·           Kill bacteria

·           Reduce unnecessary oils

·           Unplug clogged pores

·           Reduce inflammation

Fighting acne and preventing its recurrence can be frustrating - it’s often necessary to experiment with a variety of treatments in order to find the most effective combination for you.

Blemish Fighting - No Prescription Required

In order to eradicate acne, you must cleanse, exfoliate and disinfect. The following methods represent a three-pronged plan of attack.

Cleanse : It’s a myth that acne prone types should use aggressive or harsh cleansers. Instead of killing bacteria, these cleansers will irritate your skin, disrupt the healing process, and cause even more breakouts. Soaps and bar cleansers also are a bad idea because they tend to be comodegenic.

Choose a gentle, soap-free water-soluble cleanser. If you remove your makeup with a washcloth, be sure to always use one that is fresh and clean.

Exfoliate : Use either a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) or alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) product for optimal exfoliation. Scrubs are also effective at removing dead skin cells; however, too much mechanical exfoliation can backfire and damage the skin. Overall, BHAs or AHAs are preferable for exfoliating the skin and discouraging acne formation.

Disinfect : Benzoyl peroxide (BP) is considered by many to be the most effective over-the-counter topical disinfectant. BP`s chief strength is its ability to penetrate the hair follicle and destroy the bacteria that causes acne. Other non-prescription disinfectants include alcohol and sulfur—these are usually much too drying for long-term use. If you prefer natural or chemical-free products, tea tree oil (antibacterial and antimicrobial) is a good choice.

Medical Options for Acne

For cystic acne, pustular acne, or recurrent blemishes resistant to over-the-counter treatments, visit a dermatologist. Doctors most commonly prescribe the following medical treatments:

Topical Antibiotics

Like Benzoyl Peroxide, topical antibiotics penetrate the hair follicle and kill the P. acnes bacteria. In addition to reducing infections, topical antibiotics help keep pores open. Topical antibiotics are usually prescribed for recurrent acne pustules and inflamed blemishes.

Formulations using Clindamycin or Erythromycin are the most commonly used topical antibiotics for acne. Metronidazole is an anti-fungal and antibiotic used to fight the acne associated with Rosacea.

Oral Antibiotics

Oral antibiotics are prescribed to treat extremely persistent and inflamed cystic acne. Antibiotics work by diminishing bacteria in the hair follicle; they also reduce the irritating chemical by-products of white blood cells.

The most commonly used oral antibiotics for acne are Tetracycline, Erythromycin, Minocycline and Doxycyline. Because antibiotics increase photosensitivity, it`s important to be extra vigilant about sunscreen.

Hormonal Therapy

Many women suffer from hormonal acne. When androgen and estrogen hormones are in balance, skin is clear and free of blemishes. However, because our hormonal balance is continually disrupted, we’re prone to breakouts—from a few zits to a full-on flare of blemishes. Birth control pills or Spironolactone can help control hormonal acne.

Spironolactone, an anti-androgen and diuretic, is an option for women who prefer not to use hormonal contraception.

Accutane for Acne

Accutane is a Vitamin A derivative in pill form that normalizes the dysfunction in the sebaceous gland. It’s usually reserved for the most severe forms of acne. Although Accutane is a “cure” for many, it has the potential for very serious side effects. For more information about Accutane, consult your dermatologist.

Fight Acne with Topical Retinoids

Retinoid creams and gels are derivatives of Vitamin A and are used to treat whiteheads and blackheads. Although highly effective, retinoids can cause skin irritation and sun sensitivity. In addition, Benzoyl Peroxide renders topical retinoids unstable. If you`re also using BP, apply it in the morning and use your retinoid at night.

Physical Procedures for Treating Acne

Besides treatment products or medications, procedures like facials, chemical peels and light therapy can help clear acne.

Facials: If you suffer from extremely inflamed, pustular or cystic acne, skip the spa and see a doctor. However, if you experience mild-to-moderate breakouts, a well-trained esthetician can do wonders for skin! The exfoliating and extractions performed in traditional facials clear the pores and diminish blemish-causing bacteria.

Chemical Peels: Light AHA or BHA chemical peels can loosen blackheads and decrease acne papules.

Surgical Extraction: Some large cysts must be surgically drained and extracted by a physician. Don’t play doctor and try and drain a cyst at home—it will result in scarred and possibly infected skin.

Blue-light Therapy:   Blue-light therapy works by killing acne-causing bacteria. It`s sometimes used to treat inflammatory acne that is resistant to other prescription treatments. The blue light is safe and doesn`t contain damaging UV light.

Related Articles
	Acne Camouflage Techniques and Tips ‘Tis the season for holiday parties and family gatherings – occasions for which women want to look and feel their best. But nothing can ruin a great holiday photo op like an unexpected blemish or blackhead that leaves you looking more Rudolph than sexy snow bunny. As so many women know ...Read more		Ways to Fight Acne It is a complex problem that is made more complicated by the varying severity of acne from person to person. The diversification of the acne problem (whether minimal or severe) is one of the reasons why acne treatments fill up pharmacy counters today. Although some work better than others   ...Read more