Acne and its myths 101
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Acne is the term used for clogged pores which occur in the form of pimples, whiteheads, blackheads and other deeper lumps such as nodules or cysts. Acne can occur almost everywhere on the upper body, face, back, shoulders, neck, chest and upper arms. Each of these body parts are highly susceptible to the development of acne however one’s face is where it is most common.
Acne can be very frustrating and disfiguring. Mild to severe cases of acne can lead to the development of permanent scars. Acne targets teenagers more often than adults. Acne can however, occur in adults, and effects people in their 20s all the way up to their mid 40s.
Acne Treatment
You’ve probably seen products online and on TV that promise quick results, but the truth is, it takes on average about 6 to 8 weeks worth of treatment to really see some real results. Those products you see advertised might in fact work but should not be believed to be able to clear up your acne overnight or within a week or so. It’s just not (unfortunately) possible.
Make sure you also consult a dermatologist; they’ll work with you to create a specific plan that is unique to your skin and body composition. Seeing as there are so many factors that affect the treatment of acne, a dermatologist will take into consideration all the factors that will go into the treatment. These are the type and severity of the acne, your skin type, any co-existing medical conditions, and your current lifestyle. All these factors are important in setting up a specific and effective treatment plan, because what works for one person may not work for another, a treatment plan designed especially for you is necessary for many people. So make sure you see an expert, they’re there to help.
Common acne myths:
Many people believe that acne is caused by poor hygiene, which leads many people into a face washing frenzy. What these people don’t know is that washing your face constantly will irritate the skin, making your acne a lot worse. The best way to wash your face with acne is to use mild soap and gently wash your face only twice a day. Pat your skin dry (don’t rub) and then use your prescribed acne treatment.
Another common myth held by acne sufferers is that acne and your diet are correlated in some way. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Multiple scientific studies have found no connection between acne and diet no matter how poor the diet was in particular areas. Acne is NOT caused by stress either (despite what is believed by most) even though sometimes severe stress is treated with drugs that can worsen acne. Normal everyday stress does not cause acne nor does it worsen it.
Almost every single case of acne can be cured. You just need to realize that there are no overnight solutions and results will come with time. What works for one person might not work for you, so make sure you see a dermatologist so they can set up a specific treatment plan just for you.
Acne scarring
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Acne scarring is a major concern of people suffering from acne. For some, acne scarring is more debilitating than the acne itself. Scarring occurs when damaged skin tissue is repaired. Acne scarring occurs when the acne has cleared leaving visible remnants of itself.
There are two different types of scarring:
Atrophic scarring which is caused by the loss of tissue. (Most common type of scarring).
Hypertrophic scarring which is due to the growth of tissue.
The best and only way to prevent scars from developing is to start treating the acne as soon as possible and as long as needed for it to clear away. If scars do develop don’t be afraid to consult your dermatologist, they’ll be more than happy to go over all the possible treatments with you.
Acne scar treatments
Collagen Injections:
Collagen is injected under the skin in order to fill and stretch out deep soft scars. Ice pick and keloid scars are usually resistant to collagen injections. Results from collagen injections are not permanent and usually last anywhere between 3 and 6 months with additional injections required to maintain the cosmetic benefits.
Autologous fat transfer:
Basically, they inject fat from your own body under the scar in order to elevate it. The fat goes under the scar and “pushes” it upward to match the level of the normal skin. This method is usually only used to correct very deep scars. For most of the time this method has to be repeated because the injected fat is reabsorbed into the skin over a period of 8 to 16 months. Multiple fat transfers usually result in longer lasting results.
Dermabrasion:
Probably the most popular acne scar treatment around and for good reason. Dermabrasion is the most effective treatment for acne scars. A high-speed brush is used to remove surface skin and alter the shape of the scars, with most superficial scars being removed altogether. Dermabrasion also reduces the depth of scars. Dermabrasion isn’t right for everyone, people with darker skin may experience changes in skin color, and this can be fixed with additional treatment.
