A Plan B emergency contraceptive pill and acne connection- a brief overview.

By Shilpa Makhija

Plan B is an emergency contraceptive that is able to prevent conception even after sexual union has occurred (thus the name “morning-after”). Like standard birth control pills, morning-after pills contain progestin but in much higher doses. While the contents are similar, the mechanism of action of Plan B is dose related. The drug’s principal effect is to prevent ovulation, but it may also prevent implantation of a potentially fertile egg into the uterine wall.

Plan B contains 1.5mg of levonorgesterel (a potent progesterone like compound that is called a progestin), and no estrogen. This synthetic hormone acts like an androgenic progesterone. An androgen is the generic term for any natural or synthetic compound, usually a steroid hormone that stimulates or controls the development and maintenance of male characteristics. Both males and females have androgenic and estrogenic hormones in a delicate balance. If this balance is disturbed by an overly high androgen level or surge, some troublesome and chronic side-effects like acne, may result. While the cascade of events is complicated there has been much documentation on this association between progestins and acne.

Progestins are classified by generation. Levonorgesterel, a second generation compound, is considered to have a potent androgenic effect in comparison to the newest fourth generation compounds such as drospirenone. Typically the androgenic effect is dose related and the resulting acne is directly proportional. In simple terms, the higher the progestin dose, the greater the likelihood of getting acne.

The acneic effects of Plan B can range from moderate to severe. Clients, upon initial inquiry, report none to minimal precedence of acne prior to ingesting Plan B. The onset is rapid and can manifest as a severely inflamed or a severely non-inflamed (but rarely combination) condition and may last 3-6 months until the hormones levels dip below threshold. It appears that the threshold is subjective and varies greatly. The most common and lasting side effects are reddish and brownish marks known as post inflammatory hyper-pigmentation. Face Reality Acne Clinic can provide both treatments and products to fade these marks safely and effectively.

Clients report an elevation in emotional trauma associated with the use of Plan B. The circumstances surrounding the use of the medication, the resulting acne and stress can be quite devastating for clients. However, the prognosis for this type of acne is quite encouraging. Supervision and adjustment of the homecare regimen by an esthetician that specializes in acne is imperative, as the skin is sensitized and may be extremely tender. With proven and effective topicals such as benzoyl peroxide, mandelics and Vitamin A derivatives in combination with regular mild antibacterial peels and supplemental extractions, the client can experience a return to healthy skin within a matter of a few months.

If you want to achieve clear skin, let Face Reality Acne Clinic help you.

Article

Acne isn’t just a preteen worry anymore: It may be reason someone isn’t hired for a job.

People with moderate to severe acne or prominent birthmarks and scars may be discriminated against in the job market, according to a recent study conducted by Rice University professor Mikki Hebl and University of Houston professor Juan Madera.

The study, published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, found that in mock interview settings, interviewers were more likely to be distracted by a job candidate’s facial birthmarks and acne and would give that candidate a lower evaluation score than one who didn’t have facial blemishes.

Madera and Hebl conducted two studies: One tracked eye activity in undergraduate volunteers and the other featured experienced employers.

The first study found that the undergraduate volunteers couldn’t help but keep their eyes on a person’s facial blemishes instead of his or her eyes or mouth. The second study found that experienced managers rated applicants with clear skin higher than those with scars and blemishes. The undergraduate volunteers rated their blemished applicants better than the experienced managers did.

Jill Skufe, a career development coordinator at the UF Career Resource Center, said the CRC hasn’t had any students ask questions about how acne or facial scars could play a role in their job searches.

She said her advice to students who may be concerned would be to look as presentable as possible.

Women shouldn’t go overboard with makeup, Skufe advised, but if they are worried, they should ask someone close to them.

“Just ask someone you know and trust and can be honest to you,” she said.

Katherine Shearouse, a 22-year-old public relations senior, agrees with the study’s findings.

“If you’re unkempt or have zits all over your face, I think people are put off by it,” she said. “It may not be professional, but it happens all the time.”

But appearance shouldn’t be the only factor, she said.

“If you’re completely overqualified and you have a scar, I don’t think they’re not going to hire you because of that,” Shearouse said. “But if they have someone just as qualified as you are, they would rather hire him or her.”

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Face Reality Acne Clinic can help you to achieve clear skin in about 3 month’s time.  Go to our website for more information and lots of free articles to get you started.

Article

LISBON – Overweight or obesity is independently associated with a twofold increased prevalence of moderate to severe acne in adolescent girls, according to a large population-based Norwegian study.

