Debunking Myths About Acne

By Brian Keegan, M.D., Ph.D.

Acne is the most common skincare problem seen by doctors—nearly everyone will deal with acne in their lifetime. Because of acne’s unsightly appearance, patients will turn to a number of seemingly fast and easy solutions. But let’s take a closer look at the real causes of acne and the right way to treat it.

Myth #1: “Acne is caused by eating chocolate.”

Truth: Acne is caused by sticky cells that don't exfoliate properly. This leads to clogged pores which are seen as comedones (skin colored bumps) and blackheads. When these pores are colonized with the bacteria P. acnes painful white heads and cysts will develop, which can lead to scarring. There are a few studies that suggest eating chocolate can enhance this process, however no solid evidence has led the medical community to make a decisive conclusion. It does, however, make logical sense that a healthy diet will contribute to healthy skin.

Myth #2: “Only teenagers get acne.” 

Truth: Hormones tend to accentuate the process by which acne appears, making its occurrence worse during teenage years. But, it is not exclusive to patients under 20. Many adults continue to experience acne, particularly women.

Myth #3: “All you need is a good over-the-counter treatment to cure acne.” 

Truth: We are all looking for quick, easy and effective treatments so we turn to over-the-counter products. These contain two active ingredients, salicylic acid to unclog pores and benzoyl peroxide to kill bacteria. But everyone’s skin is different. The best course of action is to schedule a consultation with a Windsor Dermatology physician to determine the treatment plan that’s right for your skin. 

Myth #4: “Acne medications are too harsh and have too many adverse side effects.”  

Truth: Historically, acne medications were very harsh to the skin or caused significant stomach irritation, however, significant improvements have been made with more recent medications. If your skin is irritated at first, you should see improvements after the first couple of weeks. Typical side effects associated with short-term and long-term use of medications are redness, scaling, dryness, stinging and burning where applied. A non-comedogenic moisturizer can help if your skin becomes dry. Unless major discomfort occurs, it’s best to keep using your medications to make sure you’re on the right path. Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor if you have major discomfort or if you have any questions or issues. 

Our physicians have experience with the most up to date medications including:

Over-the-counter washes: Salicylic acid 2%  (Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash), benzoyl peroxide (Clean and Clear Continuous Control, Proactiv)

·        Over-the-counter moisturizers: Cetaphil, CeraVe

·        Topical antibiotics: Aczone, Duac, Acanya, Plexion, Rosula

·        Topical retinoids: Ziana, Differin, Epiduo, Veltin, Tretin X, Tazorac, Atralin, Retin-A Micro

·        Oral Antibiotic: Solodyn, Doryx, Minocin, Oracea

·        Oral Retinoids: Accutane, isotretinoin (Amnesteem, Sotret, Claravis)

·        Oral Contraceptives: Orthotricyclin, Estrostep, Yaz

Myth #5: “If I just wash my face a lot and use a lot of medication, it will speed up the healing process.”

Truth: Use a mild, soap-free, fragrance-free cleanser and wash gently, morning and night. There’s no need to wash more than twice a day, and you don’t want to scrub hard. Also avoid alcohol-based cleansers, which can actually cause irritation and aggravate acne.

Using more won’t speed things up (sorry!), and it’s not a good idea to spot-treat. Stick with the right amount and stay consistent. It’s best to use your medications at the same time every day to help you stay in the routine and it’s important to not skip days. You should always follow your doctor’s instructions, but typically pumping a pea-sized amount onto your hand and spreading it evenly across your face works perfectly.

Myth #6: “If I pop the acne pimple, it will go away quicker.”

We know it’s tempting, but when you squeeze or pick at pimples, you can actually push the infection deeper into your skin and make matters worse. It can even cause scarring. Not good! Your best bet is to leave your pimples alone the best you can.

Let us help you figure out the best course of action to treat your acne. Schedule a consultation with a Windsor Dermatology physician today by calling 609-443-4500.

November is Healthy Skin Awareness Month!

Everyone knows eating healthy food is good for you, but if you have psoriasis, it’s even more crucial that you nourish your skin with certain nutritional foods and avoid others to reduce flare-ups. 

Psoriasis is More Than Skin Deep

Psoriasis is associated with comorbidity, meaning it is associated with one or more disorders (or diseases) in addition to the primary disease of psoriasis. By following a healthier lifestyle, the less likelihood conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and Crohn’s disease can affect your life. 

