Why does acne appear?
“Teenage rash” is the second name for the disease. About 80% of cases occur between the ages of 15-18 years, when sex hormones are actively produced.
The restructuring of the endocrine system makes the skin sensitive, so it reacts to high concentrations of hormones with rashes and rapid clogging of pores. Sebaceous plugs become inflamed - this is how acne forms.
In adulthood, acne usually develops due to a lack of nutrients or emotional turmoil. The disease is prone to recurrence and treatment is long and difficult.
Medical treatment of acne
Most of the work is done outdoors. Internal medications are prescribed for advanced forms and complications. The drugs are selected for the specific type of rash. The stage and type of disease is determined by a dermatologist. What is acne like?
- open and closed acne;
- combination of acne and pimples;
- rash in the form of only pimples;
- complex form with the formation of cysts or nodules.
Mild acne can be stopped with benzoyl peroxide. It kills bacteria, which usually support pathology. If the result is poor, antibiotic gels are added.
If the rash does not disappear within several weeks, the active substances are taken orally in tablet form.
When acne and pimples are combined, the treatment regimen always includes retinoids - derivatives of vitamin A. These substances tone the skin, accelerate metabolic processes, and prevent clogging of pores and the formation of acne. Acne is treated with benzoyl peroxide or antibiotics. Sometimes retinoids are replaced with azelaic acid.
Some acne can be removed with salicylic or azelaic acid. Sometimes they only get by with retinoids. If the effect is weak, drugs with a higher concentration are used.
Treatment of nodular acne begins with a course of antibiotics. The same products are applied to the skin as used to combat acne and pimples. If the course is ineffective, the patient is referred to an endocrinologist to treat hormonal imbalances.
Analogs
If after 2 weeks of using the medicine there is no positive dynamics, the attending physician selects another drug that has identical pharmacological properties.
Among the cheap analogues you can find medicines that are quite worthy of attention:
- Azelikgel – 329 rubles;
- Skinoklirgel – 520 rubles;
- Azix-Derm cream – 517 rub.;
- Klenzit-S gel – 566 rub.
Benzoyl peroxide
The main function is to kill bacteria. They are the ones that cause inflammation of the hair follicles. It slightly cleanses the skin surface of old cells, but cannot replace acid peels.
Pharmacies sell medicines with different proportions of the active substance: from 2.5 to 10%. Start with the minimum and stop at 5%. A higher concentration does not greatly affect the speed of treatment, and can cause harm to the skin due to more aggressive exfoliation. Where is benzoyl peroxide found:
- Proderm-cream;
- Persa-5 gel;
- Mary Kay special line;
- Baziron-gel;
- Oxygel;
- Benzacne gel;
- Epiduo (retinoid added);
- Duak-gel (contains antibiotic).
Benzoyl peroxide increases skin sensitivity to the sun. During treatment, do not go to the solarium, and in the summer, avoid the beaches. When outdoors, use a cream with a high sun protection factor: 40-50 SPF.
Use the product 10-20 minutes after washing, no more than 2 times a day. Only acne-affected areas are treated. The average course of treatment lasts 1.5 months to achieve lasting remission.
The active substance degreases the skin, so it may feel tight and dry. Mild itching and burning are also within normal limits. Red spots and peeling are a reaction to acidic components and disappear after the restoration of natural fat protection.
Salicylic acid
Dissolves fat plugs and exfoliates the top layer of the epidermis. It is effective for mild forms; in difficult cases, retinoids are used - they are much more effective.
Salicylic acid is found in popular cosmetic products. For example, Klerasil. It is available in three forms - gel, lotion or cream.
In dark-skinned people, salicylic acid can lead to the appearance of age spots.
When the course begins, the skin reacts with redness. Peeling is possible. Before treatment, stock up on a moisturizer with an aqueous texture - oily texture is contraindicated for acne.
Retinoids
The strongest drugs are available in the form of lotions, creams are prescribed in mild cases. Where are retinoids found:
- Lokacid;
- Klenzit;
- Airol;
- Zorak;
- Deriva;
- Differin;
- Tazret-gel.
