Proactiv Solution Acne Treatment: Three Steps To Z

Author: Kerwin Chang
Source: articleage.com

Acne

This factsheet is for people who have acne.

Acne is a skin condition that causes spots. Most people affected by acne are aged between 12 and 25.1 However, men and women in their 30s and 40s can also suffer. There are many treatments available to help deal with the condition.

What is acne?

Acne is a skin condition that typically causes one or more of the following:

* blackheads (comedones)
* whiteheads
* red or yellow spots
* greasy skin
* scars

Acne typically affects the skin of the face, back, neck, chest and arms and the severity of the condition can vary.

Acne affects people of all skin colours. The processes that cause acne are exactly the same in people with black or brown skin but the impact is altered by the skin pigmentation.

Acne is very common and affects about 80 in 100 people aged 11-30 at some time.

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Acne

This factsheet is for people who have acne.

Acne is a skin condition that causes spots. Most people affected by acne are aged between 12 and 25.1 However, men and women in their 30s and 40s can also suffer. There are many treatments available to help deal with the condition.

What is acne?

Acne is a skin condition that typically causes one or more of the following:

* blackheads (comedones) 2,3
* whiteheads2,3
* red or yellow spots2,3
* greasy skin2,3
* scars2,3

Acne typically affects the skin of the face, back, neck, chest and arms and the severity of the condition can vary.1,4

Acne affects people of all skin colours. The processes that cause acne are exactly the same in people with black or brown skin but the impact is altered by the skin pigmentation.

Acne is very common and affects about 80 in 100 people aged 11-30 at some time.4

The skin

The surface of the skin has lots of small sebaceous glands just below the surface. These glands make an oily substance called sebum that keeps the skin smooth and supple.

Tiny pores (holes in the skin) allow the sebum to come to the skin surface. Hairs also grow through these pores.

IIllustration showing the structure of skin

Illustration showing the structure of skin

What causes acne?

Acne is caused by the overactivity of the sebaceous glands that secrete oily substances onto the skin.

The sebaceous glands of people with acne are especially sensitive to normal blood levels of a hormone called testosterone, found naturally in both men and women.

Testosterone in people prone to acne triggers the sebaceous glands to produce an excess of sebum. At the same time, the dead skin cells lining the openings of the hair follicles (the tubes that hold the hair) are not shed properly and clog up the follicles.

These two effects combined cause a build-up of oil in the hair follicles. This causes blackheads and whiteheads to form.

For some people, their acne does not progress beyond this stage.

However in other people, the build-up of oil in the hair follicles creates an ideal environment for a bacterium called Propionibacterium acnes to grow.

These bacteria normally live harmlessly on your skin but when this ideal environment is created, they grow. They feed off the sebum and produce substances that cause a response from your body’s immune system. This inflames the skin and creates the redness associated with spots.

In more severe ‘inflammatory acne’, cysts develop beneath the skin’s surface. These acne cysts can rupture, spreading the infection into nearby skin tissue. This can result in scarring.

What makes acne worse?

There are a number of things that can make your acne worse. These include the following:

* picking and squeezing the spots may cause further inflammation and scarring1
* stress can make acne worse in some people, although it is not clear why1,
* in women, outbreaks may be affected by the hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle1,
* excessive production of male hormones such as testosterone from conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome may be another cause.5 For more information, please see the separate BUPA factsheet Polycystic ovary syndrome
* some contraceptive pills may make acne worse. This is due to the type of progestogen hormone in some pills whereas some other types of contraceptive pills can improve acne – see Treatments section below. Your GP will advise you which contraceptive pill to take
* some medicines can make acne worse. For example, some medicines taken for epilepsy, and steroid creams and ointments that are used for eczema. Do not stop a prescribed medicine if you suspect it is making your acne worse, but tell your GP. An alternative may be an option
* steroids can cause acne as a side-effect

Treatment

Acne may cause you considerable emotional distress but there is a range of treatment options to help you tackle the problem. No treatment will completely ‘cure’ your acne. The aims of treatment are to prevent new spots forming, to improve those already present, and to prevent scarring.3

Home treatment

It is important to keep spot-prone areas clean, so wash the affected area twice a day with an unperfumed cleanser.1,6 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.

Benzoyl peroxide can cause redness and peeling, especially to start with. This tends to settle down if you reduce the number of times you use it. You can then build up your use gradually.

No home treatments for acne will work immediately. It can take weeks, if not months, for significant effects to be noticeable. If home treatments have not worked after two months, or you have severe acne, you should visit your GP.

