Natural Acne Solutions
There are plenty of solutions sold for the treatment of acne, most of them without any scientifically-proven effects. However, a combination of treatments can strongly reduce the severity and amount of acne in many cases.
It is highly advisable to ask a specialist about the interactions between these products for any individual case, specially when considering using any of them in combination. There are a number of treatments that have been proven efficient.
Destroying the bacteria that are gathered in the blocked follicles. This is performed either by the intake of antibiotics or by treating the afflicted patches externally with bactericidal substances like benzoyl peroxide or erythromycin. However, destroying the P. acnes bacteria will not, in itself, do anything to reduce the oil secretion and aberrant cell behaviour that is the first cause of the blocked follicles. Benzoyl Peroxide has the characteristic of being a strong oxidiser and does not seem to generate microbial resistance. Acne will generally reappear quite soon after the treatment has ended; days later in the case of topical administrations, and weeks later in the case of oral antibiotics.
Minimizing the secretion of oil from the glands. This is achieved by a daily oral dose of vitamin A derivatives like isotretinoin (sold as Accutane) over a period of a few months. Isotretinoin has been demonstrated to be highly efficient in alleviating severe acne and is efficient in well over 80% of patients. The drug has a much longer effect than anti-microbial therapies and will often cure acne for good. The treatment requires close medical supervision by a specialist because this drug has several known side effects, some of which can be severe. The most common unwanted effects are dry skin and nosebleed. The drug also produces birth defects if women become pregnant while taking it or take it while pregnant. For this reason, female patients are asked to vow abstinence or use two separate forms of birth control while taking this drug. Because of this, isotretinoin is supposed to be given as a last option after regular treatments have failed.
Exfoliating your skin. This can be performed either mechanically, using a liquid scrub or an abrasive cloth, or chemically. Common chemical exfoliating agents include glycolic acid and salicylic acid, which promote the peeling of the top layer of skin to avoid an accumulation of devitalized skin cells which mix with dermal oil to block pores. It also helps to clear already clogged pores.
Note that the term “peeling” is not used in the visible sense of shedding, but rather as the elimination of the top layer of dermal cells at the microscopic level. According to the type of exfoliation used, some visible flaking is possible. If you want to give them a try, moisturizers and natural acne skin care solutions including exfoliating agents are commonly available over-the-counter.
A new acne skin care product offers the chance to eliminate scars, blemishes and other skin imperfections, while at the same time shields you skin and keeps its hydration.
- Patricia Bascunan
