ACNE & ROSACEA

What Is acne?
Acne refers to the pimples and complexion problems that occur in many young people and some adults. Approximately 90% of all people will have acne at some point in their lives. Acne usually occurs on the face, but may extend to the neck, chest, and back.

What causes acne?
The cause of acne vulgaris is multifactorial. Excess sebum secretion is induced by the androgen hormones, there is hyperproliferation and hyperkeratinization of the follicular epithelium and the bacterium, Propionibacterium acnes, proliferates. All of this leads to inflammation and an immune response.

Is acne hereditary?
Yes, acne tends to run in families.

Is acne worse in women?
It is not necessarily worse in women, it is different. In women, acne is more common on the face. However, men are more likely to experience acne on the chest and back. Additionally, in women, acne frequently worsens at the time of menstruation. Whereas acne usually subsides in men, adult women often have trouble with acne through their thirties and forties. The reason is unknown although it is thought that hormones play some role.

Is acne related to food?
No. There is no evidence supporting a link between different foods and acne.

Can my cosmetics be worsening my acne?
Your cosmetics should be labeled "oil-free," or "noncomedogenic." Powder based cosmetics tend to be the least problematic for acne sufferers.

Can it be cured?
Acne cannot be completely cured. However, a careful skin care regimen including both over-the-counter topicals, prescription and light based therapies, including photodynamic therapy, can help to lessen the severity and the formation of new pimples.

What is an effective regimen at home?
You should wash your face twice daily with a gentle skin cleanser called a syndet (synthetic detergent), rather than a traditional soap, to prevent oil build-up. Use only your hands and do not scrub your face with a harsh cloth as scrubbing may actually make the acne worse by irritating the skin.

Should I try to manually extract the lesions at home?
You do not want to squeeze, scratch, or pick the lesions. This can leave tiny, permanent scars on your face.

Do you recommend any specific therapy?
There are several over-the-counter treatments that can help improve acne, such as salicylic acid, sulfur washes, and benzoyl peroxide. These should be used in combination with prescription treatments including both topical and oral antibiotics and vitamin A derivatives. The combination or topical and oral medications is often used for optimal results.

Are there procedures to treat my acne?
Multiple procedures exist to improve acne. Minor acne surgery and cryotherapy can be performed during office consultations. For larger, painful cysts, a medium potency steroid can be injected to reduce inflammation. More severe acne can be treated with chemical peels, photodynamic therapy, and intense pulsed light (IPL). These can be used in conjunction with topical and oral medicines.

What is Accutane?
Accutane is the brand name for an oral vitamin A derivative called isotretinoin. It is a strong, effective acne treatment which clears signs of acne in many people. There are numerous side effects to isotretinoin therapy and proper counseling and monitoring is required by the government. For additional information go to www.ipledgeprogram.com.

What is rosacea?
Rosacea, often termed "middle-age acne,” is very common. It presents as redness and swelling on the face. Rosacea may begin as a tendency to blush easily. But, it will gradually progress to persistent redness and acne-like bumps involving the cheeks, forehead, chin, and nose. In more severe cases other symptoms, including broken capillaries, can develop, as well as an enlarged red nose and puffy cheeks.

What causes rosacea?
No one really knows what causes rosacea. There are aggravating circumstances that can worsen the condition, such as psychological stress, sunlight exposure and certain foods including spicy foods, alcohol, coffee and caffeinated beverages. Women develop rosacea more often than men, and it has been associated with menopause.

Are there any treatments?
A combination of treatments may be recommended depending on the severity of the skin condition. For prevention, it is important to limit exposure to sunlight and always use sunscreens. Commonly, rosacea is treated with topical antibiotic creams or oral antibiotics. These therapies tend to be very effective for the bumps often referred to as papular rosacea. The redness component, referred to as erythrotelangiectatic rosacea is best treated with light based therapies including Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and the pulsed-dye laser.

The Weiss Skin Institute is actively involved with clinical research studies to evaluate novel treatments for acne and rosacea. For more information please contact our offices at 561-372-SKIN or visit the current study list on our website.