Medical Blackhead Treatments

Medical treatments are often seen as the most effective treatment against blackheads as they are much more powerful, but can only be prescribed by a GP/Doctor or dermatologist, but if you live in England, the medication will be free!

Accutane

One of the most successful medical treatments for blackheads is Accutane , this is a very strong prescription drug and is sometimes called the "atom bomb" of all acne treatments because it works so well!

But Accutane , should only really be used as a last resort, the caution list is a few pages long and with a whole host of side effects. But there is no denying it, Accutane is very effective, and after just 6 months of using it many say that their acne is completely wiped out.

What is accutane?

It reduces the amount of oil released by oil glands in your skin, and helps your skin renew itself more quickly. So it will dry out your skin greatly, as almost no oil will be released. Accutane is rich in vitamin A, a great vitamin that helps to fight acne.

Accutane is used to treat severe nodular acne. It is usually given after other acne medicines or antibiotics have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms. In other words, its a last resort treatment!

For more information about Accutane, its side effects and a personal account of someone who was on accutane for 6 months telling of their experiences, visit Acne 101.

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Chemical Peeling

Chemical peeling does exactly what it says on the tin! It peels away the first layer of skin, using a strong chemical, this is quite popular because it;

• Freshens skins
• Removes sunspots
• Removes oil, dirt and bacteria

The concentration of the chemical is different for each individual, the most common chemicals used in chemical peels are;

• Trichloroacetic acid (TCA)
• Alphahydroxy acids (AHAs)

WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE?

The skin may have had preparation with Vitamin A, Alpha Hydroxy Acid or other preparations. Firstly the skin is thoroughly cleansed with acetone or other cleanser.

The acid is then painted onto the face and monitored. If burning or stinging is a problem, a cold pack may be helpful. Usually the treatment is carried out in sections. Patients who find it particularly uncomfortable may choose intravenous anaesthetic, but then would not be able to drive a car for several hours.

WARNING: Could cause SCARRING. All chemical peels carry some uncertainty and risk.

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