There are many chemical peels used in cosmetic medicine. One of the oldest is glycolic acid. Glycolic acid peels come in various strengths; the lighter strength acids are for home use and do absolutely nothing. The higher strength glycolic acids are used at a spa or a salon and used by a therapist/physician. The higher strength acids do work but they also have a higher incidence of side effects. Most individuals who have had the higher strength acid peels complain about one thing- pain.
Glycolic acids that are less than 30% are often sold for home use. In reality, these home based chemical peels do very little and are a waste of money. The vendors who market the home glycolic acid peels claim that the lower strength acids can erase wrinkles, fines lines, acne scars etc- all this can be summarized in one word- BS.
You can apply lower strength glycolic acid peels all your life and even drink gallons of it- it will do nothing for your skin, except waste your hard earned money. All this talk about soft texture, wrinkle, free skin is just a marketing ploy – so avoid home glycolic acid peels.
The higher strength glycolic acids do work well as peeling agents. These acids are quite strong and penetrate deeper layers of skin. Concentrations greater than 20% are only supposed to be used under supervision and are never approved for home use. Most cosmetic and plastic surgeons use concentrations of 20 percent and higher to treat acne scars, skin pigmentation, and photo aged skin. The effectiveness of a glycolic acid peel depends on contact time, number of sessions, skin type, and sensitivity.
Showing posts with label acne. Show all posts
Showing posts with label acne. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
ActiveFX- another laser?
Everyday, cosmetic physicians seem to come up with new lasers. If all the previous lasers were all that damn good as advertized, then why is there a new laser being introduced into the cosmetic market? The reason -all of them are junk.
What is Active FX?
Active FX is a laser-based treatment that the doctors say can be used to treat any type of skin disorder. This includes:
- Fine lines
- Wrinkles
- Skin pigmentations
- Acne scars
- Sagging skin
What is so great about Active FX?
The doctors claims that Active FX has one major advantage over other lasers- it does not injure normal tissue and one see cosmetic benefits immediately (I thought the same thing had been said of every other laser previously invented by the cosmetic industry!)
Who can undergo Active FX treatments?
Well, any one with money
Who cannot undergo Active FX treatment?
Those individuals with diabetes, active skin infection, those who take blood-thinning medications, or those who have a collagen vascular disorder like lupus are not candidates. Moreover, if you do not have money, then the cosmetic doctors never offer free services.
On what part of skin can Active FX be used?
Active FX has been designed to rejuvenate the face, but today, many cosmetic physicians offer the treatment for sagging skin on the neck, upper arms, elbows, and knees.
What is Active FX?
Active FX is a laser-based treatment that the doctors say can be used to treat any type of skin disorder. This includes:
- Fine lines
- Wrinkles
- Skin pigmentations
- Acne scars
- Sagging skin
What is so great about Active FX?
The doctors claims that Active FX has one major advantage over other lasers- it does not injure normal tissue and one see cosmetic benefits immediately (I thought the same thing had been said of every other laser previously invented by the cosmetic industry!)
Who can undergo Active FX treatments?
Well, any one with money
Who cannot undergo Active FX treatment?
Those individuals with diabetes, active skin infection, those who take blood-thinning medications, or those who have a collagen vascular disorder like lupus are not candidates. Moreover, if you do not have money, then the cosmetic doctors never offer free services.
On what part of skin can Active FX be used?
Active FX has been designed to rejuvenate the face, but today, many cosmetic physicians offer the treatment for sagging skin on the neck, upper arms, elbows, and knees.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Over The Counter Acne Medications
Acne can be a real hassle and no one knows how to best treat it. if you speak to 20 different people, you will get 100 different answers, each answer more crazier than the previous one. If you were to go to 10 different doctors, you will most likely get 30 different prescriptions and all of them do diddly squat.
For the consumer it is important to know one thing. whenever you see lots of treatment for one medical ailment- this is because no one knows how to cure the problem-. On cyberspace, everything underneath the sun is being sold as a treatment for acne. You can buy lotions, potions, soaps, creams, llama urine, polar bear’s blood, donkey’s scrotum, duck’s arse, green tea extracts, yellow tea extracts, blue tea extracts and so on (got the picture!- a lot of bull s..t therapies). Today if you do not have a job, make up an acne medication, and start selling it online- incredibly people will buy it.
