The Run Down on Clear Skin: Lifestyle Changes to Control your Acne / Part 1

If we have said it once, we will say it a million times again - the best way to clear acne is to consistently use the correct products. While we absolutely suggest using  these products to keep your pores clear, there are a few things you can do at home that will help with your breakouts while using our product regimen.  

Over the next two posts, we are going to discuss a few lifestyle changes that are proven to support our clearing process and keep your pores clean. You should be making these changes while working with Skintherapy Skincare and Acne Clinic of Salt Lake City. We will add safe extractions and a guided program of product use to your new lifestyle choices and your acne won’t stand a chance against the both of us together!

 Here are the first 4 changes you need to make at home. Keep an eye out for our next post - where we will discuss the last 4 lifestyle changes. All together, these 8 new habits will become essential in clearing your skin.

 1.    Stay away from iodides like iodized salt.

You've probably heard that staying away from chocolate or greasy foods will help keep your skin clear, but those aren't the most dangerous foods for acne sufferers. In reality, iodides are the real problem. Please watch out for food, vitamins and sports drinks that contain iodides, iodine or potassium iodides. This includes too much shellfish, seaweed, fast foods and dairy products.  

2. No “high androgen” foods.

Foods that are “high androgen” include peanuts, peanut oil, peanut butter, corn oil, wheat germ, shellfish & organ meats. These contain hormones that irritate acne. Skip the peanut butter on your morning toast from now on! Almond butter is a better choice.

3.  Consult our list of pore clogging ingredients when buying your cosmetics.

You need to start looking at all the ingredients in your makeup, body wash and hair products. Stay away from products that contain these ingredients. We suggest using Priia Cosmetics, which you can get at the Skintherapy Acne Clinic.  

4. Change the way you do laundry.

First, please only use fragrance-free detergents such as Cheer Free, All Free & Clear, Tide Free or Arm & Hammer Free. Make sure to check your detergents like you check the ingredients in your cosmetics. You also need to eliminate all fabric softeners, especially on your pillow cases. Fabric softeners leave a waxy residue on your sheets that can clog pores on those of us who are acne prone. We suggest using dryer balls if you are still worried about static in your laundry. 

In the end, lifestyle changes can be just as important to your clearing process as our products. You will need both to achieve clear skin and we will provide continual support to you in both areas. Please give us a call and schedule your appointment to learn more about clearing your skin!

Cystic Acne

The Real Deal on Cystic Acne

          Now that we’ve talked about the different types of non-inflamed acne, it’s time to dig into cystic acne. Unlike blackheads and whiteheads, cystic acne causes inflammation as well as pimples. This inflammation can turn into a cyst and will take about 90 days to run its full course. Cystic acne can be painful and the pain generally lasts as long as the cyst is active. Like all acne, cystic acne happens when a person has the inherited tendency to break out, but they also need to have the inherited tendency of inflammation. Acne cysts often resemble boils or nodules that are deeper pockets underneath the skin generally filled with white blood cells. At the surface they may present as a shallow looking whitehead at times but not always. This type of acne has a tendency to scar very easily.

 

           In general, cystic acne seems to be receptive to antibacterial and anti-inflammatory topical products. No harsh scrubbing or mechanical exfoliation should be used with cystic acne.  We also recommend a few different types of supplements to help with the inflammation. Icing is also a great tool to help relieve the pain and reduce redness.

           Folks with cystic acne often wait the longest to seek serious help with their breakouts because it can be less noticeable to other people, but it is actually rather important to treat this type of acne as soon as possible. This is because the longer the inflammation lasts, the more likely you are to scar. Since this type of acne sits under the skin, it is actually more common for a patient to come in for the pain, rather than for appearance purposes. We do urge anyone fighting cystic acne to get in for help right away. We do still see a lot of redness and irritation with cystic acne, just less bumps and pimples.

           If you are suffering from cystic acne please give  Skintherapy Skincare and Acne Clinic of Salt Lake City a call and start your clearing process today.

        

Why You Should Check Ingredients in Your Cosmetics

Keep checking the ingredients in the products you use!

The second most common mistake that female acne sufferers make when trying to achieve clear skin is to ignore the ingredients in beauty products, especially in those products that advertise “acne safety.”

How many times have you walked into a store and noticed labels that read ACNE SAFE, FOR ACNE, or WON'T CLOG YOUR PORES? When you suffer from acne, it’s pretty exciting to see something that promises to be safe for your skin. Most folks think that products advertised as “ACNE SAFE,” should be just that and will only help your skin - but can you actually trust the labels on all the products you see.

The unfortunate answer to that question is no. The truth is that most over the counter products that claim to help fight acne, still contain pore clogging ingredients. We cannot trust these product labels or claims because they are not regulated. That’s right, no one checks to make sure there aren't active pore clogging ingredients in these products. No agency really cares if these manufacturers are advertising these skin clearing claims to simply sell product rather than actually clear skin.

Products can even change their ingredients without telling you!

