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Acne Care: What's The Best For You? |
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Before delving into acne care options, let’s discuss
what acne is. Acne blemishes form when your skin’s pores become clogged
with oil that your skin naturally produces and dead skin cells that your
skin naturally sheds. Bacteria begin growing at the plug, leading to a
blemish. There are different types of blemishes, some much more severe
than others. A blackhead occurs when the plugged pore is open and the
plug darkens. A whitehead is a blemish where the plug remains below the
surface of the skin. Blackheads and whiteheads are considered to be
non-inflammatory acne.
Blemishes called
pustules, nodules and cysts are a more serious type of acne called
inflammatory acne. Pustules are small, round, red lesions with a whitish
center that can be painful to touch. Nodules and cysts are larger,
painful, pus-filled lesions that are deep in the pore. Nodules and cysts
can lead to scarring in the affected area. A dermatologist should be
consulted to assist in inflammatory acne care.
Most over the
counter acne care products contain either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic
acid. These two acne medications come in a variety of forms, including
creams, gels, cleansers, lotions, cleansing pads and more. Benzoyl
peroxide works by killing the bacteria that leads to acne. Salicylic
acid keeps dead skin cells from building up in pores. A doctor can also
prescribe retinoids, which unplug blemishes, antibiotics for decreasing
inflammation or birth control pills, which have been shown to help
control breakouts.
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