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Non-Prescription Acne Treatment
Often considered symbol of youth, acne is one of the most common skin conditions affecting more than 85% of teenagers. Half of them continue to suffer into their 20s, and indeed the mean age of presentation for treatment is 24 years. Before scheduling a physician appointment, a lot of acne suffers try over-the-counter products first, and plus, some patients return to OTC products after experiencing side effects from prescription medications. What acne treatments are available without prescription and of them, what is right for you?
The OTC acne products are mostly for topical use, and come in a variety of strengths and formulations including gels, washes, solutions, lotions, and creams. Creams and lotions are preferable for patients with dry, easily irritated skin, whereas others can be drying and are particularly suited for oily skin. The main side effect of topical products is irritation.
Four common ingredients contained in OTC acne products are:
- Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) – First used for the treatment of acne in 1979, BPO is a potent antibacterial agent and is commonly tried as a first-line therapy. It works by reducing the population of Propionibacterium acnes , the causative organism in acne, and is effective against both inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions. BPO improves acne in as early as 5 days. It also makes a good adjunct to prescription antibiotic therapy. Irritation is the most common side effect experienced with BPO use, including erythema, dryness, peeling, stinging, or burning. This discomfort will increase with increasing concentration and frequency of use. Some OTC BPO products claim that the vehicle in which the BPO is delivered significantly enhances compliance by creating a cosmetically elegant product that also minimizes irritation (Proactiv, for example). Please note that Stronger isn’t always better with BPO. In some cases, a 2.5 percent product works as well as those with stronger concentrations — and with fewer side effects
- Salicylic acid (SA) – Salicylic acid (SA) works by correcting the abnormal shedding of skin cells, helping the skin to shed dead cells more effectively. In this way, SA helps reduce the number of pore blockages, preventing breakouts. Salicylic acid works especially well for those with blackheads and whiteheads. It is found in OTC cleansers, lotions, and treatment pads. The usual OTC strength is .5 to 2%. SA is considered moderately effective in the treatment of acne, and is an option when patients cannot tolerate topical retinoid, or benzoyl peroxide therapy because of skin irritation, or as adjunctive therapy to other, more effective, medications. SA is likely to cause local skin peeling when used at concentrations of 2% or greater.
- Sulfur – The chemical element sulfur has been used to treat acne for decades. While the precise mechanism of action is unknown, sulfur removes dead skin cells that clog pores and removes excess oil. It is found in OTC and prescription topical acne products in lotions, creams, soaps and ointments. Efficacy appears to increase when sulfur is combined with benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol or salicylic acid. Products containing sulfur may cause dry skin and unpleasant odor.
- Alpha hydroxyl acids (AHA) – Glycolic acid and lactic acid are two types of alpha hydroxy acids that are used in OTC acne products. They’re synthetic versions of acids derived from sugar-containing fruits. They treat acne by helping to remove dead skin cells and helping to reduce inflammation. AHAs also stimulate the growth of new, smoother skin, which helps reduce the appearance of acne scars. AHAs are available OTC in concentrations up to 10%. They may be found in the form of washes, creams, lotions and peel “kits.”
Here are some general tips to help choose and use the right OTC acne products.
- Start with benzoyl peroxide. – If you’re not sure which acne product to buy, start with one containing benzoyl peroxide. It’s effective and well tolerated by most people.
- Know your skin type. – Non-inflamed acne , blackheads and whiteheads, often responds well to salicylic acid products, whereas for those who tend to get inflamed pimples , benzoyl peroxide is a good treatment to start with.
- Use different products with different active ingredients to treat stubborn acne. – Acne ingredients work in different ways, so it might be helpful to use varying products and ingredients to treat stubborn acne. Apply one in the morning and the other at night to prevent skin irritation. Please note, however, that most acne treatments dry the skin to some extent, so overuse could cause excessive dryness, peeling, and redness. For sensitive skin, you might want to start with a single acne product, and slowly add more if needed.
- Be patient. – It may take two or three months of daily use of an acne product to see results, and acne may look worse before it gets better.
- Experiment with what works. – You may need to try different products with varying active ingredients before you find a regimen that works for you.
- Don’t wait too long to see a doctor. – If, after 2-3 months of using OTC acne products, you aren’t seeing improvement, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor. It might be beneficial to seek further treatment with a prescription medication.
Source: http://acne.about.com/od , http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/acne-products , http://www.drwhitneybowe.com/articles/Effective.Over.the.Counter.Acne.Treatments.Seminars.2008.pdf , http://www.livestrong.com/article/181165-sulfacet-medications-for-acne/?utm_source=undefined_R1
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Mon-Fri 9am - 6pm l Saturday 10am - 2pm l Sunday Closed
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