Clear.ca

In my incessant search to find new articles to bring to the fantastic readers of clear.ca, I came across this article about 10 questions to ask your dermatologist, and thought it would be a great Christmas  present  for anyone that has (or is considering) a dermatologist.

A dermatologist is a doctor that specializes in the largest organ in the human body – the skin.  Most people think the dermatologist is only for acne, but you might also seek a professional opinion for psoriasis, eczema, hair, and/or nail problems. If it has anything to do with the outer layer of your body, the dermatologist is probably the right person for you.

After you’ve found a dermatologist (we’d recommend that you find one through referral instead of just searching for one – you want to make sure that you get someone that will be able to help you with your condition, and the best way to do this is by using a doctor that your friends/associates have already tried)

To make your visit to the dermatologist as productive as possible, consider asking him/her some or all of these questions:

1. How much is enough sunscreen and what active ingredient should I look for?
2. What are the signs of skin cancer and how often should I have my moles checked?
3. How is my makeup affecting my skin?
4. What can you tell me about the latest anti-aging products?
5. What is the best way to treat visible sun damage?
6. How will hormone replacement therapy or birth control affect my skin?
7. How should I take care of my nails?
8. Are self-tanners really safe and do you recommend them?
9. What is the best facial cleansing routine for me?
10. How should I take care of my hair if I perm or color-treat it?

You should schedule a visit with your dermatologist once a year, and discuss any changes or concerns that you might have about your skin.

Choosing the right professional is an essential part of maintaining your healthy skin.  If you don’t have a dermatologist, talk to your friends that already have great skin to see if they can recommend someone for you today.

-Jason

What is your secret to dealing with your blemishes?

Do you cover them up or take steps to eliminate them in the first place?  Do you have a fool-proof way of getting rid of acne, fast?

For me, the secret I’ve found is the need to shave daily.  If I shave regularly, with a disposable blade, I can virtually guarantee my skin to be blemish free.  The problem comes from the weekend, the two days that I generally don’t shave due to my undiagnosed case of extreme lazyness. So, if I’m not careful, Monday can see a fresh outbreak of whiteheads.  Not quite what you want to see on a nearing-40 professional.

So, to make the rest of the week manageable, this is my normal routine:

-          Shower, gently scrub face using Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser

-          After showering, I shave using a sensitive skin targeted shaving cream

-          After shaving, I wash my face again using the Cetaphil

This top secret blend helps me keep the blemishes to a minimum, but I’d love to know what works for you.  Let me know in the comments, and I will share it in future posts.

-Jason

The fine folks at acneteam.com were kind enough to develop a list of ten guidelines to follow to help you have healthy, radiant looking, and most importantly, blemish free skin.

You can find the original link here, as we have condensed their list a bit:

10. Treat yourself to a day spa once every two or three months – The soothing effects of a thorough pampering can do wonders for your sense of well being, while the expert provides you with cleansing alternatives that you may not have considered.

9. Stress is bad for you and worse for your skin. – Your body reacts when it’s under stress, and this can result in break outs or flare ups, so take care of your mental health to take care of your physical health.

8. Make sure that you get plenty of rest. – Your body needs proper rest to provide it with the tools and energy to fight off whatever is attacking it.  Help your body win these battles by getting proper rest on a regular basis.

7. Don’t squeeze pimples, or pick at any sores. – Yes, this might give temporary and instant relief from small areas, but leaving the infected material on your skin can result in more pimples, blackheads, or whiteheads. If you absolutely have to squeeze one away, make sure you thoroughly wash the area and your hands to minimize the chances of contaminating other areas of your skin.

6. Don’t avoid the sun altogether – The sun is your friend, and in moderation can help you and your skin look great.  The vitamin D that the sun provides you is good for your skin – as long as you remember to practice moderation. Hydrate yourself and your skin, use a balanced sun screen, and pay attention to the UV index to prevent damaging your skin.

5. Eat a well balanced diet – This doesn’t mean that certain foods are going to cause you to break out, but it is something to be aware of to help your body be prepared to fight the upcoming infected battles,

4. Hydrate the body – and the skin – with water – Get water in you on a regular basis, and give your body the building blocks to healthy skin

3. Keep your hair and hands off your face. Your hands and hair are covered in oil, which can transfer to your skin and result in blocked pores if you aren’t paying attention.  Wash your hands regularly, and try not to rest your face in your hands.

2. Reduce the use of cosmetics as much as possible. You don’t need that much foundation to smooth out your skin.  Find out what the least amount of makeup that you can wear and still be happy with your look.  Think of how much money you can save by not buying so much makeup.

1. Wash your face twice each day – the fine folks at acneteam.com actually say to wash your face at least twice a day, but as we’ve said in previous articles here at clear.ca, twice a day should be adequate.  If you are in an excessively greasy environment, then washing more than twice a day might be beneficial to you.  But for most of us, a thorough clean with a mild cleanser is the right combination to minimize your breakouts.  Consult with your doctor or dermatologist to find what the right combination is for you.

Print these guidelines off and post them by your bathroom mirrors.  Use them as a guide to help you get clearer, healthier skin.

- Jason

Tonight we’re going to take a quick look at some of the common myths about acne, shed a bit of light on them, and hopefully stop these myths from spreading any further.

Myth #1 – you’ve got acne because you don’t wash often enough

Not true at all, and this thought process might even cause people to aggravate their acne.  Wash your face twice a day with a mild soap and then pat your skin dry.  If you scrub too aggressively, or use too harsh a cleanser, you can rob your skin of the essential oils that it needs, causing your body to make your skin oily, causing more pimples.

Myth #2 – you’ve got acne because you eat crap

Ok – crap may not be exactly the medical term, but we’re all heard it before: pizza, chocolate, ice cream, or other fatty foods all cause acne.  This isn’t true at all.  Some people have reported that their skin reacts after eating certain foods, but this is more likely a skin allergy.  Follow a healthy diet plan, to keep your body as healthy as possible.  But with the right acne treatment, you don’t need to worry that what you’re eating will cause a break out.

Myth #3 – you’re acne is just a cosmetic problem

Well, no – this isn’t quite the case.  Many people with acne, from moderate to severe, are affected psychologically by their acne, as they feel that people think more about their acne than their personality.  As, well, the scarring and potential infections can cause actual damage to the skin, which isn’t just cosmetic.  Acne can go away if it’s properly addressed.

Myth #4 – you’re acne will go away when it’s ready to go

Nope – you can make acne play by your rules.  Control the variables that you can; follow a set routine for your skin hygiene, use the acne products that work best for you, and if that doesn’t work, consult with your friendly neighborhood dermatologist.  Treatment for acne continues to improve every day, so there’s no need for you to suffer from it.

Put yourself back in charge of your skin – share this post with your friends so they know that acne doesn’t have to leave its mark on them.

- Jason