Basic Ways of Removing Skin Acne Infection

Author: Aminu Rahaman
Source: ezinearticles.com

There is no doubt that the last thing that will be on a young lad’s life is dealing with skin problem, but unfortunately the greatest challenge that ruins their teenage fun is the challenge of dealing with skin acne. Imagine the stress of high school, dealing with essays, geometry tests, algebra, chemistry and others coupled with other all important social life in school there would hardly be any cause for him to have room for skin care in his mind.

The most unfortunate thing is that a social life is a major factor in high school. To have a fulfilled social life, confidence among your peers and colleagues is a major point. To someone suffering from acne, one of the major problems he has is loss of self confidence, lack of self esteem and ability to raise high his head among his peers with all sports over his face.

I have good news for the young folks that are embarrassed with acne infection on their skin, by letting them know that there are various products that can help to remove infection with little or no side effect.

The various products will be discussed as follows:

The mildest form of acne treatment is topical benzoyl peroxide.This could be found in face wash, soaps and creams. You will see that benzoyl peroxide is mild bleach that operates by getting rid of dirt, oils, and bacteria that clog pores. This could be very effective in removing mild to moderate acne. Essentially you are to apply the benzoyl peroxide to the affected area at least twice a day. The major disadvantage of using benzoyl peroxide is that it can dry out the skin and this could be addressed with oil-free moisturizers.

In a further development topical antibiotics could be an immeasurable product to arrest and destroy bacteria that can be harbored in clogged follicles. It have been discovered that topical antibiotics such as erythromycin, clindamycin, or stiemycin, or tetracycline could also be as effective as oral antibiotics. The noticeable advantage of the topical antibiotics it that it is devoid of the nasty side effects that can accompany oral antibiotics like upset stomach and it won’t deactivate your contraceptive pill.

It is worthy of note that as quickly as two to three days after you stop application break outs will occur. Oral antibiotics works in the same manner with the topical antibiotics. except in the case when you stop treatment. Oral antibiotics will continue to work for weeks after treatment has ended.

There is option of hormonal treatment for the women. There is an overwhelming amount of hormonal contraception available. A good example is Cortisone which is an injection that immediately gets rid of the redness and swelling of really stubborn pimples.

There are many things that could be taking advantage of from using topical retinoids like its ability to regulate the cell follicle life cycle. Many of them are generally related to vitamin A and have mild side effects. Some times topical retinoids could result skin in irritation. If it is diligently taken over the period of 4-6 months, it has been confirmed that you can achieve long-term results.

It is necessary that doctors have to closely watch acne sufferers that decided to take oral retinoids as a form of treatment because of their side effects. There are some side effects that sometimes accompany oral retinoids. Some of these side effects are dry skin, dry mucosa, and nosebleeds..

Finally phototherapy could be used in removing acne infection. This involves using violet light (405-420nm) two some times a week. These two times acne treatment per week could results in 64% reduction of lesions. It is possible to achieve phototherapy with red light that is also known as visible light which has longer wavelengths than violet light.

Regular exposure of the acne skin to 660nm daily may achieve up to 76% reduction. There are rare side effects and you are going to enjoy clean skin for longer periods after acne treatment than both oral and topical bacterial killers. It is terribly difficult to deal with bad skin except for the fact that there is more than just one way to deal with it.

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Going Beyond Benzoyl Peroxide

