The Acne & Rosacea Society (AARS) says millions of Americans who are suffering from acne and/or rosacea are not being met with acceptable treatment.
“One size does not fit all when it comes to treatment for acne and rosacea,” stated New York dermatologist, Hilary Baldwin, MD, Vice Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, State University of New York – Downstate, and president of the AARS. “These two diseases are at nearly epidemic levels. Between them they may affect close to 100 million people.” According to Dr. Baldwin, “Mild skin irritations may be corrected by a little moisturizing lotion and a gentler soap; but acne and rosacea are legitimate diseases with well-worked out causes and carefully studied treatments. They are diseases that have great consequences that can last a lifetime.”
Most Over-the-Counter Products Ultimately Fail
“What we’re seeing in our offices is that over-the-counter products ultimately fail most patients,” emphasized Dr. Baldwin. According to the AARS, both acne and rosacea are chronic, long-term or lifelong conditions with day-to-day unpredictability. “Dermatologists and the use of the right medications can iron out the peaks and valleys of both diseases so one’s first glance in the mirror doesn’t have to be so disappointing. Life is too short to hate one’s reflection. Spot treatment, inconsistent treatment and inappropriate treatment breeds unpredictability. We believe that good treatment consists of ‘pro-acting,’ not reacting,” said Dr. Baldwin.
Taking the Right Steps Early On Matters
“See a dermatologist early,” said Guy Webster, MD, Ph.D, Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Jefferson Medical College and the immediate past president of the AARS. “People invariably see better results when they seek treatment earlier. Scars, both physical and emotional, can be prevented. Persistence with better medications yields better results and costs less for patients overall. It actually costs less to be correctly diagnosed and treated right off the bat than spend hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars on products that simply lack the long term efficacy and strength to do the job.”