Artipot - Free Ezine Articles
 
Home » Health » Beauty » Cosmetics

Retin-A Prescription Acne Treatment

By Alberto Hildago
Sep 19, 2009
The rise in the number of cases of acne has been unprecedented, to say the least. It seems that every third person you run into is dealing with a bout of pimples. The market for acne products has obviously grown with this surging demand for relief. Although there are thousands of acne products being aggressively marketed, few fulfill their promise of a clear complexion. Most of the time, the popular acne products are simply too harsh for the average person's skin. Instead of doing good, they irritate our skin and cause new blemishes. Even the gentle products are a hit-and-miss as far as results go. Our bodies simply respond differently to treatments. However, even with all these considerations, we can safely say that relatively few people are able to experience an absolutely clear complexion after completing their treatment with over the counter products. When OTC products don't cut it, the next natural step is to seek the expertise of a dermatologist.

Dermatologists have powerful medications at their disposal that are far more effective than those immediately available to consumers. The large majority of patients are initially prescribed a combination of topical creams and oral medications. Retin-A is one topical medication that most patients receive on their first visit. It is a retinoid, which means it is a chemical derived from Vitamin A. This medication works in somewhat of a different fashion than over the counter products. Instead of attacking acne bacteria, which is not the primary cause of breakouts, it helps improve skin cell turnover.

Retin-A helps the skin shed on a more regular basis so that pores can no longer become clogged. It is generally prescribed with a cream or gel that attacks the bacteria, along with an oral medication that serves the same purpose. To say that Retin-A is an instant cure is far from the truth. As a matter of fact, no acne medications that currently exist actually provide instantaneous results.

Retin-A requires at least six weeks to take full effect. During the first one to two months, patients can see a substantial increase in breakouts. This is because the increased turnover rate is bringing impurities up to the surface of the skin. It is important to continue with the treatment and not be discouraged. This is all part of the process. Improvement will begin to show after the first two months.

If your past acne treatments have failed you and you want to find relief, this medication may be the answer. You will have to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist to see if this is the right option for you. Acne is an unpredictable disorder, and it is best treated quickly. Plan to visit a skin care professional as soon as possible.
About the Author
Please Rate:

Rating:

(Average: Not rated)
Views:32 
Print Article Email Article Reprint Article Comments (0)
More Articles from Cosmetics
Top Articles in Cosmetics