Homemade Acne Treatment That Works Fast

Homemade Acne Treatment That Works Fast

If you have acne, you're probably embarrassed and upset. Acne is a breakout of pimples or blackheads or other blemishes that appear on the face or other parts of the body. You want an acne treatment that works so you can get rid of it quickly. But first you need to understand what can cause acne.

What causes acne?

Acne is caused by an overproduction of oil and dead skin cells entering your skin's follicles. It clogs the follicles and swells, causing the bump or blemish. It can also be caused by bacteria or pus-filled lesions.

Together they form a kind of biological traffic jam that clogs the opening of the pore and causes the underlying follicle to swell. Doctors now believe that a key thing that causes acne is inflammation. So if you want an acne treatment that works, you need something that treats inflammation in the skin.

Another thing to know is that everyone's skin is different and what works as an acne treatment for one person may not work for another. You may need to try more than one acne product to achieve your desired clear skin results.

Types of acne treatment

There are different types of acne treatment to try to find an acne treatment that works. Here are a few suggestions:

Over the Counter Acne Treatments

The over-the-counter types usually fit into two categories: pore cleansers or products that stop the overproduction of oil or hormones that can lead to acne breakouts.

These products can be purchased over the counter and usually contain either benzyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Sometimes it's best to try two or three different brands of these types of products and knock them out every month or so. This is because the body can become resistant to a particular product and will outsmart and prevent this from happening when you look for an acne product that is best for your situation.

Here's a little more about the ingredients in some over-the-counter acne medications:

Benzyl peroxide– Benzyl peroxide comes in varying strengths from 2.5 to 10 percent. However, be careful if you have sensitive skin as it can cause dry skin, redness, burning and flaking in some people.

Salicylic acid. This slows down the shedding of dead skin cells so that the hair follicles don't become as clogged. It comes in strengths of 5 to 2 percent and can cause stinging and irritation in some people.

Alpha hydroxyl acids. Glycolic acid and lactic acid are both alpha hydroxy acids used in some over-the-counter acne products. It is an acne treatment that removes dead skin cells, reduces inflammation and stimulates new skin growth to promote smooth skin.

sulfur-This removes dead skin cells to prevent clogging of pores and oil. It may cause dry skin in some people and it has a strong odor.

Electronic products

Another option is the Zeno, an electronic device that zaps the pimples and uses heat to kill bacteria that can cause pimples. It is FDA-approved and an acne treatment that works for many people. Talk to your doctor about it. It is said to work in about 70 percent of cases, but usually works best when the acne problem is mild and not widespread.

Treatments prescribed by the doctor

If you have severe acne, you may need a prescription from your doctor. Sometimes an antibiotic is needed to get rid of the bacteria that cause the acne, and this may be an acne treatment that works for you. They are often used in conjunction with an over-the-counter product and a good facial cleansing routine.

Some of the antibiotics prescribed for acne include products such as Solodyn (extended-release), as well as Minocycline and Oracea (doxycycline). If a middle-aged woman suffers from acne, doctors may prescribe an off-label treatment with Aldactone, an anti-androgen drug that dries out the skin and works best for acne on the chin and jaw.

Some women also find that birth control pills are an acne treatment that works for them if their acne is caused by hormonal issues. A bonus is that it can also control mood swings and make a woman's period more regular and less painful.

A medication that is an acne treatment that suppresses oil production is called Accutane, or in its generic form, isotretinoin. You need a doctor's prescription for this.

Laser treatments

Another relatively new acne treatment that works for some people is laser treatments. These are expensive but may help some acne patients. One type of laser treatment inhibits the bacteria that sometimes causes acne.

Another laser-like treatment for acne is photodynamic therapy. This is sometimes combined with a topical treatment called Levulan to provide two types of action to get rid of acne problems.

All in all, finding an acne treatment that works for you can be frustrating, but there must be one of the above treatments that will get the job done. Start with the cheapest one or if your situation is really bad, consult a dermatologist or family doctor. Above all, wash your face daily with non-medicated soaps, avoid picking or squeezing pimples or acne breakouts, and keep your hair and hands away from your face.

Use all acne treatments only as directed. If you don't see results in a few months, it's definitely time to see your doctor for an acne treatment that's right for your situation. Nobody likes acne breakouts, but there is hope in getting rid of and preventing the problem attacking your skin. Try one of these acne treatments that work today and you could soon have clearer, brighter skin.

Inspired by Jonas V Mills