subject: How To Treat Acne: Start At The Source [print this page] The general aim of most acne treatments is to purge the skin of extra skin, bacteria, oil and other irritating factors. However, the removal of these contributing factors to acne can prove to be a challenge and in themselves often cause acne flare ups.
Basic Acne Treatments
Benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid are most commonly used as a first step in acne treatment to remove keratin, sebum, irritants and bacteria. Most treatments significantly dry and irritate the skin, further aggravating acne. The free radicals that are released by benzoyl peroxide actually directly harm the skin.
Next: Antiobiotics. These are equally available as a topical cream or in pill form. Some might try accutane, an isotretinoin, for severe acne. This acne medication is typically used last and only if the preceding treatments have failed. Isotretinoins work on inhibiting sebum production. Unfortunately, they also come with a long list of, often very severe, side effects.
While undergoing lessons on how to treat acne you would learn how to properly clean the skin and rid it of excess oil, bacteria and dead skin cells, however, a successful acne treatment will include a few more tricks. The basic treatments don't help you stimulate the fast recovery and renewal of skin cells. Therefore, for complete treatment of acne, one should find an acne solution that both rids the skin of factors that induce acne, while simultaneously stimulating the skin to rejuvenate itself.
Acne Vulgaris Cosmetic Treatments
Acne laser treatment, chemical peels, dermabrasion and microdermabrasion get the skin to reproduce healthy skin at a faster rate. The basic idea is that by removing a layer of skin you prompt the body, as part of its natural recovery process, to create a new, healthy layer of skin to replace that which was lost. The skin from lower skin layers divides, forming a new layer.
A newer bacteria killing method involves the use of light. Prior, UV light was used until it was discovered to alter cell DNA. Blue light acne treatment uses a special blue light that, in the process of disinfecting the skin, does not damage the skin. It can be quite costly and requires more than one treatment.
Supporting the Skin and Immune System
A complete and balanced diet plays a vital role in this process. The skin is the largest organ of the body and needs antioxidants and vitamins to be well-maintained. Most people don't get their daily requirement due to not consuming the 3-5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
A diet rich in vitamin A and vitamin B complex is essential for keeping acne free skin. Vitamin A reduces the creation of sebum, fortifies the protective tissue and also acts as an antioxidant. It is involved in the maintenance and repair of skin tissue. There are many vitamin Bs, therefore, it is called vitamin B complex. Together, these vitamins revitalize skin and alleviate stress (that itself is a cause of acne). Some of their roles include ridding the body of toxins, enhancing blood circulation and maintaining the proper function of adrenal glands and the immune system.
It is essential to have a healthy immune system. Acne as you see it is really just the body's reaction to foreign bodies and cell damage. There are some topical systems that help support the immune system, right at the site. Natural products with antimicrobial properties can help your immune system in its work of removing antigens, without the severe drying or other negative side effects of traditional methods. You can further support the immune system with natural products that help send signals to your body that amplify the amount of natural antimicrobial peptides released by the skin.
Side effects of your immune system in action include swelling and redness that is difficult to hide. There are prescription treatments for minimizing inflammation, however, they are unnatural and often suppress the immune system. Use an acne treatment that will alleviate inflammation naturally and curb excessive inflammatory reactions, without draining your body's germ fighting capabilities.
