subject: Acne Questions - Which Acne Cures Really Work? [print this page] Acne Questions - Which Acne Cures Really Work?
There are many acne cures out there. From natural cures to conventional over the counter anti bacterial washes and creams to hormone or steroid treatments. Even oral contraceptives have been known to work for women. Then there are newer light and laser treatments. While this means there's hope for an acne cure for everyone, it does make choosing the right one tricky.
If you're suffering from acne, you'll know that its tough to live with. It can be damaging to your self esteem, and make you embarrassed. It probably affects your social, work or school life. It's probably that finding an acne cure is a dearly held dream of yours, but choosing the right one, that will work for you, can be a process of trial and error. To make it a little easier, we've listed a few ideas that might help.
Get References
There's a reason why word of mouth advertising is so powerful! If someone you know has found an acne cure that works for them, it may just work for you too. Ask friends or family who have had acne at some time what acne cures worked for them, and which didn't. There are probably more people you know who have had acne than you think, and if they found a great acne cure, maybe it's the one you've been looking for!
Find Out More
Information is a powerful weapon in any battle, and finding an acne cure that works for you is no different. Try looking in a variety of places for acne cures. The local pharmacy is a good place to start - even some supermarkets sell over the counter acne medication! Your GP should be able to help too, as would the internet. If you're really serious about finding a cure for your acne, and can afford it, a visit to a dermatologist will probably be a great idea too!
Keep Your Options Open
Even if some acne cures that are recommended to you seem ridiculous, and they may even be, there are some that do work. Herbal remedies have been known to work, and changes to your diet, while unlikely to provide a cure, will certainly help your other treatments work. Anything you do try may not be the final acne cure you want, but could help your other treatments work faster, and better. Try not to dismiss all alternative acne cures as old wives - some of them really can help.
Don't Listen to Rumors
You've probably heard the stories that acne is caused by improper hygiene, or that eating too much chocolate is the reason that you've got spots. There are probably a few other rumors and myths out there that you have heard, but take care to always check them out! The two mentioned are untrue, and if you hear any other stories or crazy acne cures, why not run them by your doctor before you believe them? Wasting time on untruths will mean you'll have to live with your acne for longer.
Once you've sifted the acne cures that work from those that don't, remember to allow enough time for them to work. Like most things, they're not likely to give immediate results, so you will need to be patient. A few weeks would usually be enough t see an improvement, and if nothing's happened in that time, you could safely move on to something else.