Acne can be quite debilitating as the psychological effect can be distressing for many sufferers, especially teens who are more conscious of their appearance. Understanding the different types of treatment available for acne can assist you with making the correct choice and spare you a significant amount of money wasted in searching for an acne cure. It is important to bear in mind that there is no cure for acne. Acne has to be managed and treated and the root cause has to be identified and corrected when and where possible.
The treatment and management of acne may depend on a multipronged approach. Initially topical treatments, like acne creams, may be used but if the acne is persistent, then oral medication for acne will have to included in the treatment regimen.
What are the Different Types of Acne Creams, Gels, Lotions?
Topical Acne Treatments
Most topical acne treatments can be divided into products that dry the skin excessively, those that have an antimicrobial action or products that speed up the shedding of skin cells.
Drying Agents for Acne
Acne is caused when the pore leading to an overactive sebaceous (oil) gland is blocked with dirt, dead skin cells and other topical applications. The mixture of oil and particles forms a plug which will obstruct the pore. This prevents oil from exiting the gland and leads to inflammation of the skin in that area, which is known as a pimple (papule). A drying agent will ensure that the oil build up on the skin does not persist as well as affecting the oil glands itself and reducing the oil production and secretion. These products are usually available as a face wash, lotion or gel and need to be used on a daily basis to be effective. Benzoyl peroxide and azelaic acid are two compounds commonly used in these applications.
Antibacterial Agents for Acne
Once a pimple develops, it runs the risk of bacterial infection. This often causes a pimple to become large and pustular with a cyst-like presentation. This type of pimples will often cause scarring and leave unsightly marks, especially if it is pinched or squeezed. An antibacterial application will reduce the bacteria population on the skin. Benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin and erythromycin may be used as antibacterial agents. Recently, studies have revealed that tea tree oil may be effective as an antibacterial and drying agent in skin care applications. Tea tree may also be helpful in treating a skin fungal infection that may arise as a result of prolonged use of drying agents.
Exfoliating Products for Acne
The human skin is constantly shedding skin cells. This sloughing allows new skin cells to come to the surface. However these sloughed off skin cells can mix with oil on the skin and form small plugs that block the pores. Exfoliating products prevent dead skin cells from building up on the skin surface. These may either be rough, grainy face washes or cleansers or vitamin A rich products which help shed dead skin cells.
What are the Different Oral Medication for Treating Acne?
Tablets and Capsules
Since acne has a strong hormonal component, many oral contraceptives are used to treat acne in women. This stabilizes the hormone levels and help reduce testosterone, the sex hormone that contributes to increasing oiliness of the skin.
Antibiotics may be useful in pustular acne and helps to reduce the severity of the bacterial infection. However antibiotics are only useful in assisting with the complications due to an infection and does not treat the root cause of acne. Even after using an antibiotic, your pimples may continue to erupt.
Isotretinoin is one of the most effective acne drugs available. Marketed as Accutane or Roaccutane in many countries, isotretinoin acts directly on the sebaceous gland and therefore reduces the cause of oily skin. However in cases of a hormonal balance or external applications that clog the pores, the effects of isotretinoin will be short lived. This drug has received much media attention for the number of serious side effects that it may cause and was recently removed from the United States market.
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