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.

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:
 

1. How much time is allotted per client per visit

 
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.
 

2. How often they schedule to see 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.
 

3. They closely examine and touch your skin

 
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.
 

4. Considers other aspects that may be affecting your acne

 
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.

Whether or not to take Accutane (or Isotretinoin) is no small decision, as it has some serious side effects that come along with taking it. Although countless personal and medical trials have been done on it since its release in the early 1980s, there are a lot of side effects that you should be aware of before starting on this drug. Here we will start with some of the short-term side effects.

Accutane’s most common side effect is dry lips, almost always described as “painful and persistent.” Can be treated with lip balms and products like Aquaphor, but these do not actually make the dryness go away, just abates it for a short while. Besides dry lips, there’s also extremely dry skin, which can last beyond the time the drugs are taken for some patients. This dry skin has been characterized as “½ inch chunks falling off at a time,” which was sometimes helped by moisturizers, but not all the time. All patients describe extreme caution when it comes to exposure to the sun, as Accutane causes skin fragility and thinness, therefore sunburns develop much more easily and severely. Hair loss is another common but not as serious side-effect. However, this particular reaction seems to be more prevalent in men than in women.

Other frequent side effects include extreme fatigue, headaches, and brain fog.

The longer-term side effects of Accutane can be more subtle but other times far more serious. Many users of this drug report having continual dry eyes after they stop taking it. Some describe this as painful at worst and annoying at best. The more serious side effects include damage to the intestinal lining, leading to Irritable Bowel Syndrome or even Crohn's Disease. Besides the possibility of an inflamed intestinal disease, there are other factors like joint and body aches, which can vary from mild discomfort to being nearly in constant pain.

Among the more serious side effects of taking Accutane, mental health is often affected. Patients have often reported some sort of depression, anxiety, or wild mood swings related to Accutane and a smaller percentage even report more serious mental health issues. It is always recommended that you talk to your doctor or healthcare professional if these symptoms occur with you.

A lot of people turn to Accutane when they think they don’t have any other choice. Unfortunately, many dermatologists are all too happy to prescribe it so patients will receive quick results. But oftentimes, these results come at a cost. We talk about many of the side effects here in this blog, but have barely mentioned all of them, some of which include long term fertility issues and horrible problems with pregnancy if it occurs while taking the drug. Most often, doctors will prescribe termination as becoming pregnant on this drug causes huge problems for the fetus.

Accutane is a serious solution to a dire problem, but it is NOT the only solution. In fact, it is one that we most often recommend is not even necessary.

You may have tried everything you can think of; chemical exfoliation, drugstore acne remedies, facials, you name it. And nothing worked. That doesn’t mean that you simply have to turn to drugs like Accutane. It is a not the easy way out.

Far more beneficial to your well being would be to find a skin care professional who deals with mostly acne. Dermatologists can see acne as a frivolous problem that can be treated easily with drugs, but that is not the case! You want to be more than a chart in a doctor’s long list of patients. Find someone who has time to actually take a deep look at your skin and find a viable solution without drugs. Not only is it possible, but it is much better for your long term health than seeing someone who immediately tries to put you on drugs.

Believe it or not, acne can be treated topically, with products on the skin. We know this because that’s exactly what we do everyday. In the same amount of time it would take to get clear with Accutane, we can also get your skin clear, but without any of the nasty side effects of serious drugs (perhaps some dry skin, but that’s it, and easily fixable!)

Acne affects so many aspects of our daily lives. If you have acne, chances are your self-esteem is down the drain and you just want to stay inside, sometimes not even wanting to spend time with friends and family because it is so bad. That is not good! It makes life harder when it shouldn’t be.

That’s why our main goal here at Skintherapy to help people with acne get better. The best way to do that is to let us guide you with the right products and routine so that your skin gets clear and STAYS clear.

That’s our promise to you.
Look into booking an appointment here today and you won’t be disappointed.

The experience most people have with acne is this; calling a dermatologist and scheduling an appointment, at that appointment, the doctor spends 5-10 minutes looking at your skin and then suggests you take some sort of antibiotic, contraceptive, or other medication. These medications often have uncomfortable short and longterm side effects, so most people end up not taking all of them, or only taking them for a short time before giving up. If you have experienced this yourself, you are definitely not alone.

The short answer to the question of whether or not you need medication to treat acne is a simple no. But the real answer is infinitely more revealing.

