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Posts Tagged ‘adult acne’

Adult Acne - Even Grown Ups get the Acne Blues: Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Sunday, October 11th, 2009

If you have adult acne you are not alone!  Adults comprise 46% of dermatologist’s acne patients.  Angst over acne is also not confined to teens.  Roughly 3 in 10 adults with acne would rather change their skin than any other physical attribute, including body weight and wrinkles!  41% of adults state that acne negatively effects their self-confidence and 52% say it’s more stressful than having it as a teenager.

In my practice I have seen patients with even mild acne cancel social plans when they have a breakout and fall into depression over chronic acne.  Despite this, only about ½ of acne patients say they use their acne medications consistently and correctly.  Dermatologists estimate that it is really only 2%.  Acne medications must be used everyday, even when the skin is clear to be effective, but we all live in a state of hope (maybe it’s gone forever) and denial if our skin is clear then we stop our treatments.  As soon as we break out we restart.  Unfortunately, by that time it is too late.  Patients with acne need to  see their treatment as essential to their skin health as tooth brushing and flossing is to dental health.

 

You Don’t Grow Out of Acne

Monday, April 6th, 2009

Acne can fluctuate throughout a person’s lifetime.  The notion that only teenagers have acne and its something you’ll eventually “outgrow,” misrepresents this medical condition.  Recently, the Global Alliance to Improve Outcomes in Acne (a group of 20 recognized dermatologists, representing multiple countries) recommended that acne be defined as a “chronic disease.”  Thinnking of acne in these terms will help the medical community and patients shape better approaches toward treatment.  Both adults and teenagers with problem skin need a long term plan with proper care to keep it in check.  Adults should never feel embarassed or feel they are too old to get breakouts as they can be triggered by hormones, stress and a variety of other factors.  Acne left untreated can have a major impact on one’s physical appearance and emotional well being no matter what your age, so it is always important to seek medical advice.

 

Use of Prescription Topicals to Successfully Treat Moderate Acne

Friday, March 27th, 2009

Patients will often be prescribed a topical retinoid and/or benzoyl peroxide or topical antibiotic to treat their moderate comedonal and inflammatory acne.  In addition to their topical regimen, oral antibiotics such as Doxycycline or Minocycline may also be prescribed for a limited duration of time.  It is absolutely key for patients treating acne in this manner to continue their prescribed topical skin care products while taking the antibiotic and even after they have completed their course.  Continued use of topicals will help keep “plugs” from re-forming in the skin, which become the seeds for acne formation and breakouts.  Patients sometimes stop or become less consistent in the use of their topicals due to seeing a marked improvement in their skin from the antibiotic or due to undesirable side effects from the topicals.  This can lead to a setback in controlling the acne and be very disappointing for patients.  I always encourage patients to contact our office should they have difficulty using any of the products or any undesirable side effects occur.  There are many treatment options available and we can fine tune a program to fit your individual needs.

 

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