Acne Prescription: The Perricone Program for Clear and Healthy Skin at Every Age by Nicholas Perricone

From Barnes & Noble

The bestselling skin guru, famous for reversing the aging process through diet and nutritional supplements, now focuses his attention and expertise on acne. Once considered an exclusively "teenage" problem, acne in fact affects many adults. Dr. Perricone comes to their rescue with his three-tiered system to clear up skin: an anti-inflammatory diet, acne-fighting vitamins and supplements, and revolutionary topical products that control redness and swelling on the outside. Equipped with recipes and exercise to reduce stress (acne loves stress!), Dr. Perricone's prescription is a sure thing.

From the Publisher

From the #1 New York Times best–selling author of The Perricone Prescription.

The Acne Prescription delivers a complete program that incorporates Dr. Perricone's trademark three–tiered approach (anti–inflammatory diet, targeted acne–fighting nutritional supplements, and breakthrough topical applications) that will help you clear your skin in a matter of days. Not only will you see impossible–to–ignore improvement in your skin, the program will help improve your body's overall health and appearance. And, Dr. Perricone will tell you what to do to treat the pitting and scarring that often affects adult acne sufferers.

The Acne Prescription features dramatic before–and–after photos, rock–solid scientific background explications, and a day–by–day program of meals and exercises. And, Dr Perricone will dispel common medical myths regarding the causes and treatment of acne. By following the Perricone Program of diet, vitamins, topical applications, and exercise, you can dramatically reduce the appearance of blemishes and breakouts, and achieve a smoother look within three days You will look and feel better than you ever thought possible. Good health and beautiful skin – an unbeatable combination.

Publishers Weekly

Perricone, adjunct professor of dermatology at Michigan State University and author of both The Wrinkle Cure and The Perricone Prescription, bases his work on a simple premise: aging skin, and other dermatological conditions are the result of inflammation at the cellular level. To offset this inflammation, Perricone recommends a specific diet. Readers who follow Perricone's prescription diet are advised to avoid starchy foods and any foods that are high in carbohydrates (including many fruits and cereals). The focus is on fish, omega 3 fatty acids, protein and antioxidants, which will effectively reduce the level of cellular inflammation and produce more radiant skin. This new book reiterates this information, but uses the research and findings to assist readers of all ages, specifically adolescents and young adults with acne. A 28-day diet program, glossary of yoga exercises, and discussion of nutritional supplements is included to guide the reader toward better skin. For the most part, readers will find little here that isn't printed in one of Perricone's earlier books. But for new readers, this book may be of interest. Though his theories may still be considered contentious in dermatological circles, one can hardly argue against a regimen that dictates a healthy diet, regular exercise, and good hygiene. (Sept.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Product Details

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1986 was a banner year for me. After many years spent undergoing rigorous medical training and testing, I was about to begin my private dermatological practice. I had received my medical degree from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, followed by a one-year internship in pediatrics at Yale New Haven Hospital. I then completed a three-year residency at the Ford Medical Center in my specialty, dermatology, and was now ready and eager to begin seeing and treating patients. Dermatology -- the diagnosis and treatment of the skin and its diseases -- is one of those specialties that has patients of every age -- from infancy to old age, and every point in between.

It is interesting to note that in my dermatological residency we spent very little time studying the causes and treatment of acne -- one of the most prevalent yet difficult skin diseases to successfully treat. In addition to the physical disfigurement caused by the blemishes, acne can also leave deep scars on the psyche. Despite these facts, close to two thirds of our time was spent learning how to diagnose and treat other skin diseases. A full one third of the residency was spent learning how to perform dermatological surgery.

As a newly graduated dermatology resident with board certification, I opened a solo practice in Connecticut -- where I quickly discovered that a large portion of my patients suffered from acne. I was comfortable treating my adolescent acne patients, as I myself had suffered from fairly severe acne that began around the time I turned fourteen and continued to plague me throughout my early and mid-twenties. I could empathize with the teenagers who came seeking my help; I had been there.

My Story

When I developed acne in my teens, I lacked the financial means to seek professional medical advice or treatment for it. I haunted the corner drugstore searching the shelves for remedies. About the best I could find were products that contained active ingredients such as sulfur in a tinted base -- over-the-counter medicated cover-up creams. They helped a little at first but soon lost their effectiveness. By the time I reached college I finally began seeing a dermatologist. I was treated with a range of things -- from ultraviolet radiation and oral antibiotics (such as tetracycline), to topical abrasive scrubs containing tiny bits of sand, followed by tinted hydrocortisone-based lotions. The doctor also performed what I called acne surgery. He used an instrument to actually unplug the affected pores. We continued these treatments for approximately six months, after which I felt that there was not enough improvement to justify the time, expense, and discomfort.

Following college graduation, I entered the army, where I had severe acne flare-ups during both basic and advanced training. The army, however, did not consider acne a disease worth treating, so there were no options open to me other than to endure the condition and bide my time.

After suffering an arm injury, I spent a few months in an army hospital. I finally had the opportunity to speak to a physician about my acne but was too embarrassed to bring it up. This was a tertiary care hospital; all around me were patients in need of acute or critical care. In the bed to the right of me lay a soldier who had been hit by AK-47 fire and whose arm bones had been shattered. To my left was a man with both arms in casts, suffering from severe burns and fractures sustained from enemy fire on his helicopter. Although my right arm was in a cast, what I was most concerned about was my acne!

After I was discharged from active army duty, I was once again employed (although I'd not yet decided to enter medicine). I immediately sought help from a dermatologist. I went through a number of treatments, none of which seemed to bring any relief, leaving me depressed and discouraged.

Vitamin A for Acne Relief

One lucky day, a friend of mine told me about Dr. Sidney Hurwitz, one of the first pediatric dermatologists in the country. Dr. Hurwitz was a true innovator who kept up with the latest dermatological developments and treatments. He was achieving greater results than just about anyone in dermatology at that time. Dr. Hurwitz had been a board-certified practicing pediatrician who had decided to enter a three-year dermatological residency program to become a dermatologist. Now that his specialties were both dermatology and pediatrics, he limited his practice to patients no older than sixteen. Although I was well over that age, I was determined to see him. I called Dr. Hurwitz, explained my situation, and asked if he would make an exception in my case. Much to my delight, he said yes.

During my first office visit I was very impressed with Dr. Hurwitz, both as a man and as a physician. He was brimming with incredible enthusiasm for his work, and I could see that he loved taking care of his patients. For the first time in more than a decade, I felt a genuine sense of hope and renewed optimism. After examining my face and cataloging the long list of my previous treatments, he asked me an intriguing question: "Have you tried vitamin A to treat your acne?"

In my ongoing search for a cure I had read about vitamin A and taken large self-prescribed doses of the supplement, but had not seen any effects. "I am referring to a new form of vitamin A that is applied topically -- directly to the skin," he explained. "The University of Pennsylvania has been conducting extensive research utilizing vitamin A acid and has a product in early clinical trials." He then told me that Johnson & Johnson had licensed the technology. I was ready and willing to be a guinea pig, and I eagerly agreed to participate in the study. Dr. Hurwitz used this new product on me in combination with other topical and oral medications, and over a period of a few months, my face completely cleared.

This book is written as a source of information only. The information contained in this book should by no means be considered a substitute for the advice of a qualified medical professional, who should always be consulted before beginning any new diet, exercise or other health program.

All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of information contained in this book as of the date published. The author and the publisher expressly disclaim responsibility for any adverse effects arising from the use or application of the information contained herein.