Basic Principles and Side Effects of Hormonal Therapy in Treating Acne
Written by praveen on April 9, 2008 – 8:19 am - 36 People Read this!Hormones play a huge role in the development of skin blemishes and acne. It is more often the main culprit for a lot of skin problems. Some patients with acne problems who are not responding well from topical and oral anti-acne medicines may opt for hormonal therapy in treating acne. This treatment method is often used to control and treat acne via oral intake of pills containing hormones which regulate the hormonal imbalance that cause skin breakout or acne.
Hormonal therapy in treating acne is the treatment of choice of dermatologists and doctors for patients who have moderate to severe acne problems. These patients oftentimes respond poorly to topical and oral anti-acne medicines, experience allergic reactions from topical anti-acne creams or gels and do not improve at all from other treatment methods.
Hormonal therapy in treating acne is administered by a dermatologist or physician. The purpose of hormonal therapy in treating acne is to block the acne-causing effects of androgenic hormones. Androgenic or male hormones have physiologic effects to the sebaceous or oil secreting follicles which as an effect promotes the development of acne.
The feminine hormone, estrogen, counteracts the effects of androgenic hormones to the sebaceous follicles and reduces oil secretion. Because estrogen has multiple physiologic effects to the body, administration should be closely monitored by an ob-gynecologist or dermatologist. If topical and oral anti-acne medicines fail in treating acne, hormonal therapy may be another treatment method.
Hormonal therapy in treating acne is usually practiced by administering oral contraceptives containing estrogen among females. This is often the mode of treatment rather than administering estrogen hormone alone. This is because the estrogen found in oral contraceptives is well-balanced by the other constituents found in the pill. Oral contraceptives are safer to use in hormonal therapy in treating acne than plain estrogen but patients should still be cautious about the side effects. Common side effects of oral contraceptives include nausea, breast tenderness, increasing weight and menstrual spotting.
Another form of hormonal therapy in treating acne is anti-androgen spironolactone which decreases oil or sebum production and improves the condition of the skin from acne. Most common side effects include headache and fatigue. Some women may also experience breast tenderness and irregular menstruation. This can be administered together with an oral contraceptive to resolve irregular menstruation.
Tags: acne, Hormonal Therapy, Treating Acne
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Effective Tips to Treat Acne Naturally
Written by praveen on March 7, 2008 – 6:05 am - 61 People Read this!Treating acne requires knowledge of various treatment options and making the right choice to properly address skin concerns. A visit to a dermatologist can aid a person in determining the best treatment method. Treatment can vary from person to person. With the number of anti-acne products available in the market that promise benefits, it is difficult to come up with the right choice. The good thing is; there are effective ways to treat acne naturally. These methods are not only cost-effective but convenient as well.
There are a number of effective tips that can treat acne naturally. One is by keeping the face and acne-prone areas clean. Plain lemon juice when applied to acne-prone areas of the skin using a cotton ball can provide antibacterial effect just like any other anti-acne products. This can inhibit the spread of acne-causing bacteria in the skin. Washing the face with lukewarm water after a few minutes can give your skin thorough gentle cleansing with an antibacterial effect as well.
Another important tip to treat acne naturally is by drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day. Drinking water effectively assists the bowels and kidney in flushing out accumulated wastes and toxins in the body which can cause acne if not eliminated from the system. Water cleanses the body and removes impurities from the blood thereby keeping your insides clean for a healthy glow. Eliminating toxins from the body by drinking adequate amount of water can treat acne naturally minimizing the need for strong anti-acne products. Water also keeps the skin well-hydrated.
Showering after a heavy perspiration can also treat acne naturally. Sweat and excess oil excreted by the skin creates an environment that makes it suitable for bacteria to multiply. This can irritate the skin and cause acne. Therefore, it is best to wash and shower after perspiring from physical activities such as sports and work-out.
Maintaining a healthy diet can also treat acne naturally and can replace anti-acne products. Reducing the intake of foods high in saturated fat such as dairy products and meat can prevent acne outbreaks. Staying out of oily foods can also prevent the skin from getting oily thus lessening the chances of developing acne. It is also extremely helpful to eat as much organic vegetables and fruits as possible to keep skin glowing.
Tags: acne products, Tips to Treat Acne Naturally, Treating Acne
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