Acne Treatment
Many forms of acne exist, and fortunately so do acne treatments. Young children, teenagers and adults can develop the common form of acne - acne vulgaris. Acne is thought to develop when pores are blocked by excess oils and dead skin cells, allowing bacteria and yeast to multiply.
The appearance of acne can be emotionally devastating and can sometimes lead to permanent acne scars. More acne treatments and prevention options exist today to help avoid or get rid of acne.
Preventing acne is possible in some cases. The most important steps are proper hygiene and diet.
Basic hygiene, such as regular face washing and hand washing, can reduce extra oils, dirt and dead skin cells which can cause of acne.
Diet may play a role in the development or severity of acne. Certain foods may be associated with acne, including milk and foods high in sugar or with a high glycemic index. Chocolate and greasy foods like french fries and chips have also been implicated in causing acne but with no clear link.
Hormones are often involved in outbreaks of acne. Variations in hormone level occur during puberty, menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. In addition, stress and the use of steroid hormones as medication cause changes in hormones that can lead to acne.
Acne treatments for severe cases or chronic breakouts exist. Benzoyl peroxide is the active ingredient in many over the counter acne treatments and it kills bacteria that cause acne.
Antibiotic acne treatments also kill bacteria that cause acne and can be applied as creams or taken as an oral medication. Hormonal acne treatments treat abnormal hormone levels which can lead to acne. Retinoids, such as Retin-A, can impact follicle cells lifecycles and reduce blockages which cause acne. Oral retinoids, such as Accutane, can be very effective at treating acne, but may also have significant side effects.
Other therapies for acne include light therapy which involve visible light treatments can be effective and laser therapy which can be used for acne scar removal or acne treatment.
For more information on acne treatments, acne scars, and acne products, see the American Academy of Dermatology at http://www.aad.org.