Acne

Acne

What Is It?
Acne is the term for 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. Pimples usually occur on the face, but may extend to the neck, chest, upper arms, back and legs. Acne is only a skin problem and does not affect your general health.

What Causes It?
Acne usually begins at puberty and may continue for many years. Teenagers get acne as the body matures and produces hormones that stimulate the sebaceous (oil producing) skin glands to make more sebum or oil. Sebum lubricates the skin. Sebaceous glands within the hair follicles or pores become plugged when oil secretion occurs faster than the oil and skin cells can exit the pores. Sometimes the plug causes the wall of the pore to rupture causing redness, swelling, and pus. Plugged oil glands may form blackheads and whiteheads. Blackheads are not caused by dirt; rather there is a bacteria that normally lives on the skin and thrives on the sebum produced by oil glands. Sometimes the bacteria multiply and cause inflammation and acne.

Some facts about acne:

• Acne is built into your genes
• In women, acne frequently worsens at the time of menstruation.
• Cosmetics worn should be labeled "oil-free" or "non-cosmogenic"
• Adult women often have trouble with acne through middle age. The reason is unknown although hormones may play a role.

What Can Be Done?
Acne cannot be completely prevented, although a careful skin care regimen can help to lessen its severity and the formation of new pimples.

Helpful tips:

• Wash your face twice daily with a gentle skin cleanser to prevent oil build-up.
• Do not scrub your face with a harsh washcloth or sponge. Scrubbing may actually make it worse by irritating the skin. Try gentle cleansing with your hands.
• Topical astringents can be used to remove excess oil after cleansing.
• Don't squeeze, scratch, or pick the lesions. This can leave tiny, permanent scars on your face.

There are several over-the-counter treatments that can help improve acne such as salicylic acid, sulfur and benzoyl peroxide. They are available in washes, creams and gels. Prescription treatment is recommended if you do not see improvement after one to two months. Topical treatments include antibiotics, benzoyl peroxides, and vitamin A derivatives. Topical medications are sometimes used in combination with antibiotics for optimal results. A variety of lasers and light sources are available to be used in conjunction with our medicines. Gold Skin Care Center and Tennessee Clinical Research Center have helped pioneer many of these including the Clearlight Photoclearing System and Photodynamic Therapy utilizing Levulan and various light sources.

Accutane, an oral vitamin A derivative, is a strong, effective acne treatment which effectively clears signs of acne in many people. There are numerous side effects to Accutane therapy though, and proper counseling and monitoring is essential. Newer therapies include the ClearLight Photoclearing SystemT.

Tennessee Clinical Research Center routinely conducts clinical research studies for acne with some of the newest medicines in the industry. For more information call the Center at 615-383-9660 or 1-866-844-8272 (TCRC) or view the Current Research Study List.