Best Anti-aging Skin Care Ingredients

For anti aging facial skin care, science has returned from the realm of chemicals and artificial ingredients. Since so many of them cause allergic reactions, irritation and inflammation, they began researching some of the traditional herbs, plants and other things that have been used down through the years to heal, protect and keep faces younger looking and more beautiful.

Through scientific evaluation, researchers were able to determine why these natural ingredients were so effective and now the extracts can be found in the best anti aging facial skin care products. Let’s look at some of them.

We used to see women wearing “mud” masks. At some resorts, you can even get a full body treatment. For years, different mineral clays have been used to deep clean, soothe and reduce inflammation. Researchers found that a specific type of mineral clay found in the foot hills of New Zealand absorbs oil and has disinfectant properties. The compound in the clay is called kaolin and it can be found in some of the better anti aging facial skin care products.

Honey has been used for centuries to coat and protect injuries, as well as for the relief of burning, stinging and irritation. It can be used to prevent bandages from adhering to wounds and is recommended for patients that are allergic to prescription antibiotics.

Researchers, again from New Zealand, found that honey collected from the Manuka bush is particularly healthy. It contains antioxidants, so it stimulates the immune system and destroys free radicals that damage the skin on a cellular level. It also has antibacterial and antiseptic activity. It is included in an anti aging facial skin care regimen, because it softens, moisturizes and protects.

Wakame comes from Japan. Yes, I’m skipping around the world. It is a specific kind of kelp that grows in the Sea of Japan. For many years, it has been cultivated for eating and crushed to be used as an anti aging facial skin care mask. Scientific evaluation showed that it contains B vitamins, calcium and other minerals, as well as antioxidants, but it also does something else.

There is a protein called hyaluronic acid that the body needs to build new skin-cells and tissues. In young people, the content in there facial-skin is very high. With age, the content starts to drop and continues to do so, at an alarming pace.

Researchers learned that an enzyme called hyaluronaise destroys the protein and causes the lowering levels. Wakame destroys hyaluronaise, so with continued use on the face and body, levels of hyaluronic acid begin to increase. The body can make more skin-cells, so the face actually does look younger.

The clinical results showed an increase of as much as 160% in new skin-cells. It seems that if you “feed your face” with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, you really can look younger. You’ll probably feel better, too. Those are the most recent developments in all-natural anti aging facial skin care. I think it’s the way to go.

Why is Shea Butter important for Anti-aging?

Pure Shea butter is a natural fat extracted from the nuts of the Shea-Karite tree. It is found in the tropic zones of Africa.

It is yellowish, or ivory-colored. It is the natural fat that gives African Shea butter its unique healing properties. It is especially known for its cosmetic properties as a moisturizer and emollient. In addition, it is a popular ingredient in many other products.

For example, it far superior to cocoa butter and other vegetable butters. It is also edible. It is used as a cooking oil in Africa, and is used as a substitute for cocoa butter in the chocolate industry. Actually, it is considered to be superior to cocoa butter and other vegetable butters.

The benefits of African Shea butter products also have outstanding anti-inflammatory properties. It has been found to be useful to combat cases of arthritis and of rheumatism. Further, research has discovered that it can be used even as a nasal decongestant.

It has been proven to be helpful in cases of eczema and dermatitis and can help reduce skin bruising and soreness. Add to this, treating skin conditions such as burns, rashes, fading scars, eczema, severely dry skin, and in reducing the irritation of psoriasis. And, it even provides limited UV protection against the sun.

It is also an integral ingredient in many expensive moisturizing skin products. Moreover, it is used in high quality hair conditioners to add moisture to dry hair, and reconditioning split ends. In addition, hairdressers use it to hold hairstyles and relax curls. It can used to moisturize dry scalps and even encourage hair growth.

It is a key ingredient in the most reputable anti-aging beauty products. Shea butter actually helps stimulate collagen production in the skin, making it most effective in facial wrinkle treatment. An anti-aging product that is magically available to us.

