Some young people with pimples on their face like to smear toothpaste, or stick pain-relieving plasters (such as the Japanese-made Salon Bass) to eliminate pimples, does this really work? Let’s talk about this topic.
First analyze the main causes of acne:
1. Keratinization at the opening of the hair follicle is not normal, blocking the opening of the hair follicle;
2. Sebaceous glands secrete too much oil;
3. Excessive growth of acne bacteria causing infection;
4. Inflammation of hair follicles and surrounding tissues.
It can be seen that acne is mainly related to sebaceous glands and germs infection, the treatment of acne should start from cleaning the skin surface oil and sterilization!
Can toothpaste deal with acne?
The basic ingredients of toothpaste mainly include: cleansing agent (surfactant), friction agent (to remove plaque and dirt), adhesives, aromatics, triclosan (labeled as antibacterial and antiseptic effect), fluoride (to prevent dental caries) and so on.
In addition to the cooling sensation that toothpaste brings, if it has some effect on fighting acne, it may be the antibacterial ingredients such as triclosan in it that are at work. However, the antibacterial ingredients added to toothpaste alone are not enough to treat infections caused by the acne bacteria.
Generally, antibiotic creams, non-antibiotic antiseptic creams, or oral antibiotic medications are used; however, the first line of treatment for acne has been oriented towards anti-inflammatory and regulating keratinization irregularities rather than the use of antibiotic agents in the first line.
Do pain relieving creams fight acne?
It has been clinically shown that pain relief creams (Salonpas) are mainly used to relieve pain in muscles or joints, and that the methyl salicylate component of the creams has an anti-inflammatory effect. Is Salonpas an anti-acne treatment? This has not yet been proven! If you put Sarombas on your face, it may cause irritation and dermatitis.
Daily Acne Treatment
1. Exercise to burn off excess fat.
2. Avoid high-calorie foods, especially those containing a lot of fat.
3. Wash your face with lukewarm water at least once or twice a day to remove the oil on the surface of the skin.
Medications for acne
1. Benzoyl peroxide (topical): it is an oxidizing agent with strong bactericidal power and no resistance problem.
2. Salicylic acid, azelaic acid (topical): mainly used for exfoliation.
3. Vitamin A acid: promote sebaceous gland atrophy, sterilization, anti-inflammatory effect of three in one. The effect is the strongest, is the last line of therapy, not easily used as a last resort.
4. Antibiotics (e.g., tetracycline, deoxytetracycline, minocycline): kills Propionibacterium acnes in the sebaceous glands and prevents it from breaking down triglycerides into fatty acids, thus reducing inflammation.
5. Hormones: Spironolactone diuretics and oral contraceptives are often used to regulate hormonal imbalances in the body. This treatment is not recommended for male patients.
6. Isotretinoin: Isotretinoin can induce atrophy of sebaceous glands (irreversible), treating the root cause of acne, and has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects. It has the strongest effect, but is a last-line treatment and should not be used as a last resort.
7. Intra-lesional glucocorticosteroids (commonly known as “acne injections”): Intra-lesional glucocorticosteroids (steroids) are injected directly into the lesion, which can quickly relieve the inflammation of the affected area.
Warning: the above medication is for reference only, do not use privately, be sure to see a doctor and follow the doctor’s instructions!
