Acnes bacteria are irritants to the skin and lead to microcomedo formations and results in inflammatory lesions.

Excess Dihydrotestosterone can cause many dermatological issues such as clogged pores and inflammation. Studies have shown that spironolactone reduces sebum excretion in the skin by about 30-50 percent and therefore is very effective in those with oily skin. Being an oral medication, it has the possibility to cause more side effects than topical treatments. The most common side effects are excess urination, menstrual irregularities (spotting etc.) and low blood pressure. The menstual irregularities are usually decreased in woman who are also taking oral hormonal contraceptives. Many compounding pharmacies make topical spironolactone which can sometimes help reduce side effects. It is not commercially available though at retail pharmacies. Antibiotics (Topical) When To Use/Place In Therapy As part of combination therapy for mild to severe acne. Topical antibiotics should never be the sole treatment for several reasons including the extended time it takes to see positive effects and the fact that bacterial resistance can occur. It's important to note that acne is not an infection. Everyone carries a bacteria in their skin known as P. acnes. The problem is when the bacteria over grows in the skin. Some byproducts of the metabolism of the P. Decreasing the amount of P.Acnes via antibiotic therapy is usually associated with acne improvement. Topical antibiotics include, erythromycin and clindamycin. How To Apply Topical antibiotics are applied usually once to twice daily. Apply to a clean, dry face and do not wash off after application Important Additional Information Topical antibiotics typically are used in 3 month spurts and then given a break. 

They are always to be used in combination X OUT Acne therapy with other acne products such as benzoyl peroxide. Some products do cause sun sensitivity so it is recommended to use sunscreen. Antibiotics (Oral) When To Use/Place In Therapy Antibiotics taken by mouth are typically only prescribed for those who have moderate to severe inflammatory acne and they are always prescribed as past of a combination with topical therapies. They are used to reduce the colonization of a specific bacteria known a P. Acnes. They can take one to two months to begin working and once new acne lesions are no longer forming, the antibiotics are typically stopped. Antibiotics given for acne are usually one of the following: Doxycycline Minocycline Tetracyclin Clindamycin Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim How To Apply The usual dose of antibiotics is one to two capsules/tablets per day. Important Additional Information The oral antibiotics are never given to children under the age of 8 do to the possibility of serious side effects. There are some concerns of bacterial resistance in those taking consistent antibiotics for acne. The bacteria that may become resistant however typically don't cause major infections. People may be slightly more susceptible to getting strep throat, but treatment is still fairly easy. It is usually recommended to use oral antibiotics for 12-18 weeks and to always combine oral antibiotics with other therapies such as benzoyl peroxide to help avoid resistance. Isotretinoin (Accutane/Claravis/Absorica) When To Use/Place In Therapy Isotretinoin is a very strong and extremely effective acne medication indicated for acne that leaves severe scarring or for acne that does not respond to other treatments. Among other things, it reduces sebum in the skin, helps regulate your skin cells and reduces the P. Acnes bacteria. 

While effective, the medication has very serious possible side effects and has a high risk of teratogenicity (birth defects). Because of this risk, isotretinoin is only available under a restricted program under REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy) and this program is called iPLEDGE. All patients must sign a consent for before beginning therapy and must register in the iPLEDGE program. Patients that are sexually active must use two forms of contraceptive for at least one month before beginning therapy, during the course of therapy and for one month after stopping therapy. Additionally, women of child bearing age must have 2 negative pregnancy tests before beginning the drug. How To Apply There are varying strengths of isotretinoin and typically the drug is given orally once to twice daily. Isotretinoin should be given with food. Important Additional Information Isotretinoin should never been used with the "cycline" as there is a major drug interaction between the two. Isotretinoin is used in millions of patients safely it is just very important to take the iPLEDGE program seriously and always monitor for possible side effects. Over The Counter Supplements Vitamin A We've all heard of vitamin A before. It plays a huge role in the treatment of acne. In fact, all of the drugs in the retinoid class we wrote about earlier and the drug isotretinoin are derivatives of vitamin A! We get vitamin A from two sources, animal and plant. The vitamin A we get from plant sources (such as carrots and certain vegetables) have the most potent forms of vitamin A known as Carotenoids. In addition to it's use for skin conditions like acne, vitamin A is vitally important for immune system development, vision growth development and much more. 

