Getting Rid Of Acne: Chemical And Homemade Remedies
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By Dipasree Samanta
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Basics of acne treatment
a) Topical agents- Acne can be
treated effectively with topical
agents, although the response
sometimes is very slow.
b) Cosmetics- Abstain from cosmetics
causing skin irritation. Use water-based
and non-comedogenic cosmetics.
Avoid greasy ointments and vegetable
oils, parabens, lanolin, glycol,
alcohol, petroleum oils and oleic
acid in cosmetics.
c) Oils- Oils, like coconut oil,
jojoba oil, lavender oil (soothes
and heals scars) and tea tree
oil (fights infection due to it’s
antiseptic and anti-bacterial
properties) are good for acne.
c) Diet- Avoid fried, greasy and
sweet foods and foods with iodine
(fish and iodized salt). Include
extra doses of vitamin A in your
diet after consulting a dietician.
d) Cleansing and exfoliating-
Develop a regular habit of skin
cleansing. Remove all your make-up
at bedtime. Exfoliate with a gentle
scrub 3-4 times per week.
e) Hydration- Drink 8-10 glasses
of water throughout the day. Increase
intake of water rich fruits and
vegetables like cucumber, melon
etc. Water flushes out toxins
from the body and opens up blocked
pores.
f) Humidity- Avoid excessive humid
conditions like saunas or cooking
in a poorly ventilated kitchen.
g) Picking- Do not pick the pimples
and blackheads.
h) Stress- Beat stress. Try the
relaxation and deep breathing
techniques of yoga.
i) Sun- Avoid unnecessary sun
exposure. Use proper protection
like a sunscreen.
j) Exercise- Exercise to relieve
stress and improve blood circulation
to fight acne-causing bacteria
more efficiently.
Treatment of different types of
acne:
A) Mild acne:
Topical agents like gels and lotions
are best for mild acne. For convincing
improvement, it might take several
weeks of continuous use. Suitable
topical agents might be-
a) Benzoyl peroxide (cream, lotion
or gel)- Due to excess oil secretion,
the pores are clogged and become
nests for bacteria which is responsible
for inflammation and swelling.
This medication eradicates the
bacteria and removes dead cells
from the skin’s surface.
b) Retinoic acid- This is a very
mild topical agent and in some
cases might take as long as over
a month to show results. At first
it aggravates the acne and then
slowly treats it by removing the
dead cells.
c) Sulfur- This medication helps
to heal blemishes.
d) Salicylic acid- This medication
cleans up the pores, removes dirt
and oil and is specially effective
for treatment of blackheads.
e) Azelaic acid- (non-toxic and
very mild) Due to it’s antibacterial
properties, this medicine attacks
the bacteria that causes acne,
reduces inflammation with it’s
free radicals and restores the
skin’s structure. It also removes
persistent dark spots left behind
by acne.
B) Moderate acne:
In addition to the above-mentioned
medicines, this type of acne needs
some oral antibiotics which are-
a) Ibuprofen- This medicine is
non-steroidal and fights inflammation.
b) Isotretinoin- This drug, derived
from vitamin A, is very effective
in fighting persistent or relapsing
acne and scars made by acne. It
markedly reduces sebum production,
kills acne-producing bacteria
and combats inflammation. If sole
use of topical agents fail, then
this medication can be used in
combination.
c) Spironolactone- This medicine,
an anti-androgen, has a direct
effect on the sebaceous gland
reducing sebum production and
comedone formation. It is generally
prescribed for females.
d) Tetracycline- This antibiotic
kills acne bacteria and is quite
effective for cystic acne but
not for blackheads.
e) Doxycycline- This antibiotic
is used for killing acne bacteria.
It is generally more effective
than tetracycline.
C) Severe acne:
Individuals with severe acne need
help from a dermatologist and
also oral medications. It takes
quite a long time to determine
whether it is moderate or severe
acne. Accordingly determining
the treatment method is also delayed.
First, oral isotretinoin is tried
with the patient. If no positive
result is shown within the next
few weeks, then high dosage of
oral antibiotics or anti-androgens
(in case of females) can be used
for long term, sometimes a year
to treat this kind of acne.
Some other treatment options include:
1. Expression of comedones by
diathermy.
2. Brief exposure to sunlight.
The anti-inflammatory properties
of the ultra violet rays of the
sun might help.
3. Extreme cases of acne nodules
can be treated by intra-lesional
steroid injections.
4. Phototherapy with blue and
red light reduces inflammation.
5. Hormone treatment has been
known to reduce acne.
6. The freezing treatment (cryotherapy)
is useful to check spread of surface
skin lesions by using cryogens
like carbon dioxide snow or liquid
nitrogen. This technique also
checks future eruptions.
7. Skin resurfacing techniques
like dermabrasion can help in
evening of facial scars and lesions.
8. Certain affordable home remedies
with lasting effects have proved
to be quite effective in treating
acne.
a) Sandalwood powder- Add a few
drops of water to half a tablespoon
of the powder. Apply all over
the face. Avoid eye area. Let
dry. Rinse. This fights acne and
blemishes.
b) Almond meal and lemon rind-
Make a facial scrub with 2 tablespoon
almond meal, 1 tablespoon ground
lemon rind and 3-4 tablespoon
milk. Gently scrub your face and
get rid of excess oil.
c) Clay mask- Mix 2 tablespoons
of green clay with 2 drops of
lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of honey,
1 tablespoon of yogurt and 2 drops
of lavender oil. Make a paste
with water. Apply all over the
face. Avoid eye area. Let dry.
Rinse. Clay mask gives maximum
benefit to the oily skin for it’s
deep cleansing properties.
d) Cedarwood and sandalwood oil-
Mix 2-3 drops of these two oils
and gently massage over the face
area. The combination of these
two oils has a soothing effect,
is an excellent skin conditioner
for oily skin and treats acne
and eczema.
e) Face mask- Take the white part
from an egg. With it, mix 2 tablespoon
clay/kaolin, 1 tablespoon oats,
1 tablespoon cornflower and enough
rose water to make a paste. Add
lavender oil and/or juniper berry
oil. Mix well. Apply all over
the face. Avoid eye area. Let
dry. Rinse. Enjoy your soft, oil-free
skin.
Dipasree Samanta |
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dipasree_Samanta
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