New Acne Treatments/Eczema Therapies-Memphis Dermatologist

by George Woodbury Jr. M.D. 07/31/2022

Acne and Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) have really negative effects upon a person’s mood and self-confidence. Dermatologists like myself fortunately now have a growing number of promising, new options for both Acne and Eczema, to create care plans for people with dry skin, combination skin, or oily skin. Let take a look at some of these options, having practiced as a Board-certified Dermatologist for the last 30 years: pimple popping should be a thing of the past, with less acne scarring, and the itching of Eczema is now much more manageable.

Traditional therapies for Acne include antibiotics like doxycycline and minocycline, with prescription topicals (meaning “on top of the skin”) for blackheads (comedones), papules, or cysts: 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 (Accutane), which helps by drying up the oil glands. Accutane is highly effective, but requiring strict avoidance of pregnancy while on treatment, and monthly bloodwork.

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is an itchy body and face rash that can start in infancy or young adulthood. Flares of Eczema can sometimes be caused by contact with chemicals to which one has become allergic, like fragrances, preservatives, or components of latex. Since 2004, as a member of the American Contact Dermatitis Society, I have offered Allergy Patch Testing to help detect such chemical triggers, a type of skin test that can sometimes cure patients of the itching of eczema.

In 2022, Dermatologists now have newer acne treatments including a new oral antibiotic with a quicker onset of action – Sarecycline – and a newer retinoid gel – Trifarotene®. There is also a variation of acne – called Pityrosporon folliculitis or fungal acne – which can be treated with prescription antifungal medicines.

In 2022, Dermatologist have a growing number of new oral medications and injectable drugs to add to the traditional Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) treatments, which had been simply topical steroid creams and ointments, injectable methylprednisone, and oral prednisone: Eucerisa Ointment, Opzelura Ointment, Dupixent® injections, Cibinqo® tablets, and Rinvoq® tablets.

After 25 years of practicing dermatology, in 2016 I decided to establish a skincare products company - Big River Silk Skincare™ Inc. – to help Acne patients and Eczema patients. We 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 Dermatology patients: AmberSoy™ Soap Gel and GlycoShea™ Facial&Neck Cream.

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. Available in 1 oz ($12.95), 2 oz ($18.95), and 8 oz ($59.95), it comes in Mint, Lemon, and No Fragrance Added, with no dyes, formaldehyde, nor propylene glycol.

GlycoShea Facial&Neck Cream 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 an anti-wrinkle cream. 1 oz ($39.95), 2 oz ($59.95), and 8 oz ($179.95).

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: $5.00 for orders under $40.00; $10.00 handling and shipping for Canadian orders under $75.00). 1-901-753-0168.

If you or a family member has complexion issues or Acne, or Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis), consider first getting a checkup with a Dermatologist. My own Dermatology practice since 1993 is 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 you can find a Dermatologist in your own neighborhood by going to the American Academy of Dermatology web site, AAD.org. Just plug your zip code into the “Find a Dermatologist” tab.

George Woodbury Jr. M.D. (07/31/2022)