Acne

Across America, whether it is over washing, sweating or hormones, acne is a fact of life and not only for teenagers. Adults get acne, as do both males and females, but there is hope in treatment. Check out Acne Guide for the latest in skin information, acne treatment options and tips to prevent and control acne.

Acne - What is It?

Acne - Facts
Acne is the most common skin disorder seen by doctors. In fact, it will affect almost every one of us at some time in our lives. It can happen at any time, but teenagers are the ones who get it most often. Acne can cause a great deal of embarrassment and anxiety...

Aggravating Factors
Certain things can aggravate, or worsen your acne. You will want to avoid these things while treating your acne, to ensure that you get the best results possible. Click the link above to catch up on the most common things that make acne worse such as...

What Causes Acne?
The exact cause of acne is not known, but the following factors are considered important: When the skin surface and its pores are blocked, the pores are described as being occluded. Factors that may cause occlusion include certain cosmetics, oils, greases...

Acne Myths And Misconceptions
What do you really know about acne? Do you know what contributes to the cause of acne? Do you know what you can do to treat it? Here are answers to some FAQ’s, which will dismiss some of the more common myths about acne...

Acne - What May Look Like It

Folliculitis
Folliculitis is an infection of the hair follicle that is most commonly bacterial, but can occasionally be caused by a fungus. There are also forms of folliculitis which are non-infectious such as...

Perioral Dermatitis
Perioral dermatitis is a common facial rash consisting of small inflamed papules (bumps) and sometimes tiny vesicles (water filled blisters) or pus spots, which are often clustered around your mouth, base of your nose and your chin. There may be some background redness on your chin and upper lip, especially if...

Keratosis Pilaris
Keratosis Pilaris is a very common disorder in which small, rough bumps occur in hair follicles or pores, often with some redness around the pore. It occurs in about 60% of teens and is more commonly seen in girls. About 40% of adults will get it in varying...

Rosacea
Rosacea is a long lasting, non-scarring skin condition of the face that is often misdiagnosed as adult acne. It varies in severity and does not always worsen with time. Typically, you will experience inappropriate facial flushing that is not usually associated with sweating and/or persistent redness of the face...

Acne Skin Care

Acne Cleansers
Acne cleansers are generally used to remove accumulated oil, make-up, sweat, and dirt on the surface of your skin. In doing so, these products generally make it easier for topical acne treatments to be absorbed...

Skin Cleansers - Different Skin Types
Oily skin - the selection of cleansers for oily skin should involve using products that rinse off well. Both bar soaps and liquid cleansers have been formulated for this purpose ...

Mild Cleansers
Different gentle skin cleansers are available for acne, there are several types of mild cleansers that you may use if your skin is irritated or aggravated...

Sunscreens
Sun avoidance and regular sunscreen use are widely promoted by organizations and individuals interested in cancer prevention. However...

Skin Moisturizers For Acne
“Dry skin”, or xerosis, is an extremely common problem, and our society, and its advertising suggest that we have a simple solution - just apply a moisturizer. The marketplace has a great number of products to moisturize the skin and dermatologists divide them into different classes, based on how they work...

Oil Free Cosmetics
Oil-free cosmetics mean products that contain little or no ingredients such as isopropyl myristate, isopropyl esters, oleic acid, stearic acid, petrolatum and lanolin...

Skin Camouflage
Skin Camouflage is a useful cosmetic for covering skin defects. A concealing cream may be applied to the skin prior to a foundation, the foundation in this case should either be...

Skin/Face Foundations
Face foundations are used to cover skin blemishes, and acne, as well as to even out and give colour to your face. There are four basic types of foundations...

Skin Foundations For Different Skin Types
Some types of skin foundations work more effectively for different skin types. Read on to find out what will work best for you. Oil-free, matte or ...

Medical Treatments

Understand Your Options
Before selecting a treatment, you must have a solid understanding about acne, and determine the exact type of acne that you have. In addition to this, it is also important to set goals for your acne treatment. Here are some points to keep in mind when thinking about acne, and when selecting the best acne medication for yourself...

Over The Counter Medication
OTC means “Over-The-Counter”, in other words, you do not need a prescription to buy an OTC product. If you have minimal acne, you can often get reasonable results using these preparations, which are primarily directed at reducing the blockage of pores...

