Clear Clinic Skin Care Blog

20Jul

Is Your Diet Causing Acne?

Posted in Adult Acne by .

Is your diet causing acne? There are a lot of myths surrounding acne and diet. People who suffer from acne sometimes blame their breakouts on greasy French fries and candy bars. While there is not yet enough medical evidence definitively linking guilty pleasure foods to acne breakouts, there are new studies showing that nutrition may indeed be an important part of the whole picture when it comes to maintaining a clear, acne free complexion. Following a low carbohydrate South Beach type diet may also have a positive effect on acne. This is potentially great news for acne sufferers, who often feel helpless when it comes to controlling their acne. While an unhealthy diet may not be the overall reason for acne breakouts, it turns out that weight may play a role in clear skin. In a recent study in The Archives of Dermatology*, researchers looked at 3,600 adolescents and found that the overweight or obese teens had more potential to develop acne than the teens of normal weight. This was especially true for the young women.

Researchers say that androgens might be to blame for the link between being overweight and acne, as androgen production is brought on by obesity. More evidence that diet may play into acne management is a report from the American Academy of Dermatology that found a low-carbohydrate, low-glycemic diet, like the South Beach Diet, may in fact help reduce acne. In the study, 80% of South Beach Diet followers noticed a marked improvement in their skin within three months of beginning the diet, while 91% of them said they decreased the acne medication they were taking after starting the diet. The bottom line is that good nutrition may indeed play a role in clear, acne free skin. This is breaking news to many in the medical and skincare fields who have long held the belief that diet and acne have no relation. For those who do suffer for acne, practicing healthy eating habits may indeed be an important piece of the acne-fighting puzzle.

Click here to read more about your diet and acne.

18Jul

Fractional CO2 Laser Treatment For Acne Scars

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

According to a study in the new August issue of Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, moderate to severe acne scars saw major improvement after being treated with a Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser Resurfacing Treatment. In the study, which was conducted at the Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark, a group of 13 people with atrophic (loss of tissue) acne scars participated in this single blinded study. The participants were randomly chosen for three monthly ablative fractional CO2 laser treatments or no treatments at all.

The group that received the fractional CO2 laser treatments showed significant improvement in their skin as opposed to the group who did not receive any treatment. Patients who received the treatment were satisfied with the results and rated their acne scar texture to be mildly or moderately improved. “In conclusion, in this controlled trial we demonstrated that moderate-to-severe atrophic acne scars can be safely improved by ablative fractional CO2 laser resurfacing,” the authors of the study wrote. “The use of higher energy levels might have improved the results and possibly also induced significant adverse effects.”

This study proves that time will not heal your acne scars. You must seek a laser treatment to successfully get rid of your acne scars. At Clear Clinic, the CO2 Laser has been one of our preferred methods of treating and getting rid of acne scars. This study only solidifies the positive results our patients experience after treatments. When acne scars are removed and treated, the skin becomes flawless and beautiful.

18Jul

How to Stop Picking at your Skin

Posted in Adult Acne by .

Acne excoriee is a common condition that we see at the Clear Clinic. Acne excoriee is the condition of picking at your acne. Picking at your skin causes more inflammation than was originally present in the acne bump and can lead to permanent scarring. However, for patients with acne excoriee, stopping skin picking is easier said than done.

Dr. Schweiger explains that, “Treatment of acne excoriee requires a multifactorial approach. We must treat the underlying acne, while also addressing the skin picking that causes the acne to stick around longer than usual and leads to scarring. The Clear Clinic has a psychologist who specializes in the treatment of acne excoriee. She has developed a unique regimen to address skin picking.”

Patients with acne excoriee tend to respond very well to laser and light-based acne treatments. We recommend a combination of Red and Blue LED Light Therapy, Photodynamic Therapy and Isolaz Laser treatments for treatment of acne in patients with acne excoriee. These laser treatments combine to provide fast and long-lasting improvement of acne for most patients.

Red and Blue Light Therapy provides antibacterial and antiinflammatory treatment of acne. The antiinflammatory effect of red light can help speed up healing of excoriated acne.

Photodynamic Therapy uses blue light to activate a medication called Levulan to decrease excess sebum production, which leads to the formation of acne.

The Isolaz acne treatment combines a vacuum to clean out clogged pores with a laser that kills the p. acnes bacteria present inside the pores.

Click here to read more about treatments for acne excoriee at the Clear Clinic.

