Adult Acne Sufferers Emotional Effects
While acne may traditionally be viewed as a teenage “rite of passage,” results from a groundbreaking national survey released today show that acne is a problem that also commonly affects adults. The survey finds that acne can negatively impact many aspects of a person’s life — professional, academic, physical and social — and a basic lack of knowledge may be preventing or hindering appropriate treatment options. Conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Retin-A Micro(R) Pump, the Skin Matters 2008 Survey is a comprehensive analysis designed to address acne-related issues and treatment considerations among teens, adults, parents and dermatologists.
Adults with acne report that the condition affects multiple facets of their lives, with 38% agreeing it is more stressful having acne as an adult than as a teenager, and 50% finding it to be unappealing, more so than having facial wrinkles (36%) or gray hair (29%). Adults with acne also state that it negatively impacts their self-confidence (41%) and mood (31%). Some report acne’s negative impacts on their lifestyle, such as refraining from asking for or accepting a date (9%), canceling social plans (7%), getting passed over for a promotion or raise (3%).
While people get acne well into their forties and fifties, many adults with acne believed that they would no longer have it by the time they reached their twenties (67%). Survey results show that, on average, nearly one-half of dermatologists’ acne patients (46%) are adults and two-thirds (66%) currently see more adult acne patients than they did one year ago.
“Acne is definitely not just a teen issue,” says Richard Fried, M.D., Ph.D., Clinical Director, Yardley Dermatology and Yardley Skin Enhancement and Wellness Center, and author of Healing Adult Acne. “It has become increasingly common for adults to experience acne — one in five women who suffer from acne is between the ages of 25 and 40. Acne can be even more difficult for this age group, as it can be responsible for stress, depression, social withdrawal, job impairment and intimacy problems. Unfortunately, these emotions can also cause the onset or worsening of acne.”
Interestingly, the severity of one’s acne does not necessarily determine the amount of emotional distress a person may endure. Some patients with mild acne will not leave their home or participate in social activities during a breakout. In contrast, some patients with more severe acne continue on with their day-to-day lives, seeming to experience less of an emotional impact.
“The effect acne has on each individual varies. It is the dermatologists’ responsibility to talk with their patients about acne, the psychological impact it may have on their lives, and to determine an efficient treatment plan to improve their patients’ skin and quality of lives,” says Dr. Fried.
The Skin Matters 2008 Survey finds that almost 9 out of 10 (89%) adults with acne believe they have some control over how their skin looks, and among those who use non-prescription medication, they typically spend $10 a month on non-prescription acne products. However, the survey also shows knowledge gaps in skin health that may hinder an adult’s ability to effectively treat their acne. These gaps include the belief that drinking lots of water can prevent acne (60%) or that vigorously washing one’s face is one of the best ways to take care of acne (35%).
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), nearly every case of acne can be treated.(4) In fact, 72% of dermatologists agree that acne treatment options have improved considerably over the past five years.(1) Tretinoin, the number one prescribed retinoid for the treatment of acne, has proven to be highly effective over many years, and delivery systems, such as the Retin-A Micro(R) Pump, have evolved to increase treatment compliance.
While acne is very treatable, more than 9 out of 10 dermatologists (91%) say patient compliance is a barrier to successful treatment. About 54% of adults with acne say they follow their skin treatment regimen exactly as prescribed; yet, only 2% of dermatologists say the same about their patients. Managing patients’ result expectations of acne treatments is also an issue — while patients expect to see overnight results, most dermatologists report that in reality, actual results can typically be seen in an average of 7.8 weeks.
“The Skin Matters 2008 Survey demonstrates that adults have just as hard a time with treatment compliance as teens,” says Dr. Fried. “Many patients have difficulty following their treatment plan due to excess messiness, medications taking too long to apply, or using incorrect amounts of medicine that subsequently cause irritation. Adults with acne should consult with their dermatologists because there are effective, easy-to-use treatment options available. Additionally, patients and physicians should make more of an effort to listen and understand one another during the office visit.”
Retin-A Micro(R) Pump was specifically designed to reduce compliance barriers. Microsphere technology slowly releases tretinoin over time, reducing the irritation commonly seen with other tretinoin formulas. Retin-A Micro(R) Pump delivers a consistent amount of medication with each use, preventing overuse, and making acne treatment easy and cost effective.
About the Skin Matters 2008 Survey
This Acne Survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Retin-A Micro(R) Pump between December 7 and December 19, 2007 among 1,327 U.S. teens ages 13-19, 514 U.S. adults ages 20-40 who ever experience acne, 628 U.S. parents ages 30+ of children ages 13-19 who ever experience acne; and 263 U.S. dermatologists who treat patients with acne. No estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated; a full methodology is available.
About Retin-A Micro(R) Pump
Retin-A Micro(R) Pump, a water-based gel, is the only acne medication to combine tretinoin-the top prescribed retinoid-with patented microsphere technology. Microspheres, which are round microscopic particles made of synthetic polymers, slowly release tretinoin over time, reducing the irritation commonly seen with other tretinoin formulations and helping to absorb excess facial oil to reduce facial shine. Tretinoin is believed to loosen and expel existing acne plugs and prevent new blemishes from forming. Unlike other original tretinoin formulas which require a 20- to 30-minute waiting period after washing the face, Retin-A Micro(R) Pump can be applied immediately after washing.
The Retin-A Micro(R) Pump is a unique and sleek pump that delivers a consistent amount of medication with each use, making treatment easy and helping to prevent overuse. Retin-A Micro(R) Pump reduces all types of acne-from red, inflamed lesions to small bumps.
For full prescribing information, please visit www.retinamicro.com/prescribinginformation.asp
Retin-A Micro(R) Pump Fair Balance
Retin-A Micro(R) (tretinoin gel) microsphere, 0.04% and 0.1% are prescription medicines to put on the skin to treat acne. Retin-A Micro(R) 0.04% and 0.1% start working in as little as 2 weeks, with full results after 7 weeks. Unprotected exposure to the sun or tanning lights, extreme wind or cold, or use of irritating skin-care products may aggravate the skin. During the first weeks of treatment, you may experience dryness, redness, or peeling.
About OrthoNeutrogena(R)
OrthoNeutrogena(R), the dermatology-specialty division of Johnson & Johnson, is a leader in delivering novel therapies that address the multiple needs of dermatologists and their patients. A pioneer in treatment areas that span from acne and infection to aesthetics and photodamage, OrthoNeutrogena continues to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to the dermatology community. OrthoNeutrogena dermatology products include: RETIN-A MICRO(R) Pump, ERTACZO(R), BIAFINE(R), RENOVA(R) and Grifulvin V(R).
(This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from Johnson & Johnson’s expectations and projections. Risks and uncertainties include general industry conditions and competition; economic conditions, such as interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; technological advances and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approvals; domestic and foreign health care reforms and governmental laws and regulations; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Exhibit 99 of Johnson & Johnson’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2006. Copies of this Form 10-K, as well as subsequent filings, are available online at www.sec.gov or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Johnson & Johnson assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments.)
About Harris Interactive
Harris Interactive is a global leader in custom market research. With a long and rich history in multimodal research, powered by our science and technology, we assist clients in achieving business results. Harris Interactive serves clients globally through our North American, European and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.
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Very good read on acne.. thanks for the post !