Acne Remedies
When you have acne, it seems like you can’t get to a remedy
fast enough. But with so many acne remedies available, how can
you know which one is the best for your needs?
Many acne remedies, many different results
The truth about acne remedies is
that no single remedy will work perfectly for every single
person. One of the reasons why there are so many acne remedies
on the market is that so many different people with acne
respond in different ways. For individual people, then, finding
one that works well is often a process of trial and error.
If you are looking
for a remedy to treat your acne, here are some suggestions
for how to work through the process:
1. Start by focusing on clean skin. Because acne is caused
by bacteria, it makes sense to start your search by focusing on
clean skin. Establish a routine of washing your face gently
each morning and each evening, using a mild face wash
formulated for acne-prone skin.
2. Add in an anti-acne formula. If washing your face
regularly and keeping it clean doesn’t take care of your acne,
add in a cleaner or face rinse that contains a bit stronger
anti-acne formula. Good choices include those containing
salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Start with the milder
formulations and move up to stronger formulations if
necessary.
3. Try a different anti-acne formula. Sometimes you will
find your skin doesn’t respond well to a particular acne
remedy, or that the formula you used to use no longer works as
well. If this happens then try switching to a different
anti-acne formula; for instance, if you have been using
salicylic acid try benzoyl peroxide instead, and if you have
been using benzoyl peroxide try salicylic acid instead.
4. See your doctor for other options. If your acne doesn’t
respond to these kinds of over the counter acne remedies, pay a
visit to your doctor. He or she has a wide array of choices for
helping you get your acne under control, ranging from mild
antibiotics to topical creams and gels. For many people,
spending just a few weeks or months using an antibiotic
treatment is enough to get their acne under control and allow
them to go back to using over the counter acne remedies.
There’s no substitute for time
The most important thing to remember about acne remedies is
that they do take some time to work. Don’t expect to magically
see 100% clear skin with just a few applications; rather,
expect to see gradual improvement over the course of a few
weeks. If you are not seeing improvement in that amount of time
(or the improvement is not as much as you would like) then move
up to the next level of care for a few weeks and see what
happens.
If, however, your acne is quite severe or you have a
negative reaction to one or more the acne remedies you try, by
all means don’t delay in going to see your doctor. Remember
that there are many, many different acne remedies out there
that work in many different ways. With some professional
guidance from your doctor or dermatologist, a little bit of
patience, and a little bit of time, you can get relief for your
acne and find yourself enjoying the self-confidence and comfort
that comes with clean, acne-free skin.
|