Acne develops when one or more of the following occurs: excess sebum production, rapid production of P. acnes, skin cells shed too quickly and/or release of inflammatory substances. For treatment to work it must interfere with what is causing the acne. Today’s acne treatments do one or more of the following:
• Decrease sebum production
• Reduce P. acnes (bacteria)
• Normalize skin shedding
• Eliminate inflammation
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Friday, May 12, 2006
Acne Survival Guide
When it comes to an effective acne treatment, knowledge is power. When choosing a treatment for your acne condition, it is important to know about acne treatment lifestyle changes. A wide range of lifestyle treatments can give you control over your acne. The goal of an effective acne treatment is to reduce pimples, adult acne, acne rosacea, cystic acne, acne vulgaris, and other acne types.
It is important in the treatment of acne to treat your whole self in as many ways as possible. For the vast majority of people with acne, effective treatment includes lifestyle changes that can help minimize symptoms, reduce inflammation, and maintain normal bodily functions.
It is important in the treatment of acne to treat your whole self in as many ways as possible. For the vast majority of people with acne, effective treatment includes lifestyle changes that can help minimize symptoms, reduce inflammation, and maintain normal bodily functions.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Looking For Results From Your Acne Treatment - Try Acne-Ltd
Ever notice how every acne treatment seems to be the same and produce the same results?
Take a look at the labels for acne products, and you'll probably find one of two things: the magic ingredient in Neutrogena face washes (salicylic acid) and the one in the popular mail-order brand Proactiv (benzoyl peroxide).
They're the same two active ingredients found in virtually every acne product that's available without a prescription.
And that means that despite the array of bottles and tubes lining store shelves, there are few options out there for attacking an unwelcome rite of adolescence -- acne.
While there is science behind what causes acne, treating it is mostly a game of trial and error, said dermatologist Neera Agarwal-Antal.
"Acne's a very complicated disease," she said.
If you are tired of the same results from your acne treatment, try looking for a different type of treatment.
The ingredients of Acne-Ltd III are: zinc oxide, magnesium stearate,sodium chloride, iron oxide, copper oxide, polyethylene glycol, and sulfur (sulfur is used externally only and not to be confused with sulfa which is taken internally only). These ingredients are compressed under 22,000 pounds of pressure per square inch into a very concentrated 'smooth solid form' for easy application to the facial skin areas. As Acne-Ltd III is highly concentrated, it will normally last 9 to 12 months.
Leave the face wet after washing and apply Acne-Ltd III by simply gliding the Acne-Ltd III over the affected areas. The ingredients are dissolved onto the affected areas leaving an invisible application that continues to improve the skin condition while not being visible on the skin. Acne-Ltd III is not a 'cover up cosmetic' as it is invisible on the skin. Acne-Ltd III has more than 99% undiluted conditioning ingredients with a pH of 7.0 (the pH balance of normal skin).
Furthermore, Acne-Ltd III is free of any potentially irritating preservatives, such as methylparaben, propylparaben, and Quaternium-15, and contains no irritating fragrances.
Take a look at the labels for acne products, and you'll probably find one of two things: the magic ingredient in Neutrogena face washes (salicylic acid) and the one in the popular mail-order brand Proactiv (benzoyl peroxide).
They're the same two active ingredients found in virtually every acne product that's available without a prescription.
And that means that despite the array of bottles and tubes lining store shelves, there are few options out there for attacking an unwelcome rite of adolescence -- acne.
While there is science behind what causes acne, treating it is mostly a game of trial and error, said dermatologist Neera Agarwal-Antal.
"Acne's a very complicated disease," she said.
If you are tired of the same results from your acne treatment, try looking for a different type of treatment.
The ingredients of Acne-Ltd III are: zinc oxide, magnesium stearate,sodium chloride, iron oxide, copper oxide, polyethylene glycol, and sulfur (sulfur is used externally only and not to be confused with sulfa which is taken internally only). These ingredients are compressed under 22,000 pounds of pressure per square inch into a very concentrated 'smooth solid form' for easy application to the facial skin areas. As Acne-Ltd III is highly concentrated, it will normally last 9 to 12 months.
