Treating the bacteria that inflame the skin
The headline news is that bacteria do not cause acne. The medical evidence is absolutely clear. All those pimples and zits are caused by excess hormones in your skin. This triggers the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum, a substance like oil that lubricates and keeps the skin supple. Unfortunately, where the oil builds up in the hair follicles, those small tubes that hold each hair, it traps the dead skin cells that would otherwise drop off the body. These cells block the pore and this causes the blackhead or whitehead to form.
There are bacteria that live on the skin. Under normal circumstances, they are perfectly harmless. But if they have access to food, they grow. In this case, Propionibacterium acnes feeds on sebum. As this bacterium grows, it excretes chemicals that trigger your body’s immune system and this produces the redness and soreness as your body fights the infection. At first, the problems will be mild. If you feel that something more than simply washing your face with a neutral soap is required, the best forms of treatment are available over the counter. Look for products containing benzoyl peroxide. This has an antibacterial effect by drying out the skin. As the skin dries, your body sheds the surface layer of dead skin. This helps to reduce the amount of dead skin cells available to block up the pores and therefore reduces the chances of an infection. Note that benzoyl peroxide can cause your skin to peel when you begin to use it. Over time, this reaction reduces.
But if the inflammation persists, you may have to use an antibiotic like Doxycycline. Some topical creams combine benzoyl peroxide with an antibiotic. These can produce slightly faster results because they are rubbed directly into the skin affected. Taken orally, several months will be required to produce an effect, assuming the bacteria are susceptible to the antibiotic. If this approach fails, you will have to consider taking medications that treat the underlying cause of acne, namely excess hormones.
