Understanding Acne Treatments and the Precautions You Should TakeBy Angelica Malin

Some people have good, smooth, blemish-free skin. However, some are not so lucky, and no matter what skincare plan they make, they still have acne. If you have an occasional pimple, some water-based cosmetics and over-the-counter cover-up creams can hide it. While acne breakouts are challenging to eliminate, you can find some conventional treatments that can give you some relief.

What is acne?

Acne is a common skin condition that causes oily skin and spots. It makes the skin painful to touch or feel hot. Acne usually develops on the face, back, and chest. Skin condition comes in different types. You can have blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts.

Acne treatment comes in different forms. The best-recommended therapy for acne can inhibit sebum (oil from the skin) production, encourage skin cell shedding to unclog pores, and limit bacterial growth. However, many therapies for acne can have side effects. Some acne leaves scars and lowers a person’s self-esteem. It is best to be under the care of a dermatologist to manage the acne treatment.

Nonprescription treatment

If your acne is not severe, you can manage its treatment without prescriptions. However, some changes in your facial cleaning routine can do wonders.

Soap and water

You can use gentle soap and water to cleanse your face. However, it is essential to remember that you should clean your face no more than two times a day. Routine cleansing will not clear up the spots already on your face but will prevent more growth because your face is always clean. Avoid aggressive scrubbing to prevent skin injury.

Use cleansers

When buying facial cleansers, check the label to ensure that the product contains sulphur, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or benzoyl peroxide.

• Benzoyl peroxide.This product is recommended for mild acne. Ask your doctor if you can use this. It destroys the acne-causing bacteria, but it will not stop sebum production. Use the product continuously for at least four weeks.
• Salicylic acid.For milder acne, salicylic acid unclogs pores to prevent the formation of lesions. However, you should use this continuously as it will not kill bacteria or affect sebum production.
• This is an ingredient in many OTC acne medications combined with other active ingredients. Although its effect is marginal, it can unclog pores and minimise bacterial growth.

Prescription treatments 

When you have moderate to severe acne, contact Anytime Doctor to have a GP or specialist dermatologist help you manage your skin problem. It may take several months to cure your acne. Thus, you need help from a professional to understand acne and its treatment. Moderate and severe acne needs prescription medication as the nonprescription treatment methods may have minimal effect on the condition.

The specialist dermatologist may recommend any or a combination of these treatments. It will depend on the condition of the skin problem.

• The doctor may recommend using oral or topical antibiotics. The product reduces inflammation and clears the skin of acne-causing bacteria. Products containing antibiotics are available in lotions, foams, pads, solutions, gels, and creams. Discuss the pros and cons of taking antibiotics orally or applying them topically with your doctor. You may need other products to use together with the antibiotics.
• Vitamin A derivatives or retinoids. Your doctor may recommend using retinoids. But make sure you discuss how to use it effectively, using it with other acne products, and its side effects. For example, topical retinoids can cause itchy, dry, and red skin. It can also make your skin sensitive to sunlight.

You cannot rush an acne treatment regimen. Be patient because you are only likely to see visible effects around the fourth week of the treatment. Make the acne treatment product more effective by following directions strictly. Also, you should apply the treatment product not only on the blemishes but also all over the acne-prone skin. Another thing you should do is to stop touching, popping, and picking acne to prevent it from getting worse.

Conclusion

Do remember that most acne therapies may have side effects. Therefore, ensure that you consult and receive treatments only from a licensed dermatologist. Moreover, you should learn everything about acne and its treatment from your doctor because the treatment period can take several months.