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Acne scars can be so damaging psychologically, that acne sufferers feel compelled to seek laser treatment. Laser treatment may not be their first option, but the unrelenting disease of acne doesn’t let up.

The movement away from customary topical treatments for acne should not be taken lightly. Serious consideration and consultation must be sought. A laser treatment for acne puts you at the doorway of surgery. This must not be taken lightly.

Today the human face is operated on so much more than any other body part. The vast majority of the work done on the face is elective work. Which means, in almost all cases, you have to pay, there is no insurance coverage.

If you’re contemplating seeking this form of treatment, ask your insurance company whether they pay for this type of work. You need to be financially fortified when you wade into these waters.

Botox injections, laser hair removal, chemical peels, laser skin resurfacing, eyelid surgery, and acne laser treatment represent only a few of the elective areas. When you hear the word elective from you insurance representative, you need to reach into your own pocket.

To the women who suffer with acne and acne scars, I feel your pain. 90% of all cosmetic procedures performed in 2004 were performed on women. The most startling aspect comes when we hear that compared with 2003, that figure represents a 50% increase!

Mind you, medical science has made fantastic strides via new technology, but someone has to make the choice to lie on the table. Medical research is driven to were the niche markets are. (Hey! That’s internet talk!).

The year over year increase for nonsurgical procedures rose by approximately 60%! That is surprising but understandable. The mind boggling technological breakthroughs in medicine are surely undergirding that figure. But again I say, people are making the decision to climb up on these tables.

Americans spent over $13 billion last year on face work. Guess what? A whopping 30% of the pie came from the doctor’s office. They’re smiling all the way to the bank with those types of figures. Almost makes you feel like they’re not going to try and stamp out the acne goose. It lays the golden egg!

The final decision to seek laser procedure for your acne scars is totally yours. But it should be taken in consultation with family and appropriate medical professionals.

Consider the following possible complications which may arise using a laser procedure.

Milia, they’re small white bumps. It’s possible they may appear in the lasered area.

Hyperpigmentation, lighter skin discoloration, and sometimes hypopigmentation, darker skin discoloration. May arise in the laser-treated areas.

Return of the dreaded cold sore. Again around the laser-treated area.

You may need to take an antibiotic for seven to 10 days afterwards, to cover the risk of infection.

Swelling is common after the procedure.

Scarring may occur, although this is rare.

Smokers will have to drop their habit during this procedure. This is probably far and away the best ‘complication’ of all.

There is so much more to consider when contemplating using laser-treatment on acne scars. Always seek consultation before you make any final decisions.

Acne laser surgery has gained in popularity, as many suffers are prepared to take drastic action to fight back against acne. Even though it can work wonders acne laser surgery should only be considered for use in extreme cases, when it is really necessary as a last resort. While it is often considered a beauty treatment, it is real, serious surgery and, as such, should not be used without careful consideration.

How does it work?

The procedure must only be administered by a trained doctor. A dermatologist may use acne laser surgery in the most severe acne cases to dig to the very core of a pimple and clear it completely. The laser device is designed so that it is weak enough not to cause any additional damage beyond the area being treated. Most experts consider this laser surgery very safe, but as with any surgery there is always at least a small opportunity for unexpected consequences.

Are there any problems with acne laser surgery?

Every responsible doctor will council that acne laser surgery is by no means a perfect and universal solution. There are several important factors that limit the surgery’s usefulness.

1. The causes of acne Laser surgery concentrates only on one aspect of the disease – its visible effects. While the surgery can surely get rid of acne’s visible symptoms, it can not really heal. The laser surgery should be only a part of more complex acne treatment program that will consist of a change of diet, reducing stress levels and possibly even hormonal treatment. Otherwise the symptoms will sooner or later appear once again.

2. Doctors’ only Another possible problem is the surgeon’s skill (or lack of it. Be sure you’re going to get your acne laser surgery from a trained and experienced doctor. There have been reports of cosmetologists giving an acne light treatment without the proper training. Laser surgery is not the place to try and save money. You will get the best chance for success with an experienced dermatologists doing the work.

3. The cost Acne laser surgery is in a mid-point between cosmetics and health care. Some health insurance policies may cover it, some may not. Most insurance companies pay for acne laser surgery only in most extreme cases. Whatever you might think about the severity of your acne, it is wise to make sure that you insurance company agrees with you. Otherwise you may find laser surgery costing more than you planned.

4. Preparations Another thing to keep in mind is the fact that you have to seriously prepare for the treatment. In some cases laser surgery is serious enough that you must spend a few days in a bed after the procedure. Can you afford to be away from work for those days… and will you employer agree to your absence?

If course you should consider laser surgery if your acne is severe and has not responded to other treatment. Just don’t rush in to it without careful thought and preparation.

Herbal Treatment of Acne Adult in Comparison of Over the Counter Acne Treatment Products.

The following article presents the very latest information on Acne. If you have a particular interest in Acne, then this informative article is required reading.

The best time to learn about Acne is before you’re in the thick of things. Wise readers will keep reading to earn some valuable Acne experience while it’s still free.

Herbal Treatment of Acne:

Conventional treatment of acne are usually quite successful. They can include cleansing agents and lotions made with benzoyl peroxide, gels or creams made modified forms of vitamin A, and antibiotics applied to the skin or taken orally. The risk of scarring is an important factor when considering the type of treatment.

Diet

A diet based on whole, unprocessed foods may benefit people with acne. Try to eat at least five servings of vegetables per day and at least one serving of fruit per day. Avoid eating refined sugar. Fried foods and trans fats such as milk, milk products, margarine, shortening, and other hydrogenated vegetable oils should be eliminated. Foods containing healthy omega-3 oils such as ground flaxseeds and sardines should be increased. Some people find that chocolate, caffeine, carbonated beverages, iodized salt, shellfish, wheat and/or milk products aggravate acne.