Combination drugs are used in the treatment of acne + acne cases. Antibiotics are added to Deriva-S, Isotrexin and Klenzit-S.
At the beginning of the course of treatment, the product is applied to the skin three times a week in the evening. Gradually move on to a daily basis. Before using the drug, the affected areas are cleaned with a mild product: for example, a moisturizing lotion. Persistent remission occurs after three months.
Side effects often include redness, flaking, and sensitivity to the sun. Use during pregnancy and in combination with peelings is prohibited.
Azelaic acid
Acts as an antibacterial and light peeling. It can be used as a stand-alone product or in combination with retinoids or benzoyl peroxide. Preparations with azelaic acid:
- Acne-derma;
- Azogel;
- Skinoren.
For normal, oily and combination skin, use twice a day. For thin and dry skin, apply the product only once. The result is visible after a month of procedures.
Azelaic acid does not affect skin sensitivity to the sun, so it is treated in the summer. The peeling effect removes redness after acne and smoothes the skin texture.
Antibiotics
They are taken orally either when nodules and cysts form, or when gels and ointments are poorly effective. External application stops inflammation and the spread of pustules. Antibiotic creams and gels:
- Dalatsin;
- Clindatop;
- Klenzit-S (retinoid added);
- Duak-gel (combined with benzoyl peroxide);
- Zenerite (zinc mixed in).
Taking pills is discussed with a dermatologist.
Home experiments will damage the intestinal microflora and will not affect the rash in any way.
Application of gel and cream
These two products of the same name are used externally. Before using them, you should consult a doctor.
He will advise which remedy is best to choose, and his prescribed course of therapy will be guided by the nature and causes of the disease, as well as the patient’s skin type.
The cream can be used for any type, and the gel has a strong drying effect and is therefore used only for oily skin. Since the product is non-toxic, it is also suitable for children over 12 years of age.
Before applying the product, the skin must be prepared. If there is makeup on your face, it must be carefully removed.
Then wash your face or other acne-affected area of skin with running water and dry with a towel. After this, apply a thin layer of gel or cream, rubbing it in without pressing.
The drug is easy to apply and absorb, so for the entire face it is enough to squeeze out a 2.5 cm strip. It is applied twice a day.
It must be used carefully, because if it gets into the eyes it can cause a severe burning sensation.
The product can be used by pregnant and nursing mothers; it is safe for them. Often the drug is combined with other medications to quickly get rid of acne.
If irritation suddenly appears, the frequency of application should be reduced. After this, you need to monitor the condition of the skin and if the symptoms do not go away, you should interrupt the treatment for a short period of time.
If irritation reappears, the drug must be replaced with another cream.
To treat pigmentation, you must undergo a course of treatment for three months.
During it, you need to use all kinds of sunscreens with high protection against ultraviolet rays. This measure will help avoid exacerbation of the disease.
Regular acne will go away in a month, only after that you need to consolidate the result and continue treatment for at least several months.
No additional protection is required during this treatment.
The minimum course of treatment is 90 days. This is due to the change in layers of the epidermis.
The full cycle is 30 days. Therefore, in order to make sure that acne goes away without a trace, you need to endure three changes of skin.
How to fight acne at home
Primary therapy is medications. Do not use self-brewed decoctions according to the recipe “grass from the crossroads + moonlight + prayer.” Such mixtures only irritate the skin and spread inflammation. At home, you can speed up treatment with three steps:
- Gentle Cleansers
. Regular gels and soaps are an alkaline environment that dries out the skin. Your choice is a neutral or slightly acidic environment. Nitrogena, Nivea, Dove or gentle children's foams are suitable. - Selection of the drug form according to skin type
. Dry skin - cream, oily skin - gel. When choosing, look at the condition of the areas you are processing. - Water-based cosmetics
. Fatty components clog pores and slow down treatment. Makeup with a light texture will hide acne marks and will not lead to the appearance of new acne.
The role of nutrition is often overestimated.
Oily and spicy foods that increase oil production will affect the rate at which acne appears, but skin health doesn't depend on that alone. The exception is a personal allergy to the product, you will have to get rid of it.
