Medication - Is it the Right Way For Acne Treatment?

Acne treatment medicines are available 'over the counter' at your nearest medical shop. Many of these medicinal products do not show remarkable results, and some are not even scientifically tested in the laboratory. Drugs claiming to give instant results always fail to give the desired output. Hence one should be very careful in selecting an acne treatment.

However there are a few ways to get those pimples off your face -

Bactericidal Products - In case of mild acne, one can opt for over-the-counter products containing benzoyl peroxide. Proper application on the affected region yields good results. This chemical also prevents further acne. As it may cause drying and reddening of the skin after application, it should combined with a moisturizer to restrict the skin from drying. Precaution must be taken as it is an active oxidizing agent and can exhibit bleaching tendency on hair or cloth. It should be used in moderation.

Antibiotics - Antibiotic medicines such as clidamycin, tetracycline or erythromycin, destroy the bacteria in the skin pores. One can opt for either topical or oral use of the medicine. However, oral use may cause some side effects or allergic reactions in the body. As these medicines are not much resistant to the bacteria and are becoming less popular.

Retinoids - These drugs contain retinol i.e Vitamin A and normalize the follicle growth. They have topical application and prevent blockage of the cells. Initially these topical retinoids cause burning of acne and facial reddening.

Oral Retinoid - Long term usage of these pills can be effective in reducing acne problem. Isotretinoin, a Vitamin A derivative, acts upon the oil secreting glands, thereby, reducing the secretions from them. These medicines have a longer lasting effect than other antibiotics for treating severe acne problems.

Hormone Medicines - Hormonal treatments are found to be effective on acne in females. These oral contraceptives suppress the secretions of sebaceous glands. Diane 35/Dianette is used in case of high levels of androgen in blood, thus improving the condition of acne. In severe cases, some dermatologists also inject cortisone in the pimple directly, which flattens the zit gradually.

Laser Surgery - The laser is used to prevent zits either by destroying the sebaceous gland, follicle sac or by forming oxygen in the bacteria. Acne laser treatments are still under the scanner for their usage, as they can cause allergies and dryness of the skin.

Other Treatments - Over-the-counter gels containing Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) treat acne reducing hyper-pigmentation of the skin. Azelaic acid and Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) are helpful in reducing mild pimples. Ibuprofen or Naproxen and Calendula have anti-inflammatory effects and are used to treat moderate zits. Detoxification is another successful method of reducing acne; it helps in cleansing the body of toxins caused by pollutants, drugs, cosmetics and food.

The result of these acne treatments may vary from person to person. Hence it is always advised to consult a physician before using any acne medication.