Scarring is caused by when an acne lesion has healed and redness or hyperpigmentation is visible on the skin. This is the healing process when skin is “remodeling” which can take up to a year to clear as long as no other acne forms over the … Read more You would think that having acne breakouts and pimples are the worst part about not having clear skin. And when the breakout clears up or that giant pimple finally goes away, you should be really happy and rejoicing right? But many times, you are left with scarring! And it doesn’t seem to want to go away! It can be there for months…or even longer. But do not fret, there are things you can do to minimize scarring or help it to disappear more quickly.

Scarring is caused by when an acne lesion has healed and redness or hyperpigmentation is visible on the skin. This is the healing process when skin is “remodeling” which can take up to a year to clear as long as no other acne forms over the healed lesion. There are treatments to utilize if you would like to speed this healing process up!

Dermabrasion:

This is the process of removing the top layer of skin with a quick moving rotating brush. Scars at the surface can possibly be completely removed and deep lesion acne scars will appear less visible.

Topical Treatments:

Tretinoin-related products (like Retin-A) will help speed up the healing process, minimizing scarring. These products are also known to prevent new breakouts from occurring as well.

Laser Treatments:

Laser treatments have been quite effective in reducing and removing acne scars. There are two different options for laser treatments. One is where a heated laser “destroys” the surface of the skin and heats the skin underneath. The wound heals quickly, allowing new skin to resurface, scar-free. The other option is a less intense laser that is pulse light sources that do not destroy the top layer of skin but still heat the skin underneath and allows new skin to resurface more quickly. This less intense laser treatment usually requires a few treatments to be effective.

Tissue Fillers:

Injecting fat fillers or collagen into the acne scars under the skin can minimize the appearance of scarring by stretching out the skin. Unfortunately, this is a procedure that is not permanent and needs to be repeated to maintain the same look.

Exfoliating:

For daily or weekly use, gently exfoliate your skin with an exfoliating scrub to remove dead skin and allow for the regrowth and renewal of new skin. Over time, scarring will fade and this is a very inexpensive treatment for reducing scarring compared to the treatments above.

Stretch marks, also known as striae, are most commonly found on the upper arms, thighs, buttocks, breasts, and abdomen and are normally pink, reddish, purple, or white in color. Though stretch marks are normally thought to appear on pregnant women (when their tummies grow larger, stretching their skin in addition to their hormones changing), anyone can get stretch marks and many factors can depend on this.  They are caused by a literal stretching of the skin … Read more Stretch marks are quite frustrating. They can appear anywhere on your body and unfortunately, cannot always be covered up with clothes and most creams and topical treatments do not fulfill what they promise. So what are these little road maps that are on many of our bodies and what can be done about them?

Stretch marks, also known as striae, are most commonly found on the upper arms, thighs, buttocks, breasts, and abdomen and are normally pink, reddish, purple, or white in color. Though stretch marks are normally thought to appear on pregnant women (when their tummies grow larger, stretching their skin in addition to their hormones changing), anyone can get stretch marks and many factors can depend on this.  They are caused by a literal stretching of the skin combined with an increase in cortisone, which is a hormone formed by the adrenal glands. According to the Mayo Clinic, “cortisone may weaken elastic fibers in the skin,” hence causing stretch marks to appear.

Besides pregnancy, others that have stretch marks may have developed them from these conditions:

Weight Gain: Anyone who has lost a dramatic amount of weight will undoubtedly develop stretch marks. The skin is stretched when one is at a larger weight and then shrinks when the weight is lost. Teenagers are also prone to develop stretch marks due to their body compositions changing and with the imbalance of hormones. Anyone who lifts weights consistently will more than likely develop stretch marks on their arms, shoulders, and possibly on their backs from their muscles growing, thus stretching out the skin.

Certain Medicines: The repeated use of oral or systematic steroids can cause stretch marks when the body’s muscles become larger at a very rapid rate. Corticosteroid creams and certain lotions and pills can cause stretch marks. Read warning labels carefully before using certain medicines and receive doctor’s approval first.

Illness: Cushing’s Syndrome and certain adrenal gland diseases can also cause stretch marks of significant proportion. Other diseases can also cause stretch marks so consult a doctor if you developing stretch marks quite quickly and for no apparent reason.

