Memphis Dermatologist on Acne Cysts and Hidradenitis Suppurativa or HS Treatment
by George Woodbury Jr. M.D. (07/28/2024)
Acne, Cysts and Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) can have negative effects upon a person’s mood and self-confidence. Fortunately, Dermatologists like myself now have a growing number of promising, new Acne treatment, Cyst treatment, and Hidradenitis Suppurativa treatment (HS treatment) options, customizable for people with dry skin, combination skin, or oily skin, enabling us to often reduce scarring. Let’s look at some of these options, from my perspective of Board-certified Memphis Dermatologist for the last 32 years:
Acne is due to a clogging of the openings of the pores to the surface of the skin’s Epidermis, so Acne treatment options include antibiotics like doxycycline and minocycline, with prescription topicals (meaning “on top of the skin”) for blackheads (comedones), papules, or cystic acne: Tretinoin Cream, differin gel (Adapalene), benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, or topical dapsone. Sometimes we consider a five months’ course of an oral medicine called isotretinoin treatment (Accutane treatment), therapy which dries up the oil glands and which is often highly effective, but which also involves requires strict avoidance of pregnancy while on treatment, and monthly labwork to monitor cholesterol levels. Sometimes Dermatologists also look at hormonal therapies, like spironolactone pills, or even birth control pills.
For Cysts, Dermatologists often discuss with patients the options of medical management versus surgical management, which can involve injecting the cyst sac, or even removing the cyst, under a shot of local anesthetic, the goal being to cut down the risk of Acne scars or Acne scarring.
In 2024, Dermatologists also have a new oral antibiotic which seems to have a quicker onset of action – Sarecycline – and a newer retinoid gel – Aklief® (trifarotene). There is also a variation of acne – called fungal acne – which can be treated with prescription antifungal medicines. We also have a topical hormone-regulating medication - Winlevi® Cream (clascoterone cream) – to complement existing Aczone® (dapsone) Gel, Finacea® (azelaic acid) gel, Duac® Gel (benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin), Epiduo® (benzoyl peroxide/adapalene) Gel, and Ziana® (tretinoin/clindamycin) Gel.
Acne scars can traditionally be treated with topical (meaning for use “on top of” the skin) Glycolic Acid, with a treatment called a chemical peel, with prescription creams called retinoids (like Retin A Cream), with a cosmetic treatment called dermabrasion, or with laser therapy.
Dermatologists also have promising new therapies for Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), an Acne-like condition with draining cysts under the arms or in the groin, to complement existing oral antibiotic treatment (often Rifampin® plus Clindamycin) and topical Retinoid Cream treatment: Humira® (Adalimumab) injections, Cosentyx (Secukinumab) injections, and Remicade® (inflimimab) intravenous infusions.
After 25 years of practicing dermatology, in 2016 I decided to establish a skincare products company - Big River Silk Skincare™ Inc. – to manufacture and distribute organic skincare products for people going onto prescription therapies. I incorporated cleansers and moisturizers that my family of Woodbury Dermatologists has used for years for Tennessee and Arkansas Dermatology patients: AmberSoy™ Soap Gel, GlycoShea™ Facial&Neck Lotion, and GlycoShea™ Hand&Body Lotion.
AmberSoy Soap Gel is a great cleanser option for people with oily or combination skin. It can be used as a type of face mask, wherein it’s applied to the skin, then left on for 5-10 minutes, before rinsing off. Available in 1 oz ($14.95), 2 oz ($22.95), and 8 oz ($74.95), it comes in Mint, Lemon, and No Fragrance Added, with no dyes, formaldehyde, nor propylene glycol.
GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion is a helpful fragrance-free exfoliating moisturizer that acts as a face scrub, due to its Glycolic Acid, an AHA or Alpha-hydroxy Acid originally discovered in pineapple. It also helps to even out the appearance of fine lines in the skin, making it into an effective anti-wrinkle cream. 1 oz ($45.95), 2 oz ($68.95), and 8 oz ($229.95).
GlycoShea Hand&Body Lotion and GlycoShea Hand&Body Cream are helpful fragrance-free exfoliating moisturizers that acts as antiwrinkle cream due to their Glycolic Acid, an AHA or Alpha-hydroxy Acid originally discovered in pineapple. They can be incorporated as moisturizers as part of a skincare regiment for people with Acne, Cysts, and Hidradenitis Suppurativa (1
Big River Silk Skincare’s AmberSoy Soap Gel and GlycoShea Facial&Neck Cream are available for over-the-counter purchase at our headquarters, 8143 Walnut Grove Road, Cordova TN 38018, Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM. They can also be ordered at www.Bigriversilkskincare.com (shipping: $7.50 for orders under $75.00; $12.50 handling and shipping for Canadian orders under $75.00). 1-901-753-0168.
If you or a family member has complexion issues or Acne, Acne scars, or Hidradenitis Suppurativa, consider first getting a checkup with a Board-certified Dermatologist. I myself am a Memphis Dermatologist, my own Memphis Dermatology practice since 1993 having been with Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates, 8143 Walnut Grove Road, Cordova, TN, near both Germantown TN and Bartlett TN (www.Rheumderm.com or www.Bigriversilkskincare.com) (1-901-753-0168). Or if you’re looking for a “Dermatologist Near Me,” or “Dermatologists Near Me,” or “Best Dermatologist Near Me,” go to the American Academy of Dermatology web site, AAD.org, then plug your zip code into the “Find a Dermatologist” tab.
8143 Walnut Grove Road
Cordova TN 38018
1-901-753-0168
07/28/2024
Comments