News / Health & Wellness
Acne Treatment with Non-Prescription Medications Reviewed by Leading Dermatologists.
Dermatologists have published their opinion regarding the use of non-prescription acne medications, providing patients with a trustworthy source of health information.
A December 7th, Los Angeles Times article, “Come on, it’s just acne” by Dr. Valerie Ulene, covered the authors experience seeking acne treatment for her teenage daughter and the over reliance on OTC and at-home therapies. She concluded "when it comes to anything beyond mild acne, doctors hold the cards. The most effective medications all require a prescription."
When asked what they thought about article and the proper role for over-the-counter acne medicines, leading dermatologists offered their opinions.
“OTC acne medications can help many patients - and trying them first can be a great first step in treating acne”, said Dr. Jeffrey Ellis of Belaray Dermatology in Plainview, New York. “If you try out an OTC acne product for 2-4 weeks, and find that your skin is not yet clear - it is time to call a dermatologist.”
According to Dr. Steven Feldman, professor of pathology and dermatology at Wake Forest University Medical Center, "For patients with relatively mild disease, a topical vitamin A medication with a topical antibiotic can be used. Bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics, but combined use with a benzoyl peroxide product helps prevent resistant organisms from developing. This topical approach is the foundation of treatment.”
The clinical judgment provided by dermatologists are published by Vivacare, a patient education company that provides dermatologists with tools to educate their patients and the public about skin conditions and offer skin care advice.
About Vivacare
Vivacare is a patient education company based in Berkeley, California that supports the physician-patient relationship by helping medical professionals share practical health information with their patients, leading to improved clinical care and patient satisfaction. Over 2,000 dermatologists use Vivacare's "fromyourdoctor" service to deliver health information regarding acne and other skin conditions to their patients.
