Acne Control

Teenagers have many modern day problems to deal with, peer pressure, exams and the likes. However it is often the physical changes that have the most profound effect and the release of hormones during puberty often make teenagers even more self conscious and this problem can be exacerbated if the child suffers from Acne.

Many folk consider good basic hygiene the solution to halting an acne breakout but nothing could be further from the truth. While good hygiene and a basic skin care regime can help in the fight against acne it is often necessary to consider other aspects, such as diet and medication, to keep acne under control.

The simple truth about acne is that it is an extremely complex disease of which we know too little. While much has been learnt over the years there is still much to be learnt about the causes of acne and its triggers. However the medical advances made mean that there are now a number of over-the-counter medications available to treat acne. Most acne medications tackle the problems of bacterial infection and inflammation (pus-forming bacteria such as Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis can trigger inflammation in acne).

Benzoyl Peroxide is a topical treatment which can often produce wonderful results. Although pure benzoyl peroxide is a dangerous substance (one part peroxide to two parts benzoyl) when used in the usual 2.5% solution (up to a maximum of 10%) it is extremely safe. Unfortunately, if you have very sensitive skin, benzoyl peroxide, even at its low solution, may be too harsh and an alternative acne treatment may be required.

Other common ingredients in over the counter acne treatments, available without a prescription, include Salicylic acid and sulfur. Sulfur and salicylic acid is used as a topical treatment and it is an incredibly useful combination and is often used for other skin complaints such as dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.

Many people find that using harsh chemicals to treat acne is not a suitable method for their skin and in such cases exfoliation may be the only solution. It is known that acne causes a malfunction in desquamation (retention hyperkeratosis), the natural process of exfoliation (exfoliation is the removal of dead skin cells). Through either physical or chemical exfolication (such as microdermabrasion or a skin peel) the exfoliation stimulates the natural processes and helps stop acne from appearing.

Even just a few spots or pimples can cause distress but sometimes an outbreak can be so severe that the only solution it a prescribed acne medication. In such cases it is vital that you seek medical help rather than attempt to tackle the problem yourself. In most cases it is always advisable to discuss the problem with your family doctor as he is best placed to decide if a topical solution would suffice or if an oral solution is required. Your doctor will also be able to advise and monitor any side effects and generally be supportive during the healing process.

If you are one of the unlucky people who suffer from acne it is important to understand that much can now be done to alleviate the vast majority of symptoms. Even the worst acne outbreak can often be brought under control and the risks of future outbreaks reduced incredibly.

About the Author:
Felicity Kennedy writes extensively about acne and acne treatments and is a specialist in the area of Microdermabrasion for acne.

Useful Books & Ebooks About Acne:

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