Acne 101 - Treatments and Causes

Jun 1
07:37

2009

JR Lang

JR Lang

  • Share this article on Facebook
  • Share this article on Twitter
  • Share this article on Linkedin

A look at the causes of acne and common treatments and fixes.

mediaimage
Acne is a very common skin disease,Acne 101 - Treatments and Causes Articles in which there is an inflammation of the hair follicles and skin glands. Specifically, it is a form mostly found in children of adolescent age and it involves the appearance of pimples, especially on the facial area. Some of the best acne treatments are those that address individual problems and specific acne conditions.

Treatment for mild to moderate acne includes applying topical antibiotics such as clindamycin and erythromycin, two very effective sources at reducing bacteria in the follicles and skin surface. Oral antibiotics such as tetracycline and trimethroprim are also excellent anti-inflammatories. Severe acne can be treated with systemic antibiotics such as doxycycline and erythromycin. Treatment for cystic or inflammatory acne include an oral drug, Isotretinoin, or Accutane, which can be prescribed to prevent excess scarring.

If scarring does occur, there are several options to manage it. Collagen injections can be injected into pitted acne scars, filling in the layer of skin underneath to help raise the skin to the level of other local tissue. Laser resurfacing is a new option used in treating acne scarring. The procedure involves applying concentrated, short pulsating light beams to the affected skin areas. It removes skin layer by layer until a smooth finish is acquired.

Fraxel laser treatment has been approved by the FDA to effectively improve the appearance of pores and acne scars. It is a noninvasive laser therapy delivering a multitude of microscopic laser spots to the affected areas, while keeping the unaffected areas in tact. Healthy cells of the untouched areas promote healing to the surrounding areas with minimal side effects.

As a last resort, laser ablative surgery can be considered. It is a surgical procedure that involves destroying the entire epidermis by light, then allowing it to grow back. With so many options available for treatment, acne sufferers can manage their scarring and keep their acne under control. 

Article "tagged" as:

Categories: