Home >Beauty Skin Care Natural > Acne Questions and Advice - BellaSugar
Acne Questions and Advice - BellaSugar
Posted on Friday, September 23, 2011 by Beauty Skin Care Natural
That's why I asked Dr. Stein Gold some of the more pressing acne questions: all the things you want to talk to your dermatologist while you're visiting his office, but either don't have the time to fit in or simply forget to inquire about. So to see Dr. Stein Gold's top acne advice, just keep reading.
BellaSugar: What causes acne?
Dr. Linda Stein Gold: There are several factors that go into play when we're talking about acne. All acne lesions occur on a hair follicle, and the first sign of an acne lesion is a little clog on the hair follicle. That blockage can turn into either a whitehead or a blackhead, or if there's bacteria and an a lot of inflammation, it can turn into an inflamed bump: a pimple.
BellaSugar: What other factors come into play in the formation of acne?
LSG: There are different components that go into acne: there's the inflammation, there's that clog of abnormal keratinization, which is the blockage of the hair follicle; there are hormones and increased sebum on the skin, and there's the P. acnes bacteria. So there are four different things, and we usually try to target different aspects in the pathophysiology of the acne. We try to target different ways to get the best results in our acne care.
BellaSugar: When do you think it's it time to seek professional help, and when is it OK to treat pimples at home?
LSG: If you have just a few spots on your face, there are some over-the-counter treatments that you can try. Benzoyl peroxide [gel or wash] is very good. Start with that, and give that a try for several weeks or a month or so to see if that's all you need. The only issue with benzoyl peroxide is that it can bleach things, and it can be irritating, but that's a good start. If you have a little more severe acne or if you're not doing better after a few weeks with the over-the-counter products, then it's a good idea to head to a dermatologist.
BellaSugar: I'm sure this is on a case-by-case basis, but what are your top ways to treat acne at your office?
LSG: Each patient is really assessed individually as to whether they have more localized acne on the face, or if it's widespread, involving the face, the shoulders, the chest, and the back. How inflamed is it? Are they just superficial bumps, or do they have super-inflamed bumps? I look to see whether or not they have evidence of scarring already. So depending on how severe their acne is, that determines how aggressive I am in my treatment approach. I tend to like to get it under control fairly quickly. The other thing that's really important is that I try to make sure I give patients a treatment that works for their lifestyle. [For busy people,] I try to give them things that they can use once a day instead of twice a day. I like to use combination products, because you get two medicines in one.
BellaSugar: In general, what do you think is a good basic skin care routine for someone who has some acne problems?
LSG: Generally washing with either a gentle cleanser or a cleanser that has a benzoyl peroxide is a good idea, depending on how sensitive your skin is. I always like to put my patients on a topical retinoid, because that works in a lot of different ways. Some of them, like adapalene, or Differin, have been shown to actually work on not only the blackheads and the whiteheads, but also to help decrease the inflammation. And it's also really important to use a retinoid to maintain the healthy skin and maintain a clear complexion. People forget that acne, at its beginning, is underneath the skin, so you don't even see it. So if you tend to just spot treat your acne, like you see on TV — you know, kind of like the "zap the zit" — you're always going to be chasing after it. It's important to treat the whole acne problem area in order to keep your complexion clear.
BellaSugar: What about moisturizers and toners?
LSG: I don't usually have patients use a toner if they're on a good acne regimen. I think that just adds excess dryness to the skin, and a lot of medicines do tend to dry the skin a little bit. I do recommend a moisturizer. I really recommend sunscreen, at least SPF 30. And when you look at the sunscreens and the moisturizers, just make sure it says "noncomedogenic" on it, which means it won't cause acne.
BellaSugar: At one time, all three of us on the BellaSugar team were on antibiotics and some sort of a tretinoin treatment, but we were getting dry skin. If you do experience dryness as a result of acne treatment, is there some way to sort of gently slough it off without causing irritation?
LSG: That's a good point. People want to tend to scrub the skin a lot with acne, and it's been shown that it can actually make the acne worse. If you start off with a good moisturizer with your acne regimen, you can keep it in good check. And you mentioned the oral antibiotic, and that's something we use very commonly. There was an interesting study done recently, looking at using oral doxycycline and Epiduo [adapalene and benzoyl peroxide]. This study asked the question, first of all, "Do you need to add a good topical if you're using an oral antibiotic? Does it make any difference?" And the answer was yes. By adding the Epiduo on top of the doxycycline, there was a significant improvement in acne after three months. Ideally, we try to get patients off the oral antibiotic after about three or four months if possible. The goal is to get you under control quickly, often with an oral antibiotic and a potent topical, and then stop the antibiotic and just maintain with the topical.
BellaSugar: When does acne start to go away? When will the breakouts stop!?
LSG: It's really an individual issue. There's definitely a population of patients, and especially adult women, but we can see it in adult men, who continue to have it into their 40s. But it gets less and less with time. And with women, they see that they start to flare up around their menstrual cycles.
BellaSugar: Is the actual location of acne on the face an indication of anything? If it's on the chin or forehead, for instance, does that mean anything in particular?
LSG: I can tell you in adult women that we do commonly see it on the jawline; it tends to be more cystic or under the skin. We might use more hormonal therapy for an adult woman who has that kind of acne.
BellaSugar: And so then do you treat acne differently depending on where it is on the skin?
LSG: Not necessarily. If you have the cystic, under-the-skin acne, often we'll go with more of a systemic treatment — something more like birth control pills or something called spironolactone, or even oral antibiotics.
BellaSugar: What about blackheads? It's so tempting to want to get them out.
LSG: Yes, [but] you have to be careful with any type of self treatment of your acne because you can definitely cause scarring. That's where the topical retinoids come in. They help to loosen those up, and they're the best treatment we have for the blackheads. It's not something that happens overnight. You really have to use these on a long-term basis over the process of months. If you're consistent with it, you'll see an improvement.
--
Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNGrU5qMVzXAYVtiefBTBgFCyk2o8A&url=http://www.bellasugar.com/Acne-Questions-Advice-19182770
~
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com
Blog Archive
-
▼
2011
(2699)
-
▼
September
(1293)
- 'Jersey Shore' star Snooki reveals secret to her d...
- The top three skin conditions with a mind connecti...
- FSU's Trickett changes diet to combat Celiac disea...
- Blueberry Consumption Reduces Growth and Spread of...
- Diet, exercise got performer's condition under con...
- Special Diet session under Noda ends - The Japan T...
- Weight loss: All calories not created equal - abc7...
- Cutting Through the Skin Care Clutter - The Epoch ...
- Autumn Seasonal Skincare: "Skincare-News.com" Pres...
- A Behind-the-Scenes Look at L.A.'s Top Weight Loss...
- STAT keeps to kosher diet to stay healthy - ESPN (...
- FSU QB Trickett changes diet to add on pounds - Ho...
- FSU QB Trickett changes diet to add on pounds - Ho...
- A Behind-the-Scenes Look at LA's Top Weight Loss a...
- The effects of “yo-yo” diets - South Yorkshire Times
- Snooki's Weight Loss Is a Gimmick Worthy of Kardas...
- Going vegan can still make for a nutritious diet -...
- Vilsack: Not Done With Potatoes And School Lunch -...
- Going vegan can still make for a nutritious diet -...
- Going vegan can still make for a nutritious diet -...
- Chaz Bono puts weight loss down to a better diet -...
- Going vegan can still make for a nutritious diet -...
- Lake tops, Bono flops on 2nd week of 'Dancing' - T...
- Going vegan can still make for a nutritious diet -...
- FSU QB Trickett changes diet to add on pounds - Al...
- The best and worst weight-loss smartphone apps - M...
- Childhood Asthma is Closely Linked to Omega-3 in M...
- Best diet to control harmful cholesterol, LDL - Te...
- The effects of “yo-yo” diets - South Yorkshire Times
- Louisiana Weight Loss Surgeon Gives Monumental POS...
- Anna Kournikova Is Proud of What She Achieved in H...
- Friday Fact or Fiction: Can What I Eat Make Me Bre...
