Long term effects of severe acne can be devastating to some people both mentally and physically. Most likely harsh drugs, strong antibiotics and steroids are easily prescribed by busy doctors but are they really the only answer to effective acne treatment?
Finding a good acne treatment for severe acne can be difficult to treat. And usually severe acne treatment methods can be extremely harsh, or even toxic. However, if severe acne is left untreated, it may result in an unwanted acne scarring on your face.
One of the old fashion way for severe acne treatments is Accutane, or its generic counterparts, which are a derivative of Vitamin A. Accutane is extremely effective for getting control of severe acne, and can sometimes virtually bring an end to acne breakouts. But not thing in this world is always perfect so as Accutane can cause a long list of undesirable side effects as explained below.
Essentially Accutane causes your oil glands to shut down during the treatment period, which typically lasts four to five months. Because you are not secreting any oils, your skin becomes very dry, which many users report as feeling like a sunburn. Accutane users also report that nosebleeds are very common, as well as hair loss. It has also a tendency to make users feel very depressed. Although Accutane can get acne problems under control, the side effects make it an option that should be used sparingly.
Minocycline, one of the oldest antibiotics used to treat acne, has a reputation as being the most toxic. Doctors still prescribe it since the body is slow to build up immunity, but lately they are increasingly using other that work more gentle than Minocycline, antibiotics despite the tendency for users to build up immunity. Antibiotics as an acne treatment are also very effective. There are a variety of antibiotics used, but, like Accutane, some forms have some undesirable side effects.
If you suffer from severe acne, you might opt for a more direct acne treatment such as injection treatment. Intra-lesional corticosteroid injections made directly into the cystic nodule have proven to be most effective. The injections work very quickly by helping to reduce the swelling though they do create discoloration. Although the treatments work well, intra-lesional corticosteroid injections are only successful on existing cystic nodules.
Recently Lasers have also become a popular acne treatment . Because it is not only can lasers treat acne, they can also remove acne scarring. However, to choose Laser to be your choice of acne treatment can be dangerous because these lasers are currently unregulated, anyone can purchase and legally use these lasers. The danger is that an inexperienced practitioner may overexpose a patient to the laser, causing permanent damage.
There are two types of lasers that use for treat acne, first is called ablative and the second is called non-ablative. Ablative lasers are essentially vaporize the outer layer of skin, much like removing a tattoo. When this outer layer of skin grows back, acne scars and wrinkles are greatly reduced. By use ablative laser, the extreme heat produce cause your oil glands to shrink, which prevents breakouts. Because your skin is burned off, I would call that the side effect for use this acne treatments method. treatment from ablative lasers will make your face red and sore for several weeks. Non-ablative lasers are newer and gentler than older lasers.
Non-ablative lasers is considered less harsh to your skin than ablative laser but it still shrink the oil glands, but since they do not vaporize your skin, there is usually no soreness or visible side effects. Non-ablative lasers also promote collagen growth, so they also remove acne scarring. Because non-ablative lasers are less harsh, they will require more than one treatment session, while an ablative laser treatment consists of only one session.
Severe acne has never been pleasant and the acne scars reach much deeper than what a person might see on the surface. The long-term effects of acne are damaging, both physically and psychologically. There is hope and more than one type of acne treatment to choose from, though do be aware of potential risks. Talk to your dermatologist to find out which acne treatment would be right for you.