Ideally, if you are looking for a vitamin A supplement, you want to go for vitamin A sources as a carotenoid and not a retinol. Vitamin A supplementation in people can go a long way towards treating and preventing acne. When looking for a vitamin A supplement, you want to look for vitamin A as beta carotene as it is the safest and most effective. How to Treat Acne with Tremendous Results - 21 Day Sugar Detox In this article, I will reveal the secrets to eliminate acne with the amazing 21 day sugar detox system. Recent studies found that people who had higher intake of sugar and a high glycemic diet (rice, bread and pasta) had more acne breakouts. Cutting down on sugar and consume a low glycemic diet can result in significant acne improvements. In addition to fewer acne breakouts, the other benefits of sugar reduction include weight loss, fewer hair loss, drastic reduction of acne causing hormones in your body and the prevention of type II diabetes. By learning how to treat acne with sugar detox, you will benefit more than just clear healthy skin. You will have a healthy body to match. Two Main Contributors to Acne Hormones and inflammation are two main contributors to acne. Hormones are responsible for overproduction of sebum and skin cell growth, which can lead to clogged pores. Inflammation causes an eruption inside the blocked pores and creates a breeding ground for acne bacteria. This condition will eventually lead to acne breakouts. The Links Between Sugar and Acne 1. Sugar and Hormones Sugar spikes up your acne causing hormones such as androgens, insulin and insulin growth factor (IGF-1). Androgens are responsible for overactive sebum production and skin cell growth. Both insulin and IGF-1 are triggered by high blood sugar levels. 

Research Studies show that both insulin and IGF-1 are related to: Increase the severity of acne lesion Overly active sebum production Increase pore size A shocking fact about sugar is this. Sugar converts into sebum. Anytime you consume food with a high concentration of sugar, you are increasing sebum production and aggravate more breakouts. 2. Sugar and Inflammation Inflammation is the second main contributor to acne. Many research studies have shown that acne is directly correlated to high level of inflammation. Skin is vulnerable to inflammation when it is depleted of antioxidants. Diet full of saturated fats, omega-6, and processed vegetable oils can also trigger inflammation. Sugar promotes inflammation. It was illustrated in the study from Am erican Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The study showed that drinking 1 to 2 cans of soda per day can increase inflammation levels from 87% to 105%. If you want to learn how to treat acne effectively, you should avoid sugar and take anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats (fish oil). This will improve your acne condition tremendously. The Myth Between Diet and Acne Diet does not cause acne. High glycemic index (GI) foods are the main culprit of acne breakouts. High GI foods are foods that can elevate blood sugar levels quickly. Sugar and refined carbohydrates (white bread, pasta, rice, ice cream, soda, etc) are considered as high glycemic index foods. On the other hand, whole grains and vegetables are labeled as low glycemic foods. A diet rich in low glycemic index foods can lower blood sugar levels, acne causing hormones, insulin and inflammation. Learning how to treat acne with a low glycemic diet can result in 80% reduction in acne breakouts and a more vibrant healthy looking skin. 

Below is a list of basic low and high GI foods: Low GI Foods Oat Bran Wholegrain Whole Wheat Broccoli Lettuce Mushrooms Apples Grapes Peanuts Walnuts Corn Chips Brown Rice Yam Lentils Chick Peas Soy Milk Yoghurt High GI Foods Sugar Cornflakes Cheerios White bread Bagel Parsnips Watermelon Dates Donuts Maple syrup French fries Mashed potatoes Ice cream Pretzels Scones Soda Junk Foods What is 21 Day Sugar Detox? If you want to learn 1) how to treat acne naturally, 2) how to treat severe acne, 3) how to cure break outs, or even 4) how to treat acne rosacea, then this program will help you greatly. 21 Day Sugar Detox is a powerful diet solution that help stop sugar craving, lower acne causing hormones, reduce insulin spikes and stop acne inflammation or swelling. Besides the benefit of acne reduction, other health improvements include: Reduction in hair loss Significant weight loss Reduced energy spikes and dips throughout the day Reduced fatigue, lethargy, depression and anxiety Reduced brain fog and cloudy thinking Reduced intense hunger craving Clearer skin Reduction in pore size Prevent the onset of diabetes How Does 21 Day Sugar Detox Work? 21 Day Sugar Detox targets the foods you eat. By replacing certain high glycemic index foods with low glycemic index foods, you will free yourself from sugar craving forever. Basic 21 Day Sugar Detox Program Instructions for the next 21 days Remove all sugar and high GI foods from your diet Eliminate foods from the "foods to avoid" list below Consume foods on the "good foods" list below Symptoms you will encounter during the 21 days At first, your craving for sugar will become more pronounced. It is perfectly normal. It usually takes 3 to 4 days to get over the craving, and you will get use to it.