Dealing With Bad Acne

While most people suffer from breakouts at some point, bad acne is another story entirely. In addition to being frustrating to deal with, it can destroy your self-esteem. Severe cystic pimples often lead to scarring, which means good treatment is imperative. Although there is no magical cure, here is some advice on how to deal with bad acne and keep the trauma to a minimum.

Bad acne can be very difficult to treat on your own. Although prescription medication can be very effective, many people prefer to try less harsh acne treatment first before resorting to medicine. Many over the counter treatments contain benzoyl peroxide, which is a tried-and-true chemical that can be very successful at clearing up moderate acne. Another popular and effective over the counter acne treatment is beta hydroxy acid, or salicylic acid. Many drugstore acne treatments contain this ingredient, so if benzoyl peroxide is too strong for you or hasn't worked in the past, give salicylic acid products a try. Sulfur is another ingredient that can make a difference, particularly in adults. However, if none of these have worked for you, it is time to see a doctor who can determine the cause of your acne and the best course of treatment.  Below we outline some of the most effective treatments for really bad acne.

There are many treatment options available depending on the type of acne you have. Most bad cases of acne are caused by either hormones or genetics, and the following medications can be useful for these types of acne.

Isotretinoin: Most commonly found in Accutane, this medication has been known to work for the most severe forms of acne. It helps keep oil secretion under control, is anti-inflammatory, and helps keep the pores from being clogged. However, it is extremely strong and can lead to birth defects, so its use is reserved for only the very worst cases of acne that have been resistant to other treatments.

Retinoids: Retionoids are derived from Vitamin A and have proven very effective in helping clear up skin in addition to helping prevent signs of aging. Retin-A and Tazarotene are two of the most popular of this group of medication and have helped many acne sufferers clear up their skin and keep it clear. The side effects of these medications are skin irritation and peeling, and it's important to avoid excessive sun while using them.

Oral Antibiotics: Oral antibiotics such as Tetracycline help to kill the bacteria that clogs pores and leads to pimple formation. However, this is not a good option for women taking oral contraceptives as antibiotics can decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills.

Birth control pills: For women, birth control pills can often be used to help keep hormonal acne breakouts under control. 

Here is a video that features a dermatologist talking about the various prescription medications commonly used for treating bad acne.

While waiting for acne treatments to start to make a difference, there are a few things you can do to help draw attention away from your complexion so that you can feel a bit more confident.

• Get a great haircut. Unless you are a ski instructor, you can't hide your face from the public on a daily basis. But you can draw attention away from it by paying attention to your hair. Opt for longer or bigger hair and avoid pony tails, which only make your face more prominent. Women with forehead acne can use bangs to help obscure the area.
• Get some sun. Many people find that a tan can help blend the stark contrast between pale skin and red, inflamed acne. However, be sure to wear oil-free sunscreen as excessive sun can lead to even more breakouts, and avoid the sun if you are using retinoids as treatment.
• Let your personality shine through. Let people notice your bubbling personality and they won't pay attention to your bad skin. Don´t let pimples keep you from being part of the crowd. Remember that everyone has suffered from pimples to some degree at some point and most people sympathize with your plight. And your acne is probably not as bad as you think it is, so relax and try not to let a preoccupation with your skin ruin your life.