Acne Magazine : Skin Care, Tips, Treatment Reviews

I have just started a body wrap and cellulite reduction program through a local salon by me, and I think I may actually be getting a little fringe benefit that I wouldn’t have expected – less blemishes.  It’s either just because my hormones are really settled right now (coincidence), or that the thermal body wraps that are part of the regimen are helping my facial skin clarity and tone.  Not only have I noticed my blemishes improving, but my skin looks “fresh”.

Of course, that could be because I’m sweating my butt off with every body wrap since it’s a thermal (infrared) body wrap which produces extreme heat so as to penetrate the layers of skin and the deeper fat layers and prepare them for a massage therapy that then breaks up the fatty tissue beneath, and hence the cellulite.

Here’s how the thermal (infrared) wraps work that I’m having done now, twice a week, alternating it with a machine that sort of massages the fat and cellulite and smooths the skin out in problem areas like the thighs and buttocks.  You are laid out on a table with towels covering what they call “hot spots” that tend to get too hot and can even burn your skin if your skin is not protected. 

It’s a rubber wrap that you are wrapped tightly in, and you basically sit there while it heats up for 50 minutes, and sweat like you’ve never sweated before.  It greatly increases circulation and also is said to have detoxifying effects since you are supposed to sweat a lot of the toxins out of your body. 

This may also account for the skin benefits, but I can’t be sure of course because I don’t know enough about the science of these treatments to know for sure that they would benefit that skin.  It just seems to be a small benefit that I’ve personally noticed.  Hmm, maybe this could not only be a treatment for my cellulite, but sort of a complementary alternative treatment for acne prevention. 

I read a very interesting article the other day about the glycemic index, or glycemic load, and acne.  It was about how new evidence not only shows that glycemic-conscious diets that are higher in fiber, and therefore lowwer on glycemic index scale may help those with acne clear their skin condition more easily. 

The “Glycemic index” as it has been termed is merely a description of how certain foods affect your blood glucose levels.  Glycemic-based diets are centered on the theory that foods high on the glycemic scale, which cause surges in the glucose levels in your blood, or your blood sugar, actually will not only negatively impact your weight, mood and ability to burn calories efficently and think clearly, but may also actually add to the contributing factors of acne. 

What this means is that eating a diet rich in protein and fiber rich foods can actually help you to clear your face up, along with a good skin care routine.  It’s the first time that modern science is actually acknowledging something that we talk about here on Acnemagazine.com all the time.  That diet and lifestyle habits do impact acne, and can both irritate it and help make it go away. 

We’ve talked countless times about how sugars and bad diets make our faces flare up, and many of us (including myself) suffer breakouts from drinking caffeinated drinks and other stimulants, all of which many times can have a high impact on the glycemic load in your blood, making your blood sugar surge and then crash.  This not only causes a foul mood and erratic appetite and weight gain, but now modern science is acknowledging something we already all know -it makes your acne worse! 

So, diet does affect acne and we can all rest assured that if we eat better and focus more on whole grains instead of white breads, stay away from the potatoes and other simple starches, and increase out intake of healthy fats and veggies and fruits, we are putting our best foot forward to help save our skin and treat our acne naturally. 

I am checking into Restalyne soon at a dermatologist/cosmetic guy around here in my neighborhood soon, and while I’m in there asking him about how I can fill in my increasingly bad crows feet, if he can maybe inject some pothole scars in my face from acne, namely one that I can’t seem to diminish completely with home microdermabrasion and other acne scar kits that I’ve tried that no doubt work well, but cannot completely get rid of this very deep one.

This one is right by the fold by my nose, and I think that as I’ve aged the depth of it has gotten worse because my face has sort of lost some of it’s tightness, so the hole seems to have gotten wider and deeper.  I’ve read before that cosmetic dermatologists can actually use dermal fillers such as Restalyne and other popular fillers to fill in some acne scars or other trauma scars on other areas of the body, but it just may require a little more filler and be more expensive to do it.

I did inquire about the cost, and it usually costs you per syringe, so this guy charges about $500 per syringe, and it depends on how many wrinkles or scars you would want filled as to how many syringes he will use on you.  Also, I was advised that it would last around 6-8 months before you would need to go in for touchup fillings, and you would of course then again need to pony up the money for the next syringe. 

I’ll keep you all posted, as I have a consultation appointment to talk about this further with his aesthetician in two weeks, and I of course will be sharing any of that information with all of you!  If anyone has any experience with fillers for acne scars, please share them here in comments! 

