- With Mayo Clinic dermatologist
Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
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Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
Dr. Lawrence Gibson likens bad health information on the Internet to food poisoning.
Consumers, he said, need to be aware, and will find reliable information at MayoClinic.com.
Dr. Gibson, a Covington, Ky., native, has been with Mayo since 1986 and is board certified in dermatology, dermatopathology and immunodermatology. He is a professor of dermatology at Mayo Medical School and a consultant in the Department of Dermatology.
Dr. Gibson has been director of the Dermatopathology Laboratory since 1998 and chair of the Laboratory Division in the Department of Dermatology since 2000. He is especially interested in inflammatory disorders of the skin and lymphoma affecting the skin.
"Electronic information is becoming a staple in the diet of a health conscious society," he said. "It's important to avoid misinformation and provide a credible source for health information. Using this analogy, it's critical to avoid 'indigestion' or worse yet, 'food poisoning' by the ingestion of tainted information."
Treatments and drugs (2)
- Birth control pills for acne?
- Acne scars: What's the best treatment?
Alternative medicine (1)
- Natural acne treatment: What's most effective?
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Question
Adult acne: Is it caused by a hormonal imbalance?
Is it true that adult acne is the result of a hormonal imbalance in the body? I'm thinking about trying a natural hormone acne treatment.
Answer
from Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
Hormones likely play a role in the development of adult acne. Some adult women experience mild to moderate acne due to hormonal changes associated with pregnancy, menstruation, and stopping and starting birth control pills. But hormones generally are not the root cause of acne.
It is true that some people with hormonal imbalances due to diseases such as polycystic ovary syndrome experience more problems with acne. However, the vast majority of those with adult acne have no measurable hormonal imbalance.
A number of so-called natural acne treatments promise to "equalize" hormonal imbalances to reduce adult acne breakouts. As dietary supplements, these products are subject to limited regulation by the Food and Drug Administration. So buyer beware.
Adult acne can be a distressing and frustrating problem. Successful treatment of severe adult acne may take months or even years. But the good news is effective treatments are available. If you're concerned about adult acne, consult a dermatologist to learn more about safe, proven treatments. Also, check with your doctor before taking any dietary supplements, especially if you have any underlying health conditions.
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