Cindy Heller asked:


A dermatologist can help discuss the different acne treatments currently available including treating acne with laser acne treatment or other acne surgeries. According to some researchers, the primary causes of acne are hormones and genetics, but this cannot account for every case. Natural skin care for acne is usually overlooked as many people are focusing on alleviating the symptom instead of solving the root of the problem.

It must be stated at the beginning that an exact cause of acne is unknown. Despite the endless research that has been done to date, nothing has ever been isolated as a primary cause for the development of acne. Teenagers are the most common sufferers of acne, purely because of the hormonal shifts that are associated with puberty. According to some researchers, the primary causes are hormones and genetics, but this cannot account for every case.

There are many treatments out there for acne but they all target different skin types. It is important to understand your skin type before you start any treatment in order to achieve optimal results. Once you have determined your skin type you can start an acne treatment and skin care.

There are many types of over-the-counter acne medication. Retinoids are a form of acne medicine that is produced from vitamin A and can be applied directly to the skin typically in the form of lotions or creams. Topical retinoid acne medicines are useful for treating blackheads and whiteheads by helping to open clogged pores. Topical prescription acne medicine may include ingredients such as zinc or retinoids.

Benzoyl peroxide has been proven to be safe and effective in combating lesions. It can also be used as a means of acne prevention once a breakout has cleared up by keeping the skin free from acne causing bacteria. The only side effect associated with this ingredient is dry skin, and this can be avoided by the use of moisturizer. As you can see, acne medication usually has its own side effects. While solving one skin problem, it may result in another type of skin problem and the solution to your acne problem may be endless as a result. That is why natural acne is gaining popularity nowadays.

The best acne treatment is the most natural acne treatment simply because the ingredients used are friendly to your skin and your health in general. For centuries, civilizations relied exclusively upon herbal and natural remedies for the treatment of every ailment, including acne.

Some examples of natural acne treatment include:

Fenugreek leaves

This remedy provides great prevention of breakouts and involves taking the fenugreek leaves, crushing them, and making a paste out of them.

Honey Mask

Another natural acne treatment is the use of honey because honey has naturally occurring anti-bacterial qualities. It is often applied to the face as a mask, killing surface bacteria.

Burdock (Arctium lappa)

Used as a blood purifier when taken internally and as an antibacterial when applied topically.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Used as a liver purifier. The leaves may be applied topically in a poultice.

Chaste tree berry (Vitex agnus)

Indicated for acne associated with the menstrual period.

Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)

Used as a skin disinfectant. It penetrates the skin layer and kills the bacterials. You can purchase tea tree oil or tea tree cream easily from most pharmacies.

Alternate Hot/Cold Compresses

A chief natural / best acne treatment that is recommended more often than not is the usage of hot and cold wet towel compresses to reduce swelling and eliminate clogged pores–the major culprit in the production of acne.

Oils and Juices

Though it can seem odd, the benefits of using natural substances like almond oil - which can actually help with the removal of acne scars - cannot be ignored. It is one of the best acne treatments. Apricot juice helps to alleviate the presence of cysts by cutting through them.

Because there are such a variety of approaches, knowing what is available will reliance you in deciding what the best option for you. Considering the fact that a large number of acne treatments are available, it can be hard to choose which one to try. It is a good idea to consult with a physician before using any kind of natural acne treatment.

David

Juliet Cohen asked:


Acne affects millions of people every year. It does not just affect teenagers, as there are many adults who also suffer from the skin problem. Many of us are on a relentless search for the best acne treatment. There are so many different medications, creams, lotions, and cleansers on the market today that it can become a little bit confusing. Often people will buy so many different treatments and try them at once that they can actually counteract and make acne worse. When looking for the best acne treatment, it’s important to know about your skin first. The most common thing people use is benzoyl peroxide. This medication can be found in many over the counter acne treatment creams. Benzoyl peroxide is designed to help dry out the afflicted areas by killing the bacteria that causes acne in the first place. Many people often see results with benzoyl peroxide within a day or two. The key to using it is to be sure and apply it to the acne once the skin has been cleaned and dried. Overnight is often best. It is important to know that benzoyl peroxide can in some cases bleach fabric or even hair, so do a test on some material before applying it. Another treatment that has increased in popularity over the last few years is Salicylic Acid. Salicylic acid is also found in many over the counter applications, and is designed to help unclog the pores and break down both blackheads and whiteheads, resulting in clearer skin. Some treatments combine both benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid to help boost the clearing power of the medication, and perform two different tasks on the skin at once.

