Abstract
This paper claims that acne is not only a physically scarring condition, but a mentally scarring one as well. The paper contends that, in the medical profession, there is an unfortunate tendency to minimize acne's medical importance. The paper seeks to change that by demonstrating the need for the treatment of acne. An overview of acne as a medical condition is presented. Following this, a literature review is given on the effects of acne that go beyond the purely superficial. From this information, the paper concludes that acne is a more complex condition than cosmetic, and as such, the millions of sufferers deserve to receive treatment for their physical and their mental health as well.

From the Paper
"The severity of acne is graded depending on its location, its distribution, and the numbers and depth of its lesions. Mild inflammatory acne is typically superficial. It is characterized by a limited number of papules and/or pustules, which are no larger than 3 mm. These papules and/or pustules only invade the dermis minimally and the lesions are typically not tender, are superficial upon palpation, and are not nodular (Parish, 2004). Moderate inflammatory acne is the next grade. These lesions tend to be papular or pustular and the sufferer may have many that are slightly tender. These lesions measure between 2 mm and 4 mm in diameter. In addition, up to several nodules may be present. Moderate acne is often presented with flat and violaceous healing lesions. These lesions may be present for months but generally heal without scarring (Parish, 2004)."

Tags:lesions, face, pustules, papules

Abstract
This paper begins by asking what acne is, why it appears on the skin, and whether it can be prevented. It then provides various traditional treatments for acne and discusses the risks of certain types of treatments. It discusses the deadly legacy of people with acne who used Accutane and further discusses other problems to be aware of in treating acne. It finally looks at various alternative treatments for acne.

From the Paper
"According to the National Health Service (NHS) Direct Online Health Encyclopaedia, acne affects a person's hair follicles and the sebaceous glands in the skin, "which secrete an oily substance called sebum" (a fatty lubricant material). The places on the body which most commonly are afflicted with acne are the face, arms, back and chest. Acne usually begins to attack a person's skin about the time of puberty, the NHS explains, but acne can also begin around adulthood in other people. Only 20% of the people in the UK go through life acne-free, the NHS explains, but for those not so fortunate to avoid the plague of pimples, the onslaught can happen generally between the ages of 11 and 30."

Tags:hormone, treatment, danger

Abstract
This paper discusses the origins of ProActiv Acne Solution. The author points out its target market. The paper considers the pricing and promotional strategy of ProActiv acne solution including the role of the product life cycle in determining these strategies.

From the Paper
" Proactiv is an acne treatment that targets adults rather than the traditional market for this type of product which is teenagers. Adult acne was considered an untapped market when the two physicians who developed ProActiv started although only a small percentage of adults were considered to have acne the two physicians saw quite a few adults in their practice. By focusing on adults who have acne, the duo was able to build a marketing program focused on improving appearance-important at any.."

Tags:ProActiv, pricing strategy, promotional strategy, marketing strategy

From the Paper
"The Effect of Diet in Acne in Adolescents


Introduction
Acne has been called the "scourge of adolescence"--it is the most common teenage skin disorder. There are few skin ailments that cause as much physical and psychological anguish as acne. Acne usually begins at puberty, at a time when oil glands in the skin enlarge and increase the production of skin oil (sebum). The unsightly blemishes, ranging from simple pimples to angry boils, all fall under the general heading of acne, and plague nine out of ten adolescents..


Acne appears most frequently in the mid-teens but can appear as early as age 9, and usually continues into the twenties. However, it is often seen in women in their mid-thirties."

Abstract
This paper explains that, without a doubt, isotretinoin, a drug known by the trade name Accutane used in the treatment of severe nodular acne, has been linked to depression, suicidal ideation, suicide and psychosis. However, at the present time, the author states, there is no strong proof of a pharmacological mechanism that would account for psychiatric symptoms as a result of isotretinoin treatment. The paper recommends that the obvious benefits of isotretinoin in treating acne indicate its continued use. In addition, patients must be advised of potential depressive symptoms and actively assessed for these psychiatric risks at each visit.

Table of Contents:
Introduction to Isotretinoin
Psychiatric Risks
Isotretinoin Depression Studies
Cerebral Changes
Depression Testing in Rats
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The results of the PET and MRI scans showed that administration of isotretinoin was associated with decreased brain metabolism in the orbitofrontal cortex, a brain region implicated for depression, after 4 months of treatment (Figure 1). This effect was seen for both absolute metabolism and for the ratio of orbitofrontal to whole brain metabolism (Bremner, 2005). According to (Bremner, 2005) the greatest cerebral change occurred in subjects who developed symptoms of headaches during their course of isotretinoin treatment; however, isotretinoin was not associated with any changes in depressive symptoms that were measurable with the Hamilton depression scale. "

Tags:retinoids, orbitofrontal cortex, warnings, cause-effect relationship, rats

Abstract
This paper discusses ten specific cases such as the case of Jenny, a thirty-two year old Caucasian female complaining of acne vulgaris, who was recommended the use of calcarea carbonica because of its applicability to clients with chilled extremities and anxiety and who was advised to avoid baked goods and refined sugars to begin a regular meditation, yoga or tai chi to help her relax. The author points out another case, with the herpes simplex virus causing the cold sores, for whom natrum muriaticum was elected because of its general applicability and relevance to Jim's overeating of salty snack foods; at the six month visit, he had not experienced any cold sore eruptions. The paper relates that carbo vegetabilis was recommended for a case of asthma, which reduced symptoms and dependence on his inhaler.