Leave the face wet after washing and apply Acne-Ltd III by simply gliding the Acne-Ltd III over the affected areas. The ingredients are dissolved onto the affected areas leaving an invisible application that continues to improve the skin condition while not being visible on the skin. Acne-Ltd III is not a 'cover up cosmetic' as it is invisible on the skin. Acne-Ltd III has more than 99% undiluted conditioning ingredients with a pH of 7.0 (the pH balance of normal skin).
Furthermore, Acne-Ltd III is free of any potentially irritating preservatives, such as methylparaben, propylparaben, and Quaternium-15, and contains no irritating fragrances.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Extended Release Minocycline Approved For Severe Acne
Medicis has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") has approved its New Drug Application ("NDA") for SOLODYN(TM) (minocycline HCl, USP) Extended Release Tablets. SOLODYN(TM) is the only oral minocycline approved for once daily dosage in the treatment of inflammatory lesions of non-nodular moderate to severe acne vulgaris in patients 12 years of age and older. SOLODYN(TM) is also the only approved minocycline in extended release tablet form. SOLODYN(TM) is lipid soluble, and its mode of action occurs in the skin and sebum. SOLODYN(TM) is not bioequivalent to any other minocycline products, and is in no way interchangeable with other forms of minocycline.
The dosing and administration for SOLODYN(TM) is unique, and redefines minocycline therapy for acne. Based on extensive multi-year clinical trials conducted by Medicis in which over 1,000 patients participated, the recommended dosage for SOLODYN(TM) is 1 mg/kg daily. In Medicis sponsored studies, higher doses of minocycline were tested against SOLODYN(TM), and did not show additional therapeutic benefits in the treatment of inflammatory lesions of acne. These higher doses, consistent with traditional minocycline use, may actually be associated with more acute vestibular side effects.
The dosing and administration for SOLODYN(TM) is unique, and redefines minocycline therapy for acne. Based on extensive multi-year clinical trials conducted by Medicis in which over 1,000 patients participated, the recommended dosage for SOLODYN(TM) is 1 mg/kg daily. In Medicis sponsored studies, higher doses of minocycline were tested against SOLODYN(TM), and did not show additional therapeutic benefits in the treatment of inflammatory lesions of acne. These higher doses, consistent with traditional minocycline use, may actually be associated with more acute vestibular side effects.
Acne Treatment And Prevention
You can prevent acne or stop further spread of the inflammation by following some acne prevention tips that include proper maintenance of skin, hair, diet and little physical exercise.
It is suggested to keep the body parts clean, particularly which are acne-prone like face, neck, back and genital areas. Wash them with a mild soap at least twice a day. Avoid using fragranced soaps or rough cleansing pads. If your skin is oily, you should clean your skin of oils, but do not over dry the skin or vigorously scrub the skin. After using soap, be sure to clean it properly. If you sweat, clean them as soon as possible.
Avoid using cosmetics that include lots of chemicals and fragrance. You should also choose oil-free cosmetics which do not have the potential to clog pores. Remove make-up and cosmetic applications with a mild soap before going to sleep. Cosmetics may clog your pores and promote acne. Also, do not contaminate make-up and cosmetic application devices by reusing them in acne-infected parts.
Do not try to remove pimples by popping and squeezing them. This pushes the infectious materials, contained in the pimple, further into the skin and increases the severity of acne. It may also help further spread of acne.
Avoid tight clothes and other articles that rub on acne-prone areas for acne preventions. Keep your pillow cases, sheets, towel, hanky, etc, clean. The articles should be washed frequently with a mild detergent.
Besides, do not expose your skin to sunlight. Sunburn is extremely dangerous to the skin. Try to remain in shade as much as possible that may help you in acne prevention.
It is suggested to keep the body parts clean, particularly which are acne-prone like face, neck, back and genital areas. Wash them with a mild soap at least twice a day. Avoid using fragranced soaps or rough cleansing pads. If your skin is oily, you should clean your skin of oils, but do not over dry the skin or vigorously scrub the skin. After using soap, be sure to clean it properly. If you sweat, clean them as soon as possible.
Avoid using cosmetics that include lots of chemicals and fragrance. You should also choose oil-free cosmetics which do not have the potential to clog pores. Remove make-up and cosmetic applications with a mild soap before going to sleep. Cosmetics may clog your pores and promote acne. Also, do not contaminate make-up and cosmetic application devices by reusing them in acne-infected parts.