The majority of stuff sold on cyberspace and in many stores is absolutely crap. So save your money.
Only a handful of products work for acne. The unfortunate thing is that even the products that do work are not consistent or reliable, nor do they work in everyone. There are a number of home made remedies to treat acne and this is where one should begin.
For the consumer it is important to know one thing. whenever you see lots of treatment for one medical ailment- this is because no one knows how to cure the problem-. On cyberspace, everything underneath the sun is being sold as a treatment for acne. You can buy lotions, potions, soaps, creams, llama urine, polar bear’s blood, donkey’s scrotum, duck’s arse, green tea extracts, yellow tea extracts, blue tea extracts and so on (got the picture!- a lot of bull s..t therapies). Today if you do not have a job, make up an acne medication, and start selling it online- incredibly people will buy it.
The majority of stuff sold on cyberspace and in many stores is absolutely crap. So save your money.
Only a handful of products work for acne. The unfortunate thing is that even the products that do work are not consistent or reliable, nor do they work in everyone. There are a number of home made remedies to treat acne and this is where one should begin.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Back Acne & Medications
Medications
When it comes to treatment of acne, one has to be realistic. The sheer number of treatments available should immediately tell the consumer that nothing works well. A treatment that may work in one individual may not work in another. Everything in acne is based on trial and error. You try one treatment and if it does not work, go on to something else. Most of medicine is like that, despite what the doctors’ claim.
First of all, if one has only mild back acne, there is no need to see a doctor. The majority of skin doctors are prohibitively expensive and even they do not always know the best treatment for you.
The treatment of acne should start at home. Only if regular home care treatments have not worked and the acne is getting worse, should one seek professional advice.
Home self care measures can improve acne in the majority of cases. Be patient and do not expect acne to clear up overnight. Most individuals see a difference in 4-6 weeks with home care remedies.
Today, there are several decent acne medications. Besides oral and topical antibiotics, there is also Accutane. The type of drug that you will need is best selected by your health care provider.
For all individuals with back acne, the one thing to remember is that the earlier you treat acne, the better the results, and lesser chance of scarring.
When it comes to treatment of acne, one has to be realistic. The sheer number of treatments available should immediately tell the consumer that nothing works well. A treatment that may work in one individual may not work in another. Everything in acne is based on trial and error. You try one treatment and if it does not work, go on to something else. Most of medicine is like that, despite what the doctors’ claim.
First of all, if one has only mild back acne, there is no need to see a doctor. The majority of skin doctors are prohibitively expensive and even they do not always know the best treatment for you.
The treatment of acne should start at home. Only if regular home care treatments have not worked and the acne is getting worse, should one seek professional advice.
Home self care measures can improve acne in the majority of cases. Be patient and do not expect acne to clear up overnight. Most individuals see a difference in 4-6 weeks with home care remedies.
Today, there are several decent acne medications. Besides oral and topical antibiotics, there is also Accutane. The type of drug that you will need is best selected by your health care provider.
For all individuals with back acne, the one thing to remember is that the earlier you treat acne, the better the results, and lesser chance of scarring.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
What is Rosacea
Rosacea is a common skin disorder characterized by intense redness of the face (sometimes referred to as flushing) around the nose and cheeks. Also associated with this skin disorder are presence of small pimples on the cheeks, forehead and chin
Is it the same as acne?
It does look similar in some cases but it is a different skin disorder. The skin in rosacea appears more inflamed and there are many small red blisters or pus filled pimples. It is commonly mistaken for Acne. Rosacea is often called Acne Rosacea but the disorder is distinct from the common acne seen in younger adults. Unlike acne, blackheads are never seen in Rosacea.
Rosacea is often mistaken for dermatitis or an allergic reaction sometimes
Why does the flushing of the face occur?
The red rash on the face (flushing) seen in individuals with Rosacea can come on anytime and is not related to use of alcohol or drugs
Who develops Rosacea?
Rosacea is a skin disorder which occurs in adults and is most common in Caucasians (or those with fair skin). The disorder affects both sexes but is slightly more common in males. Rosacea is most often seen in the late 20s and early 30s.
