Acne is a common problem in the United States, affecting 80 percent of people between 11 and 30, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. While acne can often be treated with over-the-counter medication, these medications may not be strong enough to clear your skin if you have chronic or cystic acne, the most severe from of the condition. Prescription medications and specialized treatments may be needed to help your face heal and prevent scarring.
Identification
Acne occurs when the oil glands located at the base of hair follicles begin to produce too much of a natural oil called sebum. All of the excessive sebum cannot flow freely from the pore, or follicle opening, to the skin's surface. When the sebum backs up in the pore, it mixes with dead skin cells, causing a plug. Bacteria on the skin mix with the oil and inflammation occurs, resulting in acne. If the oil clog occurs just below the skin surface, you will notice a whitehead or blackhead. Deeper oil plugs result in the formation of hard cysts or nodules.
Common Treatment Options
Severe acne can be successfully treated with medication prescribed by your doctor. Retinoids, medication derived from vitamin A, may be used in conjunction with oral antibiotics to treat stubborn acne. Oral antibiotics reduce outbreaks by killing bacteria and reducing redness, while retinoids encourage rapid skin cell growth and prevent pores from becoming clogged. Benzoyl peroxide, a topical medication. can also be used in combination with antibiotics to kill bacteria and promote drying of pimples and cysts.
Considerations
Acne scars can be treated with light or laser therapies. These therapies reach deep under the skin to target the oil glands without damaging the surface of the skin. During light or laser treatments, concentrated light or laser beams are aimed at the acne, resulting in a reduction in oil production or bacteria. The treatments can also help improve the texture of the skin and make scars less noticeable. Microdermabrasion can be helpful in unclogging pores and removing surface scars. During this procedure, tiny abrasive crystals are blown onto the skin, removing the dead skin cells and imperfections on the surface. Facial peels use special chemicals to remove the top layer of the skin and can be useful in unclogging pores, removing blackheads and whiteheads and improving the appearance of scarred skin.
Prevention/Solution
Decreasing oil on the skin by washing your face and hair every day can help reduce plugged pores. Mild cleansers should be used to wash the face, followed by rinsing with lukewarm water. Hot water and harsh soaps can dry the skin, making acne worse. Men should take particular care when shaving, as shaving nicks can irritate the skin and cause more breakouts. AcneNet.com cautions against shaving pimples as a way of removing them because this may actually worsen acne.
Warning
If you have severe cystic acne that has not responded to other treatment methods, your doctor may suggest you begin taking isotretinoin. Isotretinoin is a powerful oral medication that reduces sebum production. While the medication can be very effective in clearing stubborn acne, it can also cause severe birth defects, and women of childbearing age must use a reliable form of birth control if they wish to take the drug.
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