Outdated techniques against new

Acne - is the most common problem in the field of skin disease that occurs in people with any type of skin How to determine your skin type . Moreover, acne - a disorder in which the skin is constantly pimples and acne Acne: facial trouble   - Affects the representatives of the majority of age groups, from teenagers to middle-aged people. Despite the fact that the cosmetic stores and pharmacies can find a wide variety of remedies for acne The remedy for acne: a responsible choice Do problem skin clean is not easy - many patients have tried a lot of products before they are able to find something that will help them get rid of acne. In addition, some treatment for acne cause serious concerns among experts. For example, it has long been known that taking Accutane associated with an increased risk of birth defects. Today, however, scientists are also discussing whether Accutane increase the likelihood of suicide among young patients taking it. Other well-known drugs for the treatment of acne is also associated with significant health risks, and are replaced by new means - although it is impossible to say with certainty whether they will be more effective and safe.

Antibiotics for oral administration, topical retinoids and other drugs

Prolonged treatment with antibiotics, which only recently appointed to many patients with skin problems, also causes concern among doctors. This therapy not only leads to the development of antibiotic resistance, but also increases the likelihood of developing breast cancer in adult women, and upper respiratory tract infections in adolescents.

Topical preparations, such as retinoids, although they are very efficient, may also cause a number of problems. In particular, retinoic acid causes skin inflammation, which is sometimes so strong that the skin looks even worse than before treatment.

Combined oral contraceptives for many women to help improve the skin condition, but they can also cause serious side effects such as thrombosis. The probability of formation of blood clots is especially high among women smokers who are taking combined oral contraceptives.

Experts note that the old methods of treatment in most cases, give quite good results, but many patients were extremely dissatisfied with the side effects, and either stop treatment or started to look for safer medicines. Recently, a lot of new agents for the treatment of acne, but we have yet to find out whether they really better than the old.

"Gold Standard" and new treatments

For decades, the "gold standard" for the treatment of mild to moderate forms of acne was a combination of tools for deep pore cleansing, such as benzoyl peroxide (it cleans the pores from sebum) and antibiotics for topical use or preparations containing sulfur, which are effective in killing bacteria. Some patients are also prescribed topical retinoids, which significantly accelerate the treatment of acne. This combination of drugs widely used to this day.

If the patient has mild to moderate forms of acne, acne that is relatively small, this method of treatment is very effective, easy to use and, most importantly, fairly inexpensive. In most cases, these agents give good results. However, at the same time they cause dryness and irritation. The experts who developed the drug ProActiv Solution (which in Russian is sometimes called simply - Proactive), is trying to avoid these side effects. The drug has been well publicized - commercials featuring stars Info sheet in magazines, brochures with sufficiently detailed and convincing information - and quickly became one of the hottest new tools for the treatment of acne. But is it really means helping?

ProActiv Solution contains less benzoyl peroxide than most prescription drugs, and so he, of course, is not very dry skin. For people with dry or sensitive skin Sensitive skin: causes and care   this tool may be more effective than many counterparts. However, doctors say that a significant proportion of patients who have used Proactive, or use it now, unhappy with the results. Almost all of them say that the first time the drug works well, and then ceases to operate. At the same time, experts remind us that in the world there are millions of people with mild forms of acne, that Proactive really helps to get rid of acne - they just do not usually come to the dermatologist with complaints. For moderate and severe forms of the disease are needed prescription drugs and Proactive, at best, can only provide temporary results.

Price of treatment

Cost ProActiv is about four or five thousand rubles (depending on the seller) for a set of three tools. On average, it is enough for one month, and the duration of treatment may be from 30 to 60 days, depending on the skin condition.

If benzoyl peroxide does not cause you severe skin dryness and irritation, you can use these OTC drugs like Oxy Balance (contains 5% benzoyl peroxide) or Oxy Maximum (10%). These facilities cost about three times cheaper Proaktiva. Those who need products with a low content of benzoyl peroxide, can take advantage of, for example, by means of Neutrogena On The Spot Acne Treatment, which contains 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, and is about two times less than Proactive.

