How to Treat Acne Part Three: Acne Treatments

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of acne treatments on the market, all promising to banish acne instantly and forever. What should you look for in an acne treatment? It all comes down to three medicines.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Always start by gently washing your face with warm water and a gentle cleanser. Never scrub too hard to use a washcloth, as either can make your acne worse.

2. Choose your acne treatment weapon. There are OTC (over-the-counter) acne treatments, and prescription acne treatments. Many OTC acne treatments contain benzoyl peroxide, which kills the bacteria causing the acne. Different acne products contain different concentrations of benzoyl peroxide, so check the label for the active ingredient and its concentration. Generally speaking, the higher the concentration, the more effective the acne product will be.

3. Benzoyl peroxide has a good track record treating acne, but the other two widely accepted acne treatments are only available from your doctor. Antibiotics not only kill the acne-causing bacteria, but can help with the redness and inflammation that accompany the infection. Retinoids are made from vitamin A. Topical retinoids are generally used on noninflammatory acne, while oral retinoids are used for serious, widespread noninflammatory and inflammatory acne that has not responded to other treatments (really, really stubborn acne).

4. In December of 2008 a combination of a retinoid and benzoyl peroxide called Epiduo gel approved as prescription acne treatment. Although this medication is brand new (at publication time), the combination of two of the three effective acne treatments in one prescription holds promise for many acne sufferers.

5. Whichever acne treatment you choose, follow the manufacturer's, or doctor's, instructions exactly. Never apply more acne medication than directed nor apply it more often than directed. Of course you want fast results, but overuse could seriously damage your skin or make you sick.

Tips & Warnings

• Several OTC acne treatments started out as prescriptions. Check the labels carefully and you may be able to find both strength and convenience in one acne product.
• Retinoids are particularly serious medications, especially for women who are or may become pregnant or lactating. Make sure to discuss this specifically with your doctor when choosing an acne treatment.

[Punkuns]

on 1/28/2009 Fantastic info for choosing an acne treatment!