Do not try to remove pimples by popping and squeezing them. This pushes the infectious materials, contained in the pimple, further into the skin and increases the severity of acne. It may also help further spread of acne.
Avoid tight clothes and other articles that rub on acne-prone areas for acne preventions. Keep your pillow cases, sheets, towel, hanky, etc, clean. The articles should be washed frequently with a mild detergent.
Besides, do not expose your skin to sunlight. Sunburn is extremely dangerous to the skin. Try to remain in shade as much as possible that may help you in acne prevention.
Monday, May 01, 2006
The Hidden Impact of Acne
"There is no single disease which causes more psychic trauma, more maladjustment between parents and children, more general insecurity and feelings of inferiority and greater sums of psychic suffering than does acne vulgaris." --Sulzberger & Zaldems, 1948
While known for quite some time, the psychosocial effects of acne have not been fully appreciated until recently. The reasons for this are many. After all, everyone gets acne to one degree or another. In most cases, it goes away on its own. While it's running its course, it is not a serious threat to anyone's overall physical health. In addition, until the last couple of decades, there was very little anyone could do to treat it.
Acne, nonetheless, has a significant impact on a person's outlook on life. Recent studies have detected the following as common among people with acne:
Social withdrawal
Decreased self-esteem
Reduced self-confidence
Poor body image
Embarrassment
Feelings of depression
Anger
Preoccupation
Frustration
Higher rate of unemployment
The effects listed above are often interrelated, with one effect leading to another and another, only to make the first effect worse. These negative psychosocial effects can have a crippling impact, discouraging patients from pursuing life's opportunities--socially, on the job, or at school.
Actual quotes from people with acne
The fact is, people with acne generally hate the way they look with acne. Let people with acne tell you-here are some testimonials about living with acne*:
Verbatim #1
"I don't look in mirrors.... I am like a vampire--I shy away from mirrors. I comb my hair using my silhouette on the wall to show the outline of my head. I have not looked myself in the eyes in years, and is painful not to be able to do that, and that is a direct result of acne, the acne scarring."
Like a vampire, hating mirrors! Unable to face himself, how can this person hope to face the world?
Verbatim #2
"I think that if I had more self-esteem about the way I looked, I think I would have been more outgoing. I would have gone to more parties. I probably would have been more outspoken in class and would not have felt so insecure about going up and speaking in front of a group of classmates."
Here is an extrovert, turned in on himself (or herself) because of acne. Who knows how different things would have been if he didn't have acne?
Verbatim #3
"It is really humiliating to feel like I have no control over my acne. I hold my head down and I am ashamed to look at: people, embarrassed. I am 25 years old and to be acting this way is very frustrating."
In just three sentences, this person revealed humiliation, lack of control, shame, embarrassment and frustration. With the treatments available today, there is no reason to suffer like this.
Verbatim #4
"It's associated with being dirty, and I hate that, because it's not at all like that. I inherited it from my mother, and she's always telling me that she had the exact same thing and that it will go away. I am mad that I inherited it from her. My dad makes me feel bad because he never had bad skin when he was younger, so he doesn't understand.... I hate that the first thing people see when they look at me is bad skin. I really. really hate that."
Myths about acne are a common source of family conflict. Teenagers tend to be rebellious anyway--do they need to have acne misinformation driving another wedge between them and their parents? One myth that makes this family situation worse: The notion that nothing can be done to clear serious acne sooner than if it were left alone.
Verbatim #5
"I feel like I don't look right no matter how hard I try to dress up and look nice--there is always that area of pimples there, and it is very unsettling. There really hasn't been a day gone by that I don't think about it, or look at my face.... Should I spend that much energy on it? I could be doing other things...instead of wasting 5 to 10 minutes every day looking at my face in the mirror, or playing with it, picking at my acne."
This person is so preoccupied with acne that he almost neurotically picks at it. He is also clearly frustrated, as acne thwarts all attempts at achieving a good appearance.
These testimonials show the extent of the psychological, emotional and social disturbances that acne can cause. Clearing up the acne would relieve the source of these disturbances, but many people don't realize that something can be done.
