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Topical Acne Treatments
Topical acne treatments
generally work in one of two different ways, depending on their
active ingredients. Each has different strengths, weaknesses and
risks involved. The right topical treatment can certainly have
positive effects in diminishing the appearance of acne, but none of
these types of acne treatments can effectively fight the root causes
of acne underneath your skin. Also, your skin is more likely to
adapt to topical treatments than to internal ones, and so many
experience only temporary results.
The first and most popular type of topical
acne treatment is the use of topical antibiotics. These
treatments work by targeting the bacteria that forms in acne
pustules, Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes). By killing the
P. acnes that grow during acne formation, topical antibiotics aim to reduce
the small infections that form in your pores, unclogging your pores
in the process.
The most widely used topical antibiotics
for acne are Clindamycin and Erythromycin. One or both
of these ingredients is usually present in 1-2% concentrations
within many over-the-counter creams and gels, and serves as a light
antibiotic against acne. Applied twice a day, these treatments can
be effective against mild acne, but are less potent than another
topical antibiotic, Benzoyl Peroxide. On the positive side, negative
side effects are less likely when using these treatments, and
generally only involve slight irritation.
Benzoyl Peroxide (BP) is a more
powerful antibiotic that has become popular in some of the leading
brand acne treatments, such as Proactiv. BP works in much the
same way as lighter antibiotics, but has proven to be more potent
against P. acnes. Depending on the form of your treatment (liquid,
cream, gel, etc.), BP may be present in concentrations ranging from
2.5-20%. Higher concentrations may not always be more effective, and
involve a higher risk of side effects.
For people with mild acne, Benzoyl
Peroxide usually does provide clearer skin. However, even with BP,
moderate to severe cases of acne are usually resistant, and people
with mild acne can find that their skin adapts, especially with
lower concentrations. Side effects such as dry skin and irritation
are a common risk among users. When using BP products, it's best to
avoid other skin-drying products (such as harsh soaps or
aftershaves), as well as spending much time out in the sun.
While BP can be effective against current
acne, it does not do anything to enhance your skin's natural
resistance to bacteria, nor does it effect the production or
metabolism of skin oil, thus it cannot prevent future acne from
forming.
The other common active
ingredient found in many topical acne treatments is an
exfoliating agent. The two most common exfoliating agents for
acne are Salicylic Acid and Glycolic Acid. Rather than
attacking underlying bacteria, these mild acids work by causing the
top layer of your skin to peel away, removing dead skin cells and
unclogging pores. Here again this means of topical treatment is only
effective against mild cases of acne, but it can still produce
results against acne that lies near the surface of your skin.
Since your skin typically
sheds in an uneven fashion, exfoliating acids can even the shedding
of your skin and help reduce the build-up of dead cells in problem
areas. These treatments may be an alternative for those whose skin
has adapted to topical antibiotics. However, as with other topical
treatments, exfoliating agents will not prevent future acne from
forming. Also, frequent side effects include dry, flaky, and
irritated skin. Again, it is not recommended to use these treatments
alongside other agents that could cause drying.
When your skin is
over-dried or irritated, it is more prone to attracting additional
ace. One of the unique things about vitamin B5 acne treatment is
that it prevents acne formation without causing dry skin.
This is because while B5 enhances your body's ability to metabolize
skin oil, it does not directly attack your glands. Your body will
only continue to eliminate oil until it reaches a safe, optimal
level. In this way, you eliminate the excess oil that causes acne,
but also keep a healthy oil level present in your skin, preventing
dryness. B5 is the only acne treatment proven to achieve this.
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