No such association was apparent in adolescent boys, Dr. Jon A. Halvorsen reported at the annual congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

He presented a cross-sectional questionnaire study of 3,774 Oslo teenagers aged 18-19 years. He and his coworkers undertook the study because the relationship between acne and body mass index has seldom been examined. The only prior study addressing the issue dates back to 1956; it found no association between acne and overweight in a group of young male soldiers (Br. Med. J. 1956;1:1268-70).

In the new Oslo study, overweight or obesity marked by a body mass index (BMI) of at least 25 kg/m² was present in 9.5% of girls and 15.4% of boys. Self-reported moderate or severe acne, as defined using validated criteria, was present in 13.1% of girls and 14% of boys.

In the multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for mental health issues, sociodemographic factors, and diet, the prevalence of moderate or severe acne in overweight or obese girls was 18.5%, compared with less than 12% in the normal-weight comparison group of girls with a BMI of 18.5 to less than 23, reported Dr. Halvorsen of the University of Oslo. Girls with a BMI of 23 to less than 25 were 30% more likely than the comparison group to have significant acne, a trend that didn’t reach significance.

The situation was quite different in boys. The highest prevalence of moderate or severe acne (18%) occurred in underweight boys having a BMI less than 18.5. Normal-weight boys had less than a 12% prevalence of significant acne, while in overweight or obese boys the prevalence was slightly greater than 13%.

Dr. Halvorsen stressed that since these findings come from a cross-sectional study, they don’t establish a causal relationship between acne and BMI. But the data do raise questions worthy of further investigation.

“Can overweight cause acne? How important is inflammation in the pathogenesis of acne? How important are hormonal factors in adolescent acne? What about physical activity: Is it related to acne prevalence? How important are lifestyle factors?” he asked.

A lack of hormonal measurements is an important limitation of the Norwegian study. It’s an issue because polycystic ovary syndrome is known to be a risk factor for both overweight and acne, he noted.

The dietary variables incorporated in the analysis included rates of consumption of soft drinks, fatty junk foods, and raw vegetables. An audience member observed that milk consumption has previously been linked to acne; however, milk intake wasn’t recorded in the study.

Dr. Halvorsen reported having no financial conflicts of interest.

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At Face Reality Acne Clinic, we will give you guidelines on what foods may be exacerbating your acne whether you are overweight or not.  We feel that acne is an inherited disorder of the pores and that certain lifestyle issues can make it worse.  We give you all of that information, so you can make good decisions about how to best have healthy clear skin.

This is a before and after picture of someone hawking photo retouching software.  Lately, I have seen a number of ads for photography retouching software; and even though I know that most pictures in magazines are retouched, I am still flabbergasted at the extent the peoples’ pictures are altered.  And, I am most flabbergasted at how it still affects me and so many other people on a deep emotional level.  We are striving to achieve a level of perfection in our looks that doesn’t even exist!  It’s all made up folks….

So, maybe we won’t get your skin absolutely flawless, as in no pores on your skin at all (and believe me, we have clients who want that!), but we can go a long way in getting your skin really healthy and clear most of the time.  Here’s actual pictures that are NOT retouched of one of our clients who suffered for years with pretty severe noninflamed acne.  I’d say her skin looks pretty darn good without the help of retouching software, wouldn’t you?

For more information on how to have great-looking, healthy and clear skin, go to Face Reality Acne Clinic.

For more before and after pictures of photo retouching software go here.

Thanks for reading!

Acne Patients Who Take Antibiotics May Get More Sore Throats

Nov. 22, 2011 — Young adults taking oral antibiotics for acne were more than three times more likely to complain of sore throats than people who weren’t, new studies show.

Acne and the use of oral antibiotics to treat it are so common that these patients represent “an ideal group in which to study the effects of long-term antibiotic use,” University of Pennsylvania researchers write.

Their findings are published in the Archives of Dermatology.

About 2 million Americans are treated for acne every year, according to the researchers.

“People taking antibiotics for acne tend to be on them for months, if not years,” says study researcher David Margolis, MD, PhD, a professor of dermatology.

The basic premise was that the use of long-term antibiotics might change the mix of bacteria in the throat, perhaps leading to a sore throat. It turns out it’s not that simple.

Antibiotics and Sore Throats

A few earlier studies have suggested a connection between antibiotic therapy for acne and an increased risk of a sore throat. But the new research is the first that follows patients over time, Margolis and colleagues write.

The researchers conducted two studies. The first study looked at college students who met with researchers at single visits in January and February 2007.

In this study, 10 of 15 students taking oral antibiotics for acne reported having a sore throat in the previous month, while only 47 of 130 students who had acne but weren’t on oral antibiotics did.

