| Millions of people suffer from acne in the United | | | | and wrinkles, as well as acne and some acne scarring. |
| States alone, and many of these acne suffers use | | | | Retin A is generally more effective in treating acne |
| Benzoyl Peroxide as the acne treatment medication | | | | than antibiotics. |
| of choice. | | | | However, Retin A is not without side effects either. |
| It is generally safe, has very few side effects, and it | | | | The skin becomes more sensitive to the sun, and |
| has been proven to be the most effective over the | | | | exposure to the sun can be very damaging. Also, |
| counter acne treatment. | | | | people with sensitive skin or a skin disorder such as |
| However, there are many more people who have | | | | eczema can experience severe redness, skin flaking, |
| more severe, or particularly resilient acne that is not | | | | and irritation. In spite of this, most people who use |
| susceptible to over the counter medications such as | | | | Retin A find they are satisfied with the results, and |
| Benzoyl Peroxide. | | | | don't find the side effects overwhelming. |
| Some of the most effective acne medications are | | | | The most effective acne treatment currently |
| available via prescription only. However, these are | | | | available is Accutane. Accutane is also a derivative of |
| truly the "heavy guns" in the fight against acne, and | | | | Vitamin A, and is taken orally. It has been referred to |
| are well worth looking into for anyone who has | | | | as the acne "wonder drug", and for good reason. The |
| chronic or severe acne breakouts. | | | | majority of people who complete a 15-20 week |
| The most commonly prescribed acne medications are | | | | session experience greatly reduced acne for years, |
| antibiotics such as Erythromycin and Trimethroprim. | | | | and some never again have acne. |
| These are generally more effective than over the | | | | Accutane works by stopping sebum production in the |
| counter treatments because they work by treating | | | | skin. With no sebum, the acne causing p.bacteria do |
| the source of acne, the acne causing p.bacteria. Many | | | | not have any way to grow. This results in clear skin, |
| acne sufferers find antibiotics work well for them in | | | | sometimes for life. |
| treating acne, and have fewer breakouts because of | | | | However, Accutane is not without side effects. The |
| them. | | | | most severe are birth defects and mental disorders, |
| However, one of the big drawbacks from using | | | | such as psychosis and suicide. Dry skin, severe |
| antibiotics is developing an immunity to them. This | | | | headaches, and hair loss are also common side |
| means that over time, the antibiotics are less | | | | effects. Though accutane is the most effective acne |
| effective in treating not only acne, but any form of | | | | medication, it should only be used as a last resort, |
| bacterial infection including diseases such as strep | | | | under close medical supervision. |
| throat and even some STD's. This should be | | | | Though there are other medications that are more |
| considered before undergoing an antibiotic regime to | | | | effective than benzoyl peroxide, these are the most |
| treat acne. | | | | commonly prescribed, and are all worth consideration |
| Another alternative is Retin A. Retin A is a topical | | | | if one is experiencing severe acne. As always, a |
| acne treatment, and a derivative of Vitamin A. | | | | medical doctor should be consulted before trying any |
| Although the exact mechanism is unknown, Retin A | | | | medication. |
| has been proven to be effective in reducing fine lines | | | | The auther writes articles on different topics. |