5 Ways to Treat Acne

5 Ways to Treat Acne

5 Ways to Treat Acne

There is little room for argument that the main cause for acne is that of a change in hormones – very often associated with teenage years.

If the acne is mild or perhaps occasional, then there are many treatments available that can be either over-the-counter or even made within the home. If however the acne is more serious then a medical professional should be consulted.

Regardless of it being acute or less serious, let’s now take a look at 5 ways to treat acne.

1. Oatmeal and almond oil.

This oil acts as a skin cleanser so its not actually tackling the root cause of the acne. However, it does cleanse and nourish the skin and therefore adds value when tackling acne.

Oatmeal and almond oil can be used many times a day because it is a very gentle product to use. And while treating acne, at the same time it is beneficial to the skin in other ways too and will help the face maintain a healthy glow.

2. Witch hazel.

Again, although witch hazel does not tackle the root problem, it acts as an astringent and is able to strip out excessive oils from the pores, while at the same time it is capable of promoting a nice, healthy skin.

Witch hazel was prevalent as a remedy for teenage acne back in the 1950’s and 60’s, so its been well-proven for its benefits. And because it is plant-based, its mild upon the skin. You can buy it with additional moisturizer components added.

3. Benzoyl peroxide or salicyclic acid.

These over-the-counter medications have the ability to draw excessive oils out of the facial pores and also to promote healing. That’s all good and well, except that they also promote a drying of the oils on the surface.

Sounds good in theory but in practice what this does is to promote further sebum or oil production. Nevertheless, these products – often sold under various trade names – have their place as treatments for acne.

4. Medical prescriptions.

For a more severe case, medical prescriptions are one of the better solutions. Often these will be in the form of antibiotics. They do work, of course, but they are not without their drawbacks, the main one being that they can leave the skin being particularly sensitive.

For example, a common antibiotic is tetracycline. For some people tetracycline has been shown to cause skin irritations and rashes, and can make them prone to sunburn.

5. Consult a dermatologist.

Consulting a dermatologist is perhaps the last resort and should be considered if acne is thoroughly acute and incessant.

There are a number of options a dermatologist can offer – some treatments are very physical such as microdermabrasion and laser treatment, while others are prescription-based.

So, there you have 5 options to choose from, each one with their pros, each one perhaps with a bit of a down-side too. Depending on how severe your own acne is, this will narrow your choice down as to the correct option for you.

Otherwise its really about trying out a few and finding out which is most suitable to your own requirements.