Acne is a disease that affects the skin's oil glands. The oil carries dead skin cells to the surface of the skin, and the end result is lesions and pimples on the skin's surface. This disease can cause debilitating physical and emotional effects. In the US, nearly 60 million people have an active acne condition; 20 million people have the disorder severe enough for it to cause permanent scars. Over $3 billion annually is spent in the US on treating acne.
There are many prescriptive, operative, over-the-counter, and homeopathic treatments available for acne, but they don't work for everyone. Also, depending on the individual's insurance plan and the severity of the acne, health insurance may or may not cover the treatment.
The confusion over acne treatment options, coupled with problems in insurance coverage, are driving more people to search online for acne remedies. Unfortunately, not all of these treatment recommendations are effective. This is where mobile apps backed by dermatology expertise can make a difference.
One of these dermatology-based mobile apps is MDacne. The app enables acne sufferers to help themselves, while ensuring they are getting expert dermatology advice.
"I have been a practicing dermatologist for 25 years," said Dr. Yoram Harth, MDacne's innovator. "There are 500 million people in the world who are suffering from acne, and only ten percent of them get to see a dermatologist. Without treatment, they risk permanent scars that can physically and emotionally affect them for life."
Dr. Harth's idea was to create a mobile analytics application that acne sufferers could use to self-advise themselves on their acne conditions. This is how it works.
By using the free MDacne mobile app, the user takes a selfie and answers a questionnaire.
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