82 replies to this topic

[kel]

what are your thoughts on using a baby brush to exfoliate your skin with?

Esthetician's reply to your question
As long as you have non-inflamed acne and your skin is not irritated by it I don't see a problem with it.

[dozer]

have you ever used NDGA and Oleanic acid topical for closed comedones and what is your opinion? thanks.


dozer

Esthetician's reply to your question
Sorry, I have never heard of those products.

[strider1]

is the esthetician going to answer? hello lol

[i_ming]

is the esthetician going to answer? hello lol

i sure hope so

[oOo]

Seeing as this thread is not locked yet

What does acne in different areas of your face mean? My acne has been appearing a lot lately around my mouth, like lower cheeks.

Esthetician's reply to your question
The oil glands mature at a different times in your life. The first place they mature is the "T - zone" where teenagers typically get acne. Then it goes across your face wave as the oil glands mature in the cheeks and lastly along the jawline. This is why older women tend to get acne in the lower jawline/chin area only.

[willow569]

is the esthetician going to answer? hello lol

i sure hope so

Usually, she will answer them after 20 new questions are posted. She just answered the last group fairly recently, and there have only been about 10-12 questions since then.

[pzbe]

First of all, thanks for this opportunity! Now to the questions:

1) Should I be worried about using this much of BP as the regimen recommends? Will it damage my skin over a long period of time of use? Will it age my skin quicker than if I didn't use it at all?

2) Will my acne get worse after I've used BP and followed the regimen for a period of time and then decide to stop? In other words, will I have worse acne than before I started using BP? That is, when I decide to stop using BP altogether. If so, why?

3) How often do you recommend shaving while on BP? I cannot shave everyday because my beard doesn't grow that fast. I shave around 2-3 times a week. Should this be a problem?

4) Is it necessary to take supplements such as fish oil (omega 3) and zinc in order to get acne-free skin? Or is using BP enough? I'm wondering if those type of supplements will actually make my acne better in any way.

5) What is your advice for people that exercise during the regimen and sweat a lot? Should we wash our face after the exercise is done, or should we just leave it be? While on a BP regimen, that is. Does the sweat have any effect on acne at all? If I should wash my face, do I need to use a cleanser or is water just fine?

Thanks for taking your time to answer these question. It's very much appreciated.

Esthetician's reply to your questions
Q. Should I be worried about using this much of BP as the regimen recommends? Will it damage my skin over a long period of time of use? Will it age my skin quicker than if I didn't use it at all?
A. See post #25

Q. Will my acne get worse after I've used BP and followed the regimen for a period of time and then decide to stop? In other words, will I have worse acne than before I started using BP? That is, when I decide to stop using BP altogether. If so, why?
A. No. You'll just break out from not using the BP unless you've grown out of your acne.

Q. How often do you recommend shaving while on BP? I cannot shave everyday because my beard doesn't grow that fast. I shave around 2-3 times a week. Should this be a problem?
A. I think that's fine.

Q. Is it necessary to take supplements such as fish oil (omega 3) and zinc in order to get acne-free skin? Or is using BP enough? I'm wondering if those type of supplements will actually make my acne better in any way.
A. Using BP is enough.

Q. What is your advice for people that exercise during the regimen and sweat a lot? Should we wash our face after the exercise is done, or should we just leave it be? While on a BP regimen, that is. Does the sweat have any effect on acne at all? If I should wash my face, do I need to use a cleanser or is water just fine?
A. I wouldn't wear the BP while exercising - it can really irritate your skin. Sweat does not have any effect on the acne. I would definitely use a cleanser.

[edddyyy21]

hi, i was on retin a and minocilin for about a year to year and half, and just recently got off the minocilin, now i am currently using the retin a and clindomycin...i began the clindomycin because i believed i had folliculitis as i have lots of the symptoms like itchiness, inflammed pimples, my ane began when i began to shave and 90% of my acne is in the cheeks area right above my facial hair...my acne has become better but i am still getting pimples, what would you reccomend to a patient who had those symptoms? thank u

Esthetician's reply to your questions
I would definitely use Dan Kern's regimen and get off the Retin A and clindomycin. If you are using the cream form of Retin A it is clogging your pores. There ar also some brands of clindomycin with pore-clogging ingredients.

[i_ming]

Do you agree with Acne.org in that 2.5% Benzoyl Peroixde is the best and only concentration that should be used to treat acne? Or have you had more success with higher concentrations in specific situations?

Esthetician's reply to your questions
I actually use 5% and 10% on my clients mostly - so, no I don't agree with acne.org, but I'm really glad that they promote benzoyl peroxide for acne.

