acne Archives - Sweet Lemon

Posts Tagged ‘acne’

Is it Acne? Or could it be an imposter?

May 17th, 2017

Acne is an inherited, inflammatory skin condition. Lithium and steroids can also cause acne in those without the inherited condition. Simply put, it’s a condition where the skin cells are too sticky and skin cells are shed way too quickly (about 5 times more than those who do no). Hormonal fluctuations increase the amount of oil produced, then when it gets trapped by the sticky cells, we get more breakouts. Keratosis Pilaris and many other skin issues can look very similar to acne, so it’s good to become familiar with a few to determine how to treat it.

Antibiotics do not work because acne is not a bacterial problem – it’s a dead skin cell problem. A good skin care regimen is so important to clear acne and keep it away.

There are many acne imposters, however. Some will clear up under an acne regimen and some will not.

Acne Roseacea – caused by an allergic reaction to the residue of the dermodex mite. Triggered by heat, spicy foods or alcohol. Responds well to Mandelic 5% and Acne Med 2.5% – most clear up in 4-6 weeks.

Perioral Dermatitis – itchy and rash-like around the mouth area – usually seen in young women. Avoid using acne products in that area. keep hydrated, avoid fluoride, citrus fruits and chemical sunscreens – treat as sensitive skin

Keratosis Pilaris – chicken skin found on the back of legs and arms – don’t itch or hurt, treated with strong exfoliants – Mandelic 11%

Staph Infection – resemble boils, no definition. Must be treated with antibiotics first, then responds well to acne first

Steatocystoma Multiplex – caused by too much oil in the skin. no visible pore. No known treatment or cure

Folliculitis – very common fungal condition, comes and goes. Worse in humidity or after sweating and can sometimes be itchy. Mandelic and zinc sunscreens works well also.

Roseacea Fullminans aka Pyroderma Faciale – usually comes after severe emotional trauma, sudden onset, women in 20s -30s, large painful lesions down the center of the face, extreme oiliness. Can be diagnosed with a blood test. Antibacterial products can help, but they don’t tend clear easily.

Not sure if you have acne? Feel free to send me a picture or set up an acne consultation and I will take a look and ask you questions to determine the best course of treatment.

3 Simple Steps to Control Acne

August 21st, 2016

Acne is an extremely common skin disorder that effects over 50 million Americans every year. Most people try to treat their acne with topical products but acne is a reflection of an internal
imbalance and no matter how expensive or ‘innovate’ the topical product is, it will never truly eliminate acne because it fails to address the root cause.

My acne consultations include not only a systematic approach to the application of the proper topical products, but also help with lifestyle choices, including diet, which usually has the most impact.

Acne is an inherited disorder, yet it can be controlled. It can strike at any any age. There are several key triggers, and here are the 5 simple steps to help control acne:

Step 1: Ideally, you want to consume a low-fat, high-fiber, plant-based diet. Alcohol, sugar, grains and oils are highly inflammatory and should be vastly reduced or eliminated. Animal products are particularly problematic because they are loaded with hormones and antibiotics. As such, you should limit your meat intake and avoid dairy completely because it’s both loaded with hormones and high in acne-causing sugars. Focus on including a lot of raw green veggies, fruits (especially citrus), a wide range of fresh herbs, and lots of herbal teas (dandelion is particularly helpful for detoxification).

Step 2: Keep pores clean, healthy and unclogged with proper cleansing, toning and exfoliation. Your skin cells slough at a higher rate than people who don’t have acne, the skin cells need to be removed, otherwise they feed the bacteria (that we all have) and cause breakouts. This is also why I like to see my clients every two weeks so that we can do a deep exfoliation (Acne Treatment). This also helps decrease any redness or acne scarring.

Step 3: Your skin is your largest eliminative organ, and the toxins need to go somewhere, so when the other organs stop working properly, the toxins are forced out through your skin. Eating the diet mentioned above and exercising at a level that promotes sweat will both help to stimulate the detoxification process. To encourage further detoxification, start each morning off with a glass of warm lemon water (this helps optimize liver function), and include green veggie drinks in your diet– they are loaded with essential nutrients for detoxification.

