Now here is the situation. Your skin has been beautifully, perfectly, stunningly clear for months (except maybe a couple hormonal pimples here and there, but no big deal, right...)
And then it happens out of seemingly nowhere. You meet a boy. A male distraction, if you will. Kissing ensues. Unfortunately accompanied by some upsettingly painful cystic acne on your chin.
This is a fairly common occurrence among women dating men with stubble or with beards. The official term for it is Acne Mechanica. But what is it exactly?
According to an article sited in JAMA dermatology 1975 -The term acne mechanica designates local exacerbations due to pressure, friction, rubbing, squeezing, or stretching. Examples are given of various physical traumata that provoke lesions in acne patients. The precipitating causes of stress are diverse, they include articles of clothing (tight straps and belts), recreational accouterments (football shoulder pads, helmets etc.), or occupational pressure (rubbing).
So, what are you supposed to do? Just stop kissing your new flame altogether?
Worry not, you probably don’t have to go that far. Here are a few tips to helping you combat Acne Mechanica.
Much of the rashiness caused by kissing can be helped by a clean shaven face. Stubble is akin to sandpaper on sensitive skin (and possibly even if your skin isn’t sensitive!) and causes tenderness and hypersensitivity.
It may also be a product on his skin that is causing a reaction. If he uses an aftershave that contains things like coconut oil, or a beard conditioner with pore cloggers, that could definitely be contributing to your delicate skin problems.
Longer facial hair on him means less irritation for you! It can still be a little rough for your skin, but having him use a conditioner in the shower that he rinses off thoroughly will help the softness of his beard and the rough texture on your face.
Let’s face it, some guys are just not as hygienic as girls. If they go more than a day without washing and conditioning their facial hair, some germs might just end up on your acne-prone skin and cause a breakout.
Hands down, the best way to deal with breakouts from kissing to just go ahead and wash your face afterward (you can try this Gentle Wash on for size) and thoroughly moisturize (this is also an amazing product you should try.) Think of it as a huge step in self-care. It won’t always be the most convenient option, but it will be the most effective in keeping acne breakouts away.
If you found these tips helpful and really want to take your skincare to the next level, go ahead and set up and appointment with us today here. And if you didn’t find these tips helpful, let us help you clear up your acne and keep those annoying breakouts away by clicking this link here. Our dedicated staff if committed to helping you get clear and we have the knowledge to make it happen for you. Call us today! 801-800-6602
The desire for perfect, blemish-free skin is one everyone in our modern society strives for. You see pictures of splendidly perfect skin everywhere on Instagram, Facebook, magazines.
But what’s that, you say? More acne? Scabs? Dry skin? It sees like no matter what you do, you are stuck with pimples and bumps.
Some may resort to picking. At least that way, you have control over something. At least that way, you can see a difference, feel a difference.
Picking at your acne can be a form of self-harm. The actual name for it is Dermatillomania and it affects many people with acne and even some without the acne. There are two kinds of Dermatillomania, one of them is an addiction and the other is a compulsion.
A compulsion to pick stems from feeling a sensation in or on the skin that makes you want to pick at it to make the sensation go away. This sensation stems from factors usually inside the body like bad reactions to food, medication, stress, and lack of sleep. People with a compulsion sometimes don’t even realize they are doing it. They just go at it when they get an itchy feeling or some other trigger.
An addiction to picking comes from trying to manage stress in an unhealthy way, or simply because picking feels good. The desire to pick generally comes from wanting perfect skin, so the picker will use any means necessary to even out and flatten blemishes. They believe this will help their appearance when the opposite usually happens. People who are addicted to picking will feel a general sense of relief or a rush when they are finished picking. Think of it like a form of managing stress; they do it to escape their thoughts or problems for a little while and in process, damage their skin.
The need to have some sort of control over reality is often a big factor for people who pick at their skin. It is also a form of perfectionism, and sometimes it may be from other underlying factors like OCD, although that is not always the case.
Managing picking depends on whether you are addicted to picking or if it is a compulsion but the remedies can be very similar.
With an addiction, it’s best to focus more on reconditioning your mind and thoughts that lead up to the picking. Many of the ways to remedy this are similar to other addictions. Changing up your routine, avoiding people and places that make you want to pick, and even changing your diet can all help tremendously in managing the picking tendency.
