Pharmacy First Scotland: Acne Treatment From Your Pharmacy
Acne isn’t usually serious and can be treated by a pharmacist. If your acne is severe or appears on your chest and back, it may need to be treated with antibiotics or stronger creams that are only available on prescription. Your pharmacist can advise on whether you need to see your GP for further treatment.
If you develop nodules or cysts, they need to be treated properly through your GP to avoid scarring. Try to resist the temptation to pick or squeeze the spots, as this can lead to permanent scarring.
How Do You Make A Pimple Smaller Overnight
Good news! Skin is especially receptive to active ingredients at night because this is when the skin repairs itself, says Dendy Engelman, MD, a dermatologic surgeon in NYC. Although it might not be possible to totally get rid of a pimple overnight, take advantage of this time by treating your pimple while you sleep.
First, cleanse your skin with an acne-treating face wash, says board-certified dermatologist Gervaise Gerstner, MD. If youve got irritated, inflamed skin , stick with a gentle cleanser instead of a wash full of sulfates and strong active ingredients, unless otherwise specified by your dermatologist. Then, follow with an exfoliating pad or serum. Your acne products will work better if theyre not sitting on top of dead skin cells and face oils, she says. Finally, use a bacteria-killing benzoyl peroxide spot treatmentonly on the pimple .
Acne In Toddlers: When To Call A Doctor
Many people associate acne with adolescence. And the truth is, most teenagers and young adults experience at least one breakout at some point in their lives. But teens arent the only ones who develop acne. Up to 50 million Americans deal with the skin condition every yearand that includes some infants and young children.
If you are worried about your childs skin, read on. In this article, I will explain what toddler acne is, the symptoms and causes, and treatments that may help. Ill also detail what other conditions resemble acne so you can work with your healthcare provider to get to the bottom of your childs problem and clear up their skin.
You May Like: How To Treat Pustule Acne
Its Never Too Late To Treat Those Scars
Although its not possible to get rid of your acne scars quickly, its never too late to treat them. Teenage patients may have to wait until their early 20s before undergoing treatment to make sure theres little risk of future acne flare-ups.
While theres no real way to get rid of acne scars naturally and at home, there are a few things you can do to reduce your risk of getting acne scars:
- Quit smoking or dont start smoking.
- Keep your hands off of your face. Resist the urge to pick or squeeze your pimples.
- Treat your acne as soon as possible to reduce the chance of scars.
Scarring can happen at any age, no matter if youre a teenager and your hormones are changing or youre an adult. Sometimes when adults lose weight or lose elasticity in their skin as they age, scarring from years past becomes more evident.
Occasionally, we will actually remove a pitted scar that we know wont heal well with standard treatment using a technique called punch excision, she says. This is where the whole scar and hair follicle are removed prior to resurfacing.
Another treatment that may be helpful before any of the lasers or peels is called subcision, a procedure that involves releasing a scar thats bound to the muscle or deeper tissues so that it can move freely again. Both of these techniques are used with deeper scars to bring them to the surface to enhance their response to the laser, chemical peel or microneedling.
Swap Out Your Shower Products
Start with a benzoyl peroxide body wash:
Nearly all of the dermatologists cited benzoyl peroxide body wash as their top suggestion for clearing bacne, since it aggressively kills the bacteria that cause you to break out back there. But be warned: It can stain your towels and clothing, so rinse thoroughly when done, and maybe wear a white t-shirt to bed afterwards.
You May Like: Can Smoking Cigarettes Cause Acne
Tread Carefully When It Comes To Home Remedies
While toothpaste, lemon juice, and even Windex have been cited as excellent at-home remedies for blemishes, dermatologists advise against them. Skip these “DIY fixes:”
- “Toothpaste traditionally contained an ingredient called triclosan, which has antimicrobial properties, and the thought was that it helped lower levels of acne-causing bacteria to reduce inflammation and treat the pimple,” Dr. Zeichner explains. “Because triclosan is a known cause of skin allergies, it has been removed from most toothpastes, so they are no longer useful in treating acne.”
