Doctors say new laser smooths away acne scars

October 25, 2006 - There's a new way to treat acne scars on the face. A new laser is helping people get rid of noticeable scars with little hassle.

The new Harmony Pixel Laser smooths skin and gets rid of fine lines too. Pinpoints of laser are used to stimulate collagen and the body's repair system.

Doctors call it a major breakthrough in skin treatment. Dermatologist Dr. Mary Hurley says, "Until now there have not been great treatments, unfortunately, for patients with acne scarring except for sandblasting or blasting off the top two layers of your skin, very invasive-type treatment."

And the patients using it say they are so glad they've "seen the light." Christy Hagler is happy about the treatment, "That's what I thought you have to live with it the rest of your life, but this day in age with the technology that's out, you don't have to anymore."

You'll need about five treatments to get the best results. But if your skin is scarred, multiple trips may be worth it. Hagler says, "Every treatment I do, I see more improvement."

The procedure is not cheap. Each visit costs about $800.

Acne: link between Isotretinoin and depression

A research, published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology, has shown that a drug commonly used to treat severe acne, Isotretinoin ( Accutane / Roaccutan ) can lead to depressive behaviour in mice.

Since the drug’s introduction in the early 1980s there have been controversial reports of depression and suicidal behaviour that may have occurred in some people taking Isotretinoin.

This has led to the drug’s manufacturers, Roche, including a warning in the product information that taking the medication may cause depression, psychosis and suicidal behaviour.

However, the chemical mechanism by which this might happen has never been established.

Researchers at the universities of Bath and Texas at Austin gave Isotretinoin to mice over a period of six weeks, and then monitored the rodents’ behaviour.

They found that whilst there was no change in the physical abilities of the mice, the rodents spent significantly more time immobile in a range of laboratory assessments designed to test their stress responsiveness – suggesting that administration of Isotretinoin increases depression-related behaviour in mice.

“ Establishing a link between the active molecules within the drug and a change in depression-related behaviour, albeit in mice, is an important step forward in our understanding of the effects of this drug in the wider context of brain function, “ said Sarah Bailey at the University of Bath.

“ To date the only evidence for any link with patients has come from individual case reports and such patient data is complicated by the psychosocial effects of having severe acne.
“ This laboratory evidence provides a useful model for future research into Isotretinoin and understanding how this family of compounds affects the brain.”

Isotretinoin belongs to a group of medicines called retinoids - vitamin A-related compounds known to affect development of the nervous system. For this reason Isotretinoin is not prescribed to pregnant women.

“ Previously researchers thought that retinoids were only important in the development of the nervous system. Now there is a growing interest in retinoids as regulators of different aspects of brain function in adults,” said Bailey.

“ While our research is the first to demonstrate that retinoids are capable of influencing depression-related behaviours, these compounds may also play a role in the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia.”

Source: University of Bath, 2006

Acne Rosacea

This is a non-contagious disease of uncertain origin although, specific races are more prone to the disorder suggesting a genetic influence. Typically this type of acne affects only the vertical portion of the central part of the face but rarely the limbs may also be involved exhibiting nodules and papules. Unlike the similarly named “Acne Vulgaris”, comedones or blackheads are never seen as part of the symptomatic profile of this distressing condition. The distinctive features of Acne Rosacea starts with a course of intermittent and progressive facial flushing in response to temperature change, emotional stress and the ingestion of certain vasodilatory foods or drink. After months or years the incidence of flushing increases leading ultimately to permanent dilatation of some superficial capillaries that give rise to the classic reddened appearance suffered by those afflicted with this skin disease. At this stage additional damage becomes evident where hypersecretion of the sebaceous glands and retention of the sebum or oil occurs. Inflammation may also be present to varying degrees along with scaling and peeling of the epidermis. Sufferers report a dislike and hypersensitivity to warm atmospheres and an unpleasant burning sensation when attacks are active. Cosmetically, confidence and self-esteem are reduced and depression and despair may set in. Career and domestic life can suffer significantly as the patient increasingly shies away from the embarrassment of social encounters and working challenges involving personal communication.

