Stress stimulates the adrenal gland which promotes oil production. This over-production of oil leads to clogged pores. Therefore, it’s incredibly important to develop proper sleep habits and reduce stress. Find the relaxation techniques that work for you. Here are some tips from Help.org.
stress_relief_meditation_yoga_relaxation.htm
Posted in Basic Acne Information, Skin Care, Stress
If you have acne, ICE is a cheap, helpful treatment. Here’s why: With acne, there is bacterial infection and inflammation. With that, there’s a rush of white blood cells to the area. But these white blood cells also deliver an enzyme that breaks down the follicle wall. THAT results in prolonged healing time. To interrupt this cycle, freeze water in Dixie cups. Ice your face twice a day (yes! directly with the ice dome) for a minute, two minutes if you can stand it! Refreeze the cup for reuse. As ice is used up, simply peel down the paper cup to expose more. Your Blemishes Will Heal Much, Much More Quickly!
The number one aggravating factor in acne flare-ups is stress. Breakouts tend to follow things like cramming for finals, emotional upset, or in anticipation of an upcoming special event like prom or a wedding. Stress produces inflamed blemishes in two ways. One is immediate. The other, delayed.
Here’s the why to it all.
In the delayed reaction the culprit is the release of hormones by the adrenal glands when provoked by stress. These glands secrete norepinephrine and epinephrine which stimulate an over-production of sebum, the natural oil in your pores. Couple that with dead skin cell debris in the pore. Result? An inflammatory breakout. This delayed eruption can occur up to two weeks following a stressful event.
What about breakouts that happen overnight? Under stress, the body’s natural resistance is lowered, interrupting the healing process. Dr. James Fulton, known as America’s most compassionate acne doctor, tells us that inside timeworn, acne-weakened follicles, there is a constant cycle of breaking, leaking, healing, and repair. A single night without sleep or an event riddled with stress results in the congestion and impaction of the pores. The weakened follicle then breaks down. White blood cells rush in with enzymes to devour the debris. Unfortunately, the enzymes are ineffective against the hardened debris known as keratin. They do, however, dissolve more of the follicle wall, and an acne flare-up is underway immediately.
Here’s your action plan. Accept that *self-care* isn’t selfish! Relax. Take time to play! Grant yourself permission to say No. Only offer or accept an obligation to help others when you truly have the time and energy needed to commit. Otherwise, just say Not Now. No explanation needed.
Take a look at what is stressful to you. Once you’ve determined your triggers, do what you can to avoid them. For the rest, learn to change your reaction to those triggers. Your perception of the event, and your response to it, can make all the difference. Define what a stress-free or a stress-less life would look like for yourself. Imagine your ideal leisure activities, who you want to spend time with, how best to care for your self. Creating this image will help you make your life become so.
Allow yourself to step back and breathe. Each morning and again before retiring at night, just sit a few minutes and listen to yourself breathe. No special training or equipment required! Breathe. And listen to the inhale. . . exhale. You’ll be more relaxed and able to face the day each morning. And at night, you’ll unwind and get a good night’s sleep.
Commit to the idea of self care. You’re worth it!
Before ~ November 9, 2009
Products, by themselves, will not solve your troubled skin. You need an acne expert to guide you. I’ll monitor your progress and make adjustments to your home care regimen through the process. During your in-office treatments, twice monthly, there will be a specific focus for what your skin needs at that time. Sometimes your skin will need more anti-bacterial action and other times, you may need more hydration. I’ll assess your skin prior to every treatment, and take photographs so we can both watch your transformation.
There is a balance to achieve between pushing for clarity while maintaining the integrity of the skin. It’s very important for me to see you every two weeks to find out where you are in the process. There is almost always a change, at each visit, in how you use your home-care products in order to stay ahead of your skin’s ability to adapt to topical treatments.
Together, we can make it happen. For most clients, it takes three to six months to get completely clear. Then you’ll have your own “After” pictures to post on Facebook. All smiles.
After ~ January 20, 2010
She *now* says, “Love sporting nothing but mascara and lip gloss”.
Follow her journey to clear skin at her blog http://acnejournal.wordpress.com/
There is No Such Thing as a CURE for Acne. No matter how good the marketing companies are for these products you see on the shelves of every drug and discount store, know it is just that. Marketing.
Acne is a chronic skin condition in which there is a glitch in the function of the pores. It is *not your fault* that your pores don’t know how to behave! Beyond that, most every over-the-counter product you’ve tried that doesn’t work contains one of two treatment ingredients. Either 2% salicylic acid or 5% benzoyl peroxide. Though these ingredients may dry your skin on its surface, the results are only temporary. As a licensed esthetician, I’m able to supply you with professional products that are for your very specific needs, and that are far more potent (and therefore, effective) than anything you can buy at the drug store or discount store. That’s key.
Let’s have a look at one of the many OTC acne products. Marketing for this particular treatment reads like so:
. . . this powerful acne kit is clinically shown to significantly reduce all signs of acne in just 4 days. . . .
This ad gives the impression that in just four short days, neither you — nor anyone who knows you — will be able to tell that you have acne. Not so. Read again. It merely claims. to reduce the signs. of acne. In my professional opinion, here’s what they are actually saying to you: This product is going to dry out the surface of your skin and hide your blemishes. For a minute.