A lot of times my clients will be using - what they think are acne safe products, which they have been using for long periods of time, only to find out that the ingredients have changed suddenly and their skin is suffering for it. One of the most beneficial things about working with an acne specialist is your access to the most up to date information on common pore clogging ingredients. In order to maintain clear skin, it is extremely important to have the most up to date knowledge on pore-cloggers and to check all product labels and ingredient lists as you buy each individual product you use.

PLEASE,  PLEASE,  PLEASE, do not trust all the product labels you see, as they could be leaving you with worse skin than you started with. At Skintherapy Skincare and Acne Clinic of Salt Lake City, we know what ingredients need to be present or not present in your products and we can help instruct you on the best skincare, hair care, and makeup for your skin. This is only one of the facets of acne treatment that we specialize in and working with me on clearing your skin will ensure the most knowledge on acne safe ingredients in products.

More on Acne Scar Treatments and how Micro Needling can help!

If you suffer from acne scaring that is pitted or depressed and looking for a solution to treat your acne scarring while smoothing out your complexion I suggest Micro-Needling. The most popular micro-needling system available today is the Dermapen. This is an affordable in-office treatment that delivers some impressive results.

Why is your skin pitted or depressed in the first place? 

Acne Scarring

These types of scars are generally caused by the inflammation of cystic acne. The inflammation compromises your follicle wall and damages collagen to the point of causing depression or elevation. Scarring can also be caused by picking your acne.

How does micro-needling and Dermapen system fix your scars.

The Dermapen system works by stimulating the growth of new tissue within your skin. New collagen and elastin is generated in the skin by breaking up the fibrous and uneven scar tissue. The end result is reduced inconsistencies in the skin and a more even skin texture.

Why Dermapen over other acne scarring treatments?

The Dermapen system which is based on micro-needling has been compared to other fractional treatments in the industry but causes less epidermal damage, downtime and recovery. This is a cheaper option that ensures smoother skin without a harsh, long term recovery. A series of micro needling treatments with the Dermapen will ensure the best results, lighter scars, improved skin texture and less recovery time. 

 

There are several articles on the internet about micro-needling. I thought I'd share this one that appeared in the Los Angeles, CBS local new July 2014.

For more information about the acne scarring treatments available from Skintherapy Acne Clinic of Utah visit our site. 

Treating Acne Scars

 

Acne Scar Types

Scarring from acne is a reality that many folks have to face everyday, but just as The Skin Therapy Acne Clinic provides treatment for acne that result in clear & beautiful skin - we can also help with your acne scarring!

Acne is the sort of disorder that can be heartbreaking while it’s active & then leave reminders of that heartbreak once it has been cleared. These reminders come in the form of scars & post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation or PIH.

 PIH is commonly known as dark spots or discoloration in your skin. This condition, while leftover from acne, is not actually considered acne scarring. The great news is that while PIH is not considered to be acne scarring, it is treatable!

 Acne scars, by true definition, are the marks on the skin where it is pitted or depressed. There are several types of acne scarring. Let’s explain a few.

 

Ice Pick: Looks like an ice pick has been pressed into the skin. It is generally small in diameter, but can be shallow or deep.

Boxcar: Looks somewhat like a chicken pox scar with more rounded edges. It can be small or large in diameter and is fairly deep, though not usually as deep as ice pick scars.

Rolling or Atrophic: Looks like a smooth indentation in the skin. These scars can be deep or shallow, but are generally shallower.

Do these look familiar to you? If so, we can help! At Skin Therapy Acne Clinic we use micro needling to help lighten and refine acne scars.  The Dermapen system is our micro needling choice for treatment. Dermapen treatments deliver exceptional results with minimal downtime.

We also treat PIH , red spots, brown spots or discoloration with a personalized acne treatment plan. Please visit the Acne Scarring section of our website to learn more about your scars and our options for acne scarring treatment!

If you are suffering from the left overs of acne in the form of scarring or PIH, Skin Therapy Acne Clinic of Salt Lake can help.

Why are Acne Specialists different from Dermatologist? A letter from a Real Client.

Easy! You will build a relationship with your acne specialist over your treatments for acne that a doctor simply cannot provide for you!

Hi everyone,

My name is Kelsey & I have been seeing Jil with the Skin Therapy Acne Clinic of Salt Lake City for about 4 months. Right now, I have clear, beautiful skin! Before Jil, I had been suffering from non cystic acne for over 10 years. I had been to multiple dermatologist, tried multiple treatments & had pretty close to zero results.

 

As someone who has been through many different failed acne experiences & now, one successful experience, I’d love to be the one to tell you that clear skin is just the first reason you should be seeing an Acne Specialists rather than a doctor or dermatologist. The second and maybe most exciting reason to see a specialist is due to the relationship you build with them!

To tell the truth, I never felt I had an extremely bad experience in the dermatologist office while I was seeing them. My biggest complaints were always that I truly felt there was no hope for clearing my acne (because it never cleared) & I always sat too long in the waiting room before seeing the doctor.

