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Articles by Dan Kern

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 …

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 …