Wednesday 5 November 2008

Acne Expert points: Top three questions you should know the answers about acne

There are always a lot of unclear things about acne treatment, the following article are written referring to the most authoritative papers. I just want people to know the truth, and at the same time, to alert some of those writers who made very solid conclusion to think twice.
What is acne?
Acne occurs when skin pores get pluggedup and swell. These are called pimples orzits. You can have acne on the face, neck,chest, back, and shoulders. Acne usually occurs in teenagers andclears up at around age 20 years, butadults can also have acne. The exact cause of acne is not known,but you are more likely to have acne ifit runs in your family. Teenage hormones, oily skin, andcertain bacteria on the skin can makeacne worse. Acne is not caused by foods. But if youthink that some foods make you breakout, then do not eat them.
What can I do on my own to keep from getting acne or to make it better?Wash your face with a gentle soap 2times per day. Check the label on skin-care productsfor the words “noncomedogenic,”“non–pore-clogging,” or “oil-free.” You can get many acne medicines atthe drugstore. If your acne is mild, trya product that contains benzoylperoxide or salicylic acid. If you have acne that is very bad, leavesscars, or does not get better with nonprescriptionmedicine, see your doctor.
What will my doctor do for acne?Your doctor may give you lotions, gels,creams, or pills. Often, these pills areantibiotics or birth-control pills. A very strong acne medicine is calledisotretinoin (trade names: Accutane,Amnesteem, Claravis, Sotret). It is forvery bad acne that does not get betterwith other medicines.

Acne Expert points: Top three questions you should know the answers about acne

Pros and cons Of Hormone Therapy: 12 kinds of people who should not take hormone treatment

Evenwithout laboratory abnormalities, many women will respond to hormonal therapy.Hormone therapies are always being developed to minimize side effects, however, there are some that you should be aware of if using for acne treatment.Common side effects of therapy include nausea, vomiting, breakthrough bleeding, weight gain, and breast tenderness. These minor side effects tend to resolve after the first 2-3cycles as the body adjusts to the medicine. Other side effects can include mood changes, melasma, and decreased sexual desire. As newer formulations of the drugs are developed theside effect profiles have become more favorable. As a class oral contraceptive pills have some potentially serious complications and are generally accepted to be contraindicated inthe following patients:1 known or suspected breast cancer, endometrial cancer,hepatic adenomas or carcinomas, or other estrogen dependentneoplasm;2 a history of thromboembolic disorders or a familial tendencyto form blood clots, or major surgery with prolongedimmobilization;3 Preexisting cardiovascular disease, elevated blood pressure(160/100 mm Hg), angina pectoris, complicatedvalvular heart disease;4 severe obesity and/or hypercholesterolemia;5 smokers older than the age of 35;6 undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding;7 a history of cholestatic jaundice of pregnancy or jaundicewith prior pill use;8 pregnancy or lactation;9 hypersensitivity to any component;10 migraines without focal neurologic symptoms at age 35years or migraines with focal neurologic symptoms atany age;11 diabetes with evidence of nephropathy, retinopathy,neuropathy, vascular disease, or 20 years’ duration;and12 severe (decompensated) cirrhosis.

Pros and cons Of Hormone Therapy: 12 kinds of people who should not take hormone treatment

Acne expert opinion: pathogenesis of acne: 4 key elements acne factors linked to treatment options

Now you have known the basics about acne, what is acne? What cause acne hereAcne Expert points: Top three questions you should know the answers about acneI want to go little deep of what are the 4 key elements that caused acne?
Acne is a common condition affecting millionsof adolescents and adults. Up to 80% of teenage girls and 90% of teenage boys are afflicted with acne. Adult acne, although less common than adolescent acne, is a bigproblem for 3% to 6% of adult men as well as 5% to 12% of adult women.Although the occurance of acne does not impair patients themselves, it can have a huge effect on people’s mindset.Thirty to fifty percent of adolescents experience psychiatric disorders as the result of acne. It has been reported that acne causes similar levels of social, psychological, and emotionalimpairment as asthma and epilepsy. Studies have also shownthat unemployment is greater among adults with acne thanamong adults without acne.We as physicians must recognize the significant impairmentthat acne can have on a patient’s psyche and treat itseriously.To implement effective treatment strategies for patientswith acne, a solid understanding of the physiology ofthe pilosebaceous unit and the pathological events that leadThe pathogenesis of acne is very complexbut consists of 4 main factors.
These key elements are:(1)follicular epidermal hyperplasia,(2) excess sebum production,(3) inflammation,(4) and the activity of Propionibacterium acnes. Some acne treatments address 1 of the 4 factors ofacne formation whereas other treatments address multiplecomponents.
A myriad of treatment options ranging from washes, toleave of products, to oral agents, to lasers and light sourcesexist. It is important that the physician understands thegamut of treatment options so that they can be successfullyused. A thorough knowledge of potential side effects andefficacy of each treatment is necessary so that physicians canappropriately educate their patients. This issue will aid thephysicians by presenting an up-to-date compendium of therapeuticapproaches to treating acne vulgaris.

Acne expert opinion: pathogenesis of acne: 4 key elements acne factors linked to treatment options