Treatment of severe acne is something that some of us need to deal with at one time or another. Severe acne is when you have lumpy acne that does not go away and is very red. When I was younger I took Accutane to get rid of my severe acne as well as injections and drainage to get rid of my severe acne.

Drainage and Surgical Excision
Some large cysts do not respond to medication and may require drainage and extraction. Drainage and extraction, or acne surgery as it is also called, should not be performed by patients. Dermatologists are trained in the proper technique and perform acne surgery under sterile conditions. Patient attempts to drain and extract comedones by squeezing or picking, can lead to infection, worsening of the acne and scarring.

Severe acne requires an aggressive treatment
regimen and should be treated by a dermatologist.

Acne Injections
When an acne cyst becomes severely inflamed, there is a good chance it will rupture and scarring may result. To treat these severely inflamed cysts and prevent scarring, dermatologists may inject such cysts with a much-diluted corticosteroid. This lessens the inflammation
and promotes healing. An interlesional corticosteroid injection works by “melting” the cyst over a period of 3 to 5 days. As painful as this may sound I never found it to be bad at all, the needle is this and it is really good to get rid of the lumpy red zits.

Accutane
Accutane is a potent drug reserved for treating severe cystic acne and acne that has proven itself resistant to other medications. Accutane is a synthetic (man-made) retinoid (form of vitamin A) that comes in pill form. It is usually taken once or twice a day for 16 to 20 weeks.

Today, it is the most effective acne treatment available because it is the only acne treatment that works on all four factors that predispose a person to acne - excess oil production, clogged skin pores, P. acnes and inflammation. The remissions achieved with Accutane usually last for many months to many years. For many patients, only one course of Accutane therapy is needed.

While Accutane is the most effective acne treatment available, it cannot be prescribed to everyone due to a number of potential side effects, some serious. One of the most serious side effects is the potential to cause severe birth defects in a developing fetus. For this reason, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that women not be (or become) pregnant while taking Accutane. FDA regulations require women of childbearing age to take 2 pregnancy tests prior to beginning Accutane therapy and use 2 forms of birth control for 1 month before therapy begins, while taking the drug and for 1 full month after therapy. It is also important that women not breast feed during this time. Women who wish to become pregnant after taking Accutane should talk to their dermatologist and gynecologist about when it is safe to get pregnant after receiving Accutane therapy.

Other possible severe side effects that may occur while taking Accutane include:

* Severe pain in the chest or abdomen
* Trouble swallowing or painful swallowing
* Severe headache, blurred vision or dizziness
* Bone and joint pain
* Nausea or vomiting
* Diarrhea or rectal bleeding
* Depresion
* Dryness of the skin, eyes and nose
* Thinning hair

If any side effect occurs, the patient’s dermatologist or other healthcare practitioner should be contacted immediately because some of these side effects can lead to serious health problems.

While taking Accutane, patients are regularly monitored for side effects through follow-up visits. For most people, these side effects are tolerable and not a reason to discontinue therapy before remission is achieved. However, it is important to keep appointments for follow-up visits because monitoring can reveal conditions that a patient might not notice. For example, a patient may not realize a rapid increase in bad cholesterol that is detected through a blood test.

The decision to use Accutane should be made jointly by patient and dermatologist. When used with all due caution under close medical supervision, Accutane can resolve severe acne that has not responded to other therapy. It has proven especially effective in resolving cystic acne, a severe form of acne that usually does not respond to other therapies.

For a substantial number of patients, one course of Accutane therapy is all they will ever need. A small number of patients require more than one course of Accutane therapy to control severe acne.

It is important to take Accutane as prescribed even if the skin clears before all of the pills have been taken to prevent relapse. At the end of an effective course of Accutane therapy, all or most of the acne lesion will have cleared. Patients may notice residual erythematous (reddish) macules (flat spots) where acne lesions were present. These macules are not scars, and they will fade in 6 to 8 weeks.

After therapy, patients should continue to follow the Skin Care Guidelines for People with Acne.

