ACNE

By: Natalie Baxter, Savanna Chambers, Taylor Hebert, Monica

Moore, Lacee Thomas & Kayla Thompson

Image A
Acne
“Acne is a disorder associated with an increase in sebum secretion. This is a long-term
skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin
cells. Acne is most common among teenagers, though it affects people of all ages.” (Williams,
Dellavalle & Garner, 2012)

Image B
Symptoms
Non-Inflammatory:

● Whiteheads
● Blackheads
(Williams et al., 2012)

Inflammatory:

● Pustules
● Papules
● Nodules
● Cystic lesions
(Williams et al., 2012)

Other associated symptoms:

Image C
● Irritation or pain at the site
● Depression
● Anxiety
● OCD (YesIlova, Bez, ArI, Kaya, & Alpak, 2012)
MYTH or FACT
Your diet has nothing to do
with your acne.

MYTH FACT
MYTH

(Brajac, Bilic-Zulle, Tkalcic, Loncarek & Gruber, 2004)

Toothpaste can heal a
pimple.

MYTH FACT
MYTH

(Brajac, Bilic-Zulle, Tkalcic, Loncarek & Gruber, 2004)

You should never pop your
pimples.

MYTH FACT
FACT

(Brajac, Bilic-Zulle, Tkalcic, Loncarek & Gruber, 2004)

Only teens can get acne.

MYTH FACT
MYTH

(Brajac, Bilic-Zulle, Tkalcic, Loncarek & Gruber, 2004)

Makeup makes acne worse.

MYTH FACT
MYTH

(Brajac, Bilic-Zulle, Tkalcic, Loncarek & Gruber, 2004)

Stress can cause acne.

MYTH FACT
FACT

(Brajac, Bilic-Zulle, Tkalcic, Loncarek & Gruber, 2004)

Case Study Paisley is a 14 year old female who has come to the
pharmacy requesting help with her mild acne.
Paisley tells the pharmacist that she has a history of
mild acne and it is exacerbated by her menstrual
cycle every month. Her symptoms include small,
tender bumps, redness and irritation to parts of her
skin and comedones (both whiteheads and
blackheads). She seeks assistance from the
pharmacist as she became overwhelmed from all the
over the counter options and wanted the best
Image D
treatment for her acne.
Active Ingredients in Products OTC
● Benzoyl Peroxide
● Salicylic Acid
● Alpha Hydroxy Acids
● Sulfur
(Gebauer, 2017)

Image E
Types of Acne Treatments
● Cleansers (Strausfogel, 2017)

● Spot Treatments (Eichenfield, et al., 2013)

Pharmacists Top Pick
Ingredients
● Medicinal Ingredients:
○ Benzoyl peroxide 5.0%
● Non-medicinal Ingredients:
○ Water
○ Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
○ Carbomer
○ Sodium Hydroxide
○ EDTA
○ Laureth-4
Mechanism of Action
● Acts as an antibacterial, irritant, and
anti-inflammatory agent
● Decomposes to release oxygen which acts
as a bacterial agent towards
Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes)
● Increases turnover rate of epithelial cells
Image F
● Absorbs percutaneously into dermal layer
(Canadian Pharmacists Association, 2016)
Dosing
● Dosing is the same for children and
adults
● Recommended for children 12 and up
● Apply to affected areas once a day (2-3
times per day if needed or suggested by a
health care provider)
(Drugs.com)
Image G
Brand vs. Generic
Brand Generic
Benzoyl Peroxide: Side Effects

● Itching ● Redness
● Burning ● Swelling
● Stinging ● Peeling
(Allen, 2015) Image H
Benzoyl Peroxide: Contraindications

● Hypersensitivity to Benzoyl
Peroxide
● Hypersensitivity to other
ingredients mixed with the
Benzoyl Peroxide
(Allen, 2015)
Image I
 Key Teaching Points

Image K

Image J

(Allen, 2015)
 Key Teaching Points

Image M

Image L

(Allen, 2015)
 Key Teaching Points

Image N

(Allen, 2015)
Non-Pharmacologic Management:
Lifestyle Changes
● Exercise
● Healthy diet
○ No chocolate, less oily and fatty foods
○ No dairy diet
● Water intake Image O

● Skin care routine

● Remove makeup before bed
(Cao, et al.,2015)
 Non-Pharmacologic Management: Tea Tree
Oil
● Antimicrobial and anti inflammatory
properties
○ terpinen-4-ol and α-terpineol
● Proven to be effective in the treatment
of mild to moderate acne vulgaris
● Side effects: Image Q

○ Skin dryness
○ Itching
○ Burning
(Carson, et al., 2006) Image P
Non-Pharmacologic Management:
Microdermabrasion
● Aluminum oxide crystals blown onto face and vacuumed off
● Removes stratum corneum (outermost layer of skin)
● Body senses mild injury and replaces lost skin with new healthy cells
● Side effects:
○ Mild edema
○ Mild erythema
○ Pruritus
● Contraindications: Image R
○ Severe acne
○ Active rosacea
○ Fragile capillaries etc.
(Loyd, 2001)
 Face Mask
Ingredients:

● 1 tsp of activated charcoal ($9.99)

● Aloe vera gel (enough to make a paste) ($7.99)
● 1-2 drops of 100% tea tree oil ($7.99)