I think that being on the birth control pill Ortho Tri Cyclen is actually helping my acne after about a month and a half on it.  I finally noticed that it was helping yesterday, when I looked in the mirror and had less bumps on my face, and also when I wash my face, I notice that I feel smoother.  I will say though, that being on the pill tends to make my face look more uneven it seems, at least until I actually grow accustomed to it.  I guess what I mean by uneven is that the coloring is off.  It’s not all one even color, whether it’s tan or pale, like it should be.

I went on the generic form of the Ortho Tri Cyclen pill, which actually concerned me because my doctor did tell me that contrary to what most people think, generics of medications do not actually legally have to be identical to their brand name counterparts, but they do have to have a percentage of similarity to pass the “generic” test.  It concerned me since I thought that the reason that specifically Ortho Tri Cyclen was recommended for those that have acne was that it had a specific blend of hormones and inert ingredients that helped with the production of acne and excess oil by hormonally balancing the body. 

However, my physician also told me that several birth control pills do help with acne, even the ones that are not triphasic in nature, but they just can’t claim that because they didn’t pay to have the studies done like Ortho did to be able to make the claim that it can help clear acne.  So, from there I guess that I made the decision that it was ok to get the generic, and I’m glad I did make that decision since most insurance companies will pay significantly more of the cost of the medication if you go with generic, and it seems I am getting the same results as I would have with brand name. 

I still have some acne, and don’t believe that the pill should be used as the only means to clear it, so I’ll keep buying and trying products to review and see if I like, but I think the pill is helping.  The weight gain sucks though.  I don’t care what they say, the pill does make you gain weight – at least for me it does. 

Recently, the FDA has stepped up and tightened regulations for herbal supplements, dietary supplements and vitamins, so this could logically include a lot of vitamins or supplements for acne prevention and treatment if they fit the FDA’s target criteria.  But so far, not to worry, they are not going to be taking away supplements, what they are doing is actually a protective measure to make sure that vitamins and supplements have what they say they have and nothing that they say they don’t have in them, for safety and consumer protection purposes. 

As of June of 2007, the FDA mandated that all of the ingredients used in the production of vitamins and herbal and dietary supplements will have to be tested by the manufacturer and strictly labeled as to what they actually contain in them.The most recent crackdown stems from concern over existing rulings being too lax with substandard vitamins and supplements slipping through to be marketed.   Under the old rulings, there were instances of contamination and sometimes products didn’t contain the dietary ingredients as stated on the label.

The specific instances that prompted the newer, stricter mandates were supplements found that did not contain the level of vitamin A and vitamin C that they claimed.  The other situation was some supplements that contained active ingredients that are used in the prescription drugs for erectile dysfunction that were not declared.
Harsher regulations for manufacturers will allow the FDA to remove a product from the shelves, seize the product or, in more severe cases, file a lawsuit and seek criminal charges.   These measures may be taken if, upon inspection, a product does not contain what the manufacturer says it does or if any ingredient is considered to be contaminated.
 Most companies do test their ingredients that are used in their herbal and supplemental products.  Manufacturers, for the most part, have already set high standards in the natural food and supplement industry.  The FDA’s newer, tighter regulations will ensure that all manufacturers will have to comply with testing of their ingredients for the safety of the general public.
 The few manufacturers that have not been compliant with strict testing and accurate labeling will have to either raise the bar of quality standards or face much harsher consequences if they don’t.  A higher degree of accountability will be expected in the herbal, vitamin and natural dietary supplement industries, including acne skin vitamins and possibly herbal supplements for acne. 

Benzoyl peroxide is in many topical preparations for the treatment of acne. It is considered an antiseptic and it’s mode of action against acne is it reduces the number of bacteria on the surface of the skin.  Some over the counter products contain both of these or one of them, and higher end acne treatment systems like Clear Pores may also contain these ingredients, which are known for helping to treat acne on the outside. 
 Benzoyl peroxide is the active compound in many lotons, gels and creams. Some of the different trademark names for it include OXY, NeoBenz Micro, Basiron, Brevoxyl  and Benzac.  Usually, you apply the gel or cream to the affected area.  Besides it’s antibacterial action, benzoyl peroxide causes increased skin turnover which helps to clear pores.
 Possible adverse reactions to benzoyl peroxide are irritation and dryness and, for more sensitive skin, sometimes burning, itching or swelling.
Usually, benzoyl peroxide is an effective means of controlling acne with it’s antibacterial and peeling action.  Care should be taken to avoid getting on clothing as it’s a bleaching agent.  When you start using a topical preparation with benzoyl peroxide, start with the lowest concentration first and then build to higher concentration to develop your skin’s tolerance to it.
 Salicylic acid is another compound used in skin care to control acne.  It’s means of action is also as a peeling agent, an oil reducer and a cleanser of pores.  Salicylic acid is available in different concentrations in topical preparations for use in skin hygiene.  It reduces blackheads and exfoliates the complexion. 

