Acne Magazine : Skin Care, Tips, Treatment Reviews

I recently got a Groupon offering for a laser acne treatment called Smoothbeam, that I don’t think I had ever heard of before I got the advertised deal.

It seemed like a pretty good deal, but there was one thing about the treatment that sort of bothered me and seemed similar to the actions of a controversial acne drug that we talked about in the last post, Accutane.

It mentioned that the laser’s actions helped to calm the action of the oil glands. I don’t know if that was a permanent thing or not, or whether it just temporarily sort of “disabled” the oil glands so that they didn’t produce as much oil for a while.

The thing that bothers me about any treatment that disables the oil glands, is that you still need your oil glands to produce oil, because as you age, this helps your face to remain smoother looking and be more protected against wrinkles and fine lines.

As you age, the oil (sebum) that your face produces helps your skin to remain more supple looking and younger.  It helps to almost “plump out” the skin and make wrinkles less apparent. 

Those who have taken Accutane in their youth find that they miss this oil production in their older age, as they have to work harder to keep wrinkles at bay because their natural, moisture-retaining oil has been reduced by the drug, and it is a permanent reduction in most cases. 

The Smoothbeam acne laser treatment is supposed to target the underlying oil glands and help to calm them down, and it is also supposed to help reduce the inflammation that makes your skin look red and the acne lesions look larger and more infected. 

The blue light acne treatment also helps in this way, but only it does not target the oil glands, rather the bacteria that causes the acne lesions, so your oil glands are left alone (my preference).

The Smoothebeam acne laser treatment is noramlly priced around $150 per treatment, and there is usually a recommendation that the patient get at least 5 treatments to see improvement in their skin’s breakouts and overall texture and appearance.

The laser has a special cooling device that helps the skin to not feel any of the heat emitted by the laser, since it does use heat to penetrate the skin and get down into the dermal layers. 

There is also, as with many other laser treatments, a special gel that is applied that helps the skin to absorbe the rays better and the laser to penetrate the skin’s layers for maximum effectiveness.

I didn’t know this, and I’m shocked that I just learned it to be quite frank. It must not have been very well publicized in the general media, probably because there are still so many generic versions available, which are basically the same thing.

Roche, the Swiss drug company that developed and initially sold Accutane, the blockbuster acne drug that came with a ton of controversey because of its severe side effects and safety issues, has stopped selling the drug.

They actually stopped selling the drug, most likely due to the high cost of lawsuits associated with the drug, which they usually lost, in 2009.  There are still a few generic versions of the dangerous acne drug on the market today though, so this questionable drug is still available and still often prescribed for severe acne to people who are desperate to clear their skin and don’t know that there are much better, safer options to curing their acne.

We’ve often talked about Accutane, since it is still one of the most discussed and argued over acne medications (well not one of, it is the most controversial one).  The first side effect that came to light was that users of Accutane were exposing unborn fetuses if they were pregnant, to almost certain serious birth defects.

This eventually led to a national registry, where women who were on the drug had to actually be on the birth control pill as well, no ifs and or buts about it. That’s how serious the repercussions were, the FDA absolutely insisted that women be registered, because the birth defects were almost certain.

Then, other side effects that came to light after the drug had been out for a while were also very serious.  Depression, psychosis, suddenly psychotic behavior, withdrawal, suicidal thoughts and other side effects that all centered around an apparent lack of activity in the frontal lobe of the brain which controls these types of mental health issues and social interaction in Accutane patients.  Scary stuff, I know.

There was one lawsuit that a patient won against Accutane where they developed inflammatory bowel disease after they had taken the drug. They were able to prove that the inflammatory bowel disease was related to the taking of Accutane, so the court awarded them.

There have been other potential side effects listed, even stroke and heart attack, although the connection to these is lesser known.  If you’re thinking about taking this very serious drug, PLEASE look into other options, such as herbal acne supplements, dietary and lifestyle changes, and stress management.

