Won’t your acne just go away no matter what you do? People with severe acne can struggle for years if not given the correct treatment. Luckily, there are many treatment options available.
Acne commonly appears on the face, neck, shoulders, and upper back. This usually happens when the oil builds up and dead skin cells block your hair follicles. Acne will then become pimples, more specifically, whiteheads and blackheads, which not only cause discomfort but also affect your appearance and self-confidence. In severe cases of cystic acne, the condition can also cause acne scarring.
There are ways to treat mild to moderate acne and some over-the-counter medicines can help you. Below is more information about acne treatment and the best medications to get from your chemist.
Acne Self Treatment
Before heading to the nearest pharmacy, there are simple treatments for acne that you can do at home. Make sure to try these first:
1. Wash your face and take a bath twice a day
To help clean your skin clean of oil, dead skin cells, and dirt, make sure to wash your face and bathe every day, especially after sweating or going outdoors. But don’t overdo it. Washing more than two times a day may cause more harm than good because acne-prone skin is extra sensitive.
2. Stop touching, scratching, and scrubbing
One way to help treat acne is by not making it worse. Avoid touching, scratching, or scrubbing to prevent irritation and infection.
3. Never prick or pop your pimples
Popping a pimple is tempting. We’ve all been there. But it’s never a good idea. Popping your spot will only worsen your skin condition, open it to infection, and leave acne scars in the future. Resist the urge to prick the pimples and just concentrate on keeping your skin clean and clear of oil and dirt.
4. Clean your clothes, towels, and pillowcases
Sometimes, the culprit of your acne lies in the materials that come into contact with your skin like your clothes, handkerchief, towels, pillowcases, and bed covers. Keep them clean and change them regularly to avoid the accumulation of dirt and the growth of acne-causing bacteria.
Acne Treatment from the Chemist
When basic skin care and proper hygiene are not enough to rid yourself of acne, then it’s time to pay the chemist a visit for counter treatments and topical medication. These medications will treat acne either by reducing the oil, decreasing skin inflammation, or unblocking the pores. They are also categorized as either topical (applied directly to the skin) or oral (ingestion).
Keratolytics
A topical acne treatment, keratolytic often includes salicylic acid solutions like Gold Cross Ointment and David Craig Aqueous Cream. Apply these medications to the cool and dry acne-infected skin and not just the acne spots. They will unblock the pores to treat the acne.
Benzoyl Peroxide
This over-the-counter medication is an antibacterial and topical treatment that fights the bacteria that cause acne. It also helps unblock the pores and reduce inflammation of the affected skin part. Some of the Benzoyl Peroxide products you can buy from the chemists are Clean & Clear Cleanser, Benzac AC Gel and Wash, PanOxyl Acne Gel, and Oxy Vanishing Cream.
It’s advisable to purchase these products in lower strength first because stronger treatments can cause dry skin. Choose one of these products, use it regularly, and the acne will disappear in no time.
Azelaic Acid
Another topical acne treatment that reduces inflammation, fights bacteria, and prevents pore-clogging; azelaic acid works as effectively as Benzoyl Peroxide does. Some of the products with azelaic acid that you can choose from are Azclear Action soothing gel and Finacea Gel. Side effects like stinging and skin redness may occur but only for a brief period.
Clindamycin
Over-the-counter products Zindaclin Gel, ClindaTech Solution, and Dalacin T Lotion have a topical antibiotic acne treatment called clindamycin. It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which will help make the acne disappear. A good thing about clindamycin is the minimal side-effect compared to other topical treatments.
Retinoids
Considered the most effective acne treatment, retinoids come in both topical and oral forms. It works by unclogging your pores, reducing the oil, and lessening the inflammation of the skin. Topical retinoids you can buy over the counter include Stieva-A Cream and Isotrex Gel. On the other hand, oral retinoids are for severe cases of acne only and require a prescription from a dermatologist. Note that pregnant women should not take products with retinoids as they can cause birth defects.
Tips for Using Acne Treatment Products
- Give the acne treatment product time to work, at least four weeks. Refrain from switching to another product right away because it will only worsen the acne and sensitive skin might get irritated.
- If in four to six weeks of using an acne treatment product and nothing happens, then switch to another product. This time choose a treatment that works differently from the first product. From a treatment that unclogs the pores, you can try one that reduces oil next.
- For these acne treatments to work, make sure to follow the directions indicated by the manufacturers.
- Should these products fail to work after months of application and your acne worsens further, then make sure to get help from a dermatologist. This skin specialist can give you the next-level treatment or a better way of using different anti-acne products. More importantly, dermatologists can prevent your acne from becoming severe.
Acne Treatment from Greg Keily Chemist
Now you know the different treatments you can get from chemists and you can finally say goodbye to your pestering acne and hello to clearer skin. For your acne treatment needs in Southport, Gold Coast, Greg Keily’s Chemist is here to help you.
Our qualified pharmacists are ready to assist you seven days a week with all the acne treatments you need. We also have a wide range of medicines like diabetes products, and compounding medicines; as well as services such as dose administration, aid packing, vaccinations, and many more.
Call Greg Keily Chemist today at (07) 5555 7877 or come into our store on 98 Marine Parade, Southport for all acne treatment-related questions and we’ll be glad to help you.