Acne Topical Treatment

A Look At Topical Treatment Options For Acne
The most commonly used topical acne treatments include benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, topical acne antibiotics, azelaic acid, and combination topical products...

Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide has been used for acne skin care for over 30 years and is now available in a product that combines it with antibiotics...

Tretinoin
This topical acne treatment option is a vitamin A derivative and is used for acne and sun-damaged skin. How do I use this medication? You should apply this tretinoin cream...

Adapalene (Differin®)
This is a designer Retinoid, and its molecular make-up is similar to that of vitamin A. How do I use this acne medication?

Tazarotene
Tazarotene (Tazorac®) is a designer retinoid and its molecular make-up is similar to that of vitamin A. It was used initially to treat psoriasis, and has now been found to be...

Topical Combination Products
Combination therapy can offer a strategy for preventing resistance to the antibiotic. Its synergistic effect can prevent more resistant bacteria, as well as...

Isotretinoin

Isotretinoin (Accutane)
Isotretinoin (Accutane®) is a retinoid or vitamin A analog, which means that its molecular structure is similar to Vitamin A...

Isotretinoin - Side Effects That Need Medical Monitoring By Your Physician
Certain Isotretinoin (Accutane®) side-effects will not be as apparent to you and will need to be monitored by your doctor during your acne treatment...

Isotretinoin - Side Effects And Treatment Of Side Effects
Most people have minor Isotretinoin (Accutane®) side-effects that disappear within 2 weeks after stopping the medication...

Antibiotics

Oral Antibiotics For Acne Treatment
It is these antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects that are important for acne treatment.

Erythromycin
Erythromycin is an antibiotic in the macrolide group, and is used in acne treatment. It is the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects that are important. If your inflamed...

Minocycline
Minocycline is a tetracycline antibiotic, which is used for acne treatment. It is the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects that are important.

Doxycycline
Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic, which is used to treat acne.

Tetracycline
Tetracycline was developed in 1953 and is a broad spectrum antibiotic.

Birth Control Pills

Acne Treatment - Birth Control Pills And Other Hormone Therapy
Oral contraceptives (OCs) have been available since 1960, and have been modified since then to reduce their risk of side-effects.

How Oral Contraceptives’ Progestins Influence Acne
Another way of looking at contraceptive pills is to arrange them according to the effects that the progestins that are used, will have on acne.

Other Types Of Birth Control Pills
In addition to the oral contraceptives approved for acne treatment that were previously discussed, there are many other types of oral contraceptives on the market. They include...

Side Effects Of Birth Control Pills
Oral contraceptives are always being developed to minimize side-effects, however there are some that you should be aware of. Common side-effects: Nausea, vomiting, cyclical...

Using Androgen Blockers For Acne Treatment
Anti-androgens are drugs that block the receptors which allow your body’s cells to absorb the male hormones.

Other Hormone Therapy

Other Hormone Therapy's Progestins Influence On Acne
Another way of looking at acne hormone therapy is to arrange them according to the effects that the progestins that are used, will have on acne.

The Use Of Spironolactone To Treat Acne
Spironolactone (Aldactone 50-200mg): This drug is used as a diuretic and has weak anti-androgen effects.

Acne Treatment - Birth Control Pills And Other Hormone Therapy
Oral contraceptives (OCs) have been available since 1960, and have been modified since then to reduce their risk of side-effects. They are the favoured method of contraception by most

Side Effects Of Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapies are always being developed to minimize side-effects, however there are some that you should be aware of if using for acne treatment.

Acne Scar Treatments

Types of Acne Scars
Scars caused by acne are much more common than doctors once believed, most people will have acne scars that are mild. However, some will have scars that look significant even to others. The best approach is prevention and to treat acne right away as sometimes...

Non-Surgical Treatments
There are several nonsurgical treatment options that may be appropriate for your acne scars, which include topical creams, chemical peels, skin fillers and skin camouflage.

Surgical/Laser Treatments
The following information are surgical acne scar treatment options which fall into microdermabrasion, photorejuvenation, scar revision and laser skin resurfacing.