 Topical treatments for acne that contain salicylic acid are plentiful.  In reading on the subject, many of the treatments mentioned it’s usefulness for use on aging skin as well as for acne, due to it’s exfoliating properties.
 From the information gathered, benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid both appear to be an effective way to control mild to moderate acne.  Both compounds have similar effects on the skin as both are peeling agents.  Benzoyl peroxide has the added quality of being antiseptic and antibacterial, however,and that might give it an edge.

If your skin is oily, you would probably be interested in natural methods to control the shiny look and minimize the chance of developing blackheads or pimples.  Oily skin is more common in teenagers but can occur at any age.  It can occur with acne or acne rosacea and needs special skincare.  The most basic means of caring for oily skin is the cleansing routine.  For this, choose either a pure soap without any additives or a lightly medicated soap.  Another good choice for washing your face is an antibacterial cleansing lotion.
 The frequency of washing your face should be no more than two to three times a day.  The temperature of the water should be hot since this will dissolve the oils on your skin more readily.  Your age will be a factor when deciding whether to use a moisturizer or not.  If you are under 30, no moisturizer is recommended, but if you are over 30, you may want a light moisturizer by your eyes and mouth to keep fine lines from forming.
 Exfoliation is recommended if you have oily skin that gets scaly, but use this only every two to three days.  At night, you could use an antiseptic night cream designed for oily skin.  If you wear makeup, make sure it is the kind for use on oily skin types. There are a number of natural products you can try applying to your face that specifically help with an oily complexion.  One suggestion is a mixture of lime and cucumber juice applied to your face prior to bathing. 

The applicaton of cucumber juice lightly on the very oily areas of your face before putting on your makeup avoids the problem of your cosmetics looking patchy.  You can custom make your own clay mask that is very effective for diminishing an oily appearance to your face.  Mix 1 teaspoon of green clay and 1 teaspoon of honey, apply to your face avoiding the eyes, leave this on for 15 minutes and rinse well. 

Another natural method to decrease facial oiliness is to mix lemon juice and water together, apply to the face and let it dry, then rinse with warm water and follow with a cool rinse and pat dry.  Witch Hazel is natural also and is known for it’s ability to absorb oil on the skin.  Certain herbs are known to be beneficial in the care of oily skin.   A mist of lavender water on your face several times a day will decrease an oily appearance. 

Other herbs may be used in a facial sauna meant especially for oily skin. Lemon grass, licorice root and rosebuds may be used for this purpose as well and can serves as some of the best natural acne treatments, or you can purchase one that’s got a lot of the best ingredients in natural acne treament available today. 

As you know, if you’ve been reading this blog for any amount of time, I think that there are several natural solutions that will work just as well as medications professionally prescribed for acne, whether you are an adult or teen. 

Of course, not every product is going to do the trick for every person, so as with medical acne medications, there is always an “experimental” period to be had with herbal acne remedy supplements just as many times a dermatologist may play around with a few different types of acne medications for their patients before finding the one that attacks the correct source of the acne in that individual patient. 

For minor cases of acne, decreasing stress levels, treating your face with benzoyl peroxide and other over the counter topical treatments will probably suffice.  But for more severe forms of acne, including cystic acne and forms of acne that could leave serious scarring throughout life and wear away at self esteem, more aggressive treatment is often called for.

Isotretinoin is one such drug for serious cases of acne that don’t respond to mere topical treatments.  Isotretinoin, in the oral form, is known by different trade names such as Accutane, Amnesteem, Clavaris or Roaccutane.  Isotretinoin is derived from vitamin A and is considered a retinoid.   Isotretinoin, the infamous Accutane, works by inhibiting production of sebum and reducing the size of sebaceous glands.  This medication should be taken after eating a high fat meal for better absorption thereby increasing it’s effectiveness.  Isotretinoin is available by prescription here and in the U.K.. 

