The top five acne solutions - antibiotics and more

There are hundreds of acne solutions but sadly, there are very few if any that can actually get rid of your acne for good. Here is a list of five of the most popular acne solutions.

1. Birth Control/Oral Contraceptives
This is one of the more popular acne solutions that have been used to treat moderate to severe cases of acne for more than thirty years. Birth control pills work by helping to balance fluctuating levels of hormones. During adolescence there is an increase in the amount of androgens (male hormones) which stimulate the skin’s oil glands to produce an excess amount of oil which can lead to blemishes.

2. Antibiotics
Antibiotics have also been used as a treatment for acne for at least thirty years. Antibiotics do not cure acne they can be effective at high doses for very severe acne, or low doses for moderate acne. This treatment works by reducing the amount of bacteria in the hair follicles as well as working as an anti-inflammatory.

3. Isotretinoin (Accutane)
This medication is probably the most powerful acne solution and is only used for very severe cases, that don’t react to other treatments. Isotretinoin works by decreasing the amount of oil produced by the skin’s sebaceous glands. It might take several months before any improvement is visible in the skin. There are also some very serious side effects that need to be considered before taking this medication.

4. Diet
For many years doctors and dermatologists have said there isn’t a link between diet and acne. However, new research has shown that certain foods such as refined carbohydrates and sugar may result in an increase of insulin. High levels of insulin can lead to an excess of male hormones, which can then lead to an excess of oil. Other foods such as hot and spicy foods are also thought to aggravate acne.

5. Non-ablative Lasers
This treatment is relatively new compared to other acne solutions. Non ablative lasers are non wounding lasers which trigger changes within the dermis without doing any damage to the epidermis (outer layer of the skin). This procedure also has very little side effects and requires very little recovery time.  

© The Pink Fridge Online Magazine 2008 - Acne Solutions

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