It’s sometimes a challenge to keep your skin looking fresh and healthy when you are contending with humidity that is off the charts, as we often do here in the Northeastern Ohio in the summer time. If you live in an inclement area like me, you can be freezing one day and be sweating nonstop the next.

Not only that, but many geographic areas like mine really deliver the high humidity readings when the summer time kicks in full force.  The humidity can not only be a drag on your energy and your will to go outside and be physical, but it can also make your skin look bad.

Mostly humidity makes you look “greasy” because it literally condenses moisture on your face and other areas of your body, making you look sweaty and throwing your skin color off a bit due to flushing and irritation which is caused by all the salt and toxins that come out in your sweat.

Don’t get me wrong, sweat is a good thing, it’s a natural process that we need to rid our bodies of certain things, but it’s not such a great thing when it’s all over your face and making your makeup run and your face look flushed and uneven.

So, what can you do to help ensure your skin looks great in the humidity? My Cardinal rule for humid days is to always carry around my blotting papers with me in my purse.  I have a handy little skinny container that mine come in, and they dispense really easily, so I can blot the excess acne causing sebum, sweat, and other ickies off my face in an instant, and not disturb any foundation or any other makeup I have on at all.

Second, in the summer, I switch to either a powder mineral based foundation, or one that is not “moisturizing” but rather either balancing, or made for combination skin. I shy away from the oily skin formulations because I am in my mid thirties, and I don’t want to look too dry and powdery, and I’m concerned about it settling in the fine lines.

There are some great powders now that help to soak up excess sebum, and even some toners that help to absorb excess moisture on the face. There was one I used a few years ago that actually had little particles in it which helped to absorb excess moisture and helped my face to look more matte instead of shiny and oily.

This is part two of our two part mine series on remedies that can be used for the long term and ongoing treatment of the second most annoying skin condition, rosacea.  These treatments often can work for those with acne rosacea as well, since the two both require gentle, non irritating types of treatments.

Another remedy for rosacea that many people have success with is Borax. The Borax can be taken orally by mixing it with water, and it can also be applied topically to the skin. There is a certain formula to follow so that the Borax solution is in the proper proportions. It is best to use five tablespoons of Borax per 1/2 cup of distilled water.

This can be applied to the skin and left to dry overnight. In the morning, you just need to rinse it off with water. If you are going to take Borax internally, mix 1/4 of a teaspoon of Borax in one liter of distilled water. This will need to be sipped throughout the day and is a very inexpensive method of relief. If you are concerned about ingesting Borax, there are food-grade versions available.

Orange peel oil is also a great treatment for Rosacea. It can be expensive, but it has been proven to work for many individuals. It can be rubbed on the affected area and can also be taken orally. If taken orally, you will need to put several drops into each beverage that you consume.

Water works best for this, but it truly can be added to any liquid. The orange oil helps in the healing process and reduces the inflammation of the skin. It takes some time before major results are noticed, but with time your skin will begin to heal with this method.

One of the most important remedies for Rosacea is diet! Changing the way that you eat, can have a massive effect on your skin. Rosacea seems to be related to Yeast and loves sugar. Sugar is found in just about any food that you consume, even milk! If you cut your sugar intake, it can truly lessen your symptoms. Many people find relief by juicing. Eating healthy fruits and vegetables can help your skin to heal much faster.

Stress also plays a big role in Rosacea outbreaks. As with Acne, when the individual is stressed, this can trigger reactions in the skin and lead to swelling and irritation. Trying to cut stress from your life can be difficult, but it helps so much to lessen the degree of stress. Try to avoid situations that you know cause stress and get help for those times when you are having trouble coping.

As with any medical treatment, you need to check with your doctor. A doctor can diagnose your condition and the degree of Rosacea that you are suffering from. Not all treatments work for everyone, but there are so many options that are natural for your skin, you will most likely find one that works for you.

You don’t have to suffer with this embarrassing skin condition! There are remedies that can help you regain your clear skin!