Directions:

1. Add ingredients into small bowl

2. Mix ingredients until paste consistency is formed
3. Apply all over face, avoiding eyes and mouth
4. Let sit for 5-10 minutes, or until mask is dry
5. Rinse with warm water, then splash face with cold water to seal pores
References
Allen, H. (2015). Benzoyl peroxide for acne. Retrieved from https://patient.info/medicine/benzoyl-peroxide-for-acne-acnecide-brevoxyl-panoxyl

Benzoyl Peroxide Topical Dosage Guide with Precautions. (2018, March 1). Retrieved March 14, 2018, from
https://www.drugs.com/dosage/benzoyl-peroxide-topical.html

Brajac, I., Bilic-Zulle, L., Tkalcic, M., Loncarek, K., & Gruber, F. (2004). Acne Vulgaris: myths and misconceptions among patients and family physicians. Patient
Education & Counseling, 54(1), 21-25. Retrieved from
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S073839910300168X?_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_origin=gateway&_docanchor=&md5=b8429449ccfc9c30159
a5f9aeaa92ffb

Canadian Pharmacists Association. (2016). Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties Volume 1, A-L. Toronto, Ontario: Canadian Pharmacists Association

Cao, H., Yang, G., Wang, Y., Liu, J. P., Smith, C. A., Luo, H., & Liu, Y. (2015). Complementary therapies for acne vulgaris. The Cochrane Database of Systematic
Reviews, 1, CD009436. http://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD009436.pub2

Carson, C. F., Hammer, K. A., & Riley, T. V. (2006). Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil: a Review of Antimicrobial and Other Medicinal Properties. Clinical
Microbiology Reviews, 19(1), 50–62. http://doi.org/10.1128/CMR.19.1.50-62.2006

Eichenfield, L. F., Krakowski, A., Piggott, C., Del Rosso, J., Baldwin, H., Friedlander, S., & Thiboutot, D. 2013). Evidence-Based Recommendations for the
Diagnosis and treatment of Pediatric Acne. Pediatrics, 131(63-86). doi:10.1542/peds.2013-0490B.

Gebauer, K. (2017). Acne in adolescents. Australian Family Physician, 46(12), 892-895. Retrieved from
https://login.proxy.hil.unb.ca/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/1976404873?accountid=14611
References
Lloyd, J. R. (January 01, 2001). The use of microdermabrasion for acne: a pilot study. Dermatologic Surgery : Official Publication for American Society for
Dermatologic Surgery [et Al.], 27, 4, 329-31.

Srausfogel, S. (2017). Face Scrubs to Leave You Glowing. Better Nutrition, 79(5), 30-31. Retrieved from
http://web.b.ebscohost.com.proxy.hil.unb.ca/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=9&sid=5bf7c4be-8b88-4815-b483-2448026b0477%40sessionmgr102

Williams, H. C., Dellavalle, R. P., & Garner, S. (2012). Acne vulgaris. The Lancet, 379(9813), 361-372. Retrieved from
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673611603218

YesIlova, Y., Bez, Y., ArI, M., Kaya, M. C., & Alpak, G. (2012). Effects of isotretinoin on obsessive compulsive symptoms, depression, and anxiety in patients
with acne vulgaris. Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 23(4), 268-271. Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yavuz_Yesilova/publication/51546388_Effects_of_isotretinoin_on_obsessive_compulsive_symptoms_depression_an
d_anxiety_in_patients_with_acne_vulgaris/links/5485d3890cf2ef344787ecf5/Effects-of-isotretinoin-on-obsessive-compulsive-symptoms-depression-and-a
nxiety-in-patients-with-acne-vulgaris.pdf
Image References
Image A: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/571535008939550161/

Image B: https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-illustration-healthy-skin-whiteheads-types-acne-pimples-image69992697

Image C: https://patrickhenrycenter.com/types-of-acne/

Image D: https://ylhsthewrangler.com/9978/features/upsides-to-having-acne/

Image E: http://technotes.alconox.com/industry/pharmaceutical/active-ingredients-in-detergents/

Image F: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzoyl_peroxide

Image G: https://inhalemd.com/blog/the-truth-about-topical-marijuana-cream-effectiveness/

Image H: http://wafflesatnoon.com/cla-side-effects/

Image I: http://massagewellnessstudio.com/massage/massage-contraindications/

Image J: https://sites.google.com/site/flupreventionandtreatment/home/flu-preventi

Image K: https://www.totalpharmacysupply.com/patient-advice-label-for-topical-use-only.html
Image References
Image L: https://twitter.com/hselive/status/876760053780492288

Image M: https://www.oralabs.com/wear-sunscreen/

Image N: http://takeasdirectedmovie.com/

Image O: https://classroomclipart.com/clipart/Clipart/Fitness_and_Exercise.htm

Image P: https://www.thebodyshop.com.my/jumbo-tea-tree-oil.html

Image Q: http://www.canadianliving.com/style/beauty/mediagallery/spot-treatments-to-get-rid-of-your-latest-pimple-fast

Image R: Lloyd, J. R. (January 01, 2001). The use of microdermabrasion for acne: a pilot study. Dermatologic Surgery : Official Publication for American Society for Dermatologic
Surgery [et Al.], 27, 4, 329-31.