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ACNE
Questions and Answers About ACNE
1. Why am I getting acne now
(at almost 30) when I have had good skin all my life?
2. Will certain foods make me
worse? Does pizza cause acne?
3. Why do I look worse when I
have been paying more attention to my skin?
4. Will tanning make my face
look better?
5. Why is my face always red?
6. Why am I getting
wrinkles and acne at the same time?
7. Will my child get acne if I
had acne?
8. Are there any new
treatments for acne?
9. Will I outgrow acne?
10. Why is my face worse
after sports?
11. Are there any treatments
for people with sensitive skin and acne?
12. My acne is bothering me,
but others say it is just a cosmetic disease. Is this true?
13. Will I catch acne from my
friends?
14. Why am I "breaking
out" only around my mouth?
15. I think I have acne but
the doctor said it is warts. Can this be true?
16. My friend says that
picking her pimples is bad. Why is this?
17. What doctors treat
acne at UAMS Medical Center?
Making an Appointment at UAMS Medical
Center
To make an appointment, call 1-501-686-8000.
1. Why am I getting acne
now (at almost 30) when I have had good skin all of my life?
Genetics, hormones, and environment all influence acne. For many people, acne
begins at puberty and is gone by the early 20s. In some cases, acne may persist well into
adulthood. Such types of acne include severe forms that affect the body as well as the
face (which afflict males more than females) and acne associated with the menstrual cycle
in women. Also, there are other cases in which acne may not present itself until
adulthood. Such acne is more likely to affect females than males. There is a very common
type of acne that primarily affects women between the ages of 20-40 that is treatable.
There are several reasons for this. As females get older, the pattern of changes in
hormones may itself change, disposing sebaceous glands to develop acne. In addition,
ovarian cysts and pregnancy may also cause hormonal changes that lead to acne. Some women
get acne when they discontinue birth control pills that have been keeping acne at bay.
2. Will certain foods
make me worse? Does pizza cause acne?
Pizza, chocolate, and soda do not cause acne per se. Certain foods will make
the acne of certain people worse. However, eating pizza will not give you a pizza face,
and following a strict diet will not, clear your skin. Typically, it is best to avoid any
foods which seem to worsen your acne and, for your overall health, eat a balanced
diet--but diet shouldn't really matter if the acne is being appropriately treated by a
trained dermatologist.
3. Why do I look
worse when I have been paying more attention to my skin?
Actually, aggressive scrubbing or attention to your skin will irritate your
skin and make your acne worse.
4. Will tanning make
my face look better?
Tanning will not help your acne. Tanning will give you wrinkles and cause skin cancer.
5. Why is my face
always red?
Rosacea is similar to acne and causes flushing, blushing, a red face, or pimples.
6. Why am I getting
wrinkles and acne at the same time?
See question 1 above.
7. Will my child get
acne if I had acne?
Maybe, it is true that genetics influences acne. However, there are many new
treatments for acne.
8. Are there any new treatments for acne?
Yes, acne is treatable. Your dermatologist can tailor your acne treatment to meet your
needs and skin type. Not all acne treatments need to be used every day, either.
Because prescription drugs must be ordered by
a dermatologist, your own dermatologist is the best source of information about specific
products and the treatment of your acne.
Antibiotics
Topical antibiotics may be used on top of the skin, and systemic antibiotics are taken
orally. Antibiotics work by clearing the skin of P. acnes. Generally, topical
antibiotics are limited in their ability to penetrate the skin and clear more deep-seated
P. acnes. Systemic antibiotics circulate throughout the body and into sebaceous
glands and can be used for more severe kinds of acne, but often cause more side effects
than topical antibiotics. Antibiotics do not address the other causative factors in acne
and may take several weeks or months to clear up acne. Orally taken (systemic) antibiotics
for acne should not be used during pregnancy, and some may reduce the effectiveness of
oral contraception pills, risking a pregnancy during treatment. Be sure and get all the
facts about any antibiotic your dermatologist prescribes.
Vitamin A Derivatives or "Retinoids"
Vitamin A derivatives, called "retinoids," are another type of prescribed
medication. They have numerous effects on the skin. Also, other drugs that work like
vitamin A have similar effects. Topical retinoid preparations help unclog pores to clear
up moderate-to-severe acne by normalizing the way the skin grows and sheds. These
treatments can be used in combination with other acne products, such as benzoyl peroxide,
and oral antibiotics. However, the dermatologist's instructions should be carefully
followed.
A retinoid that may be taken orally is
available that reduces sebum output, improves the shedding of skin and reduces the P.
acnes population of the skin. This is the only medication that intervenes in all the
causes of acne. Often, it will clear severe nodular acne, even if the acne has not
responded to other treatments. Where this product can have positive long lasting results,
it can also cause significant side effects in some people. In addition, it has been shown
to cause birth defects if taken during pregnancy. A course of treatment completed in the
past has no effect on future pregnancies. A person taking this drug should carefully
follow the dermatologist's direction, and this drug should not be used by women who
believe they may become pregnant during treatment.
Oral Contraceptives
Oral contraceptives, being female hormones, help to counteract the effect of male hormones
(androgens) on acne. Because they are female hormones, however, their use is limited to
female patients. Also, it should be pointed out that the use of some systemic antibiotics,
which should not be used during pregnancy, may reduce the effectiveness of oral
contraceptives as birth control. Typically, the maximum benefit of oral contraceptives on
acne occurs in 3 to 4 months.
Other Medications
Other treatments include anti-inflammatory medications called corticosteroids. These may
be injected by a dermatologist directly into severe inflamed acne lesions to help heal the
lesions.
All cases are different, and a dermatologist is the best source of information as to which
one is right for an individual case of acne.
9. Will I outgrow acne?
Possibly. However, this does not mean that you should take a "wait and see"
approach. Acne deserves to be treated. Left untreated, acne will cause permanent scarring.
10.
Why is my face worse after sports?
Environment, including sweat and sporting equipment can irritate the skin and make acne
worse.
11.
Are there any treatments for people with sensitive skin and acne?
Yes, your dermatologist can tailor your treatment. See question 8 above.
12.
My acne is bothering me, but others say it is just a cosmetic disease. Is this true?
Acne is a medical condition that deserves treatment.
13.
Will I catch acne from my friends?
Probably not. Acne is not contagious. See question 1 above.
14.
Why am I "breaking out" only around my mouth?
There is a type of acne called perioral dermatitis that commonly affects adult women.
15.
I think I have acne but the doctor said it is warts. Can this be true?
There are some conditions that look like acne and really are not. Flat warts may mimic
acne but are different and need to be treated to avoid spread.?font>
16. My friend says that picking her pimples is bad. Why is this?
Picking your pimples will cause bacteria and debris to go deeper into your skin. This will
cause more inflammation and will make your face worse. I recommend no picking, digging or
scrubbing. Your dermatologist can help you with those difficult pimples.
17.
What doctors treat acne at UAMS Medical Center?
The following doctors are board certified dermatologists who have additional
training in acne. To find a complete bio, click on their name below or the "Find a Doctor" link and
type in their last name.
Dermatologists
Scott
M. Dinehart, M.D.
Associate Professor of Dermatology
Genevieve
Fortier-Riberdy, M.D.
Associate Professor
Thomas
D. Horn, M.D.
Chairman, Professor of Dermatology
Sandra
Marchese Johnson, M.D.
Associate Professor
Manish
Khanna, M.D.
Associate Professor
Jay
Kincannon, M.D.
Associate Professor of Dermatology
Making an Appointment at
UAMS Medical Center
To make an appointment, call 1-501-686-8000.
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