WESTPORT, Conn. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — You thought acne was a thing of the past when you got out of your teens, but up to 22 percent of women develop what doctors call adult-onset acne compared with just four percent of men. The over-the-counter lotions and astringents you used as a teen might not cut it now. Ivanhoe has more on a trend in dermatology that’s helping patients save face and money.
Kimberly Kanoff eats right, exercises, and practices yoga for stress relief. But even those measures can’t control breakouts around her mouth.
“But at 44, it’s a little embarrassing sometimes to have acne on my face,” shared Kanoff.
Even after their teens, women are susceptible to acne because of fluctuating hormones. Kanoff also has rosacea and her sensitive skin easily flushes. In the past, she’s needed four medications to bring both under control.
“If we need them to apply several medications to treat their conditions, they only end up getting one or two due to cost,” explains Tanya Futoryan, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with Westport Dermatology and Laser Center.
Dr. Futoryan said for a growing number of her patients, the answer is personalized, or custom topical medications.
“Custom medicines are made from taking a well-known and trusted molecule and adjusting it to fit and suit, a patient’s need,” said Dr. Futoryan.
The medications are developed in an FDA-registered out-sourcing facility through a program called prescriber’s choice. Other topical medications can also treat dry skin, eczema, and hyperpigmentation. Kanoff used to apply her four medications separately. Now she uses just one, saving time and money.
“For the combination product I’m using now, I pay around $65, where I was paying over a $100 for just the one medication,” Kanoff exclaimed.
Dermatologists say they’ve seen increased compliance with this option. It’s much more likely that patients will regularly apply just one medication instead of three or four. During this pandemic, patients can avoid an extra stop at the pharmacy.
Contributors to this news report include: Cyndy McGrath, Producer; Roque Correa, Editor; and Kirk Manson, Videographer.
TREATING ADULT ACNE: CUSTOM MEDS SAVE FACE AND MONEY!
REPORT #2842
BACKGROUND: Adult acne, also known as post-adolescent acne, is acne that occurs after age 25. The same factors that cause acne in adolescents cause acne in adults. Excess oil production, pores becoming clogged, bacteria, and inflammation are four factors that contribute to the cause of acne. Other indirect factors that influence acne are hormones, stress, and menstrual cycles in women; hair products, skin care products, and makeup; and diet which can cause inflammation throughout the body. Many skin disorders, including acne, can be a window into a systemic condition. For example, hair loss, excess hair growth, irregular menstrual cycles, or rapid weight gain or loss in addition to acne, or rapid onset of acne with no prior history of acne, can all be red flags of an underlying disease.
CURRENT TREATMENTS: Some adult acne treatments include home remedies, over the counter (OTC) products, and prescriptions. Some people like to try one or two at a time to figure out what works best. There are several home remedies including oral supplements and substances that can be applied directly to the skin. Items like apple cider vinegar, aloe vera, green tea extract, tea tree oil, zinc, vitamin A, and probiotics. A doctor may prescribe oral hormonal treatment, while others you would apply directly to your skin. These treatments include hydroxy and other beneficial acids, oral birth control pills, spironolactone, antibiotics, retinol, or its prescription form, retin-A, salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, or blue light therapy. Although there are numerous treatments to try, a nutritious diet, exercise, and a dedicated skin care routine may help.
(Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/adult-acne#treatment)
NEW STUDY ON DIET AND ADULT ACNE: A study published in JAMA Dermatology suggests that consuming certain foods has a higher likelihood of resulting in adult acne. The participants, consisting of 24,542 French adults, were given a questionnaire at the beginning of the study and categorized them into 3 groups of people who had never had acne, those who had past acne, and those who currently had acne. A 24-hour dietary record of the participants was taken once every six months on a random basis. The groups reported everything they ate from midnight to the following midnight and were even asked to share portion by taking measurements of what they ate. The results of this study clearly indicate that adults with an unhealthy dietary pattern, like those who eat more carbs and saturated fats in the form of milk, sugary foods and drinks, and fatty foods, are at a much higher risk of suffering from adult acne.
* For More Information, Contact:
Mary Conway
Free weekly e-mail on Medical Breakthroughs from Ivanhoe. To sign up: http://www.ivanhoe.com/ftk
