Sep 02 2010
Do Acne Creams Work?
Most acne creams on the market will do as they advertise if used properly and diligently. Do they cure acne? No, they alleviate the symptoms of acne and can reduce the severity and frequency of future breakouts. Are there side effects? Of course, there is always a “but…” and it will always vary by individual.
First, what is acne? Quite simply it is an infection in the skin around a hair follicle caused by a combination of hormones and bacteria. The visual result of acne is a combination of pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads. It can be so severe that it leaves scars. Amazingly, over 80% of the U.S. population suffers or has suffered from acne to some extent.
Back to acne creams, they will have one or more active ingredients that will either kill bacteria, break down the materials inside blackheads and whiteheads or both. There is benzoyl peroxide, resourcinal, salicylic acid and sulphur. Benzoyl peroxide kills bacteria and inhibits the production of oil from the sebaceous glands in our skin and hair. These glands secrete an oil to maintain healthy hair and skin. The entrapment of these oils by bacteria causes the build up resulting in pimples, blackheads and whiteheads. Resourcinal helps break down the hard pus material inside a blackhead or whitehead. Salicylic acid also helps destroy the materials inside of blackheads and whiteheads. It also protects the cells inside our hair follicles. Sulphur will destroy and dissolve the materials inside pimples. So the primary purpose of acne cream is to kill bacteria and dissolve materials that accumulate inside of blackheads and whiteheads.
There are side effects to most creams ranging from minor skin irritation and discoloration to intense burning of the skin. Any side effect causing more than minor discomfort should be discussed with a dermatologist before continued use of the cream.
The belief that acne can be cured and cleared up in a few days with the use of a topical cream is not accurate. Proper treatment with an acne cream realistically takes 4 to 8 weeks for optimal results. A proper diet and hygiene are important in this treatment.
Many creams are available over the counter and some have a set of products to be used in a regimen for acne treatment and prevention. For more severe cases, a dermatologist might prescribe a stronger medication at the beginning of the treatment and then finish with an over the counter treatment.
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http://www.acneguide.ca/
Acne Guide is designed to help you understand your skin condition more clearly. and maintaining acne control and to help cure it with acne medication.
http://www.murad.com/acne-medications.jsp
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