Five of the Best Treatments for Acne-Prone Skin

Did you know that over 85% of people age between the ages of 14 and 24 suffer from at least a bout of minor acne, while this common skin problem affects an estimated 50 million Americans? Acne is a skin condition which can have severe physiological effects on your self-confidence and personal image. If you’re currently dealing with inflamed skin then you’re not alone, and luckily there are several top-notch treatments around that help to reduce and banish this skin issue for good.

Topical Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is used in drug-store and over the counter topical treatments for a range of mild skin issues. They often are mixed in creams, lotions or medicated bars which are applied directly onto the problem areas. Topical benzoyl peroxide has high success rates in helping to reduce inflamed skin, but it can sometimes cause skin to dry out and crack after prolonged use.

Topical Antibiotics

Topical antibiotics are creams and lotions that are also designed to be applied directly on to the skin. They are often combined with benzoyl peroxide to create an effective and higher strength treatment which helps to limit bacterial infections on the skin. As with other topical treatments, topical antibiotics can cause the skin to dry out.

Oral Antibiotics

Oral antibiotics are often prescribed for those with more serious skin conditions that don’t seem to be responding to topical treatments. Oral antibiotics have to be taken regularly and can take a while to kick in. The three most common antibiotics use to treat skin issues orally are doxycycline, tetracycline, and minocycline. While they are more effective than topical treatments, they also come with more potential side effects including nausea and headaches.

Birth Control Pills

Another option for females who have skin problems which are related to hormonal imbalances is to take birth control pills. A doctors offer advice on what type to take, and then prescribe you a course of treatments. Birth control pills help to maintain estrogen and in turn reduce skin inflammation for females. Birth control pills used as a treatments for skin problems are not recommended for smokers and for anybody suffering with migraines or blood-clotting issues.

Laser Treatments

One of the more modern treatments on the block uses laser beams to help kill bacteria on the skin. The treatment is non-evasive, and has shown promising results for people with mild to severe skin inflammation issues. Side effects include a possible reddening of the skin after the treatment, but this normally calms down after a few hours.

Skin problem can be caused by a range of factors, including hormones, oil production levels, menstruation and side effects from existing medication. If your acne is affecting your life, and drug-store treatments just aren’t cutting it, then don’t be afraid to go and see your doctor who will be able to prescribe medication or refer you to a dermatologist.