Acne is the most prevalent skin disorder that usually afflicts first
the adolescent population. With 70% of the adolescents affected with
this skin disease, it is considered one of the most menacing disease
especially during this transitional period of an adolescent's life
since, though it may not be that fatal, it could cause some serious
emotional trouble to a person ridiculed because of his or her not so
clear complexion.
The medical community to help resolve this skin dilemma presents
various acne medications and therapeutic methods. Formulation of
various medications and solutions are being studied cautiously to
finally come up with the most effective acne treatment. But the
question is, which among these medications is or are really effective
acne treatments?
Here's a rundown of the various acne treatments that claim to be
successful in dealing with the troubles of acne according to the type
or severity of acne:
Mild or juvenile acne. This type of acne, also known as teenage spots,
may be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) topical medicines available
in drugstores. They are considered to be easiest to treat. Some
prescription topical medicines are also effective acne treatments. They
include antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide, adapalene and tretinoin. These
acne treatments help stunt the growth of bacteria and reduce
inflammation. Depending on the skin type of the person, a doctor will
prescribe the appropriate effective acne treatment. For instance, if
one is with an oily skin, creams and lotions will not be advised since
they are oil-based medications. Gels and solutions will suit more the
oily skin since they are usually alcohol-based and tend to dry the
skin. These medications are often subject to testing first before one
could really consider them as effective acne treatments for their skin
problem. As a case-by-case basis, side effects from topical medicines
may surface. These side effects may include rashes, stinging, redness,
burning, scaling and discoloration.
Moderate to severe acne. Those with oily skin and used to have mild
acne (often in their late teens or early twenties) may worsen into a
moderate condition of acne. Moderate severity is often characterized
with the presence of more whiteheads and redness on the affected spots
due to the vessels rupture. Severe acne is when acne has already
reached the entire face, back and neck of the person. Usually severe
acne conditions translate to bigger spots. This kind of acne is often
treated with oral antibiotics. Oral means taking them by mouth. These
effective acne treatments work by curbing the reproduction of bacteria
and reducing inflammation. With dealing with moderate to severe acne
conditions, a combination of prescription topical medications and oral
acne medications may be combined. Some topical medications like sulphur
drug preparations are considered extremely effective acne treatments.
Sulphur has a peeling effect on the skin, thus loosens it and dislodges
the blackheads from the pores. Sulphur, as an effective acne treatment,
has no known major side effects. But still, it is always advised to
test any medication before applying or taking them. Samples of
effective acne treatments in the form of oral antibiotics are
tetracycline, minocycline, isotretinoin, doxicycline and erythromycin.
Most of these effective acne treatments taken orally are hazardous to a
pregnant woman's and her child's health. Only erythromycin is reported
to be safe to use for those who are either expecting a baby or
breastfeeding.
