Topical retinoids in the treatment of acne vulgaris.

Topical retinoids are highly effective in the treatment of both comedonal and inflammatory lesions of acne and are a vital part of almost any acne regimen. A better understanding of the structure and function of this class of medications has led to better outcomes in treatments of patients with acne. In this article, the structure and function of retinoids is first reviewed. Then, the clinical effectiveness and tolerability of each of the available topical retinoid formulations is summarized

Psychosocial Issues in Acne Management: Disease Burden, Treatment Adherence, and Patient Support.

Physical and emotional scarring are equally important burdens of acne vulgaris in patients of any age. Effective therapeutic regimens are readily available, and the consistent and correct use of these medications results in effective disease management, reduced risk for scarring, as well as improvement in various factors that affect quality of life. Nevertheless, adherence to treatment recommendations generally is poor. Clinicians can help improve adherence with a variety of strategies, including counseling, education, and choosing treatment options that are most consistent with a patient\u27s lifestyle. Semin Cutan Med Surg 34(supp5):S92-S94 © 2015 published by Frontline Medical Communications

Making the case for early treatment of acne.

Early acne can be defined as the occurrence of acne at its onset, primarily in preteens, or as acne at its earliest severity (ie, mild to moderate). Although the majority of patients with acne are treated by dermatologists, most, particularly mild to moderate cases, could be successfully managed by primary care physicians. Therefore, it is important for physicians to understand the benefits of treating all types of acne, not just the most severe. Awareness of the emotional impact of acne, particularly in adolescence, as well as recognition of possible scarring are important considerations. To achieve optimal results, physicians should be familiar with classification and severity grading of acne. Also, in-depth knowledge of available acne medications will streamline and optimize treatment regimens. Recognizing, treating, and monitoring the progress of early acne may lead to quicker, better clinical outcomes and improved quality of life

Contraceptive use in acne.

Acne vulgaris is an inflammatory disorder of the pilosebaceous follicle. It is well established that androgen hormones play a major role in sebum production and excretion, and are vital in the pathogenesis of acne. Isotretinoin notwithstanding, hormonal therapies such as combined oral contraceptives (COCs) and spironolactone are the only treatments that can affect sebum production and the androgen component of acne. Contraceptives are also used during isotretinoin therapy for pregnancy prevention. It is important for a dermatologist to be familiar with all the available methods of contraception to provide essential counseling to patients. The aim of this paper is to review the role of hormones in acne pathogenesis, discuss the use of hormonal therapies for acne, and detail various alternative contraceptive methods in relation to isotretinoin treatment and pregnancy prevention

Examining the use of oral contraceptives in the management of acne

Heather L Salvaggio1, Andrea L Zaenglein1,21Departments of Dermatology and 2Pediatrics, Penn State/Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USAAbstract: Combined oral contraceptive pills (cOCPs) are often used in the treatment of acne in females. They are effective, safe, and easy to use in appropriate patients in combination with more conventional acne therapies. This article will briefly address the physiologic rationale for the use of cOCPs in the treatment of acne. It will also review efficacy by examining relevant clinical trials. Safety considerations and the adverse event profile for oral contraceptives will be presented. Finally, practical considerations for prescribing cOCPs will be discussed.Keywords: oral contraceptives, acne, treatmen

Update in the management of acne in adolescence.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review will update the pediatric provider on recent data on the pathogenesis and treatment of acne in adolescent patients. A special focus was made to summarize recent guidelines and fill in several identified practice gaps. RECENT FINDINGS: Our understanding of the pathogenesis of acne is greatly expanding and data is emerging to tie diet, particularly the role of IGF-1 with inflammation in acne. Additionally, stronger recommendations to limit antibiotic usage in acne are being made worldwide. Although retinoids are considered the base of most effective acne treatment strategies, data suggests that all providers need to emphasize their importance in maintenance of acne. SUMMARY: An effective acne management strategy targets multiple pathogenic factors in acne, using a retinoid as the foundation. Systemic antibiotics for moderate-to-severe acne should be used for acute management, then discontinued at 3-4 months, while maintaining on topical treatments. If therapy is ineffective, alternate treatments, such as combined oral contraceptives in females or isotretinoin, should be promptly employed to prevent prolonged psychological impact and cutaneous scarring