The second study followed a separate group of close to 600 students for several visits over the 2007-2008 school year. Of that group, 36 took oral antibiotics for acne, while 96 used topical antibiotics for acne.

About 11% of the students taking oral antibiotics for acne said they had gone to the health center for a sore throat, compared to only about 3% of the other students. The students using topical antibiotics were no more likely to report having a sore throat than those who weren’t on any antibiotic therapy.

Checking for Strep

Besides asking the students about whether they’d had sore throats, the researchers also checked them for the bacteria strep. Only about 10% of sore throats are caused by bacterial infections, the researchers write, but of these, strep causes 90%.

Fewer than 1% of the students had strep, “which was a little shocking to us,” Margolis says.

That left the researchers without a clear answer for the increased frequency of sore throats.

Although they thought that perhaps the antibiotics might change the balance of bacteria, which could make the students more susceptible to sore throats, this research didn’t prove that.

For now, Margolis says doctors and patients have to consider the “risks vs. the benefits of using long-term oral antibiotics in acne patients.”

Diane Thiboutot MD, a Penn State dermatology professor, says the new findings “add to the confusion” about the role of antibiotics in sore throats.

Some dermatologists, concerned that long-term use could lead to antibiotic resistance, prescribe alternatives when possible, Thiboutot says, calling that “a good thing.”

The biggest challenge, she says, is that topical antibiotics can cause excessive dryness, and patients think it’s just easier to swallow a pill.

Zinc is one of the best sunblocks you can have in a formulation.  The problem with it is that it often is pasty and leaves a white residue even on the whitest of skin. However, this has been formulated with ZinClear - a form of zinc that goes on white but disappears (even on dark skin).  It is a really wonderful creamy texture and a great sunscreen!

Give us a call if you would like to order it.

866-377-4077

Face Reality Acne Clinic

2 oz - $26

1. Penetrate the inside of the pore - stopping acne where it starts.
2. Help to keep the pore clear of dead skin cells.
3. Kill bacteria inside the pore.
4. Be noncomedogenic (non pore-clogging) so as to not make your acne worse.

At Face Reality Acne Clinic, we have found that acne products that include mandelic acid, vitamin a propionate or benzoyl peroxide are the best ones.    But, it’s not enough to find and use products with these ingredients.  You must also be sure that products with these ingredients are formulated properly so they penetrate the pore.

And, it is essential to know what ingredient is good for what type of acne you have; and how to use the products correctly. Even the best skin care products won’t clear your skin if they are not used in the right way.  This is where we are different from other acne systems - we believe in coaching you in the right way to use products.  We want you to succeed in getting and keeping clear skin!

By the time our clients come to see us, most of them have tried myriads of products.  The acne products range from prescription products like retinoids, antibiotics and accutane to the over-the-counter acne remedies.  While many of these products have some of what it takes to get your skin clear, why do they usually fail so miserably in getting it done?  Even some of the top acne products can let you down.  Let’s look at why this happens.

For one, some of them actually have pore-clogging ingredients in them like the cream form of Retin-A, a product that should never be given to an acne patient. Isopropyl myristate is one of the worst offenders as a comedogenic (pore-clogging ingredient) and should never be given as a prescribed acne medication.  It is used in Liquid Wrench - it’s what gives product such great penetration.  That’s fine if you are looking for aging skin care products for skin rejuvenation; disastrous if you are fighting acne!  Actually, some of the best acne medications are over-the-counter products - no need for a doctor’s prescription.

For a complete list of comedogenic ingredients go here:  List of Pore Clogging Ingredients.

Many organic and “natural” skin care lines have pore-clogging ingredients in them like cocoa butter and coconut oil.  Yes, they may be organic, but they will still clog your pores and give you acne.  Maybe you could call that organic acne?  Something tells me you still don’t want it…    Many professional skin care products can have comedogenic ingredients; and even if it says “won’t clog pores” or “noncomedogenic” on the label, DO NOT BELIEVE IT! Check for yourself - there’s no government agency that oversees this.  Skin care companies can say whatever they want without retribution.

Secondly, it usually takes a combination of the right products to affect acne. Just a retinoid by itself or a serum with salicylic in it is never quite enough for most people.  And, different ingredients in acne products are used for different kinds of acne.  While some companies are attempting to customize regimens to account for this, most of the time the products are just not strong enough to get the job done.  Nor do the companies take adaptation of the skin into account.

