Acne flare-ups can be annoying and embarrassing but they can be treated.  There are lots of good acne treatments on the market today, so talk to your dermatologist to find out which ones will work best for you.

Acne skin care products can be classified into three broad categories:  Preventative, Over-the-Counter, and Prescription

Preventive or General Acne Skin Care Products:

Preventative acne skin care products are ones that are used as an acne-prevention measure.  These acne skin care products include cleansers, make-up removers, and similar products that help prevent acne breakouts.  For those individuals prone to acne, these products should be part of your daily routine to head off acne breakouts before they occur.

These acne skin care products work to act against the causes of acne by limiting the production of sebum (oil) and preventing clogging of your skin’s pores.  These products essentially prevent the oil from getting trapped in the pores and hamper the growth of the bacteria that leads to acne.

General acne skin care products also include exfoliation products like skin peels.  These products work by removing dead skin cells, reducing the possibility of pore-clogging and bacteria development.

Over-the-Counter or Specialized Acne Skin Care Products:

These specialized, or over-the-counter, acne skin care products do not require a doctor’s prescription.  Most of these acne skin care products are based on Benzoyl Peroxide and Salicylic Acid, both of which fight against the bacteria that causes acne.  You should start with a product that contains a lower concentration of benzoyl peroxide to see how your skin responds.

Alpha-Hydroxy-Acid based moisturizers are also a popular products.  You may need to try a few to find a brand that works best for you.

Prescription Acne Skin Care Products:

These acne skin care products are prescribed by your dermatologist.  They include ointments that can be applied to the affected area, or oral antibiotics, or just about any topical treatment.  Your doctor may also prescribe a hormone-based treatment (since hormonal changes are also known to cause acne). Such acne skin care products are known to be very effective in some cases.  Finally, your dermatologist’s may suggest a minor surgical procedure to treat your acne.

Always consult your dermatologist before trying any acne skin care products to learn of their benefits and drawbacks for your particular skin type.

Your body is an incredibly efficient healing machine, and when it’s injured, it does all it can to protect itself.  Acne is an infection, and just like getting a cut, your body responds by sending white blood cells and other molecules that help fight the infection to the wounded site.  After the healing process is complete, a scar forms at the site of the repair leaving the skin not as smooth as it was before the acne.

Let’s discuss some various types of scars and some methods that doctors use to help you looking healthy again.

Types of Acne Scars:

The first thing you should know about acne scars is that everyone has a different tendency to scar.  The same type of acne on one person may only result in minimal to no acne scarring, while the other person may experience more severe acne scarring.  Bottom line, everyone is different.

Acne scars come in two types – scars that are caused by the loss of tissue and scars that are caused by increased tissue formation.

Depressed Scars – These acne scars distinguish themselves by their loss of tissue.  Some depressed acne scars result in a rupture that can cause a loss of collagen giving rise to a deep recess or depression.  The skin above the acne scar is left unsupported due to the lack of tissue below it and a saucer shaped or jagged “Ice Pick” acne scar is formed.  Ice Pick scars are more common on the face.

Keloids – In some people, the acne scar forms in a reverse fashion.  With the loss of collagen, the body triggers fibroblasts that produce excessive collagen, producing scar tissues called keloids.  Keloids are more commonly found on male torsos. Another type of increased tissue formation scar is called hypertrophic or overgrowth acne scar.

Acne Scar Treatments:

The good news is that most acne scars can be treated by your dermatologist using various acne treatments.  Consult your dermatologist to discuss costs and the results you’re looking for from the treatment.  You need to be aware of the varying success rates for treating your type of acne scarring.

The most common treatments for acne scarring are – collagen treatment, laser treatment, dermabrasion, microdermabrasion, skin surgery, and skin grafting.  Keloids may be left untreated if it is felt that further acne treatment will only form additional keloids.  Keloids can sometimes be treated with steroid injections.  Speak with your dermatologist to see what may work for you.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your dermatologist for your medical concerns.

As a teenager, acne often poses a huge dilemma. Although it is true that acne usually occurs during puberty, it is probably just as true, just that there are a growing number of individuals who suffer from acne well into their adulthood.

Adults in their twenties, and older, still experience acne flare-ups. Adult acne can have just as many negative effects on a person as teenage acne. The effects in adults is often amplified. Living with adult acne can cause undo stress on work and family from trying to cope with an unsightly skin problem.

Mental stress can be one of the main causes of adult acne. It is also no surprise, that women suffer more often from adult acne than men. Women often have a lot more stress in their daily routines, and are prone to hormonal imbalances during their menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Just as teenage hormones play an important role in the development and exacerbation of acne, hormones can play a similar role with adult acne.

The environmental factors that surround a person, coupled with the individual’s lifestyle can also play an important role in the appearance of adult acne. A poor diet or behavior such as smoking and drinking can effect the skin’s condition and resistance to adult acne and other diseases.

Prevention is the only way to deal with adult acne. Sticking to a proper diet, drinking plenty of water, and getting rest, is a good way to start treating adult acne. The attempt to reduce stress and maintain proper care and hygiene can also help to prevent acne.

But what about the pimples you already have?

There are many treatments for people who have adult acne.

Anti-acne medications, skin care products, and even laser surgery are options that are available to treat adult acne. Visit your doctor or dermatologist to learn what treatments will be most affective for your skin type. Adult acne is very treatable, so act now.