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Dr Shapiro completed his undergraduate education at UC San Diego earning a B S in Biochemistry and Cell Biology and a B A in Political Science He furthered his education at UCLA where he earned a Masters Degree in Public…
FAST FACTS
Some consider it a rite of passage of teenage-hood, but if you ask most teenagers experiencing it head on, most can't wait until it finally passes. Unfortunately, for some it becomes an adult-hood dilemma as well. But if the tweens and teens I care for are a good indicator, probably not everyone is aware of some of the basics surrounding this annoying condition. That being the case, here is some information you may find interesting:
So what is acne? Acne is the result of the secretions from the sebaceous glands found on your skin...and more specifically, how your body responds to these secretions. These secretions (AKA sebum) then plug your pores (AKA hair follicles) creating either the blackheads (open lesions) or whiteheads (similar to blackheads with the primary difference being they are now covered). It is these lesions that can develop into the more bothersome and inflamed and sometimes infected nodules and cysts that plague many acne sufferers.
So what causes acne? Well, probably best to start off saying chocolate and other foods you eat do not appear to be causes of acne. And although we may not understand all of the causes of acne, we do know your genetic predisposition, hormones, and certain bacteria, are at the heart of acne. Genetic predisposition, well, simply put, if immediate family members have experienced acne, then assume an increased likelihood for yourself as well. As far as the hormones, just think about being a tween/teen ready to go through some bodily changes secondary to the production of certain hormones. It is an increase in the hormone production that aids in acne production. And the bacteria, what is its role? Well, when these hair follicles are clogged up, bacteria are able to grow inside them. This creates the blackheads and whiteheads I first mentioned above and may lead to more inflammatory types of acne.
Any questions? Please send my way.
Dr. Jeremy
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Displaying comments 20-1 of 20
Got a Question?
I'm a 36 year old momma of 3 and suffer from adult cystic acne (about 15 yrs now). I never had ANY problems in high school (in fact, pristine skin).
Through the years, I've been on all the usuals...Retin A, Minocycline, topical antiobiotics, etc. During this time, I tried MANY different skin care lines (some lines were featured at our local hospital)...not a single one "cured" the problem. Improvement, yes. Cure, no.
Unfortunately, thru the years, I became knowledgeable of the active ingredients in skin care lines...I stumbled across MURAD and found that it did NOT contain Benzyl Peroxide (I think this is the most ridiculous thing to have in a skin care line..it overdries the skin and causes MORE oil production!) BUT that it contained Glycolic Acid (a must have) w/o fragrances, etc. ! I thought, hmmmmm...interesting. SO, I gave it a shot.
MURAD is NOT cheap but it does last a LONG time! This skin care line is by far, the best product in the WORLD!!!......I have the clearest skin! (also note I'm a big believer in GOOD vitamins too-USANA and lots of water)...If I do get a "breakout", it is 1 or 2 and it is rarely cystic.
AND the rest of the products are equally as awesome!
You probably think I work for MURAD but the truth is, I wasted SO much money trying products/skin care lines and feel like I need to share this secret with the world!!!!
Save your pennies and INVEST IN THE MURAD ACNE SKIN CARE LINE! You will see a difference within just a few days of use!
A BIG WOOT WOOT FOR MURAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nikki from Michigan
Face,which to be honest have never really bugged me that much and as I have got older these seem to make
me look even more rugged.However it's the mental scars which were more difficult to deal with,Acne reduced my self worth to Zero it convinvced me I was ugly and worthless.This in turn had a knock on effect which turned me toward very heavy drinking and Fighting and eventually Prison and Heroin Addiction.There are other things I now have to live with one of them being a very serious Liver complaint which will kill me in a few years unless I have a total Transplant.Please if you suffer from Acne do not let it
get you down,when I was 18 there was nothing of any value to help me shift it.Also my Job (Bricklayer) made the situation much worse with all the dirt and dust flying around.
Morning
*Purity Made Simple Cleanser by Philosophy(very gentle for stressed out skin)
* Duac Topical Gel
Night
* Purity Made Simple Cleanser by Philosophy
* 0.25% Tretinoin (generic of Retin A)
During the day I drink LOTS of water. It flushes impurities from your system. I begin to notice a difference in my skin if I haven't been drinking my water.
I had tried the Proactiv and it made my condition worse, not better. I think it was because I was using too many harsh ingredients and my skin was rebelling against them all. There is something to be said for keeping it simple, in my experience.
very worse now. It is horribly embarrassing to be a 53 year old woman with acne. I have different
kinds of acne; from what I have read. Some of mine are like boils. Some are blackheads, and
whiteheads. The deep tissue ones, leave scars, and seem to take forever to heal. My face, chest,
breasts, back, and upper arms are all affected. I have taken to wearing tops that are high necked;
as my acne is that bad, and I do not want anyone to know. Ideas?? Someone told me to decrease
my salt intake? Thank you!