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Acne Medications For Mild To Moderate Acne

By: Sarah Carter


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Although acne can be affected by lifestyle and diet, the main things which influence acne are the genetics of the individual and hormonal changes in the body. Lifestyle changes and diet can reduce the occurrence of acne to a certain extent, but we are often at the mercy of our genes and hormonal balance. In these cases we need to look at our options for treating the acne with medication. In many cases this can greatly improve the condition or even completely eradicate the acne.
There are a large number of over the counter (OTC) treatments available to tackle acne. Not all of these acne products will be effective for everyone, because the different ingredients in the products will vary in their effectiveness with different individuals. Here are some of the most popular and effective over the counter acne medications:
Benzoyl peroxide: this works by reducing the P.acnes bacteria which can cause acne. It has been in use for many years in various acne treatments and can be very good at treating mild to moderate acne. It has the side-effect of drying out the skin and may bleach fabrics or hair etc. Benzoyl peroxide comes in the form of a lotion or gel.
Acetone and alcohol are combined in some of the over the counter acne treatments. The acetone makes the skin less oily and the alcohol kills the bacteria on the skin.
Resorcinol is said to work welll for the treatment of small acne blemishes and it is found in some OTC products where it is combined with sulphur. Sulphur has also been used on its own in several OTC acne treatments for many years now. It is also combined with other active ingredients besides resorcinol, for example alcohol and salicylic acid. The exact mechanism by which sulphur successfully treats acne is still unknown. One problem with sulphur is that it does not smell too good!.
Salicylic acid can be effective for many people, but should not be used by pregnant women as unborn babies can be harmed. Salicylic acid works by reducing the number of dead skin cells, reducing the number of skin pores blocked by the dead cells. Salicylic acid can also be used after the acne has cleared to stop it from coming back. Some people may experience skin irritation as a side effect.
People who have sensitive skin should avoid the use of very strong acne treatments, as they can give rise to skin irritation and can potentially worsen your acne. Certain mild acne treatments may be used to prevent acne from returning, for example benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. Some treatments, however, are too strong for this and are likely to cause skin irritation.
It is worth repeating that if you are in any way unsure about which acne treatment to choose, you should get professional advice from a doctor or dermatologist. This is also the case if you have been using an over the counter treatment and feel that it may not be working. Any delay in getting the right treatment for your acne could result in the formation of scar tissue which can be permanent.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

See the author's site How To Get Rid Of Acne Scars Fast for more information.

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