Welcome to a journey towards clearer, healthier skin! Whether you are dealing with occasional breakouts or consistent blemishes popping up, you are not alone in facing the challenges of teenage acne. Dr. Mona shares the science behind teenage acne solutions and some recommended treatment options.
What are the common causes of Teenage Acne?
There are multiple causes of teenage acne, ranging from bacteria, clogged pores, and hormonal changes. During puberty, our body undergoes many changes, one of which is that our sebaceous (oil) glands get bigger and secrete more oil. As a result, the increased oil production mixes with the cells of the hair follicle, creating a plug that we see as a white head or black head. Acne can be aggravated by bacteria, but did you know there is a specific bacteria called Acnes, that our body produces that causes acne to get more red and inflamed? Those inflamed whiteheads or blackheads can become more inflamed and go deeper into your skin, creating deeper cystic lesions.
What can help with Teenage Acne?
At Mona Dermatology, we offer many treatment options for acne concerns. The first thing we do is look at what type of acne you have. If you only have comedonal acne (lots of whiteheads and blackheads) we may recommend gentle exfoliation with glycolic or salicylic acids. You can pair it with over-the-counter retinol or prescription such as Retin-A, Differin, or Tazorac cream. These will help normalize your skin and treat the black or white head. Do you sweat or wear makeup? Make sure you are washing your face because sweat and makeup are a common cause of pore blockage, causing breakouts. If you struggle with inflammatory acne, we will want to target the bacteria component such as. Benzoyl peroxide, a topical antibiotic, or an oral antibiotic. Acne can also be hormonal, especially if you get breakouts along your jawline or neck. Birth control and spironolactone are two ways to help target hormonal acne breakouts. Make sure it is not a progesterone-only birth control since this can oftentimes make your acne worse. Finally, if you cannot get your acne under control with the above methods. If you have been dealing with acne for a long time, oral isotretinoin, or Accutane, may be right for you. Accutane targets and shrinks your oil gland to normalize oil production. This is a very effective way to treat acne, this should only be prescribed by a qualified health professional who can help manage risks and side effects.
How should you wash your face?
Patients believe when you have acne you want to dry everything out, but in reality, you don’t want to over-dry your skin. If you are too dry your body will produce more oil, therefor you still want a healthy amount of oil on your skin. When you produce more oil on your skin it can cause you to break out more. Dr. Mona recommends a gentle cleanser and a lightweight moisturizer that doesn’t block your pores. Lastly, don’t forget your sunscreen! If you experience breakouts, the sun can make any marks you have from acne get darker and last longer. So don’t forget a lightweight broad-spectrum sunscreen.
Click the image below to watch Dr. Mona share the causes of teenage acne and her top tips for treating it.
It is generally safe to use aloe vera on your face. It can have numerous benefits for the skin, including moisturizing, soothing inflammation, reducing acne, and promoting healing. Many skincare products contain aloe vera as a key ingredient due to its calming and hydrating properties. However, if you know you have very sensitive and reactive skin, I would recommend doing a patch test first. This allows you to ensure that you don’t have any allergic reactions or sensitivities to aloe vera. Apply a small amount of aloe vera gel to a small area of your skin (such as the inside of your wrist or elbow) and wait 24 hours to see if there’s any adverse reaction before applying it to your face. If you are sensitive, applying aloe vera may cause redness, burning, or a rash.
What are some of the key benefits of using Aloe vera on your skin?
Aloe vera has been around for centuries and has been used in many cultures for its healing properties. The over 70 active components in aloe vera have many skin benefits. It contains water, which helps to hydrate the skin without leaving it feeling greasy. It is also an excellent natural moisturizer, particularly for people with dry or sensitive skin. Aloe vera also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help to calm irritated or inflamed skin. For this reason, it can be beneficial for soothing sunburns, rashes, and other skin irritations.
Aloe vera contains salicylic acid, which has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. This can help to reduce acne and prevent breakouts by unclogging pores and reducing inflammation. It promotes wound healing and can help speed up the recovery process for cuts, burns, and other minor injuries. It also contains compounds that stimulate the production of collagen, which is essential for repairing damaged skin tissue.
