Clear Clinic Skin Care Blog

8Aug

Acne Mistakes You Might Be Making

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The causes of acne breakouts are multifactorial, meaning that acne is caused by a number of different factors. A few of the main known causes of acne breakouts are hormones, genetics and diet, all of which contribute to overactive sebaceous glands that produce sebum. When that sebum gets trapped in the pores, that’s when a pimple is formed. So how can we control the formation of acne? You might be doing some seemingly benign everyday activities that are making your acne issue worse.

Here, the activities that may be contributing to your breakouts:

Not changing your pillowcase on a regular basis. Dead skin cells and oils can buildup on your pillowcase and the bacteria can end up on your skin, leading to acne breakouts.
Touching your face with your hands. We all do it all the time without even thinking about it. If you’re going to touch your face with your fingers, make sure to clean them first with soap and water or anti-bacterial gel.
Not cleaning your phone. Make sure to rub down your cell phone with an alcohol swab to rid of any lurking bacteria on it before it touches your face.
Sharing makeup brushes. Letting your friends borrow and use your makeup brushes is never a good idea, it can spread bacteria from your friend’s skin onto yours.
Using fragranced skin care products. Look for skin care products labeled “fragrance-free.” Fragrances can be very irritating to the skin and may cause inflammation.

8Aug

Is Isolaz Better Than a Facial?

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One question that we are commonly asked by our acne patients is, “Is Isolaz better than a facial?” Similarly, some patients ask us if the Isolaz treatment is a “super facial.” The answer is that the Isolaz is much more effective at treating acne than a facial, though both Isolaz treatments and medical facials play an improvement role in the treatment of acne.

Dr. Schweiger explains that, “To understand the answer to this question, you must understand how the Isolaz treatment works. The Isolaz has two mechanisms, which occur simultaneously. There is a gentle vacuum that opens up the pores and removes the dirt and grime stuck inside. While the pore is open, a broad spectrum light is fired into the pore; this kills the p. acnes bacteria living inside the pore.” While a medical facial is very helpful for removing comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) and clearing clogged pores, it does not have the antibacterial or anti-inflammatory effect that the Isolaz offer.

We typically recommend the Isolaz acne treatment as part of a package. The Isolaz acne treatment works best when performed in a series of treatments, whether it is a series of only Isolaz treatments or combined with Photodynamic Therapy. However, many patients do notice improvement of their acne after their first Isolaz acne treatment. There is no downtime after the Isolaz treatment and many patients feel that there skin feels smoother and healthier immediately after the treatment. There is no need to stop using your acne medications prior to your Isolaz treatment, the Isolaz acne treatment is safe to have in combination with acne medications.

7Aug

The Truth About Acne

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

There are endless myths circulating about acne, so its hard to keep straight what is “truth” and what is a “myth.” Dr. Eric Schweiger notes that “It is important to learn about acne, because it is something that nearly 100% of people experience at some point in their lives. At the Clear Clinic, we aim to teach our patients the truth about acne.”

Here is a quick primer on the truth about acne:

Acne is NOT contagious – p. acnes bacteria (the bacteria that causes acne) is on everyone’s skin. Acne develops when the ideal conditions exist for p. acnes bacteria to congregate in the pores.

Do NOT wait to outgrow acne – it is important for teenagers to visit a dermatologist for proper treatment of their acne. Waiting to outgrow acne can result in years of acne and potentially the development of permanent acne scars.

Acne may be diet related – the jury is still out, but recent studies suggest a possible acne link between dairy products and foods with a high glycemic index. We recommend that patients pay attention to their diet and avoid foods that seem to be contributing to their acne.

Laser and light treatments do treat acne most quickly than prescription treatments alone. We commonly recommend a combination of in-office laser and light treatments with prescription medications and at-home devices.

You do NOT have to be stuck with your acne scars – new fractional laser resurfacing technology can stimulate the production of your own collagen to fill in pitted acne scars.

7Aug

Acne Ingredient 411: Niacinamide

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At Clear Clinic, we are always researching the newest, most cutting-edge ingredients to be used in the treatment of acne. The most widely used topical ingredients in the treatment of acne are salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. Both of which are the ingredients you will find in most over-the-counter acne treatments sold at drug stores and cosmetic counters. Other trusted acne-fighting ingredients include sulfur, tea tree oil and rescorcinol.

