The pros and cons of Retinoids

One of the most common ways of treating acne is the use of retinoids. Retinoids are substances derived from Vitamin A, which attempt to cure acne by normalizing the lifecycle of follicle cells. There are two types of such substances, based on application: external (topical) and oral. The best known external retinoids are Retin-A, Differin and Tazorac, while the oral retinoids list is headed by the popular Accutane.

Retinoids are derivatives of Vitamin A and share the parent substance’s effects of reducing the secretion of oil from the glands located in the skin. This primary effect is what makes retinoids so effective against acne. The long-term (4-6 months) decrease in oil secretion means that hair follicles are less likely to clog and turn into pimples and, in most cases, acne is gone for good by the end of the treatment period. However, about one quarter of the patients who used Accutane or other drugs based on isotretinoin may relapse and require additional treatment.

But the biggest drawback of retinoids is the long list of side effects, which sometimes makes retinoids look like a disease rather than a cure. Retinoids are used only under the close supervision of a dermatologist precisely because of these side effects. If a patient needs more than one treatment, the doctor will always insist on letting a few months pass between the treatments in order to give the body a chance to recover. The most common side effects are dry skin and nosebleeds. Many patients have also reported liver problems, while a few complained of depression. However, the scientific community is still split on the issue of depression. More seriously, isotretinoin is known to cause birth defects, which is why female patients have to use two separate forms of birth control or vow abstinence during the treatment. Pregnant women are not allowed to use anything but the mildest treatments.

The bottom line is that retinoids are a good idea if one can cope with the side effects. This begs the question: why not use something just as effective, but without the side effects. Acne treatment systems are also popular because of their success in dealing with the condition, but lack the extreme side that makes retinoids a pain to use. The choice between these treatments is yours.

Skin types

Most people don't think of their skin as an organ but in fact, it’s our body’s largest organ. Skin that is clogged and unhealthy is not just a beauty problem, it affects the way we feel about ourselves. Caring for your skin properly is important for your own self-image and attractiveness, but also to prevent future skin issues like scarring.

Our skin absorbs toxins and takes a beating from environmental factors every day.

The following is a general list of skin types to help you begin learning more about your best approach to personal skincare.

Normal Skin:
Has even skin tone, good elasticity and is smooth and firm to the touch. Pores are small to medium-sized. Many people who have "normal skin" in fact really have other skin types... but by carefully providing the right care and attention, most of us can attain the appearance of a normal skin tone!

Oily skin:
Is characterized by a shiny appearance. Pores may be larger and more visible and due to excess oil production, there's more of a tendency toward pimples, blackheads and whiteheads. Treatment will control the amount of oil produced and eliminate blackheads and whiteheads.

Dry Skin:
This type of skin is sensitive to hot and cold weather, and can feel tight or have visible flaking -- especially after cleansing. Dry skin has a matte finish, small pores, and tends to become drier and more wrinkled with age compared with other skin types.

Many factors can cause dry skin. Sometimes it's hereditary and occurs year-round. Some people have seasonally dry skin that occurs mostly during cold, dry winter months. Dry skin is also linked to the natural aging process.

Combination skin:
Most of us have this kind of skin, with an oily center area or a T-zone across the forehead, nose, and chin, and areas of dryness on the cheeks, and around the eyes and neck. Acne will be more active in the areas that are oily.

Sensitive Skin:
A person with sensitive skin has a lot more trouble with environmental factors than the average person. Skin burns more easily in the sun, there may be frequent reactions to cosmetics and rashes or a burning sensation can even develop from weather conditions. Problem skin often accompanies this skin type as it is very reactionary.

Adult Acne

Often called the dark side of acne, adult acne is one those embarrassing topics among adults, largely because most people get rid of it naturally as they grow older. Official statistics show that acne affects 25 percent of all adult males and 50 percent of adult females at some point in their lives. That makes it a pretty big problem, especially in today’s world, where social life is very important and physical appearance plays a crucial role in everybody’s careers. A face full of red spots is bad enough for a teen, but infinitely worse for an adult.

One of the first things that can be gleaned from the statistical data is the fact that acne is not exactly uncommon among adults. Adult acne is usually split between severe cases of acne that never went away and flare-ups of dormant acne on subjects aged between 30 and 40. There are also cases when people developed acne for the first time as adults, although such cases are somewhat rare and triggered mostly by chemicals or chronic physical pressure on the skin. The causes of adult acne are not entirely understood by science. It is believed that hormones are responsible for a certain part of cases, which means that some people managed to contain their acne with hormonal treatment. In any case, adult acne warrants a trip to the doctor.

Regardless of its roots, adult acne has the same M.O. as the common forms. The sebum, an oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands attached to hair follicles, mixes with dead skin cells and plugs the follicle. Thus, bacteria start thriving in the closed environment and the follicle swells with white cells and bacteria killing each other inside. Attempts of solving the situation by squeezing open the pimples also tend to worsen the situation by exposing unprotected flesh to more bacteria.

