Professional consultations with dermatologists are pricey investments towards maintaining clear and healthy skin. But it does strip you out of cash, especially if you’re not really that rich. You could be spending your money on buying facial wash with anti-acne components but to no avail. Usually, for extreme cases of acne occurrence, dermatologists would determine whether you could be prescribed with antibiotics for acne problems.

When salicylic or alpha hydroxy acid doesn’t make your acne problems go away. It might be the right time to go for more stringent measures to combat pimples, blackheads and whiteheads. Antibiotics for acne may either be either topical or oral. But for this purpose, and noting that some person out there might not really consult a dermatologist and just buy over-the-counter, topical antibiotics will work out just fine.

Like how antibiotics combat viral and bacterial infection when we are sick, acne antibiotics works by releasing anti-inflammatory components to the skin in order to reduce the redness of pimples. Besides making it less obvious, it goes deep within the skin to kill the bacteria within the acne. The pus within the pimple is proof that there is bacterial infection within the bump.

Topical Erythromycin can be bought over the counter to help combat acne occurrence. This is one of the most widely used antibiotics for acne because it rarely causes unwanted side effects such as dizziness. Clindamycin is also another topical acne antibiotic preferred by people with cystic acne because it significantly reduces pimple inflammation. It is also mild for the skin although in some cases it causes dryness in the part being treated.

Benzoyl Peroxide is another well received anti-acne antibiotic. It usually comes in cream or lotion form which is directly applied over the acne. What’s good about benzoyl peroxide is its capability to kill the bacteria in less time. However, it is not that effective in reducing the swelling and inflamed pimple so you might want to use a little clindamycin with it.

The thing that must be remembered in using OTC topical antibiotics for acne is that these are powerful drugs th at combat bacterial infection. If a person misuses the antibiotic, there is a chance that the bacterial infection will be resistant to the drug and you will have to find a stronger antibiotic to deal with your acne problem. That is why dermatologist advice is important because these are not just simple facial washes or acne lotions sold in supermarkets and convenience stores. So be wise in handling these antibiotics, if ever you decided to use one.

There are several creams, gels, lotions, liquids and other different kinds of products created to stop acne. And while some find the perfect formula for them, there are those whose acne problems are just too stubborn, even when antibiotics or topical retinoids are applied. This is because certain acne problems are not superficial. The pimples and other skin impurities are not produced merely on the epidermis or dermis, but are rooted all the way to the hormones. When women produce excessive amounts of androgen, their skin tend to also generate so much oil, thus causing acne. And that’s why women resort to birth control acne treatment. Birth control pills are only known to prevent pregnancy. For years it has been developed to lessen the possible side effects and today, certain types of pills give extra benefits such as shiny hair and good skin.

Birth control acne pill (oral contraceptive) – If your acne is considered as something that is hormonally-induced oral contraceptives is often prescribed. Many doctors agree that combination pills (estrogen and progestin) really help reduce acne. That’s because even low doses of estrogen suppress the production of androgen and testosterone by the ovaries. And low dose of progestin are also very low in androgens compared to other medical formulations. This pill is no recommended for nursing mothers as the estrogen may reduce milk volume.

The very common oral contraceptives used to control acne are ortho tri-cyclen, Estrostep, YAZ and Yasmin. The common estrogen ingredient in it is the ethinyl etradiol. For better results it is best to combine birth control pills with benzoyl peroxide treatments, that way you can deal with acne inside and out. Possible side effects include headache, mood swings, menstrual irregularities, menstrual spotting, nausea and weight gain. Before taking anything though, it’s best to consult a gynecologist

Birth control acne pill (anti-androgens) – Along with a combination pill, anti-androgens may be prescribed with it to further inhibit the production of androgens in both the ovaries and the adrenal glands. This is also effective in lessening oil production of the skin thus the acne problem is effectively addressed. However, it brings about certain side effects such as frequent urination, headache, fatigue, breast tenderness and menstrual irregularities.

Birth control pill for acne (corticosteroids) – Another great complement to combination oral contraceptives are corticosteroids (i.e. prednisone and dexamethasone). They are also androgen production inhibitors. However, when not combine with oral contraceptives, they may worsen acne.

