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Treating Acne With Chemical Peels

July 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment
chemicalpeel

A chemical peel is a technique that, once applied to the skin, causes it to blister and peel off. The new skin is smoother and the lesions caused by scars and acne are gone.

Chemical peels can be performed on the face, neck and hands. It can be performed in a doctor’s office or as an outpatient procedure. First off, the skin is thoroughly cleansed to remove excess oils. Then chemical solutions are applied to small areas on the skin. Most patients will feel a warm sensation lasting from 5 to 10 minutes, followed by the stinging sensation.

After the peel, a reaction similar to sunburn will occur. Redness and scaling, and obviously, peeling of the dead skin cells. There are different levels of intensities to peels, ranging from mild to deep. Mild peels can be repeated more frequently while medium and deep peels may be repeated in 6 to 12 month intervals. It is up to you and the dermatologist to determine the depth of your peel.

After the treatment, it is very important to protect the skin from sun and bacteria. Some dermatologists may prescribe bandages, while others will give stronger sunscreen creams and lotions.  There is a possibility of skin pigmentation change after the peel. There is also a low risk of scarring, although this can be treated with other scar removal products.

Your skin after the peels will subtly show improvement. You will eventually notice a difference in texture and glow. Peels have proven to remove wrinkles, acne, blemishes, and scars. However, these results are not immune to the effects of aging and sun exposure.

Please consult your doctor or dermatologist for more information on chemical peels, and visit the American Society of Plastic Surgeons website for more research on treatments.

Filed Under: acne, Procedures, Skin Health, Treatment Tagged With: ,

LASER: Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation

July 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment
acne_laser_therapy

Laser treatment for acne is a very advanced yet effective procedure. There are typically two types of laser treatment. One is called the Diode laser treatment, using a 1450-nm diode laser. Studies have found that the diode laser effectively treats inflammatory acne. For this treatment, only a topical anesthetic is needed. Side effects may involve temporary redness and swelling.

The other treatment is called the pulsed dye laser (PDL), which is used to treat more severe cases of acne. The PDL is slightly painful; patients feel some stinging such as a rubber band snapping on skin. After the treatment, there might be some bruising that appears in the treated area and could last up to 2 weeks.

In laser treatments, a beam of light is used across the skin and gets absorbed by the red pigment of the skin. The treatment aims at closing the pores to reduce sebum (oil) production and lessens acne. Although laser treatment is known to be effective, there have been reports that some acne lesions tend to reappear after a while, depending on the individual skin type and severity of acne.

How do you know if you need laser treatment? It all depends on the type of acne you are suffering from. So, please consult your doctor and he/she will be able to help diagnose your condition and types of treatment.

Filed Under: acne, Procedures, Skin Health, Treatment Tagged With: , ,

Let There Be Light: Light Therapies for Acne Treatment

July 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Light therapy consists of exposing the skin to specific wavelengths of light. There are three main types of light therapy.

Blue light therapy functions as an absorber—there to absorb the bacteria produced by the skin. It kills P. acnes, and treats acne vulgaris most effectively. These blue lights do not contain ultraviolet (UV) light, which was what was formerly used in therapy to treat acne. People undergo blue light therapy periodically. Typically, an individual will have 2 sessions for 4 consecutive weeks, each session lasting only 15 minutes. Side affects include mild swelling and dryness.

Pulsed light and heat energy therapy, also known as LHE, combines light and heat to destroy acne-causing bacteria. LHE also shrinks sebaceous glands and decreases sebum (oil) production in the skin. Side effects include temporary redness in treated areas. Similar to blue light therapy, patients will undergo 8 sessions over a period of 4 weeks. LHE is effective and safe for treating acne vulgaris, most commonly known as red pimples, whiteheads and blackheads.

ALA and light therapy involves two steps—first, an application of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)) to the skin for 60 minutes; lastly, removing the ALA and treating the skin with light therapy. Researchers have shown that patients who receive multiple treatments of ALA and light therapy show significant acne reduction. Side effects include temporary darkening of the skin and inflammation of hair follicles.

Again, light therapy treatment for acne is a serious procedure and should only considered when topical and oral treatments don’t respond. Please talk to your doctor about the possibility of light therapy treatments.

