Acne hits almost everyone sometime or another. This is the main reason why the market is flooded with thousands of over the counter and prescription acne medications. Many acne treatment products, especially the spot acne treatments claim to cure breakouts overnight. However, every treatment has its own pros and cons, and spot acne treatment is not an exception.
Acne is a complex skin issue and not all acne remedies work equally for everyone. An acne solution that works well for one person may worsen the acne for another person. Spot acne treatments are very popular as a quick solution for pimples and zits. However, it must be kept in mind that there is not a single acne treatment that can clear acne overnight. Every treatment takes its own time.
Pros
Mild acne can be easily treated by using over the counter products. If you just have some pimples, whiteheads, or blackheads, then an acne spot treatment should be enough to clear your skin temporarily. There are also some excellent home remedies that work effectively on acne as well. At times, natural home treatments can work as effectively as the over the counter products, and they don’t involve any risk of side effects.
Acne spot treatment comes across as a lifesaver when you notice an ugly breakout while on holiday or before your wedding day. These spot remedies help control inflammation, keeping acne from becoming red and irritated. Spot treatments must be applied to the affected area before putting any makeup on the face.
Gel, liquid, or cream treatments that can be dabbed onto the pimple to dry it out and allow it to heal. Medicated patches that are similar to a band-aide are another effective method in spot treatment. Some of the most popular and effective spot acne treatments are:
Benzoyl peroxide: The antibacterial characteristic of benzoyl peroxide makes it an effective acne spot treatment. It works by killing the acne producing bacteria. This chemical substance is present in different compositions in many over the counter acne products. It also has some side effects. It is therefore recommended that you consult with a dermatologist before opting for any benzoyl peroxide based acne treatment.
Salicylic Acid: This is yet another effective spot acne treatment. Apart from curing the existing acne, it also prevents further breakouts. It is present as a main ingredient in many products, and must be used after consulting with a dermatologist.
Sulfur: This yellow element has been used for thousands of years to cure acne. Sulfur is found in many over the counter spot treatments and is a powerful antimicrobial and exfoliant. It works overnight and prevents scarring.
Home Remedies: Some of the home remedies for spot acne treatment include tea tree oil, nutmeg, egg, potato, garlic, honey, lemon juice, aloe vera, apricot, and cucumber. These home cures contain natural salicylic acids, alpha hydroxy acids, antimicrobials and vitamins that will feed and protect damaged skin.
Cons
The spot acne treatment products only offer temporary results. They cannot eliminate the cause of acne. Therefore, these remedies are not a preferred treatment for acne. The over the counter spot acne treatment products also involve several side effects which cause more harm than good. Benzoyl peroxide is not approved as a safe ingredient by the FDA.
It makes skin vulnerable to harmful UV rays and air pollution. Also, this chemical produces free radicals directly on the skin surface. These two effects combined can cause irreversible damage and lead to skin cancer. Therefore, if you have time, it’s better to stay away from the spot acne treatment methods and go for solutions that promise to cure the root cause of acne breakouts.
