Acne Treatments for Men
Acne in men is on the rise, but acne treatments are better than ever
Folliculitis is more common among Hispanics and African-Americans, Rahimi says, because their hair tends to curl up under the skin and cause a pocket of infection. The best treatment is to switch to an electric shaver.
“The electric shaver doesn’t give as close a shave as a blade, but it causes fewer problems with irritation and inflammation around the hair follicle,” Rahimi says. “Also, I have [men with folliculitis] use salicylic acid or glycolic acid to unclog the pores, and then retin A once a week. The key is to use different medicines from different families to control bacteria, clear the pores, and bring inflammation down.”
Another type of facial inflammation known as rosacea is sometimes confused with acne because it produces small pimples and redness across the nose and cheeks. “Acne rosacea,” as it’s known, involves the follicles, but is not caused by sebum or oil. Although the cause is not known, some dermatologists believe the condition is caused or aggravated by common mites known as Demodex folliculorum, which inhabit follicles and are found in far greater numbers in people with rosacea. Treatment for rosacea differs from treatment for typical acne vulgaris.
Treatments for acne, as well as for rosacea, have improved in recent decades, and they continue to get better, dermatologists say. Harmon predicts an even clearer future for men’s faces: “In 10 years we’ll have new topicals and new oral agents, and more innovations involving the use of oral vitamin A derivatives,” he says.
Acne Treatments for Men
Acne in men is on the rise, but acne treatments are better than ever
Acne-like problems continued...
Folliculitis is more common among Hispanics and African-Americans, Rahimi says, because their hair tends to curl up under the skin and cause a pocket of infection. The best treatment is to switch to an electric shaver.
“The electric shaver doesn’t give as close a shave as a blade, but it causes fewer problems with irritation and inflammation around the hair follicle,” Rahimi says. “Also, I have [men with folliculitis] use salicylic acid or glycolic acid to unclog the pores, and then retin A once a week. The key is to use different medicines from different families to control bacteria, clear the pores, and bring inflammation down.”
Another type of facial inflammation known as rosacea is sometimes confused with acne because it produces small pimples and redness across the nose and cheeks. “Acne rosacea,” as it’s known, involves the follicles, but is not caused by sebum or oil. Although the cause is not known, some dermatologists believe the condition is caused or aggravated by common mites known as Demodex folliculorum, which inhabit follicles and are found in far greater numbers in people with rosacea. Treatment for rosacea differs from treatment for typical acne vulgaris.
Treatments for acne, as well as for rosacea, have improved in recent decades, and they continue to get better, dermatologists say. Harmon predicts an even clearer future for men’s faces: “In 10 years we’ll have new topicals and new oral agents, and more innovations involving the use of oral vitamin A derivatives,” he says.
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