Acne at its mildest is a constant form of irritation and social embarrassment. Who wouldn't want to have a clear smooth complexion? I know I do.

Some of us have it tougher than others when we are stricken by severe acne conditions. So what exactly causes acne? A lot of it has to do with a loss of balance in the rate that our skin discards the old skis and regenerates new ones. Some of these old skins get stuck under oily pores (another contributing factor) which lead to an accumulation of oil and bacterial fodder, a nirvana for those nasty bacteria to breed and infect.

So you end up with severe acne which causes extreme irritation, resulting in open wounds, puss-filled pores, and unsightly scarring. Severe acne is nothing to write home about; it's also not a condition to take lightly and must be brought to the attention of your dermatologist.

We talked earlier about balance which leads to acne in the first place. Balance? In What? We're talking about environmental as well as genetic factors which contribute to an acne prone skin condition and worse, aggravate it. Prevention and treatment are the best ways to deal with such cases. Seldom does an extreme acne sufferer's skin clear up naturally, but in most instances, it actually worsens.

Prevention is not something which can be taken for granted. We could do our best in influencing the environment surrounding us, making them less acne friendly. Good personal hygiene coupled with a good skin care regiment can increase your odds tremendously. A few popular types of acne prevention regimes commercially available are Murad Acne Comples as well as Pro Active Acne Treatment, however you are advised to consult a qualified dermatologist before commencing on a regime.

Usually a dermatologist will also recommend a combination of both topical cream and oral drugs. Several types available include different antibiotics, benzyl peroxides, Tretinoin, Adapalen and the strong, yet effective Azelaic Acid to tackle the source of inflammation-the bacteria lining the follicle.

A form of vitamin A, Tretinoin, stops the development of comedones, or inflamed hair follicles. Although non-antibacterial, this is a natural way of unplugging clogged pores that cause inflammation and lesions, thereby allowing the use of topical antibiotic cream to work deeply within the skin.

Dermatologist will routinely ask you which form of medication you'd prefer. Creams are good for those with extra sensitive skin, while gels and other solutions tend to make the skin become more dry and irritated. He or she may recommend one or the other based on gender and/or whether you live in a hot and humid climate.

At first, your skin may look and feel worse with the use of such strong medications. If the pain becomes unbearable or if you develop a rash or extreme redness of any kind, be sure to stop using the product and immediately talk to your doctor and dermatologist. Any improvement will take up to 8 weeks to show up.

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