Many people are surprised to find out that the acne treatments they’ve been using are ineffective or even worsen their condition. Acne is a very complex problem, affecting millions of people worldwide. It doesn’t have any quick-fix solutions, and proper treatment can take months before you see significant results. Acne is a treatable condition, and it can be effectively controlled. However, acne treatment myths are pervasive, and a person with the disease is likely to have heard some of these misconceptions before. The following are the top 10 acne treatment myths that are commonly believed even by experienced dermatologists.
Fact: Not all soaps are created equal. It would help if you used a mild facial cleanser that will clean your skin without over-drying it. Avoid cleansing your skin with harsh chemicals like hydrogen peroxide, benzoyl peroxide, and alcohol which can irritate the skin.
Fact:Â Although toothpaste is said to help dry up pimples because of its high-alkaline content, this is only a myth. Using toothpaste on pimples will not help you get rid of acne at all; in fact, it can make your condition worse. Toothpaste has a high-foaming agent which may irritate the skin and spread bacteria from one spot to another.
Fact:Â This is another myth that cannot be further from the truth! Aspirin contains salicylic acid, which can cause increased irritation when applied to your skin. It is also known for its stinging sensation once applied. Avoid using aspirin in treating acne because it will only worsen your condition, especially if you have susceptible skin.
Fact:Â Your dermatologist will tell you that acne treatment takes months before you see significant improvement. This is because acne affects all layers of the skin and involves different factors like bacterial infections, hormonal imbalances, dirt, excess sebum production, etc.
Fact:Â Some medicines like tetracycline can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, but these are only external products. Taking medications should not cause any side effects other than those listed in the dosage guidelines. The doctor who prescribed the drug will be able to give you proper advice regarding this myth.
Fact: Your acne might be caused by dehydration, but simply drinking more water will not cure your skin condition. Many people don’t drink enough water every day to keep the body well hydrated, so it is recommended that you increase your fluid intake, but this alone will not cure acne.
Fact:Â This myth cannot be further from the truth because studies have shown no links between poor oral hygiene and increased risk for developing acne. Although personal hygiene is essential, it should not be used to treat or prevent acne breakouts because it won’t help at all. The normal bacteria found in your mouth (oral flora) can help protect your face from acne by occupying the pores and preventing dirt, dead cells, bacteria, etc., from clogging them.
Fact:Â As mentioned above, sunlight alone cannot cure your acne. However, a small amount of sun exposure can provide you with some vitamin D essential for normal bone formation and cellular growth. Many dermatologists recommend a specific time frame for your daily sun exposure, depending on your skin type if you expose too much of your skin to the sun, even if for just a few minutes, it can worsen dryness and itchiness caused by seborrheic dermatitis and will not improve the condition of your acne at all.
Fact:Â Many people claim that eating chocolate leads to acne breakouts because cocoa contains high amounts of caffeine and other chemicals, which may increase sebum production and cause blocked pores. However, no scientific evidence links chocolate to acne development, so this myth is just a baseless statement.
Fact:Â Squeezing acne causes the bacteria present in your skin pores to spread more quickly. If you continue to pick at your pimples, they will become more inflamed and last longer. You should also avoid touching them since fingers may transfer dirt on open sores, leading to the development of scars. There are various ways to get rid of acne, but popping them is not recommended because it will only aggravate your condition further.
These are the myths associated with acne. However, there are also many different acne treatments available. Skin doctors recommend a combination of acne treatments to get rid of acne permanently. Here is the acne treatment available according to the skin doctors:
Topical acne medication contains chemicals and ingredients that can help prevent the development of new breakouts while also alleviating existing pimples. There are various topical treatments available that will work differently depending on your skin type and condition. These include:
* Benzoyl peroxide-Â This ingredient helps unblock pores, kills bacteria within the pores and decreases sebum production. It is usually recommended for mild acne cases, but some people may experience dryness or irritation when using this product, so it should be applied on a small area first before covering large areas of skin, and you should also avoid contact with eyes and mouth
* Salicylic acid-Â This works like benzoyl peroxide by penetrating clogged pores and exfoliating the skin. It also helps in reducing inflammation, swelling, and redness of existing acne while preventing the development of new pimples
* Alpha-hydroxy acids-Â This ingredient functions by exfoliating dead skin cells to unclog clogged pores. It can help unblock pores and prevent future breakouts, but there are also reports saying that it may cause dryness, sensitivity, and irritation
Systemic medications for acne treatment works differently than topical treatments because they are usually taken orally or through injection, depending on the severity of your condition. There are various systemic treatments available which include:
* Antibiotics-Â Recent studies have shown that antibiotics used in treating bacterial infections have properties that may reduce sebum production; however, dermatologists recommend these products for moderate to severe acne cases because they can cause discoloration of the skin when used in mild cases.