[MB2005]

ok here's the low down. I'm 23, pretty much had acne since 15. Ok last couple years its calmed down, but its still there annoying the hell out of me. I wouldnt say its serious. Most of my spots are whiteheads. At times my skin is really clear then all of a sudden I have an outbreak and have like 5 or 6 active spots. Its so frustrating. Which makes me wonder how can my skin be pretty clean one day then 5 or 6 spots the next. Could it be food related? or certain foods causing it to flare up more?

Would it be advisable to get a food alergy test?

Esthetician's reply to your questions
I would have to know what you are currently using on your face in order to answer your question. Acne is an inherited disorder of the pores, so you absolutely must use products like benzoyl peroxide every singel day in order to stay clear. When you are inconsistent, your acne will form and come up in 30 to 90 days (and if you are using pore-clogging ingredients on your skin - same deal).

As far as foods are concerned, see post #9.

[alisa]

I tried an AHA moisturizer on my skin for 3 days, 1 time per day, but I think it was too strong. Now my skin is red, inflammed with small red bumps, dry, tight, and feels hot to the touch. What can I do to alleviate the redness and bumps? When can I expect the redness to go away?

Esthetician's reply to your question
I would use a noncomedogenic hydrocortisone cream for just a few days until the redness calms down.

[-lxl-]

hi im having some problems with some clogged pores rite now... its right underneath my lips and they never seem to go away unless i pop them... i ice it every day and put BP on there also, but it does not seem to help a bit!!
so i was planning on using BHA, but im bit worried if im gonna break out like crazy on that spot when i start using BHA... it seems like right underneath my lip is the only place that i have VERY stubborn clogged pores/whiteheads... so im planning to use BHA as a spot treament on that spot...

Esthetician's reply to your question
I wouldn't worry about salicyic purging your skin - that's not my experience with my clients.

[almost pretty]

hi,
i use clean and clear 2% sa wash- is it true that washes are not effective in clearing the skin and a leave on treatment should be used?

i used neutrogena 2.5% bp for 6 months with great results and then i started to get huge cysts.i then stopped using it all over my face and just used it as a spot treatment and everywhere i put the bp i develped cysts. does this mean that i should stray from bp or do you think its safe to try another brand or a bp wash such as the clean and clear continuos control? if not, what else would you reccomend to kill the bacteria on my skin?

whats the best kind of facial to get to help acne?

Esthetician's reply to your question
Cleansers are not that effective in clearing the skin - it's only on your skin for a few seconds. You definitely need a leave-on treatment.

I would continue wearing the bpo all over - bpo is not meant as a "spot treatment" - it is more of a preventative. It keeps new acne lesions from forming in the first place.

The best kind of facial treatment is one that addresses your skin's needs at the time of treatment. If you are in need of hydration, then get an enzyme/steam w/extractions kind of treatment. If you are in need of exfoliation, then get a light chemical peel w/extractions. If you are in need of major exfoliation, get a medium-depth chemical peel. It's best to find an esthetician who specializes in acne to make that decision.

thank you and also a special thanks to dan

[Gyroscope352]

Hey! Thanks for taking the time to answer even more questions. A follow-up to one of your responses before. You said: "The only thing that I know that will delay the onset of acne is when women take birth control pills. After they are off the pills they will get the acne they would've had while they were on them." Does this mean that they will not grow out of it until later than if they hadn't taken them at all? I'm not exactly sure what you mean by this, if you could, please elaborate just a little. The reason I ask is because my girlfriend, who is quite frustrated with her acne (she refuses to listen to me and go on Dan's Regimen, lol) just started Yasmin, and it would be nice to be prepared at least with what's going to happen to her acne once she comes back off one day.

Esthetician's reply to your question
Q. Does this mean that they will not grow out of it until later than if they hadn't taken them at all?
A. That is my understanding; and I don't really know what more to say about that.

[willow569]

I'm closing this thread so Laura has a chance to reply to the latest set of 20 questions.

[willow569]

Just reopening the thread....

[Somerandom]

I am about to switch over from the regimen to a mild or so does of Accutane due to time constraints in the morning because of school. Any expectations I should have? Will I break out from quiting BP?

I have mild-moderate acne, mostly in the chin area.

[-lxl-]

mods pleazzz pin this... i had trouble finding it last few times... so much easier whent its at the top all the time

[willow569]

mods pleazzz pin this... i had trouble finding it last few times... so much easier whent its at the top all the time

Sorry you are having problems keeping track of this thread's location. I try to bump it up periodically. I'll see what the consensus is of the mods, but we get just as many people who tell us that they never see or read pinned threads, and ask us to unpin them. I think those who are already aware of the thread may read it, but for some reason many people just don't notice the pinned threads. I'll try to keep bumping it up if it drops off the first page of threads though. What we may end up doing is pinning her responses to commonly asked questions, and then leaving this thread open for new questions.

[i_ming]

i agree, this thread should be pinned. it has a lot of great info. but if you are having trouble finding it, just subscribe to the topic and you can find it in your controls.