17Jul

The Top Oral Medications for Treating Acne

Posted in Uncategorized by Clear Clinic. | Leave a Comment

Treating acne can be very frustrating. Our patients often come to us after having tried many over-the-counter treatments and products. But sometimes, it takes a more powerful medication to really treat and heal acne. Oral medications are a great option for many reasons, they treat and kill the P. acnes bacteria from the inside out and they also help regulate the hormones that lead to acne flare ups. Here, a look at the top oral prescription medications to treat acne:

Doxycycline: A member of the tetracycline family of antibiotics, Doxycycline kills the P. acnes bacteria that leads to the formation of acne.

Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole: These antibiotics are macrolide antibiotics and are sometimes found to treat cystic acne that does not respond to other acne treatments.

Oral contraceptives: Birth control pills are an effective treatment for women who are battling acne. Oral contraceptives work to suppress the androgen hormones, which are responsible for sebum secretion. Birth control pills are a great option for women who need to use a contraceptive as well as treat their acne.

All oral medications work best when used with a skin care regimen and in-office procedures.

16Jul

How to Treat Acne and Wrinkles

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

Most people have some variation of combination skin, with some oil here and a few dry patches there. But when it comes to treating acne, having combination skin can prove to be a little bit tricky–especially when you factor wrinkles into the equation. Acne is generally thought of as a teenage issue. Yes, it’s true that the teen and early twenties years are the most typical time to start experiencing acne breakouts, but more and more adults in their late 20s, 30s and 40s are complaining of acne. So how best to treat acne when you also have to worry about anti-aging? Here, how Clear Clinic helps guide our older patients and show them the most effective–and gentle–ways to treat acne.

Isolaz Laser Acne Treatment: Isolaz has quickly become one of the best acne procedures around. Isolaz is a painless in-office treatment that gently cleans the pores with a suction and then use a light to kill the P. acnes bacteria. Our adult patients are very happy with the results of Isolaz, as it’s extremely gentle on the skin and produces a healthy rosy glow after each treatment.

Topical Retinoids: Retinoids have long been touted as an effective treatment for acne. They help increase turnover of the skin’s cells which delivers a one-two punch to acne and wrinkles. Our adult patients with more sensitive skin often find their skin tolerates the retinoids better when they use it 1-3 times a week, and only with an amount the size of their pinky fingertip.

Chemical Peel: For our patients who want to help fight wrinkles as well as treat their acne, a chemical peel is a great option. A chemical peel will help exfoliate the top layer of skin which will help treat acne as well as get rid of the dullness and help reveal a brighter complexion.

16Jul

What to Expect During your Dermatology Visit at Clear Clinic

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

Here’s what to expect during your dermatology visit at the Clear Clinic:

Prior to your visit, you will fill out pertinent information online. Before you even arrive at the Clear Clinic, we will know which acne medications you’ve tried in the past, what type of treatments you are interested in, and your allergies to medications.
When you arrive at the Clear Clinic, you will meet with one of our acne-trained dermatology Physician Assistants. They will review your previous acne treatments and listen to your concerns.
The Physician Assistant (PA) will then closely evaluate your skin to determine the specific needs of your skin. They will review with you the type of acne and acne scarring that you have.
The PA will then put together a treatment regimen for your acne. This may include skin care products, prescription medications, in-office laser and light treatments, and at-home devices. They will discuss all of the options with you and together you will settle on the treatment regimen that makes the most sense for you.
If you choose to proceed with laser or light-based acne treatments, you may have your first treatment during your initial visit. Many patients begin with the Isolaz acne treatment during their first dermatology visit at the Clear Clinic. The Isolaz acne treatment is a fast treatment with no downtime, making it a great way to start your acne regimen. After the Isolaz treatment, many patients see a quick improvement of their active acne.
Prior to leaving the Clear Clinic, the PA will write out your acne regimen, so that there is no confusion regarding how to care for your skin at home.
You will schedule a follow up visit to the Clear Clinic one month after your initial consultation to evaluate how the treatment is progressing and make any adjustments necessary.

Click here to read more about dermatology visits at the Clear Clinic in NYC.

13Jul

The Secret to Being Acne-Free

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

Fighting acne can seem like an all-consuming, every day battle, but the truth is that it doesn’t have to be that way. Thanks to ongoing innovations in the field of dermatology, treating acne lesions and acne scars can be very easy. There are just a few important points to remember to keep your acne at bay. Here, Clear Clinic’s top tips on how to keep your skin acne-free and clear for life:

Acne is best controlled by sticking to the proper skincare regimen consisting of an acne-fighting cleanser with active ingredients meant to fight acne, a non-comedogenic moisturizer, sunscreen and a spot treatment to used as needed.
The best way to manage your blemishes is to be evaluated by a dermatologist in order to begin a treatment regimen that is effective for preventing acne flares. Just like you would hire a personal trainer to get in shape or a nutritionist to help you start a healthy eating plan, it’s essential to consult a dermatologist for guidance in an acne-fighting regimen.
The addition of a medicated cream or an in-office blue light treatment will clear up your skin and prevent acne flares. Even patients with very mild acne can benefit from a simple regimen created by their dermatologist.
As soon as you notice an acne scar forming, make an appointment to see the dermatologist. Acne scars can successfully be treated with the Fraxel laser and the Fractional CO2 laser. We also offer our proprietary F.A.S.T. acne treatment, developed by Dr. Schweiger to successfully treat acne scarring in a way that’s never been done before.

