Acne treatment can be done in various ways. However, did you know that getting rid of acne should not be done carelessly? If you do it wrong, trying to get rid of acne can actually make acne worse or leave permanent scars.
Acne occurs when skin pores are clogged with oil and dead skin cells. This condition can appear on the face, back, and chest. Acne can be triggered or exacerbated by bacteria, hormonal changes, stress, consumption of certain foods, or the side effects of medications.
Different Types of Acne Treatment
The goal of acne treatment is to reduce oil production, inhibit bacterial growth, and unblock dead skin cells in the pores.
In general, there are two types of acne treatment, namely:
Free product use
To treat mild acne, you can use a variety of over-the-counter acne-fighting products. These products are generally available in the form of soaps, cleansers, creams, lotions, and gels that contain anti-acne ingredients, such as:
1. Benzo I L Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide can kill acne-causing bacteria in at least 4 weeks. Acne medication containing this substance must be used continuously for the effect to continue to work.
Also, be careful when using benzoyl peroxide to get rid of acne because it can dry out the skin.
2. Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid can help exfoliate skin cells, open pores, and prevent lesions. Just like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid should also be used continuously so that acne does not reappear.
3. Sulfur
When used together with alcohol, sodium sulfacetamide, and salicylic acid, acne medications containing sulfur can be used to treat acne.
This substance is able to prevent clogged pores and inhibit the growth of bacteria. However, sulfur usually has an unpleasant odor and causes temporary skin discoloration.
4. Retinol
Retinol can prevent acne formation. When applied to a pimple that has grown, the pimple will enlarge before finally disappearing. Retinol must be used continuously and takes 8–12 weeks to work.
5. Alcohol and acetone
Some over-the-counter acne medications usually contain both of these substances. Alcohol is antibacterial, while acetone can remove oil from the skin's surface.
However, many doctors do not recommend these two ingredients because they are less effective in treating acne and can cause dry skin.
Herbal medicine
In addition, there are also acne medications that come from herbal, organic, or natural ingredients, such as tea tree oil. This ingredient has an antiseptic effect and is believed to reduce inflammation in acne. However, the effectiveness of these products is generally not medically proven.
Drug use doctor
If you've been trying over-the-counter anti-acne products for a few weeks, but your acne doesn't go away or gets worse, talk to your doctor about your concerns.
Doctors can prescribe medication to get rid of acne, avoid skin damage, or disguise the formation of scar tissue on the skin. Some types of drugs that can be prescribed by a doctor, including:
Antibiotics
Antibiotics for acne treatment can be in the form of topical medications and oral medications. This drug works by killing acne-causing bacteria and reducing inflammation.
Antibiotics are often combined with benzoyl peroxide to reduce the possible risk of antibiotic resistance, which is a condition when bacteria are resistant to antibiotics.
Oral antibiotics should not usually be taken during pregnancy and can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight.
Retinoids
Like antibiotics, retinoids are available in topical and oral forms. Retinoids can treat acne by exfoliating dead skin cells and stimulating the growth of new skin cells.
This medicine should not be used by pregnant and lactating women.
Other drugs
In addition to antibiotics and retinoids, doctors can also prescribe other types of medications to treat acne. These drugs are azelaic acid, dapsone, and birth control pills.
Things to Pay Attention to When Using Acne Medication
Using medications to get rid of acne may have side effects or interactions with other medications.
Some of the possible side effects include:
- Dry, red, and sensitive skin to sunlight due to the use of acne medications that contain benzoyl peroxide and retinoids
- Nausea, skin more sensitive to sunlight, and more susceptible to fungal infections, especially in women who use it for several weeks, due to taking antibiotics that are taken
- Serious allergic reaction or severe irritation from using over-the-counter acne medications without a doctor's prescription
If the above side effects occur, immediately consult a doctor for treatment.
Supportive Treatments for Acne Removal
In addition to the use of drugs, proper supportive care is also needed to get rid of acne, as well as proper supportive care, namely:
- Do not wash your face with acne too often because it can cause irritation. Clean your face at least 2 times a day using warm water and a mild facial soap.
- Avoid squeezing pimples, including blackheads, so as not to worsen the condition of acne and leave scars.
- Choose cosmetic products that are water-based and labeled non-comedogenic.
- Avoid using cosmetics or make up which is too thick and don't forget to clean the cosmetics until they are completely clean before going to bed.
- Always keep your hair clean and try not to let the strands hit your face.
- Take a shower immediately after doing activities that make you sweat, such as exercise.
Acne can appear occasionally and go away on its own, but it can also appear continuously until it interferes with appearance or self-confidence. The wrong way to get rid of acne can actually worsen the condition of acne and leave scars.
If acne is getting stubborn or getting worse, you should consult a doctor to get rid of acne with the right way and treatment.