OILY SKIN
DERMATOLOGISTS USUALLY POINT THE FINGER AT HIRNOMES AS THE CAUSE FOR OILY SKIN - MAINLY BECAUSE COINCIDES WITH PUBERTY - BUT THE FACT IS THAT GENETICS, THE PRODUCTS YOU USE AND EVEN THE MEDICATIONS YOU TAKE (SUCH AS ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES) CAN REV UP THE OIL GLANDS. WHEN EXCESS OIL AND DEAD SKIN CELLS CLOG UP THE PORES, BACTERIA CAN MULTIPLY AND LEAD TO BREAKOUTS.
1. AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE Laser treatment
In addition to blue light treatments that target the bactreia responsible for acne, other energy sources, such as those that send heat deep into the skin, can be used to suppress the oil glands in an effort to stop the breakout cycle.
HOW IT WORKS - Smoothbeam is the most popular diode laser used to shrink the size of the oil glands and suppress their activity. This laser heats the outer layer of the oil gland and creates a mild thermal injury that decreases oil production. In addition to reducing active lesions and preventing new ones from forming, the nonablative resurfacing effect of collagen remodeling also helps reduce scarring.
NUMBER OF TREATMENTS - Three to six, though more severe acne and scarring may require up to 12.
RESULTS SEEN - Patients usually see imprevement (a 40- to 50-percent reduction in acne lesions) after the first treatment.
SIDE EFFECTS - Discomfort (topical anesthesia may be given), temporary redness or darkening of the skin.
COST - $200 to $300 per treatment (or $1,500 to $2,000 for a package of six.)
PRESCRIPTION Accutane
Often considered the last resort for treating ance, Accutane is an oral medication that may be the only effctive treatment for persistent nodules and cysts. Accutane is the magic bullet for acne that isn't responding to other treatments.
HOW IT WORKS - Accutane workt=s primarily by reducing oil production, but the drug also appers to reduce cell buildup, bacteria and inflamation.
RESULTS SEEN - For many patients, treatment usually takes four to five months, but acne may get worse before it improves. However, 85 percent of patients see long-lasting results.
SIDE EFFECTS - Dryness of the lips and eyes, headaches, depression, increased sun sensitivity.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS - In order to get a prescription for Accutane, you must enroll in iPledge, a pregnancy risk management program, and use two methods of birth control one month before, while taking and one month after taking Accutane since the drug has bees found to cause serious birth defects. You also need regular blood tests to assess liver function and triglyceride levels.
COST - May be covered by insurance
AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE Radiofrequency
A relatively new treatment for acne radiofrequency if often used in combination with blue light and red light therapy to treat bacteria and inflammation. Elõs is just one of these treatments, and it uses radiofrequency and blue light.
HOW IT WORKS - Radiofrequency (the same technology used in the skin-tightening treatment Thermage) uses heat to inhibit oil gland activity.
NUMBER OF TREATMENTS - Two per week for four to five weeks
RESULTS SEEN - Most patients see results after two or three treatments.
SIDE EFFECTS - Discomfort, swelling, redness, hyper- or hypopigmentation.
COST - Up to $500 per treatment.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
Clogged Pores
CLOGGED PORES
AS SOON AS OIL AND DEAD SKIN CELLS START BUILDING UP IN A PORE, BACTRERIA HAVE A FEEDING FRENZY THAT HELPS THEM MULTIPLY AND EVENTUALLY CAUSES A PIMPLE. YOU CAN PREVENT CLOGGED PORES BY KEEPING DEAD SKIN CELL BUILDUP TO A MINIMUM, AND AVOIDING FACE- AND HAIR-CARE PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN PORE-CLOGGING INGREDIENTS LIKE MINERAL OIL, LANOLIN AND SHEA BUTTER.
1. OVER-THE-COUNTER Exfoliation
Store shelves are lined with countless exfoliation options, including manual scrubs, glycolic and saliculic acids, and gentle enzyme-based products.
HOW IT WORKS - Similar to in-office exfoliation treatments like chemical peels and microdermabrasion, at-home products and treatments remove dead skin cells that contribute to blemish formation.
RESULTS SEEN - Although it can take several weeks to see results, exfoliation is extremely helpful.
2. PRESCRIPTION Retinoids
Tetiniods go by many names, including tretinoin, Retin-A, Tazorac, Differin and more, but they are all derivatives of vitamin A that affect the wat the skin turns over and prevents dead cells from sticking together and clogging the pores. As if there weren't enough retinoids tochoose from, there's also a prescription called Ziana that combines tretinoin with the antibiotic clindamycin to target bacteria as well. Doctors often starts acne treatment with Retin-A because, in addtion to breaking down comedones, it's great for older acne patients who are also concerned about aging.
