Skin Care III – Acne facts and treatments

In high school, my closest friend suffered with acne. I felt so badly for her as she constantly stressed over her complexion. This was more than thirty years ago. (I know I am old) Anyway, my friend spent countless, painful hours in the dermatologist office only to have to return in several months to start again. Today there are numerous new and improved treatments for acne along with quite a few opinions on the most effective ways to treat acne. If I were suffering with acne, I would definitely opt for the natural remedies and skin care treatments.

Facts on acne gathered from across the web.

About.com – Tea tree oil for acne has been shown to have antimicrobial properties, which is probably why it is a popular remedy for treating acne. It’s thought that tea tree helps kill Propioni acnes bacteria, which are responsible for acne breakouts. One study, comparing tea tree oil with benzoyl peroxide, found tea tree improved both inflamed and non-inflamed acne breakouts. It wasn’t quite as effective as benzoyl peroxide, and it did take longer to see improvement. But tea tree didn’t cause dryness, peeling, and flaking as the benzoyl peroxide did.

Mayo Clinic – Chemical peels and microdermabrasion may be helpful in controlling acne. These cosmetic procedures — which have traditionally been used to lessen the appearance of fine lines, sun damage and minor facial scars — are most effective when used in combination with other acne treatments.

New acne treatments — such as blue light therapy or diode laser therapy — may be an effective option but are often reserved for people who don’t respond to more traditional therapy.

WebMD – Acne treatment depends on whether you have a mild, moderate, or severe form. Sometimes your doctor will combine treatments to get the best results and to avoid developing drug-resistant bacteria. Treatment could include lotions or gels you put on blemishes or sometimes entire areas of skin, such as the chest or back (topical medicines). You might also take medicines by mouth (oral medicines).

Before you decide on a treatment, research all the treatment alternatives, acne treatment products, and check with you doctor.