Questions and Answers

Is acne contagious? No, acne is not contagious. See the section of this web site called 'About Acne' for more information about the causes of acne. Will I get acne if I eat junk food? There are many myths about what causes acne. Chocolate and greasy foods are often blamed, but foods seem to have little effect on the development and course of acne in most people. Do you get acne because you don't keep your face clean? If you have acne, it does not mean that your skin is dirty. Cleansing and scrubbing your skin excessively will not help your acne. In fact, it may make it worse. Remember that the causes of acne affect oil glands, which are well below the surface of the skin. The best thing to do is gently wash your face twice a day with a mild soap and then pat dry. Ask you doctor for the best types of cleansers to use on your skin. The sun seems to help my acne. Is this really true? While it is true that sun exposure may dry out existing acne, it won't prevent new acne from forming. For some people, the sun can make their acne worse, and some medications, like Clarus® can make your skin sensitive to the sun, leading to serious sunburns. When you're in the sun, it is always wise to use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher to protect your skin. Will squeezing or picking my acne make it better or worse? Squeezing or picking can damage the cells under your skin and cause the pimple to become inflamed or leave a permanent scar. As tempting as it is, you will be better off in the long run to leave pimples alone and let them heal on their own. Can make-up camouflage my acne? Camouflage make-up can be used to cover acne lesions. The best types of cosmetics to use for acne-prone skin are oil-free, non-acnegenic (may not cause acne) and non -comedogenic (may not cause blackheads). Will Clarus® make me feel depressed? Major depression is a rare problem with children, but common among teens. In fact, up to one in every four people has suffered from depression by the end of adolescence.2 Unfortunately, studies have shown that teens with acne have an even greater likelihood of being depressed.3 Some patients, while taking isotretinoin or soon after stopping isotretinoin, have become  depressed or developed other serious mental health problems. Signs of these problems include feelings of sadness, irritability, unusual tiredness, trouble concentrating, and loss of appetite. Some patients taking isotretinoin have had thoughts about putting an end to their own lives (suicidal thoughts), tried to end their own lives, and some people have ended their own lives. There were reports that some of these people did not appear depressed. There have been reports of patients on isotretinoin becoming aggressive or violent. No one knows if isotretinoin caused these behaviors or if they would have happened even if the person did not take isotretinoin. If you become depressed during or after isotretinoin therapy, it's important to tell your doctor immediately. Why do I have to sign a consent form before taking Clarus®? The consent form is a policy requirement for taking Clarus®. Signing the consent form, or having your parent or guardian sign it on your behalf, tells your doctor that you understand all the information you have received from your doctor about Clarus®. If you are male, you must read and sign Part I of the form. If you are female, you must read and sign Part I and Part II of the form. Your doctor should explain all the information in the consent form to you, and you should also read it over carefully before you sign it. If there is anything you don't understand in the consent form, ask your doctor about it before you sign the form. What should I do with my signed consent form? Give one copy to your doctor to keep in your medical file and keep one copy for yourself. Bibliography and References Accutane™ Roche® Acne, Accutane and You (Revision: 2006) 1. James WD. Clinical PracticeL Acne. N. Engl J Med. 2005 Apr 7;352(14):1463-1472. 2. Kessler RC, Avenevoli S, Ries Merikangas K. Mood disorders in children and adolescents: an epidemiological perspective. Biol Psychiatry. 2001 Jun 15;49(12):1002-14. 3. Gupta MA, Gupta AK. Depression and suicidal ideation in dermatology patients with acne, alopecia areata, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Br J Dermatol. 1998 Nov;139(5):846-50. This patient information web site does not contain all information about Clarus®. Talk to your doctor if you have questions.