HOW THEY WORK - Topical retinoids prevent clogged pores by speeding up the skin's natural rate of exfoliation. By decreasing the stickiness associated with the dead cells, the chances of pores becoming clogged are lessened.
RESULTS SEEN - Within two to three months, but acne may worsen before it improves.
SIDE EFFECTS - The common side effects are dryness and irritation, which tend to decrease with continued use. starting with every-other-night use and gradually working up to every night can help keep side effects to a minimum.
COST - May be covered by insurance.
3. AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE Chemical peels
Many different types of peels can be used to alleviate acne as well as scarring, but glycolic acid - a type of alphahydroxy acid - is the most common. Saliculic acid (a beta hydroxy acid) may be more suitable for sensitive skin, and yet another type of acid, polyhydroxy acid is among the lastest generation of acids that results in the least irritation. Your doctor will decide which type of peel and concentration is best for you based on your skin.
HOW THEY WORK - Chemical peels remove the superficial layers of dead skin cells to prevent pores from becoming clogged.
RESULTS SEEN - Most peels deliver results within two weeks.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS - A series of six peels spaced two weeks apart is generally recommended.
SIDE EFFECTS - Redness, sun sensitivity, possible peeling.
COST - Starting at approximately $150.
4. AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE Isolaz
Stubborn acne needs a multifaceted treatment that covers all of the acne-causing culprits: bacteria, inflammation, oil and clogged pores. A relatively new office-based treatment called Isolaz does just that. Studies show it's safe and effective for mild to moderate acne, but active lessions respond very well to this treatment, but it's not aggressive enough to help prevent pimples from forming.
HOW IT WORKS - Isolaz users suction to clean out the pores while pulsed light targets oil and bacteria.
RESULTS SEEN - Many patients see improvement in their blemishes after the first ten-minutes
AS SOON AS OIL AND DEAD SKIN CELLS START BUILDING UP IN A PORE, BACTRERIA HAVE A FEEDING FRENZY THAT HELPS THEM MULTIPLY AND EVENTUALLY CAUSES A PIMPLE. YOU CAN PREVENT CLOGGED PORES BY KEEPING DEAD SKIN CELL BUILDUP TO A MINIMUM, AND AVOIDING FACE- AND HAIR-CARE PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN PORE-CLOGGING INGREDIENTS LIKE MINERAL OIL, LANOLIN AND SHEA BUTTER.
1. OVER-THE-COUNTER Exfoliation
Store shelves are lined with countless exfoliation options, including manual scrubs, glycolic and saliculic acids, and gentle enzyme-based products.
HOW IT WORKS - Similar to in-office exfoliation treatments like chemical peels and microdermabrasion, at-home products and treatments remove dead skin cells that contribute to blemish formation.
RESULTS SEEN - Although it can take several weeks to see results, exfoliation is extremely helpful.
2. PRESCRIPTION Retinoids
Tetiniods go by many names, including tretinoin, Retin-A, Tazorac, Differin and more, but they are all derivatives of vitamin A that affect the wat the skin turns over and prevents dead cells from sticking together and clogging the pores. As if there weren't enough retinoids tochoose from, there's also a prescription called Ziana that combines tretinoin with the antibiotic clindamycin to target bacteria as well. Doctors often starts acne treatment with Retin-A because, in addtion to breaking down comedones, it's great for older acne patients who are also concerned about aging.
HOW THEY WORK - Topical retinoids prevent clogged pores by speeding up the skin's natural rate of exfoliation. By decreasing the stickiness associated with the dead cells, the chances of pores becoming clogged are lessened.
RESULTS SEEN - Within two to three months, but acne may worsen before it improves.
SIDE EFFECTS - The common side effects are dryness and irritation, which tend to decrease with continued use. starting with every-other-night use and gradually working up to every night can help keep side effects to a minimum.
COST - May be covered by insurance.
3. AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE Chemical peels
Many different types of peels can be used to alleviate acne as well as scarring, but glycolic acid - a type of alphahydroxy acid - is the most common. Saliculic acid (a beta hydroxy acid) may be more suitable for sensitive skin, and yet another type of acid, polyhydroxy acid is among the lastest generation of acids that results in the least irritation. Your doctor will decide which type of peel and concentration is best for you based on your skin.