* Isotretinoin-Â This drug is usually prescribed for people with acne, which cannot be controlled with topical treatments due to its severe effects. It decreases sebum production, but you should know that it can cause congenital disabilities if consumed during pregnancy, so plan your treatment before trying to conceive a baby
* Hormonal therapy-Â this method uses hormones that will help in preventing future breakouts by decreasing the level of testosterone in women and blocking the effect of excess androgens in men
People with mild acne conditions may opt to use natural remedies such as:
* Aloe vera-Â this is one of the most popular ingredients in natural remedies, so it may come as a surprise to you that no clinical studies are suggesting the effectiveness of aloe vera in treating acne. So far, there are only reports saying that aloe vera can speed up recovery and decrease inflammation, but this needs further testing.
* Tea tree oil-Â Dermatologists recommend this essential oil for treating mild to moderate acne because it has been shown in various studies that tea tree oil can help lessen several breakouts, decrease inflammation and kill bacteria. Be careful when using tea tree oil as it is a known allergen, so perform a patch test before covering large skin areas with this product.
* Herbal supplements-Â This method uses extracts from different parts of plants such as leaves or roots, which includes phytochemicals and other compounds which can help fight bacteria and relieve pain and swelling associated with acne after some time. However, herbal supplements have not been tested for safety and efficacy; therefore, consult your dermatologist before trying these products.
* Green tea extract-Â This ingredient contains anti-inflammatory properties, which means that it can help alleviate swelling and redness brought by acne. However, this needs to be studied further for effectiveness.
Aside from prescription medications, various OTC (over-the-counter) products are available in the market that promises acne treatment without turning to drugs and chemicals. These include:
* Benzoyl peroxide-Â This product works like topical prescription treatments by killing bacteria on the skin and unblocking pores. Still, it is milder than prescription options, so this may be effective for some people, especially those who experience side effects with more robust solutions.
* Alcohol-free toners-Â An active ingredient in alcohol-free toners is salicylic acid, which works like benzoyl peroxide by penetrating clogged pores and exfoliating dead skin cells to prevent the development of new pimples. There are also anti-bacterial ingredients. However, there is no available research that proves the effectiveness of alcohol-free toners against acne.
Light therapy or phototherapy utilizes different types of light, including UVA, UVB, and visible blue light, to kill bacteria and reduce sebum production, which both cause pimples formation. Reports say that light therapy may decrease redness, swelling, and soreness caused by existing acne flares. Still, no clinical studies are suggesting the effectiveness of light therapy in treating acne.
This method uses a chemical solution that helps clear away the top layers of skin to prevent the formation of new acne. One brand often used for this treatment is Salicylic acid, but other ingredients are available depending on your dermatologist’s preference.
Accutane or isotretinoin can help decrease the number of breakouts and heal existing pimples, but taking Accutane has not been proven safe since it comes with various side effects, including congenital disabilities if taken during pregnancy, depression, suicidal thoughts, and blood clots. Clinical studies are suggesting that Accutane may cause inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Homeopathic treatment is one of the best alternatives to prescription medications because it does not contain chemicals, synthetic ingredients, and other toxins that can cause side effects. However, homeopathic treatment is based on the concept of treating like with like, which means that you should be careful in choosing what product to use or consult your dermatologist first before trying these products.
Acne treatment depends on the severity of your condition; there are mild cases that can be treated with topical solutions and strong medications for severe ones. If you plan to use over-the-counter acne products, always choose an OTC product that contains salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide so it won’t irritate the skin. Consult your dermatologist or homeopathic doctor for further advice.
Yes, homeopathic treatment is a safe option for acne because they do not contain chemicals, synthetic ingredients, and other toxins that can cause side effects.
Homeopathic treatment is one of the best alternatives to prescription medications because it does not contain chemicals, synthetic ingredients, and other toxins that can cause side effects. Homeopathy treats acne from the inside out, which means that it targets root causes of acne formation. It is milder than chemical medication, so it may be effective on some people, especially those who experience side effects with stronger acne treatments. You can book an appointment with an expert homeopathic doctor now through OHO Homeopathy!
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