and Acne Treatments

Acne is a very common problem and over 90% of all teenagers suffer from this skin condition at one point or another

History of Acne

during puberty.

Acne, which used to be known as Acne vulgaris, normally decreases dramatically after puberty but in some the condition will persist into adulthood.

Acne is a problem that has been around since ancient times and there are reports about ancient rules suffering from acne and skin conditions.

In ancient Rome they used sulphur in mineral water to treat acne and the use of suplhur as a treatment against acne survive well into the 19^thcentury.

Benzoyl peroxide was used as earlu as the 1920s but during the 1930s they tried a lot of other alternatives including radiation treatment and laxatives against acne.

When antibiotics became readily available in the 1950s patients and doctors soon noticed their effect on infected pimples. In time creams containing antibiotics were developed to treat acne.

During the 1980s, oral isotretinoin showed to be very effective against acne but the drug had serious side effects in pregnant women causing birth defects and miscarriages.

Women who suffers from acne can sometimes be treated by a hormonal acne treatment.

The estrogen / progestogen found in normal hormonal contraceptives have some effect, but serious ailments may require an antiandrogen combined with oestrogen.

In rare cases when one or several pimples grow unusually lagre and don’t react to other acne medication, a physician can chose to inject cortisone directly into it.

Even a small shot of cortisone tend to reduce redness and inflammation right away, but cortisone does come with serious side effects, especially if used for any longer period of time.

Camedones or blackheads as they are more commonly referred to today are a type of acne vulgaris where oil accumulate in the pores (sebaceous glands).

Many people believe that blackheads are the result of poor hygiene, but this is certainly not the case. Excessive cleaning can actually worsen the problem by causing dry skin, this prompting the body to produce even more oils.

Blackheads are usually unpleasant to look at but they are not dangerous, that said you might still want to know how to remove blackheads while avoiding to cause damage to the surrounding skin.

A common over the counter remedy is the adhesive strip that is placed on top of the blackheads. The blackheads stick to the tape and is removed when the tape is removed.

For individuals with a lot of blackhead related problems the strips can be impractical due to their temporary relief and in this cases salicylic acid might be a better solution.

Blue Light Acne Treatment

Tried all types of acne remedies to treat acne and still suffering from pimples, zits and acne vulgaris? Or are you reacting badly to some of the acne treatments such as Accutane and certain antibiotics?

The blue light acne treatment, or photodynamic therapy may be an option to clear acne once and for all.

Approved by the FDA, the blue light acne treatment is non evasive and natural. The major principle behind this treatment is the focus of a low intensity blue light ray, to destroy the bacteria in the pore (Propionibacterium acne or P.acne) that is causing all the skin eruptions.

Safe for all ages, the blue light procedure will last no longer than 30 minutes. During that time, a topical solution called Levulan will be applied to the skin prior to the treatment, then targeted low intensity blue rays are aimed at the infected sebaceous gland (p.acne), killing all the bacteria that is causing the lesion and inflammation.

Treatment is spaced out during two week intervals and depending on the severity and types of acne, treatment could go on for 6-8 weeks or more. However, it is safe enough to use even on a daily basis, so discuss the interval time with your doctor to get the best results.

The good thing is that blue light acne treatment has very little side effects. The side effects that are encountered are mild and usually take the form of redness, some dryness and swelling. Apart from that, it is a short doctor’s visit, and one that could be the solution to curing your acne.

Blue light acne treatment such as ClearLight and BLU-U are fast becoming the treatment of choice for treating acne. The only drawback for this procedure is the cost. Some doctors also recommend a combination of blue and red light therapy for better results.

Consult your doctor for the best options.