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Acne treatments basically helps in reduction of sebum production, helps in getting rid of bacteria with the help of drugs and other oral medications, helps in clearing dead skin cells. Depending on the severity of acne, treatments can be adhered to. Acnes could be mild, severe or moderate. Every skin type needs to be treated according to the severity of acne.
Alternative methods of curing acne which are natural ones are maintaining an oil free skin, eating high fiber and natural foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, whole sprouts, whole grains and lot of water. People suffering from acne should avoid foods which contain alcohol, dairy products, sugar, iodine rich foods, salty foods, caffeinated drinks and processed foods etc.
Different skin types
It is important to identify the skin type before going in for the right type of treatment. Depending on the varied skin type, there are specific treatments.
Acne can affect different skin types and depending on the type of person, food they eat, gender, the severity varies. Severe types of acne like cystic acne need to be treated under proper care and medication. People suffering from oily skin are more prone to getting acne since it is caused due to the excess oil secreted by the sebaceous glands. The oil gets clogged in the pores of the skin leading to an acne outbreak. When the body is not capable of processing these oils, you suffer from a condition called as acne vulgaris.
Oily Skin Types
Oily skin needs to be treated with creams which contain lesser amount of oil. The diet also needs to be oil free or at least use less oil while cooking. Make sure your cosmetics are not oil based, since you would be attracting more acne if you use oil based foundations and creams. Make sure you do not use oil for massaging on your skin, if you already have an oily complexion. It would add to your problems.
Oily skin people should drink lots of water to flush out the toxins and oil from the skin. Make sure the face wash and body wash do not contain oil base since they would clog the pores and worsen the condition. It is important to note here that our body is well supplied with the essential oils and hence adding more oils to the body would only deteriorate the skin.
Dry Skin Types
Though people with oily skin are prone to attracting acne, even people with a dry skin have chances of attracting acne. Acne in dry skin is caused due to inadequate water and moisture content in the body. The skin becomes dry and loses its moisture during the cooler months. The skin becomes itchier due to dryness and leads to cracking of the skin. This results in soreness and there is also bleeding at times.
Dry skin acne can be treated by keeping the skin moisturized and well hydrated. Select lotions and creams with enough moisture content. Simple ways like drinking plenty of water helps in keeping the body hydrated. Natural herbals like aloe Vera and glycerin can be used and face washes containing these should be made use of. Make sure to include coconut oil in your massage everyday, since it is a natural ingredient and it is best for a dry skin.
Teen girls are emotionally concerned about their skin. Acne treatment is three layered, depending on the stubbornness of them, although it is not so in all the cases. Milder acne in early teens generally goes off even without any treatment, while the persistent eruptions in mid teens or later may require a line of treatment. Three stages of acne treatment are as follows,
1.Topical Acne Treatment
2.Systemic Therapy
3.Alternative Medicine
Topical Treatment of Acne
Topical treatment of acne has evolved a lot in the past years. What generally used to be a peeling agent, with incipients such as resorcinol, lactic acid, salicylic acid and sulphur is now redundant and more effective preparations with retinoic acid in varying percentages are effectively employed more.
Retinoic acid is available in ointment and cream bases for topical application generally in 0.05% concentration. Your doctor may advise you to apply it on dry skin rather than wet as wet skin has a potency to absorb more retinoic acid which cause irritation, erythema and sometimes exfoliation. This concentration is enough in dealing with black heads too, as black heads soften under retinoic acid but you may have to avoid exposure to Sun.
For better feeling with acne, consider using creams or ointments with milder concentrations of retinoic acid (0.025%) initially with benzoyl peroxide preferably on alternate days, unless under medical advice, and gradually increase to 0.5% concentration in a couple of weeks' time. Here is an advice; apply the cream/ointment over the entire area for better results than on the visible lesions.
Systemic Therapy (Internal Therapy)
Your doctor may decide on systemic therapy when
1.Sustained topical treatment hasn't yielded results
2.Systemic therapy is more effective on back and chest acne
3.Skin is sensitive to topical treatments followed by irritations and redness
Minocycline, Erythromycin and Tetracycline are commonly used antibiotics in acne treatment and occasionally Cotrimoxazole. Initial dosage for Tetracycline is 1gm/day which is enough to reduce the Pripriono Acnes and inflammation. In rare cases the dosage may be increased to 2gm/day. But mind you, Tetracycline should be taken on empty stomach if not advised to the contrary.
Ampicillin and Isotretinoin are also used with the former showing results in 4-6 weeks and followed-up by topical antibiotic. Minocycline 50-100mg/day is found more effective than Tetracycline in which it takes on irritation, and stubborn acne.
You respond better to antibiotics in ages past teens as acne has already begun resolving.
Warning: Oral Isotretinoin is dangerous for pregnant women for the dangers of high teratogenic effects (deformation of embryo.)