Author: Greg Podsakoff
Source: articleage.com

Millions of people suffer from acne in the United States alone, and many of these acne suffers use Benzoyl Peroxide as the acne treatment medication of choice.
It is generally safe, has very few side effects, and it has been proven to be the most effective over the counter acne treatment.
However, there are many more people who have more severe, or particularly resilient acne that is not susceptible to over the counter medications such as Benzoyl Peroxide.
Some of the most effective acne medications are available via prescription only. However, these are truly the “heavy guns” in the fight against acne, and are well worth looking into for anyone who has chronic or severe acne breakouts.
The most commonly prescribed acne medications are antibiotics such as Erythromycin and Trimethroprim. These are generally more effective than over the counter treatments because they work by treating the source of acne, the acne causing p.bacteria. Many acne sufferers find antibiotics work well for them in treating acne, and have fewer breakouts because of them.
However, one of the big drawbacks from using antibiotics is developing an immunity to them. This means that over time, the antibiotics are less effective in treating not only acne, but any form of bacterial infection including diseases such as strep throat and even some STD’s. This should be considered before undergoing an antibiotic regime to treat acne.
Another alternative is Retin A. Retin A is a topical acne treatment, and a derivative of Vitamin A. Although the exact mechanism is unknown, Retin A has been proven to be effective in reducing fine lines and wrinkles, as well as acne and some acne scarring. Retin A is generally more effective in treating acne than antibiotics.
However, Retin A is not without side effects either. The skin becomes more sensitive to the sun, and exposure to the sun can be very damaging. Also, people with sensitive skin or a skin disorder such as eczema can experience severe redness, skin flaking, and irritation. In spite of this, most people who use Retin A find they are satisfied with the results, and don’t find the side effects overwhelming.
The most effective acne treatment currently available is Accutane. Accutane is also a derivative of Vitamin A, and is taken orally. It has been referred to as the acne “wonder drug”, and for good reason. The majority of people who complete a 15-20 week session experience greatly reduced acne for years, and some never again have acne.
Accutane works by stopping sebum production in the skin. With no sebum, the acne causing p.bacteria do not have any way to grow. This results in clear skin, sometimes for life.
However, Accutane is not without side effects. The most severe are birth defects and mental disorders, such as psychosis and suicide. Dry skin, severe headaches, and hair loss are also common side effects. Though accutane is the most effective acne medication, it should only be used as a last resort, under close medical supervision.
Though there are other medications that are more effective than benzoyl peroxide, these are the most commonly prescribed, and are all worth consideration if one is experiencing severe acne. As always, a medical doctor should be consulted before trying any medication.
Greg Podsakoff is a former acne sufferer, and editor of http://www.acne-treatments-guide.com

Guide to Acne Treatments

Author: Dr. West Conner
Source: articleage.com

Acne could easily be described as one of the most common skin complaints, it may also be the most annoying. Acne usually begins in adolescence and can continue throughout life. There have always been treatments available but recently, there is a growing concern regarding a number of recent therapies.

An overproduction of naturally occurring oil and cells inside the skin follicle causes the development of acne. This causes a blockage of the pore, causing the follicle underneath to swell. The buildup of oil and dead cells allows the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes to grow unchecked. The result is an infection. The infection can present itself as a blackhead, whitehead, a tiny pimple barely visibly, larger pus-filled nodules, and even fluid-filled cysts embedded deeply in the skin.

For years, doctors and dermatologists have treated acne with both a pore cleanser (benzoyl peroxide) and topical antibiotic to kill the bacteria. For mild to moderate acne, this is still a very effective treatment. It is both easy and economical and works well for most people. Prices range from $5 to $20 depending on the type of treatment you prefer. The drawback is that these treatments have a tendency to dry out the skin leading to irritation.

Oral antibiotics like minocycline, doxycycline, and tetracycline have been used for a number of years with good results. The monthly cost for these antibiotics is relatively inexpensive at about $20. Retin-A (about $40 an ounce) and oral antibiotics, once quite popular, are now being used less and less frequently. Retin-A has been shown to cause skin inflammation and redness while taking oral antibiotics long term may contribute to drug resistant bacteria.

Other prescription topical products like Azelex, Finacea, Benzaclin, Benzamycin, Cleocin, or A/T/S can cost between $20 and $60 per ounce depending on the medication.

Recently, a product known as ProActiv Solution has hit the market. This treatment was developed due to the complaints of dry and irritated skin. With infomercials and celebrity endorsements, it quickly became the most popular and asked about acne treatment on the market. The solution used is not as drying as the creams and ointments found in traditional treatments and the concentration of benzoyl peroxide is lower. These adjustments make ProActiv less irritating to the skin. ProActiv does not require a prescription and costs about $40 for a one month supply.

