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Articles by Dan Kern

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 …

What Is the Difference Between Skin on the Face and Skin on the Body?

Facial Skin Is More Delicate and Requires Special Care The Essential Info Skin on the Face: Skin pores on the face are smaller than on the rest of the body and contain a higher concentration of skin oil glands. Skin oil is essential for the development of acne, and this is why we see acne …

Is There a Link Between Iodine and Acne?

Despite What You May Have Heard, There Appears to Be No Inherent Link Between the Two The Essential Info There is no evidence that normal intake of iodine in the diet causes acne. Any relationship between the two appears to occur only with very high levels of iodine intake, such as from kelp supplements. Furthermore, acne-like …

Is Benzoyl Peroxide Safe?

Yes, Benzoyl Peroxide Is Safe and Effective. It Comes with Manageable Side Effects That Decrease with Continued Use. The Essential Info The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has concluded that benzoyl peroxide is both safe and effective for treating acne. A quote from the FDA in 2010: “We, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), …

How Will Swimming in a Pool Affect My Acne?

It’s A Mixed Bag. It Can Irritate and Dry the Skin, but Also Might Kill Acne Bacteria. The Essential Info Don’t be afraid to swim in a pool if you have acne, but be aware that chlorine and other disinfectants in pool water can be irritating and drying to the skin. Overly-dry and irritated skin …