Acne (Pimples)
Acne affects nearly
100% of the population at some point. For some, acne
is mild and transient; for others, it can be severe
and long lasting. Scarring from severe acne can be permanent
and disfiguring (see section on Acne
Scars). Acne usually begins around the time of puberty.
Acne may improve after puberty, but for many, acne persists
into and during middle age. Acne lesions form when the
opening of oil glands (called sebaceous glands) in the
skin become blocked. Trapped oil builds up within the
gland, causing inflammation. The swelling within the
oil gland can become so intense that the oil gland (and
associated hair follicle) can rupture, leading to further
inflammation. While the surge of hormones during puberty
likely triggers this process, other factors such as
stress, diet, and the influence of other hormones may
also play a role. A bacterium called Propionibacterium
acnes that is normally present on the skin likely plays
a role in acne, but the precise link is still unclear.
Any person with moderate or worse acne should be seen
by a physician to discuss treatment options, because
of the risk of permanent scarring.
Acne Treatment
Treatment for acne
has improved dramatically in the last 2 decades. Effective
over-the-counter medications include salicylic acid
and benzoyl peroxide preparations. First line prescription
acne treatment usually involves a combination of topical
treatments, such as one of the retinoids (such as Retin
A) and a topical antibiotic (such as benzoyl peroxide
mixed with clindamycin). Common side effects are irritation
and redness and you and your doctor will decide what
is best for your individual needs. For acne that resists
topical treatment, or for more severe acne, systemic
treatments may be necessary. The tetracycline antibiotics
are effective in many people. Erythromycin, Bactrim,
and other antibiotics are second-line antibiotic therapies.
However, long term antibiotic use can cause bacterial
resistance in those who use them and should be used
with caution. There are other side effects that must
be discussed with your doctor. For women, oral contraceptives
(“the pill”) may also improve acne. For
adult woman with acne, other hormonal therapies may
be considered. For severe acne that is associated with
scarring, isotretinoin (Accutane) is prescribed. This
drug is very effective and can cure acne but must be
used very cautiously because of the risk of severe birth
defects when taken during pregnancy. There are other
common side effects (dry lips, peeling skin, etc) of
isotretinoin that may limit its use as well. Some people
believe that isotretinoin can lead to suicidal symptoms.
This is controversial and should be discussed with your
doctor.
Because of the risks of systemic
medications, newer, less invasive treatments have been
sought. With the development of new cosmetic treatment
modalities such as lasers and light therapy, new acne
treatments have also been developed. In general, because
these methods are new, they are not as well tested.
In the early studies, most of the new treatments have
proven to be mildly to moderately effective. The side
effect profiles are usually minimal. The specific treatment
modalities are discussed below. You and your doctor
can discuss the best treatment to suit your individual
needs.
Other Acne Treatment Options:
• Light therapy
Blue light therapy takes advantage of the fact
that bacteria in the skin produce a product called porphyrin.
Porphyrin can absorb blue light, leading to a chemical
reaction in the skin that destroys the bacteria. Red
light therapy can reduce inflammation in the skin which
in turn improves acne. Acne lesions treated with light
therapy tend to reoccur over 3-12 months. In one study,
patients who had severe acne had no improvement compared
to patients who had moderate acne who did improve. There
have been no reported side effects.
• Laser therapy
Although there are many different lasers available, only a few of them have successfully been used in the treatment of acne. For example, the pulsed-dye laser was tested in a randomized, double blinded controlled trial (the best kind of trial available) and was shown to significantly reduce acne after a single treatment with no serious side effects. The 1450 nm infrared laser has been used in one uncontrolled study and decreased lesion counts by 83% after three treatments. Temporary pain, redness, and swelling was reported in most patients. In patients with darker skin tones, hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) was reported.
• Photodynamic therapy (PDT)
This therapy combines a drug (called a photosensitizer) that is preferentially absorbed by certain kinds of cells and a special light source. When used together, the photosensitizer and the light destroy the targeted cells. For acne, the hyperactive sebaceous glands are targeted. The photosensitizer, called amino-levulinic acid, is applied to the skin and is left on for a variable period of time. The skin is exposed to the light source (blue, red, or laser light) and the photosensitizer is then removed. Side effects include pain during the procedure and discoloration afterwards.
• Radiofrequency therapy
A few studies have evaluated the effect of radiofrequency energy in the treatment of acne. One uncontrolled study reported a 75% improvement in 81% of the patients. Elamax, a topical anesthetic was used during the procedure for pain control.
• Chemical peels
Chemical peels have long been used for facial rejuvenation and to reverse the signs of aging. More recently, they have been used for the treatment of acne. In one study of Asian patients, salicylic acid peels performed twice a week for 12 weeks significantly improved acne.
• Microdermabrasion
In a few preliminary studies, microdermabrasion treatments have reduced acne lesions and improved the texture of the skin in the majority of patients.
» Find an Acne Treatment Specialist
All photos courtesy of S. Zimmet, MD and P. Bitter Jr., MD
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