Loving The Skin You’re In
About 1 in 4 Americans have some form of a skin condition. The skin is the body’s largest organ and is prone to various unwanted reactions, autoimmune disorders, and breakouts. Some of these are environmental and hormonal, like acne or eczema. Others, like psoriasis, rosacea, or hives, are genetic or autoimmune-related. Whatever the reason, most people with skin conditions visit a dermatologist for help. The doctor will prescribe medication to treat the diagnosed skin condition to beat the breakouts. While drugs for skin conditions can help, these treatments should not be one-size-fits-all. Long-term relief often needs a customized approach, possibly through compounding.
Can compounding help with skin issues?
Drugs for skin conditions often fall into 2 categories. First, most are over-the-counter, mass-produced options. These provide drugs to suppress flare-ups or help with skin cell turnover, which is essential for conditions like acne. The second option is a stronger, prescription-based approach. Prescriptions work for more severe conditions, but the potent ingredients can cause side effects. Dermatology compounding is a third option that eliminates the difficulties with medication. Compounding is creating a customized drug to suit the patient's needs. The dermatologist will create a prescription and the pharmacist will create a formula in the right dosage and form for the patient. Compounding can help skin conditions and breakouts in 3 unique ways.
1. Avoid unwanted allergies
Patients with skin conditions may have allergies which are sometimes only revealed when treatment begins. Prescription drugs may contain additives that act as stabilizers or preservatives. However, these ingredients can cause allergic reactions, delaying treatment. Compounding can remove elements with unwanted allergies, improving medication adherence.
2. The right dosage
Dermatologists sometimes struggle to provide patients with the right dose of medication to beat a breakout. For example, a low-dose steroid may not help the patient's condition, but a high-dose steroid can cause unwanted side effects. This uncertainty can result in trial and error by the doctor until the best combination of treatments is found. The compounding pharmacist can find a middle ground. Compounding allows for more control over the strength of each active ingredient, which can help patients in the long run.
3. Customizing your treatment
Compounding pharmacists can create the medication in different forms, which is vital for some patients. For example, some patients may need oral medication. However, when mixed with a prescription for an unrelated condition, there could be side effects. The compounding pharmacist can create a topical form to avoid these unwanted reactions. Some patients may prefer gels, lotions, and even face washes. Compounding gives the patient some flexibility that's not available over the counter.
Smooth skin with compounding
Skin conditions can range from mild to severe. These breakouts can affect the patient's confidence and quality of life in almost all cases. Dermatologists can help with various techniques, but medicine may be required for long-term treatment. Customizing the therapy is an excellent way to help patients stay on track, avoid allergies, and achieve smoother, healthier skin.
