[Misc] What I have learned from my dermatology rotation [x-post other Skincare_Addiction]

Beauty Tips For Body Care
Hi there! I'm a PA student with only a few months left before I graduate and become a practitioner (hopefully in dermatology!). Currently I'm on my dermatology rotation (where we basically care for patients in the same way first year medical residents do). I wanted to share some of the tips/tricks and care options that I've picked up in relation to acne.Treatment takes time! Maintain your regimen and don't get discouraged. Skin cells take a while to adjust to treatments and it may take 1-2 months before you see any change. Have faith and keep going.Dirty skin usually doesn't effect actual acne. There are a lot of theories about how acne forms currently. Many have to do with different hormones and skin flora. Acne can have a bacterial component which is why certain washes help, but ultimately washing your face more won't help clear you up. Once a day is plenty (usually with a benzoyl peroxide wash).The best thing to get rid of the small bumps called comedomes (blackheads and whiteheads) is a class of medications called retinoids. These cause your skin cells to turn over faster and it will DRY YOUR FACE OUT. It will probably hurt and feel uncomfortable, so start slow. Use a small amount. Recently a popular lighter strength retinoid called Differin went over the counter and is pretty cheap.Inflammation is what causes scarring. This can include cystic acne which is naturally inflamed or picking at bumps and causing them to become inflamed. The best thing to clear up superficial inflammation (not the deep cystic bumps) is topical antibiotics. The best thing to clear up the deep bumps that are usually painful is oral antibiotics. These are hard to get rid of.When you have risk of scarring or severe acne, acutane is a great choice. Yes it is scary, yes it was associated with some negative things, but it is the closest thing we have to a cure for acne. Many of the negative associations with psychological issues (ie depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation) have been disproven. Most of the time these lessen as acne improves.If you have acne like lesions on your body that aren't on your chest or upper back they are most likely not acne. It is probably a form folliculitis where bacteria + friction = painful bumps. The advice for these are typically washing with a benzoyl peroxide wash and a weekly bleach bath (1/2 cup of bleach to 1/2 tub). If these bother you, there are antibiotics that can help clear these up.Sunscreen!! Yes vitamin D is good for your skin and can help clear up your face, but usually 15 minutes can fill your quota. Much more than that can actually be detrimental, especially in fairer skinned people.So these are just a few tidbits I've picked up from my time in the clinic. If you have any questions feel free to ask, no promises on if I can provide a great answer or not. Seeing a dermatologist is the absolute best thing you can do for your skin. If they don't sit down with you and answer your question/explain your treatments then they may not be the practitioner for you! Choose someone that will work with you; you should be a team!!
Girls Blog 2015
Submitted by LADYDEADP00L