Though stretch marks can be frustrating and cosmetically unappealing, they are harmless. Certain treatments can reduce the appearance of stretch marks but nothing can fully rid your skin of them. Some options include certain laser treatments, microdermabrasion, and tretinoin cream (which also helps minimize fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots/scarring). Remember, every mark on your skin is beautiful and makes you, YOU. Do not obsess over imperfections…rather embrace them and enjoy every moment of LIFE!

Well according to the Cosmetic Ingredient Review, some lab tests have shown a link between parabens and certain cancers, specifically breast cancer due to parabens copying the female sex endocrine hormone, estrogen, through a process called … Read more Parabens in skincare products have been a controversy for quite a while now. Parabens are chemical compounds used as a preservative for food, skincare, and cosmetics. For skincare and makeup, parabens are synthetically made to help these products have a longer shelf life otherwise they are more susceptible to bacterial and fungi growth, which contaminates products. Parabens are found in almost every product from toothpaste to deodorant to cosmetics to moisturizers! Common paraben names on the ingredients list include methyl, ethyl, butyl, isopropyl, propyl, and isobutylparaben. Where did the concern of parabens stem from?

Well according to the Cosmetic Ingredient Review, some lab tests have shown a link between parabens and certain cancers, specifically breast cancer due to parabens copying the female sex endocrine hormone, estrogen, through a process called endocrine disruption. This process may lead to an increased risk of breast cancer but it is a heatedly debated topic. The FDA and European Commission believe parabens are safe enough to use in foods and cosmetics (though methyl is banned in Europe due to its toxicity), and the CIR believes they’re safe for use when the paraben concentration level is under 25 percent.

Certain parabens have been known to irritate very sensitive skin and has been thought to be the leading cause of dermatitis and other skin related issues. Those with severe allergies may notice some relief if they cut out the majority of skincare products with parabens.  Parabens can also seep into your bloodstream once soaked into your skin.  Unfortunately parabens are found in everything from the food we eat to the water we drink so it’s important to be pro-active in learning what to use and not use without becoming neurotic about it. Simply eliminating skincare and makeup with parabens and choosing organic foods when possible can make a world of difference .

Many skincare and cosmetic companies are strictly paraben-free and the makeup seems to last a long time without the need of parabens. Honestly, no one should own or use makeup or skincare if it’s more than a year old anyways! A large build-up of dirt and oils will definitely contribute to negligent skincare if you are using old makeup or skincare! It’s also beneficial to use products that are hypoallergenic because they tend to be more gentle on sensitive skin. Make simple changes to your lifestyle and eliminate certain paraben-induced products when possible and we at Acne Skin Site know your body will thank you!

Lucky for all of our readers, we will soon be featuring several wonderfully soothing and skin-clearing homemade facial masks for you to try at home and incorporate into your weekly skincare routine but until then we can give you some great ideas of what is to come and what natural products and foods are great for your skin!

Not only are bananas good for you when eaten, … Read more Many of the skincare products we use are infused with natural ingredients. We often look for information on the labels that say “natural” and “easy as 1-2-3” so why don’t you take matters into your own hands and just make your own home skincare treatments? Not only are homemade skin treatments good for your skin, but they are also great for your wallet!

Lucky for all of our readers, we will soon be featuring several wonderfully soothing and skin-clearing homemade facial masks for you to try at home and incorporate into your weekly skincare routine but until then we can give you some great ideas of what is to come and what natural products and foods are great for your skin!

Not only are bananas good for you when eaten, they are also great at helping the fight against acne! Bananas are rich in potassium, which when applied directly to the skin, will suffocate the bacteria in cells, forcing blemishes to heal more quickly. Bananas have many anti-bacterial properties, which can reduce swelling, and infections from other skin issues, including Psoriasis, Eczema, and even painful bug bites (pack some bananas if you’re going camping or grilling out at night this summer!). A really cool thing you can try with the peel of a banana is if you have an irritating and itchy skin condition, try rubbing the inside of the peel on your skin and it will help soothe your skin tremendously. The inside of the banana peel is also great when used as an exfoliant gently rub it on your skin with warm water and see how much softer and hydrated your skin becomes after sloughing off that dry skin (also known as cellular build-up).

Honey is another wonderful (and yummy!) product to try on the skin. Honey is an antioxidant proven to help reduce impurities from the skin and help battle mild acne. It also helps restore skin’s texture due to its anti-microbial properties, and will help repair skin damage from the sun and daily environments.