Is Rosacea dangerous?
Not physically but it can cause severe emotional distress. The skin disorder can create a very poor aesthetic feature. Most people who develop rosacea become withdrawn, isolated and develop low self esteem
Does the disorder go away?
Unfortunately no. Rosacea progresses and gets worse. Sometimes the skin disorder can flare up and quieten down but in most cases, if not treated, it can also lead to severe disfiguring of the nose. The flare ups of rosacea usually occur every few weeks or months
Is it the same as acne?
It does look similar in some cases but it is a different skin disorder. The skin in rosacea appears more inflamed and there are many small red blisters or pus filled pimples. It is commonly mistaken for Acne. Rosacea is often called Acne Rosacea but the disorder is distinct from the common acne seen in younger adults. Unlike acne, blackheads are never seen in Rosacea.
Rosacea is often mistaken for dermatitis or an allergic reaction sometimes
Why does the flushing of the face occur?
The red rash on the face (flushing) seen in individuals with Rosacea can come on anytime and is not related to use of alcohol or drugs
Who develops Rosacea?
Rosacea is a skin disorder which occurs in adults and is most common in Caucasians (or those with fair skin). The disorder affects both sexes but is slightly more common in males. Rosacea is most often seen in the late 20s and early 30s.
Is Rosacea dangerous?
Not physically but it can cause severe emotional distress. The skin disorder can create a very poor aesthetic feature. Most people who develop rosacea become withdrawn, isolated and develop low self esteem
Does the disorder go away?
Unfortunately no. Rosacea progresses and gets worse. Sometimes the skin disorder can flare up and quieten down but in most cases, if not treated, it can also lead to severe disfiguring of the nose. The flare ups of rosacea usually occur every few weeks or months
Friday, March 27, 2009
Blue light Therapy for Acne- Another Gimmick? Part 2
Is this treatment permanent?
Definitely not. Maintenance treatments are required to keep up the acne free skin. Rest assured in all of plastic and cosmetic medicine, nothing is every cured in a single session. So chances are that most consumers will need several sessions (generally more than what you need).
When is the photo sensitizer chemical used?
In some cases of moderate acne, a topical chemical (levulan) will be applied to the skin 30-45 mins prior to the procedure. Then one spends about 5-10 minutes under the light to get the maximum benefit. In most cases, blue light photodynamic sessions are spaced over 2 weeks to allow the maximum effects of treatment to occur.
Is the treatment safe
Yes, the treatment is safe; there are no needles, no pain, or incisions. Blue light only targets the acne and not normal skin. While the doctors claim many patients will see improvement in 2-4 weeks, this is not often the case. In fact, only a select few patients with inflammatory acne will benefit. The majority of individuals with regular acne do not even need this treatment in the first place.
Which is the better treatment?
Most experts agree that blue light photosensitizing therapy is better than blue light alone. The most common side effects are redness, swelling, mild pain and stinging. These side effects are transient and resolve in a few days. Some patents do develop allergic reactions to levulan.
Definitely not. Maintenance treatments are required to keep up the acne free skin. Rest assured in all of plastic and cosmetic medicine, nothing is every cured in a single session. So chances are that most consumers will need several sessions (generally more than what you need).
When is the photo sensitizer chemical used?
In some cases of moderate acne, a topical chemical (levulan) will be applied to the skin 30-45 mins prior to the procedure. Then one spends about 5-10 minutes under the light to get the maximum benefit. In most cases, blue light photodynamic sessions are spaced over 2 weeks to allow the maximum effects of treatment to occur.
Is the treatment safe
Yes, the treatment is safe; there are no needles, no pain, or incisions. Blue light only targets the acne and not normal skin. While the doctors claim many patients will see improvement in 2-4 weeks, this is not often the case. In fact, only a select few patients with inflammatory acne will benefit. The majority of individuals with regular acne do not even need this treatment in the first place.
Which is the better treatment?
Most experts agree that blue light photosensitizing therapy is better than blue light alone. The most common side effects are redness, swelling, mild pain and stinging. These side effects are transient and resolve in a few days. Some patents do develop allergic reactions to levulan.
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