The Inside Scoop on Acne Medication - Which One is Right for You?

Experts estimate that nearly 9 out of 10 people worldwide either have acne or have suffered from it in the past. That means that literally billions of people are currently facing this common skin problem, went through it in the past, or know someone who fits in one of those first two categories. One of the most common forms of acne treatment is the use of some type of acne medication. However, the type of medication used varies depending on the severity of the acne outbreaks along with other factors.

Moderate to Severe Acne

Topical treatments are often used for moderate to severe acne. These treatments, as the name implies, are usually applied to existing acne as a way to reduce inflammation and eventually make the acne go away.

Oral antibiotics are also sometimes used as a treatment for acne. This is typically done in multiple doses, with the first dose being a relatively high dose and over the course of 6 months or so, the dosage being gradually reduced. There's added relief from the fact that oral antibiotics are also anti-inflammatory, which helps with some of the discomfort that can result from particularly bad acne outbreaks...an added bonus that comes with this particular form of acne treatment.

Oral contraceptives can also be used in the treatment of acne. Though it may sound strange to think of these drugs as acne remedies, studies indicate that these types of medications can help women in fighting acne. Since acne is often linked to hormonal characteristics, that might not be much of a surprise. These drugs have a suppressive effect on the oil-producing sebaceous glands, whose overproduction of oil is one of the main factors that causes acne. So although it's a roundabout way, these drugs can have a beneficial effect when used as an acne treatment but, of course, care should be taken when using them, especially for women with certain medical conditions. As with anything else, a doctor's recommendation is always best.

These treatments prove quite effective for many cases of moderate to severe acne. However, as acne becomes more severe, more aggressive measures might have to be taken.

Acute Cystic Acne and Severe Acne

Some of the most potent topical treatments for acne are called retinoids. These are often used on cases of severe acne, though they work quite well on moderate outbreaks too. These drugs are derived from Vitamin A and are the basis for many acne medications. They work to clean dirt and oil from the pores of the skin which helps keep acne from forming.

In addition to retinoids, Isotretinoin is one of the most prescribed acne medications used today. However, this drug is so powerful that it's reserved only for acne sufferers with acute cystic acne outbreaks. It might also be used on other patients whose acne has been shown to be resistant to other, less aggressive measures.

Depending on the severity of your acne as well as other factors, one of these types of treatment might be right for you too. However, as with all health-related matters, consulting a doctor or other medical professional is the best course of action to ensuring you choose the acne remedy that's best for you.

FACT: Acne affects 90% of people worldwide. Why are some people able to stop acne dead in its tracks while others continue to suffer? Discover other traditional and alternative acne treatments and finally enjoy clear, smooth, acne-free skin.

Visit us today at: http://www.RemediesForAcne.com

Copyright 2007 - Kevin Nelson. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

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Do You Know Which Is The Best Acne Treatment For You?

Do you wish that there was just one treatment that you could use to clear up your acne?

Whether you're a teen or an adult, if you battled acne you've gone through countless medicines looking for the best acne treatment. An inflammatory skin eruption that most commonly affects the neck, face, shoulders, and upper back, acne is perhaps the single most common skin affliction, and there are thousands of acne treatment products claiming to be the best.

But in truth, there are any number of acne medicines, soaps, creams and gels that could work for you - the best acne treatment for one person may be not the solution for someone else. This is because everyone's skin is different, as is the degree and cause of their acne. The best acne treatment for you could be an inexpensive, over-the-counter acne medicine with an alpha hydroxy formula, or one with salicylic acid. Or you might find that those do nothing to help your skin problems, and instead need a more expensive acne treatment program like Proactiv, or a more powerful, doctor-prescribed acne medicine like Accutane. It's usually only through trial and error that you'll find the acne product that works best for you.

When shopping for acne treatments, you should also consider the possible level of toxicity in the products you choose, which may cause health risks down the line. For that reason, many acne sufferers rely on natural remedies that have a lower risk of complications from their ingredients, and there are such a wide variety of natural products on the market, you may find that one of them is the best acne treatment for your skin.

One of the most popular natural acne treatments is Australian tea tree oil. This anti-bacterial, anti-fungal remedy has been used for centuries to treat athletes foot, body odor, bad breath, cold sores and acne. It's a strong substance, so adding just a few drops to a cotton ball then applying it to the affected area can help treat individual blemishes - this is not, however, a treatment for large patches of skin or your face, as tea tree oil is very drying. You can purchase bottles of tea tree oil online, at natural food stores and in some drugstores, and there are a number of acne products that use tea tree oil as a primary ingredient, such as The Body Shop's line of tea tree oil cleansers, toners and spot treatments, Skin Medica's line of toners and cleansers with tea tree oil, the 'Blemish Touch Stick' from Desert Essence, and Murad's acne treatment gels.

If you find that tea tree oil works as an acne treatment for you, find a line of products that you like and stick with it. Start with an antibacterial foaming cleanser - harsh exfoliating products will only irritate your skin and exacerbate your acne - follow it with a good astringent or toner, and then use an oil-free moisturizer, preferably one designed for problem skin. Philosophy's 'Hope in a Bottle' is one such acne product, designed specifically as an anti-acne, anti-aging formula by combining anti-bacterial ingredients with skin-soothing Vitamin E. Many companies like Murad, Dermatologica and Neutrogena sell moisturizers and spot acne treatments that work with a full line of acne products.

Adult acne is very common - in fact, 50 percent of adult women have it, as do 25 percent of men. Most adult acne can be easily treated to prevent breakouts, with the best acne treatment being a good regimen of cleansing followed by benzoyl peroxide directly on blemishes. In more severe cases, acne can be cured by retinoidal acne lotions like isotretinoin or by a hormonal treatment - usually drospirenone and cyproterone - under a doctor's supervision.

Dietary supplements containing antioxidants, vitamins, collagen and herbal extracts can be very beneficial to the skin and speed up recovery from severe breakouts. Talk to your dermatologist, and don't give up if the first acne medicine or treatment you try doesn't have satisfactory results - it may take awhile to find the best acne treatment for you.

Find out more about the Best Acne Treatments or even about Adult Acne [http://www.effective-acne-treatment.net/articles/best_acne_treatment.html] for those of you who, like Michael Jennings, have been unfortunate to suffer from it.