01-16-2009, 10:15 PM
There are many products sold for the treatment of acne, many of them without any scientifically-proven effects. Generally speaking successful treatments give little improvement within the first week or two; and then the acne decreases over approximately 3 months, after which the improvement starts to flatten out. Many treatments that promise big improvements within 2 weeks are likely to be largely disappointing. However short bursts of cortisone can give very quick results, and other treatments can rapidly improve some active spots, but not usually all active spots.Widely available OTC bactericidal products containing benzoyl peroxide may be used in mild to moderate acne. The gel or cream containing benzoyl peroxide is rubbed, twice daily, into the pores over the affected region. Bar soaps or washes may also be used and vary from 2 to 10% in strength. In addition to its therapeutic effect as a keratolytic (a chemical that dissolves the keratin plugging the pores) benzoyl peroxide also prevents new lesions by killing P.acnesCare must be taken when using benzoyl peroxide, as it can very easily bleach any fabric or hair it comes in contact with.Other antibacterials that have been used include triclosan, or chlorhexidine gluconate but these are often less effective, but also give less side-effects.Less widely used treatmentsAloe vera: there are treatments for acne mentioned in Ayurveda using herbs such as Aloe vera,Aruna, Haldi (Turmeric),and Papaya. There is limited evidence from conventional medical studies on these productsProducts from Rubia cordifolia, Curcuma longa (commonly known as Turmeric), Hemidesmus indicus (known as ananthamoola or anantmula), and Azadirachta indica (Neem) have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, but not aloe veraAzelaic acid (brand names Azelex, Finevin, Skinoren) is suitable for mild, comedonal acneHeat: local heating may be used to kill the bacteria in a developing pimple and so speed healing.Naproxen or ibuprofen are used for some moderate acne for their anti-inflammatory effectNicotinamide, (Vitamin B3) used topically in the form of a gel, has been shown in a 1995 study to be more effective than a topical antibiotic used for comparison, as well as having fewer side effects. Topical nicotinamide is available both on prescription and over-the-counter. The property of topical nicotinamide's benefit in treating acne seems to be its anti-inflammatory nature. It is also purported to result in increased synthesis of collagen, keratin, involucrin and flaggrin.[citation needed]Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca Oil) has been used with some success, comparable to benzoyl peroxide but without excessive drying, and has been shown to be an effective anti-inflammatory in skin infections.Rofecoxib was shown to improve premenstrual acne vulgaris in a placebo controlled studyZinc: Orally administered zinc gluconate has been shown to be effective in the treatment of inflammatory acne, although less so than tetracyclines
|