Best Acne Treatments – Prevention and Cures Should Go Hand-in-Hand

Acne is a skin condition that simply refuses to go away. It’s a nagging skin ailment that we commonly call pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, red or yellow spots, cystic nodules or scars. The acne prone age is between 12 and 25 years. But beware; it’s not just a teen trouble. Even in your 30s and 40s you may get acne attacks. Acne can cause lifelong scars, if left untreated. Hence, it is vital to be proactive about acne treatment, beginning right from home remedies. Acne treatment essentially involves the use of both preventive and curative products.

Preventive products

The natural way to keep off acne begins at home. If you wish to keep off acne, follow this home treatment attentively and be sure of great results.

Resist the temptation to pick at, pop or squeeze your pimples, whiteheads and blackheads. Turn to treatment creams instead. You can cause scarring and infection by picking acne. The uneven discolorations that often result from picking at acne can take years to fade away.

- Keep your face spotless clean, by washing it often with a gentle anti-bacterial cleanser or some home-made natural product - Never use greasy, oil-based moisturizers - Never use products containing synthetic chemicals and vegetable oils - Keep your hair off your face - Never dig or touch scars - Keep skin pores unclogged with products containing sulfur plus resorcinol

However, pregnant women, kids and patients under some other medication, should consult a doc before they use such products.

A great alternative treatment for acne is the use of vinegar rubbed on the face with a cotton ball. This acidic compound can be used in place of a chemical toner. It will help re-balance the pH levels of your skin. Re-balancing your skin in this manner can clear up breakouts sometimes after just a single application.

Medication methods

The condition of your acne will determine the treatment options. Treatment also depends on the oil balance of your skin, your gender and your existing medications. The most proactive acne treatment is with topical products (gels, creams) containing Salicylic acid, Benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, tetracycline, erythromycin or a retinoid. Many times a combination of these products also works well.

Egg whites can be a great cheap replacement for acne treatment. You can use raw egg white as a mask to cleanse your entire face, or use just a dab to reduce swelling and redness on a single blemish. Be sure to use a regular cleanser first, to remove oils and dirt.

Physicians also prescribe oral medications like antibiotics, hormones, and isotretinoins. Go for such acne treatment only after knowing the side effects.

Laser treatment

Don't wait to see a dermatologist or other professional skin care provider. If you can seek treatment at the first signs of acne, you may be able to avoid having a mild condition turn in to something more serious later. Early intervention, much like that for medical conditions, can really pay off.

Laser treatment has completely cured many. Here the laser destroys the excess oil producing glands and removes scars. It is painless, harmless but costly. However, to get rid of the existing acne you need medication.

Cystic treatment

Tea tree oil is a wonderful and effective treatment that you can use daily to exfoliate your face. Do not apply tea tree oil directly to your acne, as it should be diluted with water for ultimate effectiveness. A daily regimen of cleansing with tea tree oil can help eliminate dry skin cells, which can clog your pores and create acne.

Acute cystic acne needs cystic treatments with Accutane or isotretinoin. But, there are side effects. Since most other treatments are not effective on cystic acne, these severe products are unavoidable.   Chinese treatments

The Chinese method is a natural herbal acne treatment. They believe in getting to the root of the problem like liver ailments, emotional upsets, wind heat, damp heat, blood heat etc. “They even trace acne to reasons like a stagnant qi (energy). Their natural products do help many,” says dermatologist Dr Manela Humphrey.  Peel power

If you have a blemish that will not go away, go into your freezer and use a piece of ice. Ice will help to reduce the swelling of your pimple so that it is much less noticeable when you go out with your friends. Additionally, this treatment will hasten the healing process, so that you are back to normal quicker than usual.

TCA Peels are an easy, safe and affordable acne treatment. “They are also more effective than other clinic or spa-based treatments,” says salon specialist Mary Roberts. Peels were earlier available only through costly treatments by skin specialists, at US$ 500- 1000 per session. These same peels are now easily available at less than US$30. No prescriptions are required either.

