ObjectiveAntibiotics have been routinely used for several decades againstPropionibacterium acnes(P. acnes), but antibiotic resistance ofP. acnesis becoming a global problem. Only one related Chinese study is available. The aim of this study was to assess the antibiotic susceptibility ofP. acnesobtained from patients with acne in Southwest China.DesignThis was a prospective cross-sectional study. Cutaneous samples were obtained from acne lesions on the face of 375 patients. Samples were cultured in anaerobic medium to identify the presence ofP. acnes. Susceptibility tests of isolatedP. acneswere performed for tetracycline, doxycycline, clindamycin, erythromycin, azithromycin and clarithromycin using the Epsilometer test.ResultsP. acneswas isolated from 227 patients; 224 isolates (98.7%) were susceptible to doxycycline and 220 (96.9%) were susceptible to tetracycline, followed by clindamycin and clarithromycin in 101 (44.5%) and 102 (44.93%) isolates, respectively. Susceptibility ofP. acneswas detected for erythromycin in 96 (42.3%) patients, followed by azithromycin in 94 (41.4%). Subjects who received antibiotics (topical and oral) had higher frequencies of antibiotic-resistantP. acnesas well as increased antibiotic minimum inhibitory concentrations compared with patients without antibiotic treatment.ConclusionsP. acneswas highly sensitive to cyclines (doxycycline and tetracycline).P. acnesshowed higher resistance rates to macrolides–lincosamides–streptogramins antibiotics (such as erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin and clindamycin). The irrational use of antibiotics for acne treatment is probably a problem in China and elsewhere. These results suggest that dermatologists should be more prudent in prescribing antibiotics for acne.

Purpose: The Chinese medicine theory is a systematic understanding of the phenomenon of human life and the influential factors. To be aware of the medical system theory in the field of skin beauty in the recent years. Methods: We summarized the application of Chinese medicine, related methods and prescription drugs in skin beauty, and combed the context of application. Result: We elaborated the application from four parts: form, constitution, health maintenance, preventive treatment of disease. Conclusion: Chinese medicine, related methods and prescription drugs were widely used in the field of skin beauty with remarkable results and have guiding significance for the development of skin care products.

We aim to study the relationship between the traditional Chinese medicine constitutional types and skin moisture degree which includes water content, loss of water, and oil content, for permanent population in Beijing. Methods: 246 women are randomly selected as volunteers and are classified according to Wang's nine physical inventory methods. We detected the amount of moisture, water loss, and oil content for the volunteers (forehead, left canthus, left cheek, and chin). The data obtained from relative large number of mild constitution, yin deficiency, yang deficiency, phlegm-wet, damp-heat, qi deficiency, and qi depression are compared and analyzed. Results: Forehead and eyelid water content of phlegm-wet is higher than other groups. In addition, left cheek and chin water content of yang deficiency type is higher than others. Moreover, oil content of phlegm-wet is higher than other groups. Conclusion: Constitution is the important factor that affects the skin moist degree, and is closely relevant with skin moisture content and oil content.