Acne Scars - It's not your fault!

Acne Scars - Laser skin resurfacing is a huge advance in cosmetic surgery!: "More than 12 million Americans suffer from varying degrees of acne scars. Even a mild case of adolescent acne can leave permanent scars throughout adulthood. In addition to physical trauma, for many, acne scars can also have adverse psychological effects.

Physicians say that the scarring itself represents only a small part of the actual damage. To gauge the psychological effect of acne scarring, makers of injectable collagen, gathered a focus group of men and women to discuss their feelings before and after acne scar treatments.

This study found that people with acne scars tend to be very introverted, often holding their heads down, covering their faces with their hair, and generally avoiding eye contact. Many of them carry a great deal of guilt - as if the scarring were their fault."

MY REACTION:

Wow, I didn't know scarring was that widespread. Makes me want to keep up that prevention program all the more.

Just say no to drugs for acne

MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Teenagers and acne medicine: "Only severe cases of acne should be treated with drugs such as Accutane. People taking Accutane and similar drugs need to be closely monitored. There are serious potential side effects, such as headaches, joint pains, muscle pains. In particular, birth defects are possible in the infants of pregnant teenagers taking the medication.

Antibiotics such as erythromycin and tetracycline are not as risky, but may produce side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, or vaginal yeast infections"

MY REACTION:

Heavy duty pharmaceuticals should not be your first response to an acne breakout. There are many gentler, safer alternatives worth exploring first. Save the big guns for later, and hopefully you will not need to go to the "later option."