Copyright 2005 George ForganSmith

Acne is, perhaps, the single treated skin disorder and has been
addressed in a wide variety of ways. Often the wisest step is to
develop a program in consultation with a dermatologist or
medical practitioner. Even with help, there may be a
trial-and-error process in finding the right solution. There are
also some solutions advised by alternative medicine
practitioners of various sorts and we will also touch on them.

Some mild washing of the face may be useful. But vigorous and
frequent washing is discouraged by dermatologists. Topical
creams may be helpful but overuse can lead to side effects and
problems. One popular home treatment is salicylic acid, found in
face washes and medicated facial pads. It curtails the hair
follicles from shedding excess skin, which leads to the clogging
of pores. Another home treatment is benzoyl peroxide, found in
certain soap and face wash products, but also in topical creams.
It can produce excessive drying and redness- so it is often
recommended that one begin by trying it once a day and, then, if
that works, try it twice. Results should be apparent after a few
weeks.

In the world of orthodox medicine, there are various types of
prescription medications and face washes. If you go to your
local drugstore or supermarket, you can find lots of different
products whose objective is to treat acne. None of these
products produce instantaneous results and one part of a
sensible prescription for treatment is patience. Since some of
these products may have side effects, you should know their
contents and possible effects. Over-use of the wrong product can
actually exaggerate the condition.

Experts generally think that acne is caused when an excess of
oil, secreted by tiny glands surrounding the hair follicles
combine with dead skins to clog the pores of the skin. Bacteria,
chiefly Propionibacterium acnes or P. acnes develops in these
pore pockets which leads to the blackheads, white heads and more
common pimples that we associate with this unpleasant form.

Some of the prescription topical solutions include antibiotics.
Antibiotics, along with azelaic acid can impede the development
of the bacteria, reducing the ugly inflammation that
characterizes acne.

Comedones, which are the compromised hair follicles, plugged
with dead cells and sebum, that cause blackheads, which
penetrate the surface of the skin, and whiteheads, which operate
at semi-surface levels. They can actually be treated by
retinoids, which are Vitamin-A like biochemical formulations,
which actually help to unplug comedones, paving the way for
topicals, including antibiotics, to enter into the follicles and
do their damage. Dermatologists sometimes use the newer
retinoids to curtail further comedone development.

In the case of severer forms of acne, dermatologists may
prescribe the less physically invasive route of oral medicine.
Some common antibiotics, used to curb the development of the P.
acnes bacteria and reduce inflammation are doxycycline,
tetracycline and minocyclyine. The common topical, benzoyl
peroxide, may be used with antibiotics such as sulfur,
erythromycin or clindamycin. There can be disturbing side
affects to antibiotics, depending on the drug and the
individual’s sensitivity. Changes in skin color, an increased
propensity for sunburns, dizziness, stomach problems can occur.
Tetracycline is contra- indicated in children and pregnant
women. The antibiotic route must be taken with caution and with
awareness of problems. Substances such as minocycline and
tetracycline can even affect the potency of oral birth control
methods.

In very serious cases of nodular or cystic acne that seems
resistant to treatment, a dermatologist may prescribe
isotretinoin or “Accutane,” a retinoid that might be taken once
or twice a day for up to twenty weeks. Oil glands actually can
be shrunk by Accutane and there is a marked effect on the growth
of bacteria. Its great advantage is that it can prevent scarring
and markedly disappears the acne in something like 90 per cent
of patients.

The downside of isotretinoin is that it can cause birth defects
in an unborn child if it imbibed by a pregnant woman. So woman
undergoing this treatment often have two take several forms of
birth control to make sure they don’t get pregnant while
undergoing therapy.

Are there natural treatments for acne? Alternative medical
practitioners recommend such substances as pantothenic acid, a B
vitamin, said to combat stress, a factor that aggravates acne,
grapeseed extracts and grapefruit seed extracts; various
essential fatty acids like primrose or flax seed oil which can
allegedly clear the pores of the skin, colloidal silver, said to
be a powerful natural antibiotic; tea tree oil soap- whose main
active constituent is tea tree oil, said to be made from a
natural antibiotic.