First let me apologize for my weeklong absence. I have been laid up in bed with the flu (no, not the swine flu 
) and hardly felt up to getting online at all. But, I am now well, and back with a vengeance 
And the best acne treatment is…
Well, it depends. Sorry for the avoidance, but everyone is different. It breaks down to what kind of acne you are suffering with, why you are prone to those pimples in the first place, and your bodies reaction to the treatments that are available today.
As I have said before, the whole purpose of this blog is to give my readers as much information as I can to help them determine which methods work for them. Understanding the causes and treatments will give you the weapons to fight your own skin problems. With that, lets go into three treatments that have proven popular and have worked for many acne sufferers in the past.
Non-prescription Acne Treatment
Proactiv® Solution! was developed by two dermatologists, Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields.
Proactive® is a three step treatment. First you apply a cleanser. This cleanser contains tiny beads to exfoliate your skin (remove the dead skin) and prescription grade benzoyl peroxide for deep cleaning. Next, a revitalizing toner is used to remove any plugs from the pores and remove much of the excess oil. Finally, a repairing lotion (also using prescription grade benzoyl peroxide) is used to help heal blemishes and prevent new ones from occurring.
This system will not work for everyone, but it is the most popular system in use. Some people may experience minor irritation (usually due to the benzoyl peroxide). Some users may see their acne condition worsen at first, then improve after about the first week.
Prescription Acne Treatment
Accutane is the trade name for Isotretinoin. This prescription is taken internally, and has the advantage that it is only taken for about four months, while other products, which typically fight the bacteria from the outside, have to be used continuously. Accutane is normally used on moderate to severe acne, but can also be used for mild acne if none of the other treatments has worked.
Accutane cures approximately half of the people who take it (that is they never need to do anything else for acne). However, early in the treatment, about one in five users condition gets a little worse, and about one in 500 users acne gets much worse. The rest either get much better, or get better for a while. Accutane is usually taken for 4 to 6 months, but some people need longer, and some must be retreated for an additional 4 to 6 months.
If you decide to go this route, here are a few precautions:
- Do not take a Vitamin A supplement while taking Accutane. Accutane is derived from Vitamin A, so taking a supplement will result in too much Vitamin A in the body.
- Do not use if pregnant. Accutane (as well as Vitamin A taken excessively) has led to birth defects.
- Have your blood tested regularly, as recommended by your doctor. Accutane has elevated the blood fat levels and has been known to affect the liver.
- If thoughts of suicide, or depression is experienced. Immediately stop taking Accutane.
Since Accutane is Vitamin A based, the body has no problem getting rid of it. After stopping usage, it will be gone from the blood in about nine days.
So there are two of the more popular and successful acne treatments. One of them just might be the answer to your own skin problem. Later I will go through some other affective treatments in more detail. Until then.
8 Comments
Another great post, thanks for sharing
Alex´s last blog ..Do You Comment Enough To Be Authority?
Thanks for including the side effects. I had a friend who actually did commit suicide because her doctor did not treat her right. You have to be up front and honest with your doctor about all medications, and when you do not feel like yourself or you see friends who are not acting like their normal self be sure to find a way to question them and see that they get to a doctor.
Maybe I am over reacting, but life is too precious to take chances with adverse prescription drug side effects.
Rocque´s last blog ..Need Inspiration? Look Online!
Thanks for the post. Now I can tell my girlfriend about this treatment..-:)
Do you recommend treatments do you recommend a person with acne to try first?
Mike Humann´s last blog ..3 Things to do During the Summer to Improve you College Financing
I see so many ads for skin care, and things that say they are all natural. However the definition of all natural skin care products does not mean that they put some fruits and veggies in a blender then add it to a jar.
In the skin care industry there are really no secrets, however science it getting better and better at testing at molecular levels and finding out what natural products have what our skin needs to nourish and protect it. Yay Micro Biologists!
Rocque´s last blog ..Daily Encouragement Quotes Starting
My daughter tried Accutane and it worked for her. It was a little scary because of the potential side effects and the need for regular blood tests but in the long run it was worth it.
Luca´s last blog ..How To Use PLR Content in Your Newsletters and Ezines
Is there really a ‘best acne treatment’? I believe that each individual will react differently to the variety of treatment types around. So perhaps there is not a best acne treatment for all, but rather it is more about the complex task of each individual finding the best acne treatment for them…??
Fiona´s last blog ..Internet Marketing for Newbies – Time Saving Tip for Firefox
Exactly, Fiona. That is the purpose for this blog. I intend on giving out information about all the different types of treatments available, hopefully with some statistics on how they work, and let the readers decide which is the right treatment for them.