Acne for Dummies by Herbert P. Goodheart, MD (Book Review)

Title: Acne for Dummies
Author: Herbert P. Goodheart, MD
Publisher: Wiley Publishing

First sentence: Benjamin Franklin said, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes," to which I would add a third certainty - acne.

My thoughts: I wanted to read this book as I have two teenage daughters struggling with acne. I was one of the more fortunate teenagers who only got the occasional pimple, so I don't know how to help them. I have one taking oral antibiotics, which has cleared up her face, but hasn't really touched her back or upper arms. With it being summertime she is loath to wear any kind of tank top or sleeveless shirt.

With this book I mainly concentrated on those areas of interest to me going forward with my girls. These areas included understanding teen acne, myths vs reality, and when to use topicals or call in an expert.

Some of the big myths - 'chocolate causes acne (or sugar or dairy)' hasn't been proved or disproved. Dr. Goodheart just recommends that if your convinced some type of food is making your acne worse - then stop eating it. There are other myths that are also discussed like stress and makeup.

This book is very inclusive in that it covers teen acne to adult acne to disorders that might cause acne. It also covers topical treatments, common sense and prescription drugs. The book ends with some great web site references, tips for healthy skin and things you should never do (like looking in the mirror too much!) It goes into what it terms "technical stuff" which, while interesting, I didn't feel was always necessary.

Acne for Dummies, like the name would suggest, addresses this topic with common sense and a touch of humor for that which can be a very sensitive subject for some teenagers. It would be a good reference book for those beginning to deal with acne as an adult or maybe as the parent of a teen.

About the author: Herbert P. Goodheart, MD, has been in the private practice of dermatology for over 25 years. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and a member of the Greater New York Dermatological Society. For 20 years, Dr. Goodheart was an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine in the Division of Dermatology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, and is now an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Dermatology at the Mount Sinai College of Medicine in New York City.

Dr. Goodheart is the author of Goodheart’s Photoguide of Common Skin Disorders, Diagnosis and Management, a clinical guide to assist the primary care provider and dermatologist-in-training in the identification and treatment of common skin disorders. The book, which is in its second edition, was a unanimous choice for first prize in dermatology at the annual British Medical Association Book Awards for 2004. He also is a contributing editor of Women’s Health in Primary Care, a medical journal for physicians and other healthcare professionals.
Dr. Goodheart’s monthly column, “Dermatology Rounds,” provides information on the wide spectrum of skin disorders affecting women.

Acne for Dummies
Publisher/Publication Date: Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated, January 2006
ISBN: 978-0-471-74698-3
292 pages

Barnes & Noble
Amazon

Invisible Scars

Here is an article from the author of Acne for Dummies - Dr. Herbert P. Goodheart. My review for this book will be up on Friday - but in the meantime - check this out!

Helping Your Child Deal with Acne's "Invisible Scars"
By Herbert P. Goodheart, M.D.,
Author of Acne For Dummies

Acne affects adolescents at a time when they're developing their personalities and evolving into adulthood. The psychological impact of severe or even mild acne can lead your child to feelings of diminished self-esteem and be a source of anxiety when it comes to dealing with the world. During this time, peer acceptance is very important to them and physical appearance and attractiveness is highly associated with status. Besides the physical scars that acne can produce, your teen may also be suffering emotionally.

Acne, particularly, severe facial acne, can bring out cruel taunts, teasing, and name calling from other children. Some teens lose interest in sports such as swimming or basketball because of the need to undress in locker rooms and expose their back and chests. Some kids become so preoccupied with how their skin looks that they may not want to go to school, they may pull away from their friends, show dramatic changes in their thinking and behavior, become withdrawn, and may even become depressed.

Our society places a great emphasis on physical appearance; we're all constantly bombarded with advertisements that display models and movie stars, all of whom are depicted as paragons of beauty and flawless perfection. They often serve as the spokespeople for health and beauty aids that imply that you can look like them if you buy the products they're promoting. When you see media portrayals of all those people with perfect skin, just remember that almost all of those photos are touched-up and airbrushed. Some of the models even have -- heaven forbid -- acne, just like your kid does!

Teens with acne are often told, "It's no big deal, and anyway, you'll grow out of it; it's just a normal part of life." But to a teen with acne, it is a big deal; they often feel insecure and lack self confidence. The truth is that many kids don't "just grow out of it". The main thing to remember, acne, even very severe acne, is treatable. But you as a parent should be aware of the "invisible scars" that some teens carry on the inside; they can be really tough!

