- With Mayo Clinic dermatologist
Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
Dr. Lawrence Gibson likens bad health information on the Internet to food poisoning.
Consumers, he said, need to be aware, and will find reliable information at MayoClinic.com.
Dr. Gibson, a Covington, Ky., native, has been with Mayo since 1986 and is board certified in dermatology, dermatopathology and immunodermatology. He is a professor of dermatology at Mayo Medical School and a consultant in the Department of Dermatology.
Dr. Gibson has been director of the Dermatopathology Laboratory since 1998 and chair of the Laboratory Division in the Department of Dermatology since 2000. He is especially interested in inflammatory disorders of the skin and lymphoma affecting the skin.
"Electronic information is becoming a staple in the diet of a health conscious society," he said. "It's important to avoid misinformation and provide a credible source for health information. Using this analogy, it's critical to avoid 'indigestion' or worse yet, 'food poisoning' by the ingestion of tainted information."
More answers
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Question
Natural acne treatment: What's most effective?
I'm wondering about natural acne treatment. Are there any effective options?
Answer
from Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
You may have various options for natural acne treatment. Lotions or creams that contain alpha hydroxy acids, salicylic acid or bovine cartilage seem to reduce acne for some people. Or you might try a gel that contains tea tree oil. Some studies suggest that gels containing 5 percent tea tree oil are as effective as are lotions containing 5 percent benzoyl peroxide, although tea tree oil might work more slowly. (Note: For some people, tea tree oil may cause a skin reaction known as contact dermatitis. There's also some concern that topical products containing tea tree oil might cause breast development in young boys.) Other studies suggest that taking zinc or guggul supplements may help treat acne. Check with your doctor before taking any dietary supplements, especially if you have any underlying health conditions. If natural acne treatment isn't effective, ask your doctor or dermatologist for other suggestions.
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