THE TREATMENT OF ACNE

When and how to treat acne ? 

The first important thing to remember is that if acne is left totally untreated it could have serious negative effects including: scarring, disfigurement and various negative psychological consequences. 

Teenagers often feel a diminished capacity to act when it comes to treating their acne. Therefore it is important that parents are proactive on their behalf. Teenagers are often so embarrassed about their acne that they go into deep denial about it or develop a kind of psychological paralysis that leaves them incapable of doing something about their problem. 

There are four factors to consider in deciding when and how to treat acne: 

1. The severity  of the acne should be considered – how long the pimples usually last and how painful they are.   
2. The  duration of the acne  is the next important consideration: the longer the acne has been present the more important it becomes to consult a professional.   
3. It is also important to consider which  previous treatments  have been used and whether they have been successful or not.   
4. Finally one should determine the  extent of scarring  that has already taken place. Remember if one gets only a single acne lesion per month that leaves a scar this could turn into 12 new scars each year! When permanent scarring is a possibility a dermatologist should be consulted as soon as possible.  

Picking at spots: a definite no-no! 

A factor that significantly increases the risk of scarring is picking at pimples. The reason people squeeze or pick at their spots is to reduce the appearance of pimples and to speed up their disappearance. However it has the opposite effect! Picking  leads to a longer duration of the pimple and a higher degree of infection and pain. 

Although most people tend to pick, some people pick pathologically and find it difficult to break this obsessive-compulsive cycle. Some patients even claim to feel “worms” or “mites” under their skin. Cutting the fingernails short and applying ice compresses to the site is recommended, but seeing a psychologist may also be necessary in such cases. 

The first step: creams, washes and ointments

Many people with mild acne obtain good results from over-the-counter acne treatments. However, when acne does not respond well many people tend to over-wash or scrub their skins in an effort to control it. Over-washing can result in a condition called Dermatitis  that mimics acne. The skin appears red and may even develop small cuts. A rash then develops that, combined with the acne lesions, leaves the sufferer looking far worse than before. It is recommended that one should only wash twice a day with a gentle cleanser followed by a good facial moisturizer. 

A wide variety of ointments and salves that control acne are available from most pharmacies, without a prescription. A common active ingredient found in most topical treatments is called Benzoyl Peroxide. It works in the following way: peroxide is absorbed into the pore, where it releases free radical oxygen that kills bacteria and opens up blockages in the pores. Another kind of treatment contains Alpha-hydroxyacids   which speeds up the shedding of dead cells. Finally, Retinoids like Retin A is also used extensively to help release acne impactions. 

It is important to realize that these kinds of treatments take four to six weeks to work and that such time must elapse before one can know whether this kind of treatment is going to work for you or not. 

The skin’s condition often initially seems to worsen as dried up pimples may leave red marks that can last for several weeks. These marks are remnants of previous acne and should not be confused with true acne. These areas are very sensitive and should be touched or picked at as little as possible to allow the skin to recover as quickly as possible. 

Can antibiotics help to clear acne? 

Oral antibiotics are usually prescribed for moderate to severe inflammatory acne and it is often combined with a topical treatment regime. It works by reducing the number of P. acnes bacteria and contains anti-inflammatory agents, which makes it especially useful for treating inflammatory acne. There are few risks and side effects associated with this kind of treatment.