How important is a balanced diet in the prevention of acne.
This article highlights the significance of the different vitamins in diet to avoid the occurrence of acne.
It gives the sources of vitamins found in food and the right doses to be taken in a day.
Are you tired of using ointments and medicines, which are ineffective for treating your acne?
If you are looking for natural methods of treatment of acne scars, here is a detailed treatment of the various home remedies you can use for the treatment of acne scars.
Various myths abound regarding acne. For myths surrounding acne this article is an in-depth study.
It dispels these myths with the actual truth behind these myths.
How to treat Acne?
There are a number of ways to treat acne depending on the type and severity:
Antibacterial effect:
Benzoyl peroxide cleanser:
Benzoyl peroxide is a bactericide and an excellent first line medication in treating acne. The only side effect is mild irritation. Even this irritation can be overcome by using water-based products.
Topical antibiotics (skin) Topical treatment is useful only where and when they are applied. Topical creams such as Cleosin-T and others are most effective when used along with benzoyl peroxide. Otherwise the bacteria develop resistance. The main action of these drugs is to prevent development of new lesions. Gels, pled gets, washes, and solutions are most drying and are particularly suited for oily skin, whereas creams, lotions and ointments are preferable for patients with dry, easily irritated skin.
Oral antibiotics (tablet) as tetracycline, doxycycline, erythromycin, minocycline, Isotretinoin (works indirectly). These antibiotics are given in extensive acne such as acne of the chest, back or shoulders. They results are appreciated only after weeks or even months. Oral therapy has to be continued even after apparent cure because of recurrence.
Anti-inflammatory effect:
Intralesional corticosteroids, oral corticosteroids, antibiotics. These agents are useful when acne is accompanied with inflammation. Steroids reduce inflammation but are less effective in treating acne. They can be used only to hide acne but not cure it completely. Intra-lesional injection of steroids is associated with rapid relief of acne
Normalize the changes in hair follicle:
Retinoids and isotretinoin and retinoid like drugs such as adapalene correct the abnormal skin changes that occur in acne. They treat the primary lesions thereby preventing further progression of the disease. In addition they also facilitate the absorption of other topical agents. Retinoids also reduce the hyper-pigmented dark spots that are left after the resolutions of acne. In mild conditions retinoids are sufficient. In severe cases they must be combined with topical and oral anti-microbial drugs
Inhibit sebaceous gland function:
1 Estrogen, Spironolactone, Anti-Androgens: This form of therapy is indicated in people especially women who have an abnormal high androgen hormone secretion. Anti androgens, Estrogens and spironolactone antagonize androgen-induced secretions of sebum from sebaceous glands. Long-term therapy is needed to see benefits. Contraceptives containing estrogen hormone also perform a similar function but pills containing only progesterone, make acne worse.
2 Isoretinoin: People with severe acne that does not clear up with topical or oral agents are ideal candidates for oral therapy with Isoretinoin. Isoretinoin reduces the size and secretions of sebaceous glands. Isoretinoin also arrests growth of bacteria, corrects abnormal skin cells reduces inflammations. This four-sided action explains it's universal effectiveness in active therapy. This is the only drug that produces permanent remission of acne. Fifity percent patients are cured in the first course of treatment. Side effects are dose dependant. However this drug has a lot of complications as it causes birth defects in pregnant mothers, cardio vascular complications and risk of depression of central nervous function. It increases the levels of triglycerides and cholesterol so a modification of diet is required. It also dries up the nasal mucosa predisposing to the growth of pathogenic bacteria. These adverse reactions can be averted by low dose therapy over a prolonged time.
Radiation is also being used to treat acne. Other recent techniques involve
chemical peels and micro-derm-abrasion, which remove the layer of abnormal
sticky skin cells clearing acne.
Surgical therapy including laser therapy and laser surgical techniques
is available. The conventional surgery is used to remove blackheads and
whiteheads whereas laser surgery may be used to remove scars and control
acne by decreasing sebum production.
Best Acne
Scar treatment
