In order to ‘cure’ acne a drug must aggressively address the root causes of the disease, and stop it in its path. Unfortunately there are so many contributing factors that cause acne, there is never going to be a single miracle cure that is able to address all of these causes. However there is a drug that statistically helps 60% of people treated with it, to effectively be cured from acne, and not require any further treatment.

This drug is called Isotretinoin (Roaccutane), and it works by stopping the driving forces behind acne – the excess production of sebum, and the building up of the ducts, which combine to cause blockages of the pores. The treatment is both very powerful, and at the same time causes a range of troublesome side-effects, including:

1) Extreme dryness of the skin

2) Extreme dryness of the soft mucous membranes such as inside the lips and eyelids

3) Muscle and joint pains

4) Acne can be worsened for the first 8 weeks of treatment

5) Foetal damage if the drug is taken during pregnancy

6) Elevated liver enzymes

Regular blood tests are required during the treatment, which generally lasts 4 months. This is a critical requirement of the treatment, and is part of the licensing of the use of this drug for acne, and should not be ignored. The blood tests will monitor liver enzymes which can be elevated by the use of the drug. This potential adverse effect on the liver may also preclude individuals that already have liver damage (for example from excessive alcohol abuse) from taking the drug.

This drug is very much a doubled edged sword, in that it is both very powerful, but has some serious downsides. It must only be taken under the close supervision of a specialist in this area, and the full implications should be spelt out, at the outset of the treatment. You should insist on a copy of the leaflet produced by the drug company, to make sure you fully understand all aspects of its use. This is not the sort of treatment you buy over the internet, and administer to yourself.

Peter Vine is a successful online publisher of Acne-Treatment-Expert.com
He provides practical advice and the latest information on all aspects of adult acne treatments, which you can readily research on his website.

There are two basic types of tablet treatment, prescribed by your doctor for acne, the first being one of a range of antibiotics and the second a hormonal treatment. Which is prescribed will depend, largely on the specific type of acne you are suffering from, along with consideration of your previous medical history and the success of acne treatment to date.

Antibiotics are by far the most common oral treatment for acne, and usually supplemented by a topical treatment, which may contain the same antibiotic preparation as is being given in tablet form. This is thought to be important in order to ensure that the acne causing bacteria do not become resistant to, two types of antibiotic. Erythromycin is a common antibiotic used in treating acne, and is usually the first one used. Sometimes the specific type of bacteria causing your acne maybe resistant to this treatment, and may require a different course of action. As is always the case with antibiotics, it is important to follow the instructions of the prescribing doctor, in order to maximise effectiveness, while minimising any side effects or adverse risks.

The second type of tablet treatment is a hormonal treatment called Dianette, which contains a drug called co-cyprindiol. This drug is designed to help decrease the excess oiliness of the skin, which as we know is a key contributor in the acne formation process. It is critical that a female taking this drug does not become pregnant, as the active ingredient can cause damage to the unborn child. This particular tablet contains oestrogen which acts as a contraceptive, and is used as such, when a combined acne treatment and contraceptive is requested.

There are a number of other acne treatments in tablet form, some of which are only prescribed under the supervision of a dermatologist. You should never take any form of oral medication for acne or any other illness, unless under the strict supervision of a medical expert. This is very true of some of the more powerful acne drugs, which can have very strong side effects.

Peter Vine is a successful online publisher of Acne-Treatment-Expert.com
He provides practical advice and the latest information on all aspects of adult acne treatments, which you can readily research on his website.

Acne scars are caused by injury to the skin as a result of the acne, and the way in which the body has tried to repair the damage. Different people scar in very different ways, some being much more susceptible than others. However irrespective of how vulnerable you are to scarring, it only happens when you have a severe outbreak of acne, and is rarely associated with the much more common ‘mild’ cases.

Acne scars are classified under two broad headings, one being where extra skin tissue is present and the other being where there is loss of normal skin tissue.

Scars where extra skin tissue is deposited are called raised scars or keloid scars. They are composed of extra collagen which has been laid down under the skin. Sometimes these scars can be bigger than the original spots and often last for years, with darker skin being more prone to this type of scarring.

When skin tissue is lost the scarring is often referred to as ‘sunken’. These are much more common than raised scars and are characterised as ‘pits’ in the skin. There are a whole range of further classifications associated with sunken scars, all of which describe the particular way in which the scar looks. For example ice-pick sunken scars look like wounds from an ice-pick (small with jagged edges and steep sides).

Irrespective of the type of skin that you have, there are some things you can do to reduce the occurrence of acne scars, these include:

1) Proactively seek out treatment for your acne before it becomes severe. See your doctor, start some topical medication, adjust your diet, do something to prevent a few spots becoming severe acne.

2) Try not to squeeze your spots; this single activity will dramatically reduce your chance of developing acne scars.

3) Don’t pick or poke your spots with instruments such as nail files, and tweezers.

4) Use a good oil free moisturiser as part of your skin-care regime, to keep your skin supple and flexible.

Following these simple tips will ensure you don’t do long term damage to your skin.

Peter Vine is a successful online publisher of Acne-Treatment-Expert.com
He provides practical advice and the latest information on all aspects of adult acne treatments, which you can readily research on his website.