Microdermabrasion:
A newer form of dermabrasion, microdermabrasion uses aluminum oxide crystals passing through a tube to remove only the surface skin, this prevents any additional scars or wounds from being formed. Requires multiple procedures and isn’t as effective as dermabrasion in that scars may not improve as well.
Laser Treatments:
Lasers are used to reshape the scar tissue and reduce the amount of redness around healed acne. It is more powerful than lasers (such as the carbon dioxide lasers) and can actually remove scar tissue altogether. This procedure does have its drawbacks however. The treated skin can actually remain red for several months after the procedure. One treatment is usually enough but repeated visits are common as well.
Subcision:
This is used to treat deep rolling scars caused by acne, the subcision procedure works by separating the affected skin tissue from the deeper scar tissue. Doing this allows blood to flow under the affected area, pushing the scar upwards causing it to level off with the rest of the skin. After the scar is leveled with the skin, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, or laser resurfacing can be used to smooth out the scar tissue making it look more like the surrounding skin.
Lamictal acne
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Unless it’s actually happened to you or someone you know, you likely don’t even know or have never heard of the links between the prescription drug Lamictal (used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder) and acne. Unless it’s actually happened to you or someone you know, you likely don’t even care. But since you’re here, you likely do — so let’s skip the introductions and get right into the meat and potatoes of the lamictal acne subject.
Unfortunately, for many people, even though Lamictal and minimal side effects, one of these side effects that is experienced is moderate to severe acne. When never suffered prior to this it can be one huge problem replacing another one that was temporarily fixed and has caused many a sufferer to lament the very universe that they live in. However, as with pretty much every mild to moderate ailment in the world today, there are different ways to treat it that have reported to be effective.
Before you do ANYTHING by yourself or through research with your acne, first consult your physician. Many a Lamictal acne case has been solved by simply decreasing the amount of the drug that is taken — so absolutely, positively make sure you ask your doctor first before doing anything.
Many other lamictal acne resources claim that changing your diet can make you see leaps and bounds of improvement in the acne you are suffering. Unfortunately, this is completely and utterly false and remains a myth that persists in our culture despite multiple and scientific studies to dispute the claim. You’re diet, even if incredibly unhealthy and unbalanced, has no effect on your acne whatsoever. Not the breakouts, not the worsening of it — not anything!
The biggest mistake many people with lamictal acne make is that they think that treating it is different from normal acne because of how it was incurred. This is incorrect as well and many of the top products to treat normal moderate to severe acne can prove to be just as effective in treating the breakouts of someone with acne caused by Lamictal.
What this means is try out some nice oil-free cleansers or scrubs at first to see how your skin reacts. If you feel you would benefit from a more complex and intense system than perhaps you should look along the lines of a ProActiv system or many of the other multi-product acne treatment plans. Many people have found that utilizing an inside-out type acne system, which targets the already existing acne on the outside with scrubs and cleansers as well as the inside through an acne dietary supplement can be effective.
The most important thing is to first consult with your doctor and then, don’t go overboard. There is an absolute cornucopia of different products for you to try and utilize and while some may not work, don’t be discouraged. Lamictal acne has actually been said to be extremely easy to treat in comparison to some other cyst and nodule forms of actual acne, so don’t get too down on yourself because it could absolutely be worse.
So here it is in step format so you’ll have no other excuse but to follow it correctly:
Step One: Have a nice long heart-to-heart talk with your doctor about your lamictal acne.
Step Two: Barring the layout of the plan made in Step One, begin to look for some mild products to rest out first as they may prove to be all you need.
Step Three: If these mild products don’t seem to be working than feel free to make the jump to a multi-product system or even an inside-out system.
Step Four: If these steps don’t work than go back to your doctor and tell him you’d like to make plans to see a dermatologist.
Step Five: See the dermatologist if need me and follow any and all steps that they give to you.
Step Six: Enjoy healthy and clear skin all while enjoying the benefits of Lamictal.
Good luck!