Filed Under: acne, Procedures, Skin Health, Treatment Tagged With: , , ,

Get On the Pill? A Different Way to Combat Acne

July 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment
popular-birth-control

Birth control pills, also known as oral contraceptive pills, are typically considered when acne does not respond to the other prescription treatments. Currently there are three estrogen-progestin birth control pills that are approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) to effectively treat acne in women:

Ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate (Ortho Tri-Cyclen)

Ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone (Estrostep)

Ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone (Yaz)

Birth control pills work for acne by reducing the amount of sebum, the oily substance that makes your skin cells build up in hair follicles. Because the pill will only target the sebum, which is only one cause of acne, it is best to use other treatments alongside the pill to treat acne more effectively. You might have to wait several months to see noticeable result with birth control and your skin might get worse before getting better.

Using birth control to treat acne is generally safe and effective; however, they are not for everyone. Side effects include:

  • Headaches
  • Change in menstrual flow
  • Potential fetal problems, if taken when pregnant
  • Breast tenderness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Decreased sex drive
  • Depression

Ladies, talk to your doctor about whether birth control is suitable for you since there are a lot to choose from. Also, you might want to reconsider a different acne treatment if you have a health history of cardiovascular disease, breast or liver cancer, or blood clots.

Filed Under: acne, Products, Skin Health, Treatment Tagged With: ,

Treating Acne With Antibiotics

July 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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You might wonder, how do antibiotics work to treat acne? The most important function of an antibiotic is to decrease the number of bacteria in the follicles. They also reduce irritating chemicals as well as the concentration of free fatty acids in the sebum. Here is a list of the most commonly used antibiotics.

  • Tetracycline: the most widely prescribed antibiotic for acne. IT is the least expensive and has few side effects. It must be taken on an empty stomach either half an hour before a meal or 2 hours after a meal and should not interact with antacids or milk. Common side effects include sun sensitivity, skin pigmentation, gastrointestinal irritation, and teeth staining. It has been prove to show 25% improvement on acne in 1 month.
  • Erythromycin: the antibiotic is also very commonly used and has several advantages over tetracycline. It is an anti-inflammatory property that helps reduce redness and can be taken with food. Side effects include upset stomach and nausea but is not harmful for pregnant women.
  • Minocycline: a tetracycline derivative that is especially useful for pustular type acne. This is best taken on an empty stomach and should not be used if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Side effects include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, skin pigmentation, and teeth discoloration.
  • Doxycycline: this is a good alternative for those who cannot take erythromycin or tetracycline. It should be taken with food or else could cause severe nausea. Other side effects include: sun and light sensitivity as well as indigestion and diarrhea. You should not take this drug during pregnancy or breast-feeding.
  • Clindamycin: a semi-synthetic antibiotic topical treatment that destroys P Acnes, which is acne-causing bacteria. It is normally used to treat serious bacterial infections. Side effects include dryness and irritation. When using this treatment, it is very important to follow careful instructions so that the bacteria do not develop resistance.

Filed Under: acne, Products, Skin Health, Treatment Tagged With: , , , ,

Do It Yourself: Over-The-Counter Topical Treatments For Acne

July 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment
benzoyl_peroxide_wash

There are many different ways to go about treating acne. Looking at over-the-counter products is a great first step for easy and mild treatment of acne.

Benzoyl Peroxide: an over-the-counter (OTC) agent that comes in cream, gel, and wash form. It kills P. acnes, helps remove excess oils and dead skin cells that clog pore. It’s available in strengths varying from 2.5 to 10 percent. It may take up to 4-6 weeks to see the full effects of this medication. Commonly used brand names include: Clearasil, Oxy-10, Fostex, Persa-Gel

Salicylic Acid: This treatment slows the shedding of cells inside hair follicles, preventing pores from clogging it. It also breaks down whiteheads and blackheads. This OTC product comes in strengths 0.5 to 2 percent most commonly seen in pad applicator forms. Commonly used brand names include: Stri-dex, Clearasil Clearstick, Oxy Night Watch, BenzaClin, Retin-A

