Dr. Svetozar Drenski, Dermatologist
Acne Treatment is one of the most common skin diseases that affects the sebaceous glands and the hair follicles, as a result of increased sebum secretion.
Acne is extremely common in adolescents, but it is sometimes observed up to 30-40 years of age. In Europe, every fourth visit to a dermatologist is for a patient with acne.
The factors for the development of this disease are divided into internal and external.
Internal factors include:
– genetic (one or both parents suffered from severe acne)
– hormonal (tissue hyperandrogenemia – presence of a greater amount of male sex hormones in the tissues)
The external ones are:
– presence of Propionbacterium acnes (anaerobic, gram-positive bacterium that secretes enzymes causing aseptic inflammation). It is present on the skin of most people, living at the expense of fatty acids.
– various medications (corticosteroids, bromine, iodine, vit. D, B6, B12)
– some oils, tars, chlorine, soaps, etc.
The pathogenesis of acne includes 4 main factors:
– increased sebum secretion (hyperseborrhea)
– hyperplasia of sebaceous glands
– increased keratin formation in the hair follicle (comedones)
– increase in the amount of P. acnes
The role of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the appearance and development of hyperseborrhea is clear. The more testosterone there is in the body, the higher are the DHT levels. The goal is to block 5-alpha-reductase, which will reduce DHT levels and accordingly the hyperseborrhea.
Don’t forget the increased formation of comedones!
Acne is most often seen on the face, chest and back. Rashes are comedones, purulent and non-purulent pimples, nodules, cysts, abscesses, fistulas, etc.
It is important to remember that girls get sick more often, but acne is less agressive! Boys much less often, but harder!
In fact, the main problem with acne is to avoid the appearance of scars and dark spots!
I will describe some rare forms of acne:
– acne neonatorum (transient lesions on the face of infants who are on natural nutrition. Causes great anxiety in mothers, but no treatment is required)
– acne medicamentosa (caused by various drugs – corticosteroids, iodine, bromine, some vitamins, etc.)
– acne excoriata (girls and young women who aggravate acne lesions themselves)
What is Acne Treatment?
Acne treatment should always be individual!
It can be divided into:
– topical, which includes cleaning comedones with preparations containing azelaic acid, Vit.A, benzoyl peroxide, 5-alpha-avocuta, zinc and many others
– general – including antibiotics from the tetracycline group (for several months), clindamycin, roaccutane (only in very severe cases), hormonal contraceptives, etc.
– chemical peeling with different acids (without sounding immodest, I was the first to apply peeling with 70% glycolic acid in my country in 1995. I am very proud that until now I have hundreds of cured patients from acne)
– surgical treatment (to remove nodes and cysts)
– dermabrasion (to remove scars)
I want to share my experience with French products from the Teen derm range of Isispharma.
This range includes 7 products that are successfully applied to mild, moderate or severe acne.
3 of them are for cleaning – Teen derm gel (link), Teen derm gel sensitive (link) and Teen derm aqua (link).
Also Teen derm AZ with azelaic acid(link), Teen derm K concentrate (link), Teen derm alpha pure (link) and Teen derm hydra (link), to remove purulent and non-purulent pimples.
All products contain alpha-pure complex, which blocks 5-alpha-reductase. Thus, hyperseborrhea is reduced and acne is permanently improved. In addition, these products also contain zinc, Vit.E and some acids, which suppress inflammation and the development of P. acnes.
In conclusion, I will mention the questions that acne patients ask me most often:
1. Is acne contagious?
Acne is not contagious, although it is caused by the bacteria P. acnes.
2. Does poor hygiene cause acne?
I wouldn’t say it’s a manifestation of poor hygiene. Sometimes even regular washing with aggressive products leads to skin inflammation. Regardless, it is recommended to wash the skin twice a day.
3. Does poor nutrition cause acne?
It is known that the intake of many carbohydrates (direct sugars, chocolate, etc.), as well as the increased consumption of fresh milk, are directly related to the appearance of acne.
4. Does the sun help treat acne?
The sun’s rays cause cellular stimulation, which leads to increased sebum production and clogging of the sebaceous glands. This worsens the symptoms of existing acne. For this, it is mandatory to use sunscreen products.
5. What is the effect of smoking on acne?
Smoking not only provokes the appearance of acne, but also worsens it. This effect is based on the so-called hyperkeratotic effect in the skin.
6. Can you squeeze your pimples?
No, this should not be done because it can cause deep inflammation and scarring.
7. Should more special sunscreens be used for acne prone skin?
UV rays do not improve the condition of problem skin. Therefore, it is good for people with acne to use sunscreen products for oily skin (Uveblock of Isispharma).
All products from the Teen derm range for Acne Treatment can be found in www.isispharma.co.uk!