- “Lemon juice is also irritating and wouldn’t have any effect on the pimple itself,” Dr. Day adds.
- Windex well, it’s glass cleaner. Don’t put glass cleaner on your face.
One way to remove pimples naturally is by applying tea tree oil, which “may help by reducing inflammation and lowering levels of acne-causing bacteria,” Dr. Zeichner says. But he warns against applying it undiluted to the skin, because it may cause irritation.
Early Treatment Can Prevent Emotional Distress Acne Scars
Studies show that the longer acne lasts, the more likely it is to affect ones emotions. Without treatment, acne can also worsen. If acne becomes severe, as it did for Jill, scars can appear as the acne clears.
Early treatment can prevent these problems. It can clear the skin and prevent acne from worsening. Some people need to continue treating their skin to prevent breakouts. For most people thats probably a lot easier than dealing with the emotional distress and permanent acne scars.
ImageGetty Images
ReferencesDalgard F, Gieler U, et al. Self-esteem and body satisfaction among late adolescents with acne: Results from a population study. J Am Acad Dermatol 2008 59:746-51.
Fulton JE, Acne Rx: What acne really is and how to eliminate its devastating effects! Self-published 2001.
Gorelick J, Daniels SR, et al. Acne-related quality of life among female adults of different races/ethnicities. J Dermatol Nurses Assoc. 2015 7: 154162.
Hendon, J. Acne: A patient’s point of view. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004 51:S39.
Nguyen CM, Beroukhim K, et al. The psychosocial impact of acne, vitiligo, and psoriasis: a review. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2016 9:383-92.
Yentzer BA, Gosnell AL, et al. Letter to the editor: A randomized controlled pilot study of strategies to increase adherence in teenagers with acne vulgaris. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011 64:793-5.
You May Like: What Serum Is Good For Acne
Things To Try When Acne Wont Clear
The following tips from dermatologists can help you get started.
1. Give an acne treatment at least 4 weeks to work.Using a new acne product every few days may seem useful, but that approach can worsen acne. Acne treatment needs time to work. Using a different product every few days can also irritate your skin, causing new breakouts.
If a treatment works for you, you should notice some improvement in 4 to 6 weeks. It can take two to three months or longer to see clearing.
If you notice improvement, keep using the treatment. Even when you see clearing, you’ll want to keep using the acne treatment. This helps to prevent new breakouts.
When to see a dermatologist about acne?
Seeing a dermatologist can help prevent acne from worsening. You can benefit from seeing a dermatologist when acne:
-
Causes acne cysts and nodules
-
Hasnt cleared with treatment you can buy without a prescription
-
Makes you feel uncomfortable, and you want clearer skin
2. Attack the different causes of acne.If you dont see improvement after 4 to 6 weeks, add a second acne product to your treatment plan.
This approach can help attack the different causes of acne. Bacteria, clogged pores, oil, and inflammation can all cause acne.
-
Benzoyl peroxide decreases P. acnes bacteria
-
Retinoids, such as adapalene gel, unclog pores and reduce oiliness
-
Salicylic acid eases inflammation and unclogs pores
-
Won’t clog pores
-
Non-acnegenic
-
Oil free
Get A Cortisone Injection To Quickly Get Rid Of A Pimple
For massive, inflamed pimples, over-the-counter treatments may not pack enough punch. In that case, your best shot may be an injection of cortisone directly into the cyst. Performed with a very thin needle, a cortisone injection shrinks the swollen tissue in the pimple, easing inflammation and allowing the pimple to heal. A dermatologist can perform the procedure quickly and easily, and youll see visible improvement within 24 hours.