HOW THEY WORK - Chemical peels remove the superficial layers of dead skin cells to prevent pores from becoming clogged.
RESULTS SEEN - Most peels deliver results within two weeks.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS - A series of six peels spaced two weeks apart is generally recommended.
SIDE EFFECTS - Redness, sun sensitivity, possible peeling.
COST - Starting at approximately $150.
4. AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE Isolaz
Stubborn acne needs a multifaceted treatment that covers all of the acne-causing culprits: bacteria, inflammation, oil and clogged pores. A relatively new office-based treatment called Isolaz does just that. Studies show it's safe and effective for mild to moderate acne, but active lessions respond very well to this treatment, but it's not aggressive enough to help prevent pimples from forming.
HOW IT WORKS - Isolaz users suction to clean out the pores while pulsed light targets oil and bacteria.
RESULTS SEEN - Many patients see improvement in their blemishes after the first ten-minutes
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Bacteria
BACTERIA
IF IT WEREN'T FOR A STRAIN OF BACTERIA CALLED P. ACNES, THERE WOULD BE NO PIMPLES. ALTHOUGHT EVERYONE HAS P. ACNES PRESENT ON THEIR SKIN, THE BACTERIA BECOME PROBLEMATIC WHEN COUPLED WITH CLOGGED PORES.
1. OVER-THE-COUNTER Benzoyl peroxide
Often recommended along with antibiotics to treat acne, benzoyl peroxide is available in concentrations ranging from two-and-a-half to ten percent. It is also available by prescription in combination with topical antibiotics. One such product called BenzaClin combines fire-percent benzoyl peroxide with one-percent clindamycin (an antibiotic).
HOW IT WORKS - Benzoyl peroxide slows the growth of bacteria and reduces inflammation.
RESULTS SEEN - Benzoyl peroxide alone can help clear up mild, noninflammatory blackheads and whiteheads within a month or two.
SIDE EFFECTS - As benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria, it can dry up excess sebum and lead to redness, peeling and burning. Those with sensitive skin may not be able to tolerate benzoyl peroxide, and it's beast used at night.
2. PRESCRIPTION Antibiotics
A wide variety of oral and topicalantibiotics are prescribed to treat acne, including tetracucline, erythromycin, minocycline, doxycycline and clindamycin. Many factors come into play when choosing the antibiotic, including a patient's age, allergies and if they are pregnant or nursing. It's an easy once-a-day dose and it's well tolerated by most patients.
HOW IT WORKS - Antibiotics decrease the amount of bacteria present in the pores. In addition, they help hunder the inflammatory response once a pore is clogged, thus reducing the telltale redness and swelling associated with blemishes.
RESULTS SEEN - No matter the therapy, it takes six to eight weeks to see improvement.
SIDE EFFECTS - Oral antibiotics can cause yeast infections, and may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Antibiotics can also cayse sun sensitivity, so it's important to wear sunscreen during treatment.
COST - May be covered by insurance
3. AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE Light-based treatment
Early laser treatments designed to address acne used UV light to eliminate blemishes, but these have fallen out of favor due to skin-damaging side effects. Today's most popular light-based acne treatments harness the poewr of blue light to sagely and painlessly treat inflammatory acne without the harmful side effects. One of the ways blue light improves acne is by creating heat that causes the bacteria to produce "suicide" proteins, so they essentially kill themselves. Red light may be used in conjunction with the blue light to help treat the inflammation associated with acne.
HOW IT WORKS - The wavelenght associated with blue light is able to zero in on P. acnes bacteria and kill them without affecting other components of the skin.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS - Generally , eight sessions are given over a four-week period, and each seeion lasts about 15 minutes.
RESULTS SEEN - Within the first four weeks, but most patients see improvement after the first two or three treatments.
SIDE EFFECTS - Any reactions to blue light tend to be mild, and include temporary pigment changes, swelling and dryness in the treated areas.
COST - Starting at about $250 per treatment.
IF IT WEREN'T FOR A STRAIN OF BACTERIA CALLED P. ACNES, THERE WOULD BE NO PIMPLES. ALTHOUGHT EVERYONE HAS P. ACNES PRESENT ON THEIR SKIN, THE BACTERIA BECOME PROBLEMATIC WHEN COUPLED WITH CLOGGED PORES.
1. OVER-THE-COUNTER Benzoyl peroxide
Often recommended along with antibiotics to treat acne, benzoyl peroxide is available in concentrations ranging from two-and-a-half to ten percent. It is also available by prescription in combination with topical antibiotics. One such product called BenzaClin combines fire-percent benzoyl peroxide with one-percent clindamycin (an antibiotic).