Sulfur: This OTC removes dead skin cells that clog pores and helps remove excess oil. It comes in various washes, soaps, and creams and generally peels and dries the skin. Some side effects include an unpleasant odor, skin discoloring, and redness. Sulfur is often combined with other ingredients such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or resorcinol. Commonly used brand names include: Clearasil Adult Care

Resorcinol: this OTC product is used to treat acne, eczema and psoriasis among other skin conditions. It’s generally combined with other acne medications and rarely stands alone. Resorcinol helps break down hard, rough skin that causes black and whiteheads. Resorcinol can cause skin irritation, redness and peeling because of its harsh nature. Commonly used brand names include: Clearsil Adult Care, DiebetAid Anti-Itch

Filed Under: acne, Products, Skin Health, Treatment Tagged With: , , , ,

Varicose Veins Vs. Spider Veins

July 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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You’ve probably heard of these two terms before and might have even used them interchangeably. But what is the difference between varicose veins and spider veins? Let’s see.

Varicose veins are larger, swollen blood vessels that twist and turn below the skin surface. They are palpable, which means you can feel them bulging, and are more common in the legs and thighs.

Spider veins (medically termed telanglectasias) are smaller, short fine lines that often look like a web maze. They aren’t typically palpable and most commonly appear on thighs, ankles, and feet.

There are a number of causing factors for varicose and spider veins, most of which are involuntary:

  • Heredity
  • Occupations that require a lot of standing
  • Obesity
  • Birth control pills
  • History of blood clots
  • Conditions that cause increased pressure in the abdomen
  • Skin injuries
  • UV exposure

The Closure Procedure

Women acquire varicose and spider veins more frequently than men and usually complains symptoms such as aching or cramping in the leg area. Other symptoms include tiredness, restlessness, throbbing, and heaviness in the legs.

Although varicose and spider veins are not dangerous or life threatening, it is a common beauty challenge or most women. Treatment for these veins include compression stockings, sclerotherapy, surface laser treatments, and surgery.

Compression stockings help relieve pressure on your body and usually come in the form of support pantyhose. Sclerotherapy is peformed by a doctor in which he/she uses a needle to inject a chemical liquid into the vein that will make them stick together and seal shut. This causes the vein to stop blood flow and eventually turns into scar tissue. Surface laser treatments send very strong bursts of light onto the vein and makes the vein slowly fade. Lastly, surgery is used to treat very large varicose veins by removing the veins from the leg through small cuts in the skin.

One surgery procedure is called the closure procedure, which is an alternative treatment option to traditional vein stripping surgery using new stateof the art technology. Using ultrasound, your physician will position the Closure catheter into the vein, through a small opening in the skin. The tiny catheter delivers radiofrequency (RF) energy to the vein wall which heats it, causing the collagen in the wall to shrink and the vein to close. Highlights of the Closure Procedure

For more information on how to treat varicose or spider veins, please consult a doctor.

Filed Under: Consumer Education, Skin Health Tagged With: , , , , ,

Cellulitis: A Bacterial Infection

July 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment
cellu

Cellulitis is a common skin infection caused by bacteria. It usually begins as a small area of tenderness, swelling, and redness. As the area grows, the person infected may develop a fever, chills, sweats and swollen lymph nodes. Cellulitis is most commonly seen on lower legs, although it can occur anywhere on your body or face. This is a serious skin infection and may be life-threatening if left untreated.

Cellulitis is caused by bacteria; the two most common ones are staphylococcus and streptococcus. Some risk factors for acquiring cellulitis include: cracking skin between toes, skin wounds, insect bites, ulcers from diabetes, medications that suppress the immune system, and recent surgery wounds.

Symptoms for this condition include:

  • Fever, chills, fatigue
  • Pain or tenderness
  • Redness or inflammation
  • Skin sore or rash
  • Tight, glossy, stretched skin
  • Warmth in infected area
  • Nausea

The good news is that cellulitis is not contagious and can be treated with a prescription antibiotic. Your doctor will most likely start you on an oral antibiotic and check up with you in the following 2-3 days, making sure you continue the medication for 2 full weeks. The symptoms generally clear up after a few days.