BUT NOW! After going through Jil’s treatment for acne and finally coming out on the other side with clear skin, I can look back on my time with dermatologists and say I’m more than disappointed in my prior experiences, I'm actually down right mad!

Here’s why.. 

I learned more about acne after my first meeting with Jil, than I ever had in my entire life!  When I left her studio, I understood what caused my acne, how to treat it & even had an idea of how long it would take to clear my skin. It was extremely obvious to me that she not only knew what she was talking about, but that she was confident in clearing my skin! I had never left an appointment about my skin with that much knowledge, let alone feeling like anyone was any bit confident in their acne treatment plan.

 So, due to her knowledge and confidence, I knew I was onto something good after just one appointment, but I would have never known how truly great seeing an acne specialist was until I continued with my treatment for acne! 

Seeing a specialist means that you are in their studio every other week for extractions and treatment planning. This ensures that there is someone taking every single step in clearing your skin with you!

 
Can you even imagine! Someone is with you to answer your questions, test products, explain certain reactions, track your progress, fix any problems, talk about your day, become your friend… anything! Acne specialists are just as passionate about clearing your skin as you are! I had never felt this way about any dermatologist or doctor that I had ever seen. Having such a relationship with patients is just not the way a doctors office works.
 

After just a few weeks, I started looking forward to my appointments with Jil because I knew I would continue to get answers about my acne & it was fun to chat with her in general! Appointments get extremely enjoyable when you start seeing results! Can you imagine sharing that progress with someone, like a cheerleader routing for you from the beginning all the way until the end!

So now that I have clear skin, I think about acne specialists as the answer to acne rather than just another option. Jil, has not only become my acne specialist, but my friend & I very seriously question why acne specialists aren’t the only option when it comes to fighting broken out skin! If everyone just started with a specialist, they would not only be clear, but would actually enjoy the clearing experience.

 Please, if you are struggling with acne, call the the Skin Therapy Acne Clinic of Salt Lake, Utah.  They can help get your acne under control.

 

Body Acne-Getting Rid of Body Acne

Body acne can be as embarrassing and frustrating as having acne on your face.  The summer time can be especially challenging for those who suffer from body acne since swimsuits and tank tops become the norm during the hot summer months.  Fortunately, body acne can be controlled with the right skincare regimen and some dedication. But plan ahead-starting treatment well before you have to put on that bathing suit is my suggestion.

Body acne can be mild, moderate or severe. Knowing the characteristics  of inflamed body acne verses non-inflamed body acne will help in selecting the correct acne treatment and products for your skin.

Characteristics of Inflamed Body Acne:
Redness, hot/warm to the touch, more pimples, pustules and inflamed zits.  Less blackheads. Generally sensitive and reacts easily to products.

Treatment:
Wash with antibacterial cleanser with benzoyl peroxide a.m/p.m- No scrub
Anti-fungal/ exfoliating day serum
Non pore clogging sunscreen
Leave on benzoyl peroxide for night time- 10%

Characteristics of Non Inflamed Body Acne:
Dull and sluggish appearance, blackheads/whiteheads more predominant than inflamed zits.
Tissue congestion, skin is generally not sensitive or reactive to products.

Treatment:
Wash with scrub type cleanser a.m/p.m.
Exfoliating day serum with glycolic acid
Non pore clogging sunscreen
Leave on benzoyl peroxide for night time-10%

When treating body acne being consistent with homecare is very important. In clinic visits are also important while you are trying to clear up your acne. In clinic visits should consist of extracting, disinfecting and exfoliating the surface. This speeds up the process of getting clear and  will lighten old acne scarring from previous breakouts.   
Give yourself a good three to four months to get your body acne totally under control. And remember, Acne is a disease that can be controlled but not cured!  So stick with your homecare routine once your clear.
Need help or want  more information on treating Body Acne in Salt Lake City, Utah visit Skintherapy Skincare and Acne Clinic.
 

 

Best Treatment for Acne Scarring

Acne scarring impacts an individual's life both physically and emotionally.  Acne scarring is usually found in those patients who suffer or suffered from inflammatory and or cystic acne.  Deep pockets of inflammation and bacteria over time degrade the skin and cause damage to the skin's structure.  Leaving behind usually three types of scarring-1) ice picks 2) box car scars and 3) rolling.

Over the years there has been many different treatments for scarring which have produced varying amounts of success.  Historically, these therapies have been ablative like laser resurfacing or laser fractional resurfacing.  These therapies are expensive, have extensive downtimes and may produce serious side effects such as infection and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation or PIH. 

So what about a treatment for acne scarring that delivers results, costs less, have less down time after treatment and has less side effects?  Sounds too good to be true?  Skintherapy Acne Clinic in Salt Lake City, Utah offers such a therapy.  It's called the Dermapen Fractional Dermabrasion. Click to read more about this amazing treatment.