13Jul

Types of Acne Scars

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

Acne scars are not all created equal. There are several types of scars and marks that can be left behind from active acne. It is important to recognize the different types of acne scars in order to properly treat the skin and improve the appearance of the acne scars.

Types of Acne Scars:

Icepick Scars – Icepick scars are narrow, but very deep scars on the skin. They look as though they were made with a sharp object, like an icepick.

Boxcar Scars – Boxcar scars are pitted scars, with a steep border. Though both types of scars have a steep border, boxcar scars are much wider than icepick scars.

Rolling Scars – Rolling scars are also pitted scars, though they have a soft border.

Raised Scars – Raised scars are actually raised above the skin. They are thick, firm plaques on the skin, commonly seen after trunk acne resolves.

Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation – This is not a true “scar,” but a mark left behind on the scar after acne resolves. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation appears as a dark spot, with no change in the texture of the skin.

Post-Inflammatory Erythema – This is also not a true “scar,” but a reddish mark that appears on the skin, without any textural changes.

The most effective treatments for acne scars are the Fractional CO2 Laser and the Fraxel Laser. These lasers poke tiny holes in the skin’s surface, which stimulates the production of new collagen to fill in the pitted areas.

Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation is most effectively treated with the Fraxel Laser. It can also be treated with chemical peels and topical prescription strength medications.

Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation can be treated with the KTP laser, which diminishes the appearance of redness on the skin.

Click here to learn more about acne scar treatments.

12Jul

How To Prevent and Treat Body Acne During the Summer

Posted in Acne At Home Treatments by . | Leave a Comment

Summer time is a tricky season for skin care, especially if you suffer from acne breakouts. Acne lesions on your back, chest and neck are the perfect way to spoil your summer look. What was easy to cover up in the winter becomes very hard to disguise in the summer. You may not know that a lot of the same in-office treatments and procedures offered for facial acne lesions also work well for the body. Here, our summer survival guide for treating acne on the body:

Shower every night before going to bed to cleanse away residual sweat, dirt and oil that may have accumulated during the day. We suggest using an over-the-counter medicated body cleanser, such as ME Attack Back or Purpose cleanser. Choose a cleanser with either salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
Use the Clarisonic Body Brush extension handle to cleanse those hard-to-reach places on your back and body. We suggest pairing with the acne cleanser to get an amazing anti-acne cleanse.
Book an appointment for an Isolaz treatment on your back and body. Isolaz Acne Therapy deeply cleans out the pores with a gentle suction and then kills the p. acnes bacteria using light therapy.
Wear cotton fabrics that are not too tight on the body. When you mix tight clothing, sweat and friction, it can lead to a condition called acne mechanica.

11Jul

What to do When You Over-Dry a Zit

Posted in Uncategorized by . | Leave a Comment

One of the most effective ways to treat an active acne lesion is to spot treat it. We recommend using an anti-acne over-the-counter medication, such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or sulfur when spot-treating acne. All of those ingredients work well when it comes to zapping a zit. Benzoyl peroxide infuses the pimple with oxygen, which kills the p. acnes bacteria. Salicylic acid is a peeling agent that aids in shedding cells inside the hair follicle. It’s the buildup of cells that blocks the pores and causes zits. Sulfur also helps to get rid of the cells that clog pores.

But what happens when you overdo it in the spot treating department? The zit and the skin surrounding it becomes red, flaky, itchy and inflamed. Often it looks worse than if you had done nothing at all. The best way to treat a pimple that has become dried out and red is by gently dabbing on a fragrance-free moisturizer that contains a humectant, such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin. You will want to refrain from using any products containing retinoids or any other cleansers or treatments with harsh ingredients in them until the redness and dryness has disappeared.

It’s still much better for your skin to spot treat than to pick at it. The best thing you can do for an inflamed pimple is to head to the dermatologist’s office for a cortisone injection. This will treat the pimple and flatten it out within 24 hours. It will also take away the temptation to pick.

Page 27 of 42« First ‹ Previous 23 24 25 262728 29 30 31 Next ›Last »