Acne is a common problem in teenagers. It is also commonly seen in adults. There are many treatment options for more severe cases. It is recommended that you see a dermatologist in your area before beginning any treatments. Acne generally begins at puberty and can last several years. Sometimes it lasts even into adulthood. It is important that you first try a daily skin care regimen to control the development of acne. If the problem becomes worse over time then it is time to talk to a dermatologist. It is important that you see a doctor as soon as you notice there is a problem, otherwise scarring may occur. There are treatment options to heal scarring, but it is better to prevent it from happening. When choosing a treatment option it is important to consider the following: how much acne you have, how severe is your acne, what is the source of you acne, do you want to stop new acne from forming, do you want to treat scarring, are you pregnant or of childbearing age, are you breastfeeding. All of these may affect your treatment choices. There are several types of treatments for acne that can be categorized in the following way: OTC (over the counter), Creams, Oral and hormone therapy. Over the counter (OTC) products are non-prescription and available in most drug and grocery stores. Some over the counter products are simply facial cleansers. They may contain a variety and combination of medications. Salicylic acid is a common ingredient in these cleansers. This helps treat acne by sloughing skin cells off and allowing pores to go unclogged. Creams are a popular choice in the treatment of acne. Creams are always applied topically. Benzoyl peroxide is a common ingredient in creams. It is usually mixed with antibiotics. When properly applied (it is to be spread over entire area where acne generally occurs) these two ingredient help to stop microscopic blemishes from appearing. Tretinoin is a vitamin A derivative that helps with wrinkles and appearance of rough skin. It also helps with skin that has been sun- damaged. Adapatene (used in a commonly known cream called Differin ) is like a designer retinoid. The molecular structure is similar to vitamin A. Tazarotene (used in a cream called Tazorac) is very similar to that of Adapatene. Oral treatments for acne are generally prescription only. One medication, Isotretinoin, is a retinoid and similar to vitamin A. It has side effects that include: depression, moodiness, increased risk of suicide, bony spurs, osteoporosis, high cholesterol levels, pancreatitis, liver problems, inflammation around joints and low white blood cell count. Also a pseudotumor in the cerebrum can develop and cause more fluid pressure on the brain, headaches, vomiting and visual problems. These are very risky side effects. I think that you should definitely think carefully about this before beginning this medication. Acne antibiotics can also be taken to reduce the amount of acne bacteria which can be a cause of acne. Birth control pills are a type of hormone treatment for acne. Please talk to a doctor before beginning any of these treatments. |