The bold statement we make here at Skintherapy is that acne can be treated at the root without medications. How, you ask? With a regimen of the proper products and lifestyle changes.

If you grew up with acne or even got acne later in life as an adult, you know the struggle of dealing with it every day can get tiresome. The question of whether or not you should get on medication is unfortunately a common one, but that doesn’t have to be the answer for you. You can accomplish the beautiful, clear skin you want without ever taking a single pill or antibiotic.

We are confident in the fact that we can help get your skin clear with the proper commitment and process. That is why we are here. As experts, we have a unique outlook on acne and how to care for it. That’s because the issue isn’t just “skin deep.” There is a lot going on underneath the skin and you need someone who knows what to look for so they can minister the correct products and services for you.

This goes beyond a simple “Let me have a look at you.” Here we take pride in getting to the root of the issue causing your acne specifically, whether that be food, makeup, cleansing routine, products, or even the laundry detergent you use. Everything has the ability to help or hinder your skin clearing progress. You want clear skin, you want to be able to take a look at everything in your life and decide whether it’s getting you closer to that goal, or further away from it.

After working with hundreds of people, helping them get their skin clear and seeing the drastic change it makes in their everyday lives, that’s how we know it works and that it is worth it.

You may not know where to start when it comes to your acne. You may be scared. Lots of people are when they’re just starting out. There is so much information out there on the subject. It can be hard to know where to begin.

There is a lot to caring for acne, but you don’t have to do it alone. We have the tools you need and they don’t require you to take medications with ill side effects or any other pill or medicine. Your skin can get clear without all that. All it really takes is an initial appointment for you to see the effectiveness of working with a true Acne Expert.
To book your consultation, click here.

What your teenager tells you:
“Yes, I have been washing my face.”
“Yes, I am trying not to pick.”
“No, I don’t want to go to the school dance. Dances are lame.”

What your teenager doesn’t tell you:

“I’ve been washing my face more aggressively than ever but I don’t know why I’m still breaking out.”
“I can’t help but pick my whiteheads! They’re so ugly!”
“Asking someone out, going out together, taking pictures! Sounds like a nightmare. Count me out.”

Parents, when your child was born, or maybe even before that, you heard to watch out for those “teen years.” For everyone, it seems, the years of teenagedom are the hardest. Particularly for parents, or so they tell you.

The truth is, kids are going through a lot at that age; trying to find their independence without being old to enough to actually exercise much, dealing with schoolwork and classmates, family and friends, and namely, navigating raging hormones that just don’t seem to quit. And if you haven’t heard a teenager tell you, “You just don’t understand me!” then be forewarned, when you hear it, it may make you want to laugh out loud. Because you have been there. You have “done that,” so to speak.

For teens, it seems there are few things that are actually in their control. They must go to school, they must attend granny’s 66th birthday party, they must get good grades and do chores. The list seems never ending. But then there’s one other thing on top of that keeps popping up in their young lives. Yet another thing outside of their control.

Acne.

The curse of acne begins rather young for most people unfortunate enough to have it. The average acne sufferer is 12 years old when they start getting pimples. Coincidentally, 12 years old is the typical age where kids hit puberty. You see, for most people, these two events are inextricably linked. That sharp rise in hormones equals not only a cranky teen, but also a teen with acne. Sadly, it’s lose-lose.

The way that hormones, genetics, and acne are connected, when a youngster experiences a sudden increase in hormone production during puberty, this causes the skin to produce too much oil and dead skin cells begin to build up in the pores. This excess of oil and dead skin cells is a recipe for, you guessed it, breakouts.

As a parent, you may notice when your teen has started breaking out and you wonder how to be sensitive to their feelings. You notice they no longer want to participate in events they used to love. You notice they’re more withdrawn and seem less happy. You may also notice that they’re wearing more makeup, trying to cover up the blemishes. These are all signs that a good conversation is in order.

You will want to take this opportunity to connect with your teen and help them find a solution to the problem plaguing their lives right now. You don’t want them to have a harder time than necessary. Helping them deal with their acne is one step to helping them feel better and more confident. You will want to take this conversation slowly and really hear them out so you can work on a solution together.

When your teen is ready, you may suggest that in order to find something that works, you’ll need to work together to find some much needed professional guidance. Perhaps neither of you have ever had to deal with acne before. Or maybe you have had acne when you were a kid and didn’t get as much help dealing with is as you may have liked. Whatever the situation may be, you and your teenager will want to work with someone who deals with acne regularly.

