Battling Acne ; New Weapons in the War On Zits Come at a Price.

Summary

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You've got plans, new clothes. It's gonna be a great weekend. At least it was until you noticed a big zit. Acne affects just about everyone. It's the most widespread skin condition in the world. More than 85 percent of 12- to 24-year-olds have some type of acne. Acne isn't some kind of cosmic retribution for bad behavior or eating too much junk food. It occurs when dead skin cells mix with the body's natural oils and plug the pores. The severity of an outbreak is affected by hormones and genetics. What's a person to do? You're not totally to blame for your blemishes. However, eating a balanced diet, gently washing your face twice a day, regular exercise, a good night's rest and avoiding stress can help reduce the occurrence and severity of outbreaks. "They're like little infections. It's not going to clear up right away," says Washington Twp. dermatologist Dr. Samia Borchers, who was recognized in 2001 as the outstanding dermatologist of the year by the Ohio Dermatological Association. Borchers says there's only one sure cure for acne, and that's Accutane.

Accutane

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Battling Acne ; New Weapons in the War On Zits Come at a Price.

Accutane is the strongest oral medication available. It's the gold standard for people with severe cases. It's also very expensive and highly regulated. According to Borchers, Accutane is strictly regulated by the government, due to the possibili...

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