ACNE
What is ACNE?
Acne is the most familiar of skin disorder that impacts both males and females at younger ages. When skin, hair, bacteria, dead skin cells, and sebum, which is an oily substance, start to block the skin pores, they become blackheads, whiteheads, nodules, and other types of pimples.
As mentioned above, it is a common skin condition that most people have faced at some point in their lifespans. According to an estimation, 80% of the world’s population falls in the 11 to 30 age group and has to deal with mild to severe effects of acne problems.
Whom Does Acne Affect?
Acne condition usually affects teenagers and young adults who are facing hormonal changes. It can also impact people into their 20s and 30s. Sometimes this condition may worsen, and they have to deal with acne problems throughout their entire lives. Sometimes, adults can start having first-time acne problems well into their 30s.
Types of Acne can include:
Pimples | Blackheads | Whiteheads | Papules | Pustules | Fungal Acne | Nodules | Cysts
What Causes Acne?
Acne is usually caused by androgen hormones that generally activate during the teenage and young adult years. These hormones merge with the skin’s surface bacteria, oil glands and fatty acids, resulting in acne problems.
There are several factors that can cause acne or make it even worse:
- Changing hormone levels while a woman is on her period or she is pregnant.
- Bad habit of picking at the acne scabs or sores.
- Wearing headgear like sports helmets or other clothing items like hats and bandanas for a long period of time.
- Air pollution and high humidity weather conditions.
- Habitual of using oily or greasy personal care products, such as waxes, creams, heavy lotions or hair pomades.
- Woring environments where skin regularly comes in contact with oily or greasy substances.
- Living a stressful life can also cause acne. When the person is under stress, the brain releases the hormone cortisol, causing acne problems.
- Certain types of medications.
- The last but not least cause….. Genetics.
DERMATOLOGICAL INTERVENTION FOR ACNE
Treatment of Acne often requires a customized and combined therapy approach. Dermatologists can work with patients to identify the right treatment for each patient and each underlying condition.
Providing education and guidance on routine skincare and maintenance will aid in the treatment. A safe and effective skin care routine must be established. Identifying skincare products to avoid including face wash, make up and lotions is a crucial and necessary step in the treatment process. Often times Acne can require a combination therapy approach and can take weeks, months and sometimes years to treat.
COMPOUNDING FOR ACNE
Pharmacy Solutions works with providers and patients choose the right formulas based on what each patient needs. These acne formulas can reduce the appearance of acne, reduce inflammation and prevent long-term effects such as discoloration and scarring.
Compounding provides a patient-specific and customized dose and formula unique for each patient to target the underlying condition. Pharmacy Solutions is able to combine multiple drugs into one formula to give precise treatment options.
ACNE PREPARATIONS
Pharmacy Solutions has a comprehensive offering of compounded formulas for Acne. Our pharmacists will work with the providers to ensure a safe and effective dose and treatment program based on what the patient needs.
Common Acne formulas will most often times include one or more of the following ingredients:
Benzoyl Peroxide – a drying agent that is used to reduce the oil and bacteria on the skin, causing the skin to dry and peel.
- Antibiotics – work to reduce the number of bacteria on the skin and in the hair follicles.
- Retinoids – a derivative of Vitamin A that helps reduce unclog pores and boost the production of new skin cells.
- Salicylic Acid – dissolve dead skin cells to prevent hair follicles from clogging.
- Chemical Peels – See Chemical Peel Options
