Acne Articles

It's probably not surprising that acne is one of the most common skin problems people face today. In fact, it is estimated that millions of people deal with unsightly acne every day with varying degrees of severity. Despite the widespread occurrence of acne, it's important to understand that it is one of the most curable skin disorders which should bring some peace of mind to people unfortunate enough to be suffering from acne.

There have always been various acne remedies to help people deal with this common problem and over the past several years, even more acne remedies have been developed. However, since everyone has different levels of acne, it's understandable that the effectiveness of certain acne remedies might also vary from one person to the next. Most people respond quite well to acne remedies, either by themselves or in combination with one another. Whichever acne remedies you choose, they can all be classified into one of the following three categories: conventional, homeopathic or herbal remedies.

Conventional Acne Remedies

When conventional acne remedies are sought out, they are typically prescribed by a doctor, though some remedies can also be found in the form of over-the-counter drugs. Usually tretinonin is the active ingredient. This vitamin A derivative affects the development of oil glands helping pimples dry up and keeping new ones from forming at all. Many people are concerned about the possible side effects when it comes to taking prescription drugs or even over-the-counter remedies. Nevertheless, it's good to keep in mind that the side effects from remedies based on this active ingredient are generally fairly mild (such as drying of the skin or a slight burning sensation).

When acne becomes inflamed, antibiotics might be prescribed and tried as a remedy. This can help soothe the affected area. Unfortunately acne can become quite severe, to the point where antibiotics might not be effective enough. In those cases, Accutane is likely to be used. This potent drug is regarded by most experts as the strongest acne remedy (or at least one of the strongest) and can have dramatic effects, even to the point of eliminating all signs of acne. But because it is so strong and the side effects are so much more intense than other methods, this "big gun" acne fighter is usually used as the very last resort, when all other methods have failed. Some of the side effects doctors warn of when using accutane include headache, muscle pain, itchy skin and even hair loss. Also, like many drugs prescribed nowadays, pregnant women or women who might become pregnant are advised against taking Accutane.

Herbal Acne Remedies

Because of side effects like those listed above, or even milder side effects that people still wish to avoid, many acne sufferers choose to try out herbal acne remedies rather than harsh drugs. As with their prescribed counterparts, there are also plenty of herbal acne remedies to choose from. Some of the most popular of these herbal remedies is black currant seed oil, primrose oil, Echinacea, and tea tree oil. There are plenty of resources online that describe how to use these herbal remedies and what effects you should expect. But it's important to remain realistic and understand that even though these remedies are harnessing the power of Mother Nature, you shouldn't expect instant results. In fact, it can take several months to see any significant effects.

Homeopathic Acne Remedies

Homeopathic acne remedies are also used by a small percentage of acne patients but since they generally take so long to show good results, this is probably the least chosen type of acne treatment out of the three broad categories mentioned earlier. Kali Bromatum is one of the most popular and effective of these types of remedies and many patients report good results, though it might take upwards of six months for anything noticeable.

Regardless of the type of acne remedy you choose, it is important to keep in mind that we all have different reactions to various acne remedies. If you're just starting out, you should give it some time and expect a little bit of trial and error before finding the perfect acne fighting regimen for your skin. However once you do, you will likely see excellent results over time and will be able to enjoy clear, smooth acne-free skin.