SKINIPEDIA - Skin Encyclopedia: Understanding all About Acne

Over-the-Counter Acne Remedies

There are many types of over-the-counter treatments for acne. When dealing with acne, most people run to the local pharmacy and buy some sort of over-the-counter medication on the basis of recommendations from their friends or perhaps even television ads. Yet despite friendly suggestions, it is a good idea to consult with a physician before using any
kind of over-the-counter medication. Even though acne is generally a benign condition, a doctor or dermatologist can advise you on what the best course of treatment might be as well as provide further suggestions based on the particular kind of acne you may be suffering from.

Considering the fact that a large number of acne treatment products are available, it can be hard to choose which one to try. You should not rely strictly upon the advice of friends or family because what may work for one person may not work for another. Further, you should have some background knowledge about the active ingredients in various acne
medications, so you can make a better-informed choice.

One of the most popular ingredients in acne medications is benzoyl peroxide. Found in gels and ointments, it helps by combating the bacteria that generally help cause acne. It is also useful for removing dead skin cells that accumulate on the surface of the skin. It is these dead skin cells which combine with sebum to create blackheads and whiteheads.

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 decreasing the frequency that it is applied
on the skin. Another ingredient commonly found in a majority of acne medications is salicylic acid. This prevents acne by clearing up dead skin cells that are accumulating too quickly and clogging the pores. If the medication you are using contains salicylic acid you should continue to use it after the skin has cleared up to prevent future outbreaks of acne. The
only side effects associated with salicylic acid are dry, irritated skin.


Other ingredients

Besides the more common ones, there are other ingredients you may see in acne medication such as resorcinol and sulphur. Resorcinol causes the top layer of skin to peel and the dead skin cells that clog the pores are similarly affected. It is often combined with sulphur. Although it is not known how exactly sulphur affects acne conditions, it has continued to be used effectively even after more than 50 years. (Sulphur is often combined with other ingredients besides resorcinol like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide.) Of all the ingredients that have been listed which are effective in fighting acne or preventing its outbreak, benzoyl peroxide is probably the most versatile.

It can be used in cleansing liquids or bars, as well as lotion, cream, and gels which are applied directly on the skin. The cleansing products are used once or twice a day, while the creams and lotions can be used as needed. They should be applied on the skin around the acne as well as the pimples themselves for overall effectiveness. Also, you should try to avoid getting benzoyl peroxide in the eyes, mouth or nose, as it will cause irritation or inflammation.

Turning to Prescriptions

Generally, mild and moderate forms of acne can be treated with over-the-counter medications, but with severe cases the only recourse is to seek treatment from a dermatologist. In many cases, the doctor will recommend a prescription medicine to deal with the condition. It also should be noted that these kinds of medication can be more effective even when dealing with moderate acne than what is typically available over-thecounter. There are two types of prescription acne medications - oral and topical.

Antibiotics
Commonly used to fight acne, antibiotics can be taken orally or as a lotion. Topical prescription medications may include ingredients such as zinc or retinoids. The most common antibiotic used for treating acne is tetracycline. It is used to kill the bacteria responsible for acne and also reduces inflammation. Treatment may take several weeks or even months to be effective and it is important to continue using antibiotics even after the acne has cleared up. A common side effect associated with tetracycline is increased sensitivity to sun light resulting in bad sunburns if the patient stays in the sun too long. Further side effects may include dizziness, hives, and upset stomach. Women who are taking tetracycline may be susceptible to an increase in incidences of vaginal yeast.

Ointments and topical solutions
Antibiotic ointments actually have fewer complications than oral antibiotics. Like oral antibiotics, topical treatments are rather effective in killing bacteria that cause acne. If you use these ointments with other topical treatments like benzoyl peroxide the bacteria may not develop resistance to the antibiotics. This increases the level of prevention that you will
experience.

Retinoids
Retinoids are a form of acne medication that is derived from vitamin A and can be applied directly to the skin typically in the form of lotions or creams. Topical retinoid medications are useful for treating blackheads and whiteheads by helping to open clogged pores. Oral retinoids are used to treat the more severe forms of acne, because they have a better chance of dealing breakouts and lesions which don't respond to other treatments. Oral retinoids cause the upper layer of the skin to peel thereby opening pores. They also cause the body to produce less sebum – the substance which causes oily skin.

As with many other types of prescription strength medication, a number of serious side effects are associated with oral retinoids. They can also cause liver damage and depression, so regular medical attention is needed to make sure the patient is not being adversely affected by retinoid treatment. It is not unheard of for this kind of medication to cause birth defects if mothers are taking them when pregnant, so females should consult their doctor if pregnant, or suspect pregnancy

Understanding Acne, Prescription Acne Remedies, Part 10 is HERE

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