StemCell Therapy

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne affects up to a staggering 50 million Americans annually.

To make matters worse, blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, cysts and other acne-related blemishes seem to occur at the most inconvenient times: before a date, a meeting, class photos, you name it. Although acne is not a serious health threat, severe acne can lead to disfiguring and permanent scarring.

Why do I have acne? Acne is most commonly linked to the changes in hormone levels during puberty, but can start at any age. Certain hormones cause the grease-producing glands next to hair follicles in the skin to produce larger amounts of oil, or abnormal sebum. This abnormal oil changes the activity of harmless skin bacterium called P. acnes, or propionibacterium acnes, which becomes more aggressive and causes inflammation and pus. Certain medications, stress and a poor diet can also contribute to acne. There is also evidence of a genetic component to acne as well.

Types of treatments: Because acne is caused by a myriad of factors, treating it with one product or medicine usually is not enough. You may need to attack it from many angles with different types of treatments that all work differently.

While a pimple will eventually go away, if you have numerous outbreaks, you could end up with scars. This is when it is time to visit a dermatologist, who may suggest a cream, lotion, gel or some that contains ingredients that can help. Many can be bought without a prescription:

Benzoyl peroxide kills bacteria and removes extra oil.

Salicylic acid keeps pores from getting clogged.

Sulfur removes dead skin cells.

Stronger treatments: If some of these over-the-counter remedies do not get your acne under control, your doctor may prescribe a retinoid to be used on the skin. This comes in a cream or gel and helps unplug oil ducts. Antibiotics in cream, lotion, solution or gel form may be used for inflammatory acne.

Isotretinoin is a medicine used to treat severe acne. It is usually used for cystic acne that does not improve after treatment with other medicines. Brand names include Accutane, Amnesteem, Sotret and Claravis. Isotretinoin is the most effective long-term medication for acne but is associated with some risks that dermatologists are familiar with. Spironolactone blocks excess hormones.

When to seek medical help: Even mild cases of acne can cause distress and, in some cases, depression. If your acne is making you feel unhappy or you are having a hard time controlling your blemishes with over-the-counter medication, see your doctor. Try to resist the temptation to pick or squeeze the spots, because this can lead to scarring.

Treatments can take a few months to work, so do not expect immediate results. Once they do start to work, the results are usually good.

Dr. Daniel Shurman of Pennsylvania Dermatology Partners in Amity Township completed his dermatology training at Thomas Jefferson University. He is fellowship-trained in both Mohs micrographic surgery and procedural dermatology, and his research interests include medical genetics, antibiotics in dermatologic surgery and wound healing.

The rest is here:
Here are some tips, treatment options for acne - The Reporter

This entry was posted on February 2, 2020 at 2:46 pm and is filed under Genetic medicine. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |