20 Nov Acne and Rosacea are Medical Conditions Requiring Medical Treatment
There are over 3,000 skin disorders, but most people only know about a handful of them. RefinedMD regularly treats patients struggling with acne and rosacea, two common and yet very frustrating skin issues. Acne is by far the most common skin problem, with the majority of people experiencing some form of acne in their life. Only the mildest forms of acne may be treated with over the counter products, but more severe or chronic acne usually requires a dermatological treatment in order to get breakouts under control and prevent acne sequelae.
Only a dermatologist has the experience and ability to create a customized treatment plan for you that really works. Treating acne isn’t solely an aesthetic concern. Acne can be painful, cause lower self-esteem, and severe acne can cause lifelong scarring. There are a number of medical-grade acne treatments available, and in 2020 the FDA approved a new prescription cream called Winlevi. It is exclusively for those over the age of 12 and was created by the pharmaceutical company Cassiopea.
A Breakthrough Acne Treatment
According to Cassiopea, the drug was created because 50 million people in the US alone are affected by acne, so it’s clear that finding a cure isn’t easy. What makes this new cream so special? The last FDA-approved acne drug was created almost 40 years ago. Today it’s known as Accutane, and it’s one of the strongest and most effective ways to treat acne. Winlevi is different because it’s a topical cream, not a pill that you have to swallow like Accutane (or even birth control, a common form of treating acne).
There are, of course, other topical creams but Winlevi is the first to include clascoterone as an active ingredient. This ingredient targets the androgen receptors that are in charge of skin inflammation and sebum (oil) buildup. Birth control pills like Yaz also use anti-androgens in their action mechanism, but again Winlevi is different because it’s topical. This means there are no systemic effects and Winlevi can be used to treat men.
Dermatologists agree that one of the most common forms of acne, acne vulgaris (sometimes called adolescent acne) is caused by a surge of androgens due to hormone fluctuations. This overstimulates the oil gland hair follicle complex, or the pilosebaceous units. Using Winlevi has been shown to stop hormonal acne and preventing future episodes. Although teens are at the highest risk of so-called adolescent acne, those experiencing hormone changes later in life—such as during pregnancy—can also benefit from this new option.
Calm Rosacea with Your Favorite Drink
Rosacea is also a very common condition and although it doesn’t have the potential to leave lasting scars like acne it’s very frustrating to deal with. Nobody knows exactly what causes rosacea and there is no cure for it—but there are things you can do to lessen your flare-ups. These include laser skin rejuvenation treatments and personalized skin care regimens. However, lifestyle changes and diet can also play a role in managing your rosacea.
For years, rosacea patients have been urged to identify their triggers and avoid them. Hot coffee has long been considered a common rosacea trigger—until now. In a 2020 study published in JAMA Dermatology, researchers found that coffee can actually minimize rosacea symptoms. Based at Brown University, over 4,945 participants with rosacea were scouted. Those who drank at least four cups of coffee per day actually had 23 percent less chance of experiencing a rosacea flare-up. Such results were not found in patients who consumed other high-caffeine options like chocolate or soda.
The Caffeine Connection
Researchers point to the vasoconstrictor effects of caffeine, which reduces blood to the skin. Rosacea tends to be prevalent when blood flow increases. There are also polyphenols in coffee, which is an antioxidant that helps reduce inflammation. Right now, researchers can’t say specifically that drinking coffee reduces rosacea flare-ups, but the study is promising (especially for those with a coffee addiction).
What we do know for certain is that working with leading dermatologists is the best way to address all of your skin concerns. If you have acne, rosacea, or any of the other thousands of skin disorders, you deserve to work with an expert. Call RefinedMD today at (408) 688-2082.