Clear Clinic Skin Care Blog

17Aug

FAQ about Acne – Frequently Asked Questions About Acne

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Acne is one of the most common conditions seen in medicine – nearly 100% of people will experience acne to some degree during their lifetime! It is important to know a few facts about acne, in order to best prevent and treat acne breakouts.

Here are the most frequently asked questions about acne that we receive at the Clear Clinic:

What Causes Acne?

Acne is caused by a combination of factors. When sebum accumulates in the follicle, this forms a microcomedone, which attracts the p. acnes bacteria that causes acne. Many things, including hormonal influences, can cause the overproduction of sebum.

How Can I Get Rid of a Pimple Quickly?

The fastest way to get rid of a pimple is to see your dermatologist for a quick cortisone injection. This tiny injection of an anti-inflammatory medication will flatten out a pimple within 24-48 hours.

Is There a Cream to Get Rid of Acne Scars?

There is no cream that gets rid of pitted acne scars. The most effective treatment for acne scars is fractional laser resurfacing. We recommend treatment with the Fractional CO2 laser or the Fraxel laser. Other acne scar treatments include dermal fillers, subcision, and chemical peels.

Is Acne Contagious?

Acne is not contagious. Most people naturally have the p. acnes bacteria on their skin. Acne forms when there is a clogged follicle to attract the p. acnes bacteria.

Will I Grow Out of My Acne?

It is important to treat even mild teenage acne, in order to prevent permanent scarring. Some people do not grow out of their acne, some people do, and some people develop acne for the first time as an adult. Regardless of when your acne presents, its important to treat it and not simply wait for it to pass.

Click here to learn more about acne.

16Aug

Five Quick Swaps to Prevent Acne Breakouts

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Keeping skin clear and acne-free is a full-on lifestyle commitment. But there are certain shortcuts you can take to making sure your skin remains clear, glowing and pimple-free with minimal effort. Some of these efforts can actually be enjoyable and a great way to supplement your lifestyle. Once you start practicing these healthy living tricks, bet you’ll find that you can’t understand how you ever lived without them. Here, five swapping tips to lead you to a healthier lifestyle and a lifetime of beautiful, acne-free skin.

Swap your white bread for whole grain bread

Recent research has shown that low-glycemic diet, much like the South Beach Diet, will help improve your skin. Sugar in general elevates insulin levels, which produces testosterone in women, and causes inflammation, both of which are major causes of acne. Eat fruits for dessert rather than candy.

Swap milk chocolate for dark chocolate

But you can keep the dark chocolate in your diet, which is an antioxidant and will help reduce inflammation. Look for chocolates made with at least 70% dark chocolate and do not contain any dairy.

Swap your regular milk for almond milk

There have been studies linking dairy consumption to acne breakouts. There are growth hormones in dairy products as well as saturated fats that can lead to acne. Try drinking almond milk or soy milk.

Swap your abrasive face cleanser for a gentle cleanser

This is especially important if you are using acne topical treatments and antibiotics, which can make the skin drier. We suggest using CeraVe or Cetaphil cleansers.

Swap your tight workout clothes for loose, cotton clothes

If you exercise, make sure to wear loose, cotton clothing. Tight clothing will trap the sweat onto the body and that coupled with friction can lead to acne breakouts.

16Aug

How to Shrink Your Pores

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It is finally possible to do the previously impossible; there is now a great option available to shrink your pores. For years, it was thought that you were stuck with your enlarged pores. We now know that this just isn’t true. The Fraxel laser resurfacing treatment can decrease the size of your pores with a short series of treatments.

Dr. Schweiger explains that, “The Fraxel laser improves the appearance of enlarged pores by resurfacing the skin completely. The Fraxel laser pokes tiny, microscopic holes in the skin’s surface. This process stimulates the production of healthy collagen to fill in these areas and tighten the skin. The result of a series of Fraxel treatments is smoother, healthier skin, with smaller pores.”

Most patients require a series of four Fraxel laser treatments. The Fraxel laser treatments take approximately twenty minutes (most patients come to the office one hour prior to the treatment for application of a topical numbing cream.) You should plan for 2-3 days of downtime (similar to a very bad sunburn) after each treatment. Treatments are performed at 3-4 week intervals.

The Fraxel laser is used for treatment of many conditions, not only shrinking pore size. The Fraxel laser can be used to reduce acne scars, improve uneven pigmentation from melasma or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, decrease the appearance of stretch marks and surgical scars, and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. Dr. Schweiger and his associates have years of experience using the Fraxel laser and can review the best treatment option for you during your initial consultation.

Click here to learn more about the Fraxel laser treatment and how it works to shrink your pores.

15Aug

How to Classify Your Acne

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There are roughly 40-5o million Americans who suffer from acne breakouts. How do you know when it’s time to do more than just look beyond the traditional over-the-counter acne medications and treatments at the drug store and start seeking help from a dermatologist? Here’s a breakdown of the different kinds of acne breakouts and what to do about each one.

