The Basics of Makeup and Acne

Acne and Makeup 101

One of the most common mistakes that many female acne sufferers make is using the wrong makeup. Since makeup is an everyday occurrence for most women it is extremely important to have certain knowledge on the makeup you use while trying to keep your skin clear.

Makeup can be tricky for acne prone skin, so one of the most beneficial things I do as an acne specialist is provide education to my clients about makeup and brands that can irritate the acne prone. Each client who wishes to continue wearing makeup is given ample knowledge on pore clogging ingredients that can be regularly found in foundation, blush, bronzers, bbcreams, veils etc. I also make it a point to have clients check their shampoo and styling products when they work with me at the Skintherapy Acne Clinic.

The Basics

Most Makeup that is on the market today contain pore clogging ingredients. This is especially true in liquid foundations and compacted powders. Some common pore cloggers in makeup include seawhip, algae extract, wheat germ oil, carrageenans, red algae and many different types of waxes. If you see these, or any other pore clogging ingredients (see full list at utahacneclinic.com) included on the back of your makeup bottle, run in the other direction. As someone who suffers from acne, it is important to keep your makeup clean, simple, and free of ingredients that will clog your pores.

Mineral Makeup

Mineral makeup is very popular in the cosmetic world and can be safe for acne prone skin, but not all mineral makeup is created equal. Skintherapy Acne Clinic suggests using loose powder mineral foundation if you are acne-prone.  Let’s take for instance Bare Minerals Original Foundation (the loose powder) it doesn’t contain any pore cloggers.  However, Bare Minerals pressed, matte and liquid mineral makeup contain pore clogging ingredients. This is also true for most other mineral makeup brands on the market today. The only way to know that your makeup is safe, is to check the ingredients! That’s right, check the back of every container of makeup before you start using it. Makeup companies often change ingredients in their products and the only way to know is to check every separate foundation, blush, bronzers etc. - every single time you purchase. 

In fact as a side note, Bare Minerals just started adding bismuth to their Original Formula Foundation.  While this is not considered to be a pore clogging ingredient, it can cause a bumpy, red rash on some folks skin. If you find that your skin reacts harshly to bismuth, it would be smart to keep an eye out before purchasing your next pot of Bare Minerals.

For more information on acne, pore clogging ingredients and how to get clear skin see SkintherapySkincare and Acne Clinic in Salt Lake City. We can help!

 

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.
 

 

Skin care and Treating Acne

Skin care can be just as important as the treatment(s) you use to clear your acne. In fact with the proper in clinic treatments and skin care regimen acne can be controlled successfully without the use of prescriptions.

Here are some guidelines for picking the best acne skin care products;

1) Always use a cleanser in the morning and at night when treating your acne. 

2) Oily skin does best with a benzoyl peroxide type cleaner. Dry skin does best with a gentle cleanser.
 
3) If your acne is comprised of blackheads, whiteheads and your skin has a rough texture.  A scrub cleanser is best. This is non-inflamed acne

4) If your acne is painful, inflamed with pustules  a scrub should be avoided. This is inflamed acne.

5) A product for killing bacteria and light exfoliation can be used during the day.  I would suggest a serum comprised of mandelic acid, salicylic acid ,glycolic acid or Vitamin A proponent  depending on the type of skin you have and whether or not your acne is inflamed or non inflamed.

6) Always use a sunscreen during the day.  This will provide hydration and protect your skin from developing dark spots and pigmentation.  A sunscreen that is just a physical block like titanium dioxide is best for oily skin.  Dry non sensitive skin does better with a physical and chemical block type sunscreen.

7) Night time is the perfect time to use a leave on benzoyl peroxide.  However, make sure that you give your skin enough time to get use to the BPO.  Use for 15 minute increments and increase every three to four nights.  In about two weeks you should be sleeping in the Benzoyl Peroxide (BPO)

8) Always check the ingredients deck of any product you use on your face when treating your acne.  That means cleansers, moisturizers, treatment serums, benzoyl peroxide's and sunscreens to make sure they do not contain pore cloggers.  You cannot just assume they are safe for acne. Many products state they are oil free, non pore clogging or for acne.  No government agency regulates this industry. Therefore lots of words are used as marketing hype. 

Skintherapy Acne Clinic in Salt Lake City, Utah offers products and acne treatments unlike what you find at a dermatologist office.  We provide education and skin care acne products that are safe and not pore clogging.

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.

Get Rid of Body Acne

Body acne can be embarrassing and painful to endure.  If you have body acne your not alone. About 1/3 for people who struggle with facial acne also have body acne on their chest and back according to Acne.org.

The most common way people seek treatment for their body acne is through a  Dermatologists.  The Dermatologists will usually prescribe two prescription topicals and one oral medication.  The topicals may be something like Retin A or Duac.  Orals like Doxycycline, Minocin or Spironalactone. These solutions tend to be very drying, and misused.  Not to mention the health risks and dangerous side effects connected to these drugs.  However, there is a more practical, effective way to treat and control body acne as well as facial acne. 


