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Articles by Dan Kern

Does Physically Irritating the Skin Cause Body Acne?

Yes, and It Can Occur in Anyone – Even Those with Healthy Skin The Essential Info Physical irritation of the body is unavoidable and in most instances is harmless. However, when this irritation is repetitive it can make acne worse, especially when the skin is sweaty. The more the skin is exposed to physical irritation, the …

Does the pH of Your Cleanser Matter?

Yes. Choose a Slightly-acidic Cleanser to Avoid Worsening of Acne. The Essential Info What Is pH? pH is the measure of how acidic or alkaline (basic) something is. The pH Scale: On the pH scale that runs from 0-14, a value of 7 is considered neutral. The lower the number the more acidic something is, …

Does Calamine Lotion Clear Acne?

The Zinc Oxide in Calamine Lotion May Help The Essential Info Calamine lotion is a topical skincare product best known for its ability to reduce the itchiness, redness, and swelling from skin conditions like poison ivy. It is a simple product composed of: While scientists have not studied calamine lotion on acne directly, the zinc …

Does Benzoyl Peroxide Cause the Skin to Age Faster?

It May or May Not. To Be Extra Safe, Apply an Antioxidant-containing Moisturizer to Your Skin after Treating the Skin with Benzoyl Peroxide. The Essential Info Benzoyl peroxide effectively treats acne, and can completely clear the skin when used properly. However, one question some people have is whether using benzoyl peroxide affects skin aging. There …

Hormonal Treatment for Acne

It Can Help Females, but There Are Limitations Regarding Women Who Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding The Essential Info In both males and females, hormones play a significant role in acne, specifically hormones called androgens, which are male hormones found in both males and females. There’s not much that boys and men can do about these hormones, …

How Sun Exposure Makes Acne Hyperpigmentation Worse

Sun Exposure Triggers Your Skin to Make More Melanin, Leading to More, and Darker, Pigmentation The Essential Info The red/dark marks that are left behind after acne lesions heal are known as hyperpigmentation, and are a common problem, particularly in non-Caucasian people. Sun exposure does not cause hyperpigmentation, but the sun’s rays can make existing …

How Long Does It Take for a Pimple to Form?

2 – 6 Weeks Is the Dermatology Community’s Best Educated Guess The Essential Info Even though getting a pimple seems like a simple thing, when we look into the skin and exactly how it happens, many factors come into play. It is also very difficult for dermatology researchers to “catch” a pimple at its earliest …

Cortisone Shots for Acne

These Doctor-Administered Injections Quickly and Dramatically Reduce Inflammation, Speed Healing, and Reduce Scarring in Severe Acne Lesions The Essential Info Cortisone shots are one of those modern medical miracles that have been around for a while so they don’t get the credit they deserve. If you get a severe acne lesion–the kind that are big (over …

Does Sun Exposure Make Acne Scars Worse?

It Might, but Few Studies Have Looked at the Question The Essential Info Many doctors warn patients that the sun can disrupt healing and worsen scarring. But only two small studies have investigated what sun exposure does to scars, and neither study specifically looked at acne scars. Still, here’s what the two studies found: Study 1: …

What’s the Difference Between UVA and UVB Rays?

Put Simply, UVA Rays Tan the Skin While UVB Rays Burn the Skin. Both Types of Rays Damage the Skin and Contribute to Skin Cancer, Which Is Why It’s Important to Protect the Skin Using a “Broad-Spectrum” Sunscreen. The Essential Info The sun emits both UVA and UVB rays, both of which are invisible to …