One of the most important struggles of a person's teenage years can be their struggle with acne. Sufferers battle the little red monsters along with the humiliation and social devastation that they face among their peers. And, it is a losing battle with no true cure available. Of course, there are some topical ointments that can help treat existing pimples but even these are often powerless against a severe case of acne. Acne sufferers have typically four basic treatment options to choose from. The foremost of these are the topical ointments which contain anti-bacterial agents. Applied to the surface of the affected area, these ointments help to kill the bacteria that are creating havoc in a teenager's clogged pores. Oral medication is the second most popular treatment option. The antibiotics contained in these oral medicines make them fairly effective in treating some cases of body acne. They are also used in case of very, very severe cases of facial acne. Another option available to acne afflicted people is hormone therapy but it is less common. Hormone therapy offers several treatment options. The most commonly used therapy entails injecting cortisone directly into the lesions. Another option is the use of inhibitors to prevent hormones like androgen from causing more acne outbreaks. In recent years, laser therapy has become an effective treatment option for acne. In this treatment, highly concentrated beams of light are aimed directly at the affected regions. The intense heat from the laser literally vaporizes the bacteria that cause acne. However, this cannot be done in a day. Usually, patients have to take several sessions with the laser before the results become visible. The other advantage of laser therapy is that it can help reduce the scarring caused by acute cases of acne. Laser burns away the dead skin and makes the scars less noticeable. For maximum effectiveness especially in severe cases, the treatments and scar therapy may have to be staged over several months. Unfortunately, laser treatment for acne costs quite a packed and most insurance plans do not cover this treatment. Laser treatment is likely to remain an expensive treatment option even for the coming years because the specialized equipment and facilities it requires are very costly. All acne treatment options including hormone therapy or oral medication carry some minimal risks. The risks involved in laser therapy are no greater. Acne is a very brutal and cruel part of growing up. Some of us are hit with it pretty hard while others seem to escape the curse entirely with only an occasional blemish here or there. Topical ointments are fairly effective in treating mild acne, but they can do little to stem the tide of an acute case of acne. In such cases, consult with your doctor or dermatologist and ask if laser treatment is an option for you.
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One of the most important struggles of a person's teenage years can be their struggle with acne. Sufferers battle the little red monsters along with the humiliation and social devastation that they face among their peers. And, it is a losing battle with no true cure available. Of course, there are some topical ointments that can help treat existing pimples but even these are often powerless against a severe case of acne.
Peter Carson is the chief editor for F laser, the #1 source on the internet for information about laser. For more articles on laser visit: http://www.fdalaser.com/articles Click here to get your own unique version of this article from the Unique Articles Submissions Service
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