Aloe vera is rich in antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C, and E, which can help to protect the skin from free radical damage. This can reduce the signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles. It has a natural astringent effect, which can help to tighten and tone the skin. This can help reduce the appearance of pores and give the skin a smoother, more refined texture.
What’s the best application method?
When it comes to the best application method for aloe vera on your face, this really depends on personal preference and the specific needs of your skin. One way to use aloe vera includes sourcing it directly from the plant itself. If you have an aloe vera plant at home, you can cut open a leaf and extract the gel directly from the plant. Apply the gel directly to your face as a moisturizer or soothing treatment. This method ensures you’re using pure, natural aloe vera without any added ingredients or preservatives.
Many skincare companies today produce aloe vera gel products specifically formulated for topical use. These products can include moisturizers, serums, masks, and cleansers. Be aware that they often contain additional ingredients such as preservatives, thickeners, or other beneficial compounds. Look for products that contain high concentrations of aloe vera gel and minimal additives.
You can also creating your own aloe products by mixing aloe vera gel with other natural ingredients, such as honey, coconut oil, or essential oils. DIY recipes allow you to customize the formula to suit your skin type and address specific concerns. Always make sure to patch-test products to ensure you do not have a sensitivity.
Who shouldn’t use Aloe Vera?
While aloe vera is generally safe for most people, some people may be allergic. If you have a known allergy to plants in the Liliaceae family (such as onions, garlic, or tulips), you may also be allergic to aloe vera. This is why performing a patch test before using aloe vera on your skin is important, especially if you have sensitive skin or a history of allergies.
Even if you’re not allergic to aloe vera, it’s possible to experience skin irritation or sensitivity from its use. If you have very sensitive skin or any existing skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis, it’s a good idea to consult with a dermatologist before using aloe vera.
For women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, the topical application of aloe vera gel is unlikely to pose a risk. However, oral use of aloe is not recommended in pregnant women due to a theoretical risk of stimulating uterine contractions. Oral aloe is also not recommended during breastfeeding as this has been known to cause gastrointestinal upset in nursing infants. In general, it is always best to err on the side of caution and consult with a healthcare professional before using it.
There are also some interactions with other medications. Concomitant use of aloe vera with topical steroids may cause increased absorption of the steroid cream. Oral use can lower potassium levels, so should not be used with digoxin, digitoxin, or furosemide and should be used with caution in patients using insulin or oral hypoglycemics.
How does this Aloe Vera compare to other ingredients?
Aloe vera is a popular ingredient in skincare due to its hydrating, cooling, and soothing properties. While it is effective for many people, other ingredients can serve similar purposes. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that attracts and retains moisture in the skin, helping keep it hydrated and plump. It is often used in moisturizers and serums to provide and maintain hydration.
Niacinamide, or vitamin B3, is very popular in skincare. It promotes a healthy skin barrier by reducing moisture loss and dehydration and helps to calm skin with its anti-inflammatory properties. It helps with oil control and can also help with acne
Cucumber extract is another ingredient known for its cooling and soothing properties, making it a popular ingredient in skincare products designed to calm irritated or inflamed skin. It also has hydrating benefits and can help to reduce puffiness and dark circles around the eyes. Calendula extract is derived from the marigold flower and is known for its anti-inflammatory and healing properties. It can help to soothe redness, irritation, and minor skin wounds, making it suitable for sensitive or damaged skin. Chamomile extract is another ingredient that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making it beneficial for soothing sensitive or irritated skin. It can help to reduce redness and inflammation and promote overall skin health. Additionally, oat extract is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties, making it ideal for calming and soothing irritated or itchy skin. It can also help to improve skin barrier function and retain moisture.
Special Launch Offer: New Acne Products from SkinMedica
These innovative new products combine powerful ingredients like salicylic acid, Bakuchiol, and niacinamide to balance sebum production and clear breakouts while still hydrating skin and supporting the skin barrier. Thanks to this innovative formula, patients may notice clearer skin without the dryness and irritation that are often caused by acne products. It’s safe to say that these are some of our favorite acne products we’ve ever tried.
Our team recently shared their first impressions when trying the Pore Purifying Gel Cleanser: click the link below to watch!
