How Does Sulfur Work on Acne?


The use of sulfur to treat skin problems dates back to the ancient Roman period. Most of us would associate sulfur to the modern chemical industry, so it's hard to picture its role in the ancient era. Historically called brimstone, the earliest references of sulfur treatment relate to soaking in sulfur hot springs to treat skin diseases or disorders, such as dermatitis, warts and acne. Today, sulfur is popular as an acne medicine as evident from the large number of sulfur-based products available for acne cure. Fortunately, most of these products do not bear the distinctive rotten egg smell of sulfur! Let's get into some details.

We all know that excessive oil secretion, clogged pores and bacterial growth are the causes of acne. Sulfur addresses the latter two causes by delivering its keratolytic and antibacterial properties. The keratolytic property exfoliates the superficial layer of the skin and sloughs off dead skin cells that would otherwise clog your pores and encourage bacterial growth. Thus, it encourages the growth of new skin cells. Though sulfur works by drying and peeling the superficial skin, it does not over-dry the skin like benzoyl peroxide and other exfoliating cleansers.

Sulfur is effective in treating blackheads, whiteheads, inflammation, and pimple lesions. It is particularly recommended for spot treatment because it does not lead to excessive dryness. Too much of dryness may sometimes trigger oil production and even scar the spot. If you can't tolerate the strong odor of sulfur, you may use it for an occasional spot treatment. Sulfur basically works on the outer surface of your skin, so it may not be effective in treating deep-seated infections, such as cystic acne.

How do you apply a sulfur acne treatment? There is a wide range of sulfur-based skin care products, such as soaps, cleansers, lotions, facemasks and spot-treatments. Sulfur products contain resorcinol or sodium sulfacetamide as the active ingredients. It is important to pay attention to the usage instructions — some may be left overnight, while others may have to be washed in a few minutes. The shelf life of sulfur products is much longer than other acne products, so it is cost-effective. When it comes to food items, sulfur is present in Broccoli, egg yolk, onions, red peppers and asparagus. There are sulfur supplements as well.

Before beginning a sulfur treatment, make sure that you are not allergic to it. People suffering from kidney problems must avoid sulfur products. Some people may experience redness, dryness, itching, burning or a slight discoloration at the spot of application. Mild symptoms may subside after a while, but, if the irritation is uncomfortable, you can trim down the usage for a period of time. If your skin is already chapped or sun-burned, let it heal before applying sulfur products. Don't use abrasive scrubs before applying sulfur lotions as it may sting. If you are under another prescription treatment, consult your doctor beforehand. Medications with more than ten percent sulfur concentration must be prescribed by a doctor.

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