How to Treat Acne
Acne, or Acne Vulgaris, as it is medically called, is one of the most common problems teenagers face. Caused by changing hormone levels and genetic disposition, it is most common in those with oily skins and is usually worse in boys than girls. Over 80% of males and 70% of females going through puberty use some kind of acne medication, sometimes to prevent mild acne from worsening and sometimes to treat conditions like cystic acne, a type of acne which can cause acne scars if not treated.
Acne treatment & products
According to most acne specialists, the most important factor in treating acne is to start treatment early, before it becomes widespread. Teenagers who have oily skin, have siblings who are already undergoing acne treatment or who have one or more facial spots, should see a skin specialist and start acne medication as recommended by him. The first type of acne treatment which sufferers try is usually one of the many over the counter acne medications, such as Persa-gel or Stridex, which reduce the amount of bacteria on the skin. Often these acne products have little or no effect, and the next stage is a prescription acne treatment, usually a topical antibiotic cream or oral antibiotics such as erythromycin or tetracycline.
Acne skin care
Many teenagers do not realise that they can have an influence on the amount of spots they get by changing their behaviour slightly, for example acne skin care. Keeping facial skin clean and not touching the face can have a big effect, as can reducing stress and increasing the amount of outside activities engaged in.
Girls can use hypo-allergenic make-up or reduce the length of time per day that they use it, and should cleanse the skin thoroughly with an alcohol containing solution.
Adult acne
Most people think of acne as a typically teenage problem, but some acne sufferers either get acne as teenagers and never get rid of it, or have no acne as teenagers and later suddenly develop it. Adult acne sufferers can try the topical acne medications or antibiotic treatments, but often gain more relief from oral hormonal acne treatments such as Ortho Tri-Cyclen, which doubles as an oral contraceptive, or in severe cases from oral doses of Isotretinoin. This form of vitamin A is often extremely effective although it is teratogenic, which means that it causes birth defects, so that pregnant women or those who may become pregnant cannot use it.
Adult acne, which is really just the same as teenage acne, can start in women who have just given birth because of changes in hormone levels, and can appear in women who had little or no acne as teenagers. It can become very severe, and can lead to pustule and papule formation. This is a form of cystic acne which often leaves acne scars, so that even when the acne has gone the scars remain, sometimes as hypertrophic, lumpy areas which are hard to hide with makeup. To know more visit Proactiv Reviews site for more details on acne treatments.
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