How to Cure Adult Acne, Dos and Don’ts

Previously, we had discussed what acne is and what causes it. If you missed it, you can read it here. Today we are going to shed some light on acne treatment for men and women. Acne can be treated with either over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medicines, depending on what works the best for you. The OTC medication usually works fine for the vast majority with mild to moderate acne. It would be extremely smart of you to consult a dermatologist if you have severe acne to establish the root cause and get the right kind of treatment for acne.Let’s take a look the OTC options and prescription drugs that you have at your disposal and the way they work. You would also find some very important tips to prevent your acne from worsening. The dos and don’ts have mostly to do with your skincare routine, general habits and tendencies that cause acne which and often go overlooked.

Do Over-the-Counter Medicines Really Work on Acne?

That is the million dollar question people often ask. The answer, thankfully, is yes. The OTC medicines are available in various forms such as;

• Soaps
• Face Wash
• Cleansing Pads
• Lotions
• Creams
• Gels etc

As you can see, these OTC medications are for topical use. They have a specific active ingredient or a combination of two or more active ingredients. The common active ingredients used in the OTC medicines for acne are;

• Benzoyl Peroxide
• Sulfur
• Resorcinol
• Salicylic Acid

Each kind of active ingredient belongs to a different chemical class and works differently. These medications cure acne by destroying the acne-causing bacteria, eliminating excessive oil from the skin or eliminating the dead skin cells clogging the pores. Some active ingredients help accelerate the growth of new, healthy skin cells. The acne medications may work in one particular way or a combination of many ways. The concentration of active ingredients usually ranges between 2.5% and 10%.ProActiv®, Clean & Clear® Persa-Gel, Clearasil® and Oxy® are some of the very popular benzoyl peroxide-based OTC products that make best acne treatments for adults. Sometimes these medications could cause a stinging sensation in the beginning. But if the skin irritation persists or your skin gets too dry upon using soap or a cream, you should discontinue using it right away. You can explore other OTC options or consult a dermatologist who will help you choose the right pick.

Prescription Medicine for Acne

We urge you to not have a dilly-dally attitude when it comes to prescription medication for acne. They are prescription medications for a reason. Your dermatologist would prescribe you one based on your gender, the cause and severity of your acne. Generally, they advise using the medication twice or thrice a week during the initial phase. Later on, you would possibly be told to kick it up a notch and use it daily.The prescription medicines for acne can be classified into four groups.
AntibioticsThe antibiotics prove very effective if it’s the acne-causing bacteria that are fueling your condition. These could be either topical or meant to be taken in by mouth. It is necessary that you take the medicine as and when it’s prescribed. Also, your odds of getting a yeast infection would be high. Erythromycin, Bactrim, minoclyline are some of the best treatments for acne caused due to bacteria.
Products with Benzoyl PeroxideBenzoyl peroxide is equally popular when it comes to prescription products for acne. These medicines are very strong and applied topically in small amounts. Since benzoyl peroxide is a bleaching agent, wash your face well after using the product; else it could get in contact with your clothes or pillowcases. If you need to let the medicine stay overnight, try not to use colored pillowcases.
Medicines with RetinoidA very popular group of acne medicines, products laced with retinoid are meant to be used topically. Several users have reported that their condition exacerbates a bit before it actually begins to subside for better. Retin®, Tazorac®, and Avita® etc are retinoid-based medications.
Contraceptive PillsNeedless to say, this acne treatment is meant only for women. If your dermatologist prescribes you oral contraceptive pills, it’s to regulate and stabilize the levels of different hormones. Hormonal imbalance can cause moderate to severe acne, and contraceptive pills are often your best bet in case other options for work out quite well. You will be monitored closely when you are prescribed this course of treatment.Just like their OTC counterparts, the prescription methods of acne treatment also have their side-effects. If you get rashes or hives on your skin, discontinue your medication and see your doctor immediately. The same advice goes if you experience headaches, abdominal pain, diarrhea or nausea.

What to do when you have Acne?

• Acne treatment can cause your skin to become more sensitive. Make sure you do not step out in the sun without putting on a good sunscreen. The SPF should be at least 30.
• Keep your skin clean. Wash your face well with the soap/face wash (OTC medicine or prescribed).
• Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated.

What not to do?

• When you have acne, the most logical thing to do would be not touching your face or acne-prone area a lot. The bacteria from your hands would make their way into the skin pores and aggravate your condition.
• Secondly, avoid using makeup altogether. If at all you need to use it, go for the non-comedogenic ones. Remember, makeup never cures acne but just hides it.
• If you are a fan of cosmetic tanning, you should definitely not go for it while you are being treated for acne. Steer clear from tanning sprays and tanning beds.
• Do not scrub your skin; else it would certainly make your acne worse.

So this was all about best acne products available at present. You will get to know more about acne scar removal, acne scar treatment and hyperpigmentation treatment in our upcoming posts. We have created a very insightful piece about home remedies for acne that actually work. These remedies work excellently by reducing the swelling and redness of the skin. Do check it out here if you are interested in natural acne treatments.