How Do You CHOOSE THE BEST Medications for Acne?
Acne is one of those things that everyone "knows" about, but few already have to deal with. Those who do have to deal with it know how painful, embarrassing, and difficult it is usually. The main point of acne treatment would be to control the oil buildup in your skin, which will help reduce redness and swelling. The cause of acne is the release of excess oils by the sebaceous glands. This leads to pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and even scars.
Acne treatment plans vary depending on the severity and kind of acne. In case you have only mild acne, there are many different ways to treat it without needing to resort to prescription medicines. Your doctor may recommend topical treatments, such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, creams, lotions, gels, or makeup which contain these ingredients. Topical treatments are often applied right to the acne-affected area.
There are other ways to regulate acne without the use of medication, as well. One of these is by using over-the-counter medicated gels or lotions. These are typically useful for short-term treatments (around weeks). However, if the problem is more advanced, stronger treatments may be necessary. Your physician should discuss these options with you before you decide whether to use oral or topical medications.
When you have a more serious type of acne, it's important to check with your doctor to get a precise diagnosis. She or he will examine your skin condition and the possible causes to look for the best course of treatment. Your skin layer condition might include blackheads, whiteheads, as well as scars. The severity of the condition determines the possible treatment options.
There are various forms of medications available for treating acne. Your doctor can recommend one or a combination of topical medications and oral or topical antibiotics. Topical medications are the ones we usually think about - creams containing retinoids (such as for example tretinoin) and azelaic acid (acea) are examples. These are often applied directly to the acne-affected areas to help reduce the redness and swelling caused by pimples.
Oral antibiotics may be used to treat acne in cases where the bacteria that cause the problem are resistant to topical treatments. Some forms of oral antibiotics, such as for example tetracycline, do have unwanted effects. In addition, certain antibiotics are just effective against particular forms of bacteria. For instance, usually do not take amikacin or minocycline if you're allergic to penicillin. Antibiotics may also be used to treat more serious cases, including the ones that include scarring, skin discoloration, and cysts.
Many acne medications could cause temporary or long-term unwanted effects. For this reason, it is important to understand what to expect from your own treatment. Some noncomedogenic (noncomedogenic) acne medications could cause light to be shed through the skin, particularly if your prescription contains isotretinoin. Light exposure can lead to sunburn or increased sensitivity to the sun. Other acne medications, such as for example azelaic acid, might have a drying effect on your skin.
People with oily complexions should stay away from some noncomedogenic (noncomedogenic) treatments that can further exacerbate acne. Types of these treatments include oily makeups, such as Cologne and soap. Also, excessive facial hair can further inflame your skin, making it more vunerable to acne. While using an effective cleanser to eliminate excess oil might help prevent acne, utilizing an excessively oily cleanser can worsen acne. Review need to consult your dermatologist to find out which cleanser/soap combinations are safe to work with to greatly help eliminate any potential acne complications.
Some other common types of treatments aren't necessarily made to heal acne or prevent scarring. For example, salicylic acid treatments, such as for example toothpastes and gels which contain the compound Triclosan, can help prevent scars. However, excessive salicylic acid may also dry the skin excessively, causing more dead skin cells to accumulate. This may further raise the risk of additional acne. To reduce the drying aftereffect of salicylic acid, experiment with products that contain aloe vera, an extract that is thought to have healing properties.
If you're concerned about any type of side effects that may occur from your prescription medications, discuss them with your doctor. Your doctor may need to evaluate you for several allergies or other medical ailments which could affect your medications. While talking with your doctor, make sure you let him or her find out about any side effects you've familiar with a previous treatment, together with any medications you currently use. Your doctor can help you decide on a treatment plan that's right for your specific case.
The potency of retinoids depend largely on the type of the pimples they're applied to. For example, retin-a is most effective when it's used to take care of whiteheads and blackheads, because it's strong enough to penetrate the follicle. Retin-a isn't always effective, however, against severe cases of acne. Retin-a can also cause redness and irritation around the eye, because it can cause the skin to shed dead cells, that may clog the pores. In such cases, it's best to search for a dermatologist, who can recommend a retinoid that's effective against your unique type of acne. These kinds of retinoids can be available without a prescription, but you should be aware that some may cause side effects.