To get the most out of this conversation and provide the best possible solution, this is a perfect time to mention Skintherapy. We deal with teen acne nearly every day. We know the best treatment paths to overcome it. We know how frustrating acne is and we deliver astounding results. You can tell them that in a mere 3-6 months, their skin will look and feel clearer after working with us. No reason not to give it a shot, right?

We are confident that we can help your teen feel more confident in their skin. That is our goal for anyone struggling with acne. All it takes is one appointment to begin the journey from struggling with acne to overcoming acne.

You're about to start a big chapter in your life and there's a buzz of excitement in the air. And there’s so much to do!

Planning a wedding is no joke. You've got to find a venue, decide on your invitation list, choose a ring for your hubby-to-be, find a caterer, flowers and decorations, the whole nine. Where does a young bride start?

Sometimes (okay, a lot of times) planning a wedding can be stressful, even if you have a fantastic plan with plenty of time to get things in order.

But secretly, your main concern isn’t necessarily the wedding. You may be an adult about to make one of the biggest commitments of your adult life but your skin has gone into full breakout mode. This is the most important day of your life and acne is fiercely rearing its ugly head.

You didn't ask for acne and you've waited for years to "grow out of it" but sadly that day never came. The stress of planning and maybe even some rogue hormones have made a mess of your skin. It sucks and it seems it’s out of your control to fix it. You may have even tried many remedies; all the OTC products you can think of, dermatologists, retinol, and even organic items you heard about or read about on the internet.

You want this problem to be fixed--the sooner the better.

Now, what if I told you that you could hang out with your new husband on your honeymoon without (gasp) wearing any makeup at all?

The reality is, all your pimples could virtually disappear before your big day. All it takes some time. And it’s so worth it.

So buckle up my friends, because I am about to tell you how.

We all know acne is hard to control, so a lot of people turn to medications like Accutane for help. But medications can have bad side effects and sometimes don't even work at all.

So where do you turn to prepare not only the wedding itself but to ensure you have great photos featuring you with beautiful skin?

Here is the solution.

The path to clear skin isn't a quick one, no matter what you read on the internet. Achieving clear skin is a process that takes time.

How much time, you may ask? Try 3 to 6 months. That's because that's how long it takes for good products to really sink deep into your skin and work their magic to make those breakouts and blackheads vanish at the source.

Skintherapy’s program is a process that not only turns your skin into a flawless work of beauty but also keeps your skin clear for the rest of your life (including your marriage.)

Acne is manageable and it's possible to have skin so clear you won't have to think twice about whether or not to wear makeup to the beach or anywhere else you choose to honeymoon. All it takes is some time and some professional guidance.

You don't have to figure out this acne problem alone. Skintherapy can help get your skin 100% clear so you have one less this to worry about on your big day.
The only question is how do you get started?

With Skintherapy, we have designed a process and a line of products that you use daily to clear unwanted acne. They work so effectively, you will be wondering why you didn't start sooner!

The best way to get started is to book an appointment. If you aren’t already acquainted with our website, here is the link to book your first appointment. Want to see some of the amazing results for yourself? Click on this link to see how other’s skin has been transformed and yours can too!

The sooner we start working on your skin together, the sooner you will be ready to face your wedding day all smiles and beautiful, flawless skin.

They say there is a light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to acne, which is the adage that it’s “just a phase. You grow out of it. It won’t last forever.”

It’s these popular beliefs that keep kids going. In fact, if you ask many adolescents, they might tell you that their acne will just go away on its own eventually. Which is the case for some people. But the truth is, for most folks, acne doesn’t just go away once you hit a certain age.

Many people believe that acne is caused by skin not being cleaned well enough-- as if acne is caused merely by being dirty and is easily fixed by simply cleaning the skin. The fact of the matter is the true culprits are hereditary and mostly have to do with hormones. This is why teenagers are so likely to break out. It is due to the dramatic fluctuation in hormone levels during adolescence. Testosterone increases, triggering the secretion of excess oil in the sebaceous glands. Bacteria and dead skin get trapped in the pores, resulting in acne breakouts.

Adult acne, on the other hand, is caused by slower skin turnover that happens along with excess oil production, sweating, and hormonal changes that come with getting older.

