The best acne treatments are those that address the underlying cause. Although acne usually happens to teenagers, it also occurs in people who are in their 20s, 30s and 40s. Acne is not a serious medical condition, but does have significant emotional and psychological impact in a person’s life. (1)
Treating your acne often becomes a singular focus in a person’s life as they struggle to improve the condition of their skin and face they show to the public. While it may not be an accurate assessment of an individual, most people make judgments based on a person’s appearance. And acne doesn’t give the best positive impression.
Most people turn to over-the-counter medications for acne treatment but these products are usually designed for adolescent skin and not the best for adults. The majority of the treatments only take care of the surface of the problem while most triggers arise from a number of different factors.
Before using any over the counter preparation or medication prescribed by the physician, consumers should know the ingredients of the products they are considering. This is not only responsible behavior but also helps when you might be changing medications. If Product A has the same ingredients as Product B then changing to Product B won’t change your results.
Acne treatment products that use more natural ingredients seem to have better results for more people, but individuals should try products and determine what works best for their skin type and lifestyle. In some instances natural treatments may require more work to apply or produce at home, or there may be good alternatives at the health food store. On the other hand, many of the over the counter preparations will help alleviate the problems when the sufferer finds one that works with their specific skin type.
Individuals can choose a product based on the results of their friends but should remember that although referrals are a good idea you must be prepared for your own personal results.
Side effects of medications that are taken internally and externally are often dryness, flakiness, irritation and may lead to more breakouts. If you are using an acne treatment product also look for a 30-day risk free money back guarantee. If the guarantee is less than 30 days the company may not have confidence in the product. (2)
Many over the counter medications include benzoyl peroxide to help fight the acne. Benzoyl peroxide is capable of clearing up your skin but it can cause irritation and swelling.
The skin is the largest organ system in the body and it only makes sense that treatment should start from the inside out. Nutrition is a key to acne treatment. Green leafy vegetables increase your intake of essential vitamins and minerals that feed your skin. Fats and oils will increase your production of natural oils through a change in your hormonal balance. Over production of these oils will clog your pores and lead to pimples and acne. (3)
One way to determine how foods affect your skin is to keep a calendar of your nutritional intake. The first step is to remove most fats and oils from your diet for at least 2 months. Once you have altered your diet you should begin a keeping a calendar. Use a calendar to chart your nutritional intake and your outbreaks to give you a better idea of the relationship between them. When you begin this calendar include your menstrual cycles so you can also determine any hormonal changes that affect your skin.
The cheapest acne treatment product is water, and plenty of it. It will help to flush out the waste and toxins from your body that will also detract from a healthy diet. Exercise will improve your circulation and also help to eliminate toxins through sweating. Studies also show that stress levels will increase an acne flare. The stress itself doesn’t affect the skin directly but does affect hormonal levels that also control the production of oil which clogs the pores and leads to acne.
Acne treatments range from using nutrition to chemical creams, gels and antibiotics to attack any bacterial infections. The key is to find a product that works for your skin type. You can begin with referrals to products and work your way to a dermatologist if you cannot find something that works for your skin type. Another key factor is to remember that your skin condition will not change overnight and you should use the product or treatment for at least 2 months before making a decision.
(1) Canadian Family Physician: Psychological Sequelae of Acne Vulgaris: Results of a Qualitative Study http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17273501
(2) Drugs.com: Acne Treatment Side Effects http://www.drugs.com/sfx/acne-treatment-side-effects.html
(3) MayoClinic.com: Acne Prevention http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/acne/ds00169/dsection=prevention
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