Acne Treatment for The Severe Cases

Under the best of circumstances, trying to find an acne treatment that works for you can be difficult. Most treatments for severe acne can be harsh on the skin, causing further irritation, but you can’t let your acne go untreated either, as that risks the possibility of acne scarring.

One of the older acne treatments for cases that are severe is the drug Accutane, or its generic alternatives, which is fundamentally a derivative of Vitamin A. Accutane is extremely effective for getting control of severe acne, and can sometimes virtually bring an end to acne breakouts. The downside of Accutane is it’s toxicity, which results in a long list of unwanted side effects.

Essentially Accutane causes your oil glands to shut down during the treatment period, which typically lasts four to five months. Because you are not secreting any oils, your skin becomes very dry, which many users report as feeling like a sunburn. Accutane users also report that nosebleeds are very common, as well as hair loss. It has also a tendency to make users feel very depressed. Although Accutane can get acne problems under control, the side effects make it an option that should be used sparingly.

Another treatment that is also highly effective is that of antibiotics. There are an assortment of antibiotics that are used, yet similar to Accutane, some varieties have side effects that are not wanted. One of the oldest forms of antibiotics, Minocycline also has a reputation as being one of the most toxic. Doctors still prescribe it since the body is slow to build up immunity, but they are increasingly using other, more gentle, antibiotics despite the tendency for users to build up immunity.

If you suffer from severe acne, you might opt for a more direct acne treatment. Intra-lesional corticosteroid injections made directly into the cystic nodule have proven to be most effective. The injections act quickly, helping to reduce the swelling much in the same way cortisone injections would for an injured knee or back, though they do create discoloration. Although the treatments work well, intra-lesional corticosteroid injections are only successful on existing cystic nodules.

Lasers have also become a popular acne treatment recently. Not only can lasers treat acne, they can also remove acne scarring. However, because these lasers are currently unregulated, anyone can purchase and legally use these lasers. The risk is that a person who is an inexperienced practitioner might overexpose a person to the laser, resulting in damage that is permanent. There are two types of lasers, ablative and non-ablative. Ablative lasers are the oldest and strongest variety, and they essentially vaporize the outer layer of skin, much like removing a tattoo. At the time when this outer layer of a persons skin grows back, acne scars as well as wrinkles are to a great degree reduced.

The extreme heat produced by ablative lasers cause your oil glands to shrink, which prevents breakouts. Because your skin is burned off, treatment from ablative lasers will make your face red and sore for several weeks. Non-ablative lasers are newer and gentler than older lasers. Non-ablative lasers also shrink the oil glands, but since they do not vaporize your skin, there is usually no soreness or visible side effects. Non-ablative lasers also promote collagen growth, so they also remove acne scarring. Because non-ablative lasers are less harsh, they will require more than one treatment session, while an ablative laser treatment consists of only one session.

Acne treatment methods have come a long way over the years. Modern technology offers several different ways to battle severe acne and sufferers enjoy a better quality of life. There are still many treatments, though, that require some consideration due to risks and side effects. Before you start on any acne treatment, it is best to talk to your dermatologist and have him tell you what the potential hazards of a treatment might be.

How important is a healthy diet to preventing acne?

It is no coincidence that people who eat healthy food tend to have skin that shines and glows. In contrast, think of someone you know who eats nothing but junk food. It is likely that they have some issues with acne. Experts agree that a good, healthy diet can go a long way towards either preventing acne or helping diminish it. The Chinese believe, and have been widely accepted in their belief, that acne is solely attributed to a poor diet. They claim that too much sugar or grease leads to the potential for acne. Thus, they discourage the consumption of excessive amounts of chocolate and fried foods. Fruits and vegetables are generally considered better for the skin and a deterrent to acne. Another factor known to eliminate acne is continual drinking of water. Drinking plenty of it is your best bet to avoid acne.     

What else can help prevent or treat acne?

People have tried nearly everything to reduce the effects of acne. Some methods have had more success than others. Because acne is the result of chemical reactions within the body, it is widely believed that keeping consistent levels of hormonal activity is a good way to avoid acne. Avoiding stress or extreme levels of sexual activity has been known to lessen the effects of acne, if not prevent it altogether.

Once acne occurs, exfoliation of the skin can reduce its effects. Several over-the-counter medications exist, but their value is continually in question. As with all medications, a doctor should always be consulted before trying something new to rid yourself of acne. Short bursts of cortisone sometimes help reduce the swelling that comes from acne, but they do nothing for the bacteria gathering beneath the surface of the skin. To date, there is no miracle cure for acne, but trying different combinations of solutions may help ease the problem.

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