Acne-A Part
Of Growing Up:
How Is Acne Treated?
Treatment is aimed at keeping oil and dirt out of
the pores and reducing inflammation.It must be borne in mind that by
popping and squeezing pimples yourself, you run the risk of lifelong
scarring.Treatment of acne involves a step-by-step approach,
beginning with milder medications and continuing through a spectrum
of stronger medications until the patient finds one that works.In
mild and moderate cases, your doctor will begin with topical gels,
creams, or lotions, progressing to internal medications.Some of
these medications can produce side-effects, so it is important to
put questions to your doctor and read the medication labels
carefully.In general, your doctor will try to use the simplest
effective regimen.Medicines with greater risks can be used, but only
if needed.Certain acne medications make the patient
photosensitive(sensitive to sunlight)so the patient and doctor both
need to consider the patient's outdoor activities.Hormone therapy
can also work for a lot of women.Hormone-based treatments may help
to clear up acne by inhibiting sebaceous gland function.It may take
upto 6-8 weeks to see the results of any given treatment, and it is
not uncommon for acne to worsen before it gets better.Redness,
swelling in the skin, and changes in skin pigment, especially the
darkening of skin in darker skinned individuals, may take many
months to resolve, persisting long after pimples go away.It is
important to stick with the treatment regimen between appointments
so your doctor can figure out what works or doesn't work for you.The
regimen for curing acne is generally well established, if not
entirely predictable.By taking consistent action and visiting your
physician, you can quickly get on the road to healthier
skin.
Acne Prevention:
Unfortunately, acne is not entirely
preventable.However, by washing the face gently twice a day with a
mild cleanser and refraining from picking any lesions, one can
reduce the chance for acne outbreaks and permanent scarring.An acne
outbreak can be a catastrophic event for an individual, but
fortunately it is rarely a lifelong problem.Working with your doctor
to find the right treatment should improve acne in a matter of
months.
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