Antibiotic pills
Oral antibiotics have been a mainstay of therapy for severe acne for many years. Like topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics work to reduce the P. acnes population (a contributing factor in acne), which, in turn, decreases inflammation. Treatment with oral antibiotics usually begins with a high dosage, which is reduced as the acne resolves. Over time, the P. acnes bacteria can become resistant to the antibiotic being used to treat it. When this happens, another antibiotic can be prescribed. Numerous studies support the effectiveness of the following broad-spectrum oral antibiotics that are used to treat acne in the United States: doxycline, erythromycin, minocycline and tetracycline. For information about each of these oral antibiotics, see Prescription Acne Medications.

Birth Control pills
Birth Control pills have been shown to effectively clear acne in women by suppressing the overactive sebaceous glands. Oral contraceptives can be used as long-term acne therapy; however, this medication should not be prescribed to women who smoke, have a blood-clotting disorder, are older than 35 or have a history of migraine headaches without the advice of a gynecologist.

Spironolactone, a synthetic steroid, may be used in combination with birth control pills to treat acne in adult females. Spironolactone inhibits androgen production. Side effects include irregular menstruation, breast tenderness, headache and fatigue

Are these tips all you need to prevent acne? If not you should be interested in a proven method to rid you of your acne. Then read my review of a best acne cure. Another great product I have reviewed is Acnezine.

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Acne cures are few and far between. Most of the time trying to get rid of your acne is mostly a matter of taking care of your hormones and cleaning up your body. Really what else can there be? Here are five steps that should help you get rid of your acne.

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1. Drink plenty of water- OK I start with water because water is the first and easiest way to improve most peoples health. As we know, our environment is full of toxins that we eat, breathe and drink and just like our dishes we can start to clean our bodies and skin from the inside out by drinking water to hydrate and clean the dermis of our skin.

2. Clean up your diet You have probably heard many times now that diet has nothing to do with your acne that is crap Think about what you eat and see if you are really taking good enough care of your body by eating the right foods like plenty of fiber, fruit and green leafy vegetables. Fruit is very high in antioxidants which are good for battling free radicals that are constantly making us sicker and green leafy vegetables are high in the minerals that most western diets are very low in. Maybe your diet does not really cause the acne but it can certainly help prevent it. Oh, and one more thing, is the junk food that you are eating really helping your skin or hurting it? I will let you figure out this one.

3. Reduce stress When I was younger and visiting a dermatologist on a regular basis I found that my skin could break out from almost any stress. I actually remember one of my worst acne flareups happening on the very day that I had to do a presentation in front of my high school class. Stress is impossible to get out of our lives but the fact is that if you can manage it then stress will not be as much of a factor as it is now. Most stress is caused by us not being prepared for a situation. A job interview or a test can easily be prepared for if it is a priority. No time to prepare for things can also easily be counteracted by using better time management skills and being sure that you plan things ahead of time instead of waiting until the last minute. This planning will not only cure your acne but will help you become more successful in life.

4. Take care of your skin Well this is a critical part of your plan. Taking care of your skin means that you do not try to beat your acne into submission but instead means that you are very good at treating your skin well so that it can fight off the acne by itself. There are three important parts to treating your skin well. Firstly, make sure that you use a very mild soap, do not use harsh soaps as they are going to hurt your skins ability to repair itself, I recommend hibitane or a glycerin soap. Secondly, try to clean your skin two or three times a day even if one of these times is only cleaning with water as you want to keep your pores clean and free of bacteria or oils remember that some oil is good as it lubricates your skin and stops it from drying out. Thirdly, moisturize with a good quality moisturizer that is mostly water based and not oil based. Do not use this moisturizer always but as your skin gets dry in the spring or summer it is important not to let your skin get burnt by the sun or dry from the wind so be careful to keep your moisture there.

5. Have a fast fast Fasting is not just for hippies trying to keep a clean colon but instead take time out every now and again for a quick two or three day fast that will clean out your insides and rebalance the electolytes in your system. Some people say that a fast is good as well to let your system rest but I am not sure if that is really normal or even possible. The best kind of fast to help cure your acne would be a fruit juice fast and there are many of them on the market. Make sure that you do your research first and maybe even go to a couple of health food stores to get as much info as you can but try as soon as possible to do this. Many people believe that a fast is the one best thing that you can do to get rid of your acne so do not let a little bit of starvation get in the way of better health.

