Clear Clinic Skin Care Blog

11Sep

Teenage Acne Success Story: Cassandra Bankson

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We discovered Cassandra Bankson, a teenager suffering from severe acne, when she bravely showed her bare, makeup-free face to viewers on You Tube in 2010. The purpose was to demonstrate to other acne sufferers that it is possible to successfully fake the look of a clear complexion when battling acne. Fast forward two years later and Bankson has landed gigs with major national brands and fashion designers as their spokesperson and model.

Today’s New York Post features a story on Bankson’s debut at New York fashion week. “I used to sit back and let acne ruin my life,” Bankson tells the Post. “But it got to the point where I needed to do something to get myself out of the rut.” Bankson admits she got her first pimple at age 9 and was diagnosed with cystic acne at 14. Although Bankson has mastered the art of covering her pimples, it is her regular visits to the dermatologist that really did the trick in healing her acne-prone skin. Bankson told the Post that her skin condition is about 70 percent improved since she first appeared on You Tube.

If you suffer from cystic acne like Bankson, the best thing you can do for your skin is seek medical help from a board-certified dermatologist. Severe acne will not heal itself and can leave behind permanent scarring. Treatments such as Isolaz Acne Therapy, Blue Light Therapy and Photodynamic Therapy work wonders in terms of treating acne.

10Sep

What is Retin A?

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Our patients often ask us, “What is Retin A?” They have heard of it, perhaps read about its benefits in magazines, tried it as teenagers, or seen over-the-counter formulations in the drug store. However, Retin A remains a mystery to many people. Its a great medication for both fighting acne AND fighting wrinkles, so here is what you need to know to understand that answer to the question, what is Retin A?

Retin A is just one example of a medication from the group of medications called topical retinoids. It is perhaps the most famous, but certainly not the only retinoid available. Other commonly used retinoids are Tazorac, Differin, Atralin, Retin-A Micro, Ziana, and tretinoin (the generic form).
All retinoids work by a similar mechanism of regulating skin cell turnover, therefore preventing the buildup of bacteria-attracting debris in the skin’s pores.
Retinoids are anti-aging because, while they stimulate skin cell turnover to prevent acne, they also speed up the turnover of collagen and elastin-building cells. This leads to healthier collagen and smoother skin, with prevention of future fine lines and wrinkles. Additionally, retinoids can help to even out uneven pigmentation by the same mechanism – speeding up turnover of unwanted pigmented cells.
Retin A and other retinoids have a bad reputation for being too drying; when used properly, this is not the case. Most retinoids should be used in the evening. Apply only a pea-size amount for the entire face and moisturizer immediately after applying. If you feel that your skin is dry or sensitive, start by using the retinoid only 3 times a week, and increase to nightly as tolerated.

Click here to learn more about Retin A

7Sep

Photodynamic Therapy vs Accutane for Acne Treatment

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According to research conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology, the “impressive, long-term results” of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for moderate to severe acne rival those of isotretinoin (aka Accutane). An effective alternative to isotretinoin is a much welcome thing. While the benefits of isotretinoin for those patients who suffer from severe nodular acne far outweigh the negatives, the iPledge program as well as some of the possible side effects and risks of isotretinoin may steer some patients away from its use. Isotretinoin is not an option for women who wish to become pregnant immediately, as it is a known teratogen (something that causes fetal birth defects).

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), a non-invasive light therapy, works by reducing the oil found in the pores as well as killing the P. acnes bacteria. It also helps the skin shed the dead skin cells inside the hair follicle that lead to pore blockage and is a cause of acne breakouts. PDT is a very exciting treatment for the relief of acne. It helps treat acne in patients that have not had success with other topical acne treatments. After a series of treatments, patients show a significant improvement in their acne breakouts and skin texture, plus a reduction of acne scars. We recommend a microdermabrasion session before receiving PDT to remove the dead skin cells on the skin’s surface and allow the best penetration of the photosensitizing agent ALA.

7Sep

Get Clear Skin Fast Before The Big Day

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Your wedding has somehow crept up on you suddenly, and you now realize that the big event that seemed a lifetime away is now next month! Here are a few ways to get clear skin fast before walking down the aisle:

Photodynamic Therapy and Isolaz Acne Treatment: These in-office acne treatments kill the p. acnes bacteria, decrease sebum production, and clean out your pores in order to attack acne from many different angles. If you have a month or so before your wedding, the moderate acne package may be for you. This package offers a series of 5 treatments at one week intervals (a combination of Photodynamic Therapy, Isolaz Acne Treatments and LED Light Treatments) in order to improve acne faster than prescription medications alone.
Medical Extractions: For patients with comedonal acne (whitehead and blackheads), medical extractions can give you a head start toward cleaning out those unwanted bumps. We usually recommend having extractions every other week until the blackheads and whiteheads are clear, and then maintaining the improvement with topical medications, such as retinoids.
F.A.S.T. Acne Scar Treatment: This new technique, designed by Dr. Schweiger, for treating acne scars, uses high energy levels of the fractional CO2 laser to treat only the pitted scars (and leaves the healthy skin untreated.) This results in better results with shorter periods of downtime. You can expect to see 50-70% improvement after a single treatment.
Chemical Peels: A short series of weekly chemical peels can not only improve the quality of your skin and brighten its appearance, but it can lighten dark spots from old acne lesions (called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) without much downtime.

