Acne

Acne treatment success involves a comprehensive approach that addresses diagnostic confounders, appropriate therapeutic options and patient adherence. Ongoing education and counselling will assist in meeting patient expectations and establishing a favourable rapport that promotes adherence.

Acne scars are a frequent complication that results from damage to the skin during the healing process of lesions, with studies indicating that 50% of those suffering from acne may develop scars.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in reproductive aged women. This article will review the treatments for acne due to androgen excess in PCOS women.

Adapalene is a designer retinoid, with a similar molecular make-up with vitamin A. A guide to patient use, at what point in time should patients expect improvement, mechanism of action, side-effects, and other drug interactions are discussed in this article.

A triad approach to the treatment of acne and rosacea has been recommended. This integrated management approach includes patient education, selection of therapeutic agents, and initiation of an appropriate skin care regime. Appropriate skin care recommendations for patients with acne and rosacea will be discussed.

Acne scarring is common but surprisingly difficult to treat. Scars can involve textural change in the superficial and deep dermis, and can also be associated with erythema, and less often, pigmentary change. In general, treatment of acne scarring is a multistep procedure.

Cystic acne is characterized by the formation of cysts enclosing a mixture of keratin and sebum in varying proportions. It is the most severe of the four main types of acne, which are comedonal, papular, pustular, and cystic. Identification and treatment options are discussed.

Current practice guidelines recommend administration of oral isotretinoin with high-fat meals, which may pose issues with patient compliance. This article discusses Isotretinoin-Lidose (Epuris™), pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, and increased drug absorption rate, and how it may improve patient compliance.

Hormonal agents are important, effective therapeutic options for women across the spectrum of acne severity. The three preparations approved in Canada for this indication have safety profiles similar to conventional oral contraceptives.

Evolving understanding of the role of hormones in acne, along with a growing body of data from clinical trials, calls for a reappraisal of the role of hormonal therapy for acne.

For the purposes of this article, the focus will be on the topical treatment of post-adolescent mild to moderate acne. A selection of over-the-counter and prescription based topical treatments are discussed below.

Tazarotene 0.045% lotion is a novel formulation which utilizes polymeric emulsion technology to improve tolerability and epidermal penetration. Despite the lower concentration of tazarotene in the lotion formulation, which likely also contributes to improved tolerability, tazarotene 0.045% lotion is at least as effective as tazarotene 0.1% cream.

Acne is among the most common dermatological conditions seen in primary care. In this article, we provide a guide to address a growing need by primary care physicians to have a logical and practical approach to treating various forms of acne.

Optimal acne therapy must take into account not only acne type and severity, but also the impact of this skin disorder on the patient’s quality of life.

This article discusses the rationale behind various topical treatments for acne to increase adherence and optimize outcomes. Efficacy, safety, antibiotic resistance, onset of action, and combination therapies are covered.

Routine moisturization with non-irritating, pH-adjusted, ceramide-based products and gentle cleansing with a pH-adjusted cleanser can treat the unique dermatological challenges posed by COVID-19.

Learn about who would be a suitable candidate for Accutane® (Isotretinoin) treatment and who should avoid it.

Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is an anaerobic bacteria implicated in the pathogenesis of acne. Current treatment guidelines offer strategies to limit the potential for resistance while achieving optimal outcome in the management of inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne.

Oral isotretinoin, since its introduction more than 20 years ago, has been and still is the 'gold standard' in the treatment of acne and its variants. This is the only approach to acne with the possibility of a permanent “cure” or long term remission.

Spironolactone is a diuretic and has anti-androgen effects, and can play a role in acne treatment. Its indications, potential side-effects, and contraindications are discussed.

Tetracycline was developed in 1953 and is a broad spectrum antibiotic. This article discusses the various indications of tetracycline, side-effects, and drug interactions.

