Toward Optimal Health: Experts Discuss Facial Skin and Related Concerns in Women

The document from 2003 highlights the significance of facial skin conditions like acne and unwanted facial hair as health concerns for women, affecting an estimated 15% of adult women with adult acne. Dermatologists Dr. Hilary Baldwin and Dr. Wilma F. Bergfeld explain that adult acne may be a continuation of teenage acne or arise de novo, often due to hormonal imbalances, and could signal underlying health issues like PCOS. They emphasize improved acne treatments, advancements in hair removal, and the need for primary care practitioners to be sensitive to these issues. The document also covers the proactive, long-term treatment approach for acne, the differentiation between acne and rosacea, and the importance of hormonal evaluation in women with acne. It touches on the use of raloxifene, metronidazole, and vitamin C lotions for various skin concerns, the limited impact of diet on acne, the exacerbation of acne and hair loss by stress, and the ineffectiveness of herbal remedies for acne. It recommends laser treatment for hair removal in Caucasian women and eflornithine cream for women of color, and stresses the importance of addressing nutrient deficiencies and taking women's reports of hair loss seriously. The document also dispels the myth that shaving affects hair regrowth and advises physicians to consider drug timing in acne treatment.