Acne Therapy - FarmavitaR - Regulatory affairs network

Written by Miss. Shefali Kaul

Saturday, 22 December 2007 23:33

ACNE: MYTHS, FACTS AND THERAPY 

Acne, although being a very common skin problem, leads to a lot of heartache and
corresponding increase in expenditure on off the self-cosmetic products, which may or may not
help. The present paper throws the light on the acne, its cause, facts, myths and finally the drug
therapy, which are used in suppressing the acne. Also, attempt was done to collect the herbal
therapy for the acne since they are safe, easily available and free fron major side effects.

  

ACKING ACNE: MYTHS, FACTS AND THERAPY

KAUL, SHEFALI 1* DUBEY, RAGHVENDRA 2 AND DWIVEDI, SUMEET 2

1, QC DEPTT. PLETHICO PHARMA LTD., INDORE, MP-INDIA

2, CHORDIA INSTITUTE OF PHARMACY, INDORE, MP, INDIA

*  CORRESPONDING AUTHOR

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Acne Therapy - FarmavitaR - Regulatory affairs network

Written by Miss. Shefali Kaul

Saturday, 22 December 2007 23:33

E-mail: kaul_shef@yahoo.com

Mob. No. 09893156578   

ABSTRACT

Acne, although being a very common skin problem, leads to a lot of heartache and
corresponding increase in expenditure on off the self-cosmetic products, which may or may not
help. The present paper throws the light on the acne, its cause, facts, myths and finally the drug
therapy, which are used in suppressing the acne. Also, attempt was done to collect the herbal
therapy for the acne since they are safe, easily available and free fron major side effects.

INTRODUCTION

Acne is an inflammatory disease of the hair follicle and their associated sebaceous or oil
glands. Acne appears not only on the face, but also on the neck, chest, back, upper shoulder,
scalp, upper arms and legs or other areas of the body, where there is a large concentration of
oil glands. It is related primarily to hormonal changes that occur during adolescence. These
hormonal factors play a significant role in the onset of acne and since oil gland activity and
sebum production are under the controls of androgens, the role of these hormones are crucial.
There are factors, such as physiological factors as in puberty, pregnancy and menophase;
pathological factors, as in ovarian cysts, adrenal hyperplasia; drug induced e.g., cortisone
bodies, iodides, anabolic steroids for body building, antileptics, antituberculosis treatments etc.
then there are mechanical factors such as infrequent washing and thus clogging on the pores,
drandruff, constipitation etc.

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Acne Therapy - FarmavitaR - Regulatory affairs network

Written by Miss. Shefali Kaul

Saturday, 22 December 2007 23:33

TYPES & OCCURRENCE

Adolescent, heredity and hormonal imbalance are three different and major types of the acne.
Acne can occur right from the pre-puberty stage up to adult, till the late 4 th day, which is
because of the dip in the estrogen levels because of which the circulating male hormone brings
about this break out. The teenage acne appears between 12 and 16 and is again due to
androgen activity on the oil glands during the puberty. The skin becomes very oily because of
which the pores open wide, may get clogged with sweat. This leads to formation of black head,
which latter on may become pustular lesions. This type is normally treated with topical
application of adapelene, benzoyl peroxide or certain erythromycin gel or if severe, with the oral
antibiotics. The scars and acne fade away with the time. The adult acne is usually concentrated
around the jaws, chin and upper neck and usually cystic and nodular and takes very long to
fade.

MYTHS ABOUT ACNE

1. Caused by poor diet

In most cases, diet and hygiene has no influence on the acne, but certain things like not taking
tetracycline along with milk product should be remembered. Otherwise there is no need to avoid
milk products. Hygiene is very important from head to toe and from with in control acne.

2. Role of stress in acne

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Saturday, 22 December 2007 23:33

Stress brings about certain hormonal changes which in turn activate the oil gland or even
cause syndrome like polycystic ovarian disease which results in a nodular cystic acne,
unwanted body and facial hair and may be irregular periods.

SOME FACTS ABOUT ACNE

- Acne is a disease of adolescence, but can develop in women up to there forties.

- Acne is more common in girls and can afflicts young men and women alike, as a matter of
facts; the severe cystic form of acne is more common in men.
- Acne increases before periods, due to the peak in hormone, which stimulates the oil
glands and there is a flare up of the exciting acne.
- Acne lessens during the pregnancy, if pre-pregnancy acne is due to a hormonal
imbalance, the change in hormone and that happened during pregnancy act as treatment for
the problem.
- Hormonal treatment or birth control pills can treat acne.
- Moisturizer can worsen acne.{mospagebreak}

MODERN ALLOPATHIC THERAPY

Mild cases may not require any medical therapy; moderate cases may require treatment with
topical application and severe cases are usually treated with both topical agents and systemic
corticosteriods.

1. In moderate cases with open and closed comedones and a few papoles and pustles are
effective treated with topical agents of Vitamin A as isotretinoin 0.05% gel or cream applied
sparingly 1 or 2 daily for 6-8 weeks.

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2. Resorcinol 2% + sulphur 8% applied sparingly once daily.

3. Bacteriostatic and comedolytic agents benzoyl peroxide, 2.5 %-10% gel BD.

4. Salicylic acid 2% with warm water and then massage as to skin 2-3 times daily and then
rinse.

5. Topical antibiotics as erythromycin, clindamycin and tetracycline.

6. In severe cases with postules, cysts nodules and scarring, the patient is given systemic
abouts such as tetracycline or erythromycin 500 mg 2 BD orally.

