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| | June 2002 Ageless herbal newsletter
This month's newsletter we have decided to dedicate to Roaccutane
(also known as Accutane) - the miracle drug so often prescribed for skin problems, since we have had thousands of queries regarding this product.
The magic bullet so often held out to teenagers (and older people) with
skin problems and acne is the controversial medication called
Roaccutane (Accutane in the USA).
Although it is a product developed by Roche Pharmaceuticals to help clear up
deep cystic acne, it has become the vogue to prescribe the medication, since some prescribe it as a cure-all, and secondly it is a great boon for the cash-flow of pharmacies and dispensing doctors, as the cost of the
medication can run into the thousands of rands per month.
Although the efficiency of the medication for severe (with the emphasis on severe) recalcitrant
nodular acne is not disputed, it does have some unwanted side effects, which according to the product insert include the following
Apart from these, some other side effects have also been reported by people using Roaccutane:
The above lists would be enough to scare off most people, yet people that suffer the
agony of acne not clearing up would go to any lengths to find a cure.
And although Roaccutane does help with severe recalcitrant acne, the manufacturer states very clearly that they do not fully understand why the active ingredient - a synthetic
stereoisomer of all-trans retinoic acid - helps with the condition.
This statement alone leaves a feeling of quiet discomfort, since the learned researchers of Hoffman-La-Roche should after all these years (was first formulated in 1971) have been able to find out why this schedule 5 medication does what it is suppose to do.
People of all ages get acne, but it is more prevalent in Caucasian people between 12 and 24 but can extend into their 30s and 40s.
Before people with acne consulted a dermatologist, they normally tried a variety of topical (applied to the skin) over the counter medications which could include a variety of active ingredients from
benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid to
sulfur - and these preparations are normally sufficient to sort out the problem.
Some of these over the counter medications can also cause side effects such as
skin irritation, redness etc and care should also be exercised when using them.
Prescription topical medication is also used which would include
antibiotics, adapalene and azeleic acid and tretinoin .
Oral prescription medication for acne would include a selection of antibiotics such as
tetracycline, minocycline, doxycycline etc. For women, a
low dose estrogen pill may also be prescribed - such as a birth control pill.
Although there are various ideas on the effect of diet and
acne, nutrition does play a part. Some medical people are still divided about the
inclusion of supplemental zinc and
acne, yet there are published research documents that show very positive effects on acne when
dietary zinc was added to the patient's diet.
The old idea of chocolates, greasy foods and cool drinks in relation to acne has no conclusive proof, yet it is still best to try and limit these items when having problems with your skin and to follow a well balanced diet, which would include a fair helping of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as salads, and enough dietary fiber and water.
People suffering from acne must keep a few simple things in mind: -
If you are suffering from severe cystic acne - see a dermatologist. -
Use a good facial wash that will assist in keeping your skin clean, and rather stay away from harsh soaps and scrubs, since although you may feel that the stronger the soap the better the result, it is really the opposite that is true. -
Do not pick, squeeze or pinch the blemishes - you could cause scars. -
If you shave - do so carefully and make sure that you soften the beard properly with warm water and a mild soap before using your shaving foam - it causes less stress when shaving since the beard is softer. -
Do not suntan - although it may temporarily hide the redness and blemishes, sun tanning can have a negative influence on some skin medication (topical and oral) and can cause permanent damage and premature ageing. -
Choose your skincare range with care - the skincare range should be formulated for problem skin, and should not excessively dry the skin. People suffering from acne have the mistaken idea that the more drying a product, the better the result in clearing up the acne. This is not true - you still need moisturizing and protection - so keep away from oily or greasy products. -
Keep make-up to a minimum. Although most people would like to hide acne under layers of base and foundation, it is the worst thing that you can do. -
A regular visit to a beauty salon (for both women and men) should also be considered where a trained therapist would be able to gently tend to the skin, and use products formulated to assist in clearing up skin problems.
In closing, let us just state that we think that Roaccutane (Accutane) can be a most helpful drug to assist with problematic acne, but that the prescribing of this potent drug, must be done with great care, and only to people who really need it.
Other articles of interest
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