To manage the compulsion to pick, there are usually a few environmental factors that need to be changed in order to stop. Adding consistency is a huge step. Sleeping and eating routines should be carefully looked at, as those can cause the “itch to pick.” Also considering what foods and medications may be triggering the desire is helpful so you can manage them better. Looking at what goes into your body will help you better understand any imbalances within that lead to compulsion.
Having a guide to help you work through these issues is important to not feel so alone when dealing with an addiction or a compulsion. Sometimes it can be hard to see that there is a problem and having someone else there to show you what the problem is and how to deal with it, is extremely important. But the most important factor of all is that YOU decide to quit. It’s not about anyone else until you make the decision to stop.
The only way to stop picking is to realize that you want to stop. But it doesn’t hurt to have some help along the way. Call us at 801-800-6602. We not only help with acne, but we offer support to those who want to quit picking and get clear skin in the process. We can help you manage the stress that comes from picking by making acne less of a problem. Whatever assistance we can offer for you to obtain clear skin, free of acne and picking scars, we are here to help. Making an appointment is the first step! UtahAcneClinic.com.
A Staph infection can be tricky to spot because it can look similar to acne. The difference lies in that Staph quickly becomes incredibly inflamed and there isn’t an obvious border where one lesion ends and another begins.
It’s important to know that the Staphylococci bacteria lives on the skin of 20 to 30% of healthy adults but only affects a small percentage of the population. It usually only causes infections and disease if the immune system is compromised (HIV or diabetes) or if there is a cut or abrasion on the skin and the person is a carrier of the harmful strains of this bacteria.
It can be a scary thing to deal with, but it can be dealt with. It can occur more frequently for people who shave a lot and accidentally nick the skin. Also for people who workout, particularly if the workout is in a martial art where skin is rubbing against mats or against other people’s skin, where it can be transferred easily. Showering after any workout is also a must.
As mentioned above, Staph bacteria is typically harmless. Most people live with it on their skin in some form or another and it never bothers them. There are over 30 different strains and only a couple of them are dangerous. So how do you spot it?
It usually looks like a boil or a giant pimple. It can also look like a rash and is quite painful. If it becomes hot to the touch and spreads rapidly, it could be infected with the dangerous strain of Staph bacteria so it’s worth it to get a second opinion. It’s also worthwhile to note that this bacteria lives mostly on the skin and inside the nasal passages, as they are more sensitive areas.
If you think you may have a Staph infection, you will want to speak to a doctor on this issue. Many times, they will recommend an oral antibiotic which should help immediately with the infection. They may also suggest that you are hyper diligent with your hygiene and keep your bedding and clothes as clean as possible. Depending on how bad the infection is, the doctor may also see about getting you an IV drip for supportive care.
Getting this checked out early is of the utmost importance because if the most virulent strains of Staph infect the blood somehow (via cuts or food poisoning), symptoms will be more severe and require immediate medical attention. For these reasons, never extract or squeeze pimples or boils as they can become infected with the Staph bacteria and it will spread rapidly. The more critical symptoms include but are not limited to; fever, chills, pain in the abdomen or on the skin, blisters, impetigo, redness, diarrhea, nausea, and swollen sores that ooze pus.
This bacteria is no joke! Getting help if you think you may have a Staph infection is crucial to long term health. However, they can also be recurrent, meaning once you stop taking antibiotics, it could come back. So catching it early and taking the proper precautions to avoid future infection is very important.
It is imperative to talk to your doctor about this condition if you have these symptoms or have a boil or rash that just won’t go away. It could literally save your life.
Here at Skintherapy, we are Master Estheticians. We are not doctors and we cannot treat Staph infections in our clinic. However, if you come to an appointment and we feel like your acne may be coupled with suspicious infected lesions we will make a doctor referral for you prior to working on your acne. Give us a call at 801-800-6602 or visit our website to book at appointment to treat your acne.
Ever notice how sometimes your cheeks flare up bright red when you’re blushing or eating spicy food? Or maybe nothing even happened and your cheeks are still rosy as a ripe tomato. Maybe it’s really humid and your skin has decided to look hot and aggravated, even though you’ve been inside in a temperature controlled environment all day.
