Clear Clinic Skin Care Blog

16Nov

Will Vitamin E Cream Work for Acne Scars?

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Vitamin E has recently been celebrated by the media for its role in scar healing. But, will Vitamin E cream work for acne scars? While Vitamin E can be soothing, and the cream that it is contained in can be hydrating to the skin, the unfortunate truth is that it will not treat acne scars. In fact, we do not recommend that you apply Vitamin E cream to the skin, because its formulation may not be non-comedogenic, and can lead to worsening acne.

Treatment of acne scars usually requires either a laser treatment, chemical peels, or dermal fillers. Some topical medications, such as retinoids, have been shown to improve the texture of shallow acne scars over a long period of time. Dr. Schweiger notes that, “Treatment of acne scars depends on the type of acne scar, the patient’s skin type, whether the patient can tolerate a few days of downtime, and the patient’s budget. At Clear Clinic, we are pleased to offer a variety of treatments for acne scars that work significantly better than Vitamin E Cream, to fit every patient’s needs, timeline, and budget. For patients with pitted acne scars, who can plan for a few days of downtime, the best and most dramatic treatment for acne scars remains the Fractional CO2 resurfacing laser.”

The Fractional CO2 resurfacing laser works by stimulating the skin’s own collagen to fill in the areas of pitted acne scars. Most patients see between 50-70% improvement of acne scars after just one treatment; even more improvement can be appreciated for months following the treatment. Since the treatment stimulates your body’s own collagen, the results are permanent and natural-looking.

Click here to learn more about the Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing treatment for acne scars.

15Nov

Will I Develop Hyperpigmentation After I Treat My Pimple?

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One of the most frustrating aspects of acne is that once a pimple has resolved, it often leaves a mark behind. At the Clear Clinic, we refer to hyperpigmentation as the ‘ashes after the fire.’ The pimple goes away, but a spot of excess pigmentation remains on the skin. Its impossible to determine whether hyperpigmentation will develop after each individual pimple remains. For this reason, it is important to treat all acne lesions promptly, in order to do our part to prevent hyperpigmentation.

Dr. Schweiger notes that, “Hyperpigmentation is more commonly seen in patients with skin of color. When more melanin, or pigmented, cells are present in the skin, they are more likely to produce excess pigmentation after an inflammatory insult to the skin. For this reason, we often recommend topical medications that treat hyperpigmentation as they address acne and in-office treatments that reduce hyperpigmentation while getting rid of acne.”

If hyperpigmentation does develop, there are ways that these spots can be lightened. Topical medications, such as retinoids and hydroquinone, can be applied directly to the skin. In-office treatments, such as chemical peels and laser resurfacing, also play a large role in treating hyperpigmentation after acne. We often combine in-office treatments with at-home treatments, to get the best results and fastest improvement of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

There is no way to predict whether you will develop hyperpigmentation after you treat a pimple, so it is important to keep in mind how to prevent hyperpigmentation and how to treat it if it does appear on your skin.

Click here to learn more about hyperpigmentation after acne.

14Nov

What’s the Best Laser Treatment for Acne Scars and Large Pores?

Posted in Acne Scars, Uncategorized by .

Our patients often ask us, “what’s the best laser treatment for acne scars and large pores?” It seems that acne scars and large pores sometimes go hand in hand. Thankfully, there are two treatments that address both acne scars and enlarged pores. Dr. Schweiger explains that, “Depending on the depth and type of acne scars requiring treatment, either the Laser Genesis or the Fraxel laser are appropriate choices for treating both conditions.”

Laser Genesis is a laser used to treat post-inflammatory erythema (the red marks left behind after acne clears), shallow acne scars, and enlarged pores. By heating up collagen to promote collagen regeneration, enlarged pores and shallow acne scars can be improved. The same laser also addresses tiny superficial blood vessels that contribute to the appearance of redness on the skin, therefore improving the appearance of red marks after acne clears.

The Fraxel laser is a non-ablative erbium laser used to stimulate collagen production in the skin and promote the growth of healthy skin cells. The Fraxel laser can be used to treat both shallow and deep acne scars, as well as improve the texture to shrink the appearance of enlarged pores.

For both laser treatments, a series of 3-5 visits is required for optimal improvement of acne scars and enlarged pores. Upon visiting the Clear Clinic, we will review both treatments with you and recommend the most effective treatment for your skin.

Click here to learn more about the Laser Genesis.

Click here to learn more about the Fraxel laser.

13Nov

Why F.A.S.T. is Right for Your Acne Scars

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Dr. Schweiger developed the F.A.S.T. technique for the treatment of focal acne scars on the face. Traditional acne scar treatments utilized laser treatment of the entire face, including the area of scarring. The new F.A.S.T. technique for treating acne scars treats only the focal areas of acne scarring (F.A.S.T. is an acronym for Focal Acne Scar Treatment.) The result is better improvement of acne scars, with a faster healing time.

