subject: Steps To Get Rid Of Acne [print this page] For many teens and young adults, acne is a fact of every day life. It can be difficult to get rid of acne, and even after it seems to be gone, some people still have outbreaks for years into their adult life. Acne can affect self-esteem and personal life.
In order to get rid of acne, you will need to stop using cosmetics which have an oil base. The oil in the cosmetics will clog pores and cause outbreaks of acne to be worse. In addition, you should avoid getting grease or oil of any type, including mechanical oils or greases and cooking greases. All of these can lead to clogged pores which can add to your acne problem.
In addition, you need to stop using any harsh soaps or facial cleansers. These soaps and cleansers are actually more harmful than helpful. They tend to strip the oils and moisture that are useful in healing from your face. Instead choose a gentle cleanser that removes excess oils, dirt or debris from your face. This dirt can clog pores and cause another breakout.
Avoid touching any outbreak of acne or your face if at all possible. Fingers are often loaded with foreign oils and bacteria. This can actually cause your problem to get worse rather than better. In addition, you can harm the sebaceous gland. This can eventually lead to pimple becoming infected.
A dermatologist approved acne lotion that contains sulfur, resorcinol or salicylic acid may be useful in breaking down the oils on the skin and killing bacteria which can cause the pimples on your skin. These creams may also help you to shed dead skin cells. Many of these lotions are available without prescription.
Yo0u may need to seek the help of a dermatologist to treat your acne. The doctor's first step is to prescribe an acne lotion. This lotion may contain one of the vitamin A derivatives such as Retin-A or Differin. These products cause the dead skin cells to slough off from the skin. When these treatments are combined with mild antibiotic topical treatment, they help to control all but the most severe cases of acne.
A few years ago, you might have also been prescribed an antibiotic treatment. The antibiotic was useful in killing off the bacteria that caused pimples to form. Today, many doctors avoid routine prescription of antibiotics and are switching to the use of Accutane. Accutane is an effective treatment; however, it causes some serious side effects that include rectal bleeding, depression and a lowered blood count.
One final alternative that is sometimes used in women is the prescription of an oral contraceptive. Birth control pills cause differences in the hormones so there will also be side effects to this treatment. You need to consider these side effects before choosing this as an option.
Persons that have scarring the is the result of previous acne outbreaks may want to consult with a plastic surgeon. Usually, plastic surgery is considered a last option.
