Carefully follow this regimen using any of the recommended over-the-counter products. When followed precisely, you can expect results in weeks and completely clear skin in 3-4 months (or faster for many people).
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I've been using Tazorac for more than a year now (15 months, to be exact), and have had tremendous results. It's really cleared up my cystic acne. You've got to be very careful with dryness with this medication, however. Use it at night, and take breaks until your skin gets used to it. Wash face with a gentle, pH balanced cleanser such as CeraVe. Moisturize. I've used CeraVe lotion, cream, and PM moisturizer. I like all 3, and you should pick the one that best corresponds to your moisturizing needs. Wait 20 minutes or so, because damp skin increases irritation. Then, apply a pea-sized amount....
Acne occurs when the pores of your skin become clogged, most often on the face, neck, back, and chest. No one knows exactly why this happens, but we do know that testosterone plays a part, as does heredity.1-5
Once a pore becomes clogged, it traps skin oil inside. Bacteria grows in this oil and can cause an inflammatory response in the skin. Acne lesions can be small and hardly noticeable, have a small white or black head, or can appear red with a white/yellow center. Sometimes a clogged pore will become so inflamed that it can lead to larger, more painful lesions called nodules or cysts, which can ultimately scar. Almost no one escapes some clogged pores and pimples, especially during adolescence--a fragile time when self-esteem and confidence is just emerging.9-10 Acne afflicts people of all ethnicities and is treated the same regardless.†11-15
Our skin is healthiest and clearest when it is in balance. The more irritation your skin experiences, the more likely it is to break out. Conversely, the less irritation your skin experiences, the better it is able to remain clear. Sources of irritation include anything which rubs, scratches, or comes into prolonged contact with your skin, as well as anything which sends your skin out of balance such as overdryness, sunburns, shaving the face with irritating razors, and pore-clogging cosmetics. To best clear acne, try to keep your skin as untouched as possible. Acne is not caused by dirt, and washing your face, while it is fine to do up to twice per day, is going to do little to help with your acne.
Finally, popping pimples is not a no-no. None of us likes to walk around with puss filled pimples. Done correctly, properly popping can actually help hasten healing. However, whatever you do, absolutely, positively, do not pick at your skin.6-8
Treatment must continue until your body outgrows the disease, which the majority of people do for the most degree after adolescence.16-17 Aside from Accutane, there is no other oral or topical treatment for acne which produces long lasting remission of acne symptoms.18 However, ongoing treatment can get the skin completely clear and keep it that way for years if need be.
2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide The most effective treatment for most people aside
from Accutane is benzoyl
peroxide, which has been a mainstay of acne treatment since the 1930s, and for good
reason. It is the only medication which can penetrate into the skin and deliver oxygen.19
Acne bacteria cannot live in the presence of oxygen, and benzoyl peroxide kills 99.9% of
them almost instantly.20 However, for benzoyl peroxide to completely clear acne,
it must be applied as outlined in The Regimenーgenerously, and in 2.5% strength. Applying in
this fashion allows most people to suppress acne symptoms until their bout of acne naturally
subsides.
Learn The Regimen »
Accutane (isotretinoin) For severe, widespread, and potentially scarring acne, Accutane is
an option. Isotretinoin is a systemic oral treatment which is taken for 15-20 weeks and
produces long-term remission of acne symptoms in about 66% of people, but comes with a large
range of side effects including severe birth defects, and must be administered in close
partnership with your physician.21-22
Learn about
Accutane »
Many other topical and oral treatments exist for acne, some producing moderate to good results. Home remedies, however, do not tend to deliver on their promises.
† Women of Asian heritage and men and women of African heritage can respond to some antibiotics differently – if you fit into any of these categories, check with your physician if you decide to take antibiotics for your acne.