Here are the details on how to take advantage of our special launch offer on the new acne products from SkinMedica! If you’re as excited about these new products as we are, be sure to take advantage of our launch pricing. Typically, the Acne Clarifying Treatment retails for $88 and the Pore Purifying Gel Cleanser retails for $48 but to celebrate the launch we are selling the bundle for just $98! To take advantage of this promotion, simply add both products to your cart and the discount will automatically be applied. Note that launch pricing is only valid through 5/30/24.
Key Benefits & Ingredients
The Acne Clarifying Treatment has a new proprietary SebumBalance Complex with Bakuchiol that balances sebum, supports skin health and clarity, and reduces the appearance of pores. It also includes encapsulated 2% Salicylic Acid that releases over time to treat and prevent breakouts without drying out skin and 2% niacinamide that soothes skin and visible redness and supports a healthy, strong skin barrier. The Pore Purifying Gel Cleanser is formulated with antioxidants, bakuchiol, salicylic Acid/BHA, and soothing botanicals Aloe and Olive Leaf. This product is a non-irritating gel cleanser with clinically proven ingredients that gently dissolve makeup, oil, impurities, and dirt to cleanse and purify pores while supporting the skin’s barrier and improving the appearance of skin texture.
Results from Clinical Studies
In a clinical study of patients using the Pore Purifying Gel Cleanser and the Acne Clarifying Treatment:
95% of patients said the products did not dry out their skin 24 hours after use
90% of patients said their skin looked clearer in just 48 hours
93% of patients said their skin looked and felt less oily in just 4 weeks
86% of patients said their pores looked smaller in just 4 weeks
How to Take Advantage of the Special Launch Offer on New Acne Products from SkinMedica
Simply click the links below to add both items to your cart and the discount will automatically apply! Alternatively, you can also call the office at 513.984.4800 to purchase.
Summer is right around the corner, so now is the perfect time for you to find the right sunscreen and use it! What better way to prepare for spring break than by refreshing your sunscreen stash? Learn why this is the most important step in your skincare routine. Our provider Anna, CNP shares her top recommendations for the best sunscreens for the whole family. If you are not already wearing your sunscreen daily, this is your sign to start!
When it comes to finding the perfect sunscreen for you or your family, there are three things to look out for:
Coverage
When looking for the right sunscreen for you, coverage is extremely important: look for ingredients including Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide to ensure you are purchasing a broad-spectrum sunscreen. These two ingredients are a great choice in your sunscreens as they cover both UVA & UVB Rays.
SPF
Our providers always recommend a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and rates the amount of solar exposure that you will be protected from. For example: an SPF 100 is going to block 99% of UVB rays, while an SPF 30 is going to block 97% of UVB rays. So while SPF 100 is going to give you greater protection, it is only a 3% increase so it may not be worth the added cost.
Daily Use
Using a broad spectrum sunscreen daily will help ensure consistent protection from UV damage. In order to get into the habit of wearing your sunscreen daily, it’s helpful for you to find one that you enjoy wearing. We carry a wide variety of sunscreens here at our office: such as lightweight or moisturizing, tinted and non-tinted, along with specialty formulations such as powders.
Lastly make sure you purchase a sunscreen you will wear, there are a variety of sunscreen options based on your skin type, as well as tinted and untinted options.
Click below to watch our provider, Anna, CNP share her favorite sunscreens for the whole family!
This ultralight tinted sunscreen protects, repairs, and corrects with Eryfotona Ageless. It is an ultralight tinted sunscreen with zinc oxide which helps fight the signs of photoaging.
This revolutionary sunscreen helps protect your skin from harmful infrared rays while improving the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and sun damaged skin.
ColoreScience Face Shield Flex ($54)- Best for Pigment
This sunscreen is great for swimmers, skiers, runners, golfers and other athletes. This sunscreen will not wash off or run into your eyes if you sweat.
ColoreScience Brush On Shield ($69)- Best for Reapplying
This all mineral skin shield provides complete protection on the go, this application can be applied alone or over makeup.
*Not wearing sunscreen at all is never a good idea! If you are still on the hunt for the perfect sunscreen for you or your family schedule a consultation, we would love to help!