It can begin when you just blush or flush more easily than other people. The redness may spread from the cheeks and nose to other areas of the body such as the ears, chest, and back.
The sad truth is, these are all symptoms of Rosacea. According to the American Academy of Dermatology there are four sub types of Rosacea
Today we are going to talk about the most common type, which is simply referred to as Papulopustular Rosacea or Acne Rosacea.
On the skin, Rosacea may just look like rosy cheeks. Other times small pimple-like bumps can break out on the skin. Many times it will include broken blood vessels spread out across the cheeks and nose.
Rosacea can be exacerbated by environmental changes (moving from a hot area to a cool one and vice versa, too much exposure to sunlight, cold wind) to the foods you eat, particularly spicy food. Alcohol can also be a major trigger. Other drinks such as coffee and tea can also be triggers.
There are a few ways we like to manage Acne Rosacea here at Skintherapy. The first thing we want to do is take a look at the skin and determine the severity of the condition.
The next thing we usually do is pick a cleanser to help with oiliness. The go-to in this situation would be our BPO Wash. Not only does it help combat oily skin but it also helps with the redness that accompanies Rosacea. This will help manage the inflammation and irritation.
Another excellent product we like to use in our clinic is our Exfoliating Serum #1 which assists in sloughing off dead skin cells and disinfecting skin. This serum also aids in the therapeutic reduction of redness.
For a toner, we love to use our Calming Toner or the Oily Skin Toner. Both of these help calm and and clarify irritated skin. Make your choice dependant on how oily or sensitive your skin is. Both of these are great products, but we can always help you choose which one is the best for your skin if you’d prefer some guidance.
We always recommend visiting us for a consultation before buying or ordering products, but if you are in a bind, at the end of your rope, the products listed above will be of great use to you. Never be afraid to reach out to us with any further questions or added assistance, or simply to book your appointment today.
If you do have Acne Rosacea, remember that you are not alone! Here’s a list of famous actors and actresses who also have Rosacea:
We look forward to helping you with your Acne and Acne Rosacea.
One of the biggest complaints that we hear when clients come into our acne clinic are their bad experiences with past acne treatments. Anything from a doctor pushing too hard for them to get on antibiotics or Accutane, or even telling them that everything they’d been doing up to that point that was actually working was wrong. Is it any wonder that many people leave these appointments feeling even more confused about how to treat their acne?
The average dermatologist visit lasts anywhere from 10-20 minutes. You may go into fervent detail about what your symptoms are, what products you’ve been using, and how your skin reacts to certain ingredients. At which point, the doctor may or may not closely examine your skin for a moment or two….and then suggest you get on Accutane. Perhaps you’ve read about Accutane or you’ve tried it before, or maybe you only have mild acne to begin with. You may have health concerns or mental health issues that make you skeptical if such powerful drugs are the right choice for you. But this doctor doesn’t seem to have the time or the patience to listen to your concerns and go through all the details with you--they just want to treat you and move on.
Your next appointment with them will usually be three months later. At which point, perhaps things have improved, but usually they haven’t, simply due to the fact that the initial meeting was so pressed for time and so few questions have been answered. The dermatologist may tell you at this point (even more earnestly) that you must get on prescription drugs. Or they might even tell you that you are not washing your face enough (as if you haven’t heard that before.)
By the end of this even shorter meeting, you may feel that you are your wit’s end. Many people may even stop trying to treat their acne altogether at this point because of impatient doctors and pressure to start drug trials. They’re left with scars and redness for perhaps the rest of their lives. They may never get the care they needed for their acne.
We’ve heard this story so many times from clients who come to us as a last resort. “I was rushed at my appointment” is a big one when referring to a dermatologist.
Of course, not every dermatologist or doctor is like we described above, but we hear it so often, it seems like most of the time, they simply don’t have time to treat something as “non-life threatening” as acne. But acne affects a person’s life in so many important ways; self esteem, self worth,self confidence. These are all things that a person needs to live their best life. With acne, it just makes all the most important aspects about life seem more challenging than necessary.
You don’t want acne on grad night. You don’t want acne when you’re dating someone new. You don’t want acne on your wedding day. These are all real life events that are affected badly when one has acne, without even mentioning day to day life. The struggle is real.
