The statistics on acne sufferers are quite staggering. While over 60 million people in the United States are directly affected by acne, only around 11% of those will seek a professional opinion or solution. In some cases the acne is only mild and some small lifestyle changes and basic solutions can be all that is needed, but in a lot of cases a more serious and concerted effort is needed. Producing the best acne products has become a competitive market with many big players spending millions on getting their product in front of as many of those 60 million potential customers. But if we remove the advertising budgets, which of these acne products is best?
Natural acne products
There is a popular and growing school of thought that suggests that the more natural a product is the better it is. This stems from a belief that synthesized and processed solutions are not naturally compatible with our body. Regardless of your personal opinion on that school of thought, there are a number of natural products that have been confirmed to be beneficial to those suffering from acne.
Aloe Vera is a plant product with noted anti-inflammatory properties which can be taken internally as an anti-oxidant, or applied externally to the affected area. It assists with reducing the pain and tenderness in the infected area as well as reducing pimple size.
Natural products such as tea tree oil and natural apple cider vinegar are both popular as a spot application product to assist with acne treatment. In both cases the product should be diluted as it is quite strong and may otherwise react with sensitive skin.
There are a number of supplements that should be considered for acne relief. Zinc, Vitamin A and Vitamin E are particular effective and popular forms of acne treatment. These can be found naturally in certain foods, but are also available from a health store as a supplement and act as anti-oxidants and anti-inflamatories. Zinc is also an effective limiter of androgenic hormone production, a major contributing factor in acne outbreaks.
Over-the-counter acne products
There are a number of popular over-the counter acne products which all make some bold claims about their ability to counter acne. As previously noted this is a very big market for the manufacturers, and so no expense is spared in grabbing a big slice of the market.
Despite that the most effective products tend to share a common ingredient, and this is a solution of benzoyl peroxide. It is available in concentrations from 2.5% through to around 10% and in some cases higher. While most people would assume that the higher the concentration the more effective the solution, there is a fair amount of literature that suggests that this is not necessarily the case and in most cases a 2.5% concentration will provide results.
The benzoyl peroxide effectively reduces infection and inflammation at 2.5%, and the carrier ingredients usually help with other symptoms and side effects such as dry skin and tenderness. Which of these products will be best for you is unfortunately going to be a case of trial and error for each individual. Some creams are designed for adults, while some are formulated for teenagers. Some specify daily use, some multiple times per day. Some may react with sensitive skin while providing a better solution to those with more regular skin sensitivity. It's always important to read the label carefully, and not be embarrassed about asking the pharmacists professional opinion on which products suits your specific situation.
Specialist acne treatment?
Where natural treatments and over the counter medication fail, it is always recommended to consult a dermatologist to discuss the best acne product for your situation. There are a number of options available to dermatologists that are not commonly available over the counter. Of these the most well known is called Accutane. Accutane is the brand name of the substance 'Isotretinoin' and it is widely considered to be a revolution in the treatment of acne. Not only does it have close to 100% success rate, but it is labeled as a cure for acne, not just a treatment. A course of Accutane is around 5-6 months, and in about 85% of cases acne goes into an extended or permanent remission.
Being effective doesn't come without a cost though and in Accutanes case there is a shopping list of side effects. The most severe is that in a staggeringly high 25-35% of cases Accutane pregnancies will result in miscarriage or birth deformity. Additionally there are links to skeletal weakening and damage to the liver, kidney and internal organs. Accutane also has an unproven link to psychological illness and suicidal thoughts. As such, it is seen very much as a treatment of last resort by specialists and is not prescribed without a number of waivers and advance evaluations.
It can be overwhelming selecting a treatment that will work best for you. Choosing the right acne treatment depends on what form of acne you have and how severe it is.
Acne medications:
Benzoyl Peroxide: Used for many years, this over-the-counter treatment is commonly used for treating mild to moderate acne vulgaris.
Antibiotics: A prescription type medication, antibiotics is used for more severe acne cases. It is either applied on the skins surface or taken orally.
Hormonal treatment: Mainly used for females to control hormonal levels that help form acne.
Oral retinoids: Medication that contains vitamin A (Isotretinoin), which is to be taken orally every day over a long period of time. Isotretinoin helps reduce the production of oils from the glands that cause acne.
Acne procedures:
Acne laser treatment: A very expensive method, the laser treatment is used to help reduce acne scarring by using intense light pulse sources on the skin.
Dermabrasion: Another method used to treat severe acne scarring. The procedure involves removing the skins surface by abrasion. A very painful form of treatment, but produces great results.
Surgery: Surgical procedures are often used for treating acne cysts or other severe acne forms by using surgical lancing.
In conclusion, the best treatment for you will depend on a number of factors, both with your personal situation and with the severity of your acne. The important thing to keep in mind is that you are going through a situation that many others are going through and it's okay to ask for help from people with specialist training such as pharmacists and Dermatologists. These professionals have knowledge and resources available to them to help you find the best solution to your unique situation.
Adam Slade has been an online publisher since 2008 that specializes in health & fitness. He is now working on a new website that focuses on helping people www.acneriddanceinfo.com get rid of acne. Check out his new article about " www.acneriddanceinfo.com/acne-treatment acne treatment. "
No comments:
Post a Comment