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Articles by Dan Kern

Hypochlorous Acid: What Is It, and Can It Help with Acne?

Hypochlorous Acid Is a Disinfectant with Some Medicinal Properties, but It’s Too Soon to Tell If It Can Benefit People with Acne The Essential Info What It Is: Hypochlorous acid naturally occurs in the human body, where it helps fight infection. Manufacturers of household cleansers also chemically synthesize it and include it in their products. It is also …

How Will Swimming in Seawater Affect My Acne?

It Won’t Hurt and Just Might Help The Essential Info There is no evidence that seawater can negatively affect any skin disease, including acne. If you are acne-prone, you can safely swim in the sea. However, take the following precautions: When drying off, very gently pat your skin dry to avoid physically irritating the skin. …

How to Clear Open Comedones (Blackheads)

Mechanical Extraction Can Clear Blackheads, but Prevention of Blackheads Is the Best Means of Keeping the Skin Clear The Essential Info What Is a Blackhead? Blackheads, also called open comedones, are small, brown- or black-colored lesions that are most often found on the face, especially around the nose. They result when a pore is only …

The Genetics of Acne

Numerous Genes May Increase the Likelihood of Developing Acne The Essential Info Acne is in part a genetic disease. If your parents had acne, there is a greater likelihood that you will as well. However, due to the complex nature of acne, it is unlikely that there is a single acne gene that triggers acne formation. …

What Is a Blackhead?

A Blackhead Is a Small, Dark-colored Clogged Pore The Essential Info Blackheads, also called open comedones, are small, non-inflammatory, black- or brown-colored clogged pores that most often appear on the face. They develop when a pore becomes partially clogged and begins to fill up with skin oil. Because the pore is only partially blocked, oxygen from …

Everything You Need to Know About Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl Peroxide Is a Topical Acne Medication That Kills Bacteria, Exfoliates the Skin, Reduces Inflammation, and Clears Clogged Pores The Essential Info Benzoyl peroxide is a common topical acne treatment that is found in both over-the-counter as well as prescription products with concentrations ranging from 2.5 – 10%.  How It Works: Side Effects: It takes …

Should You Wash Your Skin with Hot or Cold Water?

Warm, Cool, or Cold Water Is Fine, but Avoid Hot Water The Essential Info Warm Water May Be Ideal: Some evidence shows that warm water may improve skin healing. Cool or Cold Water Is Fine: There is no evidence that washing with cool or cold water would be detrimental in any way. Avoid Hot Water: …

Over-the-Counter Treatment Ingredients

Listed Alphabetically Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) What It Is: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, and mandelic acid are the most common alpha hydroxy acids used in skin care formulations, in creams and gels in 10% or lower strength. For all intents and purposes, glycolic acid is the type you will likely find at a drugstore. (Learn …

Hives (Urticaria)

Hives, Also Known as Urticaria, Are Itchy Welts of Various Sizes on the Skin, and Are Not Acne The Essential Info Hives, also known as urticaria, are itchy, usually red or pink, welts of various sizes on the skin. They develop usually within minutes of contact with an allergy trigger (i.e. a particular food, medication, animal, …

Genetic Treatments for Acne

Genetic Treatments for Acne May Be a Real Possibility in the Future, but None Exist Today, and None Are Currently in Development The Essential Info Genetic treatment aims to fix or replace defective or missing genes that cause a disease. To date, genetic treatments exist for only six life-threatening diseases, and researchers are hard at …