Regular bowel movements are important. Drink at least 8 glasses of day of water. Increase fiber intake. In addition to eating fresh vegetables and fruit, choose whole grains. Some people may benefit from a one- to four-week liver detox diet based on fresh vegetables and fruit.

Vitamins & Nutritional Supplements

Vitamin A—Vitamin A may help to reduce sebum production. However, high doses of vitamin A can carry a risk of decreased bone density, birth defects, headache, and muscle and joint pain. Like the modified vitamin A prescription drugs, vitamin A can cause birth defects. Sexually active women of childbearing age should not take more than 5,000 IU per day unless they are under the guidance of a professional and are using at least two reliable forms of birth control. Vitamin A supplementation may not be necessary if there is adequate intake of beta-carotene, vitamin E, and zinc, all necessary for vitamin A formation. Decreasing unhealthy fats such as margarine, hydrogenated oils, processed foods, and other sources of transfats can also improve absorption.

Zinc—Zinc, especially in the form of zinc gluconate or zinc sulfate, can help prevent acne. Zinc helps heal blemishes, reduces inflammation, and reduces androgenic hormonal effects on the skin. Begin by increasing food sources of zinc. Two studies comparing zinc to the antibiotic tetracycline found zinc to be as effective as tetracycline. Another study found a mild yet definite effect of zinc.

Vitamin B6—Vitamin B6 may help premenstrual or mid-cycle acne. This vitamin is essential for the proper metabolism of steroid hormones and can reduce the sensitivity of skin to the effects of testosterone.

Herbal Treatment of Acne:

A herbal blend that can help with acne consists of equal parts of the herbal extracts of sarsaparilla, yellow dock, burdock, and cleavers. These herbs are believed to be potent blood and lymph cleansers. Half a teaspoon per day of this blend can be taken three times per day combined with a healthy diet.

Spot application of tea tree oil to erupted blemishes can help to eliminate bacteria and reduce inflammation.

Herbal Treatment of Acne Adult in Comparison of Over the Counter Acne Treatment Products.

When adult acne is treated in a doctor’s office it’s called “acne surgery”. When done at home, it’s called squeezing pimples. It gets immediate results—but when you squeeze pimples at home, you are begging for infection and scars. And squeezing or picking at pimples is a great way to get your acne to spread. Don’t do it! Doctors use a special sterile instrument to prevent scarring, infection, and acne spread.

Or you can check out the skin care products aisle at your local drug store. If you’ve ever tried to buy acne remedies, you know the drug store is loaded with all kinds of products. Which ones should you use? It’s not an easy choice, says dermatologist Julie Anne Winfield, Mill Valley, Calif.

“Which treatment is best depends on which type of acne you have,” Winfield tells WebMD. “It may well be worth a visit to dermatologist. They often have samples they could give you to try. People can spend a fortune on over-the-counter medicines when there is maybe one single prescription drug that could solve the problem. Be sure to use oil-free, non-comedogenic lotions or sunscreens. Use something very simple to wash your face with, as well as low-strength benzoyl peroxide. But it would be best to see a doctor to prevent possible acne scarring.”

The biggest breakthrough in acne treatment has been the development of topical retinoic acid, a form of vitamin A. New slow-release forms of this medicine greatly reduce the irritation it can cause.

Comparison of Over the Counter Acne Treatment Products:

Other acne treatments target the various causes of acne. They’re often used in combination. These acne treatments include:

Azelaic acid cream

Alpha-hydroxy acids (including glycolic acid, lactic acid, and gluconic acid)

Benzoyl peroxide

Topical antibiotics (gels, lotions, and solutions)

Antibiotic pills (haphazard use may lead to antibiotic resistance)

Birth controlBirth control pills for women

Accutane or Sotret for severe acne

One caveat: Accutane and Sotret can cause birth defects. Women who opt for this treatment must use foolproof birth control. Despite this and other concerns, these drugs are the treatment of choice for severe acne.

Treatments for acne adult in depend on how much scarring of the skin is being caused by the acne and also how much the person is affected by the acne. The doctor has to establish both of these facts as the treatments for acne are long term and need

commitment from both the doctor and patient. Acne can cause psychological suffering which does not necessarily reflect the acne severity.

Treatment of acne, even if it is mild, is therefore important as a person may be greatly affected by mild acne whereas another person who has very severe acne may not be self conscious at all.

This is very much down to the individual as the face is particularly sensitive an area to be affected during teenage years. Acne adult in can lead to reduced confidence and low self esteem and this should be recognised by healthcare professionals.

Treatment of acne adult in a combination of topical antibiotic and zinc has been shown to be more effective than with topical antibiotic alone [1] and equally effective as treatment with oral antibiotics [2]. Topical antibiotics may also be combined with benzoyl peroxide to improve efficacy [3, 4].

It is crucial to use the topical treatments correctly, in particular the prescribed number of times per day. Benefit will not be immediate and will develop over a number of weeks.

Benzoyl peroxide (2.5 – 10%) has both keratolytic and antibacterial properties. It is available in a range of creams, lotions and gels and is found in several “over the counter” cleansing lotions.

Benzoyl peroxide reduces the number of Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis types of bacteria. It can be very effective in the treatment of mild acne.

Bacterial resistance is much less likely to emerge with benzoyl peroxide than with topical antibiotics. Combination preparations with other antimicrobial agents such as erythromycin also exist, though these are prescription only.

Benzoyl peroxide’s keratolytic action reduces the blockage of the duct of the sebaceous gland.

That’s how things stand right now. Keep in mind that any subject can change over time, so be sure you keep up with the latest news.

Herbal Treatment of Acne Adult in Comparison of Over the Counter Acne Treatment Products.