It's that time of year again. Time to start thinking about school. What classes will you be in? Will you see your friends? Most important, will you fit in? Sometimes all this stress is enough to give you a face full of pimples just in time for the first bell. Just what you need, right?
What Causes Stress–Related Acne?
Everyone is likely to suffer from stress at some point. When stress contributes to acne formation in teens, it may appear as something dermatologists often refer to as "Exam Stress," although anyone can get it from a variety of different triggers.
Stress often sets off the adrenal glands, which then produce more of the hormone known as adrenaline. Adrenaline, along with androgens, stimulate the sebaceous glands. These hormones cause excess oil to build up in your pores. When this oil and these dead skin cells clog the pores, it can lead to whiteheads and blackheads.
Other things can also contribute to acne, including the environment, heredity and certain make up – so, don't stress out over acne, do something about it.
Zap Those Zits
While over–the–counter treatments can help with very mild cases, sometimes you need something that's stronger, like a prescription topical retinoid that's available only through a dermatologist. Dermatologists now can prescribe medications that can manage, and even prevent, stress–related acne. Galderma Laboratories' *Differin® (adapalene), Gel, Cream, Solution, and Pledgets, 0.1%, and once-a-day **Clindagel® (clindamycin phosphate gel) topical gel, 1%, for inflammatory acne, can help control acne that is triggered by stress. Retinoids, such as the Differin® line of acne products, are thought to work below the surface of the skin, helping to unclog pores that contribute to acne.
*With Differin®, during the first few weeks of treatment, itching, dryness, redness, burning or peeling may occur. As with other acne medications, over-exposure to the sun or sun lamps, extreme wind or cold, or use of irritating skin care products may aggravate the skin. Use of a sunscreen and protective clothing over treated areas are recommended when exposure cannot be avoided.
**Clindagel® is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to clindamycin or lincomycin; regional enteritis or ulcerative colitis; or antibiotic-associated colitis. Use during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Diarrhea, bloody diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis have been reported with topical clindamycin. Discontinuation is recommended if significant diarrhea develops.
Here are some additional steps you can take to help keep those zits at bay:
- Keep your skin clean by washing twice a day with a gentle cleanser such as Cetaphil® Daily Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily skin. Try not to wash your face too often to avoid over–cleansing.
- Choose make up that's non–comedogenic. Be sure to check the label.
- See a dermatologist who can help you develop an effective approach to your specific needs. A dermatologist may start you on a program that entails using a prescription topical retinoid in combination with a topical antibiotic. The retinoid unclogs the pores while the antibiotic kills the bacteria that lives there. Please see attached full prescribing information
- Patience is a virtue. It took a while for pimples to develop, so don't expect them to disappear overnight. Dermatologists agree you should, realistically, allow 8-12 weeks to see results.
Just think, with Differin® and Clindagel®, you won't have to worry about acne. School can be fun. Except for tests. And teachers. And bullies. And cliques…
For full prescribing information please view Web sites:
www.differin.com.