Preventing from future infections is crucial as well. Make sure to wash any skin wound you acquire with soap and water and apply antibiotic ointment right away. Also, daily good skin-care measures will be very beneficial towards preventing unwanted skin conditions such as cellulitis.

Filed Under: Skin Disease, Skin Health Tagged With: , , , ,

Accutane: Strong Yet Effective

July 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment
accutane2

Accutane, a brand name medication, is a very strong treatment for acne. Its pharmaceutical name is Isotretioin, and is guaranteed to clear up acne within 4 to 5 months. However, it is very potent medication with serious side effects and must be prescribed safely by a doctor. Accutane treats the most severe cases of acne that has not responded to other treatments. It is in a class of medications called retinoids and works by slowling down the production of certain natural substances that cause pimples to form.

There are special precautions you should know about before considering taking Accutane, such as:

  • Know your allergies and consult your doctor to see if these allergies will conflict with this medication
  • Tell your doctor all medications you have been taking, past and present
  • Tell your doctor if you have had depression, mental illness, diabetes, asthma, osteoporosis, anorexia, heart or liver disease.
  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Plan to avoid long exposure to sunlight
  • Be aware that Accutane may cause changes in your behavior and mentality
  • Be conscious when playing sports or physical activity because Accutane may cause bone weakening.

Common side effects to Accutane include:

  • red, cracked, and sore lips
  • dry skin, eyes, mouth, or nose
  • nosebleeds
  • changes in skin color
  • peeling skin, especially on the palms and soles
  • changes in the nails
  • slowed healing of cuts or sores
  • bleeding or swollen gums
  • hair loss or unwanted hair growth
  • sweating
  • flushing
  • voice changes
  • tiredness
  • cold symptoms

If you experience more serious side effects such as blurred vision, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, seizures, etc., please contact your doctor immediately.

Accutane is a very costly medication for acne treatment, but fortunately is covered by most insurance companies. Generally, a co-pay for a month’s supply of Accutane is around $30-50. Without insurance, it would be around $400-500.

Once again, Accutane is not an over-the-counter acne medication and cannot be taken lightly. Please consult your doctor for more information on this treatment and whether it is right for you.

Filed Under: acne, Products, Treatment Tagged With: ,

Feeling Flushed? A Look At Rosacea

July 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment
flush

Rosacea (ro-ZAY-she-uh) is a skin condition that causes redness on your nose, cheeks, chin and forehead and also causes burning and soreness in the eyes and eyelids. Sometimes, people may mistake for it adult acne because the outbreaks look similar to pimples. Generally, rosacea is cyclic, meaning symptoms usually come and go for weeks at a time.

Although the exact cause of rosacea is unknown, people who might have this condition tend to be fair-skinned, easily blushed, female, and between the ages of 30 and 50.  Some environmental factors can aggravate rosacea by increasing blood flow to the skin’s surface including: hot foods, alcohol, temperature extremes, sunlight, stress, strenuous exercise, hot baths, corticosteroids, and drugs that dilate blood vessels.

Symptoms include redness, increased number of spider-like blood vessels in the face, a red nose, irritated and bloodshot eyes, acne-resembling skin eruptions, and stinging sensation in the entire face.

Rosacea is generally harmless and has no real cure. Here are common ways to prevent rosacea flare-ups:

  • Avoid sun exposure. Use sunscreen every day.
  • Avoid prolonged exertion in hot weather.
  • Try to reduce stress. Try deep breathing, yoga, or other relaxation techniques.
  • Limit spicy foods, alcohol, and hot beverages.

There are topical and oral medications that can treat and reduce the symptoms of roseacea. Topical medications such as benzoyl peroxide and azelaic acid may help reduce inflammation and redness. Oral antibiotics such as tetracycline can help prevent inflammation as well. Lastly, isotretinoin, (popularly known as Accutane) a powerful medication, can also be used to treat severe inflammation. However, Accutane is very strong and requires close monitoring by a dermatologist.

Treatment and care for rosacea depends on each individual and the severity of their symptoms. Please talk to your dermatologist or physician if you think you might have this skin condition.

Filed Under: Skin Disease, Skin Health Tagged With: , , ,
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