Health and Fitness

[ Health and Fitness]

OTC Acne Medicines - Drawbacks and Proper Use

It's easy to walk into a drug store and ask the pharmacist for a product that will treat your acne condition, but what if that treatment worsens your it or leaves a new one? Most over the counter medicines have a series of unwanted drawbacks that we don't always know about. So our best bet is to get informed and then treatment. Here is a short list to help you get started.

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is commonly used to treat mild to moderate acne, however, what you didn't know is that it can yield a reaction in as soon as five days. It comes in various strengths, some of which are only available by prescription. A common side effect is skin dryness and irritation. It can be found in products such as soaps, lotions, gels, washes, and creams. Gel formulations are typically the best.

To help avoid undesired effect produced by Benzoyl peroxide, start with a minor potency concentration (2.5%) and increase the strength (5% to 10%) as required for acne solution. You can also start by applying it every other day then work up to a maximum of two daily applications.

Benzoyl Peroxide Accelerates Skin Aging

Benzoyl peroxide creates free radicals and is known to cause accelerated skin aging, just like repeated sun exposure or persistent acne. Damage is determined by the proportion of benzoyl peroxide and the frequency and duration of use. While moderate to severe acne will cause the skin to age rapidly, the use of benzoyl peroxide will significantly increase this rate.

The skin produces hydrogen peroxide to counteract each acne infection and this can go on for weeks until the infection is resolved. Hydrogen peroxide is a free radical which damages the skin and causes it to age. Over a period of time the volume of hydrogen peroxide acts just like prolonged sun exposure, damaging skin components like collagen and making the skin to sag and wrinkle.

Additionally, the healing mechanism of acne infections includes thousands and thousands of chemical steps. These chemical steps produce more free radicals as a natural by-product and add to the free radical damage (aging).

The body fights this effect by supplying antioxidants that reduce the volume of free radicals and the damage they've caused. It is believed that moderate to severe acne literally eliminates the skin's level of antioxidants, leaving it nearly defenceless against free radicals that are created by healthy skin functions.

Azelaic Acid

Azelaic Acid is a cream employed in the treatment of soft to moderate acne. It has antibacterial actions and can help with skin inflammation. Azelaic acid is commonly well tolerated with a low incidence of momentary side effects of acne treatments such as skin redness, itching, and burning. It should be applied to clean, dry skin.

Sulfur, Sodium Sulfacetamide and Salicylic Acid

Sulfur, sodium sulfacetamide, and salicylic acid products are not considered as efficient as benzoyl peroxide but can be tried for treating mild acne. These products are less harsh than benzoyl peroxide, but some have a strong smell and can cause the skin to turn brown.

Treating skin conditions isn't a problem, the real problem arises when you apply any product just because it says it will treat your condition. Next time your shopping for a new skin care treatment take time out to read up on what the market has to offer, but if you don't have the time or patience remember that natural ingredients have no side-effects.

Comments: [0] / Post comment:
22 Nov 2008 08:10:00

Vince Wilfork knows how to skin a Cat - Boston Herald

Vince Wilfork knows how to skin a Cat Boston Herald, United States - By Karen Guregian Patriots Notebook FOXBORO - Vince Wilfork stats , for one, is confident that if the Dolphins decide to run plays out of the Wildcat ...
22 Nov 2008 04:37:08

Added hormones and steroids: They're illegal - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times Added hormones and steroids: They're illegal Los Angeles Times, CA - For example, when cooked, self-basted turkey breast with skin has about 18% fewer calories than non-self-basted turkey breast with skin . ...
22 Nov 2008 02:00:22

Shenui has the formula for a customized skin care line that lets ... - Seattle Times

Seattle Times Shenui has the formula for a customized skin care line that lets ... Seattle Times, United States - By Alison Brownrigg Women are deluged daily with ads and commercials touting the latest breakthrough in wrinkle technology and skin hydration. ...
22 Nov 2008 01:48:16

Beauty goes green - KXVO CW 15

Beauty goes green KXVO CW 15, NE - Here are some helpful tips to navigate your way around these products and feel good about what you are putting on your skin . ...
22 Nov 2008 00:06:00

Some skin in the game - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Some skin in the game Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, WI - By Stanley A. Miller II of the Journal Sentinel Gaming, meet gambling: A company called BringIt launched a new service today that lets gamers play for real ...
21 Nov 2008 21:17:58

'Doctor fish' clear skin disease - BBC News

BBC News 'Doctor fish' clear skin disease BBC News, UK - A woman with the skin condition psoriasis has travelled to Turkey to sit in water and be nibbled by flesh-eating fish in a bid to find a cure. ... Doctor Fish psoriasis treatment
21 Nov 2008 21:13:53

Free Altair Skin to be Available for Prince of Persia - 1UP.com

Free Altair Skin to be Available for Prince of Persia 1UP.com, NY - By Steve Watts, 11 21 2008 When you pick up Prince of Persia, registering with Ubisoft will unlock a free downloadable skin to make the Prince resemble ... Altair Sneaks Into Prince of Persia
21 Nov 2008 10:47:50

Weight loss can cause excess, flabby skin - Tulsa World

Weight loss can cause excess, flabby skin Tulsa World, OK - Her only problem now is getting rid of the extra skin on her arms and belly. Do you know what sort of exercises she can do that will make this skin shrink? ...
21 Nov 2008 01:56:08

Ex-Miss Maryland Urges FDA to Intensify Skin Cancer Fight - Southern Maryland Online

Ex-Miss Maryland Urges FDA to Intensify Skin Cancer Fight Southern Maryland Online, MD - About 62480 men and women are expected to be diagnosed with skin melanoma in 2008, with 8420 adults expected to die of the disease by year's end, ...
20 Nov 2008 04:20:48

FDA Advisory Committee Provides Opinion on Oritavancin for the ... - MarketWatch

Boston Globe FDA Advisory Committee Provides Opinion on Oritavancin for the ... MarketWatch - today announced that oritavancin, the Company's investigational antibiotic therapy for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections ... FDA Panel Backs Theravance's MRSA Antibiotic Targanta shares dive 82% after drug is rejected US panel backs Theravance's telavancin for skin infections -

Keywords:


Health and Fitness © Padayatra Dmytriy
Designer Padayatra Dmytriy