 Skintherapy Acne Clinic in Salt Lake City, Utah can assist you in getting on an effective home care regimen and introduce personalized treatments that will deep clean your skin, kill bacteria and effectively put you on the road to finally having clear skin. Give us a call!

Adult Acne Treatments

Acne doesn't just plague teenagers, it is also a concern for many adults.  Adult acne is just as prominent in society these days and can be triggered by hormonal fluctuations, stress and poor nutrition. 

Adult acne or hormonal acne usually shows up on the lower part of the face like the jawline but can also include the cheeks.  Deep, painful,  zits that stick around for weeks is a regular complaint of adult acne suffers. So if you are struggling with adult acne/ hormonal acne and wondering if there is anything you can do to help treat the acne here are some suggestions.

- Don't pick.  Leave the deep zits and bumps alone.  Picking only makes them worse and can create scar tissue and damage the follicle.

- Get your ice out.  Ice the deep zits immediately once you feel them. 2 minutes twice a day.
 By doing this you are helping take down the inflammation associated with the zit and you may even  shorten the life of that zit.

- Reduce your stress. Get involved in meditation or yoga. Stress causes hormone fluctuations.

-For women, if you are using birth control check to make sure you are on a high estrogen, low androgen type birth control.  Low estrogen, high androgen birth control methods can irritate acne.

-Cut back on ingesting fast food and protein shakes, vitamins and milk products.  All which contain large amounts of iodides. 


- Last but not least, get on a good, non- pore clogging daily skincare regimen. An Acne Specialist can help you control your adult acne once and for all!  For more information about adult acne and hormonal acne in Salt Lake City, Utah read on.....

How To Get Rid of Blackheads

Blackheads can be found on numerous areas of the body including the face, back, and chest of acne suffers. However, the most pronounced area on the face where people seem to believe they have blackheads is on the nose. The truth is that the nose also contains natural occurring sebaceous filaments that resemble blackheads. So what's the difference between a sebaceous filament and a blackhead?  The basic rule of thumb is that an actual blackhead will be larger in size than the rest of the pores and filaments. You can push and press and pick at those sebaceous filaments but they will return by the next day.

Now blackheads on the other hand can be removed with extractions and continuous product usage.  Blackheads fit into the category of non inflammatory acne.  Products that keep the pore cleaned out and reduce the excessive shedding of dead skin cells within the pore are best suited to keep blackheads at bay and treat non inflammatory acne. Getting rid of blackheads takes time and usually calls for the use of scrub type cleansers, benzoyl peroxide and exfoliating serums.

Skin Therapy Acne Clinic in Salt Lake City, Utah can successfully treat your acne and blackheads.  For more information on how to get rid of blackheads read this article

Popping Pimples

Picking, popping, scratching or doing at home extractions often becomes a bad habit for those people suffering from acne. You see picking your acne can cause damage to the pore and actually drive the pimple or pustule deeper back into the skin. Hence causing more inflammation and even scarring. Picking can also spread bacteria.
A great alternative to picking is actually icing the acne lesion as soon as you feel it coming up.
I recommend taking a small paper cup ( like a dixie cup) filling it with water and placing it in the freezer.  Once it's frozen it's ready to be used.  Remove from the freezer and gently roll it around the entire face, in circular motions for about two minutes.  You can also focus the ice filled cup on single acne lesions using circular motions as well.  Just make sure you don't hold the ice in one place too long. It is possible to get an "ice burn" if not careful.  Icing your acne will help take down inflammation and also help the penetration of the acne products and skincare you are using.
So when in doubt, pull the ice out and leave the extractions to a professional! For more information on acne treatments click here.

What is the cause of Acne?

Acne is Hereditary. Plain and simple!  But what goes on in the pore of a person with acne vs a person without acne is very interesting.  A normal pore (hair follicle) has a lining, which sloughs off naturally once a day.  A pore of someone with acne sloughs off up to five times a day. The body doesn't know how to handle all this debris and so it gets trapped in the pore, mixes with oil and dirt and ultimately forms an acne lesion.  One might see a blackhead emerge, whitehead (the white is the white blood cells trying to fight off the bacteria) pustule, papule or cyst.  If something isn't done to "clean" out this pore and keep it "clean"  it continues to become inflammed, irritated, full of bacteria and debris.

Did you know that a pimple or acne lesion starts forming in the pore,and can take up to 3 months to hit the surface of your skin?  There is no cure for Acne, however it can be controlled.  I suggest using a regimen of Benzoyl Peroxide (BPO) and exfoliating serums that suit your type of acne (Combination, inflammatory or non-inflammatory)such as mandelic, salicylic or glycolic. Get regular cleansing, exfoliating and extraction treatments from an esthetician and you'll find success.   For more information or to ask a question.  Email me at jilgoorman@hotmail.com or visit my site at  www.skintherapslc.com