One of the most commonly used ingredients, Benzoyl Peroxide can be very effective in treating mild cases of non-inflammatory acne. It’s safe for children as well as adults, and may combined with other topical or oral treatments.

Benzoyl Peroxide – HOW IT WORKS

Benzoyl peroxide works by destroying P. acnes, the bacteria that causes the condition acne. It acts as an antiseptic and oxidizing agent, reducing the number of comedones, or blocked pores. It may be 2–3 weeks before you begin to see improvement.

NOTE: While benzoyl peroxide kills existing P. acnes, it does not increase your body’s natural resistance to bacteria. So even when your breakouts begin to disappear, you should keep treating acne-prone areas. Why? This course of acne treatment kills bacteria, but it does not affect sebum production or the rate at which you shed your dead skin cells. If you stop using it, the bacteria — and your acne — will return.

Benzoyl Peroxide - WHERE TO GET IT

Benzoyl peroxide is available in a wide range of gels, creams, lotions and cleansers in non-prescription concentrations of 2.5%, 5% and 10%. It is also available in presciption medications such as BenzaClin®, Benzamycin®, and Duac™. As with any product, read the label carefully and follow the instructions for proper use.

Benzoyl Peroxide – COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

Dryness: The most common side effect, dryness is usually mild. If the skin is visibly scaly, apply a light oil-free moisturizer.

NOTE: If you experience dryness, irritation or dermatitis and are using a 5% or 10% solution of benzoyl peroxide, you may want to give your skin some time to heal — then try a lower concentration.

Irritation: If you experience mild irritation, try decreasing the frequency of use. If irritation is severe or persists even with infrequent application, discontinue use.

Dermatitis: Contact dermatitis (red, dry, itchy skin) can be due to irritation or allergy. Discontinue use immediately and treat with a mild topical steroid, such as hydrocortisone cream (available in most drugstores).

Allergy: 1–2% of the population experiences a mild allergic reaction to benzoyl peroxide. This is usually characterized by itching and redness.

Bleaching of clothing: Benzoyl peroxide can bleach clothing and linens; make sure your skin is completely dry before touching any cloth.

For more information visit: Acne Treatment

Prescription topical medications
Usually by the time a patient reaches the doctors office they have already exhausted all forms of over the counter treatment. Acne which isn’t curable with the use of over the counter medication is then aggressed with topical prescription medications or a combination of oral and topical prescription medication. Topical treatment can take up to eight weeks before noticeable clearing of the skin.

Black heads, white heads and mildly inflammatory acne are affectively treated by the use of topical creams such as Benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid, and sulfur which are the most common course for direct treatment some creams may work differently depending on the patient. Patients with sensitive skin may experience side effects such as skin irritation, redness, or burning in the area where topical cream was applied which should lesson or dissipate if symptoms don’t go away speak with your doctor.

Prescription oral medications
Treating moderate to severe inflammatory acne is approached by a combination of topical and oral prescription medication. There are several types of oral antibiotics used in the treatment of acne, although there isn’t not a technical cure for acne antibiotics kill the bacteria in the skin, oral antibiotics must be taken over the long haul to avoid the re growth of them causing bacteria. There can be certain side effects such as intolerance to sun, nausea, dizziness, and changes in the pigment of the skin.

Nodular or cystic acne
The approach of treatment may be more aggressive if you have nodular or cystic acne that has not responded to any other treatments. Isotretinoin or accutane which is a steroidal oral medication taken twice a day with food for a duration of about fifteen to twenty weeks. This medication is known for reducing the amount of oil which is produced in the body’s oil glands decreasing bacteria.

Women affected by over active hormones
Women who are affected hormonally by acne can try less evasive treatments such as low- estrogen contraceptives, low dose corticosteroids, or anti androgen medication all of which are androgen lowering medications. Side effect may include irregular menses, breast soreness, fatigue accompanied by headaches.

Other treatments for acne
There are many other types of treatments and procedures that are sometimes used in conjunction with topical or oral medication. Depending on how acute your acne is will depend on what kind of treatments will be suggested. There are many herbal treatments that will help to lesson the bacteria in your skin.

Treating your acne as soon as sores appear on your skin is the best alternative; however scaring is not always preventable the damage done to your skin will be less severe with treatment. It is never a good idea to pick at your skin with your finger nails which spreads bacteria around on your skin and also collects what ever bacterium was under the nail onto your skin.

What medical research is being done?
Studies are being conducted and newer acne treatments medications are being developed to co exist or replace those currently on the market. As with all bacteria evolution allows bacteria to become stronger and more resistant to medication. Good hygiene and thorough facial cleansing are still a good way to battle acne.

Some Homemade herbal recipes for preventing acne and reducing their marks left on the skin.

Read the following tips for getting rid of that problem:

1. Make a paste of orange peel powder with water. Then apply it to the effected areas.

2. Make a paste of fresh fenugreek leaves and water. Apply it all over the night and then wash it off the next day morning.

3. Mix equal amount of lemon juice and rose water. Apply it on the acne with a cotton ball. Leave it for half an hour and wash off well. Continue with this recipe for at least twenty days.

4. Remove all the makeup at night and wash your face with lukewarm water using Neem based soap or Neem face wash.

5. Several times in a day, rub the acne with garlic cloves. They are quite helpful.

6. Squeaky-clean your face and dab egg white with a cotton ball on the acne. Leave it for an hour and wash off well.

7. Only on acne spot apply some toothpaste at nighttime. Make sure that you do not apply it on your skin, as it will make your skin dry.

8. Apply a paste of rosewater with sandalwood on the acne area. It is the best home remedy basically for oily skin.

9. To one cup of boiling water, pour two to three teaspoon of dried basil leaves. Leave it to cool down and then with a cotton ball, apply on the acne.

10. Neem Soap has anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties, which is very good for acne victims. It also helpful for maintaining healthy and blemish-free complexion and protect the skin.

11. Some of the more modern natural ways to get rid of acne are toothpaste or oatmeal bath treatment, mixed into a paste and applied to the affected areas.

12. A paste made of cucumbers and applied this mixture on your affected areas.

13. Mint oil or mint juice is very helpful to relief from acne.

14. Try to take a green tea or a red tea to get acne free healthy and attractive skin. These teas will not only help you to hydrate your body, but they also contain valuable antioxidants.

15. Yoga, which improves skin blood flow and support the healing process.

16. Finally eat more fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds in between meals and drink at least eight glasses of water per day. Remember, Brazil nuts have selenium while pumpkin seeds contain zinc – these minerals are helpful to lacking acne.

Severe AcneIt is characterised by two typical features:

The most common severe acne types include:

Spots created due to nodular acne are much larger in circumference and are quite painful. The nodules are like thick, hard bumps on the surface of the skin and they usually cause scarring. Without medical treatment, unsolved cases of nodules translate into impaction, i.e. presence of thick closely-packed, pit-shaped nodules for life.

Cysts, or acne cysts, are sometimes misunderstood as nodules. However, cysts are a different type of acne and are characterized by the presence of thick pus. These can be very painful. Make sure never to squeeze or prick them as this activity can cause permanent scarring. Squeezing cystic acne leads to spreading the infection on a much larger scale.

Rosacea is typically found among people in the age group of 30+. These are actually a complicated version of untreated acne vulgaris. Rosacea begins as a slightly red lesion along the cheeks, chin and nose. It is one of the most severe types and can even distort the nose, a condition that’s known as rhinophyma.Mild-To-Moderate TypesMild cases of are characterised by the following features:

The most common mild/moderate acne types include: