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Most Popular Acne Products
Filed Under Acne Treatment
With so many acne treatments available for sale these days, it is easy for consumers to get confused about which products are most effective for them. Some people prefer alternative treatment such as herbs, Chinese creams, and even acupuncture. But for a more mainstream user; there are some acne products that simply stand out from the rest. Among these include:
The ProActiv Solution – it is easily available with no prescription. A lot of people have claimed that this is highly effective in fighting and stopping acne. This package includes cleanser, toner, and the lotion. However, it is important to take note that ProActiv is especially suited for those with oily skin. People with normal or dry skin should seek alternative treatment that is not as harsh.
Retin-A – this can be used for a variety of purposes including acne treatment, scar removal, stretch mark removal, and other skin discolorations. Products with a high percentage of Retin-A are only available with a prescription.
Accutane – a strong acne medication that requires doctor’s prescription. It is best used for people who suffer from severe forms of acne. There are some side effects associated with this treatment including liver problems, dry lips, and possible birth defects for pregnant women.
Acne Magazine Daily Oral Antibiotics for Acne
Filed Under Acne Treatment
If your pimple no longer responds to topical treatments for acne, it may be time for you to consider looking into oral acne treatments. Also, if you have pimples in various parts of your body, you might want to try oral antibiotics as well because it is far easier and more convenient compared to putting topical treatments in many different areas.
Oral antibiotics basically act in two ways: (1) reduce acne bacteria and (2) reduce inflammation. Some of the most common antibiotics in the market these days include Erythromycin, Tetracycline, Minocycline, Trimethoprim, Doxycycline, and Azithromycin. In this particular article, we will focus on erythromycin because it is by far the most preferred treatment
Erythromycin is part of the macrolide group used in acne treatment. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory characteristics that will reduce the appearance of your pimple. If your pimple doesn’t respond well to topical antibiotics, you can try erythromycin. However, similar to many other topical treatments for acne, it does have some side effects. Some of the observed adverse effects include liver toxicity, pancreatitis, cardiac toxicity, and ototoxicity.
Acne Magazine Daily Acne Treatment during Pregnancy
Filed Under Acne Treatment
A lot of women suffer from acne during their pregnancy especially during the first three months. This is because the first three months is the period when the hormone levels will significantly rise and become out of control. Before taking any acne medications internally, it is essential to consult with a qualified medical practitioner. But generally, it is not recommended to ingest any type of acne pills because it can cause harm to the baby.
It is better to use topical acne treatments during pregnancy. Most of the time, products that contain ingredients such as tretinoin, adapalene, sodium sulfacetamide, azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, erythromycin, and clindamycin are prescribed. These are considered to be safe when applied to the skin. One ingredient that you should avoid during pregnancy is sodium sulfacetamide because it can cause disorders to your baby.
Most topical treatments are safe but it is always best to consult with the doctor to be on the safe side. Remember that pregnancy is a delicate point in your life and every precautions must be taken during this delicate stage.
Acne Magazine Daily Fade Acne Scars Fast
Filed Under Acne Scars
Going through acne can be a horrible experience. And after the phase, you are left with ugly reddish or brownish scars. Luckily, you can fade these acne scars quickly but you will need consistency and perseverance for this to be possible. There are basically four steps you need to follow to stop acne in its tracks and to fade away its scarring:
Step 1: Prevent breakouts – once the pimples clear, you certainly want to keep it that way in order to prevent scarring. Use practical everyday acne prevention methods such as having a healthy diet and using good skin products.
Step 2: Exfoliate – exfoliating will get rid of dead skin cells but don’t use products that can be too harsh on the skin. Some formulations can make the skin look inflamed and red. The best way to exfoliate is to manually and gently scrub the dead skin cells away.
Step 3: Use natural remedies – you can use vitamin E oil to heal the skin from acne. This friendly vitamin can do wonders to your appearance. It will also significantly decrease the visibility of scarring.
Step 4: Make it a habit to rinse in the morning – since your skin isn’t dirty anyway, try not to use soap in the morning, just use water.
Acne Magazine Daily Acne Whitening
Filed Under Acne Scars
Acne scarring is sometimes inevitable because the surface of your skin is damaged. There are many products in the market helps get rid of acne scarring but one of the most effective acne scar products are whitening products. These are designed to treat existing acne scars, freckles, age spots, and any other type of skin discoloration. Whitening products can control melanin production and treat any imbalance of this substance on your skin.
However, take note that acne whitening products cannot flatten the box scars, rolling scars, and ice picks. What acne whitening products does is help the skin fade the post-inflammatory pigmentation left over by skin damage. Also, it can be used to improve your overall appearance and skin tone.
Usually, serums work better than creams because it penetrates deep into the skin to give it the boost it needs for hydration and balance. Regular use can help your skin achieve its best possible appearance. You should realize that acne whitening products is not the miracle cure that will help erase all forms of skin damage because even though it can help improve its appearance, the skin constantly suffer from other external factors as well.
Acne Magazine Daily Acne Hygiene
Filed Under Acne Prevention
Acne is caused by both genetics and uncontrollable external factors. For example, you will have minimal control over your hormone levels without some help from certain medications. Likewise, it is impossible for you to stop the pollution around you at this instant. Realize though that there are some things you can do to help prevent acne from forming on your skin. Following the simple suggestions above can go a long way to improving your skin condition:
- Stop harsh scrubbing – it’s actually recommended for you to exfoliate twice or thrice a week but don’t harshly scrub your skin. Instead, you can use a gentle formula that can effectively rid your skin of dead skin cell.
- Don’t use alcohol – if you are using a toner, make sure that it does not have a high concentration of rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. A strong astringent can strip the upper layer of your skin which results to red skin and more blemishes.
- Wash off after work out – in doing physical activities, the body will generate heat while the clothing generates friction. Unless you shower it off, the moisture and heat becomes trapped against the skin, this is an ideal breeding area for bacteria to spread and cause acne.
Chemical Peels for Acne Scars
Filed Under Acne Scars
Chemical peels are usually done to the face to get rid of acne scars, fine lines, melasma, and a variety of other skin condition. Peels can remove several layers of damaged skin cell leaving “newer” skin behind. You can enjoy a more even-surface and better skin tone. It will also stimulate new collagen to be formed so the texture of your skin improves.
Depending on your particular need, peels can range from superficial to deeper peels. Chemical peels are repeated when necessary; usually, superficial are repeated once every couple of weeks. But it is recommended for you to wait three to six months before repeating the procedures if you underwent a deeper peel. Below are the different kinds of chemical peels:
Glycolic acid, Jessner peel, or salicylic acid peel – this results to superficial injury and it is referred to as the “lunchtime” peel because it is well-tolerated with minimal or no recovery time. This peel will merely remove thin lesions on the surface to reduce dryness and pigmentation.
Trichloracetic acid peel (TCA) – this is the most common type of peel for “medium depth” requirements. The result will depend on the amount of concentration used. This type of peel can be quite painful and the peeled areas may be swollen for some time.
Acne Magazine Daily Back Acne Problem and Solution
Filed Under Acne Treatment
Back acne is more prevalent than you think. “Bacne” is basically just acne found on your back, buttocks, and upper arms. Usually, backne can take various forms including pimples, blackhead, whitehead, pustules, and even cysts. Currently, there is no scientific reason why back acne occurs but it is observed that it starts during the puberty period. This is because puberty is the time when sebaceous glands begin to function; the sebum can clog the hair follicles and attract bacteria so acne inevitably forms.
If you have back acne, you need not despair because there are various treatments you can avail of. For mild cases, you can use Cetaphil cleansers and apply products with 10% benzoyl peroxide cream afterwards. Alpha hydroxy treatments can be used in tandem with benzoyl peroxide. A lot of people have seen good results from using this routine.
On the other hand, if you have severe back acne, it would be best to consult with a dermatologist. The doctor can prescribe certain medications that can control hormones and minimize bacterial ingrowths so acne can effectively be controlled. Once the back acne heals, it is recommended for you to undergo treatments such as microdermabration to get rid of the acne scars and enjoy flawless skin.
Acne Magazine DailyAcne can range from the mild to the severe so it is not surprising to know that acne treatments also vary. An effective treatment for one person may not necessarily be effective for another. The most basic acne treatment is to removing the “plugging” in the duct and stops the bacterial inflammation on the skin. This can be done by topical or systematic medications. Below are more details:
Topical medications
This is a relatively simple treatment that involves the daily use of soap, water, and OTC creams. Most topical products include:
· Medication soaps
· Salicylic acid cleansers and ointments
· Benzoyl peroxide products
Topical medications also contain antibiotic ingredients including erythromycin which helps kill the bacteria associated with acne. Meanwhile, its prescription products include ingredients from vitamin A. These types of products will dry the oiliness of the skin, peel the skin surface, and stop bacterial growth.
Systematic medications
These types of medications are only available with prescription. Usually, systematic medications involve the use of antibiotics, hormonal agents such as oral contraceptives, and vitamin A products known as retinoids. Systematic medications may take a while before results become apparent but it can offer long term solution to severe acne problems.
Acne Magazine Daily Topical Retinoids
Filed Under Acne Treatment
Topical retinoid is actually a derivative of vitamin A and it is considered to be an important factor in acne treatment. Retinoid basically works by unclogging your pores and preventing blackhead and whitehead from developing. While topical retinoid is highly effective, it is important to take note that it can irritate the skin and even cause sun sensitivity. It is important to follow the dermatologist’s instruction to maximize effectiveness. It would also be a good idea to use sunscreen when you are using this medication. Some forms of topical retinoid include:
Adapalene –this is a synthetic form of retinoid applied as cream or gel. It will unclog your pores and it also possesses anti-inflammatory capabilities. Usually, you will see results within eight to twelve weeks. Possible side effects include dryness and skin irritation.
Tazarotene – this is also a synthetic form of retinoid. This medication should not be used by pregnant women because it can cause birth side effects. Possible side effect includes skin irritation as well.
Tretinoin – a natural form of retinoid. Many people find tretinoin to be too harsh for their skin; but newer products are proving to be less irritating. This medication works by gradually unclogging your pores and keeping them unclogged. Possible side effects include itching, dryness, scaling, redness, and burning.
Acne Magazine DailyOily skin – stronger soap gels and bar cleansers are recommended in order to remove all oil and dirt. Be careful not to choose a product that is too drying though because it can also cause harm to the skin. Usually, people with oily skin also have acne on their chest and back so it is necessary to use the facial product on these areas as well. Meanwhile, the arms, legs, and feet should be moisturized. The most appropriate cleansers for oily skin are products labeled as “for acne prone skin”.
Dry skin – the most appropriate cleanses for dry skin are gentle soaps or moisturizing soaps. Liquid cleanser such as Cetaphil and Aquanil may be helpful for people with dry skin. In places where temperatures are low, it may be necessary to use these cleansers not only for the face but in body folds as well.
Sensitive skin – people with this type of skin will react negatively to products with fragrance or active ingredients. Like in the case of dry skin, Cetaphil may be perfect cleanser for this skin type as well. Also, people with sensitive skin need to avoid using loofah and other mechanical cleansers such as grains because it can cause irritation.
Recommended Adult Acne Treatments
Filed Under Acne Prevention
Some people are surprised to discover that they begin developing acne in their thirties and forties. However, you should not worry too much about this because adult acne is actually a prevalent condition among men and women around the world. Don’t make the mistake of treating adult acne and teen acne similarly though because your skin when you were in your teens is not the same now that you are an adult. In line with this, here are some basic steps you should follow:
Step 1: Choose the right cleanser for your skin. The facial wash you use will have a significant impact on whether the adult acne will effectively be treated or not. Look for facial products that contain benzoyl peroxide or even salicylic acid. These ingredients will exfoliate the skin surface without aggravating it; we particularly like the Biore Shine Control Cream Cleanser.
Step 2: Tone and Moisturize. It is important for you to choose a toner that will complement the function of your cleanser. Meanwhile, you should not forget to moisturize your skin because your skin might overcompensate with natural oil if it becomes too dry.
Step 3: Exfoliate. Every week, try to exfoliate your skin twice or thrice with a salicylic treatment such as the L’Oreal AcneResponse Intensive Adult Acne Peel.
Acne Magazine Daily Recommended Adult Acne Products
Filed Under Acne Treatment
Pimples usually start with blackheads. This is because when oil and dead skin cells are trapped in the skin’s pores, blackhead will become its result. Then, this blackhead can turn into pimples when it is exposed to dirt and becomes inflamed. In this regard, it is apparent that the key to solving acne problems is to target the problem at its root. Using exfoliants such as alpha-hydroxy acid will help rejuvenate the skin. We particularly recommend Lancome Pure Focus Deep Pore Refining Scrub because it will effectively remove oil, dirt, and bacteria from the skin surface.
Meanwhile, another recommended product is the Bliss Steep Clean Cleansing Milk. Unlike Lancome Pure Focus, this product is salicylic acid based so the chemical, instead of the scrub, will work on the skin surface. Biore Pore Perfect Strips is a product that will provide a quick fix if you need to attend an important function looking your best.
It is also important for you to keep possible breakouts at bay. Some products that will do the trick include the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Get and Olay Daily Facials Intensive Deep Cleansing Clay Mask. You should remember not to treat adult acne and teen acne the same way. Products that work for teenagers will not necessary work for you and vice versa; the recommended products above are particularly suitable for adult acne.
Acne Magazine Daily Detoxifying Herbs for Acne
Filed Under Acne Treatment
Herbal remedies for acne are becoming popular these days but it is important to take note that this should just be used as an adjunct to the current treatment being used. These herbal remedies are not “quick cures” because it will just support the body’s capability to cure itself. Detoxifying herbs are usually used to cleanse the body; it will eliminate waste from the kidney, lungs, and colons. While this may not fit into the Western idea of acne cure, the internal condition of the body has been proven to have significant improvement of its outside appearance.
The downside of detoxifying herbs is that it will not directly cure the acne because it will not be applied on the skin. Rather, its indirect way to acne cure is better for long term health and better physical appearance. In line with this, don’t be discouraged when results don’t happen overnight because it will first improve the general well-being of a person before its aesthetic benefits are realized. Some recommended detoxifying herbs include the blue flag, the burdock, the figwort, red clover, and the Echinacea. Some of these herbs can be combined for maximum benefit; you can also put honey to improve its taste.
Acne Magazine DailyAcne is one of the problems that most teenagers need to go through. However, for some teenagers, the problem is more than aesthetic because acne has adverse effects on their self-esteem and emotional well-being as well. This is particularly true if a teenager has severe acne that provides pimples and unattractive lesions on the face; these pimples will later cause scars to develop as well. Even though most people know that this is a temporary difficulty, they nevertheless experience setbacks from it. In line with this, here are some of the things a parent can do to prevent acne:
Encourage hygiene that fits the teen – hygiene is an important factor in preventing acne. Parents need to make the teen aware of the importance of washing their face twice everyday. Keeping the hair off the face will also help greatly.
Be understanding – most teens have self-esteem issues if they are less than perfect. The parent should be understanding and try to sympathize. But it is important to make the teen remember reality and his responsibilities as well.
OTC wash and treatments – there are many options available in the market today. Determine the skin type of the teen so that the proper facial wash, creams, and treatments can be selected.
Acne Magazine Daily Dealing with Adult Acne
Filed Under Acne Treatment
People don’t usually see adult acne as normal because of the popular misconceptions that only teenagers are affected by acne. But the truth is, acne can affect anyone although it is particularly prevalent during the teen years. Because of the myth however, some adults don’t know what treatment to use so that they can eliminate their acne completely.
It is important to remember that just like in the case of teenagers, adult acne treatments should depend on the severity of the condition. If you only get an occasional pimple then you most likely don’t need to consult with a dermatologist because using a drying agent can take care of it. It is recommended for you to use something with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid as these are proven to be effective.
If you are suffering from severe acne though, then you probably need a more aggressive treatment. Consulting with a dermatologist will make sense in this case because they will be able to give prescriptions for you. For adult acne, it is likely that the dermatologist will prescribe Accutane; there are many side effects from Accutane usage though. It is also important to take note that Accutane should not be used by pregnant women.
Acne Magazine Daily Myths and Truths about Acne
Filed Under Acne Myths
Myth 1: Acne is caused by your diet – scientific studies found no connection between food and acne. This is one of the most popular myths especially with regards to food such as chocolate, French fries, and pizza. While this remains a myth, it is important not to discard it though because it may be proven to be true in the future.
Myth 2: Acne is a result of stress – the stress of everyday living is not a factor in acne. However, severe stress that needs to be treated by medications can cause acne as its side effect. If you notice that you have acne because of drug prescriptions, consult your doctor.
Myth 3: Acne can be caused by poor hygiene – this myth causes some people to wash hard and frequently; this techniques can actually make your condition worse. Acne is not actually caused by surface oil or even dirt; so gently wash your face twice daily with mild soap and pat it dry instead; you can use appropriate treatments to get rid of the acne.
Myth 4: Acne is a disease – acne can affect a person’s look and can result to permanent scars that can affect a person emotionally but physically speaking, acne is not a serious threat to your health.
Acne Magazine Daily IPL for Acne and Acne Scars
Filed Under Acne Scars, Acne Reviews
Intense Pulse Light, commonly refereed to as IPL, is a form of treatment that can be used for acne scar removal. This is the first type of treatment that makes use of light to reduce acne and acne scars. The light is passed through the affected areas and it works best because it kills acne-causing bacteria as well. IPL is also used to dry out the overly active oil glands on the face and other parts of the body. Probably the best thing about IPL though is that people will not feel pain when going through the IPL therapy. However, patients need to expect redness is certain parts of the affected areas after the treatment.
IPL is quick to remove acne from the surface of the skin because it has three functions:
· Kills the acne causing bacteria on the skin
· Skin exfoliation/unclogs the pores
· Closes the sebaceous glands which is the main source of developing acne
It is apparent that IPL have a lot of benefits for acne removal and acne scar removal. However, it is not without its risk because some patients noted hyper pigmentation and hypo pigmentation after the treatment. It is important for you to undergo this treatment under the supervision of a trained physician.
Acne Magazine DailyIn the previous posts, the advantages and types of laser treatments for acne scar was looked into. There are more FDA approved acne scar removal treatments in recent years and here are more of them:
Punch excision/punch grafting – this method is use to treat depressed scars. A small tool that looks like a cookie cutter will cut the scar from your skin. When the scar is excised, your skin will be sutured close. Generally, there will be a small scar at the end of the treatment but it would be less visible than the original one. With time, the new scar will fade although it can be helped along by microdermabrasion.
Subcutaneous Incision – also referred to as subcision. This type of acne scar removal is the treatment for rolling acne scars and depressed scars. It is a surgical procedure wherein a small needle is inserted to be parallel to the surface of skin. The needle will then cut the tissue that tether into deeper structure. Because of this, the skin will lift when the band of tissue has been released.
Dermabration – this procedure must be performed under local anesthesia. A rotating wire brush will go through the top layer of your skin. When your skin heals, the acne scars will have softened and deep scars are reduced in depth.
Acne Magazine Daily FDA Approved Acne Scar Removal
Filed Under Acne Scars
In the past, acne scars were extremely difficult to remove. It takes months before the skin can naturally heal itself from these blemishes. It was only in recent years that highly effective procedures have been developed with varying degrees of success. Before we look over some of the FDA approved treatments though, you should always remember to be realistic with your expectations. Understanding that acne scars cannot be completely removed in an instant will go a long way in improving your satisfaction level with these treatments.
Laser Treatments
There are two basic types of laser treatments including ablative and non-ablative.
The ablative laser will resurface the skin by getting rid of the outer layers. Some of the most common types of ablative laser include the carbon dioxide treatment and eribium. It will produce a smoother skin because atrophic scars will be reduced. Scarring is also softened so the acne scar can be removed in a shorter amount of time.
Meanwhile, non-ablative treatments can cause changes in the dermis even without damaging the skin surface. Non-ablative laser will stimulate new collagen growth and tighten the skin. This type of treatment is usually recommended for deep scars, not for mild acne scar.
Acne Magazine Daily