Click here to read more about acne treatments offered at the Clear Clinic in NYC.

6Sep

Teens With Acne Need To Seek More Medical Care

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A recent article published in Pediatric Dermatology about the help-seeking behaviors and treatment choices of adolescents with acne shed light upon how teens are going about treating their acne. The data, which was pulled from an anonymous survey administered to 1,214 students in public middle and high schools in New Jersey, showed that the majority of the teens were not seeking medical treatment and did not have the right information to lead them to better skin. In the study, 57% of the students treated their own acne, while a much smaller proportion (17%) sought medical care. These surprising numbers are proof that most teens with acne need the correct guidance and education from a physician to find the proper treatment.

Self-care of acne is a dangerous and unhealthy road to go down. There are countless treatments on the market that when used improperly or without the guidance of a dermatologist, will often lead to further acne breakouts. The study also found that the majority of students get their information on acne from nonphysician sources. Any cursory Google search pulls up countless articles and tips about acne treatment, many are from non-credible sources. Most teens will follow the advice they find online, regardless of who it comes from. At Clear Clinic, our board-certified dermatologists will work one-on-one with teenagers to find the right medically-sound treatment for their skin. Teenage acne patients who partner with a dermatologist are much better off–they avoid future acne scarring and a better life in school all around.

6Sep

Clean Out Your Pores with Microdermabrasion

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If you’re sick of your clogged pores after a few months of falling out of your regular skin care habits, you may consider having a short series of microdermabrasion to clean out your pores. Microdermabrasion uses a mechanical abrasion, in combination with a gentle suction, to remove dead skin cells and unwanted debris that clogs up your pores and sits on the outermost layers of your skin. Microdermabrasion not only cleans out your pores, but allows your skin to appear more vibrant and smooth.

Dr. Schweiger notes that, “Microdermabrasion is a great treatment for our patients who want to clean out their pores and improve the appearance of their skin. It does not improve deep acne scars, but it can help to unclog pores that may otherwise lead to acne. We recommend a series of microdermabrasion treatments, usually at 3-4 week intervals.” Upon arriving for your microdermabrasion appointment, you will first cleanse your skin to remove any makeup and dirt from your skin. Then, while lying down comfortably, the microdermabrasion will begin. It feels like a gentle suction, without any pain or discomfort. Nearly all patients are ably to carry on normal conversation during the treatment and don’t experience any downtime after the treatment. Immediately following microdermabrasion, some patients experience mild erythema (redness), which goes away without treatment in the next 1-2 hours. There are no special instructions following microdermabrasion, other than to avoid harsh or irritating topical medications that evening.

Click here to read more about how to clean out your pores with microdermbrasion.

5Sep

Playing it Safe While on Isotretinoin

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One of the most effective treatments for severe acne is the retinoid isotretinoin (aka Accutane). You’ve most likely heard about the possible side effects associated with oral use of isotretinoin, but the positives far outweigh the negatives when it comes to treating severe acne with this retinoid. Severe acne can not only scar your skin, it can damage your self esteem and well being. Which is where isotretinoin comes in. After just a few months on isotretinoin, approximately 85% of patients see permanent clearing of their acne breakouts.

The most widely known side effect of istotretinoin is birth defects, which is why their iPledge system is in place, in which patients pledge to follow the zero pregnancy rule. But there are other, lesser-known, side effects that patients need to be aware of when taking isotretinoin for their acne. Here, five ways to play it safe while on isotretinoin:

Do not get waxed! Waxing on any part of the body can cause permanent scarring if you’re taking isotretinoin.
Wear sunscreen at all times. Isotretinoin makes your skin much more sensitive to the sun, which is why it’s very important to practice safe sun while taking it.
Use lip balm. One of the most common side effects with isotretinoin is dry lips. The best way to avoid this is by daily use of a hydrating lip product. We recommend Vaseline or Rosebud Salve.
Find a good moisturizer and use it daily. Another side effect of isotretinoin is dry skin. We recommend using a facial moisturizer containing glycerin to provide optimal hydration.
Invest in some Visine. Some patients who use isotretinoin complain of dry, itchy eyes. Keep a bottle of artificial tears, such as Visine, on hand at all times to help alleviate dry eyes.

