Acne Treatment Medication Basics
With all the modern medical advances, it is hard for the average person to keep up with the latest medicines and acne treatments available. Acne is a health problem affecting millions of people, especially teenagers, yet very few medicines are actually proven to “cure” acne.
If you are someone who suffers from acne, it is a good idea to understand what acne is and how you can fight it. Visit your doctor or a dermatologist about your specific acne condition. It might be possible to use over-the-counter remedies, otherwise they may prescribe you a stronger medicine.
Many over the counter medicines available now consist of many products put together in a system. These usually consist of a face wash, toner/efolliator, and loation to moisturize your dry skin. The combination of multiple products can sometimes have dramatic results. Due to the nature of acne, it can be nearly impossible to ‘cure’ until teenage hormones calm down in some cases.
As stated previously a good system starts with a great cleansing face wash. These usually contain a bacteria fighting agent designed to attack bacteria on the surface and deep inside the pores. Some also contain granules used to exfoliate dead skin cells and other impurities.
The most common active ingredients are benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. Benzoyl peroxide is used as an antiseptic to remove surface bacteria and skin yeasts. Salicylic acid helps slow down shedding skin cells inside the follicle, reducing clogging. It also breaks down blackheads and white heads. Both benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are helpful medications.
The purpose of the toner cream is to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores to remove excess oil. This toner cream step is an essential to acne control. Clogged pores cause acne breakouts. Stop pores from clogging and you can reduce a major cause of acne. Again, depending on the manufacturer, benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid or another medication for acne may be included in this step.
The final step is applying a moisturizing lotion. It is important to use an oil-free moisturizing lotion. Otherwise you risk just adding more oil to your face. The goal of a moisturizing lotion is to keep your skin from drying out. Dry skin can get irritated and could contribute to other skin problems. Some lotions may contain benzoyl peroxide to heal inflammation, which helps prevent future breakouts.
Fighting acne is never easy, but the more you know, the more you can fight acne. Every step is important and the combination is much more than just the sum of the parts. You can help keep yourself acne free. As always consult a doctor before using any medications.