Acne vulgaris historical perspective
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Hamid Qazi, MD, BSc [2]
Overview
Historical Perspective
The history of acne reaches back to the dawn of recorded history. In Ancient Egypt, it is recorded that several pharaohs were acne sufferers. From Ancient Greece comes the English word 'acne' (meaning 'point' or 'peak'). Acne treatments are also of considerable antiquity:
- Ancient Rome: bathing in hot, and often sulfurous, mineral water was one of the few available acne treatments. One of the earliest texts to mention skin problems is De Medicina by the Roman writer Celsus.
- 1800s: Nineteenth century dermatologists used sulfur in the treatment of acne. It was believed to dry the skin.
- 1920s: Benzoyl Peroxide is used
- 1930s: Laxatives were used as a cure for what were known as 'chastity pimples'. Radiation also was used.
- 1950s: When antibiotics became available, it was discovered that they had beneficial effects on acne. They were taken orally to begin with. Much of the benefit was not from killing bacteria but from the anti-inflammatory effects of tetracycline and its relatives. Topical antibiotics became available later.
- 1970s: Tretinoin (original Trade Name Retin A) was found effective for acne.[1] This preceded the development of oral isotretinoin (sold as Accutane and Roaccutane) in 1980.[2]
- 1980s: Accutane is introduced in America
- 1990s: Laser treatment introduced
- 2000s: Blue/red light therapy