We Can Treat Acne, But We Cannot Cure It

Acne cannot be completely eliminated, however it can be managed through treatment.

Acne is back as our topic of conversation.

Because acne is a common concern for my customers, I am going to go into greater detail about this condition. Contrary to popular belief, vitamins and foods containing them have no adverse effect on acne. In fact, they are great sources for more natural and innovative treatments for existing skin problems. It is necessary to first understand what kinds of acne there are and what causes it, as that will help direct toward the appropriate treatment.

Whether you are a teenager with acne, a man with acne caused by shaving and growing facial hair, or a woman whose face has been altered by inflammation like acne and pitted scars, you can successfully manage and treat the condition. The often-held opinion that acne is only faced by teens is false; a staggering 50% of adults are also suffering from the condition. It is also noted that things such as puberty, menstruation, menopause, polycystic ovary syndrome and even pregnancy can bring on a hormonal imbalance that leads to an increase in sebum production, the natural oil of the skin.

Psychological trauma is also a common problem related to acne, as the sufferer often experiences shame due to their appearance, even going as far as to blame themselves for the acne. It is also important to note that this kind of stress frequently worsens acne and blackheads.

This cycle of hardship includes the misunderstanding about acne.

Some of the most common myths are that chocolate can cause acne. However, this is not true; if this were the case, anyone who ate pizza or a chocolate bar would likely get acne. In reality, oily foods and hormones are more likely to be the culprits behind any outbreaks of acne. Eating chocolate in moderation should not have any effect on your skin, nor should it worsen any acne you may already have.

Acne can be treated with antibiotics such as tetracycline, doxycycline, and more, yet it often recurs. Isotretinoin (formerly known as Accutane) is an effective treatment, although it is usually only given to those with severe acne.

Types of acne are classified as:
- comedones (clogged pores that look like pimples or blackheads)
- papules (small pink bumps without pus), pustules (red bumps with visible white or yellow pus)
- nodules (large, hard, painful bumps under the skin); and
- cysts (pus-filled nodules that remain deep under the skin).

The following factors do not cause acne, but they can make it worse:
- Blockage of dry cells and pores mixed with sebum
- Tallow accumulates
- Bacterial infection of the buildup; and
- Inflammation spreading acne.

Below are some general skin care tips to help you get rid of acne.
- Avoid environmental contaminants
- Excessive cleansing or exfoliation of the skin
- Contributing fators such as obesity, smoking, pinching and picking acne scars and scabs
- Try to minimize foods that are high in sugar. They can cause hormonal imbalance.
- Use acne products and apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer and sunscreen (that won't clog pores)
- Stress and lack of sleep
- Tight-fitting and unbreathable clothing; and
- Hats or helmets can make acne worse, but do not directly cause it.




Acne treatments often implemented include:

Over the counter drugs. They are only effective for mild acne. Moderate to severe acne generally requires a combination of topical and systemic prescription medications.

Benzoyl Peroxide, Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Sulfur and Resorcinol, and Pore Tape are some of the popular over-the-counter (OTC) medications available to help treat mild acne. These products provide the same power as prescription medications but should be used with caution; for example, retinoid products should be used in low concentrations (up to 10%) to prevent over-exfoliating the skin.

Benzoyl Peroxide products can be found in popular brands such as Neutrogena, SkinCeuticals, No7 and L'Oreal. Salicylic Acid is a key ingredient in Oxy products, Noxzema or Stridex acne pads, and acne gels.

Sulfur and Resorcinol can be found in Clearasil healing products and Rezamid lotion.

Finally, Pore tapes help to temporarily remove blackheads.

However, for moderate to severe acne, a combination of both topical and systemic prescription medications may be necessary for successful treatment.

For those suffering from moderate to severe acne, the following prescriptions are recommended:
- Azerex and Finacea (azelaic acid)
- Vinlevy (cream with kraskoteron)
- Upson (Gel Dapsone)
- Retinoids such as Retin-A
- Avita (tretinoin)
- Tazorac, Fabior (tazarotene); and Differin (adapalene); and
- Topical antibiotics including ATS, Akne-Mitsin, Emtsin, Eli, Eliseth, Eryderm, Erygel, Theramycin Z (erythromycin), Cleocin T, Clindagel, ClindaDerm, Clindets, and Evoclin (clindamycin) and Epiduo Gel (adapalene and benzoyl peroxide).

Oral Prescription Medicine for people with severe acne.

Some commonly prescribed antibiotics for acne are Sumicin, Acticite, Achromycin V (Tetracycline), Vibramycin, Doryx, Doryx MPC, Oracea, Acticlate, Atridox, Doxy 100 and Doxy 200 (Doxycycline), Dynacin, Minocin, Minocin Kit, Solodyn and Ximino (Minocycline), Cleocin, Cleocin T, Evocrine, Clindes (Clindamycin), Erythrosine, Iroton, E-mycin, and Erythrosine Lactobionate (Erythromycin). It should be noted that Erythromycin is safe for both pregnant and lactating individuals.

Women with hormonal acne may have oral contraceptives (OCs or birth control pills) prescribed to them. These include Ortho Tricyclen (norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol), Estrostep (norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol) and YAZ (drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol).

Other drugs:
Aldactones (spironolactones), an antiandrogen, and medications such as Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Fortamet, Glyumetsa and Riomet (metformin) can reduce insulin resistance associated with polycystic ovary syndrome or hyperinsulinemia.

Professional skin care treatments from cosmetologists.
Acne and acne scars can be effectively treated by skin care specialists through a variety of methods, such as chemical peels, corticosteroid injections, laser treatment, light therapy, and microdermabrasion, which can clear clogged pores and cysts.

Try out these step-by-step guide to getting rid of acne and get your skin glowing with our top-rated skincare product essences and serums today!

Step 1: For a clean and healthy complexion, start by washing your face twice a day with a cleanser containing 2% salicylic acid. Take a coin-sized amount in your hands, add a few drops of warm water and lather into a circular motion. Wait for a few minutes before rinsing off with lukewarm water. Salicylic acid is beneficial for your skin, as it soothes inflammation and add antioxidants to combat free radicals.

Step 2: In the morning, after rinsing off the salicylic acid product, use an exfoliant or a mild 10% glycolic acid solution. Gently massage it into the skin and then rinse with lukewarm water. Glycolic acid penetrates deep into the pores to loosen "set" plugs, resulting in a beneficial effect on your skin.

Step 3: Start by cooling the affected area with an ice cube (ensuring not to freeze the skin). After that, take the benzoyl peroxide kept in the fridge and place it in your palm, alongside an ice cube, to prevent skin inflammation when applied. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes, before using an ice pack on the affected area. This will open the pores, reduce inflammation, as well as relax the area. Once finished, wipe away the excess product with a soft cloth, leaving the rest on overnight.

Step 4: Prevent Sun Damage with Moisturizer Make sure to apply a moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15 to your face, both in the morning and throughout the day. Such an oil-free moisturizer will offer protection to your skin against the damaging rays of the sun, which can weaken the skin's natural defenses against bacterial attack.

Within 24 hours of beginning this regimen, 95% of acne sufferers will experience a reduction in symptoms, including inflammation, redness, pimples, and blackheads. Milder cases may see resolution within days or a week, and even severe cases can expect to see healing within 6 weeks. Relapses are a possibility, but if you stick to the treatment plan, it is unlikely to recur and can usually be eliminated in a few days.

Additional Resources:
1. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/diy/wont-clear
2. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12233-acne
3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acne/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20368048
4. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/06/140603151002.htm