What you NEED to hear. And understand. There is nothing that will rid your skin of acne. What I can do, is help you control your acne and get clear skin through a home care regimen designed for your needs and the type of acne you have, plus in-office treatments to control outbreaks. I understand acne. And I will teach you what I know. Getting clear skin is a process. It takes more than 2% salicylic or 5% BPO. I’m here to coach you along, to make adjustments to your skin care regimen as needed for the best, quickest clear skin results. Getting rid of acne doesn’t happen in four short days. It’s a process that takes three to six months. If you’re frustrated with all the OTC treatments you’ve tried. If you have a cabinet FULL of ineffective products. If you are willing to do what it takes on a daily basis, I have the answer for you. We can fix this glitch in the way your skin functions. And you will have clear skin, once and for all.Received a call from a new client last week, yet another who is considering the use of Accutane as a last ditch effort to clear their skin. Back in April, I wrote an article for Voice Magazine for Women and it was available in their online archives until just this month. So, here it is. Read on!
These are three treatments clients tell me have been recommended to them, or that they have tried, for treatment of acne, without success.
Accutane. The original manufacturer, Roche, has withdrawn it from the American market, though the generic is still available. In their publication “intended for U.S. audiences only”, Roche admits Accutane can cause birth defects and may cause serious mental health problems including depression, psychosis, and suicide; stomach problems causing severe pain, difficulty swallowing, heartburn, diarrhea; bone and muscle problems causing pain in joints or muscles, and possibly stopping long bone growth in teens. For the entire article, use your favorite search engine. Keywords: Roche Accutane withdrawal.
Laser treatment. Research is very limited. The American Academy of Dermatology explains: The use of lasers to treat acne is still in the investigational stage and may not be the first choice for treating acne. If you are considering a laser or light therapy to treat acne, you should know: Controlled studies with a large number of patients are needed to know which therapy is best for which patient and to evaluate the effectiveness of each therapy. Consistent results have not been obtained in research studies. A determination needs to be made regarding long-term side effects and to find out if results last after treatments are discontinued.
Finally, antibiotics. We’re all familiar with the over-prescribing of antibiotics. Bacteria can develop resistance to the effects of antibiotics and long term health risks are unknown. Plus, antibiotic treatment for acne is mostly ineffective. While antibiotic use may help bring a severe outbreak under control, it does not solve future flare-ups. Antibiotics can have side effects such as upset stomach, heartburn, diarrhea, possible permanent staining of the teeth, and vaginal yeast infections in women.
Controlling acne (there is no cure) is a matter of exfoliation, use of an antimicrobial that delivers oxygen to the pores, professional extractions, and ongoing care with an acne specialist until the skin is clear. Efficacy is higher, and the risks do not threaten health or life. For a look at one of my client’s journey, click the link on the right to read her story at: Operation Clear Skin.
Posted in Accutane, Acne, Antibiotics, Basic Acne Information, Laser, Uncategorized
Acne doesn’t have to be endured. There’s help. Right here. That’s good news to the teen who’s been told that they’ll outgrow it. For some, acne does resolve on its own, but often leaves behind scars, both physical and emotional. For others, acne persists well beyond the adolescent years. There is no cure, but acne can be controlled. Once good control is achieved, clear skin can be maintained.
Acne is an inherited disease of the follicles of the skin. If your parents had troubled skin, you likely will, too. But it isn’t your fault! Acne isn’t caused by a lack of cleanliness. It isn’t caused by eating chocolate or even greasy foods. Breakouts on the forehead are not caused by oily hair. Having acne doesn’t mean you are sexually active, or that you’re sexually frustrated. Yet these are some of the myths that persist.
Here are some basics. Normally, the follicle (also called a pore) sloughs off a single layer of dead skin cells and oily debris into the environment each day, completely unnoticed. But for those with acne, pores shed up to five layers each day. The body isn’t able to keep up so the excess is stored, forming a bump. Each day, more buildup is added. You might feel a hot spot before the blemish even appears. If you pick at it, the follicle wall often breaks, you’re not able to get all the gunk out anyway, and next thing you know, you have a much bigger problem (a sore with a scab) that takes longer to heal than the original blemish.
Now the good news. Breakouts, even severe cases, can be controlled, and clear skin maintained until the overactive pores resolve to normal behavior. Dr. James Fulton, active in skin care research for 30+ years, wrote the book Acne Rx. He was an acne sufferer himself, as were his children. Following his recommendations, we are able to create the delicate balance to achieving healthy, clear skin. Aggressive exfoliation, anti-microbial action, moisture and sun protection are all key in your home care regimen. In-office visits twice monthly help interrupt the cycle of outbreaks. An enzyme mask is used, professional extractions are performed and topical treatments applied. At each visit, I’ll assess your skin’s condition, monitor your progress, determine whether a change in home care products is needed, and answer as many questions as you’ve got.
There are tons and gobs of acne treatments at every drug and discount store. If you’re looking for a quick fix, just know it doesn’t exist. Getting clear skin usually takes three to six months. It requires your commitment to home care and office treatments. My coaching you through the process comes at no extra charge. So, if you’re frustrated with all the over the counter products that promise clear skin and fail, I’m here for you. My clients have seen exceptional results. You can, too.