It’s estimated that 80-85 percent of teens experience acne breakouts. Adult acne, which is characterized by flares and remissions throughout your entire life, is fairly common amongst those who have suffered from adolescent acne.

Things that can affect adult acne range from stress levels to the food you eat, what cosmetics you wear, and how much sleep you’re getting. To make matters worse, if you are a woman, acne is much more likely to last longer and be more severe than it would be for your typical male counterpart. This is due to fluctuating hormones, changes in testosterone levels, birth control, and even menopause. Approximately 25% of men are affected by adult acne, whereas 50% of women experience it at least once in their lifetime.

Now, when we are asked how long it takes to clear acne with our treatments here at Skintherapy, our usual response is 6 months to a year. How do we get those results in such a short period of time?

Most people need one form of treatment or another to fully treat acne. We implement a wide range of options, giving us the opportunity to provide a regiment that doesn’t over-dry or under-deliver. Proper use of topical treatments, such as toners, moisturizers, and ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are essential to help control breakouts and prevent scarring.

It is good to remember that acne has no cure, but it can be cleared away with the right treatments. In some people, acne clears soon after leaving their teenage years behind. However, most people are not that lucky.

For most people who work with us, our acne treatments produce positive results within the first 3-6 months of starting. We help people keep their acne under control, even those who didn’t get to see the end of their acne until their senior years.

It is good to keep in mind that there are lifestyle changes you can make to reduce flare-ups and help control your acne. Eating well, sleeping well, and keeping stress levels low are great ways to combat breakouts. Also, remember to be careful what kind of makeup you’re using and avoid pore-cloggers in your products.

If you want to see the results the typical person has working with us, check out this page of our website. For any questions, or to set up an appointment, give us a call at 801-800-6602. We are located in Salt Lake City, UT.

Who doesn’t love a delicious slice of pizza on a Friday night? Or an appetizing cheeseburger while out to lunch with friends? Greasy foods have become a staple called “American Food” and rightly so. There’s nothing more American than throwing some hot dogs on the grill and serving them up for the whole neighborhood. These types of foods are delicious. That’s why they’re so popular. The only problem is they’re heavy in omega 6 essential fatty acids and incredibly laden with grease and other ingredients that aren’t conducive to a healthy diet or healthy skin.

Let’s take pizza, for example. Pizza is usually made with iodized salt, which aggravates acne. Another prime ingredient (or culprit, if you will) in pizza is cheese. Cheese contains dairy, which contains IG1 or insulin-growth factor and over 60 different hormones. These hormones occur naturally whether the cow is organically raised, fed, etc. or not.  Since all cows which produce milk are pregnant all milk products are laden with extra hormones naturally.  Extra hormones competing with human hormone levels means more breakouts for the acne prone person.

As you can see, it’s not as cut and dry as “Do greasy foods make me break out?” as much as “What ingredients in food could make me break out?”

Internally, greasy foods don’t do much for you health-wise, as I’m sure we’re all aware. Externally, greasy foods can give you a nice little breakout around your lips, cheeks, and chin if you’re not careful, as grease is great at clogging pores. This is not to say you should avoid these foods altogether. Just be aware of how often and how much you consume them. Plus take an interest in what other ingredients these foods might contain. Iodized salt, Canola Oil, Soy Bean Oil, Milk products etc., are all known aggravators of acne.

While we suggest reducing the amounts of greasy foods you enjoy you might consider adding supplements to your daily routine also. Even if you already have a good handle on what foods you consume and just want to add something to help with your acne, you might want to consider taking the following vitamins and supplements.

Healthy Skin Formula
Healthy Skin Formula is a vitamin supplement cocktail that has been recommended by skin care professionals for over 15 years. It’s got zinc, vitamin A, selenium, and more to boost your skin’s health and beauty.

Fish Oil
Earlier in this article, I mentioned how American foods are high in omega 6. Omega 6s are highly inflammatory, and therefore cause a lot of acne in adults and young adults. Fish Oil contains omega 3, which balances out all the inflammation in your diet. It helps calm acne and gets your skin clear faster.

Culturelle Probiotic
Want to help your digestion in the best way possible? Include Culturelle Probiotic in your diet. It aids in digestion and adds good bacteria and probiotics to your system. Probiotics are good for reducing breakouts and can help those who have been on long-term antibiotics.

For more help in creating the best lifestyle for clear skin, visit our office 1817 S Main Street, #18 Salt Lake City, UT 84115. Or click here to book your appointment today.

