Acne: Advice on Clearing Your Skin

M. Bernice Standen was a freelance writer in Peterborough, Ontario.

Ronald Marks, Professor of Dermatology at the Welsh National School of Medicine and the father of “two spotty daughters,” to whom he dedicates this book, is well qualified to speak to the problems associated with acne. His interest in this common affliction is reflected in his involvement in the International Society of Bioengineering and the Skin, and the European Society for Dermatological Research.

This book, another in the Positive Health Guide series, affords the reader a comprehensive and straightforward look at acne. Professor Marks begins with such topics as what acne is and who gets it, followed by a practical discussion of factors to avoid and suggestions for effective remedies available from the pharmacy. His experience, as physician and father, is reflected in his sensitive approach to the psychological upsets for acne sufferers. Finally, he explores the more severe cases, those requiring medical intervention, and the types of treatment available. He leaves no stone unturned, and the explicit table of contents, photographs, and diagrams make this an excellent reference book for people with acne and the parents of young people in that susceptible age group.

By exploding the myths about acne and by giving us a lot of practical, encouraging advice regarding its treatment, even while admitting that much research remains to be done, Professor Marks’s book is a useful and encouraging exploration of a common and persistent problem.