Acne FAQ

Inflamed and Non-inflamed Acne

Non-Inflamed Acne: Dead skin cells and oil (plus other debris) form a plug inside the pore. If this plug does not become inflamed, it can become a whitehead - a non-inflamed lesion under the skin, also called a "closed comedone. Sometimes called "maturation arrest" acne, as it has not "matured" into a blackhead yet.

Inflamed Acne: As the oil and the dead skin cells build up. They put pressure on the cells surrounding the pore. Because this material contains a lot of P. acnes bacteria, the surrounding skin now becomes infected, creating a red bump that we know as a pimple. The medical term for this red bump is an inflammatory papule.

Clear Beauty Skincare & Acne Clinic has a clear-skin program that will have your acne under control in about three to four months, depending on your type of acne. I combine the power of clinical-grade home care products that are customized for your type of acne and skin with a series of bimonthly treatments that facilitate the clearing of your skin. I also teach you about other aggravating factors that make you break out—foods, medications, cosmetics, stress, and common ingredients in skin care formulations that might be clogging your pores (even professional and prescription products!).

A non-MD skincare professional (Certified Acne Specialist) can be incredibly effective without the use of any prescriptions. I have no medical doctors on staff; yet, according to an independent survey that was done in 2007 by Face Reality Acne Clinic, where I was trained, 90 percent of acne clients were clear within six months. Here is how I do things differently than a physician:

• I educate you on lifestyle issues, drugs/medications, and comedogenic ingredients in makeup and skin care products that can exacerbate acne. I give you a strict home care treatment program and follow up to make sure you understand what is expected of you.
• I assign a home care regimen according to the type and severity of your acne. I use formulations with mandelic/lactic acid, vitamin A propionate, and, to a lesser degree, glycolic and salicylic acid. Furthermore, I couple this with the systematic use of benzoyl peroxide, starting slowly so that your skin won't get so irritated in the beginning. As you work with me, I adjust your home care regimen as your skin adapts.
• I coach you on the next steps in your home care and assess the condition of your skin during your appointments to see whether it is ready for the next step. If it is, I adjust the frequency of usage of your home care products, not allowing your skin to get used to your current routine.
• I do extractions every time you get a treatment with me, so your skin clears more quickly.

Acne is a disorder inside the pores. The skin is shedding too many layers of dead skin cells inside the pore.

Acne is an inherited disorder of the pores; however, there are many factors that also contribute to acne, like food/diet, lifestyle factors, stress, etc. At Clear Beauty Acne Clinic, we go over all of these when you schedule your consultation and treatment. We teach you everything there is to know about acne, we treat the problem head-on, and we coach you every step of the way so that you get clear in the shortest amount of time, and we do all this without the use of harmful drugs.

Unfortunately, at this time there is no known cure for acne. However, with our program and guidance, you can be clear in approximately 3-6 months, where it won't look like you ever had acne. Your self-esteem will be heightened, and you'll feel really good about yourself. Isn't it worth checking us out!