Acne Topical Treatment – Topical Intervention

All of us, regardless of race and ethnicity have dealt with acne at some point.  It may differ in severity, but no one ever wants to have a problem with acne.  Acne is caused by a hormonal imbalance. This is why teens are usually victims of acne problems.  There are many available treatments for acne but for people who have moderate to moderately severe cases of acne topical intervention is needed.

A topical anesthetic comes in various forms and are applied directly to the affected part of the body.  It kills the Propionibacterium acne bacteria and helps reduce infections in the pores.  Below are the most commonly used acne topical treatments available.

Clindamycin antibiotic treats the bacterial infection and is the most frequently used antibiotic for acne.  It may cause irritation, but that can be tolerated.  Seek the advice of a physician before using this product as it may have certain limitations to people with regional enteritis, ulcerative colitis or antibiotic induced colitis history.  Erythromycin has basically the same use as Clindamycin but can be used by pregnant woman safely.

Tetracycline and Metronidazole are used in acne treatment but not as often as Clindamycin and Erythromycin.  Tetracycline may cause an allergic reaction because it contains bisulfates and a sulfa derivatives. Metronidazole may cause Roscea, which is a disease of the skin resulting in a flushed appearance because of the enlarged blood vessels in the face.

For 30 years, Benzoyl Peroxide has been available and is still proven effective in treating acne.  The cream is usually blended with antibiotics.  Although the response is slow, it reduces blackheads.  Tretinoin is a derivative of Vitamin A.  It helps in reducing the inflammation of the acne affected area.  Adapalene works best on blackheads and whiteheads, and improvements can be seen in 8-12 weeks.

Treat acne early to prevent more damage to your skin.  Bear in mind that the first thing people see is your face.  So, take care of it. It may be your investment in having a high self esteem.  Consult your Dermatologist, and know the acne topical treatment that is best for you.  You might need a topical intervention now.