Treatment of Acne

Kyu Uang Whang

doi:10.5124/jkma.2006.49.1.63

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Whang: Treatment of Acne

Continuing Education Column

Journal of the Korean Medical Association

Journal of the Korean Medical Association 2006; 49(1): 63-69.

Published online: 31 January 2006

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2006.49.1.63

Treatment of Acne

Kyu Uang Whang, M.D.

Department of Dermatology, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine & Hospital, Korea. snolomas@hosp.sch.ac.kr

Abstract

Acne vulgaris is a self-limited disease, seen primarily in adolescents. Most cases of acne are pleomorphic, presenting various lesions consisting of comedones, pustules, and nodules. Although it has been traditionally classified as a disease of the sebaceous gland, it actually involves the pilosebaceous unit. There are four major principles in the treatment of acne: ① correct the altered pattern of follicular keratinization; ② decrease the sebaceous gland activity; ③ decrease the follicular bacterial population; and ④ produce anti-inflammatory effect. The natural course of acne varies greatly, and therefore, the determination of the therapeutic efficacy of medications for the treatment of acne is far from being simple.

Keywords: Acne, Pilosebaceous Unit, Comedone, Retinoid

Figures and Tables

Figure 1

Pathophysiology of ance

Table 1

Side effects of isotretinoin

(modified from ref.12)

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