So there you have it. These five tips are the best I can come up with for acne treatment as well as acne cures. I am not sure if you are aware but Darren Rowse at problogger is having a writing contest of 5 tips type articles and I have submitted this article there. If you have any feedback on how you feel these acne tips are please comment.

Acne cures are something that many medications promise but few deliver. The shelves of your local pharmacy or supermarket are stocked with skin treatments that claim to get rid of zits once and for all. If you have been troubled by this common but painful condition, you have probably carted home special creams, concealers, soaps, and vitamins in the hope that your skin will be zit-free in the few short days advertised on the labels.

If over-the-counter products have been ineffective however, it is time for you to make an appointment with your family physician or dermatologist. Your doctor can prescribe topical treatments that are stronger and more effective than the ones available without a prescription.

Your specialist may begin with simple external applications such as benzoil peroxide. Formulations containing benzoil peroxide work by killing bacteria that are trapped in your pores by excess oil. Unfortunately, superficial skin medications do not address deep infections that cannot be reached from the skin’s surface.

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Deeper body surface infections may respond to management with an antibiotic. Two of the most common antibiotics used for curing body surface infections are tetracycline and erythromycin. These medications eliminate the bacteria causing infection in the deepest layers of the skin.

Your physician may prescribe a chemical peel as well as medication. A chemical such as glycolic acid is used to cause the uppermost layer of your skin to peel off. Other, less extreme ways of removing the top layer of your skin comprise scrubbing your face with slightly abrasive pads or employing skin washes that contain beads or microscopic particles.

It has long been recognized that exposure to sunshine can be used as a body surface treatment. Special lighting is now available that can reduce the number of inflamed skin lesions by about 70% or so within about a month. One advantage of this technique is that it has no known side effects, although it is not as efficacious if the infection is severe.

Birth control pills are sometimes prescribed to manage body surface breakout, but the pill has arguably serious side effects. The Diane-35, which was specifically developed to treat severe cases of zits (and not for birth control), has been linked to a small but elevated risk of blood clots compared to other birth control pills. You should also know that if you are taking tetracycline, it negates the contraceptive effectiveness of the pill.

Finding a cure for the breakout is the objective, but the approach should be chosen based on the severity of your skin breakout and the risks linked with potential treatments. Whether the treatments you choose are topical or internal, your doctor can explain what you need to take into consideration prior to making a decision. Body surface medications may be more effective than topical treatments, but they have potentially more serious side effects. You need professional advice and realistic expectations for any method of curing acne you try.

Acne is a disorder that causes outbreaks of skin lesions commonly called pimples. It is caused by the skins oil glands making too much sebum, an oily substance, which leads to plugged pores. It also can be caused by the rapid production of a bacteria P. acnes.

Acne lesions occur mostly on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. It is the most common skin disease. Although acne is not a serious health threat, severe acne can lead to disfiguring and permanent scarring.

How does acne affect women?
Most young women and men will have at least a few pimples over the course of their lives. But acne seems to affect men and women in different ways. Young men are more likely to have a more serious form of acne. Acne in young women tends to be more random and linked to hormone changes, such as the menstrual cycle.

As women get older, acne often gets better. But some women have acne for many years. Some women even get acne for the first time at age 30 or 40.

For many women, acne can be an upsetting illness. Women may have feelings of depression, poor body image, or low self-esteem. But you don’t have to wait to outgrow acne or to let it run its course. Today, almost every case of acne can be resolved. Acne also can, sometimes, be prevented. Talk with your doctor or dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in treating skin problems) about how you can help prevent acne and if treatment would help you.

To find out about the the best acne treatment read my review.
Read the rest of this entry »

Salicylic Acid is one of the real basic products when it comes to fighting acne. Many of the products that you will find on the market as creams contain Salicylic Acid just make sure not to put too much on your skin.

