Can You Really Cure Acne?

Acne is a skin disorder that results from the action of hormones on the sebaceous glands of the skin. Although mature adults and infants are sometimes affected, it's most common among teens and young adults. Acne sufferers have been around for many hundreds of years. However, after all this suffering the question still needs an answer...can you actually cure acne?

With so many people dealing with this disorder it's no wonder the market is inundated with a slew of so called acne cures. Most dermatologists and doctors would probably deny the fact that acne cures actually exist even though some acne medicines like accutane do provide relief for certain acne sufferers.

Many acne sufferers will resort to over-the-counter products like non-prescription acne cleansers, astringents, pimple creams, and moisturizers. These usually help unplug whiteheads and blackheads and encourage the skin to peel off.

Topical antibiotics prescribed by dermatologists help fight acne by means of killing the bacteria that infect the pores. However some bacteria may become resistant to these forms of acne cures, rendering them useless over a longer period of use. When using these products side effects such as redness, irritation and drying may be encountered.

Oral anitbiotics are another option which relieve acne by killing the bacteria. Nausea and dizziness are some of the side effects to consider when taking oral antibiotics.

What may be the most controversial alternative are vitamin A derivatives. They can prevent skin cells from clumping together and they promote shedding of the skin. With this option there are a number of side effects, such as dryness, redness, and irritation. When using these derivatives sufferers must use extreme caution due to the fact that there have been some cases reported that may point to some psychological disorders and certain birth defects that could be traced to their use.

As always, prevention is easier than curing. As the old saying goes, "an ounce of prevention is like a pound of cure"!