Less Widely Used Treatment For Acne

There are many forms of treatments used for addressing acne. Popular ones include the use of topical bactericidals, applied antibiotics, and even phototherapy. However, less used treatments, according to dermatology rancho cucamonga practitioners, include the following:

* Aloe Vera. There are treatments for acne mentioned in Ayurveda using herbs such as Aloe vera, Neem, Haldi (Turmeric) and Papaya. There is, however, limited evidence from medical studies on some of these products, although others have been proven effective. Products from Rubia cordifolia, Curcuma longa (commonly known as Turmeric), Hemidesmus indicus (known as ananthamoola or anantmula), and Azadirachta indica (Neem) have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, but not aloe vera.

* Azelaic Acid. Azelaic acid is used to treat mild to moderate acne; i.e. both comedonal acne and inflammatory acne. It works in part by stopping the growth of skin bacteria that cause acne, and by keeping skin pores clear.

* Calendula. This is a genus of about 12-20 species of annual or perennial herbaceous plants in the daisy family Asteraceae, native to the area from Macaronesia east through the Mediterranean region to Iran. According to dermatology rancho cucamonga specialists, calendula in suspension or in tincture is used topically to treat acne, reducing inflammation, controlling bleeding and soothing irritated tissue.

* Cortisone. Cortisones are usually injected into the acne. Some also offers cortisone pills for oral use.

* Heat. Local heating may be used to kill the bacteria in a developing pimple and so speed healing. This form of understanding is also used in phototherapy treatment.

* Naproxen or ibuprofen. These medications are also used for some moderate acne for their anti-inflammatory effect.

* Nicotinamide. Also known as niacinamide and nicotinic acid amide, is the amide of nicotinic acid. Many dermatology rancho cucamonga practitioners have stated that the use of nicotinamide has demonstrated anti-inflammatory actions which may be of benefit in patients with inflammatory skin conditions. These conditions include acne vulgaris, and the compound can suppress antigen induced-lymphocytic transformation and inhibit of 3'-5' cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase. Nicotinamide has demonstrated the ability to block the inflammatory actions of iodides known to precipitate or exacerbate inflammatory acne.

* Tea Tree Oil. In the treatment of moderate acne, topical application of 5% tea tree oil has shown an effect comparable to 5% benzoyl peroxide, albeit with slower onset of action. In another study in 2007 5% strength gel was compared against a placebo, with statistically significant results.

* Rofecoxib. Rofecoxib is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) marketed by Merck & Co. to treat osteoarthritis, acute pain conditions, dysmenorrhoea, and acne. Rofecoxib was shown to improve premenstrual acne vulgaris in a placebo controlled study.

* Comedo Extraction. This is a widely-used method of treatment for acne vulgaris. A dermatologist or cosmetologist may extract blackheads (open comedones) using gentle pressure around the pore opening, and whiteheads (closed comedones) by incision with a large needle or a blade.

* Detoxification. Although there have been no studies to prove its success, detoxification is a common method used by alternative medicine practitioners for the treatment of acne. Detoxification is the process of cleansing the body of toxins commonly caused by the environment, pharmaceutical drugs, food, and cosmetics.