Yep, that’s right. I thought this was just an interesting tidbit about coffee, which as you know if you’ve been reading my blog for a while, I have long suspected as causing acne breakouts in myself and many others, especially with over consumption.

Caffeine and stimulants actually are all in the same “evil” family when it comes to causing or aggravation acne breakouts, because too many stimulants actually cause hormonal disruptions.

Those of us with acne can use all the hormonal stability we can get, so when something stimulates the central nervous system, and disrupts androgen (male) and estrogen (female) activity, it can spur a breakout.

But now, there is even evidence that over caffeinated people are much more susceptible to hearing voices, or experiencing what is known as “auditory hallucinations”.

It makes sense, because too much caffeine makes you hyper sensitive, and can really mess with many of your senses, including your hearing.  So, next time you reach for that third cup of joe, remember, too much caffeine can cause havoc!

This is a two parter in which I will talk to you about the various remedies, medical, natural and alternative, that can be used to help create a successful, ongoing and long term treatment program for those with rosacea and acne rosacea.

Rosacea is a skin disease that causes inflammation and reddening of the skin. It can also cause thickening of the skin and occurs on the face. It is known as the “Blushing Disease”, because it causes the sufferer to appear to be flushed.

Rosacea usually only affects adults, but can occur at any age. It is most common between the ages of 30-60, so there may be some sort of hormonal influence at work. The exact cause of Rosacea is still unknown, and it is often mistaken for other skin ailments, and even allergies.

It most frequently strikes those of English decent who have fair, sensitive skin to begin with.  There is currently no cure for Rosacea, but there are many treatments that bring relief to those afflicted.

There are many natural remedies for Rosacea. One of the most popular is Apple Cider Vinegar (I recommend using only organic, unfiltered if you try this regimen). These tablets are taken orally twice a day and give many good results. The tablets can be found at most any health food stores and are fairly inexpensive. The Apple Cider Vinegar can be taken in pill form and can also be applied to the face.

Since the Apple Cider Vinegar will take time to bring healing to the skin, it is also important to use topical treatments as well. One of the most gentle treatments is pure Aloe Vera Gel. Not all Aloe gels are made from pure Aloe, so before making a purchase, check to be sure you are getting the purest form of Aloe Vera. This can be applied several times a day to the affected area and can begin to clear the irritation, swelling, and itch.

Some people have also gotten relief by cleansing their skin with pure Sulfur soap, which is also excellent for those with acne prone skin. The Sulfur helps to clear away bacteria and reduce inflammation. This can be very helpful when used with other treatments.

Some people do have a reaction to Sulfur, so it is best to use this on a test area to see if you have a reaction. Sulfur soap can usually be found at health food stores or vitamin shops. It can also be readily found online.

That’s all we have for today, we will talk more about remedies to successfully treat rosacea and acne rosacea next time.

I’ve been enjoying a little hobby (that’s actually getting a bit expensive, but oh well), where I’ve been making some of my own body products from scratch. Sometimes, you just feel like you’ve tried so many products, and you know exactly what you like and don’t like, and that you could actually do a pretty good job of making something exactly to your skin’s own specifications.

And, it’s fun. I compare it to cooking, which I also love, because you have to kind of experiment over and over again to get it just right (this is where this hobby gets expensive unfortunately, I’ve wasted so many ingredients this way, but many of my batches came out totally unusable).

What I made recently was an acne soap. I like liquid acne cleansers, but I like acne soaps even better, Just something about having a solid bar of soap that I like. It lasts a while, and it does a great cleansing job, and I do travel frequently certain times of the year, so I like to have something that I can just throw in a container and not worry about it running all over my suitcase as I would with liquid pump cleansers. 

Soap is really transportation friendly, in other words!  My acne soap is a very simple soap which I made with a goats milk soap base. Goats milk soap is a creamy opaque but partially see through soap base that can be melted down and used as a base or other additives of your choice.

I know from experience and lots of reading that some of the best essential oils for acne prone skin are lavender, tea tree oil, and lemongrass for it’s toning qualities.  Lavender and tea tree essentail oils are excellent because they are natural anti bacterials and anti microbials. As you know, bacteria is one of the main causes of acne. 

