Acne occurs in 85% of people, predominantly between the ages of 12 and 25 (according to United States statistics). Acne can also resurface in adulthood: 26% of women and 12% of men report a recurrence of acne after age 40.
Acne is the eighth most common disease in the world. In this article on estet-portal.com, we will consider a modern view on the relevance of acne, as well as the features of daily skin care and the principles of evidence-based acne treatment.
Acne: reduced quality of life and increased anxiety
Face – this is the first thing that people pay attention to when communicating with a person.
The presence of profuse acne can significantly reduce the quality of life, leading to the development of serious psychological and social problems.
Some monographs equate the decline in quality of life in patients with acne to that of asthma, epilepsy, and rheumatoid arthritis. Adolescents and adults with acne have higher rates of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. One study found that adults with acne were more likely to have trouble finding a job than those without acne.
Acne in women of reproductive age: features of the disease
Four main pathogenic mechanisms of acne development
Acne – it is a primary inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit. Acne is a multifactorial disease, in the development of which four interrelated mechanisms take part:
1. increase in sebum production;
2. hyperkeratinization of the sebaceous hair follicle;
3. inflammation;
4. microorganisms Cutibacterium acnes (previously known as Propionibacterium acnes).
Twin studies have shown that genetic predisposition is of great importance in the development of acne: in approximately 81% of cases, the disease was observed in both twins.
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Peculiarities of daily skin care for acne
Before developing a treatment plan for an acne patient, it is important to review the skin care routine: frequency of washing, and cleansers and moisturizers used.
Patients with acne should be advised to limit facial washing to twice a day, use gentle cleansers for sensitive skin, and avoid scrubs, astringents, or other irritating cosmetics. In patients with sensitive skin, applying moisturizer over medications may minimize accompanying irritation.
Typically, irritation from topical acne treatment peaks after about 2 weeks, after which it subsides.
The patient may be advised to use make-up to cover up acne, but must be labeled “non-comedogenic.”
Later acne in women: non-adolescent problems and solutions
Acne: Patience is required to achieve clinical improvement
Explain to patients that clinical improvement may take 8 to 12 weeks – this will improve compliance and adherence to treatment. Details of the acne treatment algorithm are given in the table below. The cornerstone of effective acne treatment is combination therapy that targets various pathogenetic mechanisms. Patients with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation should use sunscreen to prevent further darkening of the elements.
Thank you for staying with estet-portal.com. Read other interesting articles in the "Cosmetology" section. You may also be interested in What medications can cause drug-induced acne
Source The New England Journal of Medicine
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