From the Paper
"When asked, Roy admitted that he is under a lot of stress at work. Roy is poised and charming and does not seem to have any aggressive or overly emotional tendencies. However, when we began talking about his job, we noticed his shoulders tensing. Roy also enjoyed making jokes about uncomfortable topics and thus tended to cover up his uncomfortable emotions, like anger, with humor. We recommended the remedy Natrum muriaticum, as it applies readily to Roy's symptoms, including his responsiveness to massage, his suppressed emotion, and his tendency to keep his feelings concealed from those around him."

Tags:acne, asthma, nervous, natrum-muriaticum, diet

Abstract
The paper reveals that the popular "over-the-counter" drug, Accutane, has long been recognized as an effective tool in the battle against unsightly acne, however, the drug has recently come under fire because of findings that it may indeed create health complications for users that far exceed any discomfort produced by facial acne. The paper explores two brief articles written by Andrew Bridges and by Carla K. Johnson, respectively, and point out the relative strengths and weaknesses of both. In so doing, the paper argues that Johnson's paper appears to be the more impressive and persuasive because she is more open than is Bridges about the research methodologies which guide her implicit assumptions.

Tags:bridges, johnson, accutane

Abstract
This paper explains that, although the skin as an organ can experience a very wide range of disorders, it is not generally known that stress also affects the skin's ability to remain healthy. The author describes anatomy of the skin as a human organ. The paper relates that some of the ways in which stress affects the skin includes the redirection of blood by adrenaline, which causes the skin to become pale and lackluster, the prevention of blood flow, which cuts down on oxygen and vital skin nutrients and an increase in cortisone secretion, which suppresses the body's natural immunity. The paper relates that, although many dermatologists are still debating whether stress actually causes skin disorders, they do agree that stress definitely triggers or aggravates skin conditions like acne, hives, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea and herpes simplex.

From the Paper
'Somatic factors include the use of certain legal and illegal drugs, obesity, malnutrition, metabolic disturbances, circulatory disturbances, immunologic deficits or abrupt changes in the turgor (i.e., the resiliency) of the skin. Some of the defining characteristics of impaired skin integrity include "a disruption of the surface of the skin," such as with cuts and scrapes, "the destruction of cell layers and the invasion of structures of the body through the skin, such as with stabbing and cutting."

Tags:organ cutaneous, herpes simplex, temperatures resiliency

Abstract
This paper looks at the muscle building synthetic hormone called androstenedione or androstenediol, also nicknamed "andro" which became the first in a list of performance-enhancing substances called pro-hormones. It is called a pro-hormone because it is a precursor to testosterone and metabolizes directly into testosterone and is commonly used by athletes. It analyzes the so called beneficial effects which make "andro" attractive to males of different persuasions with (mostly) cosmetic, non life threatening problems and how research has shown that the negative effects far outweigh the potential benefits. It looks at how aggressive behavior, mood swings and bad moods are commonly reported side effects of androstenedione as well as hair loss, blurred vision, acne, enlarged breasts, shrunken testicles and rarely, liver cancer.

From the Paper
"Androstenedione is also naturally produced by the adrenal gland in humans. Androstenedione was first synthesized in 1935. (Ruzicka and Wettstein, 1935) In 1936, world expert on steroid hormones, Dr. Charles Kochakian, was the first to show that androstenedione produced both androgenic and anabolic effects. But the anabolic effects were significant only in castrated dogs, and even then were much weaker than effects of testosterone. (Kochakian and Murlin, 1936) Its variants are commonly found in the pollen of Scotch pine trees. Androstenedione, when taken orally, will increase blood levels of both Androstenedione and testosterone. According to the German patent given for Androstenedione, 50mg given orally to men raised plasma testosterone levels up to 20 per cent; 100mg raised levels higher than 35 per cent. Blood levels start rising about 15 minutes after oral administration and stay elevated for around three hours."

Tags:testosterone, pro-hormones, muscle, andro

Abstract
The paper discusses how, physiologically, anabolic steroids can cause increased incidence of acne, increased susceptibility to injuries in the muscles and tendons, liver disease, tumor growth, and early-onset cardiovascular disease. The paper reviews issues surrounding the use of steroids by teen athletes, what drives them to do it, and the results of studies on the effects on these athletes and their performance.

Outline:
Introduction
Literature Review
Methodology
Discussion
Conclusion
References

From the Paper
"Teens who use steroids are noted to be more irritable, more aggressive and even more violent. Some teens that use steroids actually report a heightened degree of awareness while they use the drugs, which can sometimes lead to steroid induced psychosis. To add to this there is a degree of psychological dependence that comes from the changes the steroids make to the teen male athlete's body and his performance. The athlete begins to feel that the steroid is the whole reason behind any improvement in ability or stamina, in better physical looks. Those teens that use steroids on a regular basis also report a significant increase in somatic complaints as well as depression, anxiety and even periods of intense rage."

Tags:adverse, side, effects, psychological, withdrawal, symptoms, external, pressure