Women and Cystic Acne

In women and cystic acne, women cystic acne is found to be one of the features of hyperandrogenism [99] women with acne have been found to have elevated plasma androgens and this identification of endocrine abnormality in women with acne may potentially offer an opportunity for hormone therapy [81].

In a study it was found that lowering elevated dehyroepiandrosterone sulfate results in improvement of acne [308]. The treatment with anti-androgen using high dose of cyproteroneacetate (CPA) with ethinlyoestradiol showed that addition of CPA to oesterogen add significantly to therapeutic effect in acne and anti-androgen and oesterogen combination is more effective [114(6)].

Women with cystic acne are found to be common in polycystic ovaries [0340-3696]. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder characterized by chronic anovulation and hyperandrogenism. PCOS is one of the leading causes of infertility, hirsutism, acne and obesity in women [[88(12)].

Treating women with cystic acne using (Yasmin) Drospirenone/ehinyl estradiol is a unique oral contraceptive with antiandrogenic and antimineralocorticoid properties. Isotretinoin (Accutane) a systemic retinoid is the only oral drug suggested for cystic acne in women but this drug has been reported with side-effects resulting in depression and also causing birth defects in pregnant women.

Photodynamic therapy is found to be the alternative therapy for cosmetic applications [18(3)] but it has been found to have adverse reactions. Recently phototherapy, a low energy pulsed therapy has been used and seems to be a promising alternative.

In women with cystic acne leading to acne scarring, a successful method of dermaplaning using a graft skin is developed [1453-0130].

Phototherapy and dermaplaning are the emerging successful alternative treatments to treat cystic acne and acne scarring [5(4)] in women.

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