Acne Vulgaris
Acne vulgaris is the most common form of acne, and is simply
what we refer to as common acne. Acne vulgaris can affect
anyone, and almost 100% of the population has had acne vulgaris
at one time. Over 85% of teens suffer from acne, and although
it is caused by an increase in hormone levels which affect
and over-stimulate the sebaceous glands, the resulting acne
is still called acne vulgaris.
Acne vulgaris is usually found on the face and upper body
area including the back, chest, neck and arms. Both facial
acne and body acne are considered acne vulgaris. In most cases,
acne vulgaris will not cause scarring. Acne that scars is
usually much more severe, when several papules or pimples
join together causing cysts (known as cystic acne or severe
acne). Acne vulgaris affects people of all ages, though it
is mostly predominant in teenagers.
Acne Vulgaris Treatment
Acne vulgaris treatment comes in many forms. Pharmacies and
supermarkets are literally inundated with new products for
fighting acne. It’s important to remember that acne
products work differently for different people. Some topical
acne treatments work well for some, but irritate the skin
of others. Some ingested treatments work well for some but
cause complications in others. Talking to your doctor and
choosing the best medication for you is always the best method
of choosing your acne
solution. Visit our acne
treatment reviews page to learn more about the best ways
to address acne.
Natural Acne Treatments
Within the last decade, natural medicine has made a significant
comeback. Naturopaths are available for consultation in every
town, as people begin to lose faith in ‘chemical’
products and their outlandish guarantees. Some natural products
that have been used for decades to clear acne are rose water,
milk of magnesia, lemon juice, tea tree oil and ginger root.
For application, please refer to our acne
treatment page.
Topical medication
Topical medication is probably the most popular acne vulgaris
treatment method. Topical medication can contain natural or
synthetic ingredients (or both), and are used to kill the
P. Acnes bacteria, clear oil from the skin, and generate healthier
skin. Some topical medications are prescription based, and
can only be obtained by a physician. Examples include topical
steroids and antibiotics, and the chemical compound isotretinoin
(retinoids) which is common for sever or chronic acne treatment.
Ingested Acne Vulgaris Treatment
In some cases, a doctor may prescribe an ingested medication
for the treatment of severe acne vulgaris, but the practice
is becoming rarer. Some examples of ingested or oral medication
are antibiotics and retinoids. Antibiotics tend work only
when being prescribed, and acne flare-ups can start again
days after treatment is stopped. Antibiotics also lose their
efficacy over time. Retinoids have also been shown to have
side effects and cannot be used by pregnant women.
Laser Acne Therapy
Laser therapy is another acne vulgaris treatment that is gaining
in popularity. Although pricey for some, laser treatment requires
only a few visits. Lasers are used to burn away either one
or more layers of the skin (resurfacing), the underlying layers
of skin (fractional laser therapy) or the burning of follicles
or sebaceous glands (cauterizing). Laser therapy is relatively
painless and its side effects include a few days of redness
of the skin and minor irritation.
When to See a Doctor
If you have acne vulgaris, and your pimples are getting worse
by the week, it is always a good idea to talk to your doctor
regardless. Further, if you notice that some pimples are banding
together, forming even larger pimples, you should speak to
your doctor or dermatologist as acne
scarring may result. Always see your doctor if medication
or acne vulgaris treatments are causing unusual side effects.
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