How to Prevent and Treat Acne Pustules

Acne is mainly a cosmetic concern and can manifest as whiteheads, blackheads or red pimples on the face, neck, back and chest. It is common in the teenage years but can also affect adults. You can do several things to treat and prevent acne but nothing is guaranteed to work for everyone. You might need to experiment with different treatments to find the ones that work best for you. Working with a dermatologist will help you learn about your options and the most appropriate treatments for you.

Instructions

Treating Acne

1. Use medications that address different aspects of acne. They include oral antibiotics like tetracycline, or topical treatments, such as creams and gels containing salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and retinols, among others. You may also treat acne with Accutane, a strong medication for severe acne. The type of medication will depend on the severity of your symptoms. You might not notice an improvement for four to eight weeks and your skin could get worse before it gets better.

2. Consider using birth control if you are a female. Certain types of oral contraceptives promote hormonal balance and are specifically used to address acne. They include Ortho Tri-Cyclen and other pills containing norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol. Birth control pills, however, can cause several side effects like weight gain, depression and nausea.

3. Use therapies that employ lasers and light; these treatments reach the deeper layers of the skin. Laser treatments damage the oil glands, leading to decreased output while light therapies kill the bacteria that promote inflammation. You will need to commit to several sessions to achieve maximum benefit.

4. Get cosmetic procedures that can control acne by unclogging the pores and promoting the formation of healthy skin. Popular ones include chemical peels and microdermabrasion, which uses fine crystals to exfoliate the skin. These treatments can cause minor skin irritation and, like the light and laser therapies, will require multiple sessions for optimal effects.

5. Use natural treatments that can help clear acne. They include zinc (30 mg daily), vitamin A (discuss appropriate dosages with your doctor), guggul (500 mg twice a day), treatments containing 5 percent tea tree oil and 4 percent niacinamide (vitamin B3) gel.

Preventing Acne

1. Eat an anti-inflammatory diet rich in fruits and vegetables and cut back on sugar, white flour foods and animal proteins.

2. Drink at least six to eight glasses of water daily, which helps flush waste out of the pores.

3. Use personal care products that will not clog your pores. Look for items labeled water-based or noncomedogenic.

4. Keep your skin clean. Clean your skin twice a day with a gentle cleanser; more than this will irritate the skin and might promote break outs. Shower soon after exercising or taking part in other activities that cause you to sweat to quickly remove trapped dirt and bacteria.

5. Keep make up light to avoid clogging the pores. Powder foundations are preferable to liquid ones.

References

• The Mayo Clinic
• The University of Maryland Medical Center
• Dr. Weil