Have you ever had the experience of products that work for awhile and then seem to stop working? That’s adaptation of the skin - quite simply, the skin gets used to the product and stops responding.  We believe it is important to change the frequency of use of products to affect a change in the skin.  Sometimes it takes adding another ingredient into your regimen to keep pushing it to clear.  We have years of experience in knowing what the next step is for your skin to clear.

So as you can see, it’s not just about the “best acne products”, or organic skin care products, you need the right products used in the right way to get rid of acne.  Let us guide you towards that end.

For more free information and to learn more about our acne treatment programs for local and long-distance clients, click here - Face Reality Acne Clinic.

Pyoderma Faciale is definitely stress-hormone related.   It tends to affect only the face in women in their 20’s to 30’s  and is characterized by large, very red painful lesions that occur mostly down the middle of the forehead, cheeks and chin.  You can see in the photograph below this pattern - notice how the inflamed lesions are only in the center of her face.  Her cheeks are completely clear.  This condition can affect women who have never had acne in their life and then they have this horrible breakout right after a very stressful time in their life.  Talk about a double whammy!!

Severe emotional trauma usually precedes the onset and is usually preceded by a period of extreme oiliness. (like hair needing to be washed twice a day). It affects only certain women who have a specific enzyme deficiency.  This deficiency suppresses the adrenals’ output of hydrocortisone and instead prompts the adrenals to dump out excessive amounts of testosterone.

The condition can be detected from blood samples, and a drug called dexamethasone can slow down testosterone production and reverse the condition.  Because the drug dexamethasone is a corticosteroid, our client was reluctant to take it.

We treated our client with our mandelic serums which are antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, and benzoyl peroxide.  We had her use an oxygen emulsion cream during the day which is an antiseptic moisturizer that uses oxygen to kill bacteria.  The last time I saw her in treatment, she only had one inflamed lesion and had been clear for the last four weeks.

For more information on how to treat acne and acne-related conditions go to Face Reality Acne Clinic.

What it looks like:

Steatocystoma Multiplex in forehead

Steatocystoma Multiplex in cheek area

Steatocystoma Multiplex

It is said that this is a rare skin condition, but we have seen at least three cases of this coming into our clinic.  Before we knew what it was, we tried treating it with our usual acne protocols but it just didn’t budge.  Nor did it extract like acne.  We might get something out of the lesion, but it was not like acne - it was more like a gelatinous fluid coming out.  When the client came back in, the lesions would be all filled up again.  One of my clients alerted me to the fact that he had been diagnosed years ago with this condition, so we started doing some research on it.

What is it?

Steatocystoma multiplex is an uncommon disorder of the pilosebaceous unit characterized by the development of numerous sebum-containing dermal cysts.  The relationship of steatocystoma multiplex to the development of sebaceous glands and common presentation at puberty suggest a hormonal trigger for lesion growth.

What can be done for it?

As far as we know, there is no easy answer for this condition.  Lancing them and trying to remove the sebaceous sac or using laser has proven costly and not that effective with risks of scarring .  There was a study years ago in Korea where the doctors took five patients and did a minimal invasive surgery that was said to be tested for getting rid of the cysts. The article said that it was successful, fast, and there was no sign of scarring on the test subjects. It is a new procedure and not much could be found on it.  It is called Steatocystoma Multiplex vein hook surgery where they use a hook-like tool to remove the sebaceous sac, and it seemed to be successful.  There have been no new updates to this study as far as I know.  If anyone has any information on this study, we would LOVE to know.  Email Laura at laura@facerealityacneclinic.com

Steatocystoma Multiplex Vein Hook Surgery

For all you regular acne sufferers, know that we certainly can help you.  Please check out our website and or give us a call

Face Reality Acne Clinic

• Your Acne Specialist  needs to monitor your progress and make changes to your home-care as needed.
• The need to exfoliate your  skin so that home-care products can penetrate the pore more easily.
• To lighten dark spots (if you have them) that are caused by acne lesions.
• To hydrate the skin, if necessary, so that the skin is receptive to your home-care regimen. (Your home-care can dry out the skin somewhat as you are getting used to them.)
• To extract existing acne impactions.
• For killing acne bacteria inside the pore.

Each treatment should have a specific focus for what the skin needs at the time of treatment. Sometimes the skin will need more hydration, other times it will need more anti-bacterial action or exfoliation.  A trained Acne Specialist will be able to ascertain what is needed for your skin at the time of treatment.

Face Reality Acne Clinic will assess your skin at the beginning of every treatment to ascertain what treatment will be best for your skin at the time of treatment.

For more information about what treatment is best for you, go to Why Do I Need Acne Treatments?