Treating Acne

Want to get rid of those bothersome blemishes?

To many, acne is a distant memory of our youth. But for 17 million Americans, acne remains a big problem. And it's not just a problem for teenagers. Just ask Debbie Walthers. Her acne became a problem in her early 20's. She says she tried everything, "Over the counter medicines, trying to wash my face more, keeping my hair out of my face, watching what I ate. I've always heard the myth that food causes acne."

But food causing acne is just that - a myth. Dr. Ken Landow, Clinical Professor of Medical Dermatology at the University of Southern California School of Medicine in Los Angeles says the real culprits are hormones and stress. He says, "Stress has a major role in acne because it seems that the stress hormones make acne a lot worse. Stress makes everything worse and acne of course is considerably worsened in the time around school examinations, in the time around menstrual cycles and in the time of fighting with the family."

As far as treatments go, Landow says, "Lots of medicines are available at the grocery store, but unfortunately when you look at them in the long run, they often are very expensive for the benefit you get. Prescription agents oftentimes are going to be much more effective and much less costly."

Whether you have mild or severe acne, Physician and SportsMedicine has these zit zapping tips:

Wash your face twice a day with soap and warm water, especially after exercise. Don't scrub hard with a washcloth. It could make acne worse by irritating the skin.
If you wear make-up, make sure it's labeled "oil-free", "non-comedogenic" or "non-acnegenic". This means it won't clog your pores.
Lotions or creams with Benzoyl Peroxide are usually effective for treating acne.
Products with salicylic acid can help act as a peeling or drying agent.
Be sure to follow instructions exactly, including checking to see if you're allergic. If used improperly, products can make you look and feel worse.
For severe acne, your doctor or dermatologist can prescribe medicine.

Dr. Landow points out that over the counter treatments can be helpful temporarily, but prescription treatments can help regulate hormones and prevent acne from returning.