Herbs for Acne

perfection says:

You don’t say how old you are…

Have you tried various birth control pills? Steer clear of Diane 35 (google it if you want to know why – I had a horror story coming off it too) but you could try Ortho cyclen lo, Yasmin, Yaz or what is known as Marvalon in the uk.

As for your skin care routine, you could try a very weak retin-a gel, but expect a lot of irritation for the first three months. Otherwise, keep your skincare regime as simple as poss. Wash with dove extra sensitive, use rosewater or a natural tonic and finish with neutrogena oil free mouisteriser. My skin is much better on this regime as opposed to harsh otc products. I do use retin-a 0.01% gel and find it very helpful now, after a few months of peeling hell at the beginning!

I take spironolactone but I’m in my 20s and it would be bad news for someone who is still developing.

Pankaj Debbarma says:

Hi .

TREATMENT OF ACNE (Self-Care at Home)

1• Wash once or twice daily with soap and water to remove excess oil from the skin. An acne cleanser purchased over-the-counter in any drug store can also be helpful. Avoid scrubbing too abrasively because this can actually irritate the skin and cause acne to worsen.

2• Over-the-counter acne medications can be used either at bedtime or during the day. Always follow the directions on any acne product.

3• Many cover-up products are available without a prescription to improve the appearance of blemishes while they have a chance to heal. Most work well and should not worsen acne.

4• Some cosmetics and other skin care products, however, can cause acne to worsen. Look for make-up, cosmetics, and skin care products labeled with the word noncomedogenic. This means that it does not cause or worsen acne.

TREATMENT OF ACNE (Medical Treatment)

Many treatment options are available to treat all forms of acne. Medications are the main treatment for acne and usually work well. Several preparations are available over-the-counter, while others require a prescription from a doctor.

1• Over-the-counter medications: Nonprescription or over-the-counter medications for acne are plentiful and can be effective for milder forms of acne. They come in the form of soaps, washes, and cleansers.

…1.a. Many contain benzoyl peroxide, which does two things. First, benzoyl peroxide kills the acne-causing bacteria, which are thought to play a role in acne. Second, benzoyl peroxide can cause drying and flaking off of skin, which can help prevent the pores from becoming plugged. Plugged pores can develop into acne blemishes.

…1.b. Scrubbing excessively with any over-the-counter preparation can actually cause acne to worsen by additionally irritating the hair follicles.

2• Prescription medications: Doctors can prescribe medications when acne becomes moderate to severe or is not controlled by over-the-counter medications. Prescription drugs can be used effectively alone or in combination with other prescription and nonprescription medications.

…2.a. Antibiotics: Antibiotics can be effective in treating most inflammatory acne (papules and pustules). They work by killing the bacteria and also by decreasing the redness and swelling seen in the inflammatory forms of acne.

……2.a.i. Antibiotics may be applied to the skin in the form of gels and lotions, or by way of pills. We now know that using a combination of 2 medications together may be very effective in treating acne. Using a topical antibiotic with topical benzoyl peroxide, for example, may prevent bacterial resistance to the antibiotic. Giving an antibiotic by mouth is often needed for acne that is more extensive, red, and tender.

……2.a.ii. Antibiotics taken by mouth can be associated with more side effects than if applied to the skin and may interact with other medicines such as birth control pills. Sensitivity to the sun can result in a “bad sunburn” in some people who take the antibiotic tetracycline by mouth.

…2.b. Retinoids: Medicines made from vitamin A (retinoids) are useful in treating several types of acne lesions. Topical retinoids are effective in treating the noninflammatory types of acne (blackheads and whiteheads).

……2.b.i. Topical retinoids (applied directly to the skin) help to open clogged pores by creating a mild peeling effect. Drying of the skin can be a frequent side effect. Oral retinoids are reserved for treating the more extensive nodular type of acne or severe inflammatory acne, which has not responded to other treatments. Oral retinoids not only have a peeling effect but also decrease the production of oil.

……2.b.ii. They can also be associated with a number of serious side effects including birth defects in babies of women who become pregnant while taking the medicine. They can also cause elevated blood fats (triglycerides) and damage to the liver. Your doctor may recommend certain blood tests to check for these problems (and to make sure you are not pregnant) if you are given oral retinoids. Depression and suicidal thoughts have been reported while taking oral retinoids.

……2.b.iii. A combination preparation, known as Epiduo gel, containing both the retinoid adapalene and benzoyl peroxide, was approved by the U.S. FDA in December 2008. The once-daily prescription treatment was approved for use in patients 12 years of age and older.

…2.c. Other medications: A doctor may recommend other types of drugs or therapy to improve acne. For women, medications such as birth control pills or certain “water pills” may be helpful. These drugs counteract the acne-causing effect of male hormones. Newer treatments for acne include the use of light or zinc. Your doctor can advise you whether these types of acne therapy might be good for you.

Take Care. Regards.