Erica Jennings

Can You Cure Pimples?

There are a lot of promises being made by cosmetic companies that they can sell you the cure for pimples, but is true? Topical treatments like benzoyl peroxide can help you if you suffer from mild acne but what if your pimples are moderate to severe? Alternatives such as Accutane can help, but the best cures available today are holistic.

There are lots of acne remedies and treatments on the market today, but is there an out-and-out cure for pimples? Is there actually a way to get rid of pimples once and for all? In fact there are a couple of ways to cure pimples forever. One might be right for you.

First, let's take a look at what is not a cure for pimples: topical treatments like benzoyl peroxide and antibiotic lotions. The truth is that pimples are caused by a complex process involving androgen hormones. Topical treatments cannot possibly correct the underlying hormonal problem and therefore cannot be considered a "cure for pimples." Do they help? Yes they can help. If you suffer from mild acne, applying a thin film of 2.5% benzoyl peroxide to your face twice a day can help to keep your pimples at bay. You should also use a salicylic acid topical cream, because this makes the benzoyl peroxide penetrate more deeply into your clogged pores. Using this topical treatment isn't a cure for pimples because as soon as you stop your regimen, your pimples will return. If you are lucky enough to suffer from only light acne, however, this topical treatment may be all you need.

Antibiotics, whether topical or oral, are no longer desirable weapons in the fight against acne. They kill off the good bacteria in your system as well as the bad. This can lead to rashes, digestive issues and myriad other problems. Taking antibiotics is also frowned upon because you can create antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria that can become difficult to fight and may cause serious problems for people who are susceptible to them. For this reason alone, antibiotics are prescribed less and less by doctors for common conditions including acne. The best reason not to take antibiotics? Acne is caused by hormones! Antibiotics might lesson your chances of getting infected pimples but they won't prevent acne. For a real cure for pimples, we have to focus on hormones.

What about Accutane? This is an effective weapon against pimples. Accutane has a role to play if you have severe acne. But Accutane has several drawbacks. The most frequent complaint is about side effects. Accutane was recently removed from the U.S. market because the serious side effects spawned so many lawsuits. Accutane is powerful medicine. It can harm your liver, so you must get regular blood tests and be monitored by your doctor. Women must take the birth control pill to avoid getting pregnant because there is a huge risk of birth defects. What doctors should really emphasize with Accutane is that it is a drug of last resort. If you take it, your pimples will be worse for up to a year. Your skin will be sensitive and inflamed. You will feel like hibernating and not letting anyone see you. Your lips will peel and hurt. Accutane is an effective cure for pimples but it is a long term cure that you will suffer through in the shorter term (if you consider a year "short term!")

The most promising cure for pimples is the holistic approach. Changes to diet and lifestyle have been proven to have a profound influence on your hormones and holistic approaches to acne treatment have been achieving great results with no doctor or harsh drugs required. People experience improvements to their complexion in days and weeks and are sometimes free of acne altogether in only a few months. I recommend that people looking for a cure for pimples investigate the holistic approaches before committing to harsh drug treatments like Accutane. Holistic treatments are proven, cost effective, and have a positive overall health benefit. The same cannot be said for Accutane.

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