Adults suffering from acne should avoid strong cleaning agents containing strong chemicals. Women should also be careful about their make-up, while men should try to shave without damaging their skin in the process. Exposure to dust and pollution is another thing to be avoided and skin should be kept as clean as possible without overdoing.

Women and acne

Men and women are very different creatures when it comes to hormones and the entire system of psychological and physical effects deriving from it. One good example for this statement is acne. The accelerated hormonal development in boys almost always results in acne, but this is not the case for girls. Women often develop acne for the first time in their 20s or even later.

Of course, the fertility cycle and the hormonal changes it triggers throughout the body is often the cause of sporadic acne outbreaks in women, although the exact process is poorly understood at this moment. High levels of androgens are the likely cause for premenstrual acne, since it is known that androgens regulate the oil production in sebaceous glands. The more androgens around, the higher the risk of clogging pores with excess sebum.

Women have less chance of developing the kind of acne that plagues men, but they also have a harder time getting rid of it. During pregnancy, women suffering from acne must get by with topical treatments recommended by their doctor and are not allowed to use drugs. Birth control pills are a common way of treating acne, since they interfere precisely with the hormonal cycle and serve to rein in acne. However, the use of any kind of pills to treat acne should be supervised by a doctor.

The Social Impact of Acne

Acne is one of the most troublesome conditions of our times. While most people suffering from acne do not experience any kind of physical discomfort, they make up for this by psychological scarring. This effect has not been studied in depth because acne is a common, non-threatening condition that comes and goes on its own and any psychological effects attached to it were not seen as particularly important.

However, acne has a stronger than suspected impact on the lives of people today. Studies conducted by researchers showed that people suffering from acne also display:

• Low self-confidence
• Frustration
• Feelings of inadequacy
• Depression
• Refusal to socialize
• Low self-esteem

These effects are triggered by the negative effect acne has on looks and the resulting apprehension of negative reactions from others. People suffering from acne can end up living unsatisfying lives and fail in school, jobs and social interaction.

The Best Treatment for Blackheads, Whiteheads, and Mild Cases of Acne

The usual treatment prescribed for mild cases of acne is topical medicine. The topical treatment is applied externally, directly on the affected skin surface or simply on each pimple. The common substances that make up topical treatments are:

• Salicylic acid – alone or in combination with SD Alcohol 40, the Salicylic Acid makes for a very effective treatment against blackheads and whiteheads. This acid also serves to decrease the shedding of cells around hair follicles, thus acting pre-emptively against one of the causes of acne.
• Benzoyl peroxide – effective against acne by reducing oil production
• Resorcinol – good against acne
• Sulfur – wipes out blackheads and whiteheads.

The external application of topical treatments means that such substances come in many forms. Any drugstore or pharmacy is sure to have a wide range of anti-acne creams, gels, soaps and lotions. Such products are effective against mild acne, but do require sustained use for several months.

In case you notice any unpleasant side-effects when using topical treatments, you should pay a visit to a doctor as soon as possible. Side-effects like irritation, swelling or burning are quite common, especially among people with delicate skins.

Skin Care Tips for People Suffering from Acne

Be Gentle
The first thing to remember is that you have to be gentle with your face. Don’t wash your face with hot or cold water. Use lukewarm water and a mild cleanser twice a day and after your workout at the gym, in case you do work out. Avoid regular soap and other such products that are filled with harsh chemicals. If you are not familiar with cleansers, ask a doctor for advice.

Wash you face gently and rinse thoroughly. Pad you face dry and avoid scrubbing. Scrubbing could open a thousand invisible lesions in your skin that are the perfect breeding grounds for bacteria.

Keep Your Hands Away from Your Skin

Although it is against your instincts, you must learn to keep your hands away from pimples and other lesions. Squeezing pimples is a bad idea, unless performed under sterile conditions by a doctor.

For the Guys

If you have to shave, then be very careful about it. Run a test on yourself and see if which type of razor is better for you. I’d say that electric razors are the thing to use if you suffer from acne, but each man knows better what works in his case. Shave gently and avoid opening up existing lesions.

For the Girls

Cosmetics are one of the minor roots of acne. If you’re going through an acne treatment, then choose only oil-free cosmetics or else the good effect is wasted. You should also run tests on yourself and see which cosmetics do not clog your pores. Watch out for side-effects if you use products whose labels say “designed not to clog pores”.

Stay out of the Sun

Yes, a suntan would look lovely on you, but you should learn to do without for a while. The risks of sun exposure are not acceptable when you realize that the sun does not cure acne. UV rays simply dry the outer layers of your skin and cause it to peel away. However, once you are away from the sun, acne will return. Prolonged exposure will also make you a certain candidate for skin cancer.