Facts

The disease is more common in women than men and rarely occurs before the age of thirty. In women, the vasomotor instability of the menopause makes this a particularly susceptible period in their lives for onset of the disease. Men however, do not escape lightly as it is they who generally suffer the worst presentations, which, in the male, are often accompanied by a secondary problem called “Rhinophyma”. This unsightly condition affects the nose where follicular dilatation and irregular skin thickening give rise to the appearance of an enlarged, reddened, distorted nose, often unfairly attributed to excess alcohol consumption!

In addition to the above, all sufferers have a heightened risk of developing certain eye problems such as conjunctivitis, blepharitis and keratitis. It is therefore especially important that Acne Rosacea sufferers are extra vigilant with oral hygiene and dandruff control. For those with contact lenses scrupulous attention to daily hygiene as recommended by the optician is also very important to avoid cross contamination occurring.

All these measures reduce the chance of bacteria or fungi spreading from one area to another and severely worsening both the pre-existing problem and the future course it will take.

Triggers

It would seem common sense to avoid all known aggravating triggers such as harsh soap, skin products, thick covering creams and self-tanning lotions. UVA is also an aggravating factor along with strong winds (including air conditioning in the house or car for some) and sudden changes of temperature such as saunas, hot baths, central heating and salon hairdryers.

Airless or smoky atmospheres should also be avoided as well as hot drinks, alcohol, spicy foods, monosodium glutamate and chillies. Some sufferers may also be sensitive to specific trigger factors such as chocolate, strong cheeses and cola type drinks. Smoking is also obviously detrimental to the skin and health in general. Female smokers increase the release of androgens (male – type hormones) with all the problems associated with such hormone profile alteration. The one hundred plus toxic chemicals, present in cigarette smoke also damages DNA, compromises immune system efficiency so reducing healing response and healing ability and severely disrupts all circulatory functions.

Shift workers may also experience extra flare-ups due to the stress caused to the natural circadian rhythms caused by irregular hours and the effect this has on the 25 hours release of hormones stimulated by night and day routines and associated triggers.

Although to date no definitive cure has been discovered and the disease may run a fairly chronic course there are both medical and complimentary or cosmetic treatments available to reduce the discomfort for the sufferer and eradicate part of the damage even if this needs repeating again after a few years to retain the benefits.

Medically Tetracycline taken orally (as oxytetracycline 250 mg) twice per day may be prescribed for as long as required. 1% hydrocortisone cream is also indicated but only when prescribed and supervised by a dermatologist. Alternatively topical application may be tried as an alternative method of delivery.

One or two per cent sulphur in an emulsion base (e.g. 30% ung. Emulsificans water) massaged in twice daily may also be used in those who tolerate it to clear the papules and pustules. 6 to 8 weeks initially applied and then once per day or every other day can reduce the incidence of relapse, while some dermatologists favour stronger peeling agents such as benzyl peroxide and sulphur. Large dilated capillaries once visible can only be removed surgically or by diathermy or laser. Dermabraision and diathermy techniques are also indicated for scarring and follicular damage including that caused to the nose in Rhinophyma. These techniques although not pain free, can dramatically improve the skin’s appearance and are definitely worth the inconvenience involved. Medical ultra-sound is also extremely useful for reducing superficial scarring and promoting faster skin healing. This technique is also totally pain free and requires no “down time” to recover. Finally, specially designed light therapy (FDA approved) is known to eliminate certain aggravating bacteria and promote collagen synthesis within the dermis, which enhances the skin’s healing, and recovery potential.

Treatments

For self-help, it makes sense to only use the mildest products to cleanse and protect. Oatmeal cleansing bars, aqueous cream BP and non-comogenic sunscreens are widely available from most pharmacies.

If scaly scalp or dandruff type problem occurs Selsun‚ or Nizoral‚ shampoos (or Spanish equivalents) may also be purchased without prescription and are both excellent at killing the fungus that complicates these conditions and the cause of the itching that accompanies them.

To conclude it must be stressed that to date no miracle cure is available but that should not deter sufferers from seeking help as it is clear from the above information that a great deal is available to lesson the discomfort and improve the appearance of those afflicted by this unpleasant disease.

