Antibiotics and Acne - More Harm than Good?

At Skintherapy Skincare and Acne Clinic of Salt Lake City, we fight acne with an individualized program of product use, lifestyle changes and safe extractions. It is usually a 12 week process to get clear and then continued product use keeps your skin clear. We see continued success with this process and often times we help people who have tried many other techniques without ever seeing clear skin. One of the most common and failed treatments for acne we see in our clinic is prescription antibiotics. In our experience, it is extremely clear that antibiotics do more harm than good when treating acne. Please read on to learn more about the dangers of antibiotics

A quick background on acne and antibiotics: Antibiotics have become an extremely popular treatment for acne. Dermatologist and doctors have been prescribing antibiotics for decades and about 90% of my clients have been prescribed antibiotics as an acne treatment at one point or another. Some of the most popular are erythromycin, tetracycline clindamycin, and doxycycline.

What is the original logic behind prescribing antibiotics for acne?
The whole idea behind antibiotics is that they fight bacteria, so if bacteria is your problem (strep throat, a bacterial flu, etc.) an antibiotic will work to kill that bacteria in your body and ultimately make you feel better. The thought behind using antibiotics to fight off acne is based on the assumption that acne is just caused by bacteria. 

So why aren't the antibiotics working to control breakouts?
Many of my clients who have used antibiotics in the past saw little to no results at all. In some cases folks had seen a change at first, but their acne came back over time. The problem with this entire idea is that acne isn't only caused by bacteria, it is a problem in the pores of your skin. If you are acne prone, your pores are over producing and shedding skin cells at an extremely quick pace. Your body cannot keep up with this excessive shedding and your dead skin cells are mixing with your natural oils to cause growth in bacteria. Your pore becomes the ultimate breading grounds for micro-comeodones. These are the beginning of zits.

If antibiotics are not treating your acne, what are they doing to your body?
The worst part about prescribing these antibiotics for acne is not that they actually don't work in clearing your skin, but that they can cause harm to your body. Some side effects of taking antibiotics include, stomach and intestinal problems, continuous vaginal yeast infections in women, permanently stained teeth, nausea and diarrhea. We are also seeing new, serious bacterial infections that are resistant to antibiotics. Staph infection and MRSA are becoming more common and harder to treat because of over prescribing antibiotics.

Ultimately, you do not need antibiotics to clear your skin. We see results with every one of our clients and we highly suggest staying away from antibiotics. We would love to
help you clear your skin in a safe and healthy manner. Please visit our website to schedule a consultation UtahAcneClinic.com.

Treatments for Acne. No prescriptions, just clear skin!

Have you exhausted every option trying to control your acne?  Skintherapy Acne Clinic in Salt Lake City can he  Take a look at some of our happy clients then give us a call 801-808-6708

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.

How to Treat Cystic Acne

Cystic Acne is the most visible of all the acne types and is also the type of acne that leaves permanent pitted scarring.  Cystic Acne is seen most in adolescent boys, it is characterized by large red pustules and cysts, it is also very painful for the sufferer.

The good news is that this can be the easiest acne to get under control. Because it is on the surface of the skin, it usually responds very quickly to the right anti-inflammatory products. These products must be used in the correct way, however, in order for the regimen to be effective.

The best ingredients to use for cystic pimples is  mandelic acid, salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide (sometimes mixed with sulfur) used correctly.

 We at Skintherapy Acne clinic know how to test your skin to make sure you are getting the correct strength of products. We can coach you through the process of getting rid of your cystic acne in the quickest time possible.  For information on treating cystic acne in Salt Lake City click here.