Lesson 1Hormonal Therapies: Combined Oral Contraceptives and Spironolactone — Indications, Contraindications, MonitoringCovers uses of combined oral contraceptives and spironolactone for adolescent girls, including choices, risks, monitoring, menstrual advice, and pairing with topical or oral treatments.
Identifying candidates for hormonal therapyChoosing appropriate oral contraceptivesSpironolactone dosing and titrationContraindications and safety counsellingMonitoring blood pressure and labsCombining hormonal and standard therapiesLesson 2Isotretinoin Basics: Indications, Cumulative Dosing Strategies, Monitoring Requirements, Pregnancy Prevention, and Counselling on Side EffectsExplains starting isotretinoin, dosing plans, initial checks, lab and mood monitoring, pregnancy prevention, and advice on skin, mucous membrane, and body-wide side effects.
Eligibility criteria and timing of initiationCalculating cumulative dose and regimensBaseline labs and ongoing monitoringTeratogenicity and pregnancy preventionManaging common mucocutaneous side effectsCounselling on mood and rare systemic risksLesson 3Pathophysiology of Adolescent Acne: Hormones, Follicular Hyperkeratinisation, Sebum, Cutibacterium acnes RoleExamines puberty hormone shifts, follicle clogging, excess oil, and Cutibacterium acnes inflammation, connecting these to acne types and treatment goals in teens.
Pubertal hormones and androgen excessFollicular hyperkeratinisation mechanismsSebum composition and overproductionCutibacterium acnes and inflammationInnate immunity and cytokine pathwaysTranslating mechanisms into treatment targetsLesson 4Differential Diagnoses and Mimics: Folliculitis, Steroid Acne, Rosacea, Hidradenitis Suppurativa — Rationale for EachReviews acne lookalikes like bacterial folliculitis, steroid acne, rosacea, and hidradenitis suppurativa, noting clinical differences, history points, and management or referral impacts.
Bacterial and Malassezia folliculitis cluesSteroid acne and medication historyRosacea and periorificial dermatitisHidradenitis suppurativa in adolescentsWhen to biopsy or culture lesionsImpact of misdiagnosis on outcomesLesson 5Clinical Grading and Distribution: Comedonal, Inflammatory Papulopustular, Nodulocystic Acne, and Recognising Early Atrophic ScarringCovers acne grading tools, lesion types, and spread patterns, stressing early scar spotting, severe disease risks, and records to direct treatment strength and monitoring.
Standard acne severity grading toolsRecognising comedonal versus inflammatory acneIdentifying nodulocystic and fulminans formsTypical facial and truncal distribution patternsEarly signs of atrophic and hypertrophic scarsPhotographic documentation and scoringLesson 6Adherence, Psychosocial Impact, and Communication with Families about Realistic Outcomes and Side-Effect ConcernsTackles teen compliance hurdles, simple plans, motivational talks, emotional loads, anxiety/depression checks, and family chats on goals and side effects.
Common adherence barriers in adolescentsDesigning simple, sustainable regimensMotivational interviewing techniquesAssessing self esteem and social impactDiscussing expectations and treatment goalsAddressing side effect fears with familiesLesson 7Oral Therapies: Doxycycline, Minocycline, Considerations for Tetracyclines in Adolescents, Dose, Duration, and Alternatives (Erythromycin)Reviews oral tetracycline uses, doses, lengths in teens, safety, risks, resistance, and options like erythromycin if tetracyclines don't suit or cause issues.
Indications for systemic antibioticsChoosing doxycycline versus minocyclineWeight based dosing and administration tipsRecommended treatment duration and taperingContraindications and safety in adolescentsAlternatives when tetracyclines are unsuitableLesson 8Safety Monitoring and Follow-Up Schedule: Laboratory Tests when Needed, Managing Adverse Effects, When to Refer to Procedural Dermatology or PsychiatryGuides on visit timing, drug safety checks, lab needs, handling side effects, urgent signs, and referrals to procedural dermatology or psychiatry.
Initial workup and baseline assessmentVisit intervals by treatment modalityWhen and what laboratory tests to orderManaging common medication side effectsRecognising red flags and urgent issuesReferral to procedural derm or psychiatryLesson 9Topical Pharmacotherapy: Benzoyl Peroxide, Topical Retinoids (Adapalene/Tretinoin), Topical Antibiotics — Indications, Combinations, Dosing and Expected TimelinesSummarises topical benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, antibiotics for acne types, combos, application tips, irritation control, and expected improvement times in teens.
Role of benzoyl peroxide and wash choicesSelecting and titrating topical retinoidsUse and limits of topical antibioticsFixed dose combination productsApplication techniques and irritation careExpected response timelines and step upLesson 10Adjunctive Measures: Mechanical Treatments, Chemical Peels, Early Scar Management Strategies (Microneedling, Laser Basics) and TimingOutlines extra procedures like blackhead removal, light treatments, peels, and early scar fixes with microneedling or lasers, including when to do them with medical care.
Comedone extraction and lesion drainageSuperficial chemical peels in acneLight and photodynamic therapy basicsMicroneedling for early atrophic scarsIntro to fractional and vascular lasersTiming procedures with systemic therapy