Best Acne Skin Care Treatments

If like many others you are desperate to get your acne treated in order to regain the skin you once had then using an acne skin care treatment is essential to the process. By reading through the tips provided below you should soon be back on the road to have that beautiful skin you had before you suffered from acne.

However it is important that first of all you know what acne is and then you will be able to treat it much better. A person suffers from acne because their sebaceous glands begin to produce too much oil and when combined with dead skin cells a person’s pores will then become blocked. As the pores are blocked they are unable to breathe correctly and then bacteria sets in and so blackheads and whiteheads will begin to erupt on the person’s skin.

In order to clean your face effectively whilst treating acne of any form you should not scrub it but rather gently wash it using a mild anti-bacterial soap or lotion.

Next you need to look at what you are eating and drinking. Many people do not realize this but what they eat and drink seriously affects their acne further. Therefore you should drink lots of fresh water each day. Not only will it help to remove all those unwanted toxins (which make a person’s acne worse) from the body but it is probably the most inexpensive form of acne skin care treatment.

You should also eat vegetables which contain high amounts of Vitamin A and will normally be bright orange or yellow or green in color. By eating plenty of these vegetables such as carrots, sweet corn and broccoli, cabbage etc, it will help you achieve a much better complexion on your skin.

Besides keeping the above points in mind, you should also consult your doctor.
They will be able to prescribe acne skin care treatment medications that you will not be able to find or purchase elsewhere. But as well as using the medication provided by your doctor you should look more closely at your dietary habits and make the necessary changes and do not forget to drink plenty of fresh water also.

By taking these steps in your acne skin care treatment program you should be on the road to seeing the results of your work in the mirror in a very short period of time.

Folliculitis and Skin Infections

Folliculitis is an infection of the hair follicle that is most commonly bacterial, but can occasionally be caused by a fungus. It can be either superficial in the follicle or deep in the skin.

There are also forms of folliculitis which are non-infectious such as those caused by tars, oils and greases that come into contact with the skin.

When, Where, And Who Gets Folliculitis?

Superficial staphylococcal folliculitis is quite common and is seen in people of all ages. It is probably more common in those who have eczema and diabetes. You might see it on your face, scalp, upper trunk, buttocks, or as a sty on your eyelids.

Deeper staphylococcal folliculitis is uncommon and may be seen as boil-like lesions in diabetics. There is also a condition called sycosis, which is a pustular folliculitis, particularly in the bearded area of men.

Gram-negative folliculitis is only rarely seen, usually on the face of those who have been taking antibiotics on a long-term basis for acne. Gram-negative folliculitis is most often seen in people who have been in a hot tub or whirlpool that has been contaminated by the bacteria pseudomonas.

Fungal Folliculitis:

Trichophyton folliculitis is mostly seen in women who shave their legs, presumably spreading this from their athlete’s foot fungal infection.

Pityrosporum folliculitis is usually located on the upper back and shoulder of young people. It is more common in individuals who are immunosuppressed.

Candida folliculitis can be seen on the scalp and in occluded moist areas, such as under the breasts and in the groin areas of people who are obese.

Lab Tests:

Swabbing the skin, then sending it to a laboratory for bacterial and yeast cultures will confirm the infection.

A skin biopsy may be required to confirm deep fungal of yeast folliculitis.

Blood sugar tests and/or HIV testing should be done for those who have repeated infections or an infection that does not have the typical symptoms

What Can I Do About My Folliculitis?

Self help:

Good hygiene with regular hand washing is a must to minimize the risk of staph infections. Keeping your skin healthy and avoiding factors that can over-dry your skin, causing it to crack should be avoided. Picking and squeezing the skin causes minor damage, which in turn makes it easier for infection to set in. A skin that is clean and intact with no abrasions or sites of friction or irritation is less likely to become infected. In some circumstances, there may be a role for antibacterial cleansers. Hot tubs need to be checked regularly for pH and antiseptic levels.