But please, remember, to always seek the advice of a general practitioner in the first instance to rule out any other underlying problems. Many diseases include some of the symptoms of Acne Rosacea and could go undetected if not tested for.

Dusa acne solution is approved in Brazil

Dusa Pharmaceuticals Inc., said Tuesday that the company has received regulatory approval in Brazil for one of the company's acne products.

Wilmington, Mass.-headquartered Dusa (Nasdaq: DUSA) said the approval is for Levulan Kerastick, a solution to prime the skin, making affected areas more sensitive to light treatment.

Dusa's marketing partner, Stiefel Laboratories Inc. will sell the product in Latin America.

Dusa officials said additional launches of the drug are expected to follow in a number of other Latin American countries, subject to regulatory approvals.

Low GI diet clears up acne in boys

Eating slowly-digested carbs won't just help shed weight - it could clear up your pimples too, nutritionists claim.

Carbohydrate foods with a low glycaemic index (GI) have been proven to help weight loss by making the dieter feel fuller for longer.

Now researchers have discovered that the popular diet can also improve acne by 50 per cent when trialled on a group of teenagers for three months.

Nutritionists at RMIT University enlisted 50 boys with moderate to severe acne and randomly assigned half a typical adolescent boy's diet high in processed foods and refined grain products.

The other half were put on a diet high in low-GI foods like wholegrain bread, pasta and legumes.

These foods are slowly digested and absorbed producing only gentle rises and falls in blood glucose and insulin levels.

Other carbs removed from their diet were replaced with high levels of protein like lean red meat and seafood.

"The acne of the boys on the higher protein-low GI diet improved dramatically, by more than half," said Dr Neil Mann, lead researcher of the study to be presented at a European dermatology conference in Greece on Thursday.

"This new evidence suggests that a more natural diet, comprised of minimally processed foods, may serve as a defence against acne."

He said the finding was significant because it challenged the belief held by many health professionals that there is no link between diet and acne.

Dr Mann said the diet was successful because it reined in high insulin levels he believes could be responsible for acne.

"When you go through puberty you produce a lot of growth hormone that actually makes you insulin resistant temporarily," he said.

"With chronically high levels of insulin you're going to get blockages in the pores and extra oil building up under the skin."

A diet high in processed foods pushes glucose and insulin levels higher, exacerbating the problem, but low GI foods do the opposite.

"It's as clear as day," Dr Mann said.

"We're convinced the results show that if people do suffer from acne badly this sort of dietary change is going to help them a great deal."

Sydney-based dermatologist Phillip Artemi said the results provided food for thought and proved the area should be studied in more depth.

However, he warned there was no evidence that acne was caused by food, so dietary changes could never cure the condition.

"Diet may be an adjunct in therapies for acne but it's not going to be a stand-alone treatment," Dr Artemi said.

Drug-Resistant Acne: All in the Family

Oct. 2, 2006 -- An antibiotic-resistant acne germ can spread among family members, Swedish researchers find.

The germ is Propionibacterium acnes. Skin colonized by P. acnes tends to erupt into the blotches and pustules of acne. Since the 1960s, doctors have fought P. acnes with antibiotics. The bug fought back. It's now common to find P. acnes strains resistant to several common antibiotics.

Doctors hoped that the only people carrying the drug-resistant acne bugs would be patients on long-term antibiotic therapy. That isn't the case, find Carl Eric Nord, MD, PhD, and colleagues at Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden.

Nord and colleagues took skin samples from 10 acne patients, all on antibiotic therapy, and from two close family contacts of each patient. Twelve healthy, acne-free volunteers -- who were not taking antibiotics and did not have family members with acne -- served as a comparison group.

Nord and colleagues found that nearly half of the family members carried drug-resistant acne bacteria on their skin. Genetic analysis showed that these family members carried the same strain of P. acnes as the acne patient among them.

The good news is that the family members fought off the drug-resistant germs -- but only after the acne patient in their family stopped using antibiotics.

On the other hand, you apparently can't avoid drug-resistant acne germs by avoiding people with acne. A third of the healthy comparison group also carried drug-resistant P. acnes on their skin.

Nord reported the findings at last week's 46th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, held Sept. 27-30 in San Francisco.