HOW IT WORKS - Benzoyl peroxide slows the growth of bacteria and reduces inflammation.
RESULTS SEEN - Benzoyl peroxide alone can help clear up mild, noninflammatory blackheads and whiteheads within a month or two.
SIDE EFFECTS - As benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria, it can dry up excess sebum and lead to redness, peeling and burning. Those with sensitive skin may not be able to tolerate benzoyl peroxide, and it's beast used at night.
2. PRESCRIPTION Antibiotics
A wide variety of oral and topicalantibiotics are prescribed to treat acne, including tetracucline, erythromycin, minocycline, doxycycline and clindamycin. Many factors come into play when choosing the antibiotic, including a patient's age, allergies and if they are pregnant or nursing. It's an easy once-a-day dose and it's well tolerated by most patients.
HOW IT WORKS - Antibiotics decrease the amount of bacteria present in the pores. In addition, they help hunder the inflammatory response once a pore is clogged, thus reducing the telltale redness and swelling associated with blemishes.
RESULTS SEEN - No matter the therapy, it takes six to eight weeks to see improvement.
SIDE EFFECTS - Oral antibiotics can cause yeast infections, and may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Antibiotics can also cayse sun sensitivity, so it's important to wear sunscreen during treatment.
COST - May be covered by insurance
3. AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE Light-based treatment
Early laser treatments designed to address acne used UV light to eliminate blemishes, but these have fallen out of favor due to skin-damaging side effects. Today's most popular light-based acne treatments harness the poewr of blue light to sagely and painlessly treat inflammatory acne without the harmful side effects. One of the ways blue light improves acne is by creating heat that causes the bacteria to produce "suicide" proteins, so they essentially kill themselves. Red light may be used in conjunction with the blue light to help treat the inflammation associated with acne.
HOW IT WORKS - The wavelenght associated with blue light is able to zero in on P. acnes bacteria and kill them without affecting other components of the skin.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS - Generally , eight sessions are given over a four-week period, and each seeion lasts about 15 minutes.
RESULTS SEEN - Within the first four weeks, but most patients see improvement after the first two or three treatments.
SIDE EFFECTS - Any reactions to blue light tend to be mild, and include temporary pigment changes, swelling and dryness in the treated areas.
COST - Starting at about $250 per treatment.
How To Prevent Breakouts and Acne
When you mix oil and bacteria in a clogged pore, you have the recipe for acne. But you can stop the breakout cycle by targeting each of the elements that contribute to pimples and enjoy a clearer complexion.
Monday, March 30, 2009
First Secret to Amazing Skin
1. Luminosity
For many women, glowing skin comes from a compact. But it's possible to to achieve a radiance that doesn't wash off with soap and water. The first step is to understand why the face in your mirror looks dull. "When skin is clean and smooth, it reflects light evenly and appears luminous." But dry, scaly skin "reflects light in a more chaotic way." To remedy a blah complexion, slather on a rich moisturizer morning and night, and use a weekly exfoliant with ingredients that encourage cell turnover. "The best formulas contain retinols, which are effective at sweeping awat the dead surface cells and buildup that lead to dullness."
QUICK FIX Smooth on a skin brightening serum before applying your usual day cream. We like Brightening Correcting Serum, which dimishes the appearance of dark spots and discoloration while illuminating your complexion.
OUR SALON OFFER If your skin is truly lackluster, a quick inoffice resurfacing treatment like microdermabrasion or a chemical peel could perk it up. You may need multiple sessions.
For many women, glowing skin comes from a compact. But it's possible to to achieve a radiance that doesn't wash off with soap and water. The first step is to understand why the face in your mirror looks dull. "When skin is clean and smooth, it reflects light evenly and appears luminous." But dry, scaly skin "reflects light in a more chaotic way." To remedy a blah complexion, slather on a rich moisturizer morning and night, and use a weekly exfoliant with ingredients that encourage cell turnover. "The best formulas contain retinols, which are effective at sweeping awat the dead surface cells and buildup that lead to dullness."
QUICK FIX Smooth on a skin brightening serum before applying your usual day cream. We like Brightening Correcting Serum, which dimishes the appearance of dark spots and discoloration while illuminating your complexion.
OUR SALON OFFER If your skin is truly lackluster, a quick inoffice resurfacing treatment like microdermabrasion or a chemical peel could perk it up. You may need multiple sessions.
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