LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 29, 2007 - Obagi Medical Products, Inc. (NASDAQ: OMPI), the leader in skin health, today announced the launch of a new acne therapy - CLENZIderm M.D.(TM) Acne Therapeutic System. The new physician dispensed acne system boasts an advanced, patent-pending Soluzyl Technology(TM) that liquefies Benzoyl Peroxide (BPO) on contact, resulting in greater follicular penetration and rapid lesion reduction.

"We are very excited to bring novel and efficacious technology to the field of acne treatment, a market valued at $1.3 billion," said Steven Carlson, President of Obagi Medial Products. "Studies indicate that no other single acne treatment or combination therapy is proven to work on all three causes of acne, including excess oil, acne-causing bacteria and clogged pores.

TODAY nutritionist Joy Bauer helps separate fact from fiction

Does coffee stunt your growth? Can grapefruit burn calories more quickly? Does eating certain foods cause acne? TODAY nutritionist Joy Bauer separates fact from fiction.

More recent studies suggest that even if caffeine does offset calcium absorption, the effect is both slight and easily offset by adding some milk in your coffee.

Recent Chinese Study Validates Controversial Acne Treatment

(PRLEAP.COM) In 2003, Naweko Nicole Dial, founder of the San Diego based research firm Noixia, argued that malnurishment, among other factors, could cause or worsen acne. Even though medical associations like the American Academy of Dermatology denounce the link between food and acne, Dial's unothodox approach to treating acne continues to get validated by ongoing medical studies. This time, the support came from China. In January, Chinese researchers examined the faces of 1787 women between the ages of 18 and 65 and published their findings in Skin Research and Technology. Upon examining the women, the researchers found a significant link between oily skin and the consumption of spicy or sweet food. Dial notes, “The information provided by the researcher in China goes one step further in legitimizing the link between food and acne.” Dial reflects, “Much of the controversy about food and acne emerges from the chocalate and acne tests that started in the late sixties that observed no link between eating chocalate and the onset of acne.” Dial explains, “The concept that “food causes acne is a myth” has persisted for so long because the medical community has not taken an individualized look at the causes of acne” As Dial explained in her book, Acne Messages: Crack the Code of Your Zits and Say Goodbye to Acne” people have acne because they are still living with their unique acne trigger.

ADULTS ALSO HAVE ACNE WOES

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am in my 20s, and I still have to deal with acne. Why? I thought I would be through with it by this time. What can I do for it? -- J.T.

ANSWER: The teen years are the peak years for having acne, but some adults have to struggle with it too. During adolescence, 85 percent of youngsters have it to some degree. Most are rid of it by age 25. However, 12 percent of women and 3 percent of men have to contend with it until their 40s, and a few, even later. In fact, some adults get acne for the first time later in life.

Acne is caused by the plugging of skin follicles -- ''pores,'' as many call them. Oil sludge and shed skin cells form the plug. Every skin follicle comes equipped with an oil gland. Even when the follicle opening is plugged, the gland keeps secreting oil downstream of the plug.