Prescription medicines

Your GP may start your treatment by prescribing a preparation containing benzoyl peroxide. If this does not work, or if you have more severe acne, there are a range of other treatment options that you can either rub onto your skin (topical) or take in tablet form (oral).

Topical treatments

There are several topical treatments you may be prescribed including those listed below:

* azelaic acid (Skinoren) is an alternative to benzoyl peroxide and may not make your skin as sore as benzoyl peroxide
* topical retinoids (eg Adapalene) are medicines based on vitamin A, which are rubbed into the skin once or twice a day.7 They work by encouraging the outer layer of skin to flake off
* a topical antibiotic lotion applied to the skin can be used to control the P. acnes bacteria (eg Dalacin T). Treatment needs to continue for at least six months. Preparations that combine an antibiotic with other acne medication are available (eg Benzamycin which combines an antibiotic with benzoyl peroxide)

Oral treatments

There are several oral treatments you may be prescribed including those listed below:

* oral antibiotics (tablets), such as tetracycline, can be prescribed for inflammatory acne. They should be taken daily for around three months, although it might take four to six months for the benefits to be seen.7 The success of this treatment can be limited because the strains of bacteria are often resistant to the common antibiotics. Antibiotics do not prevent pores from becoming blocked so treatment to prevent blackheads, such as benzoyl peroxide, is often also prescribed at the same time
* some types of oral contraceptive tablets help women who have acne. A combination of the usual pill hormone called ethinylestradiol with cyproterone acetate (eg Dianette) suppresses male hormone activity so is often used in women with acne
* isotretinoin (eg Roaccutane) is a medicine known as an oral retinoid, which also exists in a topical form (see above). Isotretinoin works by drying up oily secretions. It tends to be prescribed to people with severe forms of acne that have proved resistant to other treatments. There a number of serious side-effects of this drug, such as liver disorders and depresssion. You should not take isotretinoin if you are pregnant, as it is very dangerous to an unborn baby. For safety reasons, isotretinoin is only prescribed under the supervision of dermatology specialists.

Kerwin Chang writes for http://www.acnestuff.net where you can find out more about acne and other skin care topics.

Author: Mark MacKay
Source: articleage.com

Treating acne depends on the type and severity of your acne.
Treatment also depends on how dry or oily your skin is, if you
are male or female, if you are taking any medications, if you
are pregnant or might be soon. These various factors affect your
treatment options and can make any one size fits all acne
treatment method ineffective.

Lucky their are numerous acne treatment options, so while you
might not find one that works the first time, do not give up
just try another. Do to the numerous acne treatments available
today doctors can control most acne outbreaks; with greater
success the earlier treatments are started. Hopping your acne
will go away will not work, your local pharmacy is filled with
many over the counter medications you can try, or visit your
doctor who can prescribe more powerful treatments if needed.

The most popular way to treat mild to moderate acne is by using
a topical treatment. These treatments can be in the form of a
gel, cream, lotion or on a pad. They are applied to the surface
of your skin, hence the name topical. The two main over the
counter topic treatments are Salicylic acid and Benzoyl
peroxide. Prescription Salicylic acid and Benzoyl peroxide are
also available in stronger doses if required. Doctors my also
prescribe ointments containing sulfur, tetracycline,
erythromycin or a retinoid. Many times you will need to use a
combination of the above treatments for best results.

Salicylic acid and retinoids are used to treat the clogged hair
follicles that are causing the acne lesions. They penetrate the
pores and help the dead skin cells dissolve. Benzoyl peroxide,
sulfur, tetracycline and erythromycin are antibacterial
ointments used to treat the inflammation and kill the bacteria
in the blocked follicles.

For people with moderate to server acne, in addition to topical
treatments they my also require some type of oral medication to
treat their acne. The three types of oral medications are
antibiotics, hormones, and isotretinoins. All three require a
prescription.

Tetracycline, erythromycin, clindamycin, and doxycycline are the
most common prescribed antibiotics. They work by being absorbed
through the digestive system, then into the blood, and then into
the hair follicles where they kill bacteria and reduce
inflammation. This option would be used when topical antibiotic
treatments were unsuccessful.

Hormones are an option available to treat teenage girls and
women with acne. They are usually taken in the form of a birth
control pill. They work by increasing the level of female
hormones in the bloodstream. This helps reduce the production of
androgen, which will then reduce the production of sebum.

For severe acne, isotretinoin is often used. It is a powerful
drug that treats acne by stopping all of the changes in the skin
that causes acne. It kills bacteria, reduces sebum production,
and slows the growth of skin cells.

