Acne treatments and pimple cures

Acne is a cruel disease, and UV phototherapy light treatment is technically proven to reduce the severity of the condition in most cases, by killing the bacteria that cause the acne infections. You will find many leading dermatologists recognize the benefits of UV phototherapy treatment, but it is only recently available for home and personal application. Phototherapy does not just treat the symptoms, it addresses the causes of acne (bacterial infection.) Below we have listed some drugs used to treat Acne, and the not so known side effects.

"The fact that up to 70 percent of patients with acne report significant improvement of their skin condition after exposure to the sun during the summer months points to the potential value of phototherapy for acne... Efficacy has been reported with both of these approaches in treating moderately severe acne and is thought to be derived from combined anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial actions... Radiation therapy (phototherapy) remains an option for acne management..." From The Dermatological Times.

Roaccutane in Australia (Accutane in USA)

Commonly hailed a an "Acne cure." This is possibly the closest drug that we have to a cure, but it is drastic, severe and has many side effects. Roaccutane (or Accutane in USA) works by causing oil glands in the skin to shrink. The theory being less oil glands, means less oil, and less infections caused by bacteria in the oil. Roaccutane has been proven to cause baldness and hair loss. Roaccutane is indicated for the treatment of severe recalcitrant nodular Acne. Nodules are inflammatory lesions with a diameter of 5 mm or greater. The nodules may become suppurative or hemorrhagic. "Severe," by definition means "many " as opposed to "few or several" nodules. Because of significant adverse effects associated with its use, Roaccutane should be reserved for patients with severe nodular Acne who are unresponsive to conventional therapy, including systemic antibiotics. Roaccutane causes sever foetal malformations and MUST never be used when pregnant and users MUST not become pregnant while on this drug. Side effects include visual disturbances, hearing deficiency in certain frequencies, as well as headache, nausea, malaise and drowsiness, depression psychosis and. rarely, baldness and hairless, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and suicide, dryness of the mucosae, which on the lips can be relieved by application of a fatty ointment; dryness of the nasal mucosae can lead to epistaxis; dryness of the pharyngeal mucosa to hoarseness, dryness of the eyes can cause conjunctivitis, muscular and joint pains, premature epiphyseal closure and skeletal hyperostosis, anaemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia and severe vomiting. In most instances Roaccutane comes with a warning and disclaimer form that must be signed before being given the drug, acknowledging the drug has many dangerous side effects!

benzoyl peroxide (topical)

As it's name suggests, Benzoyl peroxide is a powerful BLEACHING agent, it is somewhat successful in killing the bacteria and reducing most Acne conditions, but it comes with many warnings and some lesser know side effects. You may as well apply diluted chlorine on your skin. After the first few days of use patients notice redness and scaling of the skin this can be reduced by using a less concentrated solution or not applying as often. It will bleach clothes and hair so if applying to chest and back wear old clothes. Side effects include; painful irritation of skin, including burning, blistering, crusting, itching, severe redness, or swelling; skin rash, burning, itching, scaling, redness, or swelling of skin (severe,) dryness or peeling of skin (may occur after a few days); feeling of warmth, mild stinging, and redness of skin. It has been proven that Benzoyl peroxide is absorbed through your skin into your blood, causing strain to internal organs such as liver and kidneys. It has not been widely tested on children or pregnant women. You can read more about this drug and its side effects at the US government's drug information web page at; more benzoyl peroxide information here

salicylic acid (topical)

Salicylic Acid is a relatively new Acne treatment applied as a cream once or twice a day for a maximum of six months. It is used to treat mild to moderate Acne and is as effective as benzoyl peroxide, erythromycin cream or oral tetracycline against troublesome skin bacteria and comedones. A small percentage of users may notice redness of the skin. It is also used to treat, dandruff, psoriasis, seborrheic Dermatitis of the skin and scalp, calluses, corns, common warts, and plantar warts, depending on the dosage form and strength of the preparation. Side effects include; confusion; dizziness; headache (severe or continuing); rapid breathing ; ringing or buzzing in ears (continuing.) It has been proven that Salicylic Acid is absorbed through your skin into your blood. It has not been widely tested on children or pregnant women. You can read more about this drug and its side effects at the US government's drug information web page at; more Salicylic Acid information here

differin

Defferin is the drug found in Adapalene gel. Adapalene gel is a topical retinoid-like drug for the treatment of mild to moderate Acne vulgaris. Adapalene is more effective than some topical drugs as it penetrates deeply into the hair follicle. Adapalene possesses potent anti-inflammatory and comedo lytic properties . Adapalene is used when comedones, papules and pustules predominate (white heads.) Side effects include; burning sensation or stinging of skin; dryness and peeling of skin; itching of skin; redness of skin and worsening of the acne. It has not been widely tested on children or pregnant women. You can read more about this drug and its side effects at the US government's drug information web page at; more Defferin / Adapalene information here

UVB light treatment

UV phototherapy is extremely efficient acne treatment. particularly UVA that killing the bacteria that cause acne infections providing long term relief. UVA light is proven more effective for this than UVB, however a combination as found in our UV-Buddy is more ideal. UVB light can be harmful if misused. We recommend speaking with a doctor to ensure UVB light treatment is suitable for your condition. You can order our home personal treatment here with our online orders.

Other acne treatments

Doctors may use other types of procedures in addition to drug therapy to treat patients with acne. For example, the doctor may remove the patient's comedones during office visits. Sometimes the doctor will inject Hydrocortisone directly into lesions to help reduce the size and pain of inflamed cysts and nodules.

Early treatment is the best way to prevent acne scars. Once scarring has occurred, the doctor may suggest a medical or surgical procedure to help reduce the scars. A superficial laser may be used to treat irregular scars. Another kind of laser allows energy to go deeper into the skin and tighten the underlying tissue and plump out depressed scars. Dermabrasion (or microdermabrasion), which is a form of "sanding down" scars, is sometimes combined with the subsurface laser treatment. Another treatment option for deep scars caused by cystic acne is the transfer of fat from one part of the body to the face.

Source: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.

Acne is the term for pimples and complexion problems which occur in young people and some adults. Inflammation of the oil glands in the skin due to an over sensitivity to the normal level of hormones in the body. Pimples usually occur on the face but can occur anywhere.

Acne is often treated by dermatologists (doctors who specialize in skin problems). These doctors treat all kinds of acne, particularly severe cases. Doctors who are general or family practitioners, pediatricians, or internists may treat patients with milder cases of acne.

The goals of treatment are to heal existing lesions, stop new lesions from forming, prevent scarring, and minimize the psychological stress and embarrassment caused by this disease. Drug treatment is aimed at reducing several problems that play a part in causing acne: abnormal clumping of cells in the follicles, increased oil production, bacteria, and inflammation. Depending on the extent of the person's acne, the doctor will recommend one of several over-the-counter (OTC) medicines or prescription medicines that are topical (applied to the skin) or systemic (taken by mouth). The doctor may suggest using more than one topical medicine or combining oral and topical medicines.

Source: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

NOTE: The most recent wide spread treatment for acne is wide band UVA light as used in major hospitals and clinics in Australia, Europe and the UK.

Products for the treatment of acne

We offer a variety of products for treatment of acne. Please click here to see all products or here for the Dermalight80 for spot treatment of acne (requires UVA.)