Monday, March 3, 2008

Advanced Acne Skin Care Treatment

Even with advanced acne skin treatment available, many people still do not take the steps necessary to treat and alleviate their acne condition. Why? Many believe that acne treatments are too harsh on the skin and cause more damage than allowing the acne to run its course, but this couldn't be further from the truth.

The truth is that it is extremely important to treat acne. Left untreated, acne can permanently damage and severely scar the skin. Untreated acne can also lead to secondary skin infections that can be both painful and dangerous. For these reasons, it is extremely important to treat acne conditions at their onset before they can cause irreparable damage.

There are several different types of acne treatments available ranging from mild cleansers and moisturizers to intense, spot treatments. The main ingredients of these treatments normally include varying amounts of the following: salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and glycolic acid. The goal of any acne skin treatment is to improve the condition of the skin making it inhabitable for the bacteria that leads to the development of acne.

Are acne treatments harsh? They can be. Any one of the above active ingredients can contribute to drying, irritation and redness of the skin. If you have overly sensitive skin, an acne skin treatment may cause you to develop a tender, red and itchy chemical rash. But this is rare, and irritation from an acne skin treatment normally means one thing: you are using the wrong product for your skin.

Not all acne treatments are created equal. They have different active ingredients in varying strengths. Using a treatment that is too strong for your skin type or acne condition is usually what causes irritation. In some cases, you may be allergic to the main ingredient making it necessary to switch products. So, how do you know which products are right for you?

Keep in mind that more is not better when it comes to acne treatments. Be careful not to over treat your skin. If you have a mild case of acne, a few eruptions daily, you probably only need a mild acne cleanser and moisturizer. If your skin is extremely oily, you may need to add an astringent or oil-absorbing lotion. Never over medicate and only use intense spot treatments when absolutely necessary.

If you find that your acne skin treatment is irritating your skin, it is time to scale it back or change treatments completely. Do not continue to use the treatment thinking that the irritation will subside. Acne medications should not be harsh. The medication that is right for you will leave your skin moisturized, healthy and gorgeous.