Compounding for Acne and other related skin problems
Compounding for Acne
Millions of people suffer from acne including both men and women and teenagers and adults. While milder cases of acne may respond well to over-the-counter treatments, there are many cases of stubborn acne where stronger treatments are required. There are many options available in a compound pharmacy for the treatment of acne in customizable formulations. The products can be manufactured for different types of skins and skin sensitivities and also to detect certain types of acne.
What Causes Acne
Acne is caused by a combination of clogged pores, bacterial growth, and inflammation. Dead skin cells and sebum can mix and clog pores, which causes inflammation. Bacteria can form on the skin and in clogged pores, which then grow and spread, triggering an outbreak of acne. Acne treatment products usually perform one or more of the following treatments:
- Exfoliation: remove dead skin cells and oil that clog pores and cause acne
- Eliminate bacteria: bacteria that cause acne are killed or prevented from forming
- Reduce inflammation: help with the redness and irritation that comes from acne
A person suffering from acne can also receive products to reduce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, discoloration that remains on the skin after acne treatment.
How to fight acne
Acne is a common skin disease characterized by inflammatory lesions called suppurative folliculitis (pimples) with redness, swelling, pain and white pus. Other types of zits include whiteheads, blackheads, nodules and cysts. Pimples form when hair follicles under your skin clog with excess oil production, dirt, and daily grime and mostly affect the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders.
The cause of acne is still largely unknown, but certain factors may play a role in triggering or worsening acne such as the hormone changes that occur during teenage years or pregnancy, certain medications, heredity, stress, or diet.
Acne Medication Ingredients
Some of the products listed here are often combined together into a cream, gel, or facial cleansing pad. Many of them are available in low-dose versions that are sold without a prescription, but the highest strengths that are most effective can only be obtained with a prescription. Through a compound pharmacy that works with a dermatologist, an acne patient can benefit from having multiple effective ingredients in a recipe.
Benzoyl peroxide kills bacteria that cause acne. It also exfoliates and dries the skin, which facilitates the washing of oil and dirt.
Glycolic acid removes dead skin cells and dirt. Exfoliate the skin to prevent pores from clogging and prevent the acne bacteria from growing.
Lactic acid removes acne bacteria and removes dead skin cells. Eliminates damaged layers of the skin that promote new cell growth.
Salicylic acid exfoliates and eliminates imperfections. It is often used in facial washes because it cleans the pores while reducing redness. While many ingredients for the treatment of acne tend to cause inflammation, salicylic acid reduces acne while minimizing skin irritation.
- Tretinoin / retinoic acid
Tretinoin cream is a medication that can reduce acne breakouts and help with other skin concerns. Tretinoin works by increasing the renewal of skin cells. By accelerating the renewal process, damaged skin can be replaced by newer, clearer skin. Tretinoin and other retinoids are also used to treat sun damage, wrinkles and pigmentation.
The azelaic acid cream kills the bacteria that cause acne and stops the growth of new bacteria. It affects the growth of the cells lining the hair follicles as well, which helps to prevent the pores from becoming clogged. Rosacea, which is characterized by facial flushing and pimples, is commonly treated with azelaic acid cream because it reduces redness and swelling.
Urea is a moisturizer that is sometimes combined with acne-fighting ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide. Many medications that help with acne tend to dry the skin. Keeping the skin well hydrated is important to prevent new acne and inflammation.
- Clindamycin / sulfacetamide
Clindamycin and sulfacetamide are antibiotics that stop the formation of bacteria that cause acne. In combination with an ingredient such as salicylic acid, they are especially effective for lightening the skin.
Sulfur was one of the first treatments used for acne and many other skin conditions. Sulfur dries the skin and helps eliminate dead skin cells. It also has antimicrobial properties that make it ideal for treating acne. The medicine for acne with sulfur may be better for people with sensitive skin who can not tolerate products with acids or retinoids.
Myths of acne
- Chocolate and fatty foods are often blamed for causing acne, but little research was found to link them to acne.
- Scrubbing the skin too hard or cleansing with harsh soaps or chemicals can eliminate acne. (This can actually irritate the skin and may worsen acne. A simple cleansing to take off the excess oil and dead skin cells maybe all you need. Severe cases of acne may also respond well to a gentle skin peel, like Cosmo Grade’s Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Gel).
Anti Acne treatment protocol
Containing specifically compounded skin cosmetics for the treatment of acne
- Mild facial foam cleanser- containing organic aloe vera extract and allantoin, this gentle foam cleanser is suitable for all skin types and increases skin moisturisation and healing.
- Anti-acne day toner and Anti-acne night toner- a gentle and refreshing toner that increases cell turnover, exfoliation and promotes healing.
- Anti-acne facial cream- a high antioxidant and nutritive formulation for inflammed and irritated skin with the benefits of vitamin B3, alpha lipoic acid and Vit E.
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