Medical treatment:

If you think you have folliculitis, the most important thing for you to do is to see your doctor in order to confirm the diagnosis, so that you can seek folliculitis treatment. Ideally, the organism causing the infection should be identified and its sensitivity to antibiotics should be established.

Sometimes, your doctor will treat an infection based on his or her clinical suspicion, especially if the appearance is typical.

Bacterial folliculitis can be caused by the following bacteria

• Staphylococcus aureus
• Gram-negative bacteria

Pseudomonas (hot tub folliculitis)

• E. coli
• Klebsiella
• Fungal /yeast folliculitis
• Candida albicans
• Pityrosporum ovale
• Trichophyton rubrum

Topical treatments:

Topical antibiotics and antifungal creams to treat staphylococcal folliculitis:

The choice of folliculitis treatment will depend on the cause of the infection as well as how deep and extensive it is. Topical antibiotics should be used in the short term to minimize the risks of bacterial resistance.

Topical antibiotics can clear superficial localized infections. The affected area should be treated with the appropriate cream or ointment two or three times a day. Chronic staph can be carried inside the nose, and can be a factor if the infection recurs. In such a case, nightly application of the ointment inside the nose will clear the reservoir of the bacteria. Oral antibiotics will be required if there is an inadequate response.

1) Fusidic acid:

Fusidic acid is an antimicrobial that was isolated by Godtfredsen, et al, in Europe from the fermentation of Fusidium Coccineum. It was introduced into clinical practice in 1926, as an oral drug. About twenty years later, it was introduced in Canada as a topical drug.

How do I use this medication?

Fusidic acid is available both as a cream and as an ointment. You should apply it thinly on to the infected area 3-4 times daily.

How does it work?

Fusidic acid inhibits protein synthesis in the bacteria and without that capacity, the bacteria will die. The topical formulation penetrates a damaged, infected horny layer better than intact skin. It is related to the cephalosporin, an antibiotic produced by Cephalosporium, a genus of fungi.

Will there be side effects?

Side effects from the topical preparations are very uncommon. There have been no human tests done during pregnancy and lactation, but there have been no adverse reports.

Can I take other medications?

There are no interactions from the topical formulation of fusidic acid.

Which brands are available?

• Fucidin® 2% cream and ointment available as well as Fucidin HCl®, which is combined with 1% hydrocortisone acetate
• Fucidin Intertulle® - impregnated into a gauze
• IV, tablets and oral suspension (250mg/5ml) are available, IM and subcutaneous administrations are too irritating

2) Mupirocin:

A natural product of Pseudomonas fluorescens that has antibacterial actions against gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus and Streptoccus. It has some activity against gram-negative organisms. It is inactive against anaerobic bacteria chlamydia and fungi.

How do I use this medication?

Mupirocin is available both as a cream and an ointment. You should apply it thinly on the affected area 3 times a day for up to 10 days. It may be used on all ages except for in the USA where the Bactroban nasal ointment is not recommended for children under the age of 12.

How well does it work?

Mupirocin is easy to apply and is very effective against the common skin pathogens such as Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. It works well for impetigo as well as bacterial folliculitis. The incidence of resistance remains low. For localized impetigo it works as well as oral antibiotics in 90% of cases. It is not effective against Pseudomonas or fungi. It is useful in the treatment of chronic Staph carriage in the anterior nares (nose).

How does it work?

It is unlike other antibiotics in that it inhibits bacterial isoleucyl transfer-RNA synthetase blocking protein synthesis. It is bacteriostatic at low concentrations and bacteriocidal at high concentration. There is virtually no systemic absorption via intact skin and anything that is becomes metabolized to monic acid and quickly removed by the kidneys.

Will there be side effects?

Local:

Dry skin, swelling, burning pain itch and rash. The effects are usually mild. Allergic reactions are rare. Polyethylene glycol will be irritating if the ointment is used around the eyes.

