Erica Jennings

Choosing the Best Way to Get Rid of Acne

The best way to get rid of acne is to attack the underlying cause -- how our bodies deal with androgen hormones. Skin care, antibiotics and Accutane all come up short. Holistic acne solutions are the best way to treat acne.

How we deal with androgen hormones is the underlying cause of acne and pimples and any treatment has to deal with these hormones first. These are usually described as "male" hormones, but women also produce androgen hormones in their ovaries. If you want to effectively treat acne, you have to go much deeper than the skin surface. That's why topical creams and gels are not very effective. So, what's the surest way to get rid of acne?

Washing Your Face

Is proper face washing the best way to avoid acne? It is if you ask your mother. Many people think that if you have acne it's because you're dirty. That's not true. You don't get acne from washing your face too little. It is more likely that you make your acne worse by washing your face too much. Twice per day is enough. Use mild soap like Dove or a mild cleanser like Cetaphil. Use lukewarm water and pat dry gently with a soft clean towel.  You are trying to avoid irritating your skin. Washing your face is certainly not the best way to get rid of acne.

Antibiotics

Do you know anyone who cured their acne with antibiotics? Didn't think so. That's because antibiotics kill the bacteria that makes acne worse, but doesn't start it in the first place. The worst thing about antibiotics (even worse than the cost and the inconvenience) is that we produce lots of very dangerous antibiotic resistant bacteria that will cause real problems going forward. Forget antibiotics. They don't work well and the price of their overuse is too high.

Benzoyl Peroxide

Actually, benzoyl peroxide creams and gels (2.5% strength) are fairly effective if you have mild acne. This stuff kills bacteria but also unclogs your blocked pores. The problem is that it doesn't do much if you have moderate to severe acne or you have nodular or cystic acne that is deep below the surface of the skin. Still, it's worth a look if you want to drop a few bucks for a generic over-the-counter cream at your local drug store. Just remember not to use anything stronger than 2.5% and don't bother with "medicated" washes or scrubs that don't do a thing.

Accutane

Accutane is very strong and very effective. The problem is the "strong" part. Accutane was recently taken off U.S. shelves because of the severe side effects. Suicidal thoughts, liver damage and birth defects are a few of the potential side effects. Accutane must only be used as a treatment of last resort. Don't forget that it can take up to a year for Accutane to get rid of your acne and, unfortunately, your skin will look much worse during this time. Is that fine with you? Probably not if you are in college or starting a new job and trying to look your best.

Holistic, Dietary Acne Treatments

Doctors have been skeptical about dietary acne programs for one reason: doctors are always skeptical about everything until there is scientific evidence to back up claims. The breakthrough came earlier this year when researchers studying the effects of a low-glycemic index diet noticed that this diet affected androgen hormones and how our bodies synthesize androgen hormones. This is directly related to acne. In short, there is now proof that what you eat can have a significant effect on your complexion. There are several holistic acne programs available on the internet. By changing what you eat, these programs work for many people without the serious side effects and cost associated with the other treatment methods. They work quickly, too. Most people will see results in one to six weeks. For my money, holistic, dietary treatments are the best way to get rid of acne.

Article Tags: Androgen Hormones

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