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The most common form of acne is known as "acne vulgaris", meaning "common acne". Acne is not a serious health threat, but severe acne can lead to permanent scarring which can upset those who are affected by this skin condition. Acne is a skin disease, caused by changes in the pilosebaceous units (skin structures consisting of a hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland). Mild and moderate acne is usually non- inflammatory, and are often referred to as pimples, spots, or zits. Severe cases of acne are can become inflammatory and are usually known as nodulocystic
Acne usually occurs during adolescence, affecting more than 85% of teenagers. For most people, acne tends to decrease or disappear, during their early twenties, but there are some cases where people continue to suffer with it for many decades later. The most common affected areas are the face and upper neck, but acne can also appear on the chest, back, and shoulders and on rare occasions the upper arms.
Acne can also cause psychological effects like low self-esteem, depression and according to one study suicide also, due to the scars it leaves behind. Therefore for some individuals, early and aggressive treatment is needed to reduce the overall impact acne has on their lives.
There are currently many products available for the treatment of acne, but not many of them have any scientifically-proven effects. Successful treatments take around 1-3 months to see a noticeable acne decrease, however short bursts of cortisone can give very quick results, and other treatments can rapidly improve some active spots. Treatments that suggest that they can cure acne within two weeks, are usually not true and can lead to disappointment.
The exact way of how treatments improve acne is not necessarily fully understood but in general the treatments are believed to work in at least 4 different ways the best treatments providing multiple simultaneous effects. These are:
There are a number of proven effective treatments:
·Topical bactericidals. These arewidely available OTC (Over the Counter). Bactericidal products containing benzoyl peroxide may be used in mild to moderate acne cases, but care must be taken when using this product, because it easily bleaches.
·Topical antibiotics. Externally applied antibiotics such as erythromycin, aim to kill the bacteria that are harbored in the blocked follicles. While topical use of antibiotics is equally as effective as oral use, this method avoids possible side effects including upset stomach and drug interactions but can prove to be awkward when applying over large areas.
·Oral antibiotics. Oral antibiotics can be used to treat acne. However, reducing the acnes bacteria will not reduce the oil secretion and abnormal cell behaviour which is the initial cause of the blocked follicles. Also acne is now becoming more resistant to someantibiotics, making it less useful. Another flaw of using antibiotics is that the acne often reappears after treatment.
·Hormonal treatments. Women can be givenhormonal treatments, to improive their acne. The common combination of oestrogen and progestogen hormonal contraception have some effect, but research has shown that the combination of the anti-testosterone, Cyproterone, with an oestrogen (Diane 35) is particularly effective .
In cases where there is a large pimple that has not reacted to other treatments, a dermatologist can administer an injection of cortisone directly into it, which usually immediately reduces the redness and inflammation. This flattens the pimple, making it less visible, and also helps in the healing process. The side effects are minimal, it carries a much smaller risk of scarring than surgical removal.
Some less widely used treatments:
WANT TO FIND A TREATMENT THAT WAVES BYE BYE TO ANNOYING SPOTS In many cases, taking a treatment that has a combination of the above can greatly reduce acne severity. However the most effective treatments tend to have greater side effects risk, therefore individuals who take these medications have usually consulted with their doctor so that they can be monitored carefully.
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