
Fighting Back Against Acne
Acne is extremely common, affecting about 85% of adolescents and young adults. Many doctors view acne as superficial and minor, but its effects can go much deeper than the surface of the skin. It can place a heavy emotional and psychological burden on patients that may be far worse than the physical impact. Studies from all over the world have looked at the effect acne has on self-esteem and self-confidence and have found definitive correlations between acne and anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders.
The evidence is pretty clear — acne has some negative psychosocial effects that can last a lifetime. Therefore, we advocate a serious, thoughtful, and thorough approach to the treatment of acne. Too many patients are simply prescribed a drying agent for their skin and an antibiotic without an evaluation of personal medical history, lifestyle factors, and environment.
Some patients definitely need antibiotics; however, excessive antibiotic usage simply contributes to the ever-worsening pattern of bacterial resistance. The truth is, with a little investigation and education, many patients won’t need pills to control their breakouts. Some natural acne treatment remedies might just be what it takes. Given the importance of a successful acne treatment to one’s self-esteem and psychological health, and the need to reduce antibiotic usage, doesn’t it make sense to explore new treatment protocols? Let the team of licensed experts create a customized acne treatment plan for you. At St. Louis Skin Solutions we take a holistic view of our patients to create the best and most effective plan.