Acne Control and Treatment Facts and Myths

Acne control and treatment is a complex issue. Acne can result from a range of causes. Mild to moderate forms of acne can be controlled with a variety of conventional acne medication. There are many home remedies for acne which may also help. But a clinically proven acne skin care routine is essential for controlling acne.

Acne Treatment and Medication

Early acne treatment can limit its severity and prevent the physical and psychological scarring that can be caused. Acne should be treated as soon as possible. The best medication for acne control are listed here:

• Topical benzoyl peroxide is the best conventional acne medication used to treat mild to moderate acne. It kills the offending acne bacteria inside the follicles reducing inflammation. Benzoyl peroxide also acts as an exfoliant, keeping the skin dry.
• Retin-A is a derivative of vitamin A and is a very effective, externally applied treatment for acne. Retin A eliminates existing blackheads and closed comedones and prevents new ones from forming.
• Topical antibiotics for acne, such as clindamycin gel are very effective in mild to moderateacne control and acne treatment and will dry up pustules quickly.
• Oral antibiotic are normally prescribed for severe acne with deep papules, large pustules and cysts. Tetracycline is the most popular oral antibiotic to be used in acne control and treatment.
• Accutane is another vitamin A derivative, used only for treating severe acne when it has not responded to other forms of acne treatment. Accutane is a very powerful acne medication which can cure even the most severe forms. But there are plenty of side effects, so this is usually a last resort only!

Myths about Acne Control

• Acne is caused by poor hygiene… If you believe this and wash your skin hard and frequently, you can actually make it worse. The disorder is not caused by dirt or surface skin oils. Although excess oils, dead skin and a day’s accumulation of dust on the skin looks unsightly, they should not be removed by hand scrubbing. Vigorous washing and scrubbing isn’t effective and will actually irritate the skin and make the acne worse.
• Acne is caused by diet… Extensive scientific studies have not found a connection between diet and acne. In other words, food does not cause it. Not chocolate. Not french fries. Not pizza. Nonetheless, some people insist that certain foods affect their skin. In that case, avoid those foods.
• Besides, eating a balanced diet always makes sense. However, according to the scientific evidence, if your condition is being treated properly, there’s no need to worry about food affecting it.
• Acne is caused by everyday stress… The ordinary stress of day-to-day living is not an important causal factor. However some sufferes do report that severe or prolonged emotional stress can aggravate the disorder. Severe stress that needs medical attention is sometimes treated with drugs that can cause the condition as a side effect.
• Acne is just a cosmetic problem… Yes, acne does affect the way people look and is not otherwise a serious threat to a person’s physical health. However, it can result in permanent physical scars as well as affecting the way people feel about themselves to the point of affecting their lives.
• You just have to let acne run its course… The truth is, this skin disorder can be cleared up. With the acne control and acne treatments available today, there is no reason why anyone should not be able to implement some form of effective acne control and acne treatment regime.