Acne

A Canadian study suggests that Epiduo Gel used in combination with the oral antibiotic doxycycline, compares favorably with oral isotretinoin in the treatment of severe nodular acne. Learn more

Dermatology Times editorial advisor, Elaine Siegfried, M.D., talks with Peter Lio, M.D., assistant professor of clinical dermatology and pediatrics at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, and private practice, Dermatology and Aesthetics of Wicker Park, Wicker Park, Chicago, about his interest in alternative medicine and the legitimacy and usefulness of certain techniques and therapies.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved Bellafill (Suneva Medical) for the treatment of acne scars. Learn more on the approval

Control Corrective Skincare Systems offers its “Control Acne” collection.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved Onexton Gel (clindamycin phosphate and benzoyl peroxide 1.2 percent/3.75 percent, Valeant Pharmaceuticals) for the once-daily treatment of comedonal and inflammatory acne in patients 12 and older.

Treatments for acne scars are improving rapidly, although complete fixes remain impossible and repairs require long-term treatment planning and management, according to a speaker Friday at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Greg Goodman, M.D., of The Dermatology Institute of Victoria in Australia, offered attendees tips and takeaways for treating scars.

The antioxidant resveratrol inhibits Propionibacterium acnes growth. And when combined with benzoyl peroxide, resveratrol seems to enhance the acne drug’s bacteria-killing ability, according to results of a recent study.

Therapeutics is one of the most significant challenges in pediatric dermatology. Children have been identified as “therapeutic orphans”, with few options that have FDA-approved pediatric indications. Access to new and novel treatments like biologics is especially limited. Supportive legislation, beginning with the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act (bpca.nichd.nih.gov), has marked the dawn of a new era.

Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric acne developed by the American Acne Rosacea Society (AARS) and endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provide the AAP with its first-ever evidence-based guidelines for the management of this very common pediatric condition.

Learn how supplementation of Vitamin D may help prevent and decrease the risk of skin infections for those with atopic dermatitis.

Though it’s known that oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) and systemic antibiotics are both effective in managing acne, there’s been precious little research comparing the two therapies head-to-head - until now.

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) microspheres in collagen are effective for treating atrophic acne scars, results of a recent study suggest.

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning that some common over-the-counter acne treatments can cause severe irritation or even life-threatening allergic reactions.

Physicians are prescribing antibiotics for acne for shorter durations, but almost one-fifth of antibiotic therapies for acne still exceed six months, according to results of a recent study.

Perceived beauty goes beyond numeric values and divine proportions. In fact, beauty in the beholder’s eyes is a collage of geographic, ethnic and demographic influences, according to research published in the March issue of Journal of Craniofacial Surgery.

Current advances in the science of innate immune defense are helping to further elucidate the role of P. acnes, sebocytes and keratinocytes in the development of acne.

The psychological distress caused by scarring and PIH following long-term acne disease can be devastating, begging the need for more effective therapeutic options.

Biofilms are increasingly implicated as the reason why currently available acne treatments sometimes prove ineffective in acne vulgaris patients, begging the need for more effective targeted therapies directed against biofilm formation.

Dermatologists may need to beef up their dosing to boost their patients’ chances of experiencing sustained remission of severe acne via isotretinoin.

Active chemicals found in the neem tree (Azadirachta indica) have important benefits for a variety of skin disorders, according to one expert who spoke at the 72nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Gluten and gluten-sensitive enteropathy have become hot topics among the lay public and in medical practices. John Zone, M.D., from the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, discusses how gluten sensitive enteropathy may impact many areas of dermatology.

I thoroughly enjoyed the lead article about “antimicrobial stewardship” in the October edition of Dermatology Times (“Antimicrobial stewardship: How dermatologists can be part of the solution, Vol. 34, No. 10). It succinctly and effectively detailed that for healthcare providers in general and dermatologists in specific, it is our duty to utilize antimicrobials appropriately.

New drugs, data and guidelines on acne and rosacea treatment were among the takeaways from days two and three of MauiDerm 2014. Presenters also described evidence-based suggestions for managing pigmentary disorders and updated information on infectious diseases.

Most patients that complain of acne within 48 hours of applying sunscreen probably are not experiencing true acne with follicular rupture, but rather irritant follicular contact dermatitis or possibly miliaria rubra and miliaria pustulosa. It may be worthwhile to suggest patients try a spray formulation.

While government funds for research in dermatology and other medical specialties seems to be dwindling, there are forces at work that could help to pick up at least part of the slack.

Antiperspirants and not deodorants are the culprit in skin irritation. The antiperspirant decreases sweating while the deodorant simply provides a pleasant scent to the armpit.

The acne medication Clindagel (clindamycin phosphate 1 percent) topical gel is now owned by Onset Dermatologics, according to a news release.

Although the symptoms of acne and rosacea are well established, clear and definitive etiologies of these conditions have largely been unknown. Recent research, however, has shed new light into the pathophysiology of these conditions, paving the way for more targeted therapies.

Dermatologists are using an evolving collection of combination therapies designed to address different aspects of disease, monotherapy limitations and failures, as well as enhance treatment.

Dermatologists generally know that the sensitivity of many pathogens to the antibiotics used to treat them is decreasing, experts say. But many dermatologists may not appreciate their specialty’s role in potentially fueling the problem.