One final thing to consider is that the internal conditions that created acne, did not occur over night, and reversing them will take some time and patience. You will likely notice more radiant skin within a couple of weeks, but if you have extremely stubborn acne, it could take up to 12 months for complete acne healing. The effort is worth it though — not only will you be rewarded with clear, glowing skin, you’ll also increase your energy and vitality, and reduce your disease risk along the way.

Do you have Acne and want clear skin?

November 28th, 2015

Are you frustrated with acne treatments and products? Have you been to other estheticians or dermatologists without results? I was frustrated with acne too! I love helping my clients and even though I helped them to a certain degree, some did not clear up or worse they ended up going to a dermatologist, but then were frustrated with being given not enough education about how to treat their skin for acne, or even harsh treatments that even contained ingredients that triggered acne more. Are you using a RetinA cream or gel that contains Isopropyl Myristate? If so, that substance actually triggers acne breakouts. It broke my heart each time. I went to my skincare supplier for help, but they did not give me any specific framework to treat my clients successfully and that was not good enough for me! So I began to research what kind of system would work better.

The good news is that I have actually found a system that is proven to work! It’s called Face Reality. It began with Laura Cooksey, an esthetician in California who began working with Dr. Fulton’s methods and developed this system over 20 years ago. In 2008, she began the Face Reality Acne Clinic and then began mentoring and training other estheticians how to do her system and use the products she developed. When I saw the success that she and other estheticians around the country were making, I knew this was the right choice and I immediately took her training and now I am Face Reality Certified and cannot wait to help as many people with acne as I can.

The treatment is a combination of treatments, sensitivity testing and pushing the skin to clarity with as little irritation as possible. Instead of me trying to work with everyone’s already existing products and treatments, I insist that you commit fully to this process for 90 days. For most people their skin will be clear within that time period. For some people it will take a little longer, but they will have made significant progress. Once you sign the agreement, I will give you or email our Lifestyle Checklist, treatment procedures and all suggestions that have been made. I will expect you to come in for treatment every two weeks, do your homecare according to specific directions each day, you may not mix any other products and you will need to let me know immediately any concerns you have or any skin irritation. You cannot miss a treatment or doing any home care. You must be committed, but the results are worth it. Expect to spend $150 on your first treatment/consultation and each subsequent treatment is $75, $90 if you want to add LED (speeds healing and reduces scarring). You may purchase a package for 6 treatments and get one free. If you no longer live in the area, or would just like to purchase products only, it will take longer, but that is possible as well, contact me today or book your Acne Treatment Consultation online and let’s get started with clearing your skin!

Need Serious Skin Correction?

August 7th, 2015

If your skin has been damaged by the sun or acne, or if you would like to reduce the appearance of fine lines or uneven pigmentation, you may benefit from a series of light chemical peels.

Light chemical peels are a safe and effective way to visibly improve the quality, texture and tone of your skin. Our peels gently accelerate the skin cell regeneration process by replacing old, dull skin cells with softer, smoother younger looking skin. When combined with a Sanitas home care regimen and repeated every 2 to 4 weeks over a period of 2-3 months.

Light chemical peels deeply minimize fine lines, lighten age spots, reduce acne breakouts and even-out blotchy hyperpigmented skin.

In the days after, you may experience some temporary flaking, scaling, redness or dryness of the skin for up to 5 days following the peel. After each successive peel, you will notice your skin feels progressively smoother and softer and will appear more even-toned.

Not sure if a peel is right for you? Schedule a free consultation today! www.sweetlemonspa.com/

Not interested at all in chemical peels, but want other alternatives, we have three new facials that get results:

Rapid Results Brightening Facial with Brow and Lip Wax

Thai Facial with Reflexology

For full descriptions: www.schedulicity.com/scheduling/slsyap/services