The thought, especially the smell, of sulfur is downright unappealing. However, the Biblical brimstone is actually good for the skin; just ignore the smell. Of course, today’s version of sulfur is not that smelly, fortunately. Sulfur acne treatment is the oldest known remedy for, well, acne. In ancient times, it was already well known as a cure for several skin conditions, such as dermatitis, warts, rosacea and dandruff.

Forms of Sulfur Used for Treatment  

To make it easy to apply on skin, sulfur is manufactured into several cosmetic forms. There are, of course, topical ointments. This is quite a popular form as products that are used to clear skin of acne are in ointment form. There are also creams, soap, masks, lotions and other cosmetic forms. Because of its modern cosmetic format, sulfur emits a smell that is not half as bad as it was in ancient times or even as it was just decades ago. Note that there are sulfur treatments that need to be prescribed and there are those that you can buy over the counter. The better option is still to consult a dermatologist for advice as to which will rid you of acne without further harming your skin.

How Sulfur Acne Treatment Works

Sulfur dries the skin and causes it to peel. It reduces the oiliness of the affected skin. This is actually a welcome condition as acne thrives in oily skin. Sulfur also unclogs pores, preventing further dirt from getting into them.

Using Sulfur to Treat Acne

How you use sulfur to treat acne will depend on the form of sulfur you will be using. Each of the sulfur acne treatment forms has its own directions for usage. You have to make sure that you follow the directions carefully. Some sulfur treatments are more potent than others. So, their dosage is much less than that of other’s. There are those that can be applied only once a day while there are others that need to be applied three times daily. Some need to be rinsed off immediately while others can be left on all day or overnight.

Possible Side Effects

Sulfur acne treatment is meant to dry your skin. However, first time users may find the dryness uncomfortable. There could be irritation as well. You can reduce your dosage or ask your dermatologist for advice. If you find your skin changing in color or find the sulfur smell aggravating, you may ask your dermatologist for a change in prescription. Other brands may be better suited on your skin. Treating your skin with acne may sometimes feel like going back to the ancient times. However, the new formulas are better scented and better-packaged that you can see the improvement brought by modernization. Use sulfur according to directions and avoid using it when pregnant or lactating, just to be on the safe side.