I was in an Earth Day flash mob

Not acne related, but it was so much fun. It was part of a flash mob put on by Flash Mob America, a group that puts on flash mobs all across the country. This particular mob was sponsored by Urthecast, which takes HD video of the earth from space. They had a helicopter and a film crew there filming everything. Have a look if you want!

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Article source: http://www.acne.org/blog/2012/04/26/i-was-in-an-earth-day-flash-mob/

Acne Sufferers Makeup Tips

Here’s a great video we found to help you ladies out there suffering from severe acne.  We know the makeup doesn’t help the acne problem and can actually make it worse, so we don’t recommend for every day but great for covering up acne today for that night on the town tonight.

acne makeup tips

How to cover acne with makeup

Gave another $2000 to Power Over Prejudice. Thanks for your orders!


Orders for Acne.org products have remained strong and I was able to give another $2000 to Power Over Prejudice, an organization that helps middle school students dispell stereotypes and celebrate diversity. I gave them $2000 last year as well. May the world keep getting better and better!

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on Monday, April 16th, 2012 at 12:33 pm and is filed under The rest.
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Article source: http://www.acne.org/blog/2012/04/16/gave-another-2000-to-power-over-prejudice-thanks-for-your-orders/

Hiring: web developer/programmer

We’re hiring a programmer to help with Acne.org on a project basis. It could easily end up being full time for the right person. If you are an experienced web developer and/or programmer or know of someone, check out our ad on Craigslist.

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Article source: http://www.acne.org/blog/2012/04/11/hiring-web-developerprogrammer/

User videos – can I get your input?

A while back I mentioned that I wanted to get more of you guys represented on Acne.org in the form of videos of people performing the face, back, body, and neck Regimen, as well as some other stuff. I went ahead and made a new self-service page of Acne.org for this purpose. Please take a look if you have a sec. I haven’t launched it yet because I’m still uncertain about the product giveaway part of it. Here’s what I’m struggling with…

1. Do you think I should give away products in exchange for people submitting videos?

2. If so, should I give away more or less than I list on the page?

I would love your input on this before I go live with it. I don’t want to say any more because I don’t want to color your opinion either way. Please just give me your gut read if you don’t mind.

Thanks.

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on Monday, April 9th, 2012 at 2:35 pm and is filed under The rest.
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Article source: http://www.acne.org/blog/2012/04/09/user-videos-want-your-input/

James J. Nordlund, MD, FAAD, receives American Academy of Dermatology’s Master Dermatologist Award

NEW ORLEANS (Feb. 4, 2011) —The American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) presented its Master Dermatologist Award to James J. Nordlund, MD, FAAD, today at its 69th Annual Meeting.

The Master Dermatologist Award recognizes an Academy member who has made significant contributions to the specialty of dermatology, as well as to the leadership and/or educational programs of the Academy throughout his or her career.

Dr. Nordlund received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and completed his residencies in dermatology and internal medicine at Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn.

He has spent most of his career at universities where he has been involved in training over 100 dermatology residents and post doctoral fellows from around the world.

Dr. Nordlund has done much research on vitiligo and has supported young investigators from around the world to pursue similar interests. To stimulate interest and accelerate research on pigmentation, he and his colleagues founded the PanAmerican Society of Pigment Cell Research for which he served as the first president. He also was instrumental in starting the International Federation of Pigment Cell Societies to facilitate the international exchange of knowledge on pigmentation. He has authored over 400 investigative reports, chapters, reviews and other articles. With a group of pigmentation scientists, he published a compilation of basic and clinical science on pigmentation in the book, “The Pigmentary System: Physiology and Pathophysiology”.

He has been actively involved in teaching in underserved countries, specifically Moshi, Tanzania, and Haiti, where he helped start a dermatology educational program for doctors and other health care workers.

An active member of the Academy, Dr. Nordlund is a former member of the Academy’s board of directors. He has served on numerous committees and task forces and yearly has presented lectures at the Academy annual and summer meetings. He also served on the Editorial board of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. In addition, he is a past president of the Cincinnati Dermatological Society. Currently Dr. Nordlund is a clinical professor of dermatology at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio, and professor emeritus at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

Headquartered in Schaumburg, Ill., the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy), founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more than 16,000 physicians worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails. For more information, contact the Academy at (888) 462-DERM (3376) or www.aad.org.

Article source: http://www.aad.org/stories-and-news/news-releases/0148428a-4ef6-42a0-adb1-b85a4e0a1d13

Ilona Frieden, MD, FAAD, joins board of directors of the American Academy of Dermatology

San Francisco dermatologist Ilona J. Frieden, MD, FAAD, begins a four-year term as a member of the board of directors of the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy), the world’s largest dermatologic society, representing more than 16,000 physicians specializing in the diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of conditions of the skin, hair, and nails.

Elected to the board of directors in April 2009, Dr. Frieden assumed office at the conclusion of the Academy’s 68th Annual Meeting in Miami Beach. She will hold the same position for the American Academy of Dermatology Association.

A graduate of University of California in San Francisco, Dr. Frieden is a professor of dermatology and pediatrics at her alma mater. An active member of the dermatologic community, Dr. Frieden serves on a number of Academy committees and task forces as well as on the editorial board of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

In addition, Dr. Frieden is a past president of the American Board of Dermatology and the Society of Pediatric Dermatology. She also serves as the Co-Editor-in-Chief of Pediatric Dermatology.

The American Academy of Dermatology (Academy), founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. A sister organization to the Academy, the American Academy of Dermatology Association is the resource for government affairs, health policy and practice information for dermatologists, and plays a major role in formulating policies that can enhance the quality of dermatologic care. With a membership of more than 16,000 physicians worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin. For more information, contact the Academy at 1-888-462-DERM (3376) or www.aad.org

Article source: http://www.aad.org/stories-and-news/news-releases/ilona-frieden-md-faad-joins-board-of-directors-of-the-american-academy-of-dermatology

Hormonal therapies offer effective solutions for many adult women with acne

BOSTON (July 29, 2009) —Although acne traditionally has been considered a disease of teenagers, it is also extremely common in adult women. Studies show that acne affects more than 50 percent of women between the ages of 20-29 and more than 25 percent of women between the ages of 40-491. In fact, after age 20, women are far more likely to report having acne than men. While there is no cure for acne, dermatologists are finding that hormonal therapies can help some women fight bothersome acne that occurs in adulthood.

At the American Academy of Dermatology’s Summer Academy Meeting 2009 in Boston, dermatologist Bethanee J. Schlosser, MD, PhD, FAAD, assistant professor of dermatology and director of the Women’s Skin Health Program at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, discussed the most widely used hormonal therapies available for women with acne and the best candidates for this type of treatment.

Factors that contribute to the formation of acne include excess oil gland production, skin inflammation, abnormal maturation of skin cells lining the hair follicle and an increased number of the acne-causing bacteria Propionibacterium acnes. However, hormones also influence both oil gland production and the maturation of skin cells thereby contributing to the formation of acne lesions. For example, when androgens (the male hormones present in both men and women) over-stimulate the oil glands and hair follicles in the skin, hormonal acne flares can occur.

“Women over the age of 20 may experience worsening of their acne or a change in the nature of their acne. This can include increased lesions on the lower one-third of the face (including the jaw line and upper neck), pre-menstrual flares, and resistance to oral antibiotics and other traditional acne therapies,” said Dr. Schlosser. “For these women, hormonal therapy in the form of combination oral contraceptives and/or anti-androgen medications, such as spironolactone, flutamide and dutasteride that work by reducing the activity of the male hormone testosterone, may provide significant benefit.”

Dr. Schlosser noted that the use of hormonal therapies for acne, including combination oral contraceptives, requires careful screening of patients. For example, there are numerous contraindications (or factors that increase the risks of a particular medication) that must be considered before hormonal therapy is prescribed for treating acne. Such contraindications for combination oral contraceptives include a personal history of breast cancer, heart attack or stroke, uncontrolled high blood pressure, migraines with neurological symptoms, or abnormal vaginal bleeding, to name a few. Dermatologists will review these factors with patients to determine if hormonal acne therapy poses any potential risks for patients.

Based on a physical examination, a patient’s medical history and the success or failure of previously prescribed acne treatments, dermatologists may recommend hormonal therapy to enhance the results of acne treatment in women. Hormonal therapy in the form of combination oral contraceptive pills has been shown to help treat both inflammatory acne lesions (the papules, pustules and painful nodules under the skin), and non-inflammatory acne lesions (blackheads and whiteheads). Dr. Schlosser suggests that hormonal therapy should not be used in isolation but instead recommends that combination oral contraceptives or anti-androgen medications be used in conjunction with topical retinoids for optimal results.

While there are numerous types of oral contraceptives available that can be used to treat acne in women, three combination oral contraceptive pills have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of acne. All combination oral contraceptives contain an estrogen (ethinyl estradiol for most contraceptive pills) and a progestin. The estrogen component decreases the production of testosterone and other androgens by the ovaries and decreases the amount of active testosterone in the body.

Some progestins may actually mimic the activity of testosterone on the oil gland and thereby worsen acne. Therefore, Dr. Schlosser primarily recommends oral contraceptives that contain one of the following progestins: norgestimate, desogestrel, or drospirenone, all of which demonstrate low or no risk of increasing the activity of the testosterone receptor.

“Combination oral contraceptives can be very beneficial in the treatment of acne in appropriately selected women, and several different oral contraceptives have been shown to be effective in clinical studies,” said Dr. Schlosser. “But the treatment of acne with combination oral contraceptives needs to be targeted to each patient’s individual needs, and patients should be monitored regularly to ensure the safety and effectiveness of their particular therapy.”

Dr. Schlosser cautioned that improvement of acne with hormonal therapy does not occur overnight and requires at least three months of continuous use before a judgment about effectiveness should be made. In many cases, patients need to continue using oral contraceptives to sustain their results over time. However, some patients can stop hormonal therapy and maintain clear skin with the regular use of a topical retinoid.

“For many women with adult-onset acne, combination hormonal therapy can provide excellent results,” added Dr. Schlosser. “Women who think they might be good candidates should discuss their options with their dermatologist who can offer a customized treatment regimen and continual monitoring to ensure optimal results.”

To learn more about acne, visit the AcneNet section of www.skincarephysicians.com, a Web site developed by dermatologists that provides patients with up-to-date information on the treatment and management of disorders of the skin, hair and nails.

Headquartered in Schaumburg, Ill., the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy), founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more than 16,000 physicians worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails. For more information, contact the Academy at (888) 462-DERM (3376) or www.aad.org.

1 Collier CN Harper JC Cantrell WC et al The prevalence of acne in adults 20 years and older. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2008; 58

Article source: http://www.aad.org/stories-and-news/news-releases/hormonal-therapies-offer-effective-solutions-for-many-adult-women-with-acne

Hormonal factors key to understanding acne in women

SAN DIEGO (March 16, 2012) —

Information presented at American Academy of Dermatology’s 70th Annual Meeting by Bethanee Jean Schlosser, MD, PhD, FAAD, assistant professor of dermatology and director of Women’s Skin Health at Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine. 

OVERVIEW:
Teenagers are the age group most commonly thought to struggle the most with acne, but dermatologists are finding that late-onset or adult-onset acne is becoming increasingly common in women in their 20s, 30s, 40s and even 50s.  

Although there is no one single cure that works in all patients with acne, dermatologists can recommend patient-specific treatment regimens to control acne and minimize future breakouts. In women, hormonal therapies are commonly used to treat acne safely and effectively.

HOW HORMONES INFLUENCE ACNE:
Primary causes of acne

  • Excess sebum, or oil gland, production (influenced by hormones).
  • Skin cells that shed become abnormally sticky and accumulate, or clog up, in the hair follicle (influenced by hormones).
  • Increased number of the acne-causing bacterium Propionbacterium acnes, or P. acnes.
  • Skin inflammation.

The role of androgens

  • Androgens, the male hormones present in both men and women, can contribute to acne flares by overstimulating the oil glands and altering the development of skin cells that line hair follicles in the skin.
  • The majority of women with acne have normal androgen levels, but hormonal testing is recommended for females who have acne accompanied by excess facial or body hair, deepening voice, or irregular or infrequent menstrual periods.

TREATING ACNE IN WOMEN:
Factors to consider

  • Therapy must be tailored to the patient’s specific type and severity of acne: mild, moderate or severe.
  • Pregnancy considerations must be taken into account when prescribing acne medications because several oral and topical medications should not be used when trying to conceive or during pregnancy.
  • Adult women may be more likely to have dry skin as they get older, and topical acne medications may cause more skin irritation in patients with dry skin.
  • Some adult women with acne also may show signs of rosacea (another common skin condition characterized by redness and inflammation), which would make some topical acne medications harder to tolerate.

Topical retinoids

  • In acne patients of any age, dermatologists consider topical retinoids (medications that contain vitamin A derivatives) first-line therapy by for mild-to-moderate inflammatory acne accompanied by blackheads and whiteheads.
    • Dr. Schlosser noted that topical retinoids also are the preferred therapy for overall long-term prevention of new acne.

Hormone therapies

  • Combination oral contraceptives (also known as “the pill”) have been found to effectively clear acne in women either when used alone or in conjunction with an anti-androgen medication, such as spironolactone.  
  • Many different oral contraceptives have been shown to be effective in treating acne. Oral contraceptives approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of hormonal acne contain ethinyl estradiol plus either the progestin norgestimate, norethindrone acetate or drospirenone.
    • These oral contraceptives work together to alter levels and activity of hormones that can trigger acne.
  • Patients must be carefully screened before using any hormonal therapy for acne because there are numerous contraindications (or factors that increase the risks of a particular medication). Contraindications for use of oral conceptive pills include, but are not limited to:
    • Personal history of breast cancer.
    • Heart attack, stroke or blood clots.
    • Uncontrolled high blood pressure.
    • Abnormal vaginal bleeding.
  • Patients also need to be monitored regularly while using hormonal therapies.

TIPS FOR ACNE PATIENTS:

  • Dr. Schlosser advises patients to use non-comedogenic or sensitive skin products in order to reduce the formation of new acne lesions and to minimize skin irritation.
  • Mild cleansers should be used twice a day.
  • Avoid cleansers or other skin care products with scrubbing particles or a gritty texture, as they can irritate the skin.
  • Use a non-comedogenic moisturizer daily.
  • Apply the appropriate amount of topical acne medications (enough for a very thin layer, generally a pea-sized amount for the face) to the skin. Using more medication than is recommended will not produce better results, but may cause more irritation or dryness.
  • When starting treatment with topical retinoids, Dr. Schlosser advises that the therapy should only be applied three times a week for the skin to get accustomed to it. Over time, the frequency of the medication should be gradually increased with the goal of using a topical retinoid every night.
  • Avoid picking, squeezing, popping or otherwise manipulating acne lesions to minimize trauma to the skin to help reduce the risk of scarring and secondary bacterial infections.

ACADEMY EXPERT ADVICE:
“With acne, it’s important for patients to understand that there are no quick fixes, and none of the therapies used to treat acne work overnight,” said Dr. Schlosser. “Patients need to be consistent when using their acne medications and realize that they may not see the full effects of their treatment regimen for eight to 10 weeks — and in many case, some type of maintenance therapy is required for long-term clearance of acne. ”

FACTS:

  • A study examining the prevalence of acne in adults over age 20 found that acne affects more than 50 percent of women between the ages of 20-29 and more than 25 percent of women between the ages of 40-49.
    • The study found a disproportionate number of adult women were affected by acne compared to similar-aged men.
  • A 2011 clinical study examining photos of women from age 10-70 for visible signs of acne found that 45 percent of women aged 21-30 had clinical acne, 26 percent of women aged 31-40 had clinical acne, and 12 percent of women aged 41-50 had clinical acne.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
To learn more about acne, visit the Academy’s Dermatology A to Z section at www.aad.org and AcneNet at www.skincarephysicians.com.

Headquartered in Schaumburg, Ill., the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy), founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more than 17,000 physicians worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails. For more information, contact the Academy at 1 (888) 462-DERM (3376) or www.aad.org. Follow the Academy on Facebook (American Academy of Dermatology) or Twitter (@AADskin).

Article source: http://www.aad.org/stories-and-news/news-releases/hormonal-factors-key-to-understanding-acne-in-women

Helping foster children ‘carry’ on to adulthood

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (Oct. 13, 2010) —

There is no denying that teenagers in the foster care system need special support so they can begin to develop the skills that will take them successfully into adulthood. Those with skin, hair or nail diseases may face even more challenges because their self-esteem may have been shattered by the obvious signs of their condition. Their condition can make them feel self-conscious, depressed and concerned about their future medical needs. Pearl E. Grimes, MD, FAAD, a Los Angeles-based dermatologist, recognized this twofold need to build self-esteem for these underprivileged teens and to provide them with medical care.

The Coalition for At-Risk Youth (CARRY) was founded by Dr. Grimes in 2005 with the goal of providing opportunities for children and teens with skin diseases and other medical issues. Through CARRY, Dr. Grimes offers a wide range of services for youth who enter the program. Scholarships, mentoring, self-esteem workshops and a number of other individually targeted efforts underscore the organization’s commitment to improving the outlook of teens with medical problems, one child at a time.

“I had been trying for a long time to figure out how to best make an impact in my community,” said Dr. Grimes. “The vision for CARRY was solidified after volunteering at a shelter for teens. I estimated that three quarters of the homeless teens were former foster children and it became evident that I could make a significant impact by focusing on those in or leaving the foster care system.”

Recently, in partnership with the United Peace Officers Against Crime, CARRY held its annual summer camp for approximately 350 youths, between the ages of 6 to 17. During camp, the youths engaged in a number of fun activities such as sports, arts and crafts, and a variety of team-building exercises. In addition, the teens were offered a variety of workshops and programs designed to boost self-esteem, develop leadership skills and nurture self-identity. Further, the camp offered medical clinics, including skin-care clinics where Dr. Grimes and her team of health professionals diagnosed and treated more than 70 youths who have conditions that range from acne to vitiligo.

Dr. Grimes also offered to treat some of the teens for free at her practice. One teen-age girl diagnosed with vitligo at the recent summer camp was hesitant about continuing her treatment until Dr. Grimes advised her to call her office and schedule an appointment for free. The girl’s desire to seek successful treatment heightened upon realizing that help would be offered even after summer camp had ended.

“Self-esteem is so important for children and teenagers. If your skin makes you feel insecure, then your self-esteem suffers,” said Dr. Grimes. “Through my work in providing dermatologic care for these youths, I have been able to demonstrate that we are positively impacting their lives. We are able to build their self image and provide them with the emotional support in knowing that they are not alone in their struggle.”

In addition to offering summer camp, Dr. Grimes travels once a month to various homeless shelters and group homes throughout Los Angeles. By bringing the clinic to the teens, Dr. Grimes is able to provide them with more than just medical care.

“We talk about self-esteem by wrapping it into discussions about hygiene, hair and nail care, and sun protection,” said Dr. Grimes. “By opening the discussion about things that they may have questions about, you can broaden the discussion to issues that they may be reluctant to discuss with each other or the shelter staff.”

Although running a non-profit organization has kept Dr. Grimes extremely busy, she would not have it any other way.

“Running a successful non-profit organization means that a portion of every day is dedicated to volunteer work. I wear a lot of hats, and some days it’s not easy to juggle everything. But I am committed to giving back to children,” Dr. Grimes stated. “We’ve been lucky to have grown our organization every year, but there’s still so much work to do. By continuing to focus on the progress of each individual child, I really believe that this organization, and I, can affect the lives of at-risk children.”

As a board-certified member of the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy), Dr. Grimes has been recognized as a “Member Making a Difference” in her community. The Academy’s volunteerism committee selects members who have participated in volunteer activities in their community to be recognized by their peers for their efforts.

Headquartered in Schaumburg, Ill., the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy), founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more than 16,000 physicians worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails. For more information, contact the Academy at at (888) 462-DERM (3376) or www.aad.org.

Article source: http://www.aad.org/stories-and-news/news-releases/helping-foster-children-carry-on-to-adulthood