The general aim of most acne treatments is to purge the skin of extra skin, bacteria, oil and other irritating factors. These acne treatments don't work 100% and often cause just as much damage as they solve.

Basic Acne Treatments

The most typical first steps is a solution utilizing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, which abrade away excess pore-clogging skin, kill bacteria and remove sebum. These treatments, however, can really dry out and irritate the skin, further aggravating acne. It has been discovered that benzoyl peroxide actually releases free radicals that further damage the skin cells.

Next: Antiobiotics. These are equally available as a topical cream or in pill form. A doctor might prescribe accutane, an isotretinoin. This acne medication is usually last on the list of dermatologists and used when all other options have failed. They inhibit sebum production. Unfortunately, they also come with a long list of, often very severe, side effects.

While undergoing lessons on how to treat acne you would learn how to properly clean the skin and rid it of excess oil, bacteria and dead skin cells, however, a successful acne treatment will include a few more tricks. First of all, the removal of the aforementioned acne contributors cannot guarantee the ability of underlying skin tissue to heal properly and replace themselves. That said, the most complete acne solution will also encourage skin rejuvenation.

Acne Vulgaris Cosmetic Treatments

Acne laser treatment, chemical peels, dermabrasion and microdermabrasion get the skin to reproduce healthy skin at a faster rate. The general idea is to remove the skin through a controlled process, forcing the body to replace the skin it lacks. The cells of the deeper layer of skin divide, creating a new, healthier layer of skin.

Light as a form of killing bacteria is entering the market. Prior, UV light was used until it was discovered to alter cell DNA. The light used in blue light acne treatment safely kills the bacteria P. acnes, without harming the skin. It can be quite costly and requires more than one treatment.

Supporting the Skin and Immune System

A complete and balanced diet plays a vital role in this process. As the largest organ of the body, the skin needs its own share of antioxidants and vitamins to function. Most people don't get their daily requirement due to not consuming the 3-5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

A diet rich in vitamin A and vitamin B complex is essential for keeping acne free skin. Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant that also strengthens the protective tissue of the skin and can help reduce sebum production. It also maintains and repairs skin tissue. There are many vitamin Bs, therefore, it is called vitamin B complex. These vitamins sustain healthy skin and relieve stress, another contributing factor to acne. Other functions include removal of toxins, blood circulation improvement and maintenance of adrenal gland and immune system functioning.

It is key to help support the immune system. What you see as acne is the body's immune response to antigens and damage to the sebaceous glands. Topical creams exist that can help you reinforce your immune system, right at the acne lesions. Natural products with antimicrobial properties can help your immune system in its work of removing antigens, without the severe drying or other negative side effects of traditional methods. New developments in natural treatments have shown results in reducing bacterial infection by helping send signals to your system to increase the release of the skin's own natural antimicrobial peptides.

Side effects of your immune system in action include swelling and redness that is difficult to hide. Most treatments to reduce inflammation are unnatural and have immunosuppressant effects. Use an acne treatment that will alleviate inflammation naturally and curb excessive inflammatory reactions, without draining your body's germ fighting capabilities.