Foods to Avoid

A lot of the foods that psoriatics should avoid are also foods identified by nutritionists as those that contribute to a host of other health problems. Avoid these foods to reduce psoriasis flare-ups:

• Processed foods

• Sugary foods (white flour, white rice)

• Omega-6 fatty acids (red meat, cow’s milk, vegetable shortening)

• Alcohol

• Gluten

 Gluten and Psoriasis

In recent years, much has come to the forefront about gluten sensitivity. About 25% of psoriatics are also sensitive to gluten products. Gluten is found in wheat, barley and rye foods and is included in a variety of everyday staples—bread, pasta, cheese, dressings, soy sauce, etc. 

Foods that Help

Foods that help psoriatics reduce the amount of inflammation include:

• Omega-3 fatty acids (walnuts, fish such as salmon, anchovies, sardines and mackerel)

• Seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, flax)

• Monosaturated fatty acids (avocados, olive oil)

• Leafy green vegetables (kale, spinach, collard greens, swiss chard)

• Colorful vegetables (red cabbage, red, orange and yellow peppers)

• Fresh fruit

 Remember, what we eat is who we are. Following a healthy diet not only helps to reduce psoriasis symptoms, but can set you up for a longer, more active lifestyle.

What is a Glycolic (AHA) Peel?

Glycolic peels use alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) to freshen and rejuvenate your skin by removing dead and damaged skin cells from the top layer. They are especially effective for skin that is showing visible signs of aging and sun damage, and for those who want to liven up their appearance with skin renewal and healthy glow.

At Windsor Dermatology, patients experience minimal discomfort and downtime associated with this procedure and quick results are clearly visible after only one treatment. They report smoother, healthier looking skin, with a more even skin tone and a reduction in fine lines and discolorations.

How Does a Glycolic (AHA) Peel Work?

The aging process and years of sun exposure slow the rate of cell replacement – leaving old, dead or damaged cells on the top layer of skin. These dead cells bond together and inhibit the generation of new healthy cells to replace them. This makes your skin look dull, uneven and older than it should.

Our aesthetician applies a 30-70% glycolic acid solution that loosens the bond that holds these dead skin cells together, revealing a new layer of skin that is fresher, smother and more youthful in appearance. Glycolic acid also helps to stimulate your body’s production of collagen and elastin – these also help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

How Often Do I Need a Glycolic (AHA) Peel?

Patients generally report seeing a noticeable improvement after only one peel; however, because glycolic peels are milder than other types of treatments, you may need several treatments to achieve the maximum desired results. Our aesthetician will be able to advise you on the number of recommended treatments for your condition, following an initial evaluation and treatment. 

From past experience, we have found that three to six sessions are initially required to achieve ideal results, as skin texture continues to improve over several months. These will be scheduled at regular intervals until the desired outcome is achieved. Many patients choose to maintain their results with additional treatments, based upon the aesthetician’s guidance and recommendations.

 

What Can I Expect After Each Treatment?

A glycolic peel is the ideal minimal to no downtime solution for many common skin problems. In fact, many patients schedule the procedure during their lunch breaks and return to work or other daily activities immediately following the procedure. You may experience some redness immediately following the procedure and some light flaking for up to a week.

What Are the Overall Benefits of a Glycolic (AHA) Peel?

After your glycolic peel, you will notice improved skin texture, and your face will be softer and smoother, both to the touch and in appearance. You may notice a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles. Your skin tone will appear more even and your complexion may be brighter, with less blotchiness and discoloration. Best of all, you may hear from others how wonderful you look…because you do!

Why Windsor Dermatology? 

We understand patients  may  be overwhelmed with the myriad skincare alternatives available today. Windsor Dermatology’s licensed and accredited aesthetician is trained to recommend a personal skincare treatment plan, based on a thorough analysis and assessment of your individual needs. Our aesthetician can also suggest a home-based regimen that will complement and maintain your treatment-based, in-office procedures.

Reverse the Aging Process with Glycolic (AHA) Peels

Discover how Windsor Dermatology can help you turn back time and improve your appearance with glycolic (AHA) peels, performed by our staff aesthetician. Glycolic peels are a non-invasive alternative to traditional surgical methods, and they have been shown to be effective in treating/eliminating the following skin conditions:

• ·        Sun-damaged skin

• ·        Fine lines and wrinkles

• ·        Tired or old-looking skin

• ·        Skin discoloration

• ·        Dull skin that has lost its luster

Our patients are always assured of receiving the most advanced treatments and personalized care from our highly skilled medical aesthetician. If you are experiencing a skincare-related issue, we invite you to contact our office to schedule a consultation - (609) 443-4500.