In the US, it was reported that 80 percent of people between puberty and middle age suffer from acne. Although the condition is not life-threatening, it can cause embarrassment and emotional stress for those who suffer from it. Let’s take a closer look at the history of acne treatment and see where we are now to resolve this unpleasant bump in the road that most of us face on the road to becoming adults.
Acne Treatment History:
The term acne comes from a Greek word meaning skin rash. In Greece, a plant-based acne medication was prescribed.
In Ancient Rome, acne was treated with hot mineral baths. Roman doctors preferred medication in which the main ingredients were made from animals.
One ingredient both cultures agreed on was honey. The Greeks and Romans agreed that acne was triggered by the onset of adolescence.
The ancient Egyptians used spells and incantations on pharaohs suffering from acne.
third century
During this time, there was a belief that pimples were caused by telling a lie. Treatment for hard lesions was a soap remedy.
14th century
The recommendation was to avoid spicy foods and strong drinks. Respected authorities of the time recognized that the condition was sometimes aggravated by a person’s diet.
19th century
19th century dermatologists used sulfur in acne treatment to dry and exfoliate the skin. The fathers of modern dermatology, William and Bateman, treated acne with local remedies.
1920s: Benzoyl peroxide, which kills bacteria, became a popular remedy in the history of acne treatment.
1930s: Acne was often called “chastity pimples” because people thought virgins got acne because they couldn’t get rid of toxins from their bodies. Laxatives and radiation were used for treatment.
1950s: Antibiotics were successful in treating acne after their discovery, primarily due to the anti-inflammatory effects of tetracycline.
1960’s- ‘Retin A’ was discovered to help fight acne.
1980s: ‘Accutane’ was introduced in the United States and was later found to be responsible for causing birth defects if taken during pregnancy. Accutane is a form of vitamin A that reduces the amount of oil released by the skin’s sebaceous glands and promotes skin rejuvenation, but should never be used during pregnancy.
1990s – Laser treatment began to be used to treat acne and to clear the skin of old and new scars. Laser therapy is beneficial for people with nodular and cystic acne.
2000s: Blue/red light therapy was developed in conjunction with laser therapy for the treatment of acne. It works by using a special blue light to prevent and heal acne. The light can be used on almost all parts of the victim’s body.
future treatments
Scientists are testing a vaccine against inflammatory acne. The goal is to develop a bacterial therapy in the future to overcome the problem seen with long-term antibiotic use, which increases the resistance of bacteria.
Science has determined that acne is not caused by dirt. Rubbing the skin too often can make things worse. Hormones are known to rise during puberty in both sexes and continue to fluctuate during menstruation, causing the sebaceous glands to become overactive. Genetics also play a role in whether an individual will suffer from acne.
As you can see, you are not alone with acne. Throughout the history of acne treatment, kings and pharaohs have taken on this culprit and won. There is no need to despair with the excellent treatments available. The key is to find the skin care regiment that works best for you.