Management of acne could be a tough task for majority of the people. But it is not as tough as it is assumed to be.
Management of moderately severe acne
Treatment for moderately severe acne usually includes topical agents. In addition, a doctor or dermatologist may prescribe an oral medication, usually for at least six months.
Suitable oral medications include:
- Antibiotics such as tetracycline, minocycline, doxycycline or erythromycin
- In females, oestrogens and antiandrogens such or spironolactone
- Some patients are helped by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents for resistant or persistent acne, oral isotretinoin may be more suitable
See your doctor or dermatologist for advice if your skin problem fails to improve within three months or you have severe acne.
Management of severe acne
Oral treatment is required for severe acne conditions. Patients should be under the care of a dermatologist.
Many patients will be treated with:
- High dose oral antibiotics for six months or longer
- in females, especially those with polycystic ovary syndrome, oral antiandrogens such as oestrogen/cyproterone or spironolactone may be suitable long term.
Tips for managing and preventing acne
Tip 1:
Wash your face twice a day with warm water and a mild soap made for people with acne. Gently massage your face using circular motions. Do not over-wash or over-scrub your face. Then apply any lotion containing benzoyl peroxide which helps in decreasing oil and bacteria.
Tip 2:
Do not prick your pimples. It’s tempting, pricking pimples can push infected material further into the skin, leading to more swelling and redness, and even scarring.
Tip 3:
Avoid touching your face with your fingers. Touching your face can spread the bacteria that cause pores to become inflamed and irritated. To keep bacteria trapped, wash your hands before applying anything to your face, such as treatment creams or makeup.
Tip 4:
Never keep your makeup on face overnight. While buying makeup, make sure to choose brands that say “noncomedogenic” or “nonacnegenic” on the label. Do not use old or expired makeup on your face.
Tip 5:
Keep hair clean and out of your face to prevent additional dirt and oil from clogging your pores.
Tip 6:
Protect your skin from the sun. A tan may worsen your acne, and also causes damage to skin that will eventually lead to wrinkles and increase your risk of skin cancer.
These tips could help you if you really care for your skin!
