Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Acne Treatment Guide

Acne skin care

Many teenagers do not realise that they can have an influence on the amount of spots they get by changing their behaviour slightly, for example acne skin care. Keeping facial skin clean and not touching the face can have a big effect, as can reducing stress and increasing the amount of outside activities engaged in.

Acne Treatment during Pregnancy

During pregnancy elevated hormone levels can bring a variety of skin changes, including acne. Acne can be treated by a dermatologist in non-pregnant women through prescription drugs such as Accutane, Retin-A, and Tetracycline. However, use of these drugs is discouraged by pregnant women or women trying to conceive and should be thoroughly discussed with your health care provider and dermatologist.

Chemical Peels and Dermabrasion

This involves the application of an exfoliate, such as glycolic acid, to the areas affected by acne. Sometimes, microdermabrasion is used as an alternative. The result is the peeling off of the top skin layers that opens comedones, and since the pores are no longer clogged, acne is eliminated.

Home treatment

It is important to keep spot-prone areas clean, so wash the affected area twice a day with an unperfumed cleanser.The skin needs a certain amount of oil to maintain its natural condition, so avoid aggressive washing with strong soaps.

There are a number of over-the-counter remedies available from pharmacies to treat mild acne. These usually contain antibacterial agents such as benzoyl peroxide (eg Oxy and Clearasil Max).

As well as its antibacterial effects, benzoyl peroxide can dry out the skin and encourage it to shed the surface layer of dead skin. Together, these effects make it harder for pores to become blocked and for infection to develop.

Points To Remember For Selecting Your Best Acne Treatment:

* The severity level of your acne
* Your personal goals for therapy
* The effectiveness of the treatment and possible side effects
* Your personal preference.

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