Pills, creams and ointments pile on top of counters, while people search for the one secret to heal and prevent acne and to clean their face. Everyday kids, teens and parents deal with problems concerning their face.

Dermatologists are inundated with requests for acne medicine or prescriptions.

“When I write prescriptions for teenagers such as Erythromycin or even over the counter products for acne, when students on medications you should always wear sunscreen,” Hengameh Akhtar, local MD, said. “Certain ingredients in these products can harm or even strip your skin off.”

In a campus poll in December, fifty percent of the students on campus turn to dermatologists for help when they have uncontrolable breakouts on their face.

“There are tons of over the counter products to use,” Brandon Cain, ’06, said. “He does not think they work as well as what the dermatologist recommends.” Cain’s dermatologist recommended to Benzacyin, a face cream.

Many teens try to discover the one secret for a clean, not too dry and certainly not oily.

“I use Neutrogena,” Erica Mcintyre, ’04, said. “It is available over the counter. The negative part about this product is it dries out my face.”

Some students don’t go to the dermatologist and use regular face soap each day for hygene.

“I am glad that I don’t need to use all those creams and pills for acne,” Ashley Gable, ’05, said. “I use Dove for my face.”

For more information regarding acne visit your dermatologist or contact Dr. Akhtar at (559) 353-6425. Students can also read more about acne and prescription in the archive of this paper. Go to “Debate rages over accutane benefits” dated Feb. 14, 2002.