Cane sugar is a great product to use as an exfoliator. Mixing warm water with some sugar is an awesome and deliciously sweet way to gently remove dry skin from the face, neck, and even your lips! Much more gentle than salt, it will naturally dissolve with warm water, allowing you the perfect amount of time to work it over the skin before it disappears! Sugar will also hydrate your skin…just make sure not to be stepping outside right after this because the bees may love your skin a little too much too! J

And remember; stay tuned for our new tab coming soon on Acne Skin Site featuring some truly incredible face masks to make at home!

Facial serums are loaded with wonderful antioxidants like Vitamin C, which is known to play a key role in the production of collagen. Vitamin C aids in anti-aging, and also reduces fine lines and wrinkles and minimizes blemishes and acne. … Read more Facial serums are wonderful for the skin yet often overlooked. Many people have not heard of a serum and if they have, they think it acts the same as a moisturizer and can use one or the other. Others are afraid of using a serum because they think it will make them break out. Neither of these ideas is correct and facial serums are a wonderful step to add to any skincare routine. In fact, we at Acne Skin Site would recommend adding a facial serum to your skincare routine.

Facial serums are loaded with wonderful antioxidants like Vitamin C, which is known to play a key role in the production of collagen. Vitamin C aids in anti-aging, and also reduces fine lines and wrinkles and minimizes blemishes and acne. Vitamin C is a key ingredient in many skin care products. Vitamin E is also found in many serums and is known to protect and repair skin damage from the sun and other environments. Because the body does not create Vitamin E on its own, it is very important to use skin care products rich in this Vitamin and to also eat foods rich in Vitamin E. Certain foods that are loaded with Vitamin E are avocados, nuts, and vegetable oil.

You can also find serums that are oil-free if you are concerned with breaking out or clogging your pores. That is the beautiful thing about skincare these days. Companies take into account that men and women don’t want to break out!

You should apply your facial serum after you have cleansed and lightly dried your face and allow it to be absorbed into the skin for 3-5 minutes before applying your moisturizer. A serum will not block your moisturizer from being absorbed – If anything, it will help in the skin absorbing the moisturizer and retaining hydration. Certain serums will gently exfoliate your skin as well, which will make your complexion brighter and more dewy looking in appearance! And let’s be honest, who doesn’t want their skin looking like porcelain?! There are many wonderful serums out there, it’s just a matter of how much you want to spend and what added skin benefits you are looking to gain from a serum. Serums can be less expensive to quite expensive so do your research and your skin will thank you! Feel free to let us know if you have a favorite as well!

Well more than likely if you get hot and sweaty during moments of feeling nervous or excited then it’s definitely something that will eventually fade in time! During the teenage years, our hormones and bodies are kind of out of whack and that can add to those sweaty moments. Here are a few things to try:

1. If you find that you sweat mainly under your armpits during the day, … Read more You see the cute boy or girl you like. You’re about to give a speech in front of a large audience of people. You get nervous or excited about something and then…you just start sweating. Ughhh it’s so frustrating! It happens at the worst times and you just want to be cool, calm, and collected so what do you do?

Well more than likely if you get hot and sweaty during moments of feeling nervous or excited then it’s definitely something that will eventually fade in time! During the teenage years, our hormones and bodies are kind of out of whack and that can add to those sweaty moments. Here are a few things to try:

1. If you find that you sweat mainly under your armpits during the day, try a deodorant and antiperspirant with a higher amount of aluminum chloride. Many antiperspirants are in the 15% range of this ingredient but most companies have started selling them at a 19% level as well. The deodorant will stop any odor from being emitted and the antiperspirant will slow down the process of sweating by blocking the sweating glands under the arms. This higher percentage of aluminum chloride is extremely beneficial during the hot summer months that are just around the corner!

2. Drink plenty of cool water during the day to cool off your body from the inside out. It’s important to drink between 8-10 glasses daily and not only will it cool your body off, it will also keep your skin hydrated and looking fresh and glowing.

3. Avoid hot and spicy foods, especially if you know you’re about to give a big speech or run into that “crush” you have. Spicy foods will make you excessively hot, causing you to sweat and feel uncomfortable. These foods can also irritate your skin and cause red blotches to form if you are susceptible to them.

4. “If you think cool, you’ll be cool.” This expression is so true, especially in the literal sense. A lot of times, you will get nervous, hot, and sweaty because you’re already THINKING about getting hot and sweaty. So if you repeat to yourself over and over that you are not nervous and that you won’t get hot or sweaty, you will eventually train your brain to believe your body is cool and you won’t be dripping from your face, armpits, or back!

