No More Acne

The skin disorder known as acne has literally spread like wildfire. You cannot run into a group of people without noticing at least one or two pimples on someone’s face. As you might imagine, the market for acne products has also skyrocketed. Every acne product is marketed as the perfect cure, yet none of them seem to perform as promised. We often learn that the popular products are far too harsh for our skin. So instead of clearing our faces, they create more acne. Even those that are gentle don’t always work for everyone. Remember, our bodies each respond in a different fashion to treatments. It is a safe assumption that very few people get an acne-free complexion from using only OTC products. Hence, they schedule an appointment with a dermatologist.

A dermatologist can offer you medications that are far more potent than those available on the shelf at your pharmacy. New patients are always prescribed a variation of similar medications. Two topical creams or gels constitute part of the treatment, as do some oral antibiotics. Retin-A is a preferred medication for dealing with acne that new patients are often asked to experiment with. Retin-A is a topical retinoid, as are many other acne medications like Accutane. Retinoids are derived from Vitamin A, which has properties that are extremely beneficial for combating acne. This medication does not eliminate acne bacteria like most OTC products do. It instead tackles the initial cause of breakouts – an abnormal skin shedding cycle.

Tretinoin, as this mediation is also known, stops dead cells from obstructing pores by simply removing them. The other medications that are part of a prescription acne treatment include a cream or gel designed to kill acne bacteria (like benzoyl peroxide or erythromycin) and oral medications (like tetracycline) that work from the inside out to accomplish the same goal. Some patients go into this treatment assuming that it will be a short ride. This is usually not the case.

Retin-A will take over a month and half to gain traction. The first weeks can be extremely discouraging as new blemishes rise to the surface, making most people think that the product is a scam. You should be happy at the site of new zits in the beginning. This means that the medication is accomplishing what it was intended to do. Improvement will start to show after 2+ months.

If your past acne treatments have failed you and you want to find relief, this medication may be the answer. You will have to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist to see if this is the right option for you. Acne is an unpredictable disorder, and it is best treated quickly. Plan to visit a skin care professional as soon as possible.

More details about acne scar removal and acne makeup is on our website.