Control Severe Acne

Severe acne is that dreaded intruder that can make a potentially enjoyable social life an absolute nightmare. That sounds dramatic, but for those who have experienced severe acne, they know that an inflammation can sometimes be the difference in going out or staying in.

Most everyone has suffered from some form of acne. Those who suffer from mild to moderate acne generally have few problems in being able to manage breakouts and inflammations, and the acne experienced is generally on the surface, coming in the form of whiteheads and blackheads.

Severe acne is a completely different “beast,” and it is not easily tamed. Most often, people with severe, chronic acne will suffer from every acne type, including the dreaded and painful cystic acne that develops below the skin’s surface. Such acne is basically impossible to treat from the surface, lasts longer, is more damaging to the deep layers of the skin and is the cause of severe acne scarring.

How Does Severe Acne Develop

All acne, whether mild or severe, develops in the same manner. There are three key components that lead to the inflammation of a pimple: dead skin cells, the P-acne bacteria and sebum from the sebaceous gland.

As dead skin cells shed, they take with them the bacteria that are most commonly referred to as P-acne. Because skin cells possess a natural “stickiness,” they will cling to the surface and begin to clog follicles/pores. The sebaceous gland found within a follicle is simultaneously producing oil—sebum.

When the three components join together to create a clogged mess, the bacteria can feed off of sebum, and the mild infection begins an acne inflammation. When this occurs deeper in the skin, it is common for severe acne to develop in the form or nodulcystic acne–most often referred to as cystic or nodular acne.

Treating Severe Acne

Unlike acne on the surface, severe acne cannot be treated with spot treatments such as over the counter topical creams and solutions—it needs professional treatment from a dermatologist. A dermatologist will be able to assess the severity of the acne, and follow up with an appropriate prescription. Sometimes they will offer a mild antibiotic to focus in on the acne causing bacteria, and other times they may suggest changes to diet, to be combined with an oral med and an external skin care regimen.

Skin Care for Severe Acne

Along those lines, anyone suffering from acne, from mild to severe, should develop a quality skin care regimen to work against the formation of new acne problems. A quality regimen that includes the exfoliation of old, dead skin cells, as well as a treatment to promote the growth and health of new skin will help to reduce acne appearance, inflammations and occurrences.

One product that many people are familiar with that can help to prevent the formation of new inflammations is benzoyl peroxide. Unfortunately, most people buy a tube of benzoyl peroxide from a local retailer and expect it to be a cure for acne that has developed. While a spot treatment with benzoyl peroxide won’t cure acne, a regular, liberal application of the peroxide product will help to create an “unfriendly” environment for future acne development. It can be used on the face, the neck, back, shoulders and chest. For sensitive skin, it is recommended to allow the benzoyl peroxide application to dry, then follow with the application of a moisturizer.