So, I basically used these three essential oils in a fairly concentrated amount, as my additive. I also added some liquid vitamin E for it’s skin healing, soothing and moisturizing qualities.

I have not tried the soap yet, but if I try it and love it, I might actually start offering it on this site. It may take a few tries to get it just right for our finicky skin, but I would really like to have a great, fresh smelling, ALL NATURAL (no chemicals, parabens, preservatives or anything like that) soap cleanser that can really help everyone’s skin, including mine!

There was some buzz a few months ago about a plant that has been used to safely whiten skin for those who want fairer complexions. Whitening creams today commonly contain hydroquinone and mercury, both of which are known cancer causing agents. In fact, hydroquinone has been linked to the development of certain types of skin cancer, which makes it an automatic no go on my list.

Since skin lightening and whitening products are still in large demand by people desiring to lighten their skin tone (funny, many of us want tans, and here are people trying to get whiter skin).  So, naturally, companies want to find a way to capitalize on the demand, but also to offer something they can tell their customers is safe AND also effective at lightening their skin tone.

Well, the cinnammomum subavenium (say that ten times fast, bet ya can’t) plant just may be the naturally based breakthrough the asetheticians all over the world would be clamoring for in the products they use to help patients lighten skin, or the products that are on the shelves already to switch to a safer technology that also is very effective for in home skin lightening.

This plant could also have some uses for those of us with pigmented acne scarring that needs to be lightened to match the rest of the skin. Many times acne scars leave read marks on the face for months or even years, or even lifetimes. It’s not just the divots and ice pick scars, but also the hyperpigmentation that goes with acne prone skin later in life that causes so much duress amongst former acne sufferers.

I for one still believe that in home acne scarring treatment is one of the best ways to treat scars successfully. They can contain home microdermabrasion kits, which I have found has helped my acne scarring immensely.

The action of scrubbing away the top layers of skin helps both hyperpigmentation (skin darkness or discolorations), as well as the pock marking that often happens where the skin develops depressions where acne lesions used to be, since it often does not grow back evenly where a lesion occurred due to trauma around that area (such as breaking the zit open before it’s ready to come to a head, one of the biggest no no’s of the acne world).

This new plant could very well be an exciting development in the world of acne scarring treatments, so we’ll be sure to keep you posted if we hear any more!

A few years back, I visited a cosmetic dermatologist who offered a service that basically looked at your skin and rated it in various categories such as tone, color, sun damage, scarring, wrinkles and more.  The information they gathered that helped them to come up with a sort of “score” was your age, and some basics about the history of your skin, your sun exposure habits, and other things that could impact the health and condition of your skin’s outward appearance.

So, at the time I was in my early thirties, and I came out with a pretty nice score that I was happy with.  I was in a “percentile” of others my age, so to speak.  One thing about having problem skin, especially acne, when you are younger, is that you tend to take really good care of your skin all your life when you experience something like that.

I made sure my skin was always hydrated, because my skin would look even worse when it was dried out on top of having problems with occasional acne as I got older and my skin got naturally a bit drier.  I also was constantly trying to avoid acne scarring by taking good care of the acne that cropped up right away.

I also made sure that I washed my face every single night before I went to bed. I never, ever skipped a night of washing my face because I knew that my face could break out at the drop of a hat.  Also, not washing your face at night and applying the proper products as well could trigger irritation.

So that is one benefit of having problem skin at a younger age, it pretty much forces your hand at learning how to take care of your skin properly at a younger age than those who never had issues with their skin.

The digital photo imaging I did was using a special light, it almost seemed like a black light in some ways, that I had to put my face under for a certain amount of time. It then came back with a faded image of my face, which looked like an infrared picture.

It showed the areas of my face where I had sun damage in highlighted circles, and also some areas where I had other imperfections. It was all right there, in your face so to speak, so you couldn’t ignore what your problems areas were.