Acne vulgaris or the common acne afflicts majority of adolescents everywhere. The rise in hormonal activity at puberty signals the onset of changes to the underlying structures of the skin. Unfortunately, these pubescent transformations give rise to conditions that are conducive for acne. With acne as the leading dermatological concern of the youth as well as for a number of individuals who experience acne beyond their adolescent years, it is no wonder that acne solutions are quite in high demand.
Kinds of acne
There are several kinds of acne according to how severe the condition is. The first one is referred to as comedonal. This is characterised by the presence of non-inflamed blackheads or whiteheads. Blackheads occur on the surface of the skin whilst whiteheads are closed comedones that are under the skin's surface. They both refer to the blockage of the pores of the skin.
The next kind of acne is known as papulo-pustular or inflamed acne. This may be mild, moderate to severe inflammatory acne. Here, the skin is markedly raised and in the case where pustules are present, the pus-filled pimples are a clear indication of the nature of the bacterial infection.
Common acne treatments
The most popular mode of acne treatment comes as topical creams or ointments containing bactericides, antibiotics or retinoid compounds. Benzoyl peroxide is a well known active ingredient for many of the popular bactericidal anti-acne medications like Proactiv. It is known to be rather effective for comedonals as well as for mild to moderate inflammatory acnes. Azelaic acid and salicylic acid are also used as an ingredient in topical medication for non-inflammatory acne. Neutrogena as well as Clean and Clear act against acne with salicylic acid as their main ingredient.
Erythromycin and tetracyclines are broad spectrum antibiotics prescribed for mild to moderate papulo-pustular acne. Tretinoin and adapalene are the better known retinoids found in some acne solutions and cuts across most of the acne types except for severe inflammatory acne. Adapalene is the active ingredient in Differin.
The matter concerning severe inflammatory acne stems from its resistance to the other common methods applied for the other acne categories. One retinoid that stands out when it comes to severe acne is isotretinoine, the active ingredient in Accutane. Isotretinoine requires a prescription from a competent doctor as it may result in various side-effects.
High technology versus acne
For non-OTC options of fighting acne, one promising alternative is phototherapy. Here, the affected area of the skin is exposed to visible light, either violet or red. This short wavelength illumination seems to generate a reaction from the P. acnes bacteria wherein, over a matter of days of phototherapy treatment the bacteria ceases to survive. Consequently, the acne condition clears up with no known serious side-effects on the part of the patient.
Another high technology solution for acne conditions is through the use of lasers. Although laser treatments have been implemented long before to repair damaging acne scars, it was found to be beneficial for reducing and preventing acne in the long term. The object of laser based acne solutions is to burn away the follicles and sebaceous glands where the blockage and subsequent infection occurs. Ultimately, the acne causing bacteria is also killed in the laser process.
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