Information from Libby Edwards, MD - Mid-Charlotte Dermatology & Research

ACNE

Acne is a condition in which hair pores become blocked with dead skin and cause pimples. Usually, people with acne have blackheads, whiteheads, red bumps, and pus bumps. Sometimes these can scar. Although most people with acne are teenagers, adults sometimes have acne too. Acne is not related to diet, germs, or dirt. It is related to hormones and to the use of heavy creams, greases, makeup, and stress. Therefore, you do not need to change the foods you eat, and you should not scrub your skin often or use harsh, antibacterial soaps. However, you should use only light moisturizers and makeup that has the word "noncomedogenic" on the label (meaning it does not worsen acne).

Acne improves very slowly with treatment, so you will probably not notice much improvement for the first l or 2 months. This is normal, so you should continue your medications, even if you do not seem to be improving at first. Also, once your skin is clear, you must continue with these medications, or your acne will return. You and your regular health care provider will decide how long you should be treated. You have probably been given a prescription for a medication called Retin-A cream. This medication unblocks pores and helps clear blackheads and whiteheads. Because it can be irritating, use very small amounts of the medication until your skin has adjusted to it. It should be applied once a day, just before bedtime, to clean, dry skin. It should be rinsed off in the morning, and you should apply a sunscreen every day, because Retin-A can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. If your skin becomes irritated, decrease the frequency of application to every other day, until your skin is used to the medication. For red bumps and pus bumps, you may have been given an antibiotic. Because acne is not an infection and antibiotics improve skin by means other than killing bacteria, your skin will not improve immediately. Either apply or take the antibiotic twice a day according to instructions. Be sure to take your medication on an empty stomach (no food--clear liquids only-from 2 hours before, until 1 hour after, your medicine), if these are the instructions.