Many people who suffer from face acne may also, unfortunately, suffer from acne on their body. Although they are not mutually exclusive, often if you find yourself with one, you might also find yourself dealing with another.

Similar to face acne, body acne cannot be “cured” but can only be treated. And best of all, the effects can be lessened with a few careful precautions and some means of dedicated treatment.

So before you reach for the prescriptions or miracle cures, take a look at the list below at potential irritants and best-known treatments for body acne.

1. Friction

When it comes to acne on your back, chest, and shoulders, friction could be the culprit. Particularly in places where a strap for a backpack or purse rubs against your skin. Another thing you want to avoid is tight clothing. Not only is there a lot of friction when clothes are too tight, but they also don’t allow your skin to breathe. Sweat and dirt can easily become trapped in the pores and cause nasty breakouts.

2. Laundry Detergent

One big thing you can do to lessen breakouts
has to do with how well rinsed your laundry is. Detergent can be a pretty big factor in acne flare-ups. A way to avoid this irritant is to rinse your clothes twice in the washer before placing them in the dryer, or just simply use less detergent. Fragrance-free detergents are the best at helping your skin stay clear, and another good thing to do is change bedsheets and pillowcases at least once a week.

3. Clean shirts

If you’re anything like most people, you might not think twice about throwing a shirt you’ve worn once back onto a hanger in the closet to be worn again. But this exact thing might just be the reason you’ve been having such a hard time calming all the bacne (and various other forms of body acne.)

Try wearing a new shirt every day and even changing into a clean shirt at night before you go to bed, especially if you use treatments and products on your skin that you don’t want to spread all over your bed sheets. While we’re on the topic of changing shirts, do you workout? Because if so, driving home in sweaty clothes probably isn’t doing your skin any favors. Try wiping your body off with some pads soaked in toner at the gym and then changing into a clean shirt after your workout to avoid all that sweat staying on your skin any longer than necessary. And ladies, if you haven’t in awhile, don’t forget to wash your bras.

4. Hair Products

It’s a fact that some hair products have ingredients that can be great for hair but can be comedogenic for the rest of your body (especially your back) once they start running down.To avoid this, buy hair products that don’t have pore cloggers in them and pin your hair up in the shower so conditioned hair is not rubbing on your skin, basically just adding more oil to your pores. Make sure your body wash is acne safe and noncomedogenic and save washing your body for the end of your shower.

5. Exercise

The basic rule of thumb is that if you have body acne, you want to avoid excessive amounts of sweat sitting on your skin too long. This tip is definitely not meant to deter you from working out as long and as hard as you please, just bear in mind that the longer sweat stays on your skin, the more likely you are to break out. It’s important to get the sweat off immediately. A shower isn’t always an option, but having toner pads to wipe off excess perspiration helps a ton.

All of these are great things to keep in mind when considering how best to deal with embarrassing body acne, but nothing is going to help more than some good noncomedogenic products and a set treatment plan.

Right now, during the first week of December 2017, we will be launching our Body Acne Starter Kit! We’re excited to have this opportunity to help our readers and followers gain more control over their stubborn body acne with nonpore clogging products. Included in the body acne kit will be the following:

1-8 oz bottle of our BPO wash
2-1 oz bottles of 10% acne cream
2-1 oz bottles of our Exfoliating Serum #3
1-1.7 oz bottle of our Moisture Cream
1-2.5 oz bottle of our Sun Guard SPF
The first 50 kits sold will also get FREE toner!

The Body Acne Kit also includes step by step directions on how to use the products and lifestyle guidelines to help you get on the path to clear skin. To find more info on this promotion and other acnegrams, follow us on Instagram at @utahacneclinic. If you are looking for a way to speed up the process of clearing your unwanted acne, schedule an appointment at our clinic located in Northern Utah. We will set you up with a deep cleaning and extractions to get your skin more clear and beautiful than you ever thought possible.

If you’ve ever wondered how to get your hair as long and shiny as a model’s, then you may have heard about the magical phenomenon of biotin. Same if you’ve ever wanted stronger nails and better skin--biotin is the recommended supplement, right? It says it right there on the bottle.

What’s all the hype about anyway?

In this post, we’ll be covering 6 interesting facts about biotin, and then go over the potential harm it can do to your skin if you are even the slightest bit acne prone and sometimes, even if you have never had acne before.

Starting with...

