|
Home / Health / Diseases and Conditions / Acne
Guide to Acne Treatments
By:Dr. West Conner
Acne could easily be described as one of the most common skin complaints, it may also be the most annoying. Acne usually begins in adolescence and can continue throughout life. There have always been treatments available but recently, there is a growing concern regarding a number of recent therapies.
An overproduction of naturally occurring oil and cells inside the skin follicle causes the development of acne. This causes a blockage of the pore, causing the follicle underneath to swell. The buildup of oil and dead cells allows the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes to grow unchecked. The result is an infection. The infection can present itself as a blackhead, whitehead, a tiny pimple barely visibly, larger pus-filled nodules, and even fluid-filled cysts embedded deeply in the skin.
For years, doctors and dermatologists have treated acne with both a pore cleanser (benzoyl peroxide) and topical antibiotic to kill the bacteria. For mild to moderate acne, this is still a very effective treatment. It is both easy and economical and works well for most people. Prices range from $5 to $20 depending on the type of treatment you prefer. The drawback is that these treatments have a tendency to dry out the skin leading to irritation.
Oral antibiotics like minocycline, doxycycline, and tetracycline have been used for a number of years with good results. The monthly cost for these antibiotics is relatively inexpensive at about $20. Retin-A (about $40 an ounce) and oral antibiotics, once quite popular, are now being used less and less frequently. Retin-A has been shown to cause skin inflammation and redness while taking oral antibiotics long term may contribute to drug resistant bacteria.
Other prescription topical products like Azelex, Finacea, Benzaclin, Benzamycin, Cleocin, or A/T/S can cost between $20 and $60 per ounce depending on the medication.
Recently, a product known as ProActiv Solution has hit the market. This treatment was developed due to the complaints of dry and irritated skin. With infomercials and celebrity endorsements, it quickly became the most popular and asked about acne treatment on the market. The solution used is not as drying as the creams and ointments found in traditional treatments and the concentration of benzoyl peroxide is lower. These adjustments make ProActiv less irritating to the skin. ProActiv does not require a prescription and costs about $40 for a one month supply.
Another brand new product for acne is Nicomide-T. The cream or gel derived from vitamin B has been shown to reduce the redness and inflammation associated with acne. It has also been shown to be equally effective as the topical antibiotic clindamycin. The cost for Nicomide-T is about $40 a month.
The latest acne treatment is neither a cream nor an antibiotic but rather a device for electronically killing the acne causing bacteria. It is marketed under the name Zeno and literally heats up the pimple for two to three minutes killing the bacteria. To completely destroy the pimple, one to three treatments in 24 hours are needed. This treatment is best for the occasional acne breakout and not for a severe widespread problem. The unit sells for about $210.
For those with severe acne, one can choose to use several different laser options. The professional lasers work similarly to the Zeno product but can be used over the entire problem are. These specialized lasers not only destroy the acne causing bacteria, but shrink the oil producing glands. The procedure is relatively painless but requires several treatments. With each treatment session costing between $500 and $800, this option is certainly not cheap. The results are also not permanent.
Another option is called “Photo Dynamic Therapy.” The procedure involves pulsed light or lasers combined with a topical product known as Levulan. The light activates the Levulan causing it to destroy the bacteria and shrink oil producing glands. The good news is that the therapy has been shown to remain effective for three years after treatment. The bad news is that it makes the skin very sensitive to the sun, requiring sun block. This regimen is also expensive at between $500 and $800 per session with a minimum of six sessions.
Accutane is an oral medication used for severe acne. It has recently gained publicity due to its two serious side effects, birth defects and suicidal thoughts. Females receiving Accutane must have a negative pregnancy test before each prescription and it must be dispensed with seven days. Dry skin, eyes, and nose are common other side effects. The cost for Accutane is high at about $600 a month.
Accepted treatment step guidelines for acne are as follows:
Step 1. benzoyl peroxide 2.5% - 10% for a period of at least 4 weeks,
Step 2. benzoyl peroxide and topical antibiotic cream or Retin-A for a period of at least 4 weeks,
Step 3. add oral antibiotics like minocycline, doxycycline, or tetracycline for at least 8 weeks,
Step 4. Accutane
Step 5. surgery to remove or drain the infections
From the common teenage acne to midlife acne, the condition is treatable. Using the above step therapy generally follows the less expensive to most expensive schedule. Begin therapy with inexpensive cleansers containing a small amount (2.5%) of benzoyl peroxide for at least a month. If there is still acne present, see your doctor or dermatologist for topical antibiotic creams. Cleocin and A/T/S both are available in generic form and cost about $20. The next step is to add oral antibiotics. The least expensive is tetracycline at only about $10 a month. After another 8 weeks of unsuccessful treatment, you may consider Accutane. Be sure to discuss the side effects and significant cost ($600 a month) with your doctor.
The newest, non-traditional laser treatments may be of interest to those who do not prefer the medicinal options. These options are just coming into their own and you must weigh the advantages and disadvantages.
