As people go through hormonal changes in their lives, for instance adolescence, they often end up with acne among other issues. Marketers have seized upon acne treatments and this has become a multi-billion dollar industry in its own right. There are a lot of myths and legends out there about what does and doesn’t work, yet there are just a few that have been proven to work for acne. We will dive down into the science and show you the best acne skin care treatments.
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How Does Acne Form?
Your skin produces oil to protect itself and preserve its suppleness. At the wrong time of year or in certain times of your life, the sebaceous glands can produce a little too much oil. Ordinarily, the oil should pass through pores on the skin surface and occasionally these become blocked. Bacteria congregate around these newly formed reservoirs of food and feast on the mix of dirt and grease. The body fights back with white blood cells that form the ‘pus’ and inflammation in the spot. The warfare just under the skin surface results in the unsightly spots forming on the surface, and you’ll need the best acne skin care to win this.
The joke of the ‘germ free adolescent’ comes about from adolescents really wanting to be attractive, yet fighting the hormonal changes that can in some cases result in spots forming. Yet, for some people spots are an inevitable annoyance, those with severe acne can end up being permanently scarred unless the spots are properly treated.
The Best Acne Skin Care
Over-the-Counter Remedies
Generally, the best acne skin care treatment for the least severe acne is soap and water. Splash your skin with warm water to open the pores, soap the affected area down and wash it off with cold water to close the pores. This will remove the dirt that might otherwise clog the pores.
Do look for products containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Treated over a few weeks these can really stop mild to moderate acne symptoms by killing the bacteria that are the root cause of the problem. Don’t expect it to be fixed by magic overnight – do try the product over a month or so and you should see the results.
Light therapy may prove to be your best acne skin care option. In many cases they are offered by dermatologists, but it is possible to buy an over-the-counter light therapy mask that can have a similar effect to that offered by a dermatologist. You do get what you pay for though and the home light therapy kits might not be as effective as paying a specialist to treat your issues.
If you are concerned about potential scarring you should go to a dermatologist. These are certified professionals who have undergone medical training, and you will pay a lot for their time and expertise as you would any other medical professional. What price is avoiding being scarred for life though?
Dermatological Treatments
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, “If you have a lot of acne, cysts, or nodules, a medicine that you can buy without a prescription may not work. If you want to see clearer skin, you should see a dermatologist.”
Often times, the dermatologist will assess your skin problem and make recommendations as to how to fix it. There are a range of things they can do from draining cysts to special skin peels to get rid of the problem altogether. Dermatologists also offer special light therapies to deal with the grease production or to kill off the bacteria.
Remember, the dermatologists are medical professionals and their fees will reflect that. They can prevent scarring and make your later life better without the marks of growing up all over your face. The best acne skin care treatments are often those done at home, though do seek professional input should they not work.
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