A little known fact is that people have been using sulfur on acne for thousands of years. Sulfur helps to peel and dry the skin, ridding it of the excess oil. It can be found in a variety of facial soaps, cleansers, and creams. It is important to note, however, that sulfur has a very unpleasant smell. In addition, it can sometimes irritate the skin and make it red and itchy. The sulfur may cause new cells that have been exposed to adhere to each other, causing more acne. If you choose a treatment containing sulfur, be sure it is a mild one that does not contain too much. Aside from the basic drugstore or over the counter acne treatments, there are also prescription options available that can be administered from your doctor or dermatologist. These include prescription creams and even pills. Which treatment you receive will be decided by your doctor. They often look at factors like age, and the severity of the acne before prescribing something. It can be a long and hard search to find the best acne treatment, but with some trial and error, you can usually find one that will work well with your skin and help give you back a clearer complexion and more confidence. Read up on the different treatments available and try one at a time until you find the perfect match for you.

Every acne treatment should deal with the cause of the problem rather than simply concealing blemishes. Some concealers contain active ingredients that are found in a standard acne treatment, but the concealer does not do the job of cleansing the area and ridding it of oil. A good wash may be the best acne treatment available, but if a pimple has already appeared, a good concealer can be a lifesaver for that date or the big event.

It is important to use a good acne treatment and not to squeeze pimples. One may be tempted to think that, since the pore is clogged with oil, one should squeeze the oil out, but this only aggravates the problem, and can cause scarring. Some people have the nervous habit of picking pimples, which should be avoided at all costs, since it can also cause scarring. One of the best acne treatments is washing one’s face properly. This does not involve intense scrubbing, which can aggravate the problem, but really cleansing the face with a good cleanser that flushes out oil. After the face is washed, you can treat the face with benzol peroxide or another acne treatment which will remove oil from the pores. Many people make the mistake of using rubbing alcohol, which is not an acne treatment, and can dry the pores excessively. The regimen can be completed with an oil-free moisturizer which will keep the skin soft without using substances that will clog the pores an make acne worse. If you wish to apply cover-up, do so after the moisturizer is applied, and make sure that your concealer does not contain oil.

For those with severe acne, it is possible to obtain special acne treatments with a prescription, but these should be purchased only if other avenues have been unsuccessful. Many people have found success with alternative acne treatments and remedies, such as tea tree oil, which works well with oily skin. Removing oil from the skin is the most important aspect of an acne treatment, and deep cleansing can ensure that the pores are not clogged.

Joy

Dave Poon asked:


Recent studies have estimated that over 20 million of teens and adults are affected by acne.
However, there are cases where people do not react well to many of today’s medications and skin treatment products. Although acne treatment products and solutions continue to advance, the emotional problems still remain as the major problem caused by acne.
One effective solution that can provide promising and immediate results to all of your acne problems could be laser acne treatment.
It can treat even the worst cases of pubescent and old acne problems.
The FDA approved the use and efficiency of the smooth beam laser in 2002. Since its introduction to the market, it is widely recognized as the most effective treatment for severe and recurrent cases of acne.
A topical anesthetic cream is first applied to patient that will undergo laser acne treatment.
Since acne prone portions of the skin are very sensitive, the first precautionary steps lessen most of the discomfort that you will feel during and right after the treatment procedure.
Then it is followed by applying a smooth low level laser acne beam on the portions of the face where severe acnes are found.
It actually heats the sebaceous glands or the oil producing glands that clog the pores which causes acne breakouts.
The heat effectively slows the glands form secreting excessive oil and eventually eliminating most of the cause of acne.
The laser also kills the bacteria and other components that cause acne. During the first sessions of the treatment, you will see improvements and good results already.
However, the treatment should be performed 3 to 4 sessions monthly to complete the treatment. You may experience a 95 percent reduction of the discolorations and pimples to your face.
You could experience mild side effects during the treatment process. The most painful could be the swelling of the treated portions.
Since the treatment procedure is smooth and fast, some patients may schedule for laser treatment procedures during their lunch break hours.
There is no recovery time period and you will experience minimal discomfort. Irritation and redness to the skin are the common side effects you will encounter.
What could be the downside on laser acne treatments? Most insurance programs do not yet cover policies to laser skin treatments.
However, if you are really affected by severe acne problems and the suffering you get from the emotional distress caused by acne, you know that the expensive cost for the treatment is worth it.
Laser acne treatments include laser skin resurfacing and pulse dye laser. In skin laser resurfacing, it uses a combination of laser carbon dioxide and Erbium YAG laser wherein the skin is treated by layers.
The uppermost portions of the scars are removed and the skin pores are tighten rejuvenating the skin completely.
The surgical treatment may last 2 to 3 months before undergoing laser resurfacing treatment. This will give time for the skin to heal completely and bring a clearer and flawless face.
Laser resurfacing is perfect for treating shallow scars and for smoothing and tightening of the clogged pores of the skin.

Denise