Let us share with you a few things you should be looking for in a good acne clinic:
A consultation should take much longer than just 10 minutes, especially if it is the first time you are meeting with someone. You want to work with someone who really listens to what you’ve tried in the past, what’s working for you now, and then discerns how bad your acne really is. Without these things, you’re not going to make the progress you desire. You’re just another patient on a clipboard. What you really need is someone who talks to about options and processes that will be most effective for you.
To truly get acne clear, you must be seeing a professional much more than once every three months. It takes work to get acne clear. Work that may include visiting the clinic every week or every other week at first. This ensures that your skin is reacting well to products and procedures. It should seem like whoever you are working with truly cares and wants to ensure your success.
It’s safe to say that many skin problems begin below the surface. Without touching the problem areas, it can be hard to tell what’s actually going on underneath. A good acne clinic will study your skin carefully so as to issue the correct and specific course of action best suited for your skin. Practically never will they recommend getting on strong prescriptions or heavy antibiotics. Your skin can get clear without them and it just takes some time with a professional to figure out how.
Acne isn’t just about genetics or products, it’s also about lifestyle. A great skincare professional will consider what other aspects of your life may be contributing to your acne. Do you workout and sweat a lot without wiping the sweat and dirt from your face and body afterward? Are you wearing enough sunscreen, even when it’s cloudy or cold outside? Are you drinking lots of milk or eating foods with too many hormones?
All of these things should be examined closely and taken into consideration. You want someone to care about clearing your acne just as much as you do! And you also want to work with someone who truly enjoys the process. This is what makes the journey of clearing acne more fun and long lasting than just trying to taking the drugs prescribed by a doctor or dermatologist. This way, you are ensured a much higher degree of success and satisfaction.
Don’t just settle for a doctor who may not have the time and energy to really help you get results. Look for the best options, clinics that offer what we mention above and more. Not only will you be much happier with your progress, but you are also much more likely to achieve the results you deserve.
Come check out our Acne Clinic. UtahAcneClinic.com.
As a teen with acne, your dreams are made up of days where you no longer suffer from embarrassing breakouts. Adulthood is the ticket out of Zitville, at least you hope anyway. Adult acne is classified as having acne over the age of 25. At that point, your teen years are behind you and you thought you were done with this acne stuff. But think again.
Some acne sufferers start having breakouts in their young tender years while others don’t start breaking out until much later in life. Why is it that some people’s acne clears up as time goes on while others are surprised with breakouts long after their teen years?
The truth about acne is, nobody really knows why it starts young for some people and later for others. It could be hormones. It could be a change in products you are using. Or it could be how often and how aggressively you are cleansing your skin. Anything from diet to stress can trigger a breakout no matter what age you are.
So let’s examine some of the ways that acne can be helped, no matter what age you are.
By now you are probably aware that products are a huge part of helping or hindering your acne. With every new product you pick up at the store or online, there is the plea in the back of your mind, “I hope this doesn’t make me break out.”
So many people have been there and the constant game of roulette is not fun. If you’re looking for products that are guaranteed not to break you out and in fact, will only help your acne get better, try these on for size:
This toner helps calm redness as it hydrates and removes sweat, dirt, and dead skin cells from your pores.
This face wash is gentle and effective in cleansing the skin without being too drying. Perfect for any skin type.
This sunscreen is not only soothing while it prevents sunburns, but also has natural ingredients that keep your pores from becoming clogged.
With these products, you are likely to experience some improvements right away because they are not drying or over exfoliating. That is another big problem among acne sufferers: cleansing too much. With the Gentle Face Wash mentioned above, using it once or twice a day won’t make you dry out, but will effectively cleanse the skin of irritants. When looking for products to help acne, it is usually best to err on the side of gentle at first. This way, you can gauge how aggressive you need to go with products to get the results you want.
The reality is, when you are dealing with something as complicated as acne, you want to make sure you are getting the best treatment advice from the most knowledgeable source.
Dermatologists, as helpful as they might be, may not have the time or the patience to deal with your specific case of acne as you see fit.
Let our team at Skintherapy be the ones to help you get your skin back on track. Whether it be adult acne or teen acne, we are here to help.
Reach out to us here on our website or check out our social media pages (@utahacneclinic on Insta) to get more info and start your journey to clear skin.
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