For more free information, free articles, and free newsletter, go to www.rxcostcutters.com
Digg
del.icio.us
Blink
Stumble
Spurl
Reddit
Netscape
Furl
Article keywords: acne pimple teenager treatment proactiv zeno accutane nicomide-t retin-a benzoyl peroxide
Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com
www.rxcostcutters.com
|
|
| Top Acne Articles |
- 1). Home Remedies For Zits By : Kevin Pederson
Eliminating zits is the most sought after treatment among the younger generation. Zit is a common and chronic skin inflammatory condition.
|
|
|
|
|
- 4). Acne Treatment: Options For A Solution For Young Women By : Oliver Turner
There are many options for acne treatment. If you are like most, you have tried many and have not found the right solution to your needs. This is common for individuals simply because they do not know what they should be doing. Will the over the counter products work on your acne? Will you need to have a laser treatment in order to make it finally go away? The problem with acne treatment is that what works for one individual will not work for someone else.
|
- 5). How A Dermatologist Can Help With Acne Problems By : Acne Squad
While a mild case of acne isn't necessarily a serious problem, it's still a good idea to see a dermatologist. They can give you helpful information about what could be causing your acne as well as the best treatments.
Plus, there is another skin condition called keratosis pilaris that is sometimes mistaken for acne and a dermatologist can tell you if that is what you're dealing with, saving you the time and hassles of using the wrong treatment.
|
- 6). Cured My Acne With Non Prescription Medication By : Frank Vanderlugt
Acne cures abound on drugstore shelves, behind the pharmacy counter and on the Internet. However, there is still plenty of acne in the world, so obviously many people still have not found the treatment that works for them. This article will present an overview of the most popular treatments, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of each.
Acne occurs when skin on the face, back and chest react to the male hormones testosterone and dihydrotestosterone and grow too fast, a process known as hyperkeratois.
|
- 7). The Acne Issue - Best Acne Treatments By : Kirsten Hawkins
Acne is one of the most common skin diseases that a person usually experience. Acne is defined as an inflammatory skin eruption that commonly occurs in or near the sebaceous glands of the different parts of the body including the neck, face, shoulders, and upper back.
Though acne is a common problem, it is also one skin disease that is very easy to treat and prevent.
|
- 8). The Many Causes Of Acne By : Ron King
Acne remains a bit of a mystery. It seems to be partly hereditary, but why some people are affected by it and others are untouched isn't exactly known. We do, however, understand some of the biology behind it.
The main culprit is the excess production of sebum, an oily substance whose function is to keep skin and hair lubricated and supple. The production of the oily sebum blocks the skin's surface, which provides an ideal environment for bacterial growth.
|
- 9). Some Helpful Acne Tips By : Keith Wolfe
What is Acne? Acne, most commonly known as pimples, is the worst nightmare for those too unfortunate to suffer. It is the most common skin disease today. In United States alone, nearly 60 million people are infected with acne, where 85 per cent of teenagers suffer from it. Acne is a disorder resulting from the action of hormones on the skin's oil glands (sebaceous glands), which leads to plugged pores and outbreaks of lesions commonly called pimples or zits.
|
- 10). The Truth About Acne Skin Care By : Acne Squad
Let's face it, you are engaged in an ongoing battle when you are afflicted with acne. While acne treatments for a mild case of acne are usually successful, moderate acne is a greater problem. Even dermatologists cannot cure a severe case of acne but can only provide an acne treatment regimen.
However, you can support your acne treatment efforts with proper acne skin care in order to reduce the recurrence of acne flare-ups and not aggravate existing acne.
|
| New Acne Articles |
- 1). Acne Prevention Begin With You By : Joshua Poyoh
Acne breakouts are the concern of many people all over the world. Many people are beginning to take their acne breakouts very seriously. The problem is not always finding a cure; people tend to forget that prevention is always better than cure.
|
- 2). Maybe Laser Acne Treatment Is For You By : MITCHELL HAMPSON
Are you afflicted with acne or acne scars? This is such a grueling confidence-crusher. No one wants to deal with zits or blemishes on a daily basis. There are just so many other things in life to grapple with already.
|
|
|
|
|
- 5). Do Not Allow Acne to Govern You! By : Keith Londrie
Disorder in the sebaceous glands cause acne. When the pores are blocked and outbreak of lesions leads to acne. Acne is not a serious health disorder, but in severe cases, acne might result in permanent scarring and disfigured face.
|
|
|
- 7). What Exactly Is Microderm Abrasion By : MITCHELL HAMPSON
How would you rate your complexion? You know, on a scale from one to ten. The fact is our faces change as we age. While some of us suffer from horrific bouts with acne, others experience no blemishes what so ever.
|
- 8). Information Concerning Adult Acne By : Keith Londrie
Normally most of the people get affected by acne in teenage life but when a man or women gets acne at age of 30 or 40 then it becomes difficult to come out of distressful situation.
|
|
|
- 10). Acne Free Treatment By : Chelsea Aubin
Acne is very common among teenagers, and adolescents. No one is really sure what causes acne, or why it is known to form in the teen years. Although scientists don't know what causes it but heredity is at the top of the list of possible factors. Heredity has long been thought to be a large roll in who gets acne. If someone in your family has had, or has, acne, then you are more then likely going to develop it.
|
|
|
