Dermatologists of Greater Columbus is proud to be a supporting sponsor of this years DownSyndrome Achieves 5K race at Coffman Park May 23rd at 7pm. Stop by our booth to discuss sun prevention and receive a free sunscreen sample.

DownSyndrome Achieves (DSA) takes a fresh and proactive approach toward advocacy. Along with creating a welcoming community of support for individuals and families living with Down syndrome, we’re aggressively advancing research, legislation and education.

A Community United, A Cause Worth Running For.

On May 23, central Ohio will stamp its footprint on Down syndrome research, one of the least-funded national health causes. Join us. We’ll do our part to bolster research funding at Race Day for Down Syndrome, a fun-filled family-focused 5K Race + Fun Run.

We are very proud that 100% of every dollar raised goes directly to support the Down Syndrome Research Initiative – a consortium of medical directors, researchers, and clinicians from eight pediatric and academic institutions committed to advancing DS research and scientific discovery.

REGISTER NOW

Can’t join us? You can still make a difference by becoming a Virtual Runner.  Learn how.

Fayette County Fair is a pay one-price fair. All paid admissions include carnival rides, the outdoor arena and indoor arena entertainment.

For Admissions Information

For Direction

Dr. Mary Jo Kerns talks about high end and low cost solutions to wrinkles.

Click here to watch or copy the following URL into your browser:

http://www.myfox28columbus.com/newsroom/gdc/videos/vid_1603.shtml#.TnoURVVEPqk.email

Creams, pills, antibiotics, scrubs used to combat zits

It’s something every teenager dreads. The social kiss of death, the plague of middle-school pictures and high-school dances.

Acne.

There are many products and methods to fight it — pills, lotions, peels.

But dermatologists say there’s no single way to treat it.

Dr. Andrea Costanza of Signature Dermatology of Columbus said acne typically is caused by an increased production of oil from sweat glands, dead skin plugging up hair follicles and a change in hormones — especially in girls.

Depending on the severity of the acne and age of the patient, doctors say they prescribe individualized regimens.

“It’s not just one type of medication they’re getting,” Costanza said. “We need to attack it from all different sides.”

Topical treatments help remove dead skin and use deep-cleaning ingredients to help shrink pores and kill bacteria.

Antibiotics often are used to reduce inflammation. Birth-control pills can help with balancing hormones.

Dr. Mary Jo Kerns of the Dermatologists of Greater Columbus said mild creams and washes with medications such as benzoyl peroxide almost always are the first step in treatment.

Many teens say they are willing to try anything.

Lauren Levy, 15, a freshman at New Albany High School, said her regimen includes washing her face twice daily with acne-fighting products.

“I’ve used special creams in the past,” she said. “But I get the same results just washing my face.”

Shannon Richissin, 22, a senior at Ohio State University, still suffers from an occasional outbreak but remembers her acne being much worse as a teen.

She said she used a combination of topical medicines, oral acne treatments and birth-control pills.

“I saw a major difference when I was using a combination of the three,” she said.

For serious acne, doctors sometimes prescribe heavy-duty drugs such as Accutane, which carries warnings about depression and birth defects.

Kerns said she was prescribed Accutane when she was younger.

“That’s one of the reasons I became a dermatologist,” she said. “It was life-changing.”

Kerns and Costanza said they prescribe Accutane to a small number of patients.

For most teens, more simple methods work, Levy said.

“Washing your face — it’s key,” she said.

kjacobson@dispatch.com

Dr. Mary Jo Kerns visits with Good Day Columbus and provides a demonstration on liquid nitrogen treatments, discusses sun spots, and daily SPF needs. Keep watching to see what lime juice and the sun can do to your skin!http://www.myfox28columbus.com/newsroom/gdc/videos/vid_1321.shtml

Congratulations to Dr. Kerns for receiving the Teaching Appreciation Award at the Medical Education Residency and Teaching Awards.

Riverside Methodist Hospital announced Mary Jo Kerns, MD was elected as their Dermatology Section Chair for a 3 year term. View the other newly appointed Section Chairs here.

The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention has set this Friday, May 27, as Don’t Fry Day. Please take a look for tips to protect against overexposure to the sun: www.skincancerprevention.org