Adult Acne Treatments – How to Choose The Best Options
Many adults find themselves needing adult acne treatments even long after they have passed the challenging adolescent stage. Although the symptoms may be similar between the two stages, the medications required can be fairly different.
Fortunately, with the right product knowledge and some care, adult acne can be a thing of the past. This article explores the different adult acne treatments available on the market and provides information so you can make an informed decision.
a) Over-The-Counter Medications (OTCs)
If you are suffering from mild acne and small breakouts of pimples or comedones, OTCs may be all the treatment you need. Most creams and solutions sold contain either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Typical concentrations range from 2.5% to 10%, with the higher concentrations meant for more stubborn acne.
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Most adult acne sufferers should stay away from products targeted to the teenage audience as these are meant for more oily teenage skin. Using these products may cause excessive drying of skin. Fortunately, many companies have realized the need for a suitable range of adult acne treatments and have released specially suited products. These include:
- Neutrogena Skin Anti-Blemish products
- L’Oreal Special Care Acne Response Daily Adult Acne Regimen
- Aveeno Clear Complexion Products, among others
Like any solution, OTCs may take some time to be effective, but if you do not see significant clearing within 5 to 7 weeks, you may require more substantial solutions.
b) Topical Treatment Prescriptions
The following list show common prescriptions as adult acne treatments:
- Retinoids:- These include Differin, Retin-A and Avage. Retinoids work by accelerating skin cell turnover and prevents the formation of microcomedones, which is early-stage pore blockage. While these can have a positive effect on reducing wrinkles, the flipside is that they may increase your skin sensitivity to sunlight. Using appropriate sunscreen is advised if you are anticipating prolonged exposure.
- Combination treatments:- Many find these the most effective topical treatments as they work on different acne causes simultaneously. Popular ones include Ziana (tretinoin and topical clindamycin combination), Benzamycin (Benzoyl peroxide and topical Erithromycin) and BenzaClin (topical clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide).
c) Oral Medications
If you find that using topical treatments are not sufficient, it may be time to move on to oral medications. These are among the best adult acne treatments available but they are often accompanied by side effects. Most have to be prescribed by a doctor or dermatologist, so it is best to consult them first.
Isotretinoin (formerly marketed as Accutane) is probably the best and widely prescribed acne control drug, but it is meant to treat only severe forms of acne like cystic acne. Many users also report side effects such as skin peeling, flaking, dry lips and dry skin.
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Oral antibiotics are also prescribed to treat adult acne, especially inflamed acne breakouts. These are normally prescribed along with topical treatments such as Retin-A.
Oral antibiotic treatment is normally stopped once acne breakouts are no longer visible, after which topical treatments alone should be enough. It is one of the more popular adult acne treatments because of its flexibility in terms of treatment duration.
For women, oral contraceptives (OCs) can be a useful way of controlling acne. While not normally sufficient to control serious acne, these can be used to control the occasional acne breakouts that accompany the monthly cycle. Birth control pills work by controlling hormonal imbalances in they body through the suppressing of “male” hormones called androgens. Side effects of oral contraceptives may include loss of libido, mild mood swings and uncontrolled appetites.
Similar to oral contraceptives, anti-androgen drugs can be used to control acne by controlling hormones. These block out androgen hormones like testosterone and DHEA that are closely linked to the formation of acne. Like OCs, these treatments should can be used only by women. Consult your doctor first, as there are significant risks in using these drugs when pregnant.
Natural Acne Control
While all the treatments listed above are highly effective adult acne treatments, none come with a guarantee of acne prevention. Yes they do work, but you will find yourself being highly dependent on them unless you establish a successful personal framework to combat acne.
This includes establishing a balanced diet (nutrition, avoiding certain foods, etc.), making important lifestyle changes (hydration, cleansing, etc.) and ensuring that your keep your emotional health in check.
Many people who fail to take this into consideration find that acne continues recurring even after going through expensive courses of adult acne treatments. To get a personal blueprint for guaranteed, long-term success against acne, check out the link below. It leads to a highly effective and well researched guide that deals with treating acne holistically that include addressing the lifestyle changes I listed above.
Click Here For The Best Guide Available To Achieve Permanent Acne Free Skin