More recently, the market appeared another nonprescription drug for treatment of acne - Nicomide-T. Its active substance is nicotinamide - a derivative of nicotinic acid or vitamin B3. The studies which have been organized by the manufacturer, it was shown that the gels and ointments nicotinamide eliminate skin redness and inflammation caused by not only acne, but many agents for the treatment of disorders, such as retinoic acid. Another study showed that nikotamid is no less effective than topical antibiotic clindamycin, moreover, it is not associated with the risk of antibiotic resistance. Experts note that the funds with nicotinamide for external use only give good results in the treatment of mild forms of acne. Price Nicomide-T is approximately equal to the cost of ProActiv Solution.

We all know that women are very sensitive to various changes in appearance, especially if these changes are negative. One of the well-known women's issues - it is a problem of acne before menstruation. Moreover, acne can appear in adolescent girls and adult women. Typically, the occurrence of spots before menstruation associated with the menstrual cycle, during which various phases of hormonal changes occur. Acne can appear as a single, and in large quantities, and with the beginning of menstruation, they disappear.

The mechanism of acne

The menstrual cycle consists of several phases (follicular, ovulatory, and luteal phase desquamation). Throughout all phases of a change in hormone levels. So, during the follicular phase of the cycle there is increased production of estrogen. Estrogens, in turn, reduces the sebaceous glands (decrease the production of fat), and also increase the synthesis of hyaluronic acid. As a result of all these processes in the first phase of the cycle the skin look less greasy and more moisturized. Additionally, estrogen increased turgor as well as enhance its barrier properties.

The luteal phase is a decrease of estrogen, but increases the formation of progesterone (a hormone of the corpus luteum). Progesterone in turn increases the sebaceous glands that a weakened immunity Immunity - types and characteristics in children in adults   It leads to the formation of inflammatory acne. This is due to the fact that progesterone Progesterone - norm and pathology   increases the sensitivity of the skin to allergens and harmful factors (stress, bad working conditions).

Another "source" of acne are considered androgens, whose synthesis is increased by vosemnadtsaty-nineteenth day cycle. Androgens promote hypertrophy of the sebaceous glands (swelling).

Equally important in the occurrence of acne before menstruation plays a growth of propionic bacteria that normally live on the skin of each person.

Other causes of acne

But in some cases, in the emergence of spots before monthly "fault" and other factors. These include:

• age-related hormonal changes (adolescence);
• various endocrine pathology;
• hyperkeratosis (swelling of the horny layer of the skin);
• violation of lipid metabolism;
• diseases of the digestive tract;
• nervous stress;
• a weakened immune system;
• improper cosmetics;
• climatic conditions (heat, humidity);
• frequent washing;
• harmful working conditions (effect of toxic factors);
• squeezing pimples;
• corticosteroids (adrenal hormone).

Clinical manifestations

Based on observations, it is clear that the pimples (acne) appear in approximately one to two weeks before menstruation, and its beginning is gradually eroding. Localization of acne may be not only in the face, but also on the back, chest, and even in the gluteal region. Pimples are a combination of diseases of the hair follicles and sebaceous glands. This results in the blockage of sebum and horn cells of the epidermis. When inflammation produces large, red and painful acne.

Treatment

Treatment of acne occurring before menstruation, not an easy task. It is known that any disease is easier to prevent than to treat. On the eve of menstruation is necessary to follow a diet. The diet should prevail fresh vegetables and fruits, and of fatty and spicy foods should be avoided. It is also necessary to reduce the consumption of sugary foods (especially chocolates). As sweet can be eaten dried.

With weakened immunity are useful vitamins and minerals and adaptogens (peony tincture, tincture of Siberian Ginseng). In some cases, effective autohaemotherapy. Wash necessary to less and no more than twice a day.

From cosmetics useful tonics and lotions for the face, do not contain alcohol and a variety of exfoliating creams (peels and scrubs), through which removes dead skin cells that give skin free to "breathe." Due to the decrease in skin hydration appointed sebostatiki (responsible for the production of sebum).

Anna Sozinova