Author: Jayneanne Benjamin
Source: ezinearticles.com

Acne is a skin complaint affecting more people globally than any other skin disorder. In fact, almost 8 out of every 10 people will suffer from it at some stage in their lives, usually starting during the teenage years. It is the result of a hair follicle becoming blocked, causing the skin’s sebaceous glands to release sebum. This sebum mixes with dead skin cells and blocks pores.

Types of Acne

Acne is normally classified into two types: Inflammatory (primarily consisting of nodules and pustules) and Non-Inflammatory (mainly blackheads and whiteheads). It’s possible to suffer from both types at the same time, although this is more common in teenagers than it is in adults.

How is it Treated?

Treatment depends to some degree on which type of acne is present. Inflammatory acne is usually treated with topical (placed on the skin) or oral (swallowed) antibiotics. Several different types are used, with some of the most common being Tetracycline, Doxycycline and Erythromycin. The main intention here is to fight the bacteria, known as Propionibacterium Acnes, present in inflammatory acne. Benzoyl Peroxide is another treatment option which has been used for many years on its own, or in combination with antibiotics.

There are many acne creams available over the counter containing this substance. As well as killing bacteria, Benzoyl Peroxide removes dead skin cells and clears blocked follicles. Its use has a major advantage over antibiotics, since you don’t risk the bacteria developing tolerance and it can be used for many years without long-term side-effects. Patience is required when using Benzoyl Peroxide, as it can take up to six weeks before an improvement is noticed.

Non-inflammatory acne is often treated with Retinoid drugs. These are prescription medicines which are related to vitamin A. They help to prevent the formation of whiteheads and blackheads and cause you to shed skin more quickly. Again, patience is required; an improvement in the condition can take up to three months to be noticed. Using a combination of retinoids and antibiotics or benzoyl peroxide is recommended by many dermatologists as the most effective treatment.

The author writes online articles on health and other topics. On her latest site you can find out why a cheap HDMI cable may be all you need for your home entertainment devices. If you need a long HDMI cable, it may be necessary to go for a more expensive option.