In short, we know how distressing pimples can be. Fortunately the immediate solutions weve discussed here can help us cope in the short term. In the longer term, remember that bad skin is an extremely common problem, one that has recently been recognized and destigmatized on social media through the acne positivity movement2. It is nothing to be ashamed of. Moreover, you dont have to fight acne alone. For longer-term management of acne and information about other acne treatments, visit Phoenixs Top Dermatologist at Saguaro Dermatology. Were here to help!
Recommended Readings
Read Also: What Takes Away Acne Scars
Powerful Home Remedies For Acne
Acne is one of the most common skin conditions in the world, affecting an estimated 85% of young adults .
Conventional acne treatments like salicylic acid, niacinamide, or benzoyl peroxide are proven to be the most effective acne solutions, but they can be expensive and have undesirable side effects, such as dryness, redness, and irritation.
This has prompted many people to look into remedies to cure acne naturally at home. In fact, one study found that 77% of acne patients had tried alternative acne treatments .
Many home remedies lack scientific backing, and further research on their effectiveness is needed. If youre looking for alternative treatments, though, there are still options you can try.
This article explores 13 popular home remedies for acne.
Steer Clear Of Allergens
For people who are sensitive or allergic to them, certain perfumes and other chemicals in laundry detergents, fabric softeners, dryer sheets, and flushable wipes can trigger a rash on the buttocks.
For example, studies have found that a common preservative in cosmetics used in flushable wipes called methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone is associated with allergic contact dermatitis. If you suspect your laundry or personal hygiene product has caused your butt acne, switch to a hypoallergenic version.
Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Acne From Sweat
Slather On Sunscreen Daily
You need to protect your skin from ultraviolet ray damage with a daily sunscreen.
âWith acne, you want to normalize your skin, which is the main barrier between you and the outside world. Protecting that barrier involves moisturizing it and protecting it from the sun. Sunscreen is a very effective way to do that,â Lee says. She usually recommends that her patients look for an oil-free, noncomedogenic formula so it won’t worsen their acne.
Choose an SPF of 30 or higher thatâs broad-spectrum, meaning it blocks UVA and UVB rays. A lot of these sunscreens also help moisturize skin so it doesnât dry out. âWhen skin is too dry, your skin can sense it, and then it signals the body to create more oil … causing a negative spiral in terms of the oil production,â Lee says. Apply sunscreen daily in the morning and reapply throughout the day as needed.
Show Sources
Prevent Treat And Overcome Teenage Acne
Did you know that our skin is the largest organ of our bodies? Its essential for protecting our internal organs, muscles and bones. It holds us together! Skin reflects who we are and it is the first impression of us upon others. For teenagers, this can be a painful and embarrassing impression when acne strikes. To learn more about the condition and offer helpful tips, I reached out to Terry Renteria, RN, wound ostomy and continence nurse specialist at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.
Acne comes upon each person differently some go through life with few issues and others feel burdened by the condition. Acne is fairly commonthree-fourths of all Americans ages 11 to 30 have acne and 17 million Americans have acne at any given time. It can persist into adulthood too. It shows up most commonly on the face, neck, chest, back and shoulders.
Don’t Miss: Does Peanut Butter Give You Acne
The Best Acne Products For Back Acne Treatment
The best acne products for stubborn acne on your back contain acne medication or natural acne treatment ingredients that kill bacteria, cleanse pores and nurture clear skin.
The Body Shop offers a soap-free body wash gentle enough to use on the whole body, with antibacterial tea tree oil for acne treatment. If you’ve wondered how to get rid of blackheads on your back, where they can be especially stubborn, give this affordable back acne treatment a try.
The Body Shop tea tree skin clearing body wash, from $13,
Neutrogena’s acne treatment body wash contains the acne medication salicylic acid to fight back acne breakouts and prevent body breakouts. Use a small amount on a clean, soft cloth or body sponge to create a rich lather, then rinse clear.
Neutrogena Body Clear acne body wash, $6 for Amazon Prime members, Target.com
Those who prefer a bar soap over a liquid body wash can still benefit from acne-fighting salicylic acid with the Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Bar. This mild soap unclogs pores and removes excess oil without drying out skin.
