Study Shows Mild Acne Linked To Depression

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Citing a study which shows that even mild acne can be associated with
such emotional problems as significant clinical depression and even
suicide, a physician who treats depression and cosmetic skin problems
is encouraging parents to seek medical treatment for their teenagers
who have acne.

"It's been found that the cosmetic impact of even mild acne can cause
a profound emotional burden for some young people," said Dr. Aaron
Barson, Medical Director of Surface Medical Spas, a medical clinic in
Layton that treats acne along with a host of other cosmetic skin
conditions. "During high-school and college, appearance becomes one
of the defining characteristics of how people see themselves. Taking
care of treatable cosmetic problems at this time can lead to greater
self-confidence and success later on in life."

The research stems from a Canadian study published in the British
Journal of Dermatology. Using a standard 52-item rating scale for
depression, psychologists examined the prevalence of depression among
480 dermatology patients with four different skin disorders, including
acne. They found that the level of depression and suicidal thinking
among patients with mild to moderate acne was similar to that among
patients suffering from moderately severe psoriasis, a far more chronic
and cosmetically disfiguring condition.

The study concludes that, "The effect of a skin disorder on body image
should be assessed in the context of the patient's life and development
stage, as teenagers and young adults with acne may have greater
difficulty adjusting to the cosmetic problems imposed by the skin
disorder in contrast to older individuals with more chronic and
disfiguring problems".

This new research, as well as studies that date back as early as 1948,
shows that acne can affect all dimensions of a person's psychosocial
well-being. According to the study, the effects may be expressed in a
number of ways, including low self-esteem and self-confidence, negative
body image, anger, embarrassment leading to social withdrawal and
lifestyle limitations. The study suggests that seeking rapid correction
of an acne problem may be critically important for some people. Rather
than treating the problem with over-the-counter medications and taking
a wait and see approach, an evaluation by a healthcare professional can
help determine the best treatment method from all of the options
available.

Fortunately there is help here now. New treatments that have stemmed
from hair removal using light waves have been proven to be effective in
treating acne and have recently been given FDA approval.

"The pulsed light treatments have produced remarkable results",
said Dr. Barson. "We are treating acne and other skin problems
immediately and with greater effectiveness than traditional
therapies".

Here's how it works. A high energy pulse of light is generated by a
laser type machine and applied to the treatment area in a burst that
lasts 1/400 of a second. The filtered light is absorbed by the targeted
subcutaneous oil glands damaging and disabling them while destroying
the bacteria that breed inside the glands. The procedure lasts about
ten minutes and although several visits may be needed, the treatment
boasts a nearly perfect record and most patients feel only a mild
snapping sensation. The effects are nearly immediate and eliminate the
need for prescription drugs like Accutane that have been proven to
cause birth defects.

For patients suffering from the after effects of acne, namely pitting
and scarring of the face, there is additional help. Through a
combination of Microdermabrasion, Collagen replenishment and filler
injections, the cosmetic effects of acne may be greatly mitigated.

And how well does it work? "We've achieved results that were
impossible just a year ago," says Dr. Barson. "We have achieved
acne reduction rates approaching 100% in some patients after three
treatments.

Acne is a disease that affects approximately 20 million people in the
United States and nearly 80 percent of the population will develop some
form of acne during their lifetime. While the condition is most
prevalent among teenagers, acne affects people of all ages, from
infants to the elderly. It develops when the hair follicles become
clogged by skin cells that block the opening of pores.

Surface Medical Spas provides cosmetic procedures including acne
treatments using new non-invasive light technologies. The company's
web site, www.surface-med.com offers treatment and technology
information.