Acne is the bane of 85 percent of American teenagers annually, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Not only do teens suffer from acne vulargis, but adults can get adult onset acne during their 30s and 40s. Over the years, dermatologists and skin care companies have developed different treatments and products to treat acne. Many acne solutions have dramatic results, but acne treatments take time to work and need to be continually used to be effective.
Misconceptions
Be wary of products that offer overnight acne cures. Acne is treatable, but not curable. An overnight cure, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, does not exist. Acne needs to be treated for about four to eight weeks for significant results to be seen. One misconception about acne is that once it is gone, then treatment is not necessary. To be effective, acne treatment needs to be part of an ongoing skin care regimen.
Over-The-Counter Solutions
Over-the-counter acne products that contain ingredients for treating acne are effective at controlling mild to moderate acne. It is important to pick a product with an active ingredient that works with your particular acne problem. Acne products are made to work in different ways, depending on the active ingredient. Acne products work by killing Propioibacterium acnes, P. acnes; by calming acne inflammation; or by removing excess oils and dead skin cells, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Benzoyl peroxide kills P. acnes and removes excess oil and dead skin cells. It can cause excessive dryness and may cause burning and stinging. Salicylic acid slows the shedding of hair follicle cells and prevents pores from clogging. It may also break down whiteheads and blackheads. Alpha hydroxy acid removes dead skin cells and reduces inflammation.
Prescription Treatments
A dermatologist using prescription creams and antibiotics can treat moderate to severe acne. Retinal products such as topical tretinoin cause the skin to peel, removing the surface layer of skin. This unclogs the pores and helps to keep the pores from clogging again. Another prescription cream that has good results for treating acne is azelaic acid. It works in the follicle to keep bacteria from growing and it normalizes skin cells.
Antibiotics are sometimes prescribed for moderate to severe acne. Topical antibiotics such as erythromycin may also be prescribed to kill bacteria on the skin’s surface, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Alternative Acne Treatments
Light therapy is an alternative acne treatment. Laser and light-based therapy work in the deeper layers of skin, leaving the surface layer undamaged. They cause the sebaceous glands to produce less oil and kill P. acnes, which causes inflammation. A plus with using laser therapy is it improves skin texture and lessens the appearance of acne scaring, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Some of the different types of laser and light therapies include intense pulse light, or IPL; blue, red and green light therapy; and diode laser therapy.
Treatment Side Effects
Retinol creams and alpha hydroxy acid treatment cause sun sensitivity. A broad-spectrum sunblock with a SPF of 30 or higher should be worn while being treated with these creams.
Many over-the-counter products that contain benzoyl peroxide or sulfur cause excessive dryness and flaking of the skin. Some have strong odors and can bleach hair or clothing. Always consult with a dermatologist before starting any treatment.
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