The most common home treatment for acne is twice daily application of a benzoyl peroxide solution such as Neutrogena On-The-Spot. This works by killing bacteria, drying up the oil, and causing your skin to peel. It is effective for minor acne (whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples).
Prescription or over-the-counter antibiotics like Stri-dex or Oxywork kill the bacteria which, with oil, causes acne.
For an even more surefire acne treatment, your doctor may suggest chemical skin peeling, removal of scars by dermabrasion or laser, or removal or drainage of cysts.
Synthetic Vitamin A derivatives, or retinoids, are for severe acne, which take the form of redness, nodules and cysts. Retinoids include creams and gels such as Retin-A and isotretinoin pills – Accutane. Accutane is an effective acne treatment in that it works to reduce the size and production of oil glands in the skin. Its effects are unbeatable and last a long time – six months – which is why it is so expensive ($450 per bottle). Pregnant and sexually active women must avoid retinoids, because they cause severe birth defects.
Laser resurfacing is the newest way to remove acne and acne scar tissue, among other uses. It is showing itself to be a very effective means of clearing up acne permanently, and is quickly surpassing dermabrasion in popularity. It works by vaporizing unwanted tissue, clearing the way for new healthy skin cells to grow.
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Effective Acne Treatments for Teenagers
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Acne affects virtually all teenagers at one point or another, to varying degrees. Teen acne is hereditary and is brought on by hormonal changes related to menstrual periods, pregnancy, birth control pills, or stress; oily hair and skin products; certain drugs such as steroids, testosterone,...
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Cystic Acne
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A cyst is a closed pouch of tissue that may be filled with pus, fluid, air or other material. Cysts may form within any tissue in the body but are not very common. Cystic involving the skin is a tender, sensitive and deep painful lesion...
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Acne Scar Treatment
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Acne scars develop after severe cases or when the acne has been forcibly picked or scratched. There are many types of acne scars, each entirely treatable. The only sure method of acne scar treatment is prevention early on. In general, you should never pick or...
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Acne Scars
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Scarring is an inevitable outcome of significant skin inflammation. The deeper the scars, the longer it takes to completely remove them. Acne scars are caused by either increased tissue formation or loss of tissue. The best possible means for prevention of acne scars can be...
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Best Acne Solutions
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Most everybody has to deal with acne at one time or the other. Acne is especially noticeable during teen years when individuals are the most self-conscious about their looks and wish to make a favorable impression. The disfiguring effects of acne (especially on the face)...
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Acne Medication
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A variety of acne medications with proved efficacy are used in the United States. The selection of the prescription medication for the patient is based on the severity and type of acne. Patients with mild to severe acne can be treated with topical or oral...
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Acne Treatment
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The goals of acne treatment should include clearance of acne and prevention of scarring. Patient education is the first and at times the most crucial step for effective acne treatment. It is essential to dispel myths that consumption of greasy food, potato chips, sugar and...
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Acne Medicine
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Acne is a combined term that is used to describe a number of skin conditions, like blackheads, blemishes, lumps, and whiteheads. Teenagers and adults can have acne. Stress, hormonal activity, bacteria, steroids, and overactive glands can cause acne. The various forms of acne are: Blackheads...
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Acne
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Acne is a skin condition characterized by plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, and even deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that especially occur on the face, chest and back. Acne caused by the overactivity and plugging of the sebaceous glands (skin’s oil glands) affects more...
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A Guide To Adult Acne
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Adult acne (also called “rosacea”) is a common inflammatory skin disorder that tends to arise between 30 and 50 years of age. It is a disease of uncertain etiology and is more likely to affect faired skinned persons. The basic adult acne lesion, called the...