Silver Bullet for Acne? - I Don't Think So!

I read a report recently discussing the success of the project to sequence the genome of the bacteria that is said to cause acne, Propionibacterium acnes, and how this may lead to new ways to treat Acne.

It made me think how easily we can jump to conclusions, that may not be supported by the evidence, or by common sense. Don't get me wrong, I wholeheartedly support the research that the scientific community is doing in the field of Acne, and I am hopeful that it will lead to better treatments, or better understanding of what acne treatments are likely to work.

The article started by saying "European scientists have sequenced the complete genome of a bacterial species involved in many cases of acne, and they're already working on potential new treatments based on that achievement". That is fine but it then continued with the assumption that having found the bacteria which caused acne, and decoded it's genome, it was only a matter of time before the problem of acne was solved.

It is a huge step to go from sequencing the genome of a bacteria involved in many cases of acne, to curing acne.

If a bacteria was the cause of acne, then people who had the bacteria would have acne, and people who didn't have the bacteria would not. Also it would be possible to pass acne to someone else, by physical contact. It may be true that this bacteria is involved in many cases of acne, but, in my opinion, it is not true that it causes acne.

The successful treatment of acne requires a number of steps, and often lifestyle changes. The good news is that in most cases acne can be cured by completely natural means. For more information go to www.acneabc.com

Information on How to Treat Adult Acne

Although most teenagers get some form of acne, adults in their twenties, thirties, forties, or even older, can develop acne. Men and women alike experience acne, but men get it more severely. There are many adult acne treatments to choose from.

All acne treatments work by preventing new breakouts, and must be used over a period of weeks or months. Even if you begin to see improvement, continue treatment. Follow the directions on the package or as prescribed by your dermatologist.

There are many over-the-counter adult acne treatments to unblock pores, reduce bacteria and dry out pimples. They contain the acids or antibiotics benzoyl peroxide (such as Neutrogena On-The-Spot), salicylic acid (such as Stri-dex), sulfur or resorcinol (such as Clearasil Adult Care).

Even more numerous are prescription drugs and topicals that curb oil build-up, skin cell shedding and bacteria growth - all while drying and peeling away old acne and stimulating healthy skin growth. For women, there are even drugs that decrease testosterone levels. In cases of unresponsive or severe acne, isotretinoin (Accutane) may be used. Talk to your dermatologist to find out what is appropriate for your case of acne.

Beyond oral and topical medications, there are a number of other options for adult acne treatment.

Microdermabrasion is basically a sand-blasting technique that can clear up minor blemishes caused by acne. Light chemical peels with salicylic acid or glycolic acid help to unblock the pores, open the blackheads and whiteheads, and stimulate new skin growth. Injections of corticosteroids may be used for treating large red bumps (nodules). Birth control pills have the desirable side effect of treating and reducing acne breakouts.

Laser resurfacing can be helpful in treating acne as well, by vaporizing the acne and clearing the way for new skin to grow.

How Common Is Adult Acne?

For a long time, acne was considered a problem for teenagers to deal with. It seems that acne and teens go hand in hand. It is almost a cliché of the teenage years. In fact, adult acne is also a very common problem. Many adults suffer from a variety of skin problems. Pimples are not just a problem of the young. People over the age of 25 have issues with acne, too. While adult acne occurs in both men and women, it tends to be more prevalent in women. The statistics suggest that 50% of all adult women have acne, as compared to only about 25% of adult men. Adult acne affects people from every ethnicity and background.

There are many causes of adult acne. Since the main cause of pimples is hormones, which is probably why women tend to have more zits and skin problems than men. Other things also cause acne. These can be things like overactive sebaceous glands that allow an excess of oil to be secreted onto the face, clogged pores, etc. For many people, genetics plays a role in whether or not they have acne. Other things that can trigger breakouts are stress and environmental issues like weather and allergies.

While there are many acne products available to treat breakouts and blemishes, some of the ones that work for teens can be too harsh for adults. It is important to have a good daily cleansing regimen. This alone can help many adults clear up their acne prone skin. Others find that topical treatments can help with their blemishes. For moderate to severe acne problems, some adults may find that a trip to their dermatologist is necessary. A dermatologist can prescribe antibiotics or other ant-acne medications.

As we age, our skin becomes less able to repair itself due to a loss of collagen. The skin of adults is not as resilient as that of younger people. So adult acne can be a much more serious problem because it can cause easily cause scarring in adult skin. It is a good idea to treat breakouts and not give in to the temptation to squeeze or pop whiteheads or blackheads that appear on the skin. Doing this type of thing can lead to permanent scarring of the skin.

For both adult men and women, adult acne can have the same effects on them that it does on teenagers. Emotional distress, embarrassment, and low self-esteem due to acne breakouts can be just as big of a problem for an adult as for a teen. Everyone wants his or her skin to look good. How we look contributes greatly to how we feel about ourselves, so having skin issues can be just as serious a problem as other things.

Dermatologist Lotion For Acne Prone Patients

You can find dermatologist lotion for acne prone patients at your doctor's office. Your dermatologist will be able to suggest or prescribe the best dermatologist lotion for acne prone patients.

If you have problems with acne you may want to ask your doctor for a dermatologist lotion for acne prone patients. It is better to have a dermatologist lotion for acne prone patients before acne becomes out of control.

When your dermatologist suggests a dermatologist lotion for acne prone patients it may or may not be a prescription. There is more than one dermatologist lotion for acne prone patients and your doctor can discuss your options.

Your doctor may prescribe a dermatologist lotion for acne prone patients that requires a prescription. If this is the case you will need to get the prescription at a drugstore or pharmacy. Be sure to follow all directions when using the dermatologist lotion for acne prone patients.

Retin-A is one such prescription that is a dermatologist lotion for acne prone patients. It is a dermatologist lotion for acne prone patients that has been very effective.

Depending on the dermatologist lotion for acne prone patients that your doctor recommends, you may have choices about where to purchase it. If the dermatologist lotion for acne prone patients in not a prescription you may be able to purchase it online.

The cost of the dermatologist lotion for acne prone patients may vary. Some medications are much more expensive than others. If the dermatologist lotion for acne prone patients is a prescription the cost may be covered under your insurance plan.

If acne is becoming a problem for you ask your doctor for his advice.