, you don’t have to pay through the roof for a fast acne treatment, but you do need to do your homework. There are a multitude of products that will help to clear up acne, and though some of them contain harsh chemicals, there are also many that are 100% natural. If you are unsure what you should and should not use, I’d advise you to only apply the solution to a small section behind your ear – as an experiment. If you don’t react adversely after a few daily applications, you should be fine. If you are concerned, perhaps because you’ve had problems in the past, it’s advisable to consult a doctor or dermatologist.

There are also a range of homemade acne treatments for pimples, and you may have quite a few of them in your kitchen or bathroom cabinet! Remember that the effectiveness of acne treatments will still dependent on your skin type, and even the word “natural” doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be 100% safe from skin allergies or inflammation. As always, you must perform your due diligence before proceeding.

Acne Treatments that Work Well

With all the acne treatments available today, you need to know the two categories that products typically fall under: pore cleansers and products that target (or prevent) oil production. As the name suggests, pore cleansers help to prevent acne by unclogging the pores of the skin. When the pores become clogged with oil, makeup, and dirt, breakouts show on the surface of your skin.  Pore cleansers are available over-the-counter, and for pimples that do not cause scars, this type of acne treatment is effective and recommended.

There are also packaged acne treatments (or systems as advertised in commercials) that encourage customers to become mindful of their regimen. When they stick to a routine, the chances of pimples or a break out occurring is greatly reduced. The only downside is that they may offer add-on products that you do not need. For example, there are topical products or spot treatments that might go with the pore cleansers which, though good for you to use, may not be necessary for the treatment of acne. There are loads of great products, such as The Body Shop tea tree face wash, that we look at on this website that will help you to get rid of acne within weeks – it’ll cost you well under $20.

What Doctors Will Tell You

Consulting your dermatologist before applying any topical treatment or ingesting medicine saves you time and money. If over-the-counter treatments do not clear up an acne problem, you could still ask your doctor for any recommendations. Usually they will prescribe antibiotics for acne. Such antibiotics may be oral or topical. In severe cases of acne, the patient could be asked to take both topical and oral antibiotics.

What’s great about them is that they sometimes deliver fast results. This is especially true when the antibiotics are taken together with a good cleansing regimen and a product that contains benzyl peroxide.

One antibiotic that’s particularly popular is MinocinPac, a prescription product that includes topical products and minocyline. Interestingly enough, these medicines and ingredients work synergistically to eliminate pimples. Another effective drug is Solodyn, which has a low dose of minocyline.

Doctors also regularly prescribe Oracea, an oral medication that is used to treat skin inflammation. Its antibiotic component is low, but it effectively targets skin redness. Another drug, Aldactone, is known to clear the skin without making it overly dry.

When antibiotics don’t work, doctors still have the last resort – these are products that aren’t just used for skin cleansing and antibiotic properties; they also target and shut down oil production.  One of these drugs is Accutane or Isotretinoin.

According to doctors, once oil production stops, pimples stop appearing as well. However, isotretinoin has risks as well, which is why they would rather use it as a last resort. The use of isotretinoin increases risks of birth defects and may cause violent or aggressive behavior. It is also responsible for decreasing your bone mineral density. Suddenly, over-the-counter products are starting to sound pretty good!

If you want to avoid these risks and tackle the root of the problem (that is, oil production), you may opt for a more expensive treatment – laser works. This inhibits the growth of bacteria that is responsible for acne, while another type shrinks the oil glands. These are long-lasting treatments and also contribute to anti-aging. When all else fails, you still have the last option: photodynamic therapy or PDT.

PDT is similar to the laser treatments, but it is combines with Levulan, a topical drug. This combo shrinks oil glands and kills bacteria, giving you long-lasting results. So far for people who have used PDT, they have enjoyed outstanding results. However, it’s really expensive.

Acne Prevention Help

Once you’ve cleared up your acne, you don’t want it to return. All the most of us will need is the best acne face wash, but some people will need to do a bit more each day. Here’s some advice on keeping the problem under control.

• Keep your face clean. Stick to a regimen of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing your face every morning and evening. Remove all traces of makeup because these can clog pores, resulting to breakouts as early as the next day.
• Gently wash your face. Use products with exfoliating beads, but do not scrub your face too much. Doing so causes redness and irritation.
• Make it a habit to hydrate your skin. Either you use a good moisturizer or you drink a lot of water. Most antibiotics and topical treatments may cause dryness.

Finding acne treatments that work will depend upon you and what is causing the problem. What works for one person won’t necessarily work for someone else. It’s about creating self-awareness and taking precautions. Before you start taking meds or investing in expensive treatments, try a simple over-the-counter product – such as PanOxyl 10% foaming wash – and see if it can help to clear up your skin.