Home Treatment of Acne

There are two aspects of the treatment, the first is the medical drug treatment and the second is the skincare suggested "by an experienced cosmetologist.

Medical Treatment:

Medical treatment is suggested only in cases of chronic or severe acne and should be taken from the dermatologist.

To outline the drug treatment, it aims chiefly to:

Cut down the bacteria in the hair follicles and on the skin surface.

Open the hair follicles by removal of the blackheads.

Cut down the acne inflammations.

The treatment is rendered by the drugs that can be applied on the acne spots (locally) and those which can be consumed orally.

Local Drug Treatments:

The local drug preparations are made of an active chemical compound (drug) and a vehicle or medium compound in which the drug is dissolved.

In recent years, Benzoyl Peroxide preparations available as gels and lotions have become very popular in the treatment of acne. Cream "Ultra Clearasil" is a very potent Benzoyl preparation. One of the main action points of Benzoyl Peroxide is to kill bacteria. It releases oxygen which helps in killing anaerobic bacteria.

Usually, one daily application is sufficient, but two may be recommended in case of stubborn acne. The acne condition improves in two to three weeks of continual application.

The Benzoyl Peroxide can have one side-effect-it can excessively dry up the skin. Some women can be allergic to Benzoyl Peroxide. Which is why this drug treatment needs a careful administration?

The sulphur drug preparations, available as creams, gels and lotions, are extremely effective in treating acne. Like Benzoyl Peroxide, sulphur is committed to killing bacteria. Sulphur is a disinfectant and used in skin treatments for eczema, etc.

In treating acne, sulphur drug preparations work in other ways too. It loosens and dislodges the blackheads from skin pores by causing the skin to peel.

The skin condition begins to improve within two to three weeks. There are no major side-effects. However, it is good to test whether the patient is allergic to sulphur or not.

The Eskamel cream available in the market is a very potent sulphur drug preparation for acne.

Tetracycline usually has no side-effects and hence is the safest drug. However, in some uncommon cases, it causes bilousness, indigestion, vaginal thrush or rash. A precaution: tetracyclines are not recommended during pregnancies.

Note: Keep out of the sun when taking tetracycline-it causes photosensitivity. The other antibiotics which are prescribed in place of tetracyclines are erythromycin and ampicillin. Another precaution: if you are allergic to penicillin, ampicillin should not be used at all.

Daily Skin Care:

Be most conscientious in following your daily skin care routine. There must be no skipping of any step until the condition is corrected.

In the Morning:

Wash your hands thoroughly, moisten your face with warm or running water, and wash with a medicated or antiseptic soap (don`t use a washcloth-it can shelter the very bacteria that must be stamped out). Choose a light liquid cleanser with ingredients that inhibit the growth of blemish-causing bacteria. Rinse thoroughly with clear running water. Pat dry with a clean soft towel.

Saturate a cotton pad with an astringent, medicated lotion and gently press over the entire face or rinse with cool water to which a few drops of Tr. Benzoin have been added. This will freshen, reduce excess oiliness and refine the texture of the skin.

Apply a medicated cream on all pimples. One that is greaseless and skin-tinted will not be obvious on the skin. This will work to dry and heal the pimples. Apply Calamine to which a drop of clove oil and mint oil has been added on all pimples.

Mid-day:

Repeat the morning treatment if possible. Otherwise "quickclean" with the astringent medicated lotion and reapply the medicated cream on blemishes.

Night:

Repeat the morning treatment. Sometimes there may be some dry areas such as on the throat, under the eyes, sides of the face. Use an appropriate moisturizing or lubricating preparation. Never apply an emollient cream to any blemished area.

Twice Weekly:

Deep-cleanse with a friction-wash to control blackheads and keep the pores free from clogging of excess oil. Wet the face with warm water. Pour about a teaspoonful of cleansing granules into the palm of one hand, add just enough water to work into a creamy foam. Apply to the face with finger tips, concentrate on blackheads and areas of excessive oiliness. Massage gently for a few seconds and rinse thoroughly. Oiliness and blackheads can pose a problem on shoulders and back too. Use the cleansing granules to friction-wash this area when you are in the shower and apply a healing medicated cream to any eruptions before dressing.