Dr. Dean Edell: Under the lacrosse fields, 14 year old Karsten Bench is in constant motion. Off the field, Karsten is fighting to gain control of another opponent, acne.
Karsten Bench: It used to come up around on my forehead, but now it's just mostly down here.
Dean Morrell: I told all my patients that 100% of people get acne. If they get through their teenage years without acne, they usually are the ones that end up with, what they don't, to acne.
Heidi Mangelsdorf: The treatment of their acne really does depend on the severity and also on their skin type.
Dr. Dean Edell: Over-the-counter remedies with ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are often tried first. 14-year-old Paige Baratta needed a stronger medicine. She was prescribed a retinoid.
Heidi Mangelsdorf: Retin-A is an old product and now they have Retin-A-Micro, for instance, which the Retin-A is in these little microbes, particles that actually releases the Retin-A over a period of time.
Dr. Dean Edell: There is also oral medication, Isotretinoin. This drug can have serious side effects, so patients must undergo a monthly blood test.
Michael Gutierrez: Parents really have to have a hands on approach almost catching the kid before they run out of house, sticking a pill in their mouth to give them, putting a cream on your face.
Dr. Dean Edell: With consistent parental involvement, teens can worry less about their skin and keep their focus on more enjoyable things. I am Dr. Dean Edell.
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