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Articles by Dan Kern

The Role of Sebum (Skin Oil) in Acne

Generally Speaking, More Sebum = More Acne. Also, When the Composition of Sebum Goes Awry, That May Also Lead to Acne. The Essential Info What Sebum Is: Sebum is the medical name for skin oil. It is produced by glands that are attached to skin pores all over the body. These glands are particularly large …

The Top 12 Most Common Side Effects of Isotretinoin (Accutane)

Dry Lips, Dry Nose, Dry Skin, Dry Eyes, Acne Worsening, Joint/Back/Muscle Pain, Chronic Fatigue, Headaches, Hair Loss, Photosensitivity, Vision Changes, Chest Pain The Essential Info This article describes the top 12 most common side effects of isotretinoin, often referred to by its brand name, Accutane®. However, it is important to note that isotretinoin can also …

Tips on How to Eat Low Glycemic

Eat More Whole Fruits and Vegetables, Meats, Beans, & Nuts, and Eat Less White Bread, White Rice, Soda, Juice, Candy, & Processed Foods The Essential Info Studies have shown that a low-glycemic diet may help reduce acne. To eat a low-glycemic diet: Eat More: Unprocessed, low-sugar, whole foods like meat/poultry/fish, vegetables, whole fruits, nuts, beans, …

Can Topical Hydrocortisone Help with Acne?

Applying Hydrocortisone to the Skin Is More Likely to Trigger or Worsen Acne than to Reduce It The Essential Info Hydrocortisone is a popular steroid medication for the skin. Because hydrocortisone is available over-the-counter and can temporarily relieve redness and discomfort, many people with acne apply it to their skin in hopes of reducing breakouts. To …

Do Sugary Foods and Drinks Cause Acne?

Sugary Food and Drinks May Not Be Ideal for Acne, but We Need More Evidence to Know for Sure The Essential Info Mounting evidence points towards the possibility that sugary food and drinks may not be ideal when it comes to acne because of their ability to create a sudden increase in blood sugar levels, …

Does Makeup Help with Self-esteem When You Have Acne?

Yes, Just Make Sure to Use Non-pore-clogging and Non-irritating Makeup The Essential Info Acne can lower self-esteem and cause people to feel uncomfortable in social situations. The best solution is to treat acne, but any effective treatment takes time to yield results. In the meantime, using makeup to cover up acne lesions can counteract the …

Does Lactose Intolerance Relate to Acne?

So Far One Study Shows People who Are Lactose Intolerant May Suffer Less with Acne The Essential Info People with lactose intolerance are unable to fully digest the sugar (lactose) in dairy products, the consumption of which leads to: But what about acne? Does ingesting dairy lead to acne when you are lactose intolerant, or …

Does Taking Oral Isotretinoin Cause the Skin to Age Faster in the Long Term?

Because of a Lack of Long Follow-Up Studies, This Remains Unknown The Essential Info Isotretinoin, often known by its original brand name Accutane®, is an oral medication that treats severe cystic acne by decreasing skin oil production. How isotretinoin might lead to skin aging in the long term: Isotretinoin may cause a prolonged reduction of skin oil …

Treating Acne When You Have Facial Hair

The Shorter the Hair, the Better The Essential Info When you treat acne on the face with topical medications, the length of your facial hair matters–the shorter, the better. With a full beard or even a short beard, chances are that only a fraction of acne medication will reach the skin and get absorbed. If …

Does Physically Irritating the Skin Cause Acne?

Yes, and It Is Such a Well-Known Problem that It Has Its Own Medical Term: Acne Mechanica The Essential Info Physical irritation of the skin refers to anything that repeatedly touches or rubs against the skin. This physical irritation can lead to acne. In fact, it is such a common phenomenon that dermatologists refer to …