Friday, June 01, 2012
Saturday, November 08, 2008 Evelyn G asks

Q: Why some acne medications stop working?

Acne treatments are just plain tricky. After all what works for Joe does not work for Sara. Causes for failure to work can be varied and therein lies the puzzle!

Is the cause due to the product or have you contaminated the product or has the product just lost its potency after a while?

Scenario 1

Product has not worked from Day 1 and chances are that it either solves part of the problem or simply not suited to your skin type. In this case, its time to find another product.

Scenario 2

Product works initially but has stopped working. Here are some of the possible causes:

a. Product has been contaminated. Note that acne is caused by bacteria and as you take the applicator back and forth, chances are that the product gets contaminated and the active ingredient is consumed in fighting that contamination.

b. Chances are that volatile components, easily oxidizable ingredients, temperature/moisture sensitive components will lose their potency once the container is opened and hence the product stops working after a while.

Scenario 3

You have been using a home made remedy. It works initially and now bupkus! Did you make a big batch and since it is not formulated properly pathogens are growing in it. This could add to your woes. Or the ingredients you used last time were from a different source than your current supply and potency has changed. Who knows?

 

If you are experiencing these issues, try "Niapads".

Source: www.niapads.com

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Answers (1)
healthgal, Health Pro
11/13/08 5:17pm

I'd also add that the bacterial component causing the acne or your skin, can "become familiar" with the treatment, which is why doctors often revolve treatment programs.  That goes for the different antibiotics as well as the topical treatments. 

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By Evelyn G— Last Modified: 12/24/10, First Published: 11/08/08