Fact #1: Most people get enough biotin in their diet, as it exists in many everyday foods.

Fact #2: Biotin deficiency is extremely rare.

Fact #3: There are no known cases of overdosing on Biotin, as it is water soluble and flushes out of the system easily.

Fact #4: Biotin, B7, and Vitamin H are all the same thing.

Fact #5: Raw egg white contains avidin which naturally inhibits the effects of biotin.

Fact #6: Long term use of antibiotics may hinder the integration of biotin in the body by killing off healthy gut bacteria.

So what does all this have to do with your acne?

If you are not biotin deficient (as in, losing your hair and having brittle nails), eating raw egg whites every day, using antibiotics for a long period of time, or pregnant, there is really no reason to consider taking a biotin supplement. Foods like bread, chocolate, egg yolks, fish, nuts, oatmeal, meat, poultry, and whole wheat all contain more than enough biotin to keep your body healthy.

So why are biotin supplements so popular?

Biotin is essential in keeping your skin, hair, nails, and body organs healthy there’s no doubt about that. But most people are misinformed as to how much of it their body actually needs. The recommended dosage of biotin supplements is 30 mcg per day. But your body already produces that much on its own.

There is little scientific research that supports the claim that biotin actually makes your hair grow longer and shinier (unless you take it in mass quantities), but it does do something interesting to your skin: it makes it overproduce skin cells.

Acne is generally caused by bacteria and dead skin cells clogging the pores. So what happens when an acne prone person starts taking biotin? Typically, more acne. Or even cystic acne, even if you have never had it before.

The safest way to avoid the potential dangers of biotin supplements is to simply avoid taking them altogether. Unless you’re in a small group of specific people who need more than the average amount of biotin for daily life, there is no scientific research saying that it will help your skin and hair on its own. But trust me, your skin can definitely do without it.

To learn more about supplementation and how to clear your acne without prescriptions click here.

Marketing geniuses would love to have you believe that their most famous acne clearing products are safe and do exactly what they advertise--clear your skin. But sadly, this is simply not the case for the products we are about to review in this article.

Many doctors and dermatologists are prescribing products for your acne that either aren’t going to work as well as they should, or aren’t going to work at all.

Today we’ll get into the reasons why these products don’t work and what you can use for your acne that actually works.

Cetaphil

The first one we’ll start with is Cetaphil. According to Cetaphil’s website, it is a “Gentle Skin Care Product” that is “clinically tested and proven to cleanse, hydrate, and protect acne-prone skin.”

That’s all fine and dandy until you look at the list of ingredients in their product.

According to the experts, here is a list of ingredients that will clog your pores.You’ll notice that the ingredient sodium laureth sulfate is on there. Guess what Cetaphil has in it? Sodium laureth sulfate.

Although sodium laureth sulfate only scores a 3 out of 5 on the pore clogging scale (0 being non clogging and 5 being extremely clogging), it still makes you wonder, how have they gotten away with marketing this product to be good for acne for so long when it clearly isn’t?

It’s unfortunate that such products are being branded to help acne, when in fact, it will just make it worse.

Clearasil

The next surprisingly pore clogging product is Clearasil. Yes, you read that right. Clearasil has been branded the expert and leading acne control product for teenagers. But what's really going on in their formula?

They do have some good stuff going on, although it's in such low doses, it's hard to say if it will actually help clear your skin.

For example, salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide do help in treating acne. But Clearasil also contains myristic acid and lauric acid, which scored 3 and 4 respectively on the pore clogging scale.

Clearasil is the first product that many people turn to when they first get acne and for some, it might actually help. But for many, it only exacerbates the problem and makes a bad situation worse.

Retinol A

Next off, we have Retinol A. Although this product is available under many different names, including Retin-A and Tretinoin, don't let them fool you. It is branded as a medication used to treat acne and usually has to be prescribed by a doctor in order to obtain it, although it can also be purchased online.

On Web MD, Retinol A is said to work by affecting the growth of growth of skin cells and admits that it may make your acne worse at first but will get better after 8-12 weeks.

The reality is that it makes your acne worse because it contains isopropyl myristate (which scores a staggering 5 on the pore clogging scale) and stearic acid (which scores a 3 on the pore clogging scale.)

Coconut Oil and its derivatives

Last on our list is Coconut Oil and its derivatives. Acne is caused by a buildup of oil in the skin. Therefore, it seems strange to claim that coconut oil does something to help with acne.

