Just about all of us have suffered from acne at some stage in our lives. Because it is such a rampant condition, there are just as many treatments as there are pimples in a high school, and wading through this myriad of choices can seem an almost insurmountable task. Hopefully this hub will help you to make a more informed decision about which treatment is best for your particular condition. 

Before we start working towards clearing up your acne, I think we need to look at clearing up some of the misconceptions and myths that surround this condition...

Acne Is Caused By Unhygeinic Practices

The biggest myth of them all is that acne is caused by being unhygenic. People will tell you that you haven't washed your face well enough and this is how you've ended up with pimples. This is complete hogwash. It's true that acne is caused by blocked pores, but the pores are not blocked from the outside of your skin, but actually from the inside. No amount of face washing is going to stop this from occuring, as a matter of fact, too much face washing can actually make the problem worse.

Another common theory is that sexual activity will cause acne. This is an old wives tale that has been spun to scare young people into submission. Increased sexual activity is actually caused by changes in hormones during puberty, and it's these same changes that cause acne to appear, but the two are not interrelated.

While it's true that acne is definitely more prevalent during teenage years, it is by no means only limited to people between the ages of 12 and 20. As a matter of fact, I am a 39 year old, and have a few rogue pimples right now. Men are more prone to having acne problems in their adult years than women, but women can still suffer, particularly during hormonal changes such as menstruation, menopause and pregnancy.

Scientists have yet to prove that a particular type of diet is going to make you more or less prone to getting acne. That said, even though there isn't any conclusive scientific proof, there are skin specialists that insist that a diet high in fatty foods will in fact increase your chances of suffering from acne. That said, a healthy diet will definitely help your body fight the bacterias that cause the acne in the first place.

Not only is this untrue, but it is an extremely dangerous belief. Even if it were true, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight will result in possible skin cancer. Given the choice between acne and melanomas,  I know which one I'd choose.

Once again, a harmful belief. As a matter of fact, squeezing pimples will make the problem even worse. What you are doing when squeezing a pimple is pushing the bacteria that caused it even further down into the pores of your skin. You may also end up with long term scarring from too much zit popping activity. Not to mention that it's just plain gross.

Acne is caused when your body produces excessive amounts of oils that get trapped in your skins pores. This can be caused by a genetic predisposition, or by sudden changes in hormones (which is why it is more common amongst teenagers). Once the oil is trapped in the pore of your skin, it become a breeding ground for bacteria, which cause the area to become inflamed. Another thing that can bring on more acvne is excessive use of the wrong types of cosmetics. Some cosmetics are tremendously oily, and will create the same sort of environment in your pores through the use of these oils.

If you have the chance, it is always best to get a doctors opinion on what is the best solution for your particular case. Not only does the doctor have your medical history on hand, they also have the authority to prescribe medicine that is not available over the counter, if they feel it will be beneficial to your particular situation. 

Benzoyl Peroxide is a common application used for acne treatment, and the lighter forms of this application are available over the counter. Your doctor may also prescribe a stronger variety of this solution if he feels it will help. This medication should be used on a daily basis, and will need to be used for up to a month before any noticeable changes occur. The only thing you need to watch with this solution is that it can cause bleaching if it comes into direct contact with your hair or clothing.

Erythromycin is an antibiotic that can be effective in the treatment of acne. The treatment is usually administered orally in the form of a gel capsul taken daily, although it is also available as a topical cream. Some people have reported nausea from this medication, but the general consensus is that this medication is fast acting for people with mild to moderate acne.

Tetracycline is the most common prescription to be given out by doctors for acne treatment. Like Erythromycin, it is an antibiotic, but the difference is that it should be taken on an empty stomach, and is not suitable for pregnant women.

Blue Light Therapy is a fairly new form of acne treatment that is being marketed as an effective alternative to topical creams and antibiotics. Although it is still only in early stages of testing, initial statistics claim a 55% success rate, meaning that it can be hit and miss and shouldn't be relied upon for extreme cases. It is, however, a very gentle treatment and has no known side effects, other than a possible change in skin pigmentation. There are no UV rays involved, so it is not considered to be cancer producing.

Many people are very wary of using chemicals on their face, and prefer to use something natural if possible. If you have the patience and persistance to use one of these natural acne skin care products regularly, you can see remarkable results, but they will not be as fast acting as the prescribed medications mentioned above.

Tea Tree Oil is one of the most commonly accepted natural remedies for treating acne. Because of the natural anti bacterial properties of this oil, when applied to the skin it can help to fight the bacteria that causes the blemishes on your skin. Some people are sensitive to this oil, and it is a good idea to start this treatment off slowly to ensure there is no reaction.

As with many natural and alternative solutions, mineral soap has no basis in scientific fact. If you are open to trying something natural, however, you may just find something that works regardless of what the lab coats say. This particular product claims to be created using minerals extracted from the muds of the Dead Sea. Not only will it eradicate your pimples, but it is combined with aloe vera and other natural oils that help to moisturise and revitalise your skin.

Beta Carotene is considered to be an essential vitamin to promote tissue growth, and many believe it is this property that can help in the treatment of acne. This vitamin can be found naturally in carrots and will help to reduce the prodruction opf sebum, which is the oil that builds up in the skins pores, promoting bacterial growth.

Zinc is another natural agent that is well known for fighting bacteria in your body. Having a diet that consists of plenty of zinc based foods will assist your problem. Dairy products and legumes are a great source of zinc, but one of the best sources of all (other than meats) are pumpkin seeds. As with any dietary supplements, too much zinc can be detremental to your health and should be taken in moderation

Honey is considered to be a wonderfully natural disinfectant that will help to kill the bacteria that breeds in your skins pores. Applying a honey mask to the affected area on a weekly basis will do wonders for your skin, as it well help to replenish the moisture levels that can be easily lost in harsh sunlight.

Drinking plenty of water is something that you should be doing regardless of whether you suffer from acne or not. 8 glasses of water a day will help your body to flush out any impurities, including the bacteria that causes acne. Doctors will tell you that if your urine is yellow then you are not drinking enough water.

Salicylic acid is derived from the bark of the willow tree. It is commonly used not only as a remedy for acne sufferers, but as an anti inlammatory as well. The product listed here is a natural alternatice with no added petrochemicals or sulphates. It also includes evening primrose and beetroot extract, making it a great facial treatment even for those without acne.

As with any health related problems, prevention is always going to be better than cure. As mentioned above, drinking water regularly, washing your face with a gentle soap daily, and making sure that your bedding is clean is going to greatly assist in preventing these unsightly bumps from appearing in the first place. Keeping your hair out of your face as much as possible during the day will also help to avoid a build up of oils in your pores. Try an avoid oil and petroleum based products as much as possible, and create a healthy menu plan consisting of the right type of vitamins and you will be well on the way to maintaining healthier blemish free skin.