More educated info about the skin issues that concern brides most. The answers come from specialist Michael I. Jacobs, M.D., who heads up his own private practice in Manhattan and is clinical assistant professor of dermatology, Cornell Medical School-New York Hospital.
Q. You won't believe it, but I'm 22 and I still get acne. My teen brother told me about this powerful drug called Accutane, which will control it over a six- month period. Unfortunately, I hear it has toxic side effects, and you have to continually monitor the level of blood fats with blood tests. They're also not sure about the long-range effects. Is anything worth that kind of risk?
Accutane is an excellent medication for very severe acne among patients who have failed oral and topical therapy. The problem arises with pregnant women, because the drug is related to vitamin A, and as such can cause birth defects.
Q. Clearly, a lot of us would like to avoid all these powerful medications, but wonder if homeopathic remedies such as vitamin E and vitamin C really work. What do you think ?
Used topically, vitamin C is said to reverse sun damage and help collagen, but whether it can really penetrate into those areas is still controversial. With vitamin E, I know some plastic surgeons are using it topically to speed up healing, but the final verdict isn't in yet.
Q. I heard it's never too early to start the war on wrinkles. At what age do you recommend using those alpha-hydroxy acids we keep hearing about?
The best way to protect yourself against wrinkles is to stay out of the sun, use SPF 30 sunblock and avoid smoking. You also have to get adequate sleep and have a healthy diet: Follow the major food groups-I like the fish and chicken-and make sure you're eating enough fruits and vegetables. After age 50, alpha- hydroxy acids can help get rid of those very fine lines. But they don't prevent wrinkles, and you have to be careful with the preparations if you go out in the sunlight because they can make the skin more sensitive.
Q. Speaking of sensitive skin, is the only answer to this problem to use hypoallergenic cosmetics?
Not necessarily. Hypoallergenic drugs eliminate fragrance, but they don't always eliminate other ingredients that can cause reactions. If you have sensitive skin, and you're trying a new product, you should patch-test it on the inner arm or back for two to three days before using it on the face. If you see redness or irritation, you should try something else.
Q. What about zinc? Can't it be used instead of cortisone to treat blemishes and breakouts?
Zinc has been used in shampoos for a long time to help combat dandruff, and companies are now experimenting with stronger solutions to help psoriasis, but it's still at the preliminary stage. Oral zinc is said to help acne, but, to my knowledge, it has not shown benefits to warrant its replacing more conventional acne treatments.
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