Clinique Acne Solutions cleansing bar for face & body, $23,
Foods That Help Acne: Dietary Patterns
What do the Canadian Inuits, the South African Zulus and the Japanese Okinawans have in common?
None of them has acne .
These traditional cultures have different diets, but they are similar in that they are all based on whole foods, eaten consistently.
Thats the secret to foods that help acne. You can eat them occasionally, but their real power comes with embracing them as your pattern of eating. Get into the habit of making overnight oats for breakfast. Sprinkle zinc-rich pumpkin seeds on your lunchtime salads. Load half your plate with vegetables at every dinner.
Do this enough, and it becomes second nature. It doesnt have to be perfect it just has to be consistent.
Ask yourself which of the action points you can do today, and start there.
Don’t Miss: How To Remove Acne Marks From Face
Other Ways To Help Reduce Pimples
Although people have been using natural acne remedies for years, research on the topic is still emerging.
The remedies listed below may benefit acne-prone skin, but no studies exist on their ability to treat pimples:
- Witch hazel. Applying witch hazel to the skin has been shown to fight bacteria and reduce inflammation, which could help prevent pimples (
For even more tips, here are 13 powerful home remedies to get rid of acne.
Summary
A few other remedies may help you fight pimples naturally, including applying apple cider vinegar to the skin, limiting your dairy intake, and reducing stress levels. However, these have little or no research behind them, so more studies are needed.
Try A Product With Salicylic Acid
If your breakouts are frequent and youre tired of battling them, you may want to consider switching up your skincare routine. Pick a cleanser that has salicylic acid in it, which you can get over the counter, Dr. Peredo recommends. Those with acne-prone skin may need an astringent to degrease the skin, too I like salicylic or glycolic acid, because they can help with the scarring that could occur, as well. Try La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser for Acne Prone Skin, made with 2% salicylic acid along with lipo hydroxy acid, which also exfoliates and helps reduce oil production.
Salicylic acid is also very potent when it comes to getting rid of blackheads it helps by removing dead cells and excess oil from the surface of the skin, Dr. Zeichner says. Another way to bust blackheads is using a vitamin A derivative, like adapalene, which is the main ingredient in dermatologist-favorite Differin Gel. Think of it like a pipe cleaner for your pores, to keep them clear so oil does not get trapped, he explains.
Dont Miss: What Causes Acne On Nose
Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Female Chest Acne
When To Get Help
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you can’t control acne on your own. If that’s the case, don’t hesitate to get help. A dermatologist’s job is to shut down the inflammation.
These are the times that warrant seeing a doctor:
- If your child is younger than 8 and has acne, see a pediatric dermatologist. This might be a sign of early puberty and would require further evaluation.
- If your acne does not improve after 6 to 8 weeks of using over-the-counter products, visit your primary care doctor or a dermatologist.
- Moderate to severe acne requires treatment by a dermatologist or pediatric dermatologist, who will create a personalized acne treatment plan for you based on the type and severity of your acne.
- If you have scarring, there is help. A variety of treatments are available to get rid of acne scars, including laser treatments and chemical peels, but these are most effective once acne is well controlled.
The Best Acne Products For Natural Acne Treatment
There are hundreds, maybe even thousands, of natural acne treatment products on the market, but these are a few of our favorites:
Barlean’s uses organic coconuts for their product. If you’re into using coconut oil for acne but also environmentally or socially conscientious, you’ll like thatBarlean’s Organic Virgin Coconut Oil is also fair trade, non-GMO and vegan.
Barlean’s organic virgin coconut oil, from $16,
NOW Tea Tree Oil for acne is a popular choice thanks to the product’s strong antiseptic and germicidal properties. Distilled from the leaves of the tea tree in Australia, this brand is 100 percent tea tree oil and also has a milder smell than you might expect.
NOW tea tree oil, from $11,
Recommended Reading: What Helps With Butt Acne
