Anyone who suffers from acne knows that it's difficult to deal with. Many things can make acne worse, like certain foods, stress and even facial cleansers, but it can be hard to find the things that will make it better. Much of the focus is on trying cleansers and treatments and discovering if they work.
Luckily, there are treatments that have been proven effective; once you know what kind of acne you're dealing with, you can easily and effectively treat it properly.
Mild acne is generally defined as a cluster of whiteheads of blackheads and simple pimples. Treating mild acne is fairly easy and shouldn't be overdone. Many people make the mistake of over treating mild acne, which can only serve to make the problem worse. The best treatment for those with mild acne is to wash the face with a mild soap and to follow with a benzoyl peroxide treatment. This is often followed by the application of a product with salicylic acid. If these simple treatments don't work, a doctor will usually prescribe lotions that have a bit more intensity.
Moderate or severe acne is usually defined as nodules or cysts that can be painful or very large. If left untreated (or if over treated) this kind of acne can leave scars. If you have moderate to severe acne, the treatment gets more intense. If you go to the doctor with acne that's severe at the time, he or she might prescribe oral antibiotics to kick start the healing process.
Treatment for moderate acne is usually a combination of treatments and products. A doctor will usually customize a treatment regimen based on the patient's overall problems.
Some treatments that might be prescribed for moderate or severe acne include prescription gels, creams and lotions which contain antibiotics, and prescription retinoids that are applied via a lotion. Some other treatments include taking oral retinoids, the most common of which is Accutane. Sometimes a doctor will treat severe acne by draining cysts and pimples, or having the patient apply azelaic acid.
It's important to know that some treatments might take several weeks (from six to eight) to work and some might even make the acne worse before it gets better. Other treatments might include a change in diet (though, contrary to popular belief, chocolate and greasy foods do not cause acne), a change in hair products or skin products and even an avoidance of the sun, which is often found to help reduce the severity of acne.
Acne can be uncomfortable and embarrassing to live with, but it's not incurable. There are many things people can do to make acne less of a lifestyle problem and more of a simple nuisance that requires regular care and attention.
Luckily, there are treatments that have been proven effective; once you know what kind of acne you're dealing with, you can easily and effectively treat it properly.
Mild acne is generally defined as a cluster of whiteheads of blackheads and simple pimples. Treating mild acne is fairly easy and shouldn't be overdone. Many people make the mistake of over treating mild acne, which can only serve to make the problem worse. The best treatment for those with mild acne is to wash the face with a mild soap and to follow with a benzoyl peroxide treatment. This is often followed by the application of a product with salicylic acid. If these simple treatments don't work, a doctor will usually prescribe lotions that have a bit more intensity.
Moderate or severe acne is usually defined as nodules or cysts that can be painful or very large. If left untreated (or if over treated) this kind of acne can leave scars. If you have moderate to severe acne, the treatment gets more intense. If you go to the doctor with acne that's severe at the time, he or she might prescribe oral antibiotics to kick start the healing process.
Treatment for moderate acne is usually a combination of treatments and products. A doctor will usually customize a treatment regimen based on the patient's overall problems.
Some treatments that might be prescribed for moderate or severe acne include prescription gels, creams and lotions which contain antibiotics, and prescription retinoids that are applied via a lotion. Some other treatments include taking oral retinoids, the most common of which is Accutane. Sometimes a doctor will treat severe acne by draining cysts and pimples, or having the patient apply azelaic acid.
It's important to know that some treatments might take several weeks (from six to eight) to work and some might even make the acne worse before it gets better. Other treatments might include a change in diet (though, contrary to popular belief, chocolate and greasy foods do not cause acne), a change in hair products or skin products and even an avoidance of the sun, which is often found to help reduce the severity of acne.
Acne can be uncomfortable and embarrassing to live with, but it's not incurable. There are many things people can do to make acne less of a lifestyle problem and more of a simple nuisance that requires regular care and attention.
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Tired of that problem acne? Tired of people staring at your skin? Find out what the best treatment for acne is right now.