Good Strain of Acne Bacteria--Propionibacterium --Could Help Clear Up Skin Problems

Researchers at Washington University and the University of California at Los Angeles have found that certain types of bacteria in acne can help clear up your skin.

Researchers sequenced acene DNA and found that a "good" strain of the Propionibacterium acnes bacteria may be able to stifle more harmful bacteria.

As this is a trouble for many teenagers, the discovery could lead to some helpful new creams and therapies.

Scientists in California used over-the-counter pore-cleansing strips to extract bacteria from the surface of 101 volunteers' noses, according to reports.

After looking at the microbial DNA, researchers discovered that unique strains of the acne bacteria appeared in one out of five volunteers with acne but rarely in clear-skinned people.

But the biggest find was that a third strain of P. acnes is found almost exclusively in healthy skin, suggesting this defensive strain might fend off would-be pimple producers.

As acne affects 80 percent of Americans at some point in their lives, the spate of acne treatments - benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics, Accutane - have varying degrees of success and side-effects for each patient.

Dr. Noah Craft, a co-author of the study, said the research could reshape the treatment protocol.

"We're just using nuke bombs to kill everything on the skin now," said Craft of LA Bio-Med.

The findings offer hope for more patient-centered acne care, with dermatologists using diagnostic tests of an individual's DNA when determining treatment options.

The study is published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology. The next step: testing a probiotic cream to see if good P. acnes can really kill zits before they even start.