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Acne – An update for pharmacists: Pharmacists’ Module 1, 2017
Acne is the most common skin disorder affecting adolescents and young adults. It presents in a variety of clinical forms depending on the type, number and severity of the predominant lesions.
While many health professionals and a substantial proportion of the lay public dismiss acne as a natural part of growing up with few long-term consequences, there is now considerable evidence that acne can be a psychologically damaging condition that may last for many years.
The impact of acne on quality of life is significant. Acne has a greater negative effect on the emotions and social functioning of teenagers than diseases like asthma or epilepsy. Acne is also often associated with anxiety, depression and unemployment.
Medical treatment of acne may clear the condition completely or result in substantial improvement in those patients who do not achieve complete clearance. Effective treatments are available to treat existing acne lesions and prevent new ones from developing.
This Module discusses acne and its management and is based on new insights into the management of acne from the American Academy of Dermatology (2016) and the South African acne guidelines (which are based on the Global Alliance to Improve Outcomes in Acne 2003 recommendations).