Systemic:

Renal toxicity from absorption of the polyethylene glycol vehicle (ointment only) if large amounts are used in open wounds or burns.

Which brands are available?

• Bactroban ointment 2% mupirocin (polyethylene glycol base)
• Bactroban cream 2% mupirocin (oil-water based emulsion)
• Bactroban Nasal - for the nose and is in a white paraffin/glycerin base (not available in Canada)

What conditions are treated by this medication?

• Skin staphyococcal infections including impetigo, folliculitis, burns, and wounds
• It is also used to treat streptococcal infections

Find the treatments for lines and wrinkles

As we age, the skin droops and develops wrinkles, lines and furrows. Depending on your skin type, you may find your skin to be pre-disposed to wrinkling. But thanks to diligent research and new advances, there are a number of solutions to combat facial lines.

Causes of facial lines

In addition to aging, facial lines can form because of the following:

• Sun damage (Fine lines and wrinkles arise because of irregular thickening of the dermis and because of a decrease in the amount of water held by the epidermis. caused mainly by sun damage.)
• Smoking
• Muscle movement / Dynamic lines (People tend to smile or frown more on one side than the other, or consistently sleep on the right or the left cheek. Crow’s feet around the eyes are due to smiling and activity of the eyelid muscles. Worry lines on the forehead are due to contraction of the muscle when raising the eyebrows)
• Gravity is responsible for folds in the skin

What treatment is available?

See your dermatologist for information about what might work well for you, which could include:

• Topical agents which produce collagen in the skin, Vitamin A acids (Tazarotene, Tretinoin, Adapelene) and Vitamin C or alpha Hydroxy acids
• Microdermabrasion has a very modest benefit for very fine lines
• Injectionable fillers such as Restylane (Hyaluronic acid)
• Botox for dynamic lines (Check-out www.BotoxFacts.ca)
• Lasers. Traditionally the CO2 and Erbium lasers (ablative) were used to essentially peel off a layer of skin and then allow a new skin to grow in. Results were impressive but the healing time of many weeks and sometimes months of redness has reduced the use of this approach. Patients with darker skin would often end up with darker skin and those with very fair skin sometimes white skin
• Plastic surgery is usually used to improve skin folds rather than fine lines and wrinkles
• The newer non-ablative laser treatments do not have the down time of the older methods nor do they have the degree of improvement. Repeat treatments with lasers that essentially produce a heating of the dermis, which in turn encourages collagen production, Lasers such as the Nd: Yag, V Beam and Smooth Beam may be used.
• The Fraxel laser is a modification of an Erbium laser that just treats multiple small pinpoint areas of skin allowing a quick recovery after a treatment. We will be hearing more of this in the future
• Cosmetic facial surgery

Prevent it before it happens

You can take steps to protect your skin. You’ve heard it before, and it’s worth repeating:

• Avoid excessive time in the sun, and always use a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher
• Avoid smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke or other pollutants. Smoking increases facial lines and wrinkles and delays skin healing.
• Exercise. It’s good for the skin as well as for your general health.
• Aging skin feels and looks better when moisturizers are applied regularly. These improve the water-holding capacity of the skin. Choose one that feels nice to apply, doesn’t sting or burn or provoke acne
• Use tepid or warm water and a non-soap cleanser to wash your face twice daily
• Drink plenty of water to rehydrate internally. Because moisture content is related to water, not oil or grease, oily-skinned women need to rehydrate as conscientiously as their dry-skinned counterparts
• Eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables
• Generally what is healthy for your heart and brain is good for your skin

By: Richard Thomas, MD, FRCPC

Self-Examination For Skin Cancer

Most people have freckles, birthmarks, or moles, but any irregularities or a change in the shape, edge, colour or size can be warning signs of skin cancer.