All of the above acne treatment options should be reviewed
carefully prior to use. As with any type of medication they all
present some type of risk or side effect. For the over the
counter treatments read the product labels and warnings to see
if the product is right for you. For prescription acne
treatments discuss with your doctor all of the potential sides
effects you may experience.

Author: David Bloom
Source: articleage.com

Choosing the right acne medication is an important part of treating blemished skin. There are a number of different treatment options available, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.
Clearasil is the most commonly used over the counter acne medication, and is helpful in treating mild to moderate cases. This medicine contains benzoyl peroxide, which can help to dry out pimples, but may cause severe stinging, itching, peeling, and swelling on the areas that it is used on.
Proactiv is widely recognized due to its advertisements featuring celebrity endorsements. This treatment contains a three part regimen of a cleanser, toner, and lotion to heal and prevent breakouts. Proactiv also contains benzoyl peroxide, which is known for its side effects mentioned above. If you are wary of these treatments because of the side effects, perhaps you should consider a natural treatment instead of harmful prescription acne medication options.
For more severe cases, Accutane is a prescription acne medication that is considered to be a last resort treatment when your skin has not been responsive to any other product used. It is an oral medication that can be quite effective, yet can cause side effects such as dry skin, aching joints, and even severe birth defects if a female user becomes pregnant during use.
Retin A is a topical tretinoin acne medication that is used to improve the appearance and texture of the skin. Its side effects include sensitivity to light, swelling and dryness of the skin, and blistering. Results will not occur immediately and it must be used continuously, even after acne has cleared, to remain effective.
One of the newer over the counter acne medications is called Acuzine, and it is a breakthrough natural treatment that can be as effective as some of the prescription acne medications, without the potential side effects.
Acuzine contains Vitamins C and E, aloe vera leaf, hydrolyzed collagen, and other therapeutic natural ingredients. The antioxidants protect your skin’s cells and tissues from the harmful effects of free radicals, which are unstable byproducts in the body that contribute to infections. Hydrolyzed collagen stimulates the natural production of collagen in the body to improve the appearance of the skin and also aids in your body’s ability to retain a healthy amount of water to prevent moisture loss. This innovative acne medication is free from side effects and can benefit the overall health of your entire body.
Talk to your dermatologist to determine which treatment is right for you. Prescription acne medications are usually the strongest, but you may be able to clear up acne breakouts with an over the counter acne medication such as Clearasil. As an alternative, you may want to try a natural antioxidant supplement, as it offers the least potential for nasty side effects.
David Bloom is an avid health enthusiast and a regular contributor to a variety of health websites. He is the author of Natural Acne Medication and Treatments, a blog dedicated to the treatment of acne, covering conventional and natural remedies for clearing up blemished skin.

Author: Greg Culver
Source: articleage.com

Back acne can be very common and difficult to treat because the back contains thousands of sebaceous glands that produce a large amount of oil. Therefore there is more opportunity for the follicles to become blocked and thus lead to acne. In severe cases, acne on the back can cause cysts and nodules and treatment as usual may not be sufficient to remove the skin with it. Mild to moderate acne on the back, probably can be treated normally, using a combination of cleansing, moisturizing and applying a treatment for the condition. That is, non-invasive cleaning, and then use a lotion that contains glycolic acid (8-10%). Then apply the 2.5% benzoyl peroxide) and then moisturize with generosity, if necessary. Tip: This regimen is not recommended for other body areas. The skin of the back is pretty tough and so is able to handle this situation. In addition, 1-3% of the population is allergic to benzoyl peroxide so it can be useful to test a small spot before applying liberally. Furthermore, benzoyl peroxide will bleach your clothes to make sure you wear white to prevent discoloration of your favorite clothes. Even after it has been applied for several hours, still can bleach clothing, so be careful. Try to avoid the use of backpacks can cause irritation in the back, which worsens acne. Tight clothing can also be an irritant, which causes more problems with acne. Other areas of the body where acne can develop include chest and shoulders. In these areas the lesions may become very red and painful, causing irritation. A product that has proven very successful is Accutane. Mild cases can be treated in the normal way – ie cleaning, application of the system (2.5% cream with benzoyl peroxide) and moisturizers. The neck area is very sensitive, so be careful with the treatment of that area. Apply once a day, just getting started, but moisturize twice a day and not start too early with benzoyl peroxide as an excessive use initially cause severe irritation. Greg Culver is the owner of the website http://www.acnetreatmenthome.com a site dedicated to providing information, resources and articles that offer real solutions to acne sufferers.