We are also excited about an acne-fighting ingredient called niacinamide, which is found in Elta MD UV Clear SPF 46, one of our favorite sunscreens, made specifically for acne-prone skin. Niacinamide has shown to have anti-inflammatory effects when used on the skin. This is a wonderful benefit for those who have acne lesions, as inflammation plays a huge role in acne breakouts. Niacinamide is part of the vitamin B group.

We often worry that mixing too many acne-fighting ingredients can cause irritation to the skin, but niacinamide does not appear to cause negative reactions with the skin. For this reason, we feel comfortable adding it into a patient’s regimen, even if they are already using salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. In fact, we recommend combination therapies to all of our patients who are seeking the best results for the treatment of their acne.

Sun protection is a key part in protecting your skin, especially if you have acne. Many of the treatments used in the fight against acne can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. In addition, the sun can further worsen your acne condition. We highly recommend Elta MD for this reason–you will not only be protecting your skin, thanks to the niacinamide, you will also be helping the acne you already have.

7Aug

The Clear Clinic Book is Coming Soon

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When you have acne, you start to wonder exactly what is going on with your skin and how to fix it. Question after question pops into your head and without a dermatologist on call to grill, you will undoubtedly turn to the Internet. Not such a good idea. There is so much information out there about acne– how to treat it, what causes it and what not to do about it. Some of the information is accurate, but most of the times it’s not. This is not a chance you can take when your precious skin is at stake, which is why we’ve been working on hard on a book to answer all your acne-related questions.

Our book, Clear Answers for a Clear Complexion: The Clear Clinic Guide to Acne, tackles over 500 of your most pressing questions about acne. We’ve also included the latest breaking news about acne and diet, acne scars, acne and skin of color, hormonal acne and adult acne. Inside the book, you will discover the best treatment options for your skin type as well as in-depth information on all of the cutting-edge acne procedures available, including Isolaz Acne Therapy, F.A.S.T. and blue light therapy.

Also in the book are patient stories, advice about acne and depression, the best makeup tips for acne-prone skin and the top acne myths and truths. Dr. Schweiger has left no stone unturned about acne and acne treatment options in this book. His years of experience as a board-certified dermatologist and working firsthand with acne patients has given him the opportunity to fill this book with the best tips, advice and news about acne.

Clear Answers for a Clear Complexion will be available this fall. Pre-order a copy now by emailing us at contact@clearclinic.com with the word “Book” in the subject line.

6Aug

Makeup to Cover Up Acne

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Although our goal, at the Clear Clinic, is always to clear your acne and reduce the appearance of your acne scars, we understand the need to cover up your acne and acne scars with makeup during the course of treatment. In the end, we hope that you will not need to use foundation and concealer; however, acne treatment can take time, so it is important to know what makeup to use to cover up acne.

Dr. Schweiger notes that, “We recommend using a concealer and foundation that have been clinically proven to be non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic. These phrases indicate that the makeup has been studied and proven not to contribute to the formation of a acne.” There are some concealers available that not only provide visible coverage of acne, but they actually contain an active ingredient to fight acne while disguising it. These makeup products often contain an ingredient called salicylic acid. Salicylic acid helps to unclog the follicles and block the formation of the microcomedone. Stopping this process decreases the attraction of the acne causing bacteria to the follicle, resulting in fewer acne breakouts.

Even when choosing non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic makeup to cover up acne, it is imperative that you remove it from your skin every evening. We recommend cleansing with gentle cleanser on a cleansing brush, such as the Clarisonic brush, in order to remove makeup and grime completely. Cleansing brushes have been shown to clean the skin significantly better than traditional cleanser alone.

Click here to read more about cleansing brushes for acne-prone skin.

3Aug

Acne is a Disease, So Treat it Like One!

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Acne may not be a life threatening disease in the traditional sense, but those who suffer from acne can sometimes feel like it’s a life or death situation in terms of their self-esteem. With over 60 million people in the United States battling acne, it’s no small issue. When acne strikes it can make you feel hopeless and ashamed. If you have a big meeting or a hot date–acne can really put a damper on your plans. Whether or not your pimple is as noticeable as you think, it can still feel like the only thing on your face.

Successfully treating acne can take a few months from the time you start on a targeted regimen. Treating your acne early can also help tremendously when it comes to achieving a clear complexion. Just like with other diseases, early intervention can save you from a lifetime of defeat, frustration and unhealthy skin. And just like with other conditions, your skin will make vast improvements the more vigilant you are about taking care of it, that includes a good skin care regimen, in-office procedures such as Isolaz acne therapy, chemical peels and blue light therapy. It’s easy to think that acne is not that serious, but don’t fall into the trap of ignoring it–it will only get worse. Acne does not clear up on its own without any intervention. And the same goes with acne scars.

