One of the problems with benzoyl peroxide topical acne treatments is that they can be quite irritating, particularly to sensitive skin. Those fans of benzoyl peroxide will thus be pleased to learn that one skin care company that supplies prescription acne and skin care products is releasing a treatment with a delivery system that reduces benzoyl peroxide’s irritating effect.

Called NeoBenz Micro, this acne treatment will be available only by prescription, which is one drawback. On the plus side, it should mean that the acne sufferer is given the appropriate strength to their particular needs. It is aimed at helping people with mild to moderate acne, and comes in three strengths. These are 3.5% benzoyl peroxide, 5.5% benzoyl peroxide, and 8.5% benzoyl peroxide.

The difference in this treatment as compared to regular benzoyl peroxide solutions, is that it is a time release product. The method designed by SkinMedica, NeoBenz Micro’s developer, uses very small ‘sponges’, called microsponges. These hold the active ingredient, in this case benzoyl peroxide, to be slowly released throughout the day. It means that though acne is kept in contact with benzoyl peroxide for the whole day, only small amounts of it are released onto the skin. These amounts are enough to be effective but far less irritating.

The side effects that this benzoyl peroxide acne treatment aims at reducing are rashes, skin soreness, and irritation. Aside from the unpleasant feeling these effects create, they unfortunately also reduce the effectiveness of benzoyl peroxide in clearing acne.

NeoBenz Micro is one example of a new trend in the pharmaceutical industry. It aims at taking existing products and developing new ways to package and deliver the active ingredients, thus effectively modernizing many treatments. The emphasis in the past had been more research oriented – finding new and more powerful treatments rather than fine tuning existing ones that were proven to work.

Other examples of this phenomena include converting treatments into sprays, with the effect of increasing absorption and convenience. MedPharm, a research contracting firm, is turning one eczema treatment and two acne treatments into sprays. These are still in the development stage, however.

References:
1. in-pharmatechnologist.com/news/ng.asp?n=65831&m=1IPE215&c=qgtqmovbyiaxdub
2. outsourcing-pharma.com/news/ng.asp?id=64465

These are traditional acne treatments, but if they frustrate you, check out these alternative natural acne treatments. Rebecca Prescott runs the website Acne To Health, providing information on both conventional and alternative acne treatments.

Although acne is traditionally thought of as a disorder of the teenage years, long after those years have passed and the acne condition has faded, many adults are left with facial scarring from acne they had years earlier. Thanks to modern medical advancements, there are very effective treatments available today to treat acne scarring.

Acne is a disease that often leaves scars behind. There are several different kinds of acne scars. Pitting scars are commonly known as “ice pick scars.” The more crater-like scars are known as “depressed scars.” In addition, changes in the color of the skin can also occur at the site of previous acne lesions. The skin can end up darker than normal, lighter than normal, or redder than normal.

For a single ice pick scar, the most effective treatment is simple excision. However, when the scarring is more widespread, other methods must be used to treat the scars. Dermabrasion was one of the first methods developed for treating acne scars, and it is still used today. With dermabrasion, a rotating wire brush or a spinning diamond burr is used to smooth down the surface of the skin. As the skin heals, a new layer of skin replaces the abraded skin, resulting in an improved appearance in the treated area. However, dermabrasion can require 10-20 days to heal, and may result in redness that can persist for several months. For these reasons, other methods were developed that have quicker recoveries and fewer side effects.

We are now using the Fraxel laser for acne scarring. We believe that the Fraxel laser is the best modality available today for treating more generalized acne scarring. With the Fraxel, the facial skin is resurfaced over a series of 4 or 5 treatments. Because the Fraxel laser preserves normal healthy skin between the areas of skin that the laser has treated, healing and recovery occur more quickly after each laser treatment.

We have been extremely impressed by the improvement in acne scarring after Fraxel laser treatment. The Fraxel laser is a “home run” when it comes to the treatment of acne scarring.

Our patients who have acne scarring are invited to call our office and make an appointment to have their scarring evaluated. In addition to scar excision, dermabrasion, and Fraxel laser resurfacing, other treatments for acne scarring are also available. Thanks to the development of a number of different techniques, acne scars can be treated with a variety of safe and effective procedures that improve the appearance of a patient’s skin. With all of the modalities available today for treating acne scarring, no one should ever have to live with their acne scars.

Dr. Mary Lee Amerian is consistently voted one of the top dermatologists and skin care specialists in Los Angeles and is a frequent contributor to many health and wellness publications across the U.S. Dr. Amerian has also been voted by her peers as one of the “Best Doctors in America” consecutively since 1996. She currently teaches at UCLA where she holds the title of Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine.

Dr. Amerian has been featured on the cover of the Health section of the Los Angeles Times for her work on the VelaSmooth device for the treatment of cellulite. Dr. Amerian recently completed filming her second season of shows for the television show, “Ten Years Younger,” which can be seen on The Learning Channel. Dr. Amerian uses all of the modern techniques of non-surgical facial rejuvenation on this show. By using the Fraxel laser, Vbeam laser, Thermage, Botox, and fillers such as Restylane, Collagen, and Sculptra, Dr. Amerian’s patients have indeed looked “Ten Years Younger,” and without any surgery.

Acne is a common occurrence and can appear at any age. It is a condition that can be frustrating as successful treatment may be hard to come by. Acne can take many forms; blackheads, whiteheads and blemishes are just a few.

Many are advised to seek professional help in the form of a dermatologist, although even with this help, it can take a while to find a treatment that is right for you. As a consequence, it is very easy for the self esteem of an acne sufferer to be low, but you are urged to keep positive as acne treatment, like anything, requires time and will power before you can start to see successful results.

There are many forms of acne, which would explain why it is so difficult to treat, but there are also many acne treatment products available that work; although researches into the product before you go ahead and buy it is important. The range of products available is vast and you could easily end up spending a lot of time and money on many which may not help you to a great extent.

The problem for sufferers experiencing low self esteem from acne is that it is possible for those to become depressed, as a consequence of treatment products that may not work for the individual. There is not a cure for acne as such due to a particular treatment not working for everyone that tries it. Many treatment methods will take several weeks to several months for the effects to be noticeable, but perseverance is the key.

In addition to the treatment products you can use, carry out regular exercise to keep your body healthy and to build your immune system. It’s also important to maintain a healthy diet, including at least 5 servings of fresh fruit and vegetables and 8 glass of water every day. Always wash your skin thoroughly before going to bed, and ensure that any cosmetics are removed.

As mentioned, it may take a long time before any improvements are noticed but you can rest assured that as soon you do find an acne treatment product that works for you, that it’ll begin to boost your self esteem. Just make sure that you carry on with the treatment and don’t give up on it, and furthermore for those that have yet to find a product that is working, don’t give up on finding a treatment that works for you.

Stress can play a large part in the appearance of acne as it can set-off chemical reactions in the body, so try to remain calm and relaxed. For a wealth of information on acne and the treatment of acne, take a look at: http://www.acne-treatmentproduct.info/

Justin Brown owns and runs http://www.acne-treatmentproduct.info/ where visitors can find a wealth of information on acne treatment and purchase books on acne help. He also runs a site to help those requiring depression treatment