Dermatologist Acne Treatments for a Guaranteed Flawless
Complexion
Lead a blemish-free life and that includes your face too. Banish
the bane termed as acne forever. However, acne treatment is not
a quick fix solution. Go in for an acne treatment that
guarantees not only relief for the time being but also deters a
relapse.
Acne is caused by accumulation of dead skin cells, overactive
oil glands or an attack by the P. acnes bacteria. Acne treatment
involves striking at any one-root cause or taking a
multi-pronged approach. However, the best acne treatment is to
be decided only by the dermatologist and it may be that the
nature and severity of the acne problem, the patient's age,
lifestyle and medication routine may merit an individualized
treatment.
Generally, acne treatment is categorized into three broad
spectrums. The most common, however, an instant but temporary
cure is by killing the bacteria that are caused by the blocked
follicles. This is done either by the intake of antibiotics like
tetracycline, or by treating the affected areas externally with
bactericidal substances like benzoyl peroxide. As one can guess,
it does nothing to control the oil secretion that is the root of
all blocked follicles and henceforth, acnes, return successfully
after the treatment is successfully over.
The second method is by reducing the secretion of oils from the
glands. This is done by a daily intake of Vitamin A derivates
like isotretinoin over a period of a few months. The drug has a
much longer effect than anti-bacterial treatments and often
cures acne for good. The treatment requires close medical
examination by a dermatologist since the drug has many known
side effects.
The third, popular, acne treatment involves exfoliating the
skin. This process encourages the peeling of the top layer of
skin to prevent a build-up of dead skin cells which combine with
skin oil to block pores. It also helps to unblock clogged pores.
Severely sore cysts require the injection of interlesional
corticosteroid, which acts by melting the cyst within 3-5 days
and prevents scars. Isotretinoin is an effective acne scar
treatment. It works by reducing the activity of the oil glands
and is widely regarded as the most effective drug to fight
cystic acne. However, this pill has serious side-effects on
liver and the nervous system and as such should not be used
during pregnancy.
Oral contraceptives like norgestimate, ethynodiol and
norethindrone acetate work against acne by decreasing the
activity of the oil glands.
For people sensitive to some acne drugs, sodium sulfacetamide is
an effective alternative treatment.
Laser therapy, which scrapes away the top layer of the skin,
thereby removing the dead cells, is an effective acne treatment
with enduring effects. This peeling of the skin is also achieved
by the increasingly popular TCA peels. Easy to use, these peels
reach deep into the skin coming up with results that last up to
a year. Not only do they remove the acne, but also prevent its
recurrence. They are now available for home use (see the link
below). TCA peels are the most cost effective acne treatment and
should be a part of any acne or skin care regimen.
The acne treatment may sound easy but you should never indulge
in self-medication. Some acne drugs are quite powerful and any
misuse may trigger irreversible side effects. Nor should acne be
treated by pricking the pimples. This causes scarring that even
an extensive acne scar treatment cannot reverse. Catch them
young is the motto of every dermatologist treating acne. So do
not neglect even the tiniest blackhead.
Acne treatment is safe as long as you are in the right hands.