Acne is a nightmare for many teens. Even more for those who smoke. Skin and tobacco have never gone hand in hand. The nicotine and the tars contained in the smoke thus complete the range of their ravages with the proof of the rate 2 times higher of acne in the smoker. A demonstration that we should not hesitate to use in our adolescents – very concerned by the unsightliness of acne – to convince them not to smoke, especially as the dose consumed is related to the severity of the disease. . The more you smoke, the more pimples you have. Another point of contention between teenagers and their parents is the fashion for tattoos. Parents often give in to a temporary henna tattoo in front of a stampeding child. This technique is traditional among Muslims and Hindus. Done with pure henna, these pretty designs are no problem. Unfortunately, transient tattoos – very fashionable – are done with black henna by buskers on street corners; and what should only be a fleeting memory of a vacation is increasingly reflected in allergic contact eczema with a risk of depigmentation of the skin. This transforms the temporary into the definitive in those who have an allergic ground often known elsewhere. As it concerns 10 to 20% of the population, the advice would be rather to buy decals… or postcards. Besides this rather frustrating information, good news for those who tend to sweat heavily to the point of disrupting their social and professional life. Local injection of botulinum toxin is a simple, well-tolerated and remarkably effective treatment for 6 months. It replaced the surgery which consisted of cutting certain nerves in the sweat glands. Finally, we must not forget an essential role of dermatology: the fight against sexually transmitted diseases which we have witnessed an upsurge since the end of the 90s. In particular old demons like syphilis and gonorrhea – the hot piss – that we thought were reserved for the sexual history of our grandparents. And more than ever – even though antibiotics are effective, prevention remains the best defense. And it is still the good old condom which – as for our grandparents – remains the simple, economical and effective solution.
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