Skin cancer can take 20 years or more to develop. Many forms grow slowly, but some melanomas may grow quickly. If found in the early stages it’s very treatable, and the way to find it early is by doing a self-exam every three to six months. This should take no more than 5 or 10 minutes, 10 minutes that could save your life. You can also view a brief video on early detection at Skin Cancer Self-Examination.

Self-Examination: Where to look

1. Examine your head and face using one or two mirrors. Moving your hair aside, to examine your scalp.
2. Examine your hands, including your nails.
3. Check your elbows, arms and underarms.
4. Look closely on your neck, chest and torso – check under your breasts if you are a woman.
5. Using a second mirror examine the back of your neck and shoulders, as well as your upper arms, legs, back, and behind.
6. Sit down and examine your lower legs and feet, including nails, heels, and soles.
7. Use a small mirror to check your genitals.

Self-Examination: What to look for

• Note changes on your skin, such as a growth or a sore that won’t heal
• Look for small lumps that are smooth, shiny and waxy, or red or reddish brown
• Be alert to flat red spots that are rough or scaly

For melanoma, the changes have been classified as the ABCD’s of melanoma:

You should also be aware of other changes to your moles and seek medical advise if any of these changes occur:

• The mole suddenly or continuously gets larger.
• The skin around a mole becomes red or develops coloured blemishes or swellings.
• A mole that was flat or slightly elevated increases in height rapidly.
• A smooth mole develops scaliness, erosion or oozing. Crusting, ulceration or bleeding are signs of more advanced disease.
• Itching is the most common early symptom - there may also be feelings of tenderness or pain. Skin cancers however are usually painless.

Early detection of skin cancer is critical as it reduces the risk for spread to other areas of the body. Have your moles checked regularly by a dermatologist or your family doctor.

By: Dr. Jason K Rivers, BSc, FRCPC

Preventing Melasma Damage with Sun Protection

Melasma is a common increase of pigmentation that occurs exclusively in sun-exposed areas, in particular on the face. (Read Sun Damage for more information.)

• It is much more common in women between the ages of 20-40
• Melasma is less common in older women, and is seldom seen in women taking estrogen replacement therapy.
• Melasma rarely affects men.
• Melasma is more of a problem in people who have relatively dark skin to begin with, and because melasma is made worse by sun exposure it tends to be more of a problem in the spring and summer.
• Melasma can be a particular problem for people in the service industry, where personal appearance can affect the amount of tips earned and can also affect gross sales by servers.

Melasma usually causes three different patterns of symmetrical pigmentation on the face, affecting most commonly the central face (cheeks, forehead, upper lip, nose, and chin); or less commonly the cheeks and nose, or the cheeks and jaw line. Melasma also can cause patches of pigmentation on the forearms, but this is rare.

There is no special diet, health food, vitamin, “magic lotion” which is useful for the treatment of melasma or other forms of facial pigmentation, and time and money should not be wasted on those things.

Melasma usually improves - sometimes to a great extent - in response to the faithful use a high-SPF, broad-spectrum sunscreen- SPF60 every morning and a good fading cream at night. Sun protection needs to be continued long-term in order to reduce the risk of relapse of melasma. Severe cases can be treated with a prescription for the mixture of 4 parts Anthelios® SPF60 sunscreen with 1 part Tazorac® 0.05% cream every morning, and Lustra® cream at night.

In some cases, improvement in melasma and other forms of facial pigmentation can be speeded up with intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments, in particular by the Cutera 600 IPL which is optimized for the reduction in unwanted facial pigment. Sun avoidance and using a sunscreen every day are essential steps to preventing melasma.

Anti-Acne Treatments

Anti-acne drugs are medicines that help clear up pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and more severe forms of acne.

