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Lauren A. Hassoun, BS,1 Jennifer N. Ornelas, BA, MAS,1 and Raja K. Sivamani, MD, MS, CAT2
Abstract
Acne vulgaris is a widely prevalent chronic skin disease. Although multiple treatments are available, acne can
sometimes be refractory to these treatments. The use of alternative medical therapies has increased within
dermatology and for acne. This case report describes a patient in whom the addition of cedarwood oil was
helpful in controlling acne.
1
School of Medicine, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA.
2
Department of Dermatology, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA.
252
CEDARWOOD OIL AS COMPLEMENTARY TREATMENT IN REFRACTORY ACNE 253
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FIG. 1. Clinical images of chest acne. (A) Acne lesions on diseases and two treatments. Am J Clin Dermatol 2002;
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This case presents an interesting scenario in which a 13. Tumen I. Antifungal activity of heartwood extracts from
patient’s moderate acne significantly improved in associa- three Juniperus species. BioResources 2013;8:12–20.
tion with the use of cedarwood oil to standard topical and 14. Hay IC, Jamieson M, Ormerod AD. Randomized trial of
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improvement observed in this patient.
Address correspondence to:
Conclusion
Raja K. Sivamani, MD, MS, CAT
Acne vulgaris is the most common skin condition in the Department of Dermatology
United States. While many patients use standard therapies, University of California-Davis
such as antibiotics, retinoids, and antiandrogens, with great 3301 C Street, Suite 1400
success, some patients experience only minimal improve- Sacramento, CA 95816
ment or are resistant to treatment. There is a growing in-
terest in complementary and alternative medicine among E-mail: rksivamani@ucdavis.edu