- 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)
- Acne scars: What's the best treatment?
- Birth control pills for acne?
Alternative medicine (1)
- Natural acne treatment: What's most effective?
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Question
Natural acne treatment: What's most effective?
I'm wondering about natural acne treatment. Are there any effective options?
Answer
from Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
Many natural acne treatments are available, including diets, creams, dietary supplements and herbs. Some people claim these therapies are helpful in treating acne, but most haven't been proved effective.
Though evidence is limited, some natural acne treatments may be helpful in reducing inflammation and reducing acne breakouts.
- Tea tree oil. Some studies suggest that gels containing 5 percent tea tree oil are as effective as are lotions containing 5 percent benzoyl peroxide, although tea tree oil might work more slowly. For some people, tea tree oil may cause a skin reaction known as contact dermatitis. There's also some concern that topical products containing tea tree oil might cause breast development in young boys. Don't use tea tree oil if you have acne rosacea because it can worsen symptoms.
- Zinc supplements. The mineral zinc plays a role in wound healing and reduces inflammation, which could help improve acne. Taking a zinc supplement with food may reduce side effects, including a bad taste in your mouth and nausea. Zinc can also be added to lotions or creams and may reduce acne breakouts.
- Glycolic acid. A natural acid found in sugar cane, glycolic acid applied to your skin helps remove dead skin cells and unclog pores. Glycolic acid may also improve the appearance of acne scars. Glycolic acid can cause redness, mild stinging and skin irritation.
More research is needed to establish the potential effectiveness and long-term safety of these and other natural acne treatments.
If you're considering natural acne treatments, consult your doctor. He or she can help you weigh the pros and cons of specific natural acne treatments.
Next questionAdult acne: Is it caused by a hormonal imbalance?
- Hull SK. Acne vulgaris and acne rosacea. In: Rakel D. Integrative Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier Saunders; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/152495494-2/0/1494/120.html. Accessed July 10, 2009.
- Magin PJ, et al. Topical and oral CAM in acne: A review of the empirical evidence and a consideration of its context. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2006;14:62.
- Zinc. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Aug. 3, 2009.
- Tea tree oil. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Aug. 3, 2009.
- Alpha hydroxy acids. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Aug. 4, 2009.
- Henley DV, et al. Prepubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils. New England Journal of Medicine. 2007;356:479.
