Teens: Acne Agony : Part 2

by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

(Page 2 of 2)

Does Anything Help?

In one Swedish study, most people's acne improved after exposure to the sun. But not all doctors agree that sunlight is helpful. Some say it may just be relaxing in the sun that makes the pimples vanish. At any rate, the idea that the sun improves acne by drying out greasy skin doesn't hold water; sun and heat increase oil production.

Mild acne can often be cleared up simply by washing your face once or twice daily and avoiding any food or drink you think triggers an outbreak. If these measures alone don't work, you may want to try one of the acne medicines that you apply directly to the skin and that are sold without a prescription. They may contain benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, resorcinol, or salicylic acid, all of which the Food and Drug Administration has found effective for treating mild acne. (The agency is reviewing some safety questions that have been raised about benzoyl peroxide.)

What won't work is picking at pimples. This can injure skin and underlying tissues. If you have acne that won't clear up with home treatment, see a dermatologist, a doctor who specializes in treating skin problems.

Sometimes dermatologists use instruments called comedo extractors to remove blackheads. They may also surgically drain large pustules or abscesses.

There are also drugs that can be prescribed for more severe cases. These include both topical and oral antibiotics such as tetracycline and erythromycin, and Retin-A (tretinoin), a derivative of vitamin A that comes in cream, gel or liquid. Another acne drug, Accutane (isotretinoin), is also derived from vitamin A. But this medication, taken by mouth, has serious side effects and isn't for everybody. (See accompanying article.)

In very rare instances, where these measures don't work or haven't been used before the acne causes permanent skin damage, plastic surgery can be used to smoothe over deeply pitted and scarred skin.

Acne may be an inevitable companion of the teen years. But today, with proper measures, it can usually be controlled before it becomes totally unsightly. And if pimples pop up for that big evening, don't let it get you down — your date will probably have a few, too.

One Acne Drug Causes Birth Defects

There is one medication for acne that teenage girls should be particularly cautious of. The name of the drug is Accutane (isotretinoin). It's a capsule taken by mouth and it's derived from vitamin A, which has for some time been known to cause birth defects.

Accutane is approved by FDA for treating severe cystic acne for people whose skin condition does not sufficiently improve with other treatments, including antibiotics taken by mouth. Accutane completely clears acne in many people, but there continues to be concern about its use in young women who may become pregnant.

The instructions that doctors receive for prescribing the drug warn: -There is an extremely high risk that a deformed infant will result if pregnancy occurs while taking Accutane, even for short periods. -Accutane is not to be given to a woman of childbearing age (any menstruating female) unless she has "severe disfiguring cystic acne" that does not improve with standard therapies and unless certain precautions are taken. -Before prescribing Accutane to women of childbearing age, the doctor should give the patient an information sheet that includes statements about the drug's ability to cause birth defects. The patient is asked to initial these statements and to sign an authorization for treatment. If the patient is a minor, a parent or guardian's initials and signature are required.

Another acne medication, Retin-A (tretinoin), is also derived from vitamin A, but it is applied to the skin, not taken by mouth, and there have been no reports of birth defects related to its use.

About the Author

www.fda.gov
FDA is A United States government body that oversees medical devices, including contact lenses, intraocular lenses, excimer lasers and eyedrops. In the US, these products must be approved by the FDA before they can be marketed.