The general aim of most acne treatments is to purge the skin of extra skin, bacteria, oil and other irritating factors. Removing these contributing factors has proven difficult and often ends up worsening acne.

Basic Acne Treatments

The most typical first steps is a solution utilizing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, which abrade away excess pore-clogging skin, kill bacteria and remove sebum. These treatments, however, can really dry out and irritate the skin, further aggravating acne. For example, benzoyl peroxide releases free radicals that damage skin tissue.

Next: Antiobiotics. These are equally available as a topical cream or in pill form. Lastly, you might have heard of accutane, which is an isotretinoin. This acne medication is typically used last and only if the preceding treatments have failed. Isotretinoins work on inhibiting sebum production. They are prescribed last due to their lengthy list of severe side effects.

Although you will learn how to clean your skin and get rid of oil, bacteria and keratin in a typical 'how to treat acne' lesson, a truly successful acne treatment will teach you more. Firstly, removing these elements from your skin does not stimulate proper healing of skin tissue. Therefore, for complete treatment of acne, one should find an acne solution that both rids the skin of factors that induce acne, while simultaneously stimulating the skin to rejuvenate itself.

Acne Vulgaris Cosmetic Treatments

Acne laser treatment, chemical peels, dermabrasion and microdermabrasion get the skin to reproduce healthy skin at a faster rate. The basic idea is that by removing a layer of skin you prompt the body, as part of its natural recovery process, to create a new, healthy layer of skin to replace that which was lost. The skin cells of the lower layers of the skin divide and create a healthy, new layer.

Light as a form of killing bacteria is entering the market. Previously, UV light was employed until it was found to change cell DNA. The blue light in blue light acne treatment targets the bacteria P. acnes, safely killing it without damage to the skin tissue. This treatment is not a cure for everyone and can be quite expensive, requiring several treatments to reach its desired effect.

Supporting the Skin and Immune System

Eating a complete and balanced diet plays a vital role in maintaining healthy skin. The skin is the largest organ of the body and needs antioxidants and vitamins to be well-maintained. Most people don't get their daily requirement due to not consuming the 3-5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

The most important vitamins in the maintenance of acne free skin (although not all-inclusive) are vitamins A and B. Vitamin A reduces the creation of sebum, fortifies the protective tissue and also acts as an antioxidant. It is involved in the maintenance and repair of skin tissue. Vitamin B complex includes several vitamins. These vitamins sustain healthy skin and relieve stress, another contributing factor to acne. Some of their roles include ridding the body of toxins, enhancing blood circulation and maintaining the proper function of adrenal glands and the immune system.

It is important to support the immune system. Acne as you see it is really just the body's reaction to foreign bodies and cell damage. There are some topical systems that help support the immune system, right at the site. Natural products with antimicrobial properties can help your immune system in its work of removing antigens, without the severe drying or other negative side effects of traditional methods. Now available are natural treatments that have proven effective in reducing infection by sending signals to the body that increase the discharge of the skin's own antimicrobial peptides.

Side effects of your immune system healing damage to the sebum ducts and protecting against infection causes the inflammation and redness so obvious to acne. Most treatments to reduce inflammation are unnatural and have immunosuppressant effects. The best way to treat acne is with an acne treatment that will calm inflammation naturally and help manage the body's inflammatory reaction, without suppressing the immune system.