According to some estimates, acne affects 9.4 percent of the world’s population, which places it as the eighth most widespread disease in the whole globe. Epidemiological studies have shown that acne is most prevalent in those who have reached their postpubescent years, and that males are more likely to be affected than girls, especially with more severe types of the condition.
Acne, which is now considered a disorder in medical circles, affects about 80 percent of teenagers in the UAE. And we’re not just talking about people in their adolescent years here. Acne affects a great number of people, some of whom experience it for the very first time in their 30s, 40s, or even later in life.
That is really the bad news. The good news is that there are more treatments available now to permanently clean up any issues you may be having with your skin. This post provides a rundown of the best acne treatments for your convenience.
Acne Treatment at Home
If you are experiencing breakouts, the first thing you should do is wash your face with a salicylic acid product, and then use a benzoyl peroxide leave-on product to assist the skin dry up. You have several options to pick from when it comes to the over-the-counter brands of each item.
Because the FDA recently issued a warning that products containing these active components might cause severe irritation or even possibly life-threatening allergic reactions, it is prudent to do a test run before adopting a daily usage regimen. This is because the FDA issued this warning. Give the goods a few weeks to work, supposing that you won’t have any adverse reactions to them. If you are dissatisfied with the outcomes, you should make an appointment with your dermatologist to discuss further options for helping to enhance your complexion that may be available.
Consult a Dermatologist and Ask him to Check your Face and the Acne
Acne can give the appearance of other skin conditions, such as rosacea. Your dermatologist will be able to tell you what is causing your blemishes once they have examined your skin. In the case that it is acne, he or she may recommend therapies that are used topically, such as retinoid creams and gels. Acne may be cleared up and prevented from returning if you use them regularly, which is the key to their effectiveness.
Oral antibiotics are another treatment option that may be considered. These antibiotics are typically used for a brief length of time in order to minimize the germs that contribute to acne as well as the inflammation and redness that acne causes.
According to Bilal Hassan, MD, the Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research in the Dermatology Department at Dubai Surgery Center, birth control pills may help women whose acne tends to mimic the ebb and flow of hormones during their menstrual cycle. It may be necessary to take a prescription such an antibiotic by mouth if you have widespread angry pimples. This type of therapy can help quiet a flare within a week or two. However, according to Dr. Hassan, it takes many weeks before there is a major clearing.
Alternative Medical Prescription Treatments for Acne
Isotretinoin, also known by its brand names Roaccutane (formerly known as Accutane) and Claravis, is a therapy option that may be considered if acne is severe and other therapies have been unsuccessful.
In order to reduce the inflammation caused by an acne cyst, your dermatologist may recommend that you have a steroid or cortisone injection. If you have a large zit just before a significant occasion, such as your prom, wedding, or a hot date, steroid injections may be able to help. These injections are helpful in reducing swelling, promoting healing, and preventing scarring when time is of the essence. According to Dr. Hassan, the most important step in the treatment of severe acne is to “bring it under control as fast as possible” in order to avoid scarring from occurring.
Isotretinoin is not safe for use by pregnant women or women who want to get pregnant while taking the medication. There is an increased likelihood of abnormalities at birth.
Chemical Peels as Acne Treatment
When used in conjunction with oral and topical drugs, there are a number of treatments available that may be carried out either at home or in a professional setting. For instance, according to Dr. Hassan’s statement, “salicylic acid peels can help bring acne under control by exfoliating skin cells that obstruct pores and by eliminating excess oil.” These peels are a more potent alternative to topical salicylic acid washes and peels since they contain the active component in considerably higher quantities. These peels cause the skin to become dry and assist speed up the healing process of red, aggressive acne bumps. A number of layers of peels are frequently required.
Learn more about chemical peels.
Microdermabrasion as Acne Treatment
Acne can also be kept under control by undergoing a procedure known as microdermabrasion, which exfoliates the top layer of skin by blasting it with a stream of very fine crystals. According to Dr. Zeichner, “it can exfoliate dead skin cells that build on the skin’s surface and let other acne-fighting drugs penetrate better into the skin.” In order to get substantial effects, it is typically necessary to undergo a course of microdermabrasion treatments.
Learn more about microdermabrasion.
Lasers and Energy-based Acne Treatments
Acne is caused by bacteria, which may be treated with some laser treatments by eliminating the germs. The use of radiofrequency radiation to penetrate the skin deeply and provide strong heat has been shown to diminish the size of oil glands that are related with acne. Intense pulsed light, often known as IPL, can be used to treat acne by killing the bacteria that cause acne and reducing the sebaceous glands, which are responsible for creating oil. IPL can be used in conjunction with a light vacuum (photopneumatic therapy). Scars left behind by acne can also be treated with certain lasers.
Blue Light Therapy for Acne Treatment
In recent years, photodynamic blue light therapy, sometimes known as PDT, has garnered a lot of attention as a potential method for treating acne and other skin disorders. During this process, a unique light-sensitive medicine known as aminolevulinic Acid (ALA) is distributed across the patient’s skin. After that, a particular blue light is directly delivered to the patient, which causes the targeted cells to be destroyed in a selective manner. “Blue light can be used as an adjunct therapy together with other topical or oral drugs, or in persons who cannot take other therapies,” says Dr. Hassan. “Blue light can also be utilized in patients who are able to handle other therapies.”