The popular website, Healthline.com, claims "Coconut oil is high in lauric acid, which helps kill the bacteria that cause acne."

Lauric acid rates at a 4 on the pore clogging scale. Whether or not it possesses the qualities to kill bacteria on your skin (which is not what causes acne in the first place anyway) the mere fact that it contains such a pore clogging ingredient makes it less than convincing when it comes to clearing up your acne.

The upside about coconut oil about it is that it smells really good! But it's just not so great for your skin, unfortunately.

These are just a few of the expertly branded products that claim to help acne but really don't. We suggest you do your own research and don't fall for the hype when it comes to selecting products to help with your acne.

Now if you really want to get your skin clear, schedule an appointment with us. We have individualized products and treatment plans that you can't get anywhere else and have been tried and proven to help get skin clear and maintain clear skin for life.

What are you waiting for? The next step is finding out what will work to get your skin where you want it to be.

Click here to set up your appointment today.

 
Understandably, one of the most common misconceptions when it comes to acne is that it can be easily treated by taking the pill. I mean, acne is caused by hormone imbalances and birth control has some of those same hormones in it, so that should help, right?
 
Not exactly. When it comes to your acne, you’re looking at a long list of potential causes. Not all of them are hormone related.
 
The number one cause of acne has nothing to do with hormones and has everything to do with your genetics. Most people are simply born with acne. And unfortunately, that can’t be fixed by taking a pill.
 
It is a dangerous game when it comes to trying to treat acne with birth control. Because of the varying amounts of hormones in each brand of pill, there are some that are more likely to trigger breakouts than others. But, as a general rule, it can be a little tricky to get the right one that won’t make your acne worse instead of better.
 
Here is a list of birth controls and their side effects when it comes to potentially helping or hurting your acne.
 
The truth is, if there were a little pill that you could take to completely rid your skin of acne, I would wholeheartedly recommend it to you. I’ve worked with people suffering from acne so long and tried so many different methods of treating it that a single pill would be a life changer for many of my clients.
 
In reality, acne doesn’t usually work that way. Your skin needs a lot of one on one attention to become completely clear. There isn’t a magical pill you can take that will vanquish your acne once and for all. The tried and true methods take time and patience.
 
My clinic cares about getting your skin clear. We want our clients to feel confident and successful when it comes to controlling their acne. We have created not only a line of products to ensure the clarity of your skin, but we have also devised a treatment plan that works on a variety of skin types. Even better is the fact that if you need to be on birth control, for birth control reasons---then we help you find an acne safe pill.
 
If you are tired of searching for a miracle pill to correct your acne, try seeing us today. We will treat you like the individual you are, instead of giving you a blanket method to see if it helps. We know how to treat acne in a way and it’s not a gamble like taking the pill.
 

Now that summer is finally here, we all get to relax and spend our days stretched out beside a pool or beach, drink in hand. Or at least, that’s what we wish we could be doing all summer. It’s hard to resist outdoor adventures when the weather is beautiful and the days are long and seemingly endless.

Here’s the thing though: not to be a damper on your summer, but you’ve got your skin think about. There is a lot that goes on in the summer sun that you need to be aware of to protect your skin and prevent skin damage or potentially making your acne worse.

But we’ve got you covered. Here is a list of tips to help you get through the summer with happy, healthy skin.
1. Sunscreen

I started with this one because, while it is obvious that you should wear sunscreen while hanging out by the pool or being outside all day, what isn’t so obvious is that you should be wearing sunscreen all day, every day. Rain or shine. Inside or outside. The sun can be tricky, as UV rays can still damage your skin even if it’s cloudy or raining outside and UVA rays can come through your windows when you are inside.

The importance of sunscreen is tremendous, especially if you have acne. Long-term sun exposure can cause extreme dryness and can also cause breakouts.

To protect your skin, find a sunscreen that has a high SPF formula. It is also vital to avoid products that contain ingredients such as shea butter, as they can clog your pores and invite breakouts.

A prime example of a good sunscreen to use would be one like our Sun Guard SPF 30, as it has all the elements mentioned above without the pore-clogging effects of most supermarket products.

2. Occlude Your Skin When You Go Swimming

To occlude means to “block” or “stop up.” When I say you should occlude your skin, naturally that sounds counterintuitive to the first tip in this post, which is to avoid products that clog your pores, but let me explain.