Blackheads and Whiteheads

These are the most mild form of acne breakouts. Blackheads are pores that are partially blocked with sebum and dead skin cells at the surface of the skin. The black color is a result of melanin in your skin when it comes into contact with oxygen. Whiteheads are blocked pores that have a closed surface. You can still benefit from seeing a dermatologist when you have blackheads and whiteheads, as you can book an appointment for a medical facial with extractions and a chemical peel to deep cleanse.

Papules and Pustules

These are moderate forms of acne. A papule is a red, inflamed bump that cannot be popped. A pustule your traditional pimple–a bump with pus inside. You will benefit 100% from seeing a dermatologist for this kind of acne. You can come in for a cortisone shot if you want to get rid of a pustule asap.

Cystic Acne and Nodules

This is the most severe type of acne. Cystic acne and nodules are both acne bumps with infections below the skin’s surface. Cysts are filled with pus and nodules are not. Both of these acne types are painful and can last for months. Both nodules and cysts can cause scars even if you don’t pick at them. For this reason, a dermatologist should always treat this type of acne.

15Aug

Which Acne Medications Cause Sunburn?

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It is important to treat acne, even the most mild acne, at the first sign of its development. Failure to begin treatment can lead to permanent scarring and worsening acne. But what if acne presents during the summer months? It is a known fact that many medications used for the treatment of acne can cause sunburns. Can you continue to use your acne medications during the summertime? Which acne medications cause sunburn?

According to Dr. Schweiger, “The answer is yes. Although some acne medications make you more sun sensitive, regular use of sunscreen can prevent sunburn in nearly all case. There are some oral medications and in-office acne treatments that require special attention when used during the summer months, but we recommend continuing most acne regimens all year long.”

Here are a few acne medications and treatments that may cause sunburn:

Retinoids – Topical retinoids (such as Differin, Retin-A, Tazorac, and Atralin) increase skin cell turnover and uncover the healthy layers of the skin. This healthy skin can be more sun sensitive. Most patients can continue to use their retinoid cream all summer long, with regular use of sunscreen and sun protection. However, we recommend discontinuing your retinoid if you notice more sun sensitivity, even with regular sun protective measures.

Doxycycline – Doxycycline has been shown in some people to cause increased sun sensitivity. In some patients, doxycycline is necessary and it is safe for them to use during the summer months with proper instruction. In other patients, we may choose to use alternative antibiotics for acne treatment during the summertime.

Accutane – Accutane has a reputation for being a medication to avoid during the summer months. While taking Accutane, you will be more sun sensitive, but most patients are able to avoid sunburn with regular sunscreen use and avoidance of direct sun exposure for prolonged periods of time.

Photodynamic Therapy – Photodynamic Therapy is an in-office acne treatment using a topical medication called aminolevulinic acid. This medication causes your skin to be very sun sensitive for a few days after the treatment. For most patients, we recommend strict sun avoidance for 48 hours after their treatment, though this time varies by the strength of the treatment performed.

14Aug

How to Treat a Pimple Before it Fully Forms

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Uh oh. You feel it–it’s that unmistakable formation of a pimple underneath the surface of your skin. It feels tender to the touch and is starting to turn a light shade of red. So what can you do to minimize the air time your pimple will ultimately receive? Besides just hope and a prayer, there are actions you can take to significantly cut down the size of the pimple as well as the time it will remain on your face. Here, our top tips on pre-treating your acne:

Cleanse your face and use a hot compress or washcloth to press on the pimple. Not with great force, just using gentle pressure.
As soon as you feel the offensive pimple starting to form, apply a spot treatment that contains either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
Use an at-home acne device to treat the spot. The Tanda Clear +, which clears pimples with a combination of blue light and sonic vibrations, is a great choice for underground pimples.
Conceal the area with a medicated, tinted concealer.

14Aug

Is There a Cream for Acne Scars?

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Even very mild acne can sometimes leave pitted scars behind. Unfortunately, there is no cream for acne scars. Dr. Schweiger explains that, “In order to improve pitted acne scars, you must fill in the pitted area of the skin to even out the skin’s texture. This can be done with laser resurfacing, dermal fillers, subcision, and some chemical peels. However, the only permanent solution for acne scars is to have laser resurfacing.”

Laser resurfacing lasers provide a permanent solution for acne scars, because they stimulate your own collagen to fill in the pitted areas. These lasers use their energy to poke tiny holes in the skin’s surface, which stimulates the collagen regeneration. Some improvement is seen soon after the laser treatment, usually within one week, while the majority of the improvement takes months to fully present. However, once improved, the pitted scars will never return.

The most commonly used lasers for the treatment of acne scarring are the Fractional CO2 laser and the Fraxel laser. These lasers each use a specific type of energy to resurface the skin. The Fractional CO2 laser is an ablative laser, meaning that its energy actually ablates the surface of the skin. Therefore, this laser has approximately 5 days of downtime after each treatment, but it only requires one treatment in most cares. The Fraxel laser is a non-ablative laser, meaning that its energy does not ablate the skin. This results in a much shorter downtime (2-3 days), but the Fraxel laser requires a series of four treatments for most patients. Both lasers are very effective for treating acne scars in all skin types.