Many myths about acne, especially regarding diet and hygiene, are still considered to be true. And many parents and older siblings are stuck in the attitude of past generations that nothing can really be done but wait it out.
Making matters worse, there is confusion among people with acne and their families about what works and what doesn't. They are often frustrated by products that promise to clear skin but that don't work for them.
Some nonprescription products may be more effective than others, but dermatologists have treatments that work just about 100% of the time. Most cases of acne can be cleared up with the right treatment.
*Patient testimonials courtesy of John Koo, MD.
While known for quite some time, the psychosocial effects of acne have not been fully appreciated until recently. The reasons for this are many. After all, everyone gets acne to one degree or another. In most cases, it goes away on its own. While it's running its course, it is not a serious threat to anyone's overall physical health. In addition, until the last couple of decades, there was very little anyone could do to treat it.
Acne, nonetheless, has a significant impact on a person's outlook on life. Recent studies have detected the following as common among people with acne:
Social withdrawal
Decreased self-esteem
Reduced self-confidence
Poor body image
Embarrassment
Feelings of depression
Anger
Preoccupation
Frustration
Higher rate of unemployment
The effects listed above are often interrelated, with one effect leading to another and another, only to make the first effect worse. These negative psychosocial effects can have a crippling impact, discouraging patients from pursuing life's opportunities--socially, on the job, or at school.
Actual quotes from people with acne
The fact is, people with acne generally hate the way they look with acne. Let people with acne tell you-here are some testimonials about living with acne*:
Verbatim #1
"I don't look in mirrors.... I am like a vampire--I shy away from mirrors. I comb my hair using my silhouette on the wall to show the outline of my head. I have not looked myself in the eyes in years, and is painful not to be able to do that, and that is a direct result of acne, the acne scarring."
Like a vampire, hating mirrors! Unable to face himself, how can this person hope to face the world?
Verbatim #2
"I think that if I had more self-esteem about the way I looked, I think I would have been more outgoing. I would have gone to more parties. I probably would have been more outspoken in class and would not have felt so insecure about going up and speaking in front of a group of classmates."
Here is an extrovert, turned in on himself (or herself) because of acne. Who knows how different things would have been if he didn't have acne?
Verbatim #3
"It is really humiliating to feel like I have no control over my acne. I hold my head down and I am ashamed to look at: people, embarrassed. I am 25 years old and to be acting this way is very frustrating."
In just three sentences, this person revealed humiliation, lack of control, shame, embarrassment and frustration. With the treatments available today, there is no reason to suffer like this.
Verbatim #4
"It's associated with being dirty, and I hate that, because it's not at all like that. I inherited it from my mother, and she's always telling me that she had the exact same thing and that it will go away. I am mad that I inherited it from her. My dad makes me feel bad because he never had bad skin when he was younger, so he doesn't understand.... I hate that the first thing people see when they look at me is bad skin. I really. really hate that."
Myths about acne are a common source of family conflict. Teenagers tend to be rebellious anyway--do they need to have acne misinformation driving another wedge between them and their parents? One myth that makes this family situation worse: The notion that nothing can be done to clear serious acne sooner than if it were left alone.
Verbatim #5
"I feel like I don't look right no matter how hard I try to dress up and look nice--there is always that area of pimples there, and it is very unsettling. There really hasn't been a day gone by that I don't think about it, or look at my face.... Should I spend that much energy on it? I could be doing other things...instead of wasting 5 to 10 minutes every day looking at my face in the mirror, or playing with it, picking at my acne."
This person is so preoccupied with acne that he almost neurotically picks at it. He is also clearly frustrated, as acne thwarts all attempts at achieving a good appearance.
These testimonials show the extent of the psychological, emotional and social disturbances that acne can cause. Clearing up the acne would relieve the source of these disturbances, but many people don't realize that something can be done.
Many myths about acne, especially regarding diet and hygiene, are still considered to be true. And many parents and older siblings are stuck in the attitude of past generations that nothing can really be done but wait it out.
Making matters worse, there is confusion among people with acne and their families about what works and what doesn't. They are often frustrated by products that promise to clear skin but that don't work for them.
Some nonprescription products may be more effective than others, but dermatologists have treatments that work just about 100% of the time. Most cases of acne can be cleared up with the right treatment.
*Patient testimonials courtesy of John Koo, MD.
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