|
Skin Type
|
Characteristics
|
Text Link
|
| Normal |
Pores
are medium sized, equal balance of
water and oil, which means this skin
type is naturally well moisturized. |
|
| Oily |
Coarse
textured, pores tend to be larger,
and face looks shiny especially in
the T-zone area (across the
forehead, down the nose and
including the chin). Oily skin is
prone to pimples, blackheads, and
white heads, but having breakouts
does not mean you have an oily skin. |
|
| Dry |
Skin
may be rough textured, flaky or
tight, and very little or no shiny
areas. Skin may look dull, have
small pores, and becomes chapped
when extremely dry. |
|
| Combination |
A
combination of dry and oily areas,
usually oily within the T-zone. The
T-zone extends across the forehead,
down the nose and includes the chin.
A combination skin has dry cheeks
and neck; more people have this skin
type than any other. |
|
| Sensitive |
Any
skin type can be classified as
sensitive. Most sensitive skin is
caused by the use of products that
are too harsh for the skin, thus
causing breakouts, irritation,
reddening of the skin, stinging or a
heated sensation. |
|
| Mature |
Mature
skin types are not determined by
age, but rather by overexposure to
the elements or inadequate nutrition
resulting in extreme skin imbalance.
Skin usually has poor elasticity,
dull appearance, dryness,
superficial lines, and sun-damage. |
|
| All
Skin Types |
|
|
Acne Treatment
Posted by: Mark E. Van Wormer MD
(GreatSkin
10/7/2004)
Acne is a complex medical problem, which basically occurs due to over-secretion of sebum. This process usually occurs with adolescence during hormonal changes, as well as during adulthood with hormonal fluctuation occurring for a variety of reasons including pregnancy, menstrual changes, ovarian disorders and other androgenizing problems. The result is plugging of the follicles with sebum; oxidized sebum forms blackheads.
If the comedomes (plugged follicles) become secondarily colonized by bacteria, which further oxidize sebum, an infection occurs. This may result in a micro-abscess or macro-abscess. A micro-abscess is a small white head; a macro-abscess may be a furuncle or cystic Acne. If the abscess is small and only intradermal, no scarring occurs. These small abscess can be extracted quite nicely. If the process is large and cystic, rupture into the dermis and subcutaneuous tissue results in scarring.There are several goals behind effective Acne therapy.
There are several goals behind effective Acne therapy:
Control oil production first. Oil production can either be diminished by medications like Accutane or scavenged by products like Dermalogica Oil Control Lotion, Bioelements Restorative Clay Mask, Skinceuticals Clarifying Clay Mask, or Seban pads.
Unroofing of comedomes and allowing the normal egress of sebum can occur with exfoliation using glycolic, tretinoins, microdermabrasion, chemical peeling and manual extraction of comedomes by licensed estheticians.
Heal infection by combating with topical agents like clindamycin (our topical Cleocin -T pads), erythromycin, (benzomycin, benzoyl peroxide and erythromycin) or oral antibiotics such as tetracycline, or doxycycline. These are prescription products and must be prescribed by a physician in person or in response to our online skin analysis.
Usually, a multimodality approach to Acne treatment is necessary, depending on the severity. I believe that the correct cleanser (Dermalogica Antibac Wash or GreatSkin Alpha Beta Cleanser), the correct toner to restore acid facial pH (Oceanique C-26, which also prevents blackhead formation), the correct topcial antibiotic (topical Cleocin), the correct internal antibiotic (prescription medicine), the correct oil scavengers and/or Accutane, with a nocturnal tretinoin, alternated during the day with Azelex, will result in resolution of Acne quickly in most cases.
Other great Acne treatment products are: GreatSkin Blemex, Dermalogica Medicated Gel, Dermalogica's AntiBac Cooling Mask, and GreatSkin Zinc and Sulphur Mask.
Rosacea
Acne Rosacea is a complex medical disorder somewhat different than adolescent Acne. The process tends to occur in middle aged adults with a predilection towards women. The process begins with slight erythema in the malar areas of the cheeks, which gives the patient a flushed appearance. Acneiform eruptions may follow in the T-zone from the forehead to the chin. Vascular dilatation in this hyperactive area leads to capillary prominence and the cuprose appearance of "broken capillaries." As sebaceous hyperactivity accelerates, broken capillaries and Acne proliferate. A large, bulbous rhino-phyma nose is the end result of excessive sebaceous activity and can be effectively treated with laser surgery. There are many variations along the way, from subtle erythema (redness) to full-blown Acneiform scarring eruptions. Modern medical therapy would consist of GreatSkin® Metronidazole Gel with abstinence from alcohol and foods and environmental stressors which cause facial flushing.
At our clinics, we take a multi-modality approach to Acne Rosacea by utilizing gentle cleansers, topical preparations containing K-Derm topical Vitamin K,
GreatSkin® C
Serum, GreatSkin 100% Pure Oxygen Plasma, Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser, Dermalogica Soothing Protection Spray, Rhonda Allison EGF Cream, Rhonda Allison Calming Gel, or SinEcch, as well as topical antibiotics like Cleocin and Metronidazole Gel.
Acne Scarring
Acne scarring is a difficult problem to treat. Fine Acne scarring and surface irregularities and pigmentation abnormalities can be treated with the Obagi skin care Program or MD Forte products, in combination with a hydroquinone containing product and tretinoin. For moderate Acne scarring, a series of "Microdermabrasions" at our clinics or at a spa using Microdermabrasion can be very effective. Our laser peel can stimulate collagen production. The Obagi Blue Peel (15% TCA) in multiple layers is an excellent in office chemical peeling system. Deep Acne scarring will respond to CO2 laser resurfacing or deep dermabrasion. Products that are available for the treatment of Acne scarring are: Dermalogica Dermal Clay Cleanser mixed with Dermalogica Skin Prep Scrub, and water using a facial brush,
GreatSkin C Serum
Dermalogica Gentle Soothing Booster, Follique or Tend Skin, Dermalogica Active Moist. Shave with Dermalogica Professional Shave.
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ESCC, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