13Aug

Does Proactiv Work?

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Our patients commonly ask us, “Does Proactiv work?” It seems easy enough: you order it online, open the box, complete the three steps. And the truth is that it does sometimes work. However, Proactiv isn’t always effective enough for all people.

Dr. Schweiger explains that, “Proactiv contains benzoyl peroxide, which is a studied ingredient known to treat acne. Benzoyl peroxide works by killing p. acnes bacteria, which is the bacteria that causes acne to develop.” Some people do very well with Proactiv and never require further treatment. Alternatively, some people either do well and then have a relapse of their acne or their acne never improves in the first place. Although benzoyl peroxide is known to kill p. acnes bacteria, acne has other contributing factors that must be addressed for the most effective treatment.

Patients who do not respond quickly to Proactiv, or who have moderate to severe acne prior to starting, should visit their dermatologist right away. It is important to begin acne treatments, with prescription medications or in-office procedures, in order to clear your acne and prevent permanent scarring. Prescription regimens for acne often utilize benzoyl peroxide, but in combination with other medications. In fact, benzoyl peroxide has been shown to have a synergistic effect when combined with clindamycin (a n antibiotic.) This means that the two medications work better together than separately. The difference between a prescription acne regimen and simply using Proactiv is that your prescription regimen will utilize different combinations of medications to address all of the causes of acne. For example, your dermatologist may recommend a benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin combination cream in the morning and a retinoid gel in the evening.

10Aug

Ingredients to Look for When Buying Over the Counter Acne Medicine

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With the never ending selection of skin care products on the shelves today, its difficult to determine which products are best for preventing acne. You can easily spend an entire afternoon in the drugstore, trying to decipher complicated labels. Fortunately, we’re here to do the work for you. Feel free to print out this list and refer to it on your next trip to the drug store.

Which ingredients to look for in an over the counter acne medicine:

Benzoyl Peroxide – This workhorse has long been a staple of anti-acne skin care regimens. Benzoyl peroxide kills the p. acnes bacteria that causes acne to develop. It also helps to clear blackheads and whiteheads. Look for benzoyl peroxide in cleansers and spot treatments. Just to careful to wash your hands well after applying; if you don’t rinse completely, it can bleach fabric. Lower concentrations of benzoyl peroxide (2.5-5%) are sufficient; reaching for the 10% benzoyl peroxide formulation may only contribute to more irritation on the skin.

Salicylic Acid – Salicylic acid is another useful and easy-to-find acne medication. Salicylic acid unclogs your blocked follicles that attract acne-causing bacteria. It can be used for acne prevention, in the form of a cleanser or toner, or as a spot treatment. 2%

Glycolic Acid – Glycolic acid helps to clean out clogged pores and stimulates skin cell turnover. Glycolic acid is available mostly in daily cleansers and at-home chemical peels.

Choose sunscreens and moisturizers labeled “non-comedogenic” or non-acnegenic.” These phrases indicate that the product will not contribute to the formation of acne. Look for these phrases on makeup as well.

Most importantly, if your acne doesn’t respond to over the counter acne medicine within 1-2 months, make an appointment to be treated by a dermatologist. They can prescribe more effective medications for you, in order to prevent permanent scarring.

Click here to learn more about over-the-counter acne medicine.

9Aug

How to Remove Dark Spots From Acne

Posted in Acne Scars, Uncategorized by Clear Clinic. | Leave a Comment

The dark spots from acne, what we refer to as the “ashes after the fire,” can be annoying. Your skin is finally clear, but you still need to use cover-up to keep your skin looking great. The good news is that there are numerous options for removing these dark spots from acne, which are referred to in dermatology as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Dr. Schweiger explains that, “Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or the dark spots from acne, forms in response to the inflammation of the acne bumps. The increased inflammation of the pimple stimulates overproduction of the pigmented cells, called melanin. Once the inflammation of acne resolves, you are left with only the areas of excess melanin production; these areas appear as darker brown-ish spots on the skin.”

Here are a few options for removing these unwanted dark spots:

Topical acne medications, such as Tazorac (tazarotene) and Finacea (azeleic acid), help to lighten excess pigmentation as they treat your acne.
Topical lightening creams, such as EnlightenME (hydroquinone 5%), block an enzyme necessary for the formation of pigmentation. EnlightenME can be effective on its own for mild cases of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and may be used in combination with other treatments for moderate to severe pigmentation.
Chemical peels can help to even out post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. A series of in-office peels can help significantly in evening out the tone of your skin.
Fraxel laser treatments actually resurface the skin, to get rid of the pigmented cells and replace them with healthy, even skin. A series of Fraxel treatments will also improve the appearance of pitted acne scars, which we often see in combination with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

During your visit to the Clear Clinic, we will review all of the options for treatment of the dark spots from acne and make a recommendation for the best treatments for your skin.

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