Most mild acne can be controlled by gently washing the affected area(s) and using a topical preparation, such as Benzoyl Peroxide.

Mild cases of acne can be treated at home with the use of gentle cleansers and cleansers containing Benzoyl Peroxide. These cleansers have shown to be extremely effective in clearing small lesions, such as blackheads, whiteheads or pustules, which appear at or near the surface of the skin.

Your daily regimen should include:

• Washing the affected area with warm water and a mild soap twice a day to remove dead skin cells and excess oil.
• Applying an over-the-counter acne treatment cleanser containing Benzoyl Peroxide or Salicylic Acid.
• Use of combination therapy by adding Vitamin A to your daily cleansing regimen has proven very effective in not only clearing mild to severe acne but improving overall skin health.

At-home treatment requires 4-8 weeks to see improvement. Once acne clears, treatment must be continued to prevent new lesions from forming.

MORE DERMATOLOGIST ARE RECOMMENDING COMBINATION TREATMENTS

Scientific research has greatly increased our knowledge of how acne develops, leading to many new acne therapies and changes in existing treatment options.

In recent years, combination treatments have become common. Most acne treatments work on only one cause of acne. Combining two or more medications allows the different factors causing the acne to be attacked simultaneously. Today, dermatologists and skin care professionals often combine medications to give patients faster clearing and better resolution.

Retinoids are medications derived from Vitamin A. When a topical (applied to the skin) retinoid is prescribed along with a topical antimicrobial, such as Benzoyl Peroxide, or an oral antibiotic, such as doxycycline, most patients’ skin clears faster and the results last longer. This combination also allows patients to stop taking oral antibiotics sooner and eliminates the need for long-term use of oral antibiotics, which was common 25 years ago.

Newer products include acne treatments made for different skin types and less-irritating topical retinoids. Newer topical retinoids have dramatically changed the way acne is treated. Twenty-five years ago, use of topical retinoids was commonly accompanied by side effects, such as redness, stinging, and peeling. With the advent of newer topical retinoids and patient-tailored dosing regimens, topical retinoids are now the first-line treatment for most patients with mild to moderately severe acne. Research shows that topical retinoids can effectively reduce blackheads, whiteheads, and the inflamed or red acne lesions. Early treatment with retinoids also can reduce scarring.

More on Vitamin A, Click Here.

Today, there are a number of very effective acne therapies, and virtually every case of acne can be resolved. Sometimes the help of a dermatologist is needed. If over-the-counter treatments have not worked for you, be sure to see a dermatologist.

Reference:
Harper JC. “An update on the pathogenesis and management of acne vulgaris.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2004 July:51(1):S36-8. acne.org.

© 2006 betterhealthyskin.com, LLC. All rights reserved. Vivant is a registered trademark of Vivant Skin Care, Inc. All offers subject to availability and policies do apply. The information contained in this message or betterhealthyskin.com website is not medical advice and should not be construed as such. Materials provided by BHS, LLC are intended for information purposes only and are not to be used in lieu of or as a substitution for medical advice, care, diagnosis or treatment provided by a licensed physician. Promotion ends April 5, 2006. Prices and availability subject to change.