You Can Do Something About It

Here are a few simple, yet effective, ways to communicate your willingness to help:

Let your child know how much you care: Give your child adequate time to bring up the subjects of their acne and allow them to address or respond to your questions about the behavioral changes you've noticed.

Listen patiently: They may want to communicate their feelings but have difficulty doing so. Think back to your own teen years. You may not have always felt like it was easy to be open about your thoughts and feelings.

Don't be overly judgmental about your child's appearance: Approach the subject of acne in a gentle, caring manner and try to give a little space when it comes to some of the relatively harmless decisions they make about their clothing and grooming habits.

It's extremely important to keep the lines of communication open: Take the time to pay undivided attention to your kid's concerns. It's important to even if your child seems to want to withdraw.

Don't lecture on the subject: Try to avoid telling your child what to do. Instead, pay careful attention and you may discover more about the issues causing his or her problems.

Detecting Depression in Your Teenager

It's very normal for people with severe acne to feel down and despondent; even mild acne can give them the blues. However, if your child is feeling unhappy more often and doesn't seem to enjoy his/her usual activities anymore, you need to consider the possibility that your child may be suffering from depression.

Determining if a teenager is depressed can be a very tricky undertaking. Dramatic physical and mental changes seem to take place almost overnight and it sometimes seems hard to tell the "normal" from the "abnormal."

Depression has become a more commonly recognized diagnosis in adolescents than it had been in the past. Parents should look for signs of depression in adolescents and they should be dealt with in a serious manner and not just passed off as "growing pains" or the normal consequence of adolescence. If you observe some of the signs or behaviors listed below, they may be indicators of depression, although they're not always diagnostic of teen depression, they may be a signs of other psychological, social, family, or school problems:

• Increased fatigue, low energy
• Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, anxiety, and guilt
• Loss of enjoyment in things that previously gave pleasure
• Irritability, anger, or aggressiveness
• Sleep disturbances such as staying awake at night and sleeping during the day
• Social isolation, withdrawal from family and friends
• Loss of interest in food or compulsive overeating that results in rapid weight loss or gain
• Lots of new physical complaints such as headaches, stomach aches, low back pain, or excessive fatigue
• A sudden drop in grades
• Unusual rebellious behavior, or cutting school
• Use of alcohol or drugs
• Promiscuous sexual activity
• A preoccupation with death and dying
• Suicidal thoughts

If one or more of these descriptions rings a bell, talk to your child's pediatrician or other health care provider. Strong suicidal thoughts are an emergency and call for immediate action. Don't go it alone!

©2009 Herbert P. Goodheart, M.D., author of Acne For Dummies

Author Bio
Herbert P. Goodheart, M.D., of New York, NY, author of Acne For Dummies, is a practicing dermatologist who also teaches at the Mount Sinai College of Medicine. He is the author of a highly regarded dermatology textbook. For more information please visit http://herbertgoodheart.com/

ARC Arrival: Acne for Dummies

Acne for Dummies by Dr. Herbert P. Goodheart

Publisher: Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated

I received this book from Julie at FSB Associates - Thanks Julie!

About the book: Acne is the most common skin disease in the United States, affecting more than 60 million adults and teenagers each year. Acne For Dummies addresses the causes of acne, and, most importantly, what can safely be done to cover it up, treat it, and minimize scarring. The book covers everything from daily skin care, over-the-counter acne preparations, and when to see a dermatologist to the hazards and benefits of prescription acne medications and the range of dermatological procedures available to erase aftereffects. Also covered are specific issues common to acne as seen in various ethnic groups and other skin problems, such as rosacea, a condition that people often mistake for acne. (from Barnes and Noble website)

About the author: Herbert P. Goodheart, MD, has been in the private practice of dermatology for over 25 years. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and a member of the Greater New York Dermatological Society. For 20 years, Dr. Goodheart was an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine in the Division of Dermatology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, and is now an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Dermatology at the Mount Sinai College of Medicine in New York City.

Dr. Goodheart is the author of Goodheart’s Photoguide of Common Skin Disorders, Diagnosis and Management, a clinical guide to assist the primary care provider and dermatologist-in-training in the identification and treatment of common skin disorders. The book, which is in its second edition, was a unanimous choice for first prize in dermatology at the annual British Medical Association Book Awards for 2004. He also is a contributing editor of Women’s Health in Primary Care, a medical journal for physicians and other healthcare professionals.
Dr. Goodheart’s monthly column, “Dermatology Rounds,” provides information on the wide spectrum of skin disorders affecting women.

Acne for Dummies
Publisher/Publication Date: Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated, January 2006
ISBN:0-471-74698-3
292 pages