Blemish Treatments

Blemishes are areas of reddened raised skin caused by acne. Acne is usually brought on by hormonal changes during puberty and adolescence, and fades in severity over time, though it can still affect certain people well into adulthood. Acne is caused when oils and proteins clog follicles and become infected with bacteria, which can create irritated and pus filled blemishes called pimples. Acne treatments tend to focus around reducing the oiliness of skin and killing the bacteria that infect clogged follicles.

Skin Care

The first step toward treating acne and blemishes is proper skin care. Failing to shower every day and washing the face with soap before bed will leave skin oily and increase the chances of acne breakouts. Depending on how oily your skin is you may benefit from washing several times a day, though over washing can leave skin dried out and flaky. It is best to use a dermatologist recommended facial soap.

Benzoyl Peroxide

When proper skin care does not stop blemishes, Benzoyl Peroxide is often the first treatment people turn to. Benzoyl Peroxide is a chemical which is used in many popular over the counter acne creams such as Oxy and Clearasil. Benzoyl Peroxide helps reduce skin oiliness and kill acne bacteria, while removing dead skin from the face. Similar to over washing, Benzoyl Peroxide can cause facial dryness especially when used at higher concentrations. Acne products usually range from 2.5 percent to 10 percent Benzoyl Peroxide concentration.

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is another chemical used in over the counter acne treatments. Salicylic acid helps keep the cells in the follicles from clogging pores, and is also supposed to reduce the severity of blackheads and whiteheads. When Salicylic acid products are applied, they can sting the skin, especially if there are irritated patches on the skin or if the concentration of the acid is 2 percent or higher.

Antibiotics and Hormonal Treatments

Oral antibiotics are a common way to treat severe blemishes that do not respond well to over the counter treatments. Antibiotics kill the bacteria that infect clogged follicles, but are best used with skin care to reduce oiliness, since the antibiotics alone will not reduce oiliness. Hormonal treatment for blemishes is sometimes recommended to women in the form of a progestin and estrogen pill (combination birth control pill.) Birth control pills use hormones to reduce female fertility but certain types can come with the benefit of reducing skin oiliness and blemishes.

Laser Treatment

Several different laser treatments can be used to reduce the appearance of acne scars, reduce skin oiliness and kill acne bacteria. Pulsed light and heat energy therapy is a technique where skin is subjected to light and heat that can kill bacteria and reduce oil production. Diode lasers can be used to eliminate oil producing sebaceous glands under the skin, while causing little damage to the outer layers of the skin. Exposing the skin to blue laser light is also an effective method of combating acne bacteria.

References

• Mayo Clinic on Laser Acne Treatments
• Mayo Clinic on Over the Counter Acne Treatments