Acne Remedies that Really Work

Acne is the bane of many an adolescent and adult's existence. Life is filled with stressors and facing the world with an imperfect complexion makes life even more difficult. Though there is no cure for acne, dermatologists have made significant advances in the treatment of acne vulgaris.

A good dermatologist can match patients with a skincare regimen that works for their skin. The field of cosmetic dermatology has also made advancements. Acne is no longer just treated by topical or prescription medications. Laser treatment, light therapy and dermabrasion are just some of the advanced methods used to treat acne.

There are natural, pharmaceutical, and surgical acne remedies that really work. The difficult part is finding the appropriate treatment system for your skin. Unfortunately, acne has many causes so treatment varies from one individual to the next. This article will focus on some of the most popular and successful acne remedies.

Natural Acne Remedies

The best natural remedy for acne is water. Drinking at least 64 ounces of water a day is crucial to maintaining a healthy complexion. Water flushes toxins from the body helps the pores from clogging with dirt and oil. A healthy diet loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables is also a good natural acne remedy. Fruits and veggies contain water and vitamins that help the skin look its best.

Exercise and learning to manage stress can also help prevent acne. Exercise helps the body sweat out toxins and regulates all the body's organs, including the skin. Though stress itself is not thought to cause acne, hormones can aggravate the condition. Therefore managing stress can help regulate its hormones thus preventing acne flare-ups. Natural, topical acne remedies include aloe vera gel, zinc, and vitamins A, C, and E.

Prescription Acne Remedies

The most popular prescription acne remedies include topical creams and oral medications. Topical creams such as Differin gel, Retin-A, Tazorac, and Duac contain ingredients like vitamin A, benzyl peroxide, and salicylic acid which help treat pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads as well as wrinkles and sun damage in adult acne sufferers.

Oral medications include antibiotics such as Tetracycline and Erythromycin and oral isotretinoins like Accutane. Long term use of antibiotics can make acne more resistant to treatment and can make the patient more resistant to antibiotics. Accutane has side effects such as severe depression and birth defects. All the prescription acne remedies have side effects and it is important to watch for these and report them to your dermatologist.

Cosmetic Acne Remedies

Cosmetic dermatology is a growing field that weds traditional acne treatment with cosmetic procedures. Cosmetic acne treatments can include everything from facials, to chemical peels, to dermabrasion, to laser removal. Various pulse lasers are used to keep pores from producing oil, or sebum. Blue light, or photodynamic therapy, treats acne with a specific wavelength of light which kills acne-causing bacteria. These cosmetic acne remedies can be used for active acne or to remove acne scars. They are excellent alternatives to traditional acne treatment.