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Preventive measures include cleansing with soaps or cleansers that are mild and gentle. Too frequent washing so as to render the face non-greasy may also
precipitate acne. Use of abrasive cleansers can precipitate comedones.
Picking of the comedones can lead to pigmentation. Cosmetic agents should be used carefully.
Diet rich in vitamin A and omega 3 fatty acids (fish and fish oils) is useful in
prevention of acne.
Treatment of acne:
Acne should be treated properly and on time so as to avoid the sequelae such as scarring and pigmentation.
Treatment should
be done in consultation with a dermatologist who may use the following depending on the type, extent and severity of acne:
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Do
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Don't
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Cleanse with mild and gentle soaps or cleansers |
Use abrasive cleansers |
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Use cosmetic agents carefully |
Indulge in too frequent washing |
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Use diet rich in vitamin A and EFA |
Pick comedones |
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Topical Agents:
- Erythromycin (1-4%)
- Clindamycin (1%)
- Benzyl peroxide (2.5, 5, 10%)
- Tretinoin (0.025, 0.05, 0.1%)
- Adapeline (0.1%)
- Azelaic acid
(10-20%)
- Keratolytic agents
like salicylic acid, glycolic acid (BHA and AHA)
- Anti-inflammatory agents
Systemic Antibiotics (for SIX months):
- Tetracycline: 1000mg/day
- Minocycline: 100mg/day
- Doxycycline: 100mg/day
- Erythromycin: 1000mg/day
- Azithrmycin:
1000mg/day
Isotretinoin
(Synthetic Vitamin A) influences all the major pathogenetic factors:
- Reduces sebum production
- Reduces the population of
P. acnes
-
Reduces ductal cornification
- Anti inflammatory action
Dose: 0.5-1mg/kg body weight
Adverse effects:
Cheilitis,
Conjunctivitis,
Head ache
Hormones
may be useful in cases of hormonal abnormalities
- Oral contraceptive
pills containing estrogen and cyproterone acetate
- Glucocorticoids
(only in case of congenital adrenal hyperplasia)
- Anti-androgens
(for those with features of hyperandrogenism)
- Cyproterone acetate
- Spironolactone
- Ketoconazole
- Flutamide
- Cimetidine
Surgical procedures:
- Comedone extraction
- helps in faster resolution of acne
- Cryo therapy (CO2
snow or liquid nitrogen spray) - improves cornification and prevents
comedones (See Cryo Therapy)
- Chemical peeling -
helps in improving the cornification and also remodelling of the
scars. (See
Peels)
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Acne
Before and After Treatment |
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Acne
Before Treatment |
Acne After Chemical Peeling |
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Acne
Before Treatment |
Acne
After CO2 Slush and Chemical Peeling |
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Acne
Before Treatment |
Acne
After CO2 Slush and Chemical Peeling |
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Acne
Before Treatment |
Acne
After CO2 Slush and Chemical Peeling |
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Acne
Before Treatment |
Acne
After CO2 Slush and Chemical Peeling |
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Acne
Before Treatment |
Acne After CO2 Slush & TCA Peels |
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Acne
Before Treatment |
Acne After CO2 Slush & TCA Peels |
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Acne
Before Treatment
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Acne
After Salicylic Acid Peel
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Acne
Before Treatment
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Acne
After Salicylic Acid Peel
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More Acne Treatment Results |
The table below lists the
Glycemic indices and Glycemic loads of various foods and demonstrates that
refined grain and sugar products nearly always maintain much higher
glycemic index than unprocessed foods and vegetables.
| Table:
Glycemic Indices and Glycemic
Loads of Various Food Groups |
| |
Glycemic Index |
Glycemic Load |
|
Glycemic Index |
Glycemic Load |
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Grain products |
Vegetables |
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Rice Krispie cereal |
82 |
72.0 |
Baked potato |
85 |
21.4 |
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Cornflakes |
81 |
70.1 |
Sweet potato |
61 |
14.8 |
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Rice cakes |
78 |
63.6 |
Yam |
37 |
8.4 |
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Shredded wheat cereal |
75 |
62.0 |
Rutabaga |
72 |
6.3 |
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Graham wafers |
74 |
56.8 |
Beets |
64 |
6.3 |
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Cheerio cereal |
74 |
54.2 |
Carrots |
47 |
4.7 |
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Rye crisp bread |
64 |
52.6 |
Fruits |
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Vanilla wafers |
77 |
49.7 |
Banana |
52 |
11.9 |
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Stoned Wheat thins |
67 |
41.9 |
Grapes |
46 |
8.2 |
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Corn chips |
63 |
39.9 |
Kiwi fruit |
53 |
7.5 |
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Muesli bar |
61 |
39.3 |
Pineapple |
59 |
7.3 |
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Bagel |
72 |
38.4 |
Apple |
38 |
5.8 |
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Doughnuts |
76 |
37.8 |
Pear |
38 |
5.7 |
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White bread |
70 |
34.7 |
Watermelon |
72 |
5.2 |
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Whole wheat bread |
71 |
32.7 |
Orange |
42 |
5.0 |
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All bran cereal |
42 |
32.5 |
Dairy foods |
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Sugar, sweets |
Ice cream |
61 |
14.4 |
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Jelly beans |
78 |
72.6 |
Yogurt, low fat |
27 |
5.3 |
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Lifesavers |
70 |
67.9 |
Skim milk |
32 |
1.6 |
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Table sugar (sucrose) |
65 |
64.9 |
Whole milk |
27 |
1.3 |
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Mars bar |
65 |
40.4 |
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Source: Cordain L. Implications
for the role of diet in acne. Semin Cutan Med Surg 24:84-91
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