Benzoyl peroxide is found in many over-the-counter acne products that are applied to the skin, such as Benoxyl, Clear By Design, Neutrogena Acne, PanOxyl, and some formulations of Clean & Clear, Clearasil, and Oxy. Some benzoyl peroxide products are available without a physician’s prescription; others require a prescription. Tretinoin (Retin-A) is available only with a physician’s prescription and comes in liquid, cream, and gel forms, which are applied to the skin. Isotretinoin (Accutane), which is taken by mouth in capsule form, is available only with a physician’s prescription. Only physicians who have experience in diagnosing and treating severe acne, such as dermatologists, should prescribe isotretinoin.

Acne is a skin disorder that leads to an outbreak of lesions called pimples or “zits.” The most common form of the disease in adolescents is called acne vulgaris. Antiacne drugs are the medicines that help clear up the pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and more severe forms of lesions that occur when a teen has acne.
Different types of antiacne drugs are used for different treatment purposes, depending on the severity of the condition. For example, lotions, soaps, gels, and creams containing substances called benzoyl peroxide or tretinoin may be used to clear up mild to moderately severe acne. Isotretinoin (Accutane) is an oral drug that is prescribed only for very severe, disfiguring acne.

Acne is caused by the overproduction of sebum during puberty when high levels of the male hormone androgen cause excess sebum to form. Sebum is an oily substance that forms in glands just under the surface of the skin called sebaceous glands. Sebum normally flows out hair follicles onto the skin to act as a natural skin moisturizer. The glands are connected to hair follicles that allow the sebum, or oil, to empty onto the skin through a pore.

Sometimes the sebum combines with dead, sticky skin cells and bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) that normally live on the skin. The mixture of oil and cells allows the bacteria to grow in the follicles. When this happens, a hard plug called a comedo can form. A comedo is an enlarged hair follicle. It can appear on the skin as a blackhead, which is a comedo that reaches the skin’s surface and looks black, or as a whitehead, which is a comedo that is sealed by keratin, the fibrous protein produced by the skin cells and looks like a white bump.

In addition, pimples can form on the skin. Types of pimples include:
•    papules, which are small, red bumps that may be tender to touch
•    pustules, which are pus-filled lesions that are often red at the base
•    nodules, which are large, painful lesions deep in the skin
•    cysts, which are painful pus-filled lesions deep in the skin that can cause scarring

Pimples form when the follicle is invaded by the P. acnes bacteria. The damaged follicle weakens and bursts open, releasing sebum, bacteria, skin cells, and white blood cells into surrounding tissues. Scarring happens when new skin cells are created to replace the damaged cells. The most severe type of acne includes both nodules and cysts.

Acne cannot be cured, but antiacne drugs can help clear the skin and reduce the chance of scarring. The goal of treating moderate acne is to decrease inflammation and prevent new comedones from forming. Benzoyl peroxide and tretinoin work by mildly irritating the skin. This encourages skin cells to slough off, which helps open blocked pores. Benzoyl peroxide also kills bacteria, which helps prevent whiteheads and blackheads from turning into pimples. Isotretinoin shrinks the glands that produce sebum. It is used for severe acne lesions and must be carefully monitored because of its side effects. Antibiotics also may be prescribed to kill bacteria and reduce inflammation.

The Benefits of Anti Aging Facial Masks

Skin wrinkles are caused by two main factors: heredity and the environment. There is little you can do about heredity and the natural aging process, but there is something you can do about the other causes. Pollution in the environment, sun exposure and stress can all lead to premature aging of the skin. Using anti aging creams is beneficial for reducing the appearance of wrinkles. The creams are even more effective when combined with regular facials.

Facials counteract the effects of pollutants and sun exposure on your skin. Having regular facials will also help your skin absorb your anti aging creams better. Monthly facials improve elasticity, give your skin a smoother texture and improve the hydration of your skin. In addition, a facial will help remove dead skin which aids in the absorption of other creams or lotions used to combat wrinkles.

The products used for your facial will depend on your skin type. If you have dry skin, a moisturizing mask will be used to help add moisture to the skin. A rich moisturizer will also be used at the end of the treatment. Oil free products will be used for people with oily skin.