When you go swimming, iodides in pools and salt in the ocean can dry your skin out excessively. Not to mention bacteria and germs floating around just waiting to sink into your poor, unsuspecting pores.

Therefore, you must protect your skin by using products like Aquaphor before entering a swimming pool, ocean, or any body of water containing iodides or salt. This will help your skin stay safe from drying, bacteria, and iodides, which are harmful and can cause acne to flare up.

 3. No Sweat

Of course sweating is a natural byproduct of summer. Being outside is one of the best parts about this time of year. But did you know that letting your sweat sit on your skin can cause breakouts? Because it definitely can.

Acne is caused by an overproduction of sebum and dead skin cells. Sexy, right? Especially when you want to look good in a new outfit when you’re on your way to a summer pool party. But when you let sweat sit on your skin, it invites more dirt, bacteria and other unwanted particles to stick and get stuck in your pores.

Do yourself a favor and grab a good acne safe toner.  You can take a couple cotton pads soaked in toner with you anywhere and wipe away that sweat and dirt as you go. This is perfect for hikes, working out, or just a day out and about in the sun.

4. Suntanned or Sunburned?

When you’re at the pool or the beach this summer and your friend inevitably hands you a bottle of SPF 14 with coconut oil, you’re going to have a choice to make. You can either take that bottle and throw it into the nearby ocean, or you can slather it on your skin and hope for the best.

My recommendation is that you do neither and bring your own sunscreen. To ensure the health of your skin, you must avoid sunburns at all costs.

It’s imperative for many reasons, but the most important being that sunburns break down the pore, cause extreme dryness, and of course, cause skin cancer.

Don’t make the same mistakes that other people do with their skin; when it comes to sunbathing, you can still get a tan by using a high SPF sunscreen. It will protect your skin and potentially save your life.

But most of all, enjoy the weather and we hope these tips help you stay safe and keep your skin healthy this summer.

For more information and skincare tips make sure to read the rest of our blog under the education section at UtahAcneClinic.com

Do you struggle with acne? Every year, thousands of people invest in a variety of acne treatments including over-the-counter products, prescription creams, antibiotics, and even Accutane. According to this study done in 2016 by the Society for Investigative Dermatology and the American Academy of Dermatology Association, Statistic Brain Research Institute, the total annual spending on acne treatments in the U.S. was $3,020,000,000!

This is what the top acne prescription treatments by annual sales looked like…

If people are spending this much money on acne treatments every year, why are they not seeing better success rates with clearing their acne?

I can personally attest that 90% of the people who come into my acne clinic have already tried clearing their acne with oral antibiotics or some form of Clindamycin and Tretinoin.
Beyond that, around 50% have tried Accutane more than once. We know that acne can be challenging to treat and that's why so many acne sufferers are still frustrated and discouraged when it comes to finding an acne treatment that really delivers results and helps them feel better about their skin.

As a Master Esthetician, I have a good idea why these patients are not getting their acne cleared. I know what works for people and what doesn’t, based on years of treating acne in a completely different manner than your average Dermatologist does. What I have to say is by no means me throwing your medical doctor under the bus---this is just what I have discovered through years of research and development.

Your dermatologist is incredibly busy. Most dermatologists are scheduled out three to six months in advance, with only enough time to see an individual a few times a year. They don't just treat acne--they diagnose and treat more than 3,000 different diseases. These diseases include skin cancer, eczema, psoriasis, and nail infections. If we look at the 3,000 different diseases these doctors treat, some are even life threatening. But acne is different. Yes, acne is a hassle and embarrassing to most, but it is not life threatening. Doctors tend to think of it as mere cosmetic misfortune.
Many people are under the impression that acne needs to be treated by making a visit to their doctor or dermatologist, where they will get on some antibiotics and get their acne under control.
The truth is, acne treatments have made significant progress and almost any type of acne can be treated with some patience and an individualized treatment plan.

What I’m here to tell you is, you don’t need to turn to antibiotics or Accutane to clear your painful and discouraging acne. With a simple appointment, we can help you turn your acne into clear, beautiful skin you can be proud of.

At my office, we take the time to really understand your skin so we can recommend a home care plan that works best for you. Unlike the typical dermatologist visit, we make time to see you frequently and provide the fastest skin clearing regimen possible. With carefully designed products that are hand selected for your acne, we’re confident your skin will get clear and stay clear.

So come see us today and let’s get started!