Acne Vulgaris Treatment

What is Acne Vulgaris?

Acne vulgaris is a disease of the skin which causes swollen lesions such as pimples or spots. It is caused by changes (caused by bacteria) in hair follicles and their related sebaceous glands and affects between around 85% of people at some point in their lives.

Acne Vulgaris Treatment

There are many available acne vulgaris treatments available. Most require time to work so do not be fooled by any product that claims to clear your acne within a week or two.

Exfoliation Treatment

Skin exfoliation is a staple of acne vulgaris treatment. Exfoliation is carried out with an exfoliating liquid scrub, an exfoliating abrasice cloth or pad or chemical exfoliation. Exfoliation involves removal of the dead skin cells which contribute to blocking the pores in the skin creating an environment in which bacteria can flourish.

Topical Bactericidal Treatment

This type of acne vulgaris treatment involves the use of bactericidal products that contain benzoyl peroxide. These products include special soaps, washes, gels and creams which are used daily to unblock pores and prevent new acne spots developing through benzoyl peroxide's anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, benzoyl peroxide also causes the skin to dry out and can cause skin redness and sensitivity depending on the content of benzoyl peroxide present in the particular product and the sensitivity of the individual's skin. If using a bactericidal product for acne vulgaris treatment, some care should be taken as it can bleach hair or clothing: benzoyl peroxide is a mild bleach.

Topical and Oral Antibiotic Treatment Types

Antibiotic creams or gels kill bacteria that have multiplied in the blocked hair follicles. This type of acne vulgaris treatment is applied directly onto an affected area. Although topical antibiotic acne vulgaris treatment per se is as effective as oral antibiotic treament, the side effects are not as extreme. Having said this large areas affected by acne vulgaris may be difficult to cover. Examples of antibiotic acne vulgaris treaments would include products that contain erythromycin, clindamycin, Stiemycin and tetracycline.

Oral antibiotic acne vulgaris treatment comes in the form of a pill that is taken orally. As with topical acne treatments, Oral antibiotics attack the bacteria that exacerbates acne. However, oral antibiotic acne treatment can cause stomach upsets and other unpleasant side effects. Both types of bacterial acne vulgaris treatment do not permanently resolve acne.

Hormonal Treatment Types

The hormone cortisone can be injected directly into an large acne spot which can very rapidly and dramatically reduce inflammation of the acne. Cortisone injections as an acne vulgaris treatment for a specific area or spot can at most speed up the healing process of the affected skin and at least make the area easy to cover through the use of makeup.

Other hormonal acne vulgaris treatment can help to improve acne in female sufferers. Diane-35 (Cyproterone combined with oestrogen) is an oral contraceptive that reduces levels of androgenic hormones in females and helps alleviate acne.

External Retinoid Treatment

This acne vulgaris treatment makes lifecycle of the hair follicle cell more stable and regular. This stability mean that it is less likely that blockage of the pores will occur and therefore means less likelihood that bacteria will be able to multiply. Unfortunately topical retinoids (such as Retin-A, Differin and Tazorac) can cause irritation and in some cases actually make the acne worse for a time.

Oral Retinoid Treatment

Oral retinoid acne vulgaris treatment reduces the secretion of oil from the sebacious glands.A normal course will last up to six months with medication being taken daily. Many oral retinoids have a much longer effect than bactericidal products (some can actually permanently cure acne) but side effects can be severe, including skin dryness, nosebleeding and possibly liver damage. Oral retinoid acne vulgaris treatment should be avoided by pregnant women as they can potentially cause birth defects.