Do Laser Acne Treatments Work?

July 31, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Research




Numerous methods are used in the treatment of acne, such as topical and oral medications, but not many acne treatments were found to rid acne forever. The problem may be due to the fact that there are different types of acne. Inflammatory acne, for example, is usually treated with antibiotics taken orally. This is where the acne laser treatment comes in.

The laser treatment may be used to reduce the amount of medication taken to treat acne and improve acne scars. Acne laser treatment is quite recent. Many researchers have long been investigating better ways to treat acne. They came across this new acne-treating tool called acne laser treatment a couple of years ago and has been used since with a high rate of success.

Laser treatments have been known and applied for quite some time, but only a few years ago did they discover the efficiency of laser treatments when treating acne patients. Doctors discovered that a good number of acne patients showed extraordinary results after being exposed to the laser treatment. Before this discovery, laser treatments were mostly used for anti-aging purposes.

Laser acne treatments are used in very specific situations, such as in the reduction and elimination of scarring due to severe acne and in the treatment of active acne. The acne laser treatment has increased in popularity among acne patients since its first introduction a few years ago. This treatment is used on teenagers when other forms of treatment have been used without success, whereas adults will tend to opt for the acne laser treatment as being the acne treatment of choice.

Laser acne treatments may be used to reduce acne-causing bacteria or shrink oil-producing glands. Both approaches are efficient to get rid of acne, but many specialists believe that eliminating the oil-producing glands is the best route to an acne free skin.

How does acne laser treatment work? Depending on the approach, a different set of acne treating lasers and lights will be used. For example, if you want to eradicate acne-causing bacteria, a laser emitting yellow light will be used.

This yellow laser light interacts with prophorine, which is a substance found inside the acne-causing bacteria, to produce oxygen and consequently kill the bacteria. The yellow laser light also has a dual effect of favouring the formation of collagen, which in turn will help prevent scarring due to severe acne.

Acne laser treatment is still in its embryonic stage, much research is being done at the moment. Researchers are encouraged to further investigate acne laser treatments due to the acne problem being so widespread.

Consequently, newer and better methods are always being tested. Specialists often use a combination of different types of acne treating lasers and lights in order to get the most out of this laser technology when treating a patient. Of course, the methods used depend on the acne patient?s condition.

After numerous studies conducted to see the effectiveness of acne laser treatment, experts have found this treatment to be localized, secure, and producing no systemic side effects. More and more, lasers are being used in the treatment of acne scarring and in the treatment of active acne.



5 Top Acne Myths – Reasons To Discard Them

July 30, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Acne




Understanding what causes acne in the first place is an important step towards curing it. But it is easy to get caught up in the acne myths and avoid things that really have no relationship with your acne. Here are some of the more commons acne myths.

Acne Myth #1 – A Tan is Good for Your Acne

It is commonly myth that getting a tan can clear up your skin. Although it will cover up the redness, getting a tan does not help your acne clear up at all. In fact, the skin damage that can be caused by over-tanning can actually make your acne worse or complicate the healing process, as well as lead to more serious skin problems down the road.

Acne Myth #2 – French Fries Give You Acne

Since acne is caused by excess oils in your skin, it only makes sense that eating greasy foods or eating chocolate can cause acne, right? This is absolutely a myth. It has been scientifically proven many times that what you eat has no connection to your acne breakouts. So don’t stop eating your favorite foods just because of an acne outbreak. It really doesn’t effect your skin either way.

Acne Myth #3 – Washing a Lot Helps

While washing your face is an important part of controlling any acne, over-washing your face can strip your skin of essential oils and moisture. This will cause your skin to become irritated and dry, leaving it more susceptible to the infections that cause acne. The irritation will also slow the healing process of any existing acne. Washing is important, just don’t overdo it!

Acne Myth #4 – Popping Your Pimples Clears Them Up

Again, while it may make sense to “clear out” the bacteria by popping a pimple, in reality this practice will push the bacteria deeper into the skin and leave open wounds where the pimple was. This can lead to secondary infections and scars, while furthering the spread of acne-causing bacteria at the same time. Devices that are made to help pop pimples or extract blackheads run the same risks of scarring. Don’t pop those pimples!

Acne Myth #5 – Don’t Wear Makeup

A lot of people say that wearing makeup causes acne. Yet again, this seems to make sense on the surface, since clogged pores lead to acne and makeup can get in your pores. But modern cosmetics often contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, which actually help fight acne.

There are many other acne myths out there. Understanding what causes acne and what not to do are important steps in treating your acne. If in doubt, or in severe cases, talk to your dermatologist about possible acne causes and treatments.



Best Acne Control Methods

July 28, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Research




Acne is a nightmare for so many people. Not only teens, many adults have acne too. Is there an ultimate acne control treatment? Unfortunately the miracle acne medicine is yet to be discovered. If any acne product promises you an acne free face in three days don’t you believe that. However, there are several ways to control acne that work well for most people. Want to know what they are?

Acne control – is there an ultimate acne treatment?

Can acne be cured? Unfortunately not, at least not completely. Scientists are still not certain what cause acne. Most agree that it is related to hormonal imbalance that happens during puberty. But there is still no explanation why some teens are so badly affected while their lucky peers can clean faces. But the good news is that whatever causes acne, it can be controlled and acne outbreaks can be prevented.

The most unlucky group who has acne is teenagers, but adult acne happens often too. It can suddenly pop up at any age. Common condition called acne rosacea occurs after 30.

As with any disease it is better to prevent it than to cure. With acne this is especially true – preventing acne outbreaks is very important.

Acne control diet

Your diet is important for acne control. It was previously believed that oily foods like pizza and other fast foods can cause acne. Recent studies have shown that this is not true. However, these foods are “empty calories” meaning that they don’t deliver any useful vitamins and nutrients.

To help your skin fight acne you need to provide it with good nutrition. So plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables is a must for a good acne control diet. Most important vitamin for preventing acne is Vitamin B5. You can take it as additional supplement. Eating fish is also beneficial, because Omega 3 fat is important for healthy skin. Also avoid drinking too much milk. Milk contains some hormones that can cause acne breakouts.

Regular cleansing is the best acne control treatment

Use gentle acne cleansers to wash your face. Usually using a cleanser in the morning and in the evening gives best results. Doing it more often won’t help, it can only irritate your skin. It is important to use an acne cleanser even when you don’t have an outbreak. It will prevent acne from popping up. Cleansers with benzoyl peroxide give best results. You can get acne cleansers in any chemist or supermarket.

Prescription acne medication

For mild cases of acne simply cleansing your skin every day will help. However, if you used a good cleanser for a couple weeks and saw no improvement, it is time to visit a dermatologist and ask a professional advice. Don’t waste you time and money trying other over the counter products that promise miracles – most of them contain the same ingredients any way. So if one cleanser didn’t work for you, it is unlikely that any other would ether.

A doctor can prescribe you an acne control treatment suitable for your skin. It can be acne antibiotic cream or an oral acne medication. To clean your skin a doctor can also suggest a cleaning treatment such as dermabrasion or a chemical peel.

The key to best acne control treatments is not to give up. If you found acne cleanser or cream that works, use it regularly. And don’t forget about your diet too. Follow doctor’s instructions, if you are prescribed acne treatment. This way you can clear your face of acne and prevent farther outbreaks.



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