Lipidome and Microbiome Profile of Acne

We will look at acne subjects, and controls.

We will look at four things

• skin lipidome
• skin microbiome
• gut microbiome
• blood lipidome

Investigators will assess this in acne participants before and after doxycycline and compare them to controls.

Inclusion criteria

• Aged 15 and older
• Subjects/parents/legal guardian is able to read and comprehend study procedure and consent forms.
• Have already been prescribed Doxycycline by their physician for acne or to be eligible to be prescribed Doxycycline for acne
• Have acne that is diagnosed by a board certified dermatologist.

Exclusion criteria

• Those who have received systemic antibiotics within four weeks of starting the study.
• Those who have received systemic isotretinoin within six weeks of starting the study.
• Those with seborrheic dermatitis, rosacea, or polycystic ovary syndrome
• Those who are pregnant, prisoners or cognitively impaired.
• Those subjects who are currently using proton pump inhibits (as studies have shown this may impact the gut microbiome) (4)
• Those who have a BMI greater than >30 kg/m2, as studies have shown a reduction in the variability of intestinal microbes within this population (5).
• Those who have initiated or changed brand of oral contraceptive pill within 4 weeks of starting the study.
• Those who have autoimmune disorders as this group has been shown to have an altered microbiome (6)
• Those who have diabetes (6), immunodeficiencies (7), inflammatory bowel disease (6), hypercholesterolemia, as these groups have been shown to have altered gut microbiomes
• Those who have taken oral probiotic supplements (8) within 4 weeks of starting the study
• Given the nature of the instructions that need to be adhered to for accurate collection of samples and this data, non-English speaking individuals will be excluded from this pilot study.
• Allergies to the tetracycline group of antibiotics
• Those who do not fit the inclusion criteria