We will speak today about an important topic (acne). It is very important to all people as nearly all of us suffered or are suffering from this problem. You should read this article carefully to know everything about acne.
Acne
 |
| acne |
Acne occurs when skin pores get blocked with
dead skin and oil, and bacteria grow up. Then the skin becomes inflamed and can
become red and swollen.
What can you do to prevent acne?
The manner you deal with your skin has a great
effect on acne. Here's what you can do:
Don't wash your face
more than twice a day
You should use warm – not hot – water,
and not use irritating soaps. Alternatively, you can use a non-irritating,
non-soap skin cleanser. Scrubbing your face may make your acne worse and also
damage your skin.
Do not prick or
squeeze acne
Squeezing or pricking acne makes it
inflamed, damages your skin, and can lead to secondary infections.
Don't use oil-based
skincare products
Oil-based makeup and skin products
usually make your acne worse. But, if you want to use a skin moisturizer for
your face, special skin moisturizers labeled as "non-comedogenic" are
often the best.
Can you treat your own acne?
It depends on the severity or grade of acne.
If your acne is mild, you can use non-prescription products. Also, you can even
use more than one product at the same time.
Rarely, some patients may have a severe
allergy to acne products. So, you should try products on just a small area in
the first days of use. If no improvement after 3 months, or if your acne is
moderate or severe, you should ask for medical advice.
How is acne treated?
There are different types of medications
that can be used in treating acne. Your doctor may recommend you try more than
one medication at the same time.
Usually, there is no medication or combination
of medications that will work best for every patient. Alternatively, patients
often need to try many different medications until they find the best
medication for them.
Acne medications that need a prescription
Retinoids
These medications help keep your skin pores
unblocked. They are available in many forms as tabs, gel, or cream. Examples
include tretinoin, adapalene, and tazarotene.
Isotretinoin is usually used in severe acne,
and it is very effective. But it may also lead to major adverse effects and
birth defects. Women who are planning to take this medication must follow very
strict methods to avoid pregnancy.
Only one form of adapalene gel is
available for you to buy without a need for a prescription. This group of
medications can also aid in the improvement of dark spots on the skin left
after acne.
Skin-shed
products
You will need products such as salicylic
acid and glycolic acid which aid in the removal of dead skin layers. Also,
these products can reduce recurring by helping to unblock skin pores.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics help treat acne by eradicating the
bacteria inside them. Also, they help the improvement of skin inflammation. Many antibiotics can be used as clindamycin, dapsone, and others.
Antibiotic tablets are used for the same
reasons for which gels or lotions are used. They usually have a stronger
effect, but they can lead to adverse effects.
Azelaic acid
Azelaic acid is used to keep skin pores
unblocked and can help kill the bacteria in acne. Also, it can help improve
dark skin pigmentations left by acne.
Benzoyl peroxide
Like previous medications, it helps to kill
bacteria and unblock skin pores. Also, it is available without a need for
a prescription.
Pregnant women
If you want to become pregnant, you must
speak to your doctor before you start trying to become pregnant. As many of
these medications used to treat acne can cause harm to a growing baby.
Diet and acne
Some researchers have concluded that acne
seems to be more common in individuals who drink a lot of milk. But more
studies are needed to really know the communication between the types of foods
and acne.