There is a version of isotretinoin that is a topical preparation on the market also.  Isotretinoin in it’s oral form has a list of side effects that is rather extensive and the individual taking it should be aware of what they are.  Your dermatologist should advise their patients of these.  Isotretinoin is not meant to be taken in combination with Tetracycline.

Another approach to medically treating moderate to severe acne is the use of Tetracycline antibiotics.  They are taken orally and the antibacterial action suppresses acne and rosacea. 

Tetracycline should not be taken with dairy products as it decreases it’s effectiveness.  Tetracycline is available by prescription so you must be under the care of a dermatologist for this mode of treatment.  For acne that is unresponsive to over the counter treatments and persists or worsens, it’s worthwhile to consult a dermatologist to control the acne and save the young person’s self esteem. 

I was on tetracycline for a while as an adolescent, and to be honest, it worked for a while and then just stopped working on me.  I also had to stay out of the sun as it increased my sensitivity to sunlight, and I’m convinced that being on antibiotics for long periods of time now is very detrimental to one’s health and can even cause health issues later in life – this is my personal opinion, but it happens to be shared by many others as well. 

Cystic acne differs from regular acne with topical pimple and blackhead problems.  Cystic acne affects deeper skin tissue than other acnes.  It is a more severe form of acne and should be treated by a dermatologist.  Cystic acne is more common in teenage years and usually occurs on the face.  The nodules or cysts should never be squeezed or fussed with as it may lead to a deeper infection than it was initially. 

 With cystic acne, inflammatory sebaceous cysts occur, instead of just the pustules and blackheads associated with other forms of acne.  It is caused by excess secretion of oil by the sebaceous glands.  Cystic acne’s causes are many.   Hormonal activity, stress, family history and bacteria in the pores all play a role in this type of acne as well as other types.
 A combination of treatments are used to combat cystic acne.  Most alternative acne treatments are aimed at either the hormonal basis, anti- inflammatory or antibacterial.  Exfoliation treatments for the skin are one method and pads using salicylic acid are often utilized.  Another mode of treatment is the use of topical bactericides such as benzoyl peroxide.  For the hormonal approach, oral contraceptives may be used for females. 

 If under the care of a dermatologist, oral retinoids may be prescribed.  Phototherapy, using red and blue light may be used.  Accutane may be prescribed if under the care of a dermatologist.  Accutane has been found to be highly effective in treating cystic acne, but has many precautions for taking.  Your dermatologist would inform you of these, but of course we here at AcneMagazine.com believe that there are several alternative acne treatments that work on many levels to help adolescents and adults clear up their acne on a long term basis without antibiotics or potentially harmful prescription drugs.

If you’re a woman, chances are, your attention was drawn toward a recent news story about how a new pill to actually stop periods has been approved by the FDA.  And why would they recommend a pill that stops the female menstrual period?  Well, there may be some medical reasons, but I can also think of a lot of women, young and old who’d really love to not have periods.  My hunch is that women with severe cramping, headaches and other health issues around the menstrual period would be the primary candidates for this pill. 

Anyways, since other pills that regulate the period (the birth control pill), actually have been very helpful in clearing up acne in women, do you think maybe this pill that stops periods helps with female acne?  I thought it might, so I read a little more on the topic. 

The pill, called Lybrel, is designed as a birth control pill, and is designed to be taken continuously.  It will prevent pregnancy and also prevent the oncoming of the period, which means it most likely may also have acne clearing benefits for some of its users.  Using birth control pills as a means to help clear up hormonal acne is always a gamble, because as we’ve all read, one birth control pill may clear someone’s face miraculously while that same pill may actually make another women’s acne worse. 

However, Lybrel, the pill that ends the period, may not come out with any claims to this nature anyways, especially since they would probably have to commission expensive studies to be able to say that the pill helps to clear up the acne on a woman’s body.  Only problem with the Lybrel pill is that a lot of women that were in the studies for the birth control pill before it was approved didn’t like the breakthrough menstrual bleeding and spotting that unfortunately has to replace the bleeding when one’s period is stopped. 

I don’t know – is it just me, or does stopping the menstrual cycle alltogether seem unnatural?  I don’t think, even though obviously sometimes periods are hard to deal with – especially PMS and the ensuing inevitable acne that usually pops around that lovely time of month, I’d want to completely give up my period until menopause!  Never thought I’d say that out loud!