Acne is a very common problem among men and women, especially those who are young adults or are in there adolescent years. Acne occurs on several body parts such as the face, neck, shoulders and as odd as it may seem, also on the chin. Chin acne is more common among women than with men. It’s because this type of acne is perpetrated by hormonal fluctuations. When women menstruate, hormonal changes occur and thus they produce excessive androgens which also bring about unwanted generation of sebum in the skin. When sebum combines with dead skin cells and try to get out of the skin, the pores become breeding ground for bacteria, thus acne occurs.

Other than hormonal irregularities chin acne is also brought about by stress, environmental toxins, lack of sleep and an unhealthy diet. If you’re also used to applying make up, then you are even more prone to getting the acne. Here are ways in which you can treat and prevent acne on your chin for good:

Treatment

Antimicrobial soaps- You should always clean your face and get rid of the day’s dirt and bacteria that you accumulate, that way your chin will have less filth, microbes and thus, less acne.

Oral antibiotics- Antibiotics such as erythromycin reduce the population of propionibacteria acnes, and also unclog the pores. This is usually prescribed up to 6 months.

Oral contraceptives – Birth control pills may also treat body and facial acne because it produces an active ingredient estrogen that will inhibit the production of androgen in the body and thus, less oil will also be generated. So you’ll be left with flawless skin.

Topical antimicrobials and retinoids – These topical ointments, gels and creams such as benzoyl peroxide and adapalene reduce the inflammation of acne outbreaks and kill the bacteria on the skin.

Prevention

Proper diet – to prevent chin acne, you should have a healthy diet that provides  your skin with lots of vitamins and re-hydrates it. Drinks lots of water, fresh juices and eat a lot of fruits and vegetables.

Relax – Stress causes pressure on the skin too, and exacerbates hormonal fluctuations. So it’s very important to unwind and get enough sleep.

Exercise – In case you forgot, the best way to get rid of your body’s toxins is to sweat. If you exercise regularly you get to expel unwanted fats and lipids including oil. A sauna bath will also do. It warms up your skin so it unclogs your pores and let out all the unwanted dirt.

Acne can be caused by a variety of reasons such as hormonal imbalance, improper diet, bacterial infection, clogged pores or genetics. But for arm acne, or keratosis pilaris, the acne problem is caused by the clogging of pores. As we all know, our skin sheds dead skin cells everyday and some types of clothing may prevent the skin from naturally shedding off the dead skin cells. When a person prefers wearing tight fit clothing, sebum and dead skin cells may continually pile up and block the pores and lead to arm acne.

Expert dermatologists would advise wearing loose clothing for people who have arm acne. Simple treatments for this dilemma include keeping the arms free from sweat and dirt. At all costs, keep your pores from getting more blockages which will lead to more blemishes on your arms. If you’re a girl and you still want to wear halter tops and sleeveless shirts or if you’re a man who would want to flaunt those biceps while at the gym, then treat your arm acne fast before it worsens.

You can control arm acne and make it go away by cleaning the area regularly and applying anti-acne creams over the area. It is best to start with OTC anti-acne creams. There are lotions and solutions that contain salicylic acid especially formulated for arm acne. If yours is a severe case, ask a dermatologist if he or she can provide you with a prescription for oral antibiotics. You can also ask if they can rather give you a topical antibiotic. In the case of pregnant women, the effects of anti-acne antibiotics are not yet determined so if you’re pregnant, please do not intake anything without consulting your doctor first.

Arm acne takes much longer to treat than regular facial acne. And once they go away, it is easier to just prevent it from occurring again. During summer time, clothes made from natural and light materials such as cotton are preferable. Use these types of clothing in order to let the perspiration and dead skin cells be excreted without blocking the pores.

With this knowledge about treating and preventing arm acne from occurring, you can now undo the things you perennially commit which leads to blemishes on your arms. The simple act of wearing breathable clothes will go a long way in preventing unnecessary expenditures. Follow these tips religiously and start saying goodbye to the perennial problem of arm acne.