Acne Treatments That Work
How many acne treatments will you have to try before you find one that works? We are bombarded by TV, magazine ads, and infomercials all proclaiming that they have the best acne treatments.
Do you have to spend hundreds of dollars on a line of acne care products to get good results? You can get good results with less expensive products in some cases. We’re not talking about prescription therapies. Many over the counter acne treatments contain pretty much the same ingredients.
The Active Substance In Most Acne Treatments
Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are present in most acne remedies. Acne is caused by excess oil production. The sebum clogs the pores resulting in inflammation, pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads, so cleansing is important. Many acne treatments contain a cleanser, a topical cream or gel, and sometimes a mask.
Most doctors will tell you not to scrub or use harsh cleansers because they will further irritate the skin. Benzoyl peroxide cleansers effectively clean the skin and creams containing salicylic acids help to gently remove the layers of dead skin cells that clog the pores.
Other acne treatments may combine these ingredients with some natural products like tea tree oil, green tea extract, or aloe Vera. There are acne treatments that have only natural ingredients.
A lot of these have proven to be less harsh and effective in treating acne. One thing to remember with natural products like tea tree oil is that some people are allergic to it. Plain old white toothpaste will dry up pimples and I’m sure there are a lot of other home remedies that people swear by. If you have a mild case of acne, it can’t hurt to try some of them.
The Latest In Acne Treatments
The latest thing in acne treatment is the use of lasers. Early results are promising and many dermatologists believe they will be the best treatment in a few years. The fast pulsed light of the laser kills acne causing bacteria with no pain and minimal down time.
Many patients report acne being cleared after 4-6 treatments. It is a bit expensive at $600-$1200 per session and is not usually covered by insurance at this time. The ClearLight system is a high intensity light similar to a laser that kills surface bacteria and heals blemishes. Eight treatments in a month will cost around $1200.
In severe cases of acne your best option is seeing a dermatologist. You may need prescription products and oral antibiotics to help clear up your acne and prevent scarring.
There are a number of antibiotics that are very effective used in conjunction with topical products. Your dermatologist can help you to choose the acne treatments that are best for you.
