Acne Treatment - What Is Needed For Severe Cases?
Posted on December 29, 2008
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Finding a good acne treatment for severe acne can be difficult. Because of the nature of acne, severe acne treatment methods can be extremely harsh, or even toxic. However, if severe acne is left untreated, it may result in acne scarring.
One of the oldest acne treatments for severe acne is Accutane, or its generic counterparts, which is a derivative of Vitamin A. Accutane is extremely effective for getting control of severe acne, and can sometimes virtually bring an end to acne breakouts. The downside of Accutane is it’s toxicity, which results in a long list of unwanted side effects.
Fundamentally Accutane induces youe oil glands to cease to function while the treatment period is active, which basically can last 4 to 5 months. Because you are not secreting any oils, your skin becomes very dry, which many users report as feeling like a sunburn. Accutane users also report that nosebleeds are very common, as well as hair loss. It has also a tendency to make users feel very depressed. Even though Accutane has the ability to get the problems associated with acne under control, the accompanying side effects make it an option that it should be only used in a frugal manner.
Antibiotics as an acne treatment are also very effective. There are an assortment of antibiotics that are used, yet similar to Accutane, some varieties have side effects that are not wanted. One of the oldest forms of antibiotics, Minocycline also has a reputation as being one of the most toxic. Doctors still prescribe it since the body is slow to build up immunity, but they are increasingly using other, more gentle, antibiotics despite the tendency for users to build up immunity.
A more direct treatment for severe acne is an intra-lesional corticosteroid injection, administered directly into cystic nodules. This injection is much like anti inflammatory cortisone shots that are used to help with knee and back problems. Using this direct injection causes the cyst to begin healing within a week. The only possible side effect of this acne treatment is temporary discoloration, but it can only be used to treat existing nodules.
In recent times laser have also become a sought after acne treatment. Lasers can also not only treat acne, they also have the ability to remove the scarring from acne. Nevertheless, since these type of lasers are at present unregulated, anybody has the ability to buy and legally utilize these lasers. The risk is that a person who is an inexperienced practitioner might overexpose a person to the laser, resulting in damage that is permanent. Basically there are two kinds of lasers, non-ablative and ablative. Ablative lasers are the oldest and strongest variety, and they essentially vaporize the outer layer of skin, much like removing a tattoo. At the time when this outer layer of a persons skin grows back, acne scars as well as wrinkles are to a great degree reduced.
The high level of heat that is created through the use of ablative lasers has the effect of making your oil glands shrink, which stops the breakout process. Because your skin is burned off, treatment from ablative lasers will make your face red and sore for several weeks. Non-ablative lasers are newer and gentler than older lasers. Non-ablative lasers also shrink the oil glands, but since they do not vaporize your skin, there is usually no soreness or visible side effects. The growth of Collagen is induced through the use of non-ablative lasers, hence they additionally take away acne scarring. Because non-ablative lasers are less harsh, they will require more than one treatment session, while an ablative laser treatment consists of only one session.
Acne treatment methods have come a long way over the years. Modern technology offers several different ways to battle severe acne and sufferers enjoy a better quality of life. There are still many treatments, though, that require some consideration due to risks and side effects. Before you start on any acne treatment, it is best to talk to your dermatologist and have him tell you what the potential hazards of a treatment might be.
Why is acne often red, bumpy, and filled with pus?
This may be the question to which you most want an answer. Most people do not mind an occasional blemish on the skin. Some, though, wonder why acne has to be so drastic. Why does it come in the color of red? Why does acne have to be so obvious?
Well, there is a reason for the overly bright nature of acne. After the oil secretions under your skin build up, they must go somewhere. Much like a volcano that cannot hold lava any longer, pores with the most blockages cannot hold the strong bacteria found in acne. It manages to seep through the pores and make its way to the surface of the skin, thus allowing bacteria to infect the skin. Unfortunately, the skin’s reaction to this infection is to turn red and swell.
To learn more go to Blue Light Acne Treatment and at Acne Scar Treatment also Proactiv Acne Treatment
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