Supplementary Material for: Case Reports of Acne and Homeopathy

Background: Acne vulgaris is a self-limiting disorder
of the pilosebaceous unit. The aesthetic aspect of the disorder may
provoke depression and diminish the quality of life. A number of agents
are used for acne treatment, e.g., retinoids, antibiotics, benzoic acid,
azelaic acid, and hormones. These agents have side-effects, sometimes
severe ones. Case Reports: Presented are 2 cases of severe
acne treated with individualized homeopathic medicines. Both patients
were treated using the classical method of homeopathy, i.e., a single
medicine based on the patient's individual characteristics was
prescribed. The cases were documented photographically at onset and
during the course of treatment. Both patients went into remission
following treatment, and long-term follow-up suggested that the therapy
remained efficacious long after cessation of treatment. No significant
side effects were noted. Conclusions: Homeopathic
medicines may be useful as stand-alone treatment of patients with severe
acne vulgaris. A case series suggested a remission rate of more than
80% using individualized homeopathic treatment. The treatment remained
efficacious long after cessation and is not accompanied by significant
side-effects. It is to be hoped that this presentation will stimulate
research interest into homeopathic medicines as stand-alone or adjunct
treatments of acne.