Another brand new product for acne is Nicomide-T. The cream or gel derived from vitamin B has been shown to reduce the redness and inflammation associated with acne. It has also been shown to be equally effective as the topical antibiotic clindamycin. The cost for Nicomide-T is about $40 a month.

The latest acne treatment is neither a cream nor an antibiotic but rather a device for electronically killing the acne causing bacteria. It is marketed under the name Zeno and literally heats up the pimple for two to three minutes killing the bacteria. To completely destroy the pimple, one to three treatments in 24 hours are needed. This treatment is best for the occasional acne breakout and not for a severe widespread problem. The unit sells for about $210.

For those with severe acne, one can choose to use several different laser options. The professional lasers work similarly to the Zeno product but can be used over the entire problem are. These specialized lasers not only destroy the acne causing bacteria, but shrink the oil producing glands. The procedure is relatively painless but requires several treatments. With each treatment session costing between $500 and $800, this option is certainly not cheap. The results are also not permanent.

Another option is called “Photo Dynamic Therapy.” The procedure involves pulsed light or lasers combined with a topical product known as Levulan. The light activates the Levulan causing it to destroy the bacteria and shrink oil producing glands. The good news is that the therapy has been shown to remain effective for three years after treatment. The bad news is that it makes the skin very sensitive to the sun, requiring sun block. This regimen is also expensive at between $500 and $800 per session with a minimum of six sessions.

Accutane is an oral medication used for severe acne. It has recently gained publicity due to its two serious side effects, birth defects and suicidal thoughts. Females receiving Accutane must have a negative pregnancy test before each prescription and it must be dispensed with seven days. Dry skin, eyes, and nose are common other side effects. The cost for Accutane is high at about $600 a month.

Accepted treatment step guidelines for acne are as follows:

Step 1. benzoyl peroxide 2.5% – 10% for a period of at least 4 weeks,

Step 2. benzoyl peroxide and topical antibiotic cream or Retin-A for a period of at least 4 weeks,

Step 3. add oral antibiotics like minocycline, doxycycline, or tetracycline for at least 8 weeks,

Step 4. Accutane

Step 5. surgery to remove or drain the infections

From the common teenage acne to midlife acne, the condition is treatable. Using the above step therapy generally follows the less expensive to most expensive schedule. Begin therapy with inexpensive cleansers containing a small amount (2.5%) of benzoyl peroxide for at least a month. If there is still acne present, see your doctor or dermatologist for topical antibiotic creams. Cleocin and A/T/S both are available in generic form and cost about $20. The next step is to add oral antibiotics. The least expensive is tetracycline at only about $10 a month. After another 8 weeks of unsuccessful treatment, you may consider Accutane. Be sure to discuss the side effects and significant cost ($600 a month) with your doctor.

The newest, non-traditional laser treatments may be of interest to those who do not prefer the medicinal options. These options are just coming into their own and you must weigh the advantages and disadvantages.

For more free information, free articles, and free newsletter, go to www.rxcostcutters.com

