 |
Over-The-Counter vs Prescribed Acne Products
Author: Brian Dolezal  | Posted: 13-12-2006 | Comments: 0 | Views: 281 | Rating: (56)  (?) 
If you are one of the many people who suffer from acne on a regular basis, then you are probably also constantly searching for effective acne treatments to help ease your discomfort. Not only can acne be physically painful, but it can also leave some emotional scars as well. Embarrassment, social withdrawal and depression may all result from acne, which is why it is important to locate quality acne products that are both safe and effective.
When it comes to acne treatments, there are both prescription-only and over-the-counter products available to sufferers. Typically, over-the-counter products are more affordable and can often be just as effective as prescription-only acne treatments. However, it is often necessary to seek medical attention if acne worsens or fails to respond to conventional acne products. When this occurs, a more aggressive treatment approach may be needed. The main goal is to determine which category you fall into and when, if ever, it's time to seek medical help.
Currently, a number of over-the-counter acne products line retail store shelves. Some of the most popular are those that contain a natural ingredient known as aloe vera, which is known for its healing effects, gentleness and soothing ability. This ingredient is thought to expedite the healing process and is, therefore, a very common ingredient in over-the-counter acne products.
Although acne treatments featuring aloe vera are widely available at local retail stores, they should be used with a certain degree of knowledge and care. For instance, aloe vera acne products are not recommended for the treatment of infected or severe acne breakouts. The main reason for this is because it is unadvisable to apply any type of lotion or treatment to a deep or infected area without medical consultation.
Speaking of medical consultations, severe acne breakouts are often treated with Accutane, which is a powerful prescription-only medication that is commonly sought when all other methods of treatment have failed. Although some users may find that their skin actually worsens in the beginning of Accutane acne treatments, this typically subsides within four weeks. The entire treatment process is estimated to take between 4-6 months and has been used by more than two million acne sufferers.
Although Accutane can be effective in treating acne under proper, medically-supervised conditions, it is not without risk. Among the potential side effects are depression, birth defects, headaches, thinning hair, nosebleeds, dry skin, and joint or muscle pain. A high cost of treatment, combined with potentially dangerous side effects, have forced most acne sufferers and physicians to use Accutane only as a last resort. With that being said, many acne sufferers have succeeded with Accutane treatments where other acne products had previously failed.
When selecting acne treatments, it is essential that you understand both the benefits and risks of use. Any medication can have the potential for dangerous side effects. A little research, a lot of knowledge and some patience will prove to be a great asset in selecting both safe and effective acne products.
The information contained in this article is designed to be used for reference purposes only. It should not be used in place of professional medical advice or recommendations relating to the use of acne products and/or acne treatments. If you believe that you have a problem with acne that requires medical attention, consult a physician or dermatologist for a professional evaluation and recommended treatment program.
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/overthecounter-vs-prescribed-acne-products-81720.html
About the Author:Brian Dolezal is a contributing editor for TopConsumerReviews.com. TopConsumerReviews.com is a leading provider of independent reviews and rankings for hundreds of consumer products. Find out how top acne treatments compare by visiting TopConsumerRe views.com today.
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Oxy Skin Treatment
By: Sarah | 18-08-2008
Does oxy daily wash, cleansing pads and spot treatment work? If the do, how long until I see the results?
Breathing problem
By: The Bonster | 16-08-2008
Looking for causes for crackling noise when breathing out (not breathing in). Not rales.
What is flaxseed
By: theredsarecoming | 15-08-2008
What is flaxseed and why is it important to a diet?
Healthy Tailgating
By: minkidinki | 13-08-2008
What are some healthy food items to bring to a tailgate?
Beauty: What are the underlying reasons that may ...
By: janedoechronicles | 12-08-2008
Beauty: What are the underlying reasons that may influence women to reach for unrealistic goals of youthful essence and sensual beauty that is promoted by advertisers and the media?
Can I make this mouth watering apple in a micro ...
By: Cannucks | 12-08-2008
Can I make this mouth watering apple in a micro-wave, and still keep it healthy?
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Non-Fiction Articles
The Story of Halloween
By: Gianni Truvianni | 14/10/2008
An article about Halloween and the history behind this holiday which are among the year’s biggest.
Get Writing!
By: Writer\'s Relief | 13/10/2008
Learn how to get more "Butt-In-Chair" time and become a more productive writer.
Writing for a Living: 7 Ways to Turn Your Writing Into a Home-based Business
By: Rosey Dow | 13/10/2008
Most writers dream of one day hitting the big time with a best-selling novel or a self-help book that goes viral. The chances of that happening are 1 in 10,000,000. However, if you have knowledge and experience, you can create a home-based business from your expertise using these 7 steps...and make more than you would from royalties.
Book Marketing: Using a System to Turn Your Book Into a Primary Business
By: Rosey Dow | 13/10/2008
So many loud voices today proclaim that their training will give you a corner on the market for your book’s niche—blogging, article writing, teleseminars, ebooks, and video. But how do they fit together? Is one of them more important then the rest?
Book Marketing: the Day That is Different for Your Career Strategy
By: Rosey Dow | 06/10/2008
Make an informed decision about the direction of your writing career--print or online, or both.
In the Lap of the Gods 22
By: Steve Morgan | 05/10/2008
For those who have read the other 21 chapters
A Week in the Life of the Single Working Mother
By: Karen Dosw | 03/10/2008
A humorous article about a week in the life of one South African, single mom with two adult children and two little ones.
Why You Should Write for Free
By: Deborah Owen | 01/10/2008
Write for free? I can hear you saying, “Are you nuts?” Write for free, so you can get paid. Read more inside.
More from Brian Dolezal
Popular Industries Known To Use Mystery Shopping Services
By: Brian Dolezal | 27/02/2007 | Home Business
If you would like to earn some extra money as a secret shopper, you'll be glad to know that virtually every industry can benefit from mystery shopping. Just take a look at some of the options awaiting your consideration.
Secret Shopping & How To Present Yourself On The Job
By: Brian Dolezal | 22/02/2007 | Home Business
The art of being a secret shopper is, you guessed it, operating in secrecy. Also known as mystery shopping, the industry is designed around a company who needs feedback and looks toward a third-party, independent evaluator for a professional assessment of what works and what does not.
How To Earn Money From Home as a Mystery Shopper
By: Brian Dolezal | 20/02/2007 | Home Business
You may be surprised to know this, but you can actually earn money from home by being a mystery shopper. But, shopping involves going outside of the home, right? Wrong. Thanks to the internet, shopping is just a click away and, if you are a mystery shopper, you can make money from home at a time and place that is convenient for you.
Mystery Shopping FAQ
By: Brian Dolezal | 15/02/2007 | Home Business
Frequently asked questions about mystery shopping jobs.
How To Spot Mystery Shopping Scams
By: Brian Dolezal | 13/02/2007 | Home Business
For many, getting paid to shop for a living is nothing short of a dream come true. While there are many legitimate companies that hire secret shoppers to evaluate their business while posing as a customer, it's important to realize how to spot the real deal versus a real ripoff.
Choosing an Obedience Training Class for Your Puppy or Dog
By: Brian Dolezal | 12/02/2007 | Pets
If you have decided to enroll your four-legged friend in an obedience training class, there are a few tips to keep in mind to make sure that your choice is the right one. Choosing a dog trainer requires much more than simply selecting a name at random from the phone book and, when it comes to your pet, nothing but the best will do.
The Purpose Of Mystery Shopping
By: Brian Dolezal | 08/02/2007 | Home Business
Mystery shopping is designed to provide companies with valuable information that they may use to improve their business, service or product. A secret shopper is hired to visit a business location and will be assigned a specific task, which may include questions to ask, complaints to voice, purchases to make and certain business aspects to note.
Paid Surveys FAQ
By: Brian Dolezal | 08/02/2007 | Home Business
The top 5 frequently asked questions about Paid Surveys.
|
|
Writing 
