Adjunct Clinical Professor, Touro University Nevada, Henderson, NV
President-Elect of the American Acne and Rosacea Society
In honor of National Acne Awareness Month this June, I thought I would share some key tips on how to manage acne and find an effective treatment that works well for your skin. After 35 years in dermatology practice, much of which I have spent treating, researching, and studying acne, I think I have reached some conclusions that will be helpful to the millions of preteens, teenagers, and adults who are affected by this bothersome condition that typically involves the face and sometimes the chest and back, continuing over many years. Acne can affect people of all races, colors, and creeds. No one is immune from it. Here are my top three suggestions to help you approach managing acne in a way that is likely to be successful.?
- Recognize that acne is not your fault and is not curable. However, it can usually be controlled by maintaining good overall health and eating habits coupled with adherence to the right medications that have been prescribed for you by a dermatology healthcare professional. Although the role of diet has not been fully identified across the board for all people with acne, certain observations appear to hold true. Diets including foods that are high in sugar, dairy (especially skim milk), whey protein, and iodine can worsen acne or make it harder to control. Conversely it is helpful to include foods that contain omega fatty acids (such as fish) in your diet as they seem to lessen acne in some people. (1) Diet is not usually the sole answer but can be helpful in some people with acne.
- Understand that acne cannot be washed, rubbed, or picked away. Fundamental to your basic skin care regimen is the use of products (such as cleansers and moisturizers) that are gentle and do not cause irritation to the skin. Also, while it is tempting to squeeze or pick at an annoying acne lesion, this can often cause infection and in some cases scarring or discoloration that is persistent.?
- Gaining control of acne requires commitment and patience. Work closely with a dermatology health care professional to find the right combination of medications to get your acne under control and then adjust based on your response to see if any changes need to be made. Be aware that finding the right combination for your type and severity of acne often takes at least 3 or 4 months. Once your acne is well controlled, your dermatology healthcare professional will work with you to establish a medication regimen that will control and reduce flare-ups of acne. Also, depending on your skin type and color, certain options may be recommended to avoid the residual effects of prior acne, such as brown spots in people with a darker complexion, and red spots in people with fair skin.??
Ultimately, acne management is a team approach between the patient and their dermatology healthcare professional along with their office staff. Always be open with your physician about what bothers you about your acne, be sure your questions are addressed to your satisfaction, and do not give up too quickly. Lastly, always let your physician know if you feel you are experiencing a side effect from your treatment as this can be adjusted to keep you on track for success.?
Dr. Del Rosso is a consultant for Ortho Dermatologics.
1. Baldwin H, Tan J.?Effects of diet on acne and its response to treatment. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2021; 22(1): 55–65.??
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