Treating Adult Acne
Acne is frequently considered a skin disorder of adolescents and teens. Unfortunately, acne can affect adults in their 20s, 30s and beyond. Many factors can contribute to the appearance of acne, including hormones, disorders of the hair follicles and infections. While there is no cure for acne, there are many effective ways to control and treat adult acne.
Adult acne can be divided in two groups of patients. The common acne in children can also occur in an adult, which is known as acne vulgaris. Another form of adult acne is known as acne rosacea. Acne rosacea is commonly recognized by the inflammation and redness of the face, but most often lacks the appearance of blackheads or open comedones.
Acne can be controlled with over-the-counter products as well as prescription medications. Establishing a skin care regimen with a dermatology provider can be very helpful in treating acne. Many treatments are available, including cleansers, topical treatment, oral antibiotic therapy, oral isotretinoin courses and even blue light therapy.
Starting with a mild antibacterial cleanser or benzoyl peroxide wash twice daily keeps the face and body clean and keeps oil to a minimum. Do not scrub the face and body clean as friction can increase the acne lesions.
Prescription treatments available for acne can be topical creams, gels or solutions. The topical medications can include one or more medications. Topical medications should be used consistently and as prescribed by your provider for best results. Topical treatments can be drying, so it is important to speak with your provider about adding a moisturizer or decreasing the frequency of use if this occurs.
Oral antibiotics can be used to treat acne and acne rosacea in adult patients. Oral antibiotic therapy can be given for short-term or long-term treatments, depending on the response to treatment and the medication prescribed by your provider. Low dose, long-term antibiotic therapy is available and effective for many patients.
Oral Isotretinoin is an option for severe acne. It was previously marketed under the name Accutane but is available now in generic forms. This particular medication is available if other oral medications have failed. Isotretinoin is closely monitored by a program called iPledge. Blood work is monitored each month by your provider. Two forms of birth control must be in place for female patients as this medication can cause birth defects if pregnancy occurs during the time period the medication is being administered. This medication is generally given for a course of four to six months.
The most important key to the management of acne is to be consistent with your use of medication. Consistency is important.
Finally, even acne prone skin needs sunscreen each day. Finding a sunscreen that is oil-free and non-comedogenic is important. Please visit a Water’s Edge office for Elta MD Shield, which is a zinc sunscreen that is lightweight, absorbs completely and is great for oily skin types.
References: Acne (n.d.) American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. Retrieved from www.aocd.org.
Top Reasons to See a Professional for Mole Removal
Moles are removed for several reasons, whether medical or cosmetic. If you find your skin mole unattractive, it causes irritation from rubbing against clothing or your dermatologist suspects cancer, removing your mole, or moles, is an option.
There are several at-home and “natural” treatment options available, but these can cause complications if not performed correctly. Let’s talk about the top five reasons to have your skin mole treatment performed by your dermatologist.
- If your mole might be cancerous, or pre-cancerous, your dermatologist can help you begin treatments to prevent the spread of skin cancer. A dermatologist can have a sample of your mole tested when removing it, which cannot be done with at-home treatments.
- Your mole could grow back. Shaving or treating your skin mole at home may not completely remove the mole. If your mole does grow back, that is a possible sign of melanoma, for which you should be treated by a dermatologist.
- You could disfigure your skin by leaving scars. Especially on the face, it is important to have moles treated properly to avoid unnecessary scarring.
- The treatment site could get infected. A dermatologist can prevent infection from occurring by correctly preparing your skin for the mole treatment and by properly treating and closing the wound.
- Mole removal creams can leave pits in your skin. Some skin mole removal creams are corrosive and can cause damage to healthy skin if used incorrectly. If you want to try this method, it is recommended you discuss it with your dermatologist to minimize potential side effects.
Your Water’s Edge dermatologist can effectively remove your skin moles with one of two skin mole treatments: surgical excision or surgical shaving, both of which can be performed in-office. Make an appointment to discuss your skin mole treatment with your Water’s Edge dermatologist.
Skin Cancer Screenings for Skin Cancer Month
According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer accounts for nearly half of all cancers in the United States, with one in five people having some form of skin cancer. Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, will account for more than 76,600 cases of skin cancer in 2013, resulting in roughly 9,000 deaths annually.
“It’s so unfortunate when a patient waits too long to be screened and melanoma is found way too late, as it’s very treatable if found early,” says Justin Platzer, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs skin cancer surgeon at Water’s Edge Dermatology.
Darlene Moore of West Palm Beach, Fla., echoes Dr. Platzer’s sentiment of the importance of diagnosing melanoma early. During a regular skin cancer screening at Water’s Edge Dermatology, Shanna Stone, ARNP, saw a few areas of concern on Ms. Moore’s ear and arm and took biopsies. Ms. Moore was diagnosed with Stage 1 melanoma on her arm and basal cell carcinoma on her ear.
“The basal cell, frankly, I wasn’t as concerned about,” says Ms. Moore. “Dr. Platzer reassured me that Mohs surgery was very effective for basal cell carcinoma and he was able to get it all. But I was really concerned about melanoma, because my brother-in-law died of melanoma.”
Surgery is the best way to remove early melanomas, with later stages usually requiring more extensive treatment, such as radiation and chemotherapy. Mohs surgery saves the greatest amount of healthy tissue, appears to reduce the rate of local recurrence and has the highest overall cure rate — about 94 percent to 99 percent — of any treatment for squamous cell carcinoma. And generally, Mohs surgery is 98 percent or better for basal cell carcinoma, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
“As the old saying goes, ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,’” says Dr. Platzer. “Say no to tanning beds and always wear sunscreen. And, if you live in sunny Florida, it is critical to have regular skin cancer screenings — and there’s no better time than this month, Skin Cancer Month.”
Many of Water’s Edge Dermatology clinics are open Saturdays and late during the workweek. To make an appointment, visit www.WeDerm.com and fill out the online appointment form, email info@WeDerm.com or call (561) 694-9493 for more information.