5. Before a nerve-wracking situation, take a paper towel or washcloth, run it under cold water and lightly tap your face with it. You will feel cooler instantly.

6. Take deep, slow, calming breaths.

If you seem to sweat in excess and even at night while you sleep, your body may be telling you something and we at Acne Skin Site would recommend consulting a doctor. But more than likely, if you sweat during nervous situations, these tips above will help you and it truly is a mind over matter situation. Remember, “If you think cool, you’ll be cool.”

1.     Don’t pick it! If you pick at it, it will just get bigger and more irritated, possibly leading to bleeding, swelling, and undoubtedly scarring. If there is a white head formed at the head, you MAY take a sanitized sewing needle (sanitized with rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball) and ever so lightly prick the head of the pimple … Read more Ahhh! It’s the night before your big date, a school dance, or big interview or event and you just got a huge, juicy, red pimple right on your face! How are you supposed to get rid of it when it just formed?! Do not fret, we at Acne Skin Site have some simple steps to follow to help ease the pain of the pimple and to minimize it’s unwanted appearance:

1.     Don’t pick it! If you pick at it, it will just get bigger and more irritated, possibly leading to bleeding, swelling, and undoubtedly scarring. If there is a white head formed at the head, you MAY take a sanitized sewing needle (sanitized with rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball) and ever so lightly prick the head of the pimple with the head of the sharp needle. Follow with gently using your fingertips, not nails, to remove the puss from the pimple. Don’t squeeze too hard or force something to come out if it doesn’t. If you do, blood and scabbing will definitely follow. Dab a Kleenex on the spot for a few minutes, removing any excess fluid that may seep from the pimple.

2.     Cleanse your face gently before bed and use a toner to dry out the area. Follow with an oil-free moisturizer because hydrating your skin, even in the affected area, is important and will reduce an excess of oils surfacing to the skin.

3.     Placing an ice cube on the area for a few minutes may reduce redness and irritation.

4.     Use a green concealer to cancel out the redness.

5.     Follow with a concealer that matches your skin tone. We recommend Neutrogena’s Skin Clearing Concealer with Salicylic Acid. It will conceal and heal in one!

6.     Apply an oil-free foundation all over your face and neck to even out your skin and create a flawless finish.

7.     Dab a little more concealer on the area if needed.

8.     Dust a loose powder all over your face and neck to set foundation in place and reduce any shine. Make sure to hold your breath as to not inhale the loose powder! It’s definitely not good to breathe into your lungs!

9.     Add color to your face with blush, highlighter/shimmer, and eye makeup.

Remember, you are going to notice your pimple more than anyone. As long as you follow these proper steps, your skin will look beautiful and heal quickly! Don’t allow one pesky pimple to ruin your night and know that you are beautiful inside and out, regardless if you are breaking out or not. So cover up that annoyance and have fun! Xoxo.

Our skin goes through a series of different metabolic processes while we’re sleeping including a large blood supply being brought to the skin, renewing our skin through our pores. When your makeup is covered in makeup or bacteria, you are doing your skin a great disservice. And it doesn’t matter if you’re a guy or a girl, if you wear foundation or not. All the dirt and … Read more I know we’ve all done it. Came home after a long day or night and just been too tired to even think about washing our faces and just crash into bed. Then you wake up in the morning with a brand new pimple on your face.  There are so many reasons to not let this happen other than a brand new pimple appearing.

Our skin goes through a series of different metabolic processes while we’re sleeping including a large blood supply being brought to the skin, renewing our skin through our pores. When your makeup is covered in makeup or bacteria, you are doing your skin a great disservice. And it doesn’t matter if you’re a guy or a girl, if you wear foundation or not. All the dirt and bacteria our faces come in contact with on a daily basis is enough of a reason to make sure to cleanse your face before bed. We touch doorknobs, cell phones, money, railings, etc. and don’t realize that we’ll touch our skin several times in a day. Cleanse at night with a gentle cleanser and follow with an oil-free moisturizer. If your skin is dry, it’s very important to have a clean face that is moisturized so your skin can be re-hydrated while you sleep. If your skin is oily, you want to wash off the excess build-up of oils and dirt that have collected on your face during the day.  Following with a moisturizer when your skin is oily is important as well because an oil-free moisturizer will balance out the pH levels in your skin while you sleep, helping you become less oily. If you have acne or pimples, not washing your face at night is allowing those areas of breakouts to fester and they don’t have a chance to be clean and heal. It’s important to allow your pores the