Acne is a skin disorder that results from the action of hormones on the sebaceous glands of the skin. It is most common among teens and young adults, although infants and mature adults can also be affected. Acne sufferers have been around for many hundreds of years. When you think about all this suffering, the question still begs for an answer…can you actually cure acne?
With so many people dealing with this disorder it’s no wonder the market is inundated with a slew of so called acne cures. Even though some acne medicines like accutane do provide relief for certain acne sufferers, most dermatologists and doctors would probably deny the fact that acne cures actually exist.
Non-prescription acne cleansers, astringents, pimple creams, and moisturizers are some of the over-the-counter products many acne sufferers will resort to. These usually help unplug whiteheads and blackheads and encourage the skin to peel off.
Topical antibiotics prescribed by dermatologists help fight acne by means of killing the bacteria that infect the pores. However some bacteria may become resistant to these forms of acne cures, rendering them useless over a longer period of use. Many may also produce side effects, such as dryness, redness, and irritation.
Another option is oral antibiotics which also relieve acne by killing the bacteria. Some side effects to be considered before taking oral antibiotics are nausea and dizziness.
One other alternative to consider that may be the most controversial are vitamin A derivatives. They work by preventing skin cells from clumping together and promoting the shedding of the skin. With this option there are a number of side effects, such as dryness, redness, and irritation. When using these derivatives sufferers must use extreme caution due to the fact that there have been some cases reported that may point to some psychological disorders and certain birth defects that could be traced to their use.
As always, prevention is easier than curing. In this case, “an ounce of prevention is like a pound of cure” most likely holds true!
