Acne Care

Glycolic Daily Cleansing Pads 10%

This product utilizes 1% Salicylic Acid in a base containing 5% Glycolic Compound.  It improves problem prone skin and prevents future breakouts.  Reduces inflammatory acne lesions by 51% and non-inflammatory lesions by 33%.  A safe and effective alternative to benzoyl peroxide.

Acne: What is it? What causes those unsightly blemishes we all know as Teens, as ZITS !!!  Those ugly skin irritations that pop up when we start adolescence, and sometimes last into our late 20's. Can you get rid of acne, or just control it?   How much scrubbing and cleaning do we need to do to avoid those eruptions that cause us some much personal anguish right before those important dates or meetings?   

Here is the skinny on acne and it's treatment.  Acne is basically cause from a combination of factors.  As we start to mature into teenagers, our hormones boost the development of our sexual development.  These same hormones also cause  glands to start over producing oils that naturally keep the skin soft and pliable. The top surface of the skin, the epidermis, is constantly shedding and flaking.  When this occurs, if dead skin doesn't flake away, then it can remain on the surface to plug the openings of oil glands. These oil glands then become stopped up, while they continue to make oils and sebum.( sebum is a mixture of dead skin cells and oils that appears white and cheesy. ) When this occurs, the gland starts swelling and can become infected and irritated.  Thus you have the development of a ZIT !!!  What make it worse???  WHEN YOU SQUEEZE IT !!!  When you squeeze an acne blemish and it doesn't open up at the top or the skin where you see the "white head" , then the infected oils and sebum that are usually are contained in a small area are leaked into the surrounding tissues, thus spreading the infection and increasing the area that the ZIT takes up.  NOW IT IS A BIGGER ZIT !!!  What is the take home message?  Don't apply to much direct  pressure to a zit that doesn't simply open up with gently wide pressure around it. 

  You don't get rid of acne, you control it.  You wash gently with a non irritating soap once a day, being careful not to dry out the skin.  If you dry the skin out too much with soaps, or alcohol containing astringents, then the body recognizes that the skin is too dry and it starts producing more oils.  Now your skin is on overproduction of oil.  More oil leads to more sebum, and more chance to plug glands.  Harsh rubbing of the skin when washing will also stimulate glands to produce oils. Gentle circular motions when washing is preferred.  If you apply an medicated acne cream or lotion is done once a day, preferably at night.  Washing in the morning can be done with warm  water and a soft cloth. 

Some people with bad acne benefit from the addition of a certain type of antibiotic during certain periods of flare-ups.  Most cases don't require this however.

A small group of people suffer from severe  pustular acne.  They sometimes benefit from a dangerous drug called Accutane.  Careful monitoring by their doctor is required when they take this drug. 

Myths:

  Chocolate causes zits. This is usually not true unless your allergic to chocolate, and allergies to foods usually present in different ways. 

  French Fries cause acne.  This is not true unless all you eat is French Fries.  All foods should be eaten in moderation. 

  Acne goes away after you teens.  Not true, many people need to control acne into their late twenties.  In some cases it even comes back in your forties and fifties.