Opal Stevens

Is adult acne any different than the acne you would get as a teenager? Acne is different in adults. It is not in the t-zone but instead tends to be around the jawline or hairline...so a more peripheral pattern. The skin is not oily in adults so it is hard to treat adult patients with the same medications we use in teens since these meds tend to dry the skin. Is adult acne more common in men or women? Adult acne is more common in women than men. Men get acne as teens and then in general grow out of it. Women also have acne as teens but then some continue to have it as adults. Women have so many hormonal fluctuations during their life that causes acne. They get acne with their periods, during pregnancy or after pregnancy and even at menopause. Women also seem to be very susceptible to stress induced acne which of course is also caused by hormones. How is adult acne treated? I see a lot of women who are very frustrated with adult acne who complain of getting cyst...

Dr. Sue Ann Wee is Board Certified Dermatologist with expertise in laser surgery, cosmetic, and medical dermatology. I got the opportunity to ask her a few questions about acne scarring and the treatment options that are available for those suffering from acne scarring.  Why does acne scarring occur? When acne occurs, it is accompanied by an inflammatory response which injures the skin. This injured area of skin then undergoes wound repair in which the body produces scar tissue (collagen) to heal the wound. Although, the body replaces injured tissue with the same type of tissue (collagen) that is present in normal tissue, scar tissue lays down collagen in a  different and inferior manner compared to normal tissue collagen. This different arrangement of collagen in the body’s healing  process is the key feature of scar formation. What are the different types of acne scars? There are 5 main types of acne scars: rolling, box-car, ice-pick, hyp...

Dr. Leslie Baumann is an internationally renowned board-certified dermatologist, New York Times best-selling author, media personality and lecturer, and CEO of Baumann Cosmetic & Research Institute in Miami, Florida. I got the opportunity to ask her a few questions about acne and her skin typing system.  What causes acne? Increased Oil Production, Clogged pores and Bacteria. Oil causes dead skin cells to stick together which creates a clogged pore . If bacteria is present it can cause that clogged pore to inflame with pus. What are some acne myths or common misconceptions people have about acne? 1. Only teenagers get acne  2. Sun Exposure Helps Acne ( it’s actually the opposite )  3. Putting toothpaste on a pimple dries it up – NOT TRUE 4. Popping pimples make them heal faster – popping pimples can cause scarring and further inflammation.  What are some common mistakes that people make when trying to treat their acne? They over...

We're constantly searching drugstores for products that will solve our skin care woes, but what if I were to tell you that the answer may be right in your own kitchen pantry? Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a wonderful way to hydrate and condition your face. Oh, and to those with combination/oily (like myself) who may be thinking that putting an oil on your skin will only make your problems worse - think again. The logic behind it is that you're almost tricking your skin into thinking that it's got enough moisture so it won't produce excess oil. I would suggest applying at night after you cleanse your face and leave it on throughout the night as a deep moisturizing treatment. You probably don't want to use it as a daily moisturizer because it can make you look a bit shiny. But if you consistently moisturize with the olive oil you should notice your skin become less oily, softer, and you'll even see acne scars fade at an amazingly fast pace. Extra Virgin Olive Oi...

Tea tree oil is an essential oil that is produced by steaming the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant that is native to Australia. Tea tree oil can kill bacteria, so if you apply it as a topical treatment to acne it can significantly reduce the size and number of inflamed and non-inflamed acne lesions. Tea tree oil can cause itching, stinging, burning, and dryness in those that have more sensitive skin types. Few studies have been done on tea tree oil and acne, but those that have been done definitely suggest it is just as effective if not more than Benzoyl Peroxide and causes less irritation.   You should only apply diluted tea tree oil acne prone areas. The studies that have been done used a 5% tea tree oil solution. So if you'd like to make your own solution you could mix 5 parts tea tree oil for every 95 parts water.

How To Treat Oily Skin One of the main causes of acne is excessive oil on the surface of the skin. If not washed away, oil can clog pores and lead to acne breakouts. The causes of oily skin can be dietary, hormonal, or genetic. Here are a few things your should know about treating this skin type: Causes of Oily Skin Believe it or not, the oil on your skin actually serves a purpose. It keeps the skin naturally healthy and moisturized. Those that a have more oil will have fewer wrinkles later on in life, and suffer less effects of aging on the dermis. Removing excess oil is important, but harsh cleaners can overly dry the skin and make it look leathery or prematurely aged. Oily skin has its roots in several different causes. It can result from the consumption of too many fried foods, from excessive hormones like testosterone, or genetics. Even the weather has an effect it. Some people have reported excess oil and breakouts in the winter months. In this case the skin's oi...

Baking Soda Baking soda is an amazing remedy if you're having problems with acne. It's not harsh on the skin and can actually kill acne-causing bacteria, so you can use it as a daily cleanser and a mask. To use it as a cleanser just mix a little baking soda with some water and rub it on your skin gently in a circular motion. Make sure that you really wash away all the dirt and impurities on your skin. To use as a mask, mix a little bit of baking soda and water until you get a paste-like consistency. Leave on for 1/2 an hour or until it drys completely, then rinse with warm water.  Honey Honey is a great way to get rid of acne scarring. Although it can take a while for you to see real results, if you're willing to have a little patience it does an amazing job at getting rid of those pesky scars. Raw and natural honey usually give the best results and because honey is gentle on the skin it can be used as a daily mask. Just apply a layer of honey to the ski...