3Aug

Fillers for Acne Scars

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The most effective and longest-lasting treatment for atrophic acne scars (or “pitted” scars) is fractional laser resurfacing. There are two main types of fractional laser resurfacing performed at the Clear Clinic for acne scars: Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing and Fraxel laser resurfacing. These treatments each use a different type of laser energy, but they work in a simular fashion. Both resurfacing lasers poke microscopic holes in the skin to stimulate the production of collagen, to fill in the pitted scars. This collagen improvement is permanent, though it can takes months to fully present.

Some patients, for whatever reason (wedding, interview, etc) need immediate improvement. They might plan to do a more permanent fractional resurfacing treatment in the future, but for now, they need quick results. These patients often have great success with dermal fillers for the treatment of their acne scars.

Dr. Schweiger explains that, “Dermal fillers, such as Restylane and Juvederm, can be injected directly into the scar to attempt to even out the texture of the skin. Results are seen immediately after the treatment, though some swelling may persist for a few days. Dermal fillers last approximately six to nine months in the skin.

2Aug

Back to School Acne Scar Treatments

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The start of the school season always means stocking up on new clothes and supplies, but according to a new study, students are now investing money in procedures to treat acne and acne scars. The study, performed by The Patient’s Guide to Acne Scars, says that teens who suffer from acne scars can also suffer from depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. In order to help their children, parents of students with acne scarring will seek out treatments for their acne scars.

85% of teens suffer from acne and about 20% of adults are dealing with acne. Many times acne leads to permanent scarring. When an acne lesion turns into an acne scar, action must be taken in the form of an in-office laser treatment, otherwise the acne scar will forever remain on the skin.

In the study, 77% of students said they have been bullied because of the way they looked. Acne and acne scars can cause a huge blow to the self-esteem and can make teens the target of taunting. The study also showed that 43% of students who drop out of school attribute it to social anxiety. This may account for the rise in acne scar treatments as we get closer to September.

The Fraxel laser is one of the best treatments around to help with acne scars. It’s a non-surgical treatment with no downtime and no risks. It treats only a fraction of the skin at a time to allow for quicker healing of the skin. Collagen is stimulated and the acne scars are repaired. Clear Clinic’s proprietary F.A.S.T Laser (Focal Acne Scar Treatment) uses the fractional CO2 Laser at higher energy levels to get very speedy results in the treatment of acne scars. Thanks to the technological advances made in recent years with laser treatments, there’s no need for anyone–regardless of age–to have acne scars.

2Aug

Should I Use Retin A?

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Many of our patients ask us, Should I use Retin A? The answer to this commonly asked question is, probably. Dr. Schweiger explains that, “Retin-A is just one example of a class of prescription medications called retinoids. These topical medications, available in both creams and gels, regulate and stimulate the turnover of skin cells. These actions help to clear out the follicle, preventing the formation of the microcomedone. They also stimulate collagen turnover, which decreases the appearance of fine lines and prevents future wrinkles.”

Most people can benefit from starting a retinoid regimen. Even one your acne has been clear for years, you can still benefit from its anti-aging effects. In fact, the only patients that we don’t recommend retinoids for are pregnant or nursing women.

Maybe you’ve heard that retinoids are too irritating to use? The truth is, this isn’t the case when they are used properly. Almost everyone is able to tolerate one of the many retinoid formulations. Gentler formations are used to anti-aging purposes and for acne patients who can’t tolerate stronger retinoids. For the most sensitive patients, over-the-counter retinol formulations are worth a shot. Regardless of the formulation you are using, it is improvement to use retinoids in moderation. A pea-size amount is sufficient for almost everyone. Patients who notice dryness after using a retinoid can apply moisturizer before and after using their topical retinoid.

So, retinoids fight acne and prevent wrinkles?? We’re sure you’re thinking, sign me up! Retinoid formulations (the stronger relative of the over-the-counter retinol formulation) are available only by prescription or dispensed from your dermatologist’s office. We recommend TimeLess (developed by Dr. Schweiger and available only at Schweiger Dermatology), Atralin or Tazorac for most of our patients. However, during your visit we will evaluate your skin and discuss with you the best retinoid for your skin type.

Click here to read more about how retinoids can benefit your skin.

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