The embarrassing acne
The first signs of acne can drive anyone crazy. They are embarrassing and often have negative effects on a person’s self esteem. But instead of feeling so depressed we have to know why and how acne occurs and find the best treatment for us.
What is acne?
Acne is the general term used to describe all plugged pores that appear on the face, neck, back, chest and even upper arms.
Most people suffer from acne at some point in their life although teenagers are the worst affected. But even people well into their 30s and 40s suffer from it and it often becomes extremely difficult to get rid of it.
Types of acne
Comedo – A comedo is a sebaceous follicle which has got plugged by sebum, dead cells and tiny hair. When it gets infected by bacteria matters become worse.
Whitehead – A closed comedo is called a whitehead.
Blackhead – When a comedo opens up and the upper part blackens it is called a blackhead.
The other types of acne that are commonly seen are cyst, papule, pustule and macule.
The embarassing acne
Before discussing the treatments of acne let us burst some myths about it which will definitely help you in finding the best treatment for yourself.
Acne myths
- Acne is not caused by dirt as some people think. On the contrary it is caused by excess production of hormones. That is why adolescents are more prone to it.
- Another myth that goes round well is that poor hygiene and diet are responsible for acne. But these have no connection to acne. Don’t misunderstand this as a healthy diet is always recommended for a healthy skin and good hygienic practices lowers the risk of infection.
- There is also no link between fried food and acne. But avoiding this type of foods along with chocolates and aerated drinks is again beneficial for general health of body and skin also.
- Cleaning your skin and applying masks are good but remember that too much scrubbing and touching can spread the bacteria. So if you have severe outbreak, use face wipes and cleansers.
- Acne is not a life threatening disease and creates no harm. It is neither any signal of internal imbalance. It actually affects people psychologically by creating anxiety. Youngsters tend to get depressed and may start avoiding social gatherings and activities.
Having dispersed the myths about acne let us now try to find the best treatment for it.
Best acne treatment
Treatment for acne depends on the severity of it.
Acne mild outbreak
Mild outbreak of acne can be effectively treated by only cleaning the face with gentle soaps so that excess oil is washed off. This will also help in keeping the bacteria away.
You can also use natural products to treat acne.
Orange and lemon juice extract can be applied directly on the acne affected areas for best results.
Crushed garlic cloves should be applied on the acne for getting acne free and glowing skin.
Mild to moderate acne outbreak
Other than home remedies acne products and creams containing benzyl peroxide is good enough for mild to moderate outbreak. These products can be easily obtained from any medical store. But it is always advisable to consult a dermatologist for best recommendations.
ProActiv is a popular treatment for acne which comes with a cleanser, toner and a lotion. It contains benzyl peroxide.
Baking soda can be used very effectively to treat acne. First wash your face thoroughly with a mild soap and pat it dry. Make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply it on your face. If your skin is sensitive then keep it only for a few seconds and wash off with warm water. Or else you can keep it for some time more. You may get a stinging sensation on your face with redness also. But it will go away after some time.
This remedy if applied for a week will definitely show result.
Severe acne outbreak
For severe acne outbreak it is always advised to take a doctor’s suggestion as acne products that are meant for severe cases have to be closely monitored.
Oral antibiotics are administered for severe cases. These antibiotics reduce bacteria that are present in the follicles. They also decrease fatty acids that cause inflammation. Tetracycline is a widely used antibiotic for acne. Erythromycin is another one which is also widely prescribed by doctors.
Tretimoin or Retin-A is a derivative of vitamin A, which is very effective for severe acne. This is a topical medicine and should be applied for 3 weeks to get results. Roaccutane, its oral version is very effective but it has severe risks for pregnant women.
Accutane is another product which is available through prescriptions only but is considered successful in treating acne.
With the wide variety of products available, rest assured acne cannot ruin your life or self esteem. Select the best treatment for yourself and just say goodbye to acne.
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