Solodyne Antibiotic Acne Treatment

Now that the school year is underway families are back to their routines, but for many teenagers the start of school also means the start of acne flair-ups.

The beginning of the school year is a time most kids want to look their best. They have new clothes, new shoes and, in some cases, new zits.

Kyle Youngblood is almost 16 and a junior in high school. His year got off to a bad start as soon as his ID picture was taken

"When I saw my ID it was really embarrassing for me and its pretty bad to see pictures like that and its really hard to look at them," he said.

His dermatologist, Dr. Steven Grekin, sees a lot of new patients each September and this year he has a couple of new treatments to offer his young clients.

One is Solodyne, a sustained release antibiotic that only needs to be taken once a day.

Solodyne is the first prescription oral antibiotic approved by the FDA for the treatment of moderate and severe acne in people 12 and older

With only one pill a day, patients are more likely to remember to take it and the pill stays in the body at a steady state, which helps fight bacterial resistance. It also allows doctors to prescribe lower doses.

"By lowering the dose, we’ve almost eliminated 100% of side effects," said Dr. Grekin.

Side effects that include headaches, dizziness and nausea.

"In addition there are now topical medications made out of natural ingredients that we’re currently studying and the results are amazing," said Dr. Grekin.

Kyle has been using a French product and it involves a liquid that goes on the face along with the pills.

In one week’s time, both Kyle and his father have notices a tremendous improvement in his appearance.

"I have a higher self esteem. And I’m about to ask out this girl for homecoming," said Kyle.

Anyone interested in participating in the study of the French acne product can contact the Grekin Skin Institute at 586 573-7533 and ask about the "French Study".

What is the latest to treat general teenage breakouts?
In general, anything you do should exfoliate to unclog pores, kill bacteria and keep skin balanced (don't over-dry) to prevent breakouts:

MD Skincare by Dr. Dennis Gross
Research by Dr. Gross demonstrates in this category acne sufferers will try up to 4 different products per year to treat acne. 50% of suffers don't realize it's more about preventing breakouts than treating pimples that are visible

MD Skincare All In One Cleansing Foam $36
washes away, even waterproof makeup, unclogs pores and leaves skin balanced. At Nordstrom

The right cleanser is the key to preventing breakouts?
Not just what you use to cleanse but how you cleanse: Clarisonic Skincare Brush
$195 spalook.com or Nordstrom

Does what we eat affect acne:
Marie: 10% of body's waste excreted through the pores, what you eat does matter not only in terms of waste but also in terms of internal health and cellular function:

The Clear Skin Prescription
The Acne Prescription
N.V. Perricone Skin Clear
Nutritional Support System
$75.00 nvperricone.com or Nordstrom
 

What about covering blemishes? Can that make matters worse?
To cover pimples: need to protect, heal, deal with excess sebum (oil) and not to further occlude or block the pores

Cover FX
Mineral cover, oil absorbing, matte finish, won't clog pores, gentle enough for the most sensitive skin, and long wearing. It is exclusive to Nordstrom.

Cystic Breakouts:
Whiteheads, blackhead and cysts -large swollen pimples with pus, caused by bacteria in the oil glands - nodular acne is the most severe it is large swollen hard lumps with no pus that are caused by over-active oil glands and bacteria

How to treat the isolated painful pimple?

The occasional cystic pimple:
Zeno
Available through dermatologists
And at Nordstrom $225.00

How to treat more serious acne?
Chronic cystic acne:
Oral Drug: Solodyne - the first oral antibiotic specifically designed for treating acne prescription only through your dermatologist

Is this the same as Accutane?:
No, important to include this-last year the FDA put strict limitations on Accutane, so we want to make sure we can discuss that as a lot of questions surround it!