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 can be both prevented and eliminated by using a combination
of pore-cleansing, anti-bacterial treatment and pore strengthening.
ZenMed Derma Cleanse is a product that is able to clean pores effectively,
while directly treating the blemishes, naturally using two pronged
approach. We recommend the ZenMed acne system for people experiencing
any level of acne.
Visit
the Official ZenMed website
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. Some examples of the types of acne products available
are:
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.