Acne therapy is of different types; some methods use invasive techniques, while others use non-invasive techniques. Here we are going to discuss with non-invasive techniques.

Acne Causes

However, before we talk about this treatment, it is important to understand what causes acne. Acne occurs due to excessive secretion of sebum from the sebaceous glands. These glands are situated below the skin surface and produce a natural oil, sebum. Sebum is discharged through the pores of the skin. When these pores are not cleaned and exfoliated, they get clogged with dust and sebum. The clogged pores are prone to bacterial infestation and develop into whiteheads and blackheads. These further aggravate and the whiteheads develop into pimples. Pimples can increase in number due to infection, so never prick them. Use topical acne creams available over the counter or consult a dermatologist if the condition is severe. Different types of pimples would require different treatment methods. For instance, pimple boils can be treated with a topical acne cream, but acne vulgaris or cystic acne would require medical attention and an advanced treatment.

Acne Therapy

There are many treatment for acne to cure this condition, but the most important part is its prevention. It is better to prevent the development of pimples than to cure them. To prevent this skin condition, it is important to keep the pores clean and unclogged. Washing your face regularly with a soap-free face wash is a good way of maintaining skin hygiene. Use a mild pH-balanced face wash to cleanse the skin. Exfoliation is also known to be effective, as it removes the dead skin cells from the surface and clears the pores of dirt and grime. An exfoliating scrub can be used once in a week to unclog the pores from all impurities. Apart from this basic home care, you can choose specialized treatments like light therapy. We shall discuss about the acne blue light therapy.

Typically, this light treatment kills the bacteria present in the sebaceous glands. It does not harm any tissues around the glands and works only on the targeted area. These light rays do not emit harmful ultraviolet rays (UV rays) and are safe for use. This is not a one-time treatment; you would require few sittings to cure acne. Ideally, six to eight sittings should be good enough to cure the skin condition. It can be combined with topical cream application for better results. This treatment method is very gentle on your skin; it does not have any side effects or after-effects. However, it is relatively new and its long-term benefits are not known.

Non-invasive acne therapy is better than an invasive technique, as it does not harm the other delicate tissues around the acne. Moreover, it is a painless method and offers quick results.

Acne is commonly thought to be part of teenage angst, something that comes with the territory. But there’s more to this skin condition than meets the eye. It’s an everyday skin condition that the medical fraternity hasn’t abolished yet. Acne is an umbrella term for several acne types. The most well-known term is of course acne vulgaris. It usually occurs at the onset of puberty and dies out in the late-teens to middle & late twenties. Rarely, these ugly pimples or pustules come on during adulthood or continue on through a person’s adult life. At times, they come on during menopause, though this is extremely rare.

The safest way to deal with severe acne is to approach a certified dermatologist. He/She will tell you what to do, whether the acne needs to treat medically, and determines whether these are allergic reactions.

Acne Types

There are several kinds of pimples or skin breakouts ranging from mild to severe. Acne Rosacea is often confused for acne vulgaris. Rosacea is characterized by rashes with pimples. These commonly occur on the chin, cheeks, nose & forehead. It is usually seen in adults. Mostly categories of pimples are confined to the face & neck, causing acute embarrassment to individuals. Other severe forms spread over the entire body causing pain & lead to disfigurement & scarring.

Treatments Of Acne

Over the counter acne treatments that contain Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid usually help. Pimples are caused due to secretion of oil that clogs the hair follicles. OTC gels, lotions and soaps usually clear them up. These products may cause the skin to itch and rashes in some people. In some others, they may not be effective at all. Consult a dermatologist immediately.

Dermatologists usually prescribe isotretinoin and/or oral steroids to combat the more severe forms of pimples. Ask your dermatologist about precautions like going out in the sun even for a little while. As some anti-pimples medications contain retinoids, using a strong sunscreen is compulsory. Pregnant women should rather consult their obstetrician as pregnancy hormones at times cause pimples.

Severe cases of skin blemishes and pimples are treated with a combination of antibiotics such as minocycline, doxycycline and tetracycline. These can be either taken orally or applied on the affected areas.

Scarring

Severe cases of pimples may leave pit like scars. Discolouration of the skin can also occur once the pustules clear up. Discolouration usually clears in a couple of years. Never try to break or scrub vigorously in the assumption that cleaning the skin will clear pimples. Hygiene for broken skin is a must. Frequent washing of facial skin to remove excess sebaceous oils is recommended and must be done gently. If a pimple breaks accidentally, cleanse the area with water & consult your dermatologist at once.

Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion are the common medical procedures to decrease scarring, though they are more effective with raised scarring. Laser therapy is known to reduce scarring. This procedure is also used to reduce breakouts or stop them altogether, though questions remain about safety.