Facials can be done at home or by a professional in a salon or spa. Facial massage is very beneficial for wrinkles. The massage increases the blood circulation to the muscles of the face, which helps to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. There are over one hundred muscles in the face and massage helps to relax these muscles. This is particularly effective for wrinkles that result from muscle contractions, such as laugh lines and worry lines.

If you want to enjoy the benefits of facial massage, visit a salon for your facial. Facial massage is best done by a professional who is knowledgeable in massage techniques. An inexperienced person may actually cause more harm than good. When the muscles are not massaged properly, they sag which can cause wrinkles to be more prominent. The massage is also very relaxing. At some salons and spas, the arms, neck and shoulders are massaged as well. This is great for stress relief.

The basic facial procedure starts by examining the skin. This will help the professional assess the skin and determine the products that will be of the greatest benefit. Steam is then used to open the pores and remove impurities from the skin. A gentle cleanser is then used to clean the skin. This step is followed by a toner that is appropriate for your skin type. A facial mask is used to soothe and refresh the skin as well as to add moisture. At the end of the massage, a moisturizer that is appropriate for your skin type will be applied.

Once you have had your facial, you will want to keep your skin in good condition at home. Use a gentle cleanser that is not drying in the morning and at night. Invest in good quality anti aging creams to minimize wrinkles and prevent new ones from forming. It’s important to choose creams that are good for your skin type and the condition of your skin. Read reviews to help you choose the best products for your skin.

Acne and Retin-A

Anti-acne drugs are medicines that help clear up pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and more severe forms of acne. Benzoyl peroxide is found in many over-the-counter acne products that are applied to the skin, such as Benoxyl, Clear By Design, Neutrogena Acne, PanOxyl, and some formulations of Clean & Clear, Clearasil, and Oxy. Some benzoyl peroxide products are available without a physician’s prescription; others require a prescription. Tretinoin (Retin-A) is available only with a physician’s prescription and comes in liquid, cream, and gel forms, which are applied to the skin. Isotretinoin (Accutane), which is taken by mouth in capsule form, is available only with a physician’s prescription. Only physicians who have experience in diagnosing and treating severe acne, such as dermatologists, should prescribe isotretinoin.

Acne is a skin disorder that leads to an outbreak of lesions called pimples or “zits.” The most common form of the disease in adolescents is called acne vulgaris. Antiacne drugs are the medicines that help clear up the pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and more severe forms of lesions that occur when a teen has acne.

Different types of antiacne drugs are used for different treatment purposes, depending on the severity of the condition. For example, lotions, soaps, gels, and creams containing substances called benzoyl peroxide or tretinoin may be used to clear up mild to moderately severe acne. Isotretinoin (Accutane) is an oral drug that is prescribed only for very severe, disfiguring acne.

Acne cannot be cured, but antiacne drugs can help clear the skin and reduce the chance of scarring. The goal of treating moderate acne is to decrease inflammation and prevent new comedones from forming. Benzoyl peroxide and tretinoin work by mildly irritating the skin. This encourages skin cells to slough off, which helps open blocked pores. Benzoyl peroxide also kills bacteria, which helps prevent whiteheads and blackheads from turning into pimples. Isotretinoin shrinks the glands that produce sebum. It is used for severe acne lesions and must be carefully monitored because of its side effects. Antibiotics also may be prescribed to kill bacteria and reduce inflammation.

General Use

Benzoyl peroxide is found in many over-the-counter acne products that are applied to the skin. Some benzoyl peroxide products are available without a physician’s prescription; others require a prescription. Acne treatments that can dry the skin should be used with caution by people with skin of color. Tretinoin (Retin-A) is available only with a physician’s prescription. It comes in liquid, cream, and gel forms, which are applied to the skin. Isotretinoin (Accutane), which is taken by mouth in capsule form, is available only with a physician’s prescription. Only physicians experienced in diagnosing and treating severe acne, such as dermatologists, should prescribe isotretinoin.

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