Review the different approaches for treating acne

Acne Treatment – How Can You Get Rid Of Acne

What Is Acne?

Acne is a very common skin condition that is the result of the keratinization of the sebum produced in excess. Why this happens and what are the causes that promote the formation of acne has not yet been identified. This is the reason why prevention is not possible. Acne does not have a definite cure, either.

Though this sounds pretty depressing, there is no need to despair – though most people who suffer from acne do so. Acne does respond to medical treatment, though it is a long process and there is no guarantee than after the treatment has been completed, it would not re-occur.

What are the best treatments for acne?

1. General treatment - Since the basic reasons are not known, this condition is treated symptomatically. Generally a course of third generation antibiotics are prescribed to eliminate the infection and inflammation of the skin, while topical applications of retinoids accelerate the regression of the pustules and papules. Over a period of time, when the infection and inflammation is totally under control, beautician salons are used to remove the blackheads and restore the glory of the skin.

2. Hormonal treatment – it has been observed that androgens precipitate the production of sebum, which is turn develops into acne. The hormone treatment seems most suitable for women who experience an outbreak of acne every time they are about to menstruate. This is an indication that there is some relation between the acne and the hormonal changes in the body of a woman at menstruation time. Hormonal therapy is usually complemented by antibiotics to check the inflammation and infection causes by acne.

3. Isotretinoin treatment – when the acne is extremely stubborn and severe the isotretinoin treatment seems to be the best. Though this is an excellent treatment for acne, it has some very bad side effects for which it is used very sparingly and only as a last resort. Some of the side effects caused by this treatment cause acute gastric problems, neurological interference, and ophthalmologic damage. In some cases it precipitates depression and even suicidal tendencies. This treatment should be undergone – if at all – with extreme caution and very careful supervision of the doctor.

4. Laser and photodynamic treatment – this is one of the latest entrants in the treatment of acne and hence it is not as widely practiced or accepted as yet. Another downside of this treatment is that it is quite expensive – and therefore not within the reach of the common man. However, the results are amazing though not always permanent. Caution – it is best that a dermatologist be consulted before this treatment is adopted.

5. Combination of treatments – while sometimes one type of treatment is okay, there are many times when the acne is very resistant. In such cases the physicians might combine two or more types of treatment to bring the condition under control.

Whatever treatment is chosen, one should always keep in mind that acne is a difficult condition to treat and hence, a lot of patience and effort would be needed before you get rid of it. However, fortunately, in most cases it is possible to minimize the effects it has on your skin.
Birth control pills and acne

Women are often affected by acne right from the puberty time until when they reach menopause. Though acne usually starts before the first cycle of the girl-woman commences, in many cases it can happen later in women who never had any problems during their adolescence. In fact the number of women affected by acne in the 20-45 group almost equals that of the women who experience this problem during puberty.