How to Treat Acne

It will likely have at least one full blown attack on every human being, and loves to go after people in their teenage years. That's right, the much dreaded, much hated, and never missed foe: ACNE. Most people experience breakouts when they are teens, because of hormonal levels and changes, however it can last beyond adolescence, and some serious cases require an extensive program for treatment and prevention that is much more in depth than a simple daily routine.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A Visit to the Dermatologist
• Topical Treatment(s)
• Possibly an Oral Treatment
• Sunlight

1. KNOW THE CAUSES. Most common causes for acne are: excess levels of hormones in teenagers and some adults, which stimulate oil glands to enlarge. These oil glands produce large amounts of this oil and together with dead skin cells, block pores! These blocked pores then swell and become the pimple you loathe so much.

2. TOPICAL TREATMENTS. For most people with mild to moderate acne, there are topical treatments that your doctor can prescribe to you. These include benzyl peroxide and retinoids and they help to clear up the oil and unblock your poor pores. You may also look into Proactive - this stuff works. I used it myself in my teen years.

3. UKNOWN ACNE FIGHTER. Most people don't know that sunlight and small amounts of ultraviolet light can help clear up acne briefly. However you should always be wary of the danger posed by overexposing yourself to UV rays.

4. CHRONIC CASES. If you're acne refuses to lighten up no matter what you've tried there are a few more radical treatments you can seek. You may need to discuss medication that can be taken orally with your doctor. These oral medications typically come in the form of high doses of antibiotics which will need to be taken for at least six months, maybe longer.

5. VISIT THE DERMATOLOGIST. Every person, skin type, and acne problem is different. The best way to determine what treatment is going to be right for you, is to visit your dermatologist. Mention the different forms of treatment you've heard of and ask your doctor which one he thinks would be best for you. If you have a PARTICULARLY stubborn case of acne, you might even bring up with your doctor different surgical procedures available, and let him tell you what route would be best for you and your situation

Tips & Warnings

• Listen to a dermatologist, they went to school for YEARS to be able to help people like you!
• Don't pick at your face, the scars will look worse than the acne, and they last forever!

Resources

• AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY
• NEW ZEALAND DERMATOLOGY

[Desula]

on 8/12/2008 Great advice on treating acne.