The American Counseling Association (ACA) today announced that Broadway actress, television star and singer, Christy Carlson Romano, will be this year's spokesperson for the "Healthy Skin, Healthy Outlook" (HSHO) campaign. This national public awareness initiative is designed to help teens and their parents or guardians cope with the impact of acne on teenage self-esteem.
"Christy is an exceptional role model for teens struggling with self- esteem and confidence issues," said Richard Yep, executive director of the ACA. "Her celebrity status along with her positive outlook on life is inspiring and her participation in this year's campaign will really help the ACA communicate valuable messages to promote the self-esteem of teens."
Currently starring on Broadway as Belle in the theatrical production of Beauty and the Beast, Ms. Romano also plays big sister "Ren" on the hit television series Even Stevens and is the voice of Kim Possible on Disney's Emmy-nominated animated television series. Ms. Romano also will be working on releasing her first album in the near future.
"As a performer, much of my life has been spent in the spotlight. I know how important appearance can be to teens, especially the impact it can have on the way you feel about yourself," said Christy Carlson Romano. "It's important to feel good about yourself both inside and out and that's why I'm pleased to be this year's 'Healthy Skin, Healthy Outlook' campaign spokesperson."
To kick off the 2004 HSHO campaign, the ACA plans to roll out several television, print and radio-based initiatives with Ms. Romano, as well as a back-to-school campaign featuring new patient education materials and an important acne related Web page. As in past campaigns, this year's program will target teenagers and young adults; focusing attention on the impact acne can have on self-esteem and self-image.
"Healthy Skin, Healthy Outlook" 2004 is a national public awareness campaign designed to educate teens and their parents or guardians about the true causes of acne and encourage them to seek appropriate medical treatment. As part of this ongoing campaign, the ACA offers a Web site that provides young people with medically accurate information about what causes acne, the "DO's" and "DON'T's" in managing the condition, the truth behind common myths and appropriate therapies. The campaign and Web site are hosted by the ACA and sponsored by Dermik Laboratories, through an unrestricted educational grant.
Acne is the most commonly diagnosed skin disorder in the U.S. and is most prevalent in the teenage population. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, close to 100 percent of people between the ages of 12 and 17 have an occasional pimple, regardless of race or ethnic background. By their mid- teens, however, more than 40 percent of adolescents have acne severe enough to require medical treatment by a physician.
Over-the-counter medications may work for mild cases of acne, but more difficult cases usually require prescription antibiotics, both topical and oral, that are available only through a physician. One topical medication that has been shown to treat acne rapidly is BenzaClin. BenzaClin combines clindamycin, the most widely prescribed topical antibiotic for acne, with the antimicrobial benzoyl peroxide, the most frequently used topical preparation for the treatment of acne, in one easy-to- use gel. Clindamycin acts to destroy acne-causing bacteria on the skin while benzoyl peroxide fights bacterial resistance.
Christy Carlson Romano is know for her work as Belle in Broadway's Beauty and the Beast, the voice of Disney's Kim Possible, and big sister Ren on television show Even Stevens.