Acne Spot Treatment
- Many different acne treatments are available for sale over the counter, meaning there is no prescription required to obtain these products. Over-the-counter spot treatments tend to include a small percentage of ingredients such as salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. These ingredients help to dry out and heal the area quickly. Clean and Clear Advantage Acne Control Spot Treatment and Neutrogena On the Spot Treatment are two examples of popular over-the-counter spot treatments.
- Dermatologists can prescribe medications to treat acne and problem spots. Three types of topical prescription treatments--azelaic acid, retinoids and antibiotics--can be used to control and treat acne and acne spots, depending on their severity.
Azelaic acid cream or gel can be used to treat moderate acne. It regulates the shedding of dead skin cells, keeping the pores clear of obstructions. Azelaic acid also can reduce inflammation. Examples of azelaic acid creams are Azelex and Finacea.
Retinoids, which are made from a synthetic form of vitamin A, are used to treat moderate to severe acne. Retinoids help to exfoliate the skin, ridding it of dead skin cells and making the skin seem more radiant and even in tone. Differin, Retin-A and Avage are a few examples of retinoids.
Topical antibiotics are also presribed for moderate to severe acne. Not only can the antibiotics help reduce inflammation and increase exfoliation, but they can also reduce the growth of bacteria that can be harmful to the skin. Clindamyacin, erythromyacin and sodium sulfacetamide are a few topical antibiotics which are commonly prescribed by dermatologists.
Combination therapies may be used to treat severe acne. These treatments have a combination of ingredients such as retinoids, antibiotics or acids which aide in shedding dead skin cells, preventing bacteria growth, and making skin look and feel smoother. Combination therapies include benzamyacin, Duac and Ziana. - Natural remedies for acne spot treatments include lemon juice, apple cider or white vinegar, egg whites, baking soda paste and garlic. All of these kitchen ingredients can help dry problem areas and clear bacteria from the pores.
Natural masks, which include some of the aforementioned kitchen ingredients, can be used as spot treatments or application all over the face. The first mask recipe calls for 1 tsp. lemon juice and 1 tsp. cinnamon. The lemon juice has antibacterial properties and will help clean the skin. Another natural mask option calls for 3 tbsp. honey and 1 tsp. cinnamon. Honey makes a great natural mask and skin moisturizer. Nutmeg and milk is a third option for natural mask spot treatment. Use equal parts of each ingredient and work into a thick paste, then apply. Or, mix almond powder and water into a thick paste and apply to the problem areas.
Facial masks are typically applied at night, after washing the face thoroughly with a mild cleansing soap. These masks can be left on all through the night and washed off with warm water in the morning.