How to Prevent Acne

Author: Michael Russell
Source: articleage.com

Acne is a huge embarrassment for most individuals, no matter what age they are. Over 85% of humans have experienced acne in their life. Like most other health conditions, people wait until acne gets out of hand before they ever address the problem. While it is good to treat acne early, it still won’t stop it from happening nor will it stop you from getting those acne scars on your face. The best way to stop acne is by treating it before it ever starts.
There is still no way to stop acne completely as of yet, but there are ways to stop it before it starts. One of the ways to stop acne before it starts is by adopting a daily cleansing routine. While acne is not caused by poor hygiene, it is still very important to use a wash cloth or any other material, that will help exfoliate the skin. The reason for this is because too many skin cells can be a contributing factor to acne. Do your cleansing routine twice a day and stay away from moisturizers with oil in them.
When you’re finished washing your face, use a 2% salicylic acid solution like stridex. What salicylic acid does is remove those excess skin cells that clog the pores and cause acne. If this regimen is followed daily, it will certainly reduce the number of acne breakouts that you will get.
If there is a case, in which the salicylic acid doesn’t work then use a 5% benzoyl peroxide. Don’t use any benzoyl peroxide that is over 5% because it will cause severely dry skin. The 5% benzoyl peroxide is a strong enough solution to stop acne without causing excessive dry skin or irritating the skin. If you don’t want to use benzoyl peroxide, an alternative is tea tree oil which has been proven to be just as effective as benzoyl peroxide.
The final step to this regimen is to use oil free sunscreen to protect your skin before going outside. Of all the steps mentioned, this is the most important one. Sunlight can not only damage and irritate the skin but it has also been a leading cause for skin cancer. When skin is damaged, the chances of developing acne increases. For this regimen to work, you must do it daily, regardless of whether you have acne or not. When you exfoliate the skin by using salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and sun screen, you’re chances of developing acne are extremely low.
There are numerous alternatives to treating acne, but the effectiveness of them greatly differ. Prescribed acne medications like, Retin-A and Accutane can help slow down the acne process. Retin-A can be used without causing side effects and it also helps to reduce wrinkles and lines in the face.
The negative side of prescribed acne medications is that it can make the skin more sensitive to sun exposure, so when using these medications you have to wear sunscreen. Acne can not be cured but it can be greatly reduced for those who already have it and it can be prevented for those who have not experienced acne. Remember the key to stopping it is getting to it before it starts.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Acne
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

Acne Skin Care Treatment : Over-the-counter Treatments

Author: Wyatt Lee
Source: articleage.com

Are you an acne sufferer? You may be thinking about the many convenient over-the-counter methods for treating your acne. You are not alone. As a go-to solution, most people who are acne sufferers will just go to their local pharmacy and buy medication over-the-counter, based on whatever knowledge or information that they get. It could be recommendations from family members and friends, it could be that impressive sales copy from a magazine, it could be that television ad.

However, it is highly advisable to seek consultation with a qualified doctor before you get your hands on any kind of over-the-counter products. The doctor is able to give you his professional opinion on the best and most suitable course of acne skin care treatment for your case.

You can find large numbers of acne skin care treatment products hitting the shelves regularly, and so deciding on which is the best product can be a daunting task. You may be influenced by your friends. But what worked for your friends, may not necessarily work well on you. Your friends may have different levels of complexity of the acne condition, so it is really difficult to judge. The best way is to do your own research on the active ingredients in various acne skin care treatment medications. Here, I have outlined two of the most popular ingredients in acne treatments.

Benzoyl Peroxide

This is one of the most popular active ingredients in acne treatment medications. Found in ointments and gels, the benzoyl peroxide does it’s job by fighting the bacteria which causes your acne. Not only that, it will also remove dead skin cells that collect on the surface of your skin. What has it got to do with skin cell? Well, it is these dead skin cells which, when combined with sebum, create the unsightly blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples.

Benzoyl peroxide has so far been proven to be safe and effective. It can also be used as an after-care solution to keep your skin free from the bacteria that causes acne. But like all the other ingredients out there, benzoyl peroxide does have one side effect. Prolonged usage of this ingredient will lead to dry skin. However, this can be prevented by slowly decreasing the frequency of the benzoyl peroxide that is applied to your skin.

Salicylic Acid

Besides the benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid is another popular ingredient used in acne treatment medications. What this acid does is to mainly clear up the dead skin cells which may accumulate too quickly, clogging up the pores as a result. The salicylic acid should continue to be used even after your skin is cleared of acne, to prevent any future outbreaks. Like benzoyl peroxide, the salicylic acid will cause you to have dry and irritated skin.

It is safe to say that the benzoyl peroxide is the most versatile among all the other ingredients for the battle against acne. It can be used in cleansing liquids, lotion, cream and gels which can be applied directly onto your skin. The creams and lotions can be applied onto the affected areas as and when required, while the cleansing medications are usually applied once or twice a day. Just a word of caution : avoid getting the benzoyl peroxide into contact with your eyes, mouth or nose, as it will cause inflammation and some irritation.

Feel free to visit my blog at http://www.acne–treatment.eoltt.com , where I will share more useful information on various acne skin care treatments.