- National HCG Adds the Top Selling HCG Diet Direct ...
- Slim Snooki reveals weight loss secret - USA Today
- Ben Vereen to talk about his diabetes at Saturday ...
- HCG weight loss plan now introduced in Everett by ...
- Kate Middleton's Dukan Diet May Cause Bad Breath -...
- Slim Snooki reveals weight loss secret - USA Today
- Jennie's 56-Pound Weight Loss Finally Stuck - Huff...
- Childhood Asthma is Closely Linked to Omega-3 in M...
- Most Alarming Celebrity Weight Loss: Is it Caused ...
- Skincare Market Inc. has all the Newest Products b...
- LA Weight Loss officially responds to Alta. franch...
- Unbelievable before-after weight loss photos - Asi...
- Diet doctor Bernstein sues former partner - Globe ...
- A Look on The Light Side: September 28, 2011 - Por...
- CaféFit's Diet offer: Teams up with The Biggest Lo...
- Skincare Market Inc. is Presenting the All New Oba...
- Weight Loss Program for Men Naturally Battles Low ...
- Stress, diet make state India's diabetes capital -...
- The very best acne treatments - Citizens Report
- Snooki Weight Loss: 'Jersey Shore' Star Uses Diet ...
- Results after Liposuction
- Guidance For Ladies To Always Keep Their Bodies Ap...
- J-Hud Opens Chicago Weight Loss Center - The Root
- LeAnn Rimes Accuses Media of 'Bullying' Her Over W...
- Road 'diet' creates indigestion - Castanet.net
- Skincare Market Inc. is Presenting the All New Oba...
- Does this Diet Make my Skin Look Saggy? — Positive...
- Diet Doc Announces The Best Weight Loss Program fo...
- Feeding your dog a BARF diet - Pet Product Marketi...
- I keep sabotaging my weight loss. Can you help? - ...
- Do Potatoes Belong In A Healthy Diet? - BlissTree
- Whole grains for a healthier diet - Meadville Tribune
- Melissa Etheridge Blames Breast Cancer On Western ...
- Dancing with the Stars Contestants' Dramatic Weigh...
- Jonah Hill's dramatic weight loss reveals a rather...
- The top three skin conditions with a mind connecti...
- I don't believe in crash diets: Zarine Khan - NDTV...
- There's something about Jonah: Mr Hill's dramatic ...
- There¿s something about Jonah: Mr Hill¿s dramatic ...
- The Leimo Free Trial Review
- What is the Best Hair Straightener?
- Snooki Touts Diet Pills Containing 12 Times As Muc...
- The top three skin conditions with a mind connecti...
- Weight loss, exercise club to close - Adobe Press
- LeAnn Rimes Likens Weight Loss Criticism to Bullyi...
- Study Backs Creating Oakton 'Road Diet' - Patch.com
- Leading Weight Loss Company Selects inContact to P...
- LA Weight Loss closing doors - CTV.ca
- Is Chemical Peeling At Home Safe?
- A Question That Is Often Asked - Is Chemical Peel ...
- Here You Can Learn About Some Of The Chemical Peel...
- Recovering After Mohs Surgery
- Why You Should Stop Buying Diet Foods - Huffington...
- Study Substantiates Relationship Between Diet, Obe...
- Treatment available for unsightly scars - Sioux Ci...
- Toshiba AT1SO 7-Inch Tablet Hands-On: Like The Ori...
- Annick's targets food issues - Toronto Sun
- UGG 2010 - Cheer You Up
- Best Esthetician Schools in San Diego
- Melissa Etheridge: acidic diet gave me cancer - Sy...
- Weight Loss Challenge is motivation to lose weight...
- Ideas to Help Prevent Blushing In Public
- Amar'e Stoudemire eats better than you do - Yahoo!...
- An ancient therapy that relieves stress and nouris...
- How Can Wigs Enhance Your Appearance
- Melissa Etheridge Says Western Diet Making Us Sick...
- Filmmaker Darryl Roberts', "America the Beautiful ...
- Mozilla puts Firefox 7 on memory diet, patches 11 ...
-
▼
September
(1293)