TOPICAL ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS USED IN ACNE

1. Azelaic acid 20% cream

2. Benzoyl peroxide 2.5-10% cream, lotion or gels

3. Clindamycin 1%

4. Erythromycin 1.5-2%

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5. Metronidazole 0.75% lotion, cream or gel

6. Sulfacetamide 10% lotion

7. Sulphur 5%+ sulfacetamide 10% lotion

NEW ADVANCES

1. Adapalene (differin), a derivative of napthoic acid, solution or gel formulation for topical use.

2. Tazarotene (tazorac)

SOME MARKETED PREPARATION

1. Cleocin-T: Clundamycin

2. Persa-gel: Benzoyl peroxide

3. 5% Benzamycin: Erythromycin

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4. Klaron, Sebizon: Sulfacetamide

5. Metrocream, Metrogel: Metronidazole

6. Azelex: Azelaic acid{mospagebreak}

HERBAL THERAPY

Herbal remedies are without a doubt the number one best selling and most widely used of all
the forms of alternative medicine. Herbal remedies can be mixed at home after picking them
from the garden or countryside, they can be bought from the health food store, chemist an now
the top selling names have hit the supermarket shelf's and of course there is the herbalist.
Perhaps the biggest selling point of herbal remedies is the diversity in which they can be used,
remedies come in pill form, capsule, in dropper bottles and in essential oils for inhalation. They
are also known to treat a wide and varied amount of illnesses, diseases and problems and are
also a number one seller when it comes to treating disorders of the nervous system such as
panic attacks. While being able to relieve symptoms of major illnesses, herbal medications can
also be used to help everyday and the more common ailments that we all suffer from. Acne -
almost all teenagers and some adults suffer from acne at some time or another, aloe gel is
particularly well known for its astringent properties and as such can be an excellent remedy to
help combat acne attacks and to keep the skin healthy.

Because prevention is the best way to protect your skin from the scarring associated with
severe acne, many dermatologists recommend that controlling problematic acne through diet,
regular cleansing procedures, and herbal remedies, is the most effective way to combat the
tendencies of skin that is prone to acne and acne-related scarring.

Treatments that accentuate the regulation of daily habits having to do with diet, physical
exercise, mood control, and other activities, are known as holistic treatments. Holistic
treatments often include herbal therapies.

Herbalists recommend the following herbal remedies for acne and scarring:

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1. Black currant seed oil taken in 500-milligram capsules three times a day for three months or
until acne is diminished.

2. Evening primrose oil taken in 500-milligram capsules three times a day for three months or
until acne is diminished.

3. Teas made from a combination of echinacea, tea tree oil, goldenseal, nettles, or calendula.

4. Teas made from lavender or chamomile, to help reduce acne-causing stress.

5. Chinese herbs such as cnidium seed and honeysuckle flower.

6. Teas made from cumin, coriander, and fennel, steeped for 10 minutes in hot water and
consumed three times a day after meals.

7. Some alternative medicine practitioners recommend using diet as a way to combat acne
and acne-related scarring. These practitioners believe that diets high in beta-carotene help to
reduce the factors that contribute to severe acne. Orange and yellow foods such as carrots,
pumpkin, and cantaloupe are loaded with beta-carotene and should be a regular part of the diet
of anyone suffering from acne and scarring.

8. Another dietary recommendation for acne-sufferers is to consume many bland foods such
as oatmeal, rice, brown grains, and applesauce. These foods should be eaten instead of spicy
foods and fried foods, which are believed by some practitioners to stimulate the hormones and
glands that aggravate acne conditions.

9. A daily practice of yoga is commonly recommended as a way to increase the flow of blood

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Saturday, 22 December 2007 23:33

to the face. This helps to flush acne-causing toxins and to provide your facial skin with natural
nutrients that help to decrease the formation of acne and to heal scar tissue.

10. People who suffer from acne should also take care to perform some simple daily rituals
that can help to reduce the occurrence of acne and scarring.

11. Dermatologists and alternative medicine practitioners suggest that acne-sufferers should
wash the area twice daily with mild soap. Washing should be gentle. Scrubbing or grating the
skin will only aggravate the condition and lead to scarring.

12. Hair should be washed thoroughly and regularly and should be kept away from the face
and shoulders.

13. Acne sufferers should also avoid shaving as much as possible. When shaving, take care
not to run the blade over blemishes. Always use a new blade so as not to spread infection.

14. Avoid wearing make-up and facial cosmetics. If you must, take care to use make-up that is
hypoallergenic.

15. In order to prevent scarring, do not pop or squeeze pimples. Popping and squeezing
pimples is tempting, but can easily cause infection and the development of unwanted scar
tissue.

16. While many of these holistic therapies can be easily performed at home, it is a good idea
to speak with your dermatologist or alternative medicine practitioner about the best holistic
measures to take as a way to help with acne and acne-related scarring.

17. Greg Podsakoff is a former acne sufferer, and currently provides information on treating
acne, pimples, and zits, via an objective informational skincare website

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Saturday, 22 December 2007 23:33

REFERENCES

1. Hosssan and Gupta. Textbook of medicine, AITBS publication, ist ed. Jan 2002,655-657.

2. Goodman and Gilmans. The pharmacological basis of therapeutics, medical publishing

division, 10th ed., 1809-1811.

3. Ross and Wilson. Anatomy and Physiologi in health and illness, Churchill livingstone, 9th
ed.,210-210.

4. Tripathi KD. Essential of pharmacology, jaypee publication, 5th ed.

5. Materica medica

6. Indian Herbal Pharmacopoeia

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