Acne is a common ailment that affects not only the pubescent but adults too. There are many medications and different laser treatments on the market right now, and some that may be highly effective, also carry a significant risk.
Featured on The Doctors, isotretinoin is a vitamin-A derivative used to treat severe acne. Because of the side effects associated with the medicine, it is rarely prescribed. Most physicians will opt for other treatments such as topical creams and cleansers, which commonly contain salicylic acid, or acne laser technologies. When those treatments are unsuccessful, isotretinoin may be used.
The hesitance to use this medication is based on a less than 1% chance that patients taking isotretinoin will experience depression, headaches and/or decreased night vision. More commonly, side effects include dry skin and mouth and dry, chapped lips. Isotretinoin can also cause birth defects, so women who may become pregnant should not ingest the drug.
The medicine works by decreasing production of sebum, which is a natural body fluid produced by sebaceous glands underneath the skin. When the pores are clogged, and the sebum has nowhere to go, it begins building up and eventually a small infection occurs. White blood cells rush to the site and die, forming pus. These are the 'whitehead' pimples, also known as a closed comedone, with which we are all too familiar. Another type of pimple that occurs are 'blackheads,' or open comedones. These are caused in much the same way, there is a build up of sebum in the pore, but as the pore remains open and not clogged, there is not the subsequent infection and build up of pus.
Acne laser treatments are now available to remove current pimples and reduce sebum production over time. Technologies such as Isolaz from Aesthera, which was recently acquired by Solta Medical, not only visibly reduce acne within a couple of days, but actually reduce the production of sebum at the treatment site, unlike medications which reduce sebum production over the whole body. According to Stephen Fanning, CEO of Solta Medical, there are many people who suffer from acne and are looking for a treatment that works quickly and effectively. "In one or two days, you will see some dramatic results as a result of using the isolaz products. So it's a big market and it's a product that works."
See the entire interview with Solta Medical CEO Stephen Fanning about acquiring Isolaz
Doctors cast member Dr. Drew Ordon advises against popping zits, no matter how tempting. He suggests placing a warm, wet washcloth on the pimple to open it up, followed by a moist, cool chamomile tea bag to reduce inflammation and provide some anti-bacterial benefits.