5Sep

Do Hormones Cause Acne?

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

Acne has many causes. If it was so simple as to only one one cause, anyone could treat acne effectively. At the Clear Clinic, we recognize that acne has numerous influencing factors, so treatment must be multifactorial. In addition to irregular skin cell regulation, formation of the microcomedone, and the p. acnes bacteria, hormones do play a role in the development of acne. Dr. Schweiger explains that, “Androgen hormones influence the development of acne in teenagers and adults, both women and men. There are androgen receptors that reside in the sebaceous glands of the skin. These sebaceous glands are the oil-producing glands, and when influenced by excess androgen hormones, they overproduce sebum in the pore.”

Overproduction of sebum causes pores to become plugged with excess sebum, which leads to the development of the microcomedone. This phenomenon attracts that p. acnes bacteria that ends up causing inflammatory acne. Do hormones cause acne? Yes, but we can still treat the acne before it causes permanent scarring. Hormonal acne is treated in many ways. Sometimes, blocking one step in this acne pathway is enough to combat the hormonal influence. In these cases, topical antibacterial medications (such as Duac, Benzaclin and Acanya) kill the p. acnes bacteria and gently help to unplug the clogged pore. In other cases, anti-androgen medications, such as Spironolactone or oral contraceptive pills, are used to counteract the androgenic influence. Lastly, in-office treatments, such as photodynamic therapy, can decrease the excess sebum production caused by increased androgen.

Other acne treatments include oral antibiotics (such as doxycycline and minocycline), topical retinoids (such as Atralin and Tazorac), Accutane, and other in-office acne treatments (such as medical extractions, Isolaz acne treatment, and red and blue LED light therapy.)

Click here to read more about the causes of acne.

4Sep

The Best Combination Prescriptions for Acne

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The most widely known acne fighting skincare ingredients are salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and retinoids. They are considered the gold standard when it comes to the treatment of acne. But there are some newer sophisticated topical prescription treatments on the market that banish acne with a combined ingredient approach. The top acne combo products mix ingredients like benzoyl peroxide with clindamycin or adapalene. The combo of two ingredients attacks acne in a way that only one ingredient alone could never do. Here, some of Clear Clinic’s most effective combo prescription treatments:

Epiduo: Made up of benzoyl peroxide and adapalene, Epiduo packs a one-two punch against acne breakouts. Benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria that lead to breakouts and helps prevent pimples from coming back. Adapalene is a type of retinoid that unclogs blocked pores, which stops pimples from forming under the skin’s surface. Adapalene also decreases the redness, swelling and inflammation associated with pimples.

Acanya: Our patients are continually pleased with the results they get from Acanya, a combination of benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin. The benzoyl peroxide sucks out the pores and kills the P. acnes bacteria by introducing oxygen. Clindamycin is a proven antibiotic that halts the production of the P. acnes bacteria on the skin.

Ziana: A combination the antibiotic clindamycin with the retinoid of tretinoin, Ziana is one of the most well tolerated topical acne prescriptions. Made for the treatment of mild, moderate, and severe acne in teens and adults, Ziana also helps clear up pimples, whiteheads and blackheads. Our adult patients also love the anti-aging/anti-wrinkle benefits they receive from daily use of a retinoid.

As with all acne prescription medications, you need to be under the guidance of a dermatologist. Contact Clear Clinic for an appointment now to find out which acne prescription is best for your skin.

4Sep

How to Use the Clarisonic

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Many of our patients are using the Clarisonic brush. Its oscillating brush movement has been shown in clinical studies to clean out the pores better than traditional washing alone. We consider the cleansing brush to be a vital part of an acne regimen, though we’ve noticed that even our patients without acne see benefit from its skin cleansing mechanism.

How to use the Clarisonic brush? Dr. Schweiger recommends that, “Patients use the Clarisonic brush twice daily, in the morning and the evening. You may find that it is too irritating to use with a medicated acne cleanser, so we recommend using a gentle cleanser with the Clarisonic brush.” Apply a small dollop of a gentle cleanser to the Clarisonic brush. Then complete its two minute cycle, moving to a different area of the face each time the brush pauses. You can also use the Clarisonic brush on your body – many of our patients are using it to their chest and back regularly.

The Clarisonic brush is waterproof and can be left in the shower if desired. It holds a charge for a very long time; so long that we don’t even pack our charger when going away on vacation! Acne medications and other skin care products can be applied immediately after cleansing with the Clarisonic brush. The brush has multiple settings, making it appropriate for even sensitive skin. Most of our patients see a great benefit after adding in at-home devices to their acne regimen; other at-home devices include the Tria and Tanda blue LED light devices.

Click here to learn more about how to use the Clarisonic cleansing brush.

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