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[O372]Over The Counter Acne Products

by Brian Dolezal, Bri

If you are one of the many people who suffer from acne on a regular basis, then you are probably also constantly searching for effective acne treatments to help ease your discomfort. Not only can acne be physically painful, but it can also leave some emotional scars as well. Embarrassment, social withdrawal and depression may all result from acne, which is why it is important to locate quality acne products that are both safe and effective.

When it comes to acne treatments, there are both prescription-only and over-the-counter products available to sufferers. Typically, over-the-counter products are more affordable and can often be just as effective as prescription-only acne treatments. However, it is often necessary to seek medical attention if acne worsens or fails to respond to conventional acne products. When this occurs, a more aggressive treatment approach may be needed. The main goal is to determine which category you fall into and when, if ever, it's time to seek medical help.

Currently, a number of over-the-counter acne products line retail store shelves. Some of the most popular are those that contain a natural ingredient known as aloe vera, which is known for its healing effects, gentleness and soothing ability. This ingredient is thought to expedite the healing process and is, therefore, a very common ingredient in over-the-counter acne products.

Although acne treatments featuring aloe vera are widely available at local retail stores, they should be used with a certain degree of knowledge and care. For instance, aloe vera acne products are not recommended for the treatment of infected or severe acne breakouts. The main reason for this is because it is unadvisable to apply any type of lotion or treatment to a deep or infected area without medical consultation.

Speaking of medical consultations, severe acne breakouts are often treated with Accutane, which is a powerful prescription-only medication that is commonly sought when all other methods of treatment have failed. Although some users may find that their skin actually worsens in the beginning of Accutane acne treatments, this typically subsides within four weeks. The entire treatment process is estimated to take between 4-6 months and has been used by more than two million acne sufferers.

Although Accutane can be effective in treating acne under proper, medically-supervised conditions, it is not without risk. Among the potential side effects are depression, birth defects, headaches, thinning hair, nosebleeds, dry skin, and joint or muscle pain. A high cost of treatment, combined with potentially dangerous side effects, have forced most acne sufferers and physicians to use Accutane only as a last resort. With that being said, many acne sufferers have succeeded with Accutane treatments where other acne products had previously failed.

When selecting acne treatments, it is essential that you understand both the benefits and risks of use. Any medication can have the potential for dangerous side effects. A little research, a lot of knowledge and some patience will prove to be a great asset in selecting both safe and effective acne products.

The information contained in this article is designed to be used for reference purposes only. It should not be used in place of professional medical advice or recommendations relating to the use of acne products and/or acne treatments. If you believe that you have a problem with acne that requires medical attention, consult a physician or dermatologist for a professional evaluation and recommended treatment program.

ProActiv is a three step topical acne fighting system that does not require a prescription, although it does contain prescription grade Benzoyl peroxide. Accutane is an oral prescription medication. There are many side affects associated with the use of Accutane, such as chapped lips, dry skin, nosebleeds, eye irritation, joint and muscle pain, hair thinning, skin rash, intestinal problems, urinary problems, headaches, and vision problems. There are even some psychological side effects, such as depression. Accutane is not prescribed to women who are pregnant or nursing, due to serious birth defects. Retin-A has very few side effects, and is available in both prescription and over the counter forms. Retin-A is used to treat a variety of skin problems other than acne as well, including wrinkles, lines, scars, and discoloration.

Today, there's a huge variety of natural acne treatments available. They claim to help you with improving Acne and its blemishes but you have to be very careful in choosing witch one you will use. However, they are mostly designed to do two things: 1.) Help correct hormonal imbalances related to acne breakouts. 2.) Reduce inflammation and swelling, and pave the way for fast skin repair where breakouts have recently occurred.

There are a few choices available to treat moderate acne scarring. The most popular are dermabrasion and laser resurfacing. Dermabrasion is a scar treatment in which a diamond plated wheel is used to "sand" your face. This technique has been around for a long time and sandpaper was once used instead of the new machines that utilize the diamond plated tool. Generally, this procedure takes around an hour to perform. You should expect some scabbing and redness for a few weeks. This method is most effective for individual with very pale or very dark complexions.

If you've already developed a problem with acne and need a solution, there are many natural ingredients that will work best with your healthy eating regimen without expensive medical treatments. A few drops of tea tree oil and lavender essential oils can be mixed into a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and applied directly to any spot where acne is present. This can be done twice daily with improvements in as little as a day. Cedarwood, chamomile and lemongrass are also essential oils that are easy to find, inexpensive, and somewhat effective.

Homeopathic treatment is made from minerals, herbs and other natural extracts that activate the body's natural defenses. Because these ingredients are in minute concentrations, they trigger the body to heal itself without side effects.

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Both Brian Dolezal & Sarah Rhodes are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Brian Dolezal has sinced written about articles on various topics from Surveys, Acne Treatment and Dog Care. Brian Dolezal is a contributing editor for . TopConsumerReviews.com is a leading provider of independent reviews and rankings for. Brian Dolezal's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.

Sarah Rhodes has sinced written about articles on various topics from Acne Treatment, Migraine Headaches and Acne Treatment. The author, Sarah Rhodes, suffered from acne for many years before finally discovering a cure that works. You can read about her and learn the secret home acne treatment that is guaranteed to work without doctors, prescriptions, or over-the-counter. Sarah Rhodes's top article generates over 1600 views. to your Favourites.