Salicylic Acid is best on acne-prone and sensitive skin types. The pore-cleansing properties of salicylic acid make it a more effective comedone fighter. Those with sensitive skin who cannot tolerate alpha hydroxy acids may find that they are able to use salicylic acid with good results. However, alpha hydroxy acid’s penetration into the deeper layers of the skin produce better anti-wrinkle and anti-aging benefits.

Look for concentrations of 1-2% in any salicylic acid product to assure on effective concentration. A 1% concentration would be better or sensitive skin types and a 2% concentration would be useful on stubborn acne.

Salicylic acid is an ingredient used in many over-the-counter acne medications. It is often found with pads as applicators (such as Stri-dex pads). It is also used to treat other skin disorders including dandruff, psoriasis, calluses, corns, warts, and more.

Acne is formed when skin cells inside hair follicles shed too fast and clump together, plugging up the follicle and causing a pimple. Salicylic acid helps slow down shedding of the cells inside the follicles, preventing clogging. Salicylic acid also helps break down blackheads and whiteheads.

Unless your doctor advises you otherwise, people should avoid the other over the counter medications I list: sulfur, resorcinol, or benzoyl peroxide, while using salicylic acid, as it may be overly irritating.

People often report a mild stinging when applying the product.

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The FDA has been busy with advisories lately and here is one about buying Accutane online. Apparently Accutane is a bad thing to buy online and based on how it can increase blood pressure you should really talk to your doctor before getting a prescription.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is launching a special Web page to warn consumers about the dangers of buying isotretinoin (Accutane) online. Isotretinoin is a drug approved for the treatment of severe recalcitrant nodular acne that does not respond to antibiotics. Improperly used, isotretinoin can cause severe side effects, including birth defects. Serious mental health problems have also been reported with isotretinoin use.

The Web page, http://www.fda.gov/buyonline/accutane, will be positioned as a search result on Google and other search engines when a consumer initiates an online search for the drug under any one of its four names (Isotretinoin is sold under the brand name of Accutane and in generic versions called Amnesteem, Claravis, and Sotret.) The web page warns that the drug “should only be taken under the close supervision” of a physician or a pharmacist, and provides links to helpful information, including ways to check that drugs purchased online come from legitimate pharmacies.

“This Web page is yet another step we’re taking to ensure the safe use of a drug that can provide significant health benefits when used properly, but that can also cause very serious side effects if used without supervision of a health professional,” said Steven Galson, M.D.,M.P.H., Director, FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

FDA and the manufacturers of isotretinoin have put in place special safeguards to reduce the risks of isotretinoin, including a strict distribution program, called iPLEDGE. The aim of the distribution program is to ensure that women using isotretinoin do not become pregnant, and that women who are pregnant do not use isotretinoin. Isotretinoin is available only at a pharmacy that is registered for this distribution program. Additionally, the distribution program is designed to prevent the sale of isotretinoin over the internet. Dispensing must comply with the agency’s risk management requirements.

There are a couple of products that I have recommended in the past to combat and cure acne. The first one is the herbal product Acnezine and the other is the Acne no more program

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I have had a lot of email lately on the newest popular treatment for acne and that is Juice Fasts, or fast in general for detoxing your body to get rid of acne. Acne fast have become popular because over the last tow years or so many people have been trying fasts and enemas to aid in their health. These two methods are not new but just like Atkins a couple of years ago some health fads come and go and then a few years later after the hype has worn off the concept comes back again. This is exactly what has happened with fasts.

The question about using fasting to get rid of acne is one of anecdotal evidence more than anything. People go on a fast and then afterwards find that it has helped their skin, the idea is that a lot of toxin buildup in your system is flushed away by the very clear and clean diet that you go on for a few days. I know that there are a lot of naysayers to fasting and I am sure we will see a few comments on this but remember, if it works for you then it works .

I am no expert in fasting and the longest I have fasted for in the past is about half a day, but for treating acne there is a great book that I reviewed a little while ago and that is the Acne No More plan. Acne no more has a lot of it’s grounding in fasting and is a very popular book. Read the review and order the book. If it works then great but if you find that it stinks and does not help you then you can of course get a refund from the writer of the book.

I have helped sell a few copies of Acne no more through this review. and I hope that you like it as much as I do.