Overwhelmed by the sheer number of cleanser choices? Learn how to wade through the masses to find the perfect product for you.
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board
Looking for an effective way to treat that deep, inflamed, incredibly painful zit? Your doctor may have just the solution.
Accutane's maker, Roche, is no longer selling the popular acne drug. The company said sales had been slowing as more people turned to generic alternatives.
Accutane was introduced in 1982; generic versions have been available since 2002.
If you're using Accutane, there's no need to panic. Your pharmacy may still have it, at least for a while. In the meantime, your doctor will probably switch you to generic isotretinoin, Claravis, Sotret, or Amnesteem.
Related Topics:
OK, guys. You know who you are. You aren't wearing your sunscreen, are you?
Teens aren't much better, at least according to information released by the British Association of Dermatologists. Men, teens, and young adults are among those least likely to wear sunscreen regularly.
Most teens, of course, battle breakouts to some extent. And men, when they have acne, are more likely to have a severe form. But this shouldn't be an excuse not to wear sunscreen!
Look for an oil-free, noncomedogenic brand and you won't have to worry about greasy skin and clogged pores. The SPF should be at least 30.
As a side note to all the teens out there: a ton of sun damage occurs before age twenty, so it really pays to start using sunscreen now. Trust me, fifteen years from now you'll be really glad you did.
Related Topics:
Clearasil has been around for ages, and is nearly synonymous with acne treatment. But how does their acne wash really stack up? Read the review of Clearasil StayClear Acne Wash.
Related Topics:
Those of us with acne always feel that we're being critiqued by others. Do they notice our pimples? Are they judging us because of our skin?
A new survey shows this may be all too true.
The online survey, which was sponsored by the American Acne and Rosacea Society, sheds light on the perceptions society has of teens with acne. Participants were shown pictures of teen faces, some with clear skin and others with pimples digitally added in. They were asked to give their first impressions of the teens.
The clear-skinned teens were most often perceived as happy, confident, and intelligent. The pictures of the same teens, with acne, were labeled "shy," "nerdy," and "lonely." Teens with acne were also thought of as more likely to be bullied and less likely to date.
Obviously this points to the social stigma acne carries. If anything the survey reinforces the importance of treating acne as soon as possible.
I realize that we are all judged on the way we look. And, if we're honest, we will admit that we've done it ourselves. (Who hasn't been at the mall, hit their best friend in the arm, and said "Look at that person over there!") I'm just as guilty as anyone.
But seeing anyone judged because of their acne, or any skin problem, makes me really sad. What makes others judge so harshly? Is it our image obsessed culture, the perception that the sufferer has done something to cause acne? Or maybe it's because acne is such a visible disorder. Whatever it is, it's no wonder acne can leave lasting emotional scars.
Do you feel people look at you differently because you have acne? Has acne affected your self-image? I want to know how acne has impacted your life. Share your thoughts, feelings, and maybe even vent a little! Because there are plenty of people who feel exactly the way you do, and understand that you're still the same person, with or without acne.
Related Topics:
Are your symptoms merely irritating, or could they be a sign of allergies? More >
The best way to treat a headache is to prevent it. Learn how. More >
©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.
All rights reserved.
