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Articles by Dan Kern

Is Shaving Good or Bad for Acne?

A Gentle Shave Might Help, but Don’t Overdo It The Essential Info How Shaving May Help with Acne How Shaving Can Make Acne Worse The Bottom Line: Gently, yet confidently shaving every day with a sharp, non-irritating blade razor (my favorites are the Gillette® TracII and the Gillette® Sensor Excel*) and a non-comedogenic shaving cream/gel …

Some Leave-in Hair Products May Cause Acne

Certain Leave-in Hair Products Such as Pomades, Brilliantine, and Some Oils, May Cause Acne The Essential Info Some leave-in hair products like pomades, hair oils, brilliantine, gels, sprays, and conditioners may contain ingredients that can clog pores and lead to acne breakouts, particularly around the hairline where the product is most likely to contact the …

Regular Acne vs. Cystic Acne: What’s the Difference?

Cystic Acne Comes with Large Lesions Called Nodules and/or Cysts The Essential Info Regular Acne: Regular acne consists of run-of-the-mill pimples that are relatively small, often red, and that sometimes develop a white or yellow center. Cystic Acne: Cystic acne is a more severe form of acne that comes with large (over 5 mm in …

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 …