Acne is a common skin condition that is caused due to inflamed sebaceous glands of the skin. Acne generally develops on the face, upper neck, shoulders and back. It is most common in teenagers, but may also affect young adults. Testosterone and infection are the main causes of acne.
There are several alternative treatments that are commonly used to treat acne. However, many of these do not have a solid scientific backing and their effectiveness is a matter of dispute. Despite this many alternative treatments in the form of creams and lotions are available in the market and popularly used.
Research conducted in the recent years indicates that zinc may be effective in treating acne. Some studies indicate that zinc supplementation is almost as potent as conventional antibiotic based treatments. 30 mg of zinc supplements taken two times a day for a few months has been found to bring about an effective improvement in the visual appearance of acne vulgaris. Results can be usually observed after about 3 months of usage.
Pantothenic acid has also been observed to have a positive effect in controlling acne. Studies indicate that severe acne responds to pantothenic acid after 6 months while moderate acne is relieved much faster in only a couple months. However, pantothenic acid treatment is still in experimental stages and it may be sometime before it becomes widely adopted.
Here are some other treatments that are used commonly to treat acne:
–> Herbal products: Ayurveda mentions several herbs such as aloe vera, turmeric, neem (Azadirachta indica), Rubia cordifolia, and Hemidesmus indicus for treating acne. While no concrete scientific basis exists to prove that these herbs are effective in treating acne, they have been found to have anti-inflammatory effects. Ayurvedic products are widely used against a number of skin conditions.
–> Tea tree oil (also called melaleuca oil) has been found to be effective against acne to some extent. Some studies indicate that it is almost as effective as benzoyl peroxide but without any of the side effects that are associated with it. It also has anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties. Some studies claimed that tea tree oil is effective because of fewer side effects it causes; however, it is not as potent as benzoyl peroxide and so needs a longer periods of application.
–> Detoxification is another popular treatment prescribed by alternative medicine in the treatment of acne vulgaris. However, there are no scientific studies to prove its effectiveness against acne. Detoxification involves cleansing the body of poisons and toxins that get accumulated because of environmental pollution, medicines and drugs, improper diet, and use of cosmetics.
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