Alternative Acne Treatments

Let’s face it , not everyone was born with beautiful skin. Those who have never had to deal with pimples, blackheads, and other blemishes should count themselves lucky, because for many people, fighting problem skin is an ongoing battle….and it’s not a fun battle. More often than not, it feels like a losing cause, as most over-the-counter acne treatment products prove to be ineffective at providing a long-term solution for particularly troublesome cases. So what can you do to clear up your face once and for all?

What are my Options?
There are a couple of different options that go beyond the typical acne treatment products like Clearasil, Oxy, and Proactiv. The first involves seeing a dermatologist. What? A DOCTOR? I know many people try to avoid this, either because their insurance doesn’t cover such visits or because they think they can’t afford the consultation. But you may be surprised at how affordable some dermatologists are, even without insurance. For instance, there’s a clinic near my home that accepts walk-in patients for just a $59 consultation fee. That’s not bad at all, especially when you’ll be getting a diagnosis from a trained medical professional who will then recommend prescription acne treatment products for you. Are you surprised?

Prescription Acne Medications
Some typical prescription acne treatment products include topical creams such as Differin (Adapalene) and Clindamycin. Differin is a retinoid, while Clindamycin is an antibiotic. Both of these topical creams are far more effective at clearing up problem skin than treatments you would find on the shelves at your local beauty supply store. Antibiotics in particular are important for a clear skin regimen because they help fight bacteria that cause pimples. Your dermatologist might prescribe oral antibiotics to take as part of your regimen, and those have received positive results as well.

Can You See The Light?
Another alternative to over-the-counter acne treatment products is something called blue light therapy. This method involves exposing your face to a special high-intensity light source to zap bacteria and clear up your skin. The light is not UV light, and thus far doesn’t have any detrimental side effects. (It should be noted, however, that this is a relatively new procedure, so there hasn’t been enough time to study long-term effects.) At any rate, many patients have responded well to blue light therapy, so it’s definitely something to consider…..

Just Make Sure the Light at the End of the Tunnel isn’t a Train!
There is a major drawback to blue light therapy versus more traditional acne treatment products, and that’s the cost of the procedure. Blue light therapy requires a series of treatments, which, depending on the severity of the problem, could cost more than $1,000 before all is said and done. That price is pretty steep, but then again, if you’ve got the money, then it might be worth a shot, especially if you can get rid of your pimples once and for all.

Give it a Go!
The bottom line here is that most of the acne treatment products you’re familiar with probably aren’t going to do very much to get your skin problems under control. If you’re troubled by stubborn, persistent pimples and blemishes, try one of the alternatives I mentioned above.

Blue Light Therapy

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Filed under: Acne Skin Care Product

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