Acne Advice For People Wanting Blemish Free Skin

Acne is a disorder of the skin that affects adults as well as teens. It occurs when follicles, or pores, become blocked. Oils, naturally present in skin, are unable to drain and become blocked inside the follicles. Before long bacteria begins to grow.

Skin blemishes referred to as blackheads and whiteheads then begin to appear. When the oil and bacteria that is trapped remain below the skin, the blemish is referred to as a whitehead. A blackhead occurs when the oil and bacteria are partially exposed. The color of the blemish turns black due to pigmentation within the skin. Blackheads usually last far longer than whiteheads due to the fact that it takes longer to drain.

It is believed that hormones, diet, stress and vitamin deficiency may play a role in the development of acne. While acne includes both whiteheads and blackheads, there are a variety of types of acne that range in severity.

When selecting an acne care product line, be sure to pick one that will care for your skin as well as treat blemishes. Keeping your skin healthy isn't just about avoiding pimples and blackheads. Your acne products should moisturize and cleanse just like a regular skin care line, with the added benefit of treating your acne.

Acne Vulgaris is the most common form of acne and includes everything from whiteheads and blackheads to cysts. Acne Vulgaris may be either mild or moderate as well as severe. The mild and moderate forms of Acne Vulgaris include common pimples with inflammation apparent below the surface of the skin as well as blackheads. Small red bumps that have no ‘head’ may also be present and are known as papules.

Acne Vulgaris in its most severe form includes lesions that are known as nodules and cysts. These are normally much larger than mild or moderate acne and may be more painful. Nodules are usually small and hard, below the skin and do not contain pus while cysts do. Scars can appear if Acne Vulgaris is not treated correctly.

Did you know that acne can be caused by allergies? Allergies are a natural reaction that your immune system uses to fight off something that is trying to work it's way to inside your body. The problem is, your body can sometimes end up fighting things it just doesn't need to, because it was incorrectly programmed to do so. An allergy specialist can help by testing to find what allergies you do have. It could be something simple, such as dairy, or it could be more complex such as the paraffin wax in your hairspray. If your allergies are bad enough, an allergist can even give you shots that help to reprogram you body so that it no longer fights the things it doesn't need to fight.

A gentle cleanser and a benzoyl peroxide cream can be effective in treating mild to moderate forms of Acne Vulgaris. Avoid overwashing; gently cleansing the face in the morning and at night should be sufficient. Taking care not to touch your face during the day and using oil free cosmetics may also help. Extreme caution should be used in trying to ‘pop’ pimples, as this can result in scarring. Papules (small red bumps with no head) should never be popped or squeezed.

Acne Rosacea can easily be confused with Acne Vulgaris and often appears to be quite similar. Most people who suffer from Acne Rosacea are adults over the age of 30. A red rash along with bumps and pimples signal the presence of Acne Rosacea, which normally appears on cheeks, nose, forehead and chin. Blackheads are normally not present with Acne Rosacea. This type of acne can be quite serious because when it is left untreated it can actually cause excessive tissue to begin growing.

Resist the temptation to pick at and pop zits. Using a treatment cream is a better alternative. You can cause scarring and infection by picking acne. Picking at your skin can cause skin discolorations that last for years.

There are three types of extremely severe acne; all of which can be disfiguring. Acne Conglobata usually appears in men instead of women. It is commonly found on the trunk and limbs of the body instead of the face. Individuals normally develop this form of acne at some point between the ages of 18 and 30. It can remain active for several years and can be extremely difficult to treat. Dermatologists normally use Accutane as a treatment.

Young men sometimes experience what is known as Acne Fulminans. Typical acne may be accompanied by fever and aching joints with the onset of Acne Fulminans. Oral steroids as well as Accutane may be used to treat this form of acne.

Increasing the amount of the mineral zinc in your diet can help treat acne. The best way to be sure you are getting enough zinc is to start taking a supplement. A dose of 25 or 50 milligrams taken three times per day can leave your skin healthy and clear.

Women between the ages of 20 and 40 may experience what is known as Pyoderma Faciale. This type of acne is generally confined to the face. Unlike other forms of acne, this form does not last for years; instead its presence is normally restricted to a year or less. It can, however; be very painful as well as disfiguring.