Oral contraceptives (OCs) can reduce acne by lowering the production of adrenal and ovarian androgens, by inhibiting 5- alpha-reductase, which in turn, reduces the levels of dihydrotestosterone, and by stimulating sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), thus reducing the levels of free testosterone.

Acne vulgaris is a disease of the pilosebaceous follicle characterized by non-inflammatory (open and closed comedones) and inflammatory lesions. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial - the interplay of hormonal, bacterial, and immunological (inflammatory) factors results in the formation of acne lesions.

Isotretinoin (Accutane®) is a retinoid or vitamin A analog, which means that its molecular structure is similar to Vitamin A. Mechanism of action, efficacy, side-effects, and contraindications are discussed as well as an FAQ section for this drug.

Acne vulgaris can represent a therapeutic challenge in terms of managing ongoing symptoms and preventing scar formation. Dermatologists may now have viable new alternatives for treating all grades of acne severity that circumvent the negative side-effects associated with many conventional options.

Topical acne treatment can positively benefit patients with acne. This review summarizes clinical and prescribing information on currently available topical agents. The efficacy of the medications included in this report is supported by properly designed randomized clinical trials.

Acne is among the most common dermatological disorders seen by dermatologists, affecting approximately 85% of people between the ages of 12 and 24 years. The use of adjunctive cleansers and moisturizers can help mitigate treatment side effects and subsequently enhance therapeutic efficacy.

Learn about cannabinoids influence on skin growth control, homeostasis, melanoma, acne, pruritus, inflammation, atopic dermatitis, and other skin conditions.

Isotretinion is a powerful drug, and sometimes the only treatment option for severe acne. The most common side-effects such as dry skin, dry eyes, and hair problems, and headaches, and other side-effects are discussed.

Almost everyone at some point in his or her life will be troubled with mild acne. It can be related to athletic activities, travel, cosmetics, or hormonal changes. Various treatment options are discussed.

Acne scars are challenging to treat. This article discusses the non-surgical treatment options like topical treatments, chemical peels, skin fillers, cover-ups, and injectables.

Acne is a multifactorial disease of the pilosebaceous unit in the skin. Four contributing pathogenic factors need to be elucidated and include excess sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization, colonization of the pilosebaceous unit by Propionibacterium acnes.

On the 26th of February 1998, Hoffmann-LaRoche, on the instructions of the FDA, sent out more than 210,000 Dear Dr. warning letters to health care providers communicating new safety information about the prescribing of isotretinoin for acne, and citing isolated reports of drug-induced depression, psychosis and rarely, suicidal thoughts and action.

Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory cutaneous disease involving the pilosebaceous unit. This article discusses pathophysiology, sebum production, keratinization, and the role of P.acnes in acne formation.

Topical retinoids are the cornerstone of acne therapy and they can be used across the entire spectrum of acne severity. Selecting the most suitable retinoid formulation, as well as dispensing proper advice in terms of drug application, can improve patient compliance.

A vast spectrum of topical anti-acne agents has emerged in response to new insights that have been gained through the understanding of disease pathophysiology and the need for clinicians to adopt an individualized therapeutic approach.

Acne is a common dermatological condition found in about 85% of adolescents and young adults. Acne can have significant psychological, social or physical impacts. This article delves into the importance of patinet adherence and therapeutic strategies.

The proven therapeutic benefits of OCs offer a valuable option to physicians for the treatment of acne. The accumulating evidence on the efficacy and safety of recently available drospirenone-containing hormonal preparations provides dermatologists with a new option for the treatment of acne and other hyperandrogenic disorders.

Physicians will be particularly reassured if the suggested guidelines are supported by scientific evidence. This new Canadian clinical guideline for the treatment of acne was developed taking into account new data published up to March 2015, as well as expert opinion and clinical experience.

Isotretinion will require monitoring by a doctor. While relatively rare, side-effects can be serious, and affect blood, bone, liver, neurologic, and muscle, and require periodic testing to ensure safety and healthy. It is also teratogenic, so pregnancy will also be a part in patient education.