Sadick Dermatology: Featured in Boulevard Magazine

11 Feb Sadick Dermatology: Featured in Boulevard Magazine

As Seen in Boulevard Magazine, February 11, 2011

Acne and the Adult-Sect

By Ruth Bashinsky

Jennifer gets frequent breakouts on her chin and cheek: deep, swollen cystic bumps that are painful and can take up to a few weeks to disappear. Jennifer is not a teenager going through puberty; she is a 36-year-old professional from Great Neck who suffers from adult acne.

“I always had acne growing up but noticed it has gotten worse as I have gotten older,” she says.

Dr. Meghan O’Brien of Sadick Dermatology, a Harvard-educated dermatologist who specializes in both medical and cosmetic dermatology, has been treating Jennifer with oral antibiotics. In only a few weeks, Jennifer has seen a difference in her skin and is feeling more confident with her appearance.

Jennifer is not alone. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is the most common skin disorder in the United States, affecting 40 to 50 million Americans. Nearly 85 percent of all people have acne at some point in their lives, most often on the face, chest and back. Acne is defined as a skin condition that consists of pimples, deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) and plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads) that occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and even the upper arms. Acne usually begins in puberty, but is not restricted to any age group. Adults in their 20s, 30s, 40s – even into their 50s – can develop acne. The three major factors that cause acne include overproduction of oil by enlarged oil glands in the skin, blockage of hair follicles that release oil, and growth of bacteria called P. acnes within the hair follicles. “I frequently hear from adults with acne that they don’t understand why they are still getting breakouts. The truth is acne is very common in adults. Up to 50 percent of women will have adult acne and it is more common in women than in men. Many factors contribute to acne, including hormones,” says Dr. O’Brien.

Dr. O’Brien treats a range of patients with mild to severe acne. Some of the treatment options she offers include topical medications that can work well on their own or in conjunction with an oral antibiotic. The antibiotic helps with anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. “Occasionally, persistent acne that is scarring and not responding to oral antibiotics, which are used in acne both for their anti-inflammatory and topical treatments, may require a course of isotretinoin,” she says.

Additional treatments she recommends are medical cleanses, chemical peels that treat the acne and improve the appearance of dark marks that are sometime left from breakouts, and special treatments that involve red- and blue-light technology. “The red light targets the inflammation in the skin and the blue light targets the bacteria component of acne. Both the red and blue lights are used on an alternating basis.” According to Dr. O’ Brien, “Light treatments are very safe and provide patients an alternative to medications or an addition to boost their regime of medications.”

Dana, a marketing executive from Great Neck, has been dealing with acne most of her life and admits that, at times, it has affected her self-esteem. “I have had acne all over my neck, chest, forehead and face. When I was in high school and college, having acne was horrible. I cried over it. I didn’t want to go to the beach and wear a bathing suit.” At 33, Dana still breaks out and has to stay on a strict skin regimen. “I just went through a stressful situation with my job and my personal life and my skin reacts to that.” When Dana found Dr. O’Brien, she was relieved to have discovered someone who understood her temperamental skin. “I know my skin. She gave me the all the injections and medications I needed,” says Dana. “I have been to numerous doctors and tried so many different treatments that if there is something new out there, something else I can try, I want to hear about it.”

Sadick Dermatology, with offices in Great Neck and Manhattan, offers comprehensive and cutting-edge medical dermatology and cosmetic procedures. The practise was founded by Dr. Neil Sadick, a leading dermatologist, cosmetic surgeon and researcher, more than 25 years ago. Dr. Sadick has been instrumental in creating many of the innovative treatments, new technology and pharmaceuticals that are popular today. The practice, which has offices in Great Neck and Manhattan, offers its patients comprehensive and cutting-edge medical dermatology and cosmetic procedures.

Each year, the Sadick Research Group, a group he founded in 1993 that is considered one of the world’s leading research centers for medical and cosmetic surgical procedures, conducts 15 clinical FDA-level research studies. Light treatment for acne is just one of the studies that have been performed. Others include work with hair removal products, Propecia (hair loss drug for men produced by Merck) and cream treatments for photo damage and wrinkles. Currently, the Sadick Research Group has studies going on for rejuvenation of the face using new lasers, a study using new fillers that are not yet on the market, and a study on home beauty devices. A recent finding includes a new molecule that helps with psoriasis reduction.

“The research trials span the spectrum of everything dermatology-related,” explains Adam Dinkes, chief operating officer of Sadick Dermatology. “We have done a number of studies on acne-related products, whether it be a technology you use at home to zap the pimple or a low-dose antibiotic you can take through a prescription, as well as light devices that can treat acne.”

Since Jennifer and Dana (who happen to be best friends) started getting treated at Sadick Dermatology, they are both using less cover up and concealer on their faces, which suggests that from their perspectives, the Sadick treatments are producing positive results. To learn more, visit the newly completed, patient-friendly Sadick website at www.sadickdermatology.com