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Articles by Dan Kern

Blade Shaving Vs. Electric Shaving–Which Is Better for Your Skin?

When Done Properly, Blade Shaving Is Less Irritating, Especially for Acne-prone Skin The Essential Info Reducing irritation is the name of the game when it comes to shaving acne-prone skin.  There have only been three studies that look at irritation caused by blade shaving vs. electric shaving, and two out of three studies show no …

What Are Demodex Mites, and What Role Do They Play in Acne?

Demodex Mites Are Tiny Creatures That Live in Our Skin and May Contribute to Some Skin Diseases, but It Is Uncertain Whether They Affect Acne The Essential Info Demodex mites are tiny, colorless creatures that live in our hair follicles and skin oil glands and usually move around only at night. Their entire life cycle …

Dry Skin: Causes and Treatments

Dry Skin Is Caused by an Impaired Skin Barrier Function and Can Be Treated with Moisturizers The Essential Info What Is Dry Skin? The skin has an outer barrier that, when working correctly, keeps moisture inside the skin. Dry skin develops when the skin’s barrier function is impaired, which causes the skin to lose water, leading …

Does the Sun Burn/Tan Your Lips, and Do You Need to Protect Them?

The Lips Burn, but Rarely Tan. Sun Protection Is Important. The Essential Info The lips make up part of the skin, and just like bodily skin, the lips are impacted by sun damage. However, compared to the body, the lips contain drastically lower amounts of skin pigment (melanin), so the lips rarely, if ever, tan. …

Caloric Intake and Acne

Avoiding Consistent Overeating May Help Reduce Hormone Spikes and Resulting Acne Breakouts The Essential Info Many “anti-acne diets” seem to work only temporarily. Why is this the case? It may come down to calories. Decreasing calories may help balance hormones and clear acne in the short term. So that “anti-acne diet” you were on might have worked at …

Baking Soda and Acne

It Is Most Likely Best to Avoid Using Baking Soda on Acne-Prone Skin The Essential Info Reasons to Use Baking Soda for Acne Reasons Not to Use Baking Soda for Acne The Bottom Line: When we take the evidence as a whole, it is most likely best to avoid using baking soda on acne-prone skin. …

Back and Body Acne

Information and Treatment Options The Essential Info It’s Common: More than half of people with facial acne also have some body acne. Fewer, but More Severe Lesions: Body acne develops in a similar way as facial acne and has similar causes, but because the skin on the body contains fewer pores, we often see fewer …

Are Drugs for Auto-immune Diseases Effective Against Acne?

Preliminary Studies Say Yes, but Using These Drugs Is Risky, so They Are Reserved for Very Severe Cases of Acne The Essential Info Drugs that treat auto-immune diseases (i.e. rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis) work by reducing inflammation in the body. Since acne is at its core an inflammatory disease, they may also help reduce acne, and initial …

Are Antibiotics a Good Idea for the Treatment of Acne?

Because They Provide Limited Effectiveness and Come with Many Side Effects, They Should Be Met with Caution The Essential Info Antibiotics can sometimes be somewhat effective in treating acne. However, there are several problems with using antibiotics to treat acne: Antibiotics are powerful medicines that can save lives when used appropriately for bacterial infections. They …

Women, Stress, and Acne

Stress Is Associated with Acne, and Women Experience More Stress The Essential Info Everyone gets stressed from time to time, but if stress becomes chronic it may lead to inflammation in the skin. Since acne is at its core an inflammatory disease, more inflammation in the skin may lead to more acne. Females as a …