Anyone who has suffered from acne knows about searching for just the right acne skin treatment. There are a number of approaches to take, from home treatments to multi-part systems off the shelf to prescription treatments.
Every effective acne skin treatment will address one or more of the causes of acne. Drying up excess oils helps eliminate the environment that bacteria like. Destroying the acne-causing bacteria reduces inflammation. And removing dead skin cells helps keep pores open to reduce swelling of pustules.
Your first line of attack on acne should be gentle cleansing with a mild soap and thorough rinsing. Don't use rough washcloths or scrubs; your fingers will massage the dirt off well enough.
Next, try treating your acne skin with products from the kitchen. Astringent foods like tea, tumeric, and mint juice help remove excess oil. Anti-bacterials like honey and garlic, and antiseptics like lemon juice, vinegar, and tomato kill bacteria. And oatmeal is a gentle abrasive that helps remove dead skin cells.
If home acne skin treatments don't work, you can try over-the-counter products. Separate products are available to address each factor in acne. It is best, though, to use a treatment system -- a group of products from the same manufacturer and developed to work together for the best results. Buying them all together helps you save money, too.
If acne still causes problems for you after trying home treatments and over-the-counter products, it's time to consult a dermatologist. He or she can prescribe stronger acne skin treatments to address your specific case. These prescriptions may be topical lotions to apply to the skin or a pill you swallow. Either form may cause side effects, so be sure to discuss these carefully with the doctor.
Your dermatologist may also suggest light therapy for your acne. Various forms of light and laser therapies reduce oil production and kill bacteria. Side effects are usually limited to redness and slight pain. These acne light therapies are still relatively new, however, so long-term effects are not known.
Gone are the days when the only recourse for acne sufferers was to wait it out. No longer do you have to just wait to "outgrow" it. Now you can take control. With the myriad acne skin treatments available, you're sure to find a course of action to clear your skin.
Every effective acne skin treatment will address one or more of the causes of acne. Drying up excess oils helps eliminate the environment that bacteria like. Destroying the acne-causing bacteria reduces inflammation. And removing dead skin cells helps keep pores open to reduce swelling of pustules.
Your first line of attack on acne should be gentle cleansing with a mild soap and thorough rinsing. Don't use rough washcloths or scrubs; your fingers will massage the dirt off well enough.
Next, try treating your acne skin with products from the kitchen. Astringent foods like tea, tumeric, and mint juice help remove excess oil. Anti-bacterials like honey and garlic, and antiseptics like lemon juice, vinegar, and tomato kill bacteria. And oatmeal is a gentle abrasive that helps remove dead skin cells.
If home acne skin treatments don't work, you can try over-the-counter products. Separate products are available to address each factor in acne. It is best, though, to use a treatment system -- a group of products from the same manufacturer and developed to work together for the best results. Buying them all together helps you save money, too.
If acne still causes problems for you after trying home treatments and over-the-counter products, it's time to consult a dermatologist. He or she can prescribe stronger acne skin treatments to address your specific case. These prescriptions may be topical lotions to apply to the skin or a pill you swallow. Either form may cause side effects, so be sure to discuss these carefully with the doctor.
Your dermatologist may also suggest light therapy for your acne. Various forms of light and laser therapies reduce oil production and kill bacteria. Side effects are usually limited to redness and slight pain. These acne light therapies are still relatively new, however, so long-term effects are not known.
Gone are the days when the only recourse for acne sufferers was to wait it out. No longer do you have to just wait to "outgrow" it. Now you can take control. With the myriad acne skin treatments available, you're sure to find a course of action to clear your skin.
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