The new F.A.S.T. technique for treating acne scars is the right treatment for you if your acne scars are atrophic (pitted) and appear just in focal areas of the face. For example, acne scars present on only the cheeks or the temples are ideal candidates for treatment with the F.A.S.T. technique. The Fractional CO2 laser is used to perform the treatment. However, unlike traditional Fractional CO2 laser treatment, the F.A.S.T. technique treats only the areas of scarring, so you will experience only 2-3 days of downtime (rather than a more traditional downtime of 5-7 days for the Fractional CO2 laser.)

Patients see up to 70% improvement within weeks of their first treatment with the F.A.S.T. technique. For most patients, only one treatment is necessary, though improvement continues to be appreciated for months after the single treatment. The F.A.S.T. technique for the treatment of acne scars can be performed on most skin types, though it is recommended that patients with darker skin types use a skin lightening cream before and after their treatment, in order to prevent any complications.

Click here to learn more about the F.A.S.T. technique and determine if it is right for your acne scars.

12Nov

Tips for Moms with Teenagers Who Have Acne

Posted in Acne and Diet, Teenage Acne by capacitr. | Leave a Comment

Just because your teenager has developed acne, doesn’t mean that you need to sit back and let them suffer. As the parents of a teenager, you have the opportunity to help your teen get the clear skin that they want so badly! Below are Dr. Schweiger’s tips for moms with teenagers who have acne.

Encourage good skin care: Help your teen to get in the habit of cleansing their face in the morning and evening, with a cleansing brush at least once a day if possible. Remind your teen to apply any acne medications prescribed by their dermatologist prior to bed.
Discourage picking: Explain to your teenager that picking at their acne just makes the pimple stick around longer and can lead to permanent scarring.
Visit the dermatologist together: Accompany your teen to their dermatology appointments, so that you are able to hear the recommendations of the dermatologist and discuss them with your teen. In-office laser treatments for acne can be beneficial for teenagers with acne, so you will want to discuss this with the dermatologist during the consultation.
Purchase sunscreen: It is important that teenagers who are being treated for acne wear sunscreen, so that they do not develop a sunburn while using acne medications and undergoing treatments that make them more sun sensitive.
Pay attention to diet: Recent studies suggest that diet may play a role in the development of acne in teenage boys. Pay attention to the correlation between your teen’s diet and their acne; if you notice that they go hand in hand, encourage them to stick with a healthier diet.

Click here to learn more about teenage acne.

12Nov

The Best Acne Products for Older Skin

Posted in Adult Acne by capacitr.

Acne is, unfortunately, not only something that plaques teenage skin. Many adults have skin that is prone to acne. However, as adults, we have different priorities than teenagers have. Not only do we want our acne to be cleared ASAP, but we want our skin to look healthier and more youthful in the process. For this reason, Dr. Schweiger has introduced his list of the best acne products for older skin.

Best acne products for older skin

Retinoids: Prescription-strength retinoids can work wonders for acne, by increasing the skin cell turnover to unclog the debris in your pores that attracts acne-causing bacteria. The added benefit of retinoid use is that, as it stimulates skin cell turnover to clear acne, it is also stimulating collagen turnover. Collagen turnover results in healthier collagen and elastin in the skin, which leads to fewer fine lines and wrinkles in the future.
Clarisonic cleansing brush: The Clarisonic brush can be left in the shower and used every morning to clean your skin. The ultrasonic oscillations of the brush clean out your pores six times better than traditional facial cleansing. Additionally, clean pores means smoother skin and tighter-appearing pores, for healthier and more radiant-appearing skin.
Tria Blue Light: The Tria at-home Blue Light is an antibacterial light can be used to the skin in the evenings to decrease inflammation and kill the p. acnes bacteria on the skin that leads to the formation of acne.

Click here to learn more about acne in adult skin.

10Nov

Best Acne Treatment for Whiteheads

Posted in Adult Acne, Clear Clinic, Teenage Acne by . | Leave a Comment

What is the best acne treatment for whiteheads? Dr. Schweiger explains that, “In order to know the best treatment for whiteheads, you need to understand what a whitehead is. Whiteheads are one type of comedonal, or non-inflammatory, acne lesion. They are closed comedones, meaning they are follicles that have been plugged with excess sebum and dead skin cells. Since these follicles are mostly closed off from the skin’s surface, the material appears to be white. Alternately, blackheads appear to be black because they are open to the skin’s surface, and oxidation of the material in the follicle results in the black color.”

Treatments of whiteheads can be performed in a variety of ways. The most effective method of treating whiteheads is to manually extract the debris from the comedone and clean out the follicle. There are a few ways to do this, the most effective methods being by the use of the Isolaz acne treatment (which uses a gentle vacuum to clean out the pores, in addition to an anti-bacterial light), chemical peels, and medical extractions by a certified esthetician.

Topical medications can also be helpful when treating whiteheads. They work more slowly than physical treatments, such as the Isolaz, chemical peels, and extractions, but play a vital role in clearing whiteheads and preventing their formation in the future. Retinoid medications are the most effective topical medications for treating whiteheads. They increase cell turnover and help to remove the material plugging the follicle and leading to the whitehead formation. Benzoyl peroxide is another helpful ingredient when treating whitehead; benzoyl peroxide’s main mechanism for treating acne is its antibacterial effect, but it does have an anti-comedonal effect that helps to clear whiteheads.

Click here to learn more about the best acne treatment for whiteheads.

6Nov

How to Treat Back Acne

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Back acne (sometimes referred to as “bacne”) can occur at any time, in both men and women. Back acne is sometimes difficult to treat; it is tricky to apply creams and lotions to your back without a helping hand, so back acne often goes untreated. Dr. Schweiger notes that, “There is no reason to tolerate back acne, especially with the winter travel season approaching. Topical creams can sometimes be difficult to apply to the back, so it is important to discuss other options with your dermatologist. In-office treatments, such as Photodynamic Therapy and Isolaz therapy, can be very helpful and effective for the treatment of back acne. Additionally, there are some prescription treatments that are specially formulated to address back acne in a convenient fashion.”

How to treat back acne:

In-office laser acne treatments are very effective for treating acne on the body. Treatments like PDT (Photodynamic Therapy) and Isolaz therapy kill acne-causing p. acnes bacteria, decrease sebaceous gland activity, clean out the pores, and reduce inflammation.
Some topical prescription medications, like Clindareach, are intended for use on the back. Clindareach is a topical clindamycin formulation (a topical antibiotic) that comes with a long applicator for applying the medication to hard-to-reach areas.
Oral medications, such as oral antibiotics, are often useful when treating acne on the back. There is no need to worry about applying a topical cream to that hard-to-reach spot on the middle of the back.
Anti-acne washes and sprays are a simple way to deliver acne medication directly to the skin, without worrying about reaching the entire surface of your back.

Click here to learn more about treating back acne.

6Nov

Ask the Acne Expert: What is Isolaz Therapy?

Posted in Acne Scars, Laser Acne Treatments by . | Leave a Comment

Acne and acne scar expert, Dr. Eric Schweiger, explains that, “Isolaz therapy is one of the most effective treatments that we can offer our patients for the treatment of acne. Isolaz therapy fights acne in two different ways: a gentle vacuum cleans oil and debris from the pores, while holding the pores open for a simultaneous treatment with a broad-spectrum light to kill the acne-causing bacteria. Treatment of the entire face with these mechanisms takes only about fifteen minutes, and the results are incredible.”

There is no downtime after treatment with Isolaz therapy. Some patients experience mild redness from the gentle vacuum, but this usually resolves within an hour. The treatments themselves are not painful, most of our Clear Clinic patients describe them as a gentle pinching sensation. Some results can be seen immediately; pore cleansing can be appreciated in the form of smoother, softer skin in the moments following the treatment. In the days following Isolaz therapy, most patients notice that their active acne is beginning to go away more quickly than usual. After a series of Isolaz treatments, not only does active acne resolve, but new acne lesions are prevented. Additionally, the broad-spectrum light that is used to kill acne-causing bacteria also helps to decrease discoloration on the skin left behind from old acne lesions.

The Isolaz treatment is sometimes used as stand-alone therapy, but is most often recommended as part of the Clear Club programs. Clear Club programs offer a comprehensive acne treatment, including office visits with acne experts and in-office physical treatments such as Isolaz therapy.

5Nov

Getting Rid of Acne Scars F.A.S.T.

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When thinking about treating permanent acne scars, most patients’ top priority is getting rid of acne scars fast. Previously treatments for acne scars, including dermal fillers and fractional CO2 lasers for acne scarring, were either not permanent or took too long to produce any improvement of acne scars. For this reason, Dr. Schweiger developed a new method of acne scar treatment, that focuses on getting rid of acne scars fast. Dr. Schweiger explains that, “I developed the F.A.S.T. method for patients who have localized acne scarring on their skin and wish to see dramatic improvement quickly. The permanent treatment for acne scars is an acronym for Focal Acne Scar Treatment. This innovative treatment allows for significant improvement and very little downtime.”

The F.A.S.T. procedure utilizes the fractional CO2 laser in a unique way. Rather than treating the entire face at a moderate treatment level, we are now able to treat localized areas of acne scarring with a more appropriate treatment level. The result is fewer days of downtime (because non-scarred skin is not treated; only the areas of scarring will be healing after the treatment) and a more dramatic improvement of acne scars. The F.A.S.T. treatment for acne scars can produce up to 70% improvement of acne scars within two weeks of the treatment. Over time, even more improvement will development. The F.A.S.T. treatment is a unique method of using the most effective laser for acne scar treatment, the fractional CO2 laser, in order to produce the best improvement of acne scars quickly and with little downtime.

Click here to learn more about getting rid of acne scars F.A.S.T.

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