Health and Fitness Articles

>Usually, a mild form of acne occurring in most sufferers doesn’t produce scars, or if it does, the scars erase naturally over time. But patients suffering from severe forms of acne such as nodular cystic acne could be left with deep scarring in the skin.

If you suffer from nodules or cyst, instead of trying out any over the counter medication, you better get treated by a dermatologist. This is because for this kind of acne you won’t find any relief or comfort trying out any over the counter acne medication.

A dermatologist will commonly prescribe isotretinoin and a retinoid to alleviate a case of nodular or cystic acne. With the aid of isotretinoin, the size of oil glands that produce oil is reduced. With this, there is a decrease in the growth of microbes too. It is commonly recommended once or twice a day, with food, for about 15- 20 weeks.

Isotretinoin is a great alternative in helping you find an acne cure as it literally prevents scarring. And once your treatment has been completed, you will most likely be healed of your acne problem. However if there is a reappearance of acne after your treatment with isotretinoin, the specialist may either prescribe some other medications or institute another course of isotretinoin.

Even though isotretinoin is efficient in treating acne, it can provoke birth defects in the fetus. This is why it is very important that women in child bearing years take care not to conceive a child while taking isotretinoin.

It is essential that women use two safe forms of birth control for a month before using isotretinoin, during treatment and for a month after stopping isotretinoin. In fact, it is better to consult your doctor when it is believed safe to get pregnant before getting off isotretinoin.

It has also been noted that people using isotretinoin tend to get depressed by the changes of their skin’s aspect. In fact, many cases of suicides and suicide attempts have been carried through by people on isotretinoin.

Other side effects of isotretinoin are muscle aches, nosebleeds, changes in blood and liver function and hypersensitivity to the sun. Consult your doctor if you observe that you are experiencing any of these side effects. The doctor may test blood before actually initiating treatment, and during the treatment itself.

Post Inflammatory Acne Spots & Pigmentation

There are also spots and pigmentation associated with acne that aren’t exactly scars but resemble them in appearance. These disappear eventually but are visible enough to cause shyness. Macules are such pseudo- scars, which are sometimes left behind by an inflamed acne lesion. A macule is nothing but a flat, red spot that is the product of any inflamed lesion. Unlike a scar, a macule can take time to disappear, but once it vanishes, it leaves no trace behind.

Then there is the discoloration of skin after the healing of any inflamed acne lesion. It is more usual in dark skinned people, but can appear in white skin also. This is called “Post inflammatory pigmentation.” It may need treatment by a dermatologist.

>A new skin care product is the latest answer for all your dermal problems, including scars and blemishes. Its biological components ensure a safe and promising skin regeneration effect.

>- Martha Fitzharris