Why is it so difficult to cure acne?
Often described acne as a disorder of adolescence, but it is well known that can last several years, even decades into adulthood and can become a serious problem with serious psychological repercussions.
Yet so far has been very difficult to find a truly effective treatment for this disorder in all patients.
A recent review of the research has been conducted on treatments for acne found that there are large gaps in information, particularly when comparing the effectiveness of the products.
Acne is an inflammatory disorder of the skin that causes excessive secretion of fat that causes a blockage in the pore causing injuries and scars, mainly on the face, chest and back.
Since acne usually appears during adolescence, when individuals tend to be more socially insecure, the inability to prevent or cure the disorder can have a serious negative impact primarily on mental health.
Professor Hywel Williams, the center of dermatology at the University of Nottingham, England, who conducted the review, states that “no surprises that are currently available in the market between 40 or 50 products.”
“As a patient you see all these products in the pharmacy or supermarket, but do not know what is best. There is little comparative information,” he says.
The dermatologist believes it is necessary to conduct more independent studies, because usually those available have been conducted by the pharmaceutical industry.
“There are many questions that have not been answered,” said Professor Williams.
“For example, when you start treating acne, and how you treat it or what?”.
Ignorance
This, said the expert, is complicated by the fact that it still has not managed to understand precisely what causes acne and how treatment may affect the progress of the disease.
Dr. Susannah Baron, specialist in dermatology and spokesperson for the British Skin Foundation, says that the psychological impact of acne in adolescents is enormous.
“Adolescence is, in any way, a really difficult period, and coupled with this is the time when acne comes.”
“Girls often try, before children, find ways to prevent it. And for them acne can be worse because it is linked to an increase in testosterone,” says Dr. Baron.
“Many people spend large amounts of money on products that may not work. Some of the lotions or gels may help but it is best to go to the doctor who can prescribe a regimen containing a liquid, cream or antibacterial gel.”
When none of the commercial treatments work, your doctor may recommend a course of antibiotics or referral to a dermatologist if it does not show improvement.
However, the reactions of patients to different treatments vary widely. Therefore it is important to consult a doctor when commercial therapies do not work.
As for the so-called alternative treatments, Dr. Baron is skeptical that they work because there is no evidence to prove it.
But some people claim they can help themselves.
Elaine Mummery is a nutritionist and runs a clinic for acne in Glasgow, Scotland.
She is also author of a book called Spotless – The Essential Guide to Getting Rid of Spots and Acne (No stains – The Essential Guide for Getting Rid of Spots and Acne).
“When I know someone’s face, the type of injury, what’s wrong and how to cure it,” says Mummery.
“Some people should withdraw cow’s milk from their diet, others need to reduce their sugar intake. There is always a reason for acne and a solution. The key is the type of stain” he adds.
Their treatments are usually based on a change in diet and consumption of vegetables and fruit juices or reducing carbohydrates.
But this, he says, does not work for all patients.
Although acne problems usually disappear when the end of adolescence, for a small minority of the disorder is never really finished.
