by Norman Sanchez
We all learned at one age or another that people respond differently to medications. For instance, one person may have more severe bouts of drowsiness while on flu medication, while another may experience muscle aches with the same medication. With acne treatments, it is much the same story.
Some acne sufferers achieve a clear complexion within months after starting with a prescription product like Retin-A or Tazorac. Some people struggle with breakouts up until the fifth or six month mark. It is really dependent on the person. A common nuisance with prescription products revolves around skin sensitivity. A person's skin may respond violently to the treatment, with redness and burning sensations, or may not react at all. Since dermatologists cannot make distinctions as to which skin type you have, only time will tell whether you experience any adverse reactions.
Our facial skin generally has limited contact with products that contain aggressive additives. Sure, we use soaps and shampoos with harsh chemicals, but these pale in comparison to the strength of topical creams like Tretinoin. In the case of acne products, it is not exactly harmful ingredients that incite nasty symptoms. Our skin needs time to adjust to the medication. During this period, you skin may redden somewhat and begin to peel or burn. For someone who interfaces with coworkers or classmates on a daily basis, the acclimation period can prove intrusive. We're sure very few would feel comfortable walking around the office with tomato-colored skin.
Your dermatologist may have shared some advice to ease initial symptoms. Common suggestions are to spread about application periods so that the skin can grow accustomed to the treatment. When starting out, you should apply your topical medication once every other day or once every two days. When you feel your skin is ready for more (i.e. it is no longer peeling or taking on a red tint), you can increase the frequency of your usage.
Sensitive skin sometimes appears to be the factor when in fact the person failed to abide by the dermatologist's instructions. A common mistake is forgetting to apply moisturizer. Remember, acne topicals can be incredibly drying. The instructions provided to you should be reviewed carefully. This will drastically reduce the likelihood of future issues. Another thing to remember is to consult your dermatologist before you experiment with new products or routines. Things like using more than a pea-sized amount of medication, for instance, may sound good in theory but in reality are problematic. A dermatologist knows this will cause more irritation without benefit to the patient. Be open with your dermatologist as this will ensure optimal treatment results.
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Tags:
Acne,
blemishes,
breakouts,
dermatologist,
health,
Medicine,
natural remedies,
pimples,
skin care,
Skin Care,
zits
September 29 2009 | Acne | No Comments »
by Richard Kurtz
Parenting is a struggle in itself, but can be further complicated when acne is brought into the mix. Many parents lack the know how when it comes to this disorder to provide their kids with tips to overcome the physical and psychological effects of acne. As children, not too many of us suffered from breakouts in the first place. Teenagers often face problems like teasing at school. Children can be quite insensitive during their teenage years. Parents seem to prefer ignoring the problem, telling their kids that it is a stage in life that will pass with time. This is not an effective approach and will make the experience no much easier for your child. We have some effective strategies that can, however, make a difference.
Quick and consistent treatment is key in stopping pimples. If your child asks you to buy an acne medication, don't refuse by saying it will subside on its own or jokingly suggest that they pop their pimples. This is not an effective strategy and could end up scarring your child later in life. What you should instead do is visit your local store and browse the various acne treatments with your son or daughter. Ask the pharmacist for some advice, or search the internet for product reviews before actually heading to the store. Don't fall for the clever marketing ruses of acne product makers, which like to include misleading graphs on their products and such. Nearly all over the counter products contain similar ingredients. Anything with benzoyl peroxide is a sure bet, but the lowest concentration you can find will reduce irritation.
When your child has finally commenced with treating their lesions, you need to keep a close eye on them. After all, you need to have a plan b ready to go. If you observe improvement, let them know. This will be a self-confidence boost. If things are headed in the other direction, just take a mental note for future reference. Ensure that your son or daughter is not missing applications or using the medications improperly. The skin will initially purge in the first few weeks, so new breakouts will occur. Rest assured that this is a normal part of the process. You child should proceed with treatment.
As you give the medication sufficient time to take effect, keep an open line of communication with your son or daughter to see if they are being teased at school or somehow suffering. If this is indeed the case, share some tips to help them overcome teasing. Assessing their emotional well-being is crucial as it will allow for a more informed decision as to what the next step in treatment is.
After you have given the medication at least two to three months, do a follow up assessment. Have the breakouts disappeared, or are they continuing? Is your child still in a semi-depressive state because of the lesions? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it may be time to contact a dermatologist, who can prescribe your child powerful medications that will eventually clear their skin. If the treatment has succeeded, congratulations! Regardless, if you continue providing the support your child requires, you will together accomplish the intended goal. Stay committed!
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Tags:
Acne,
acne breakouts,
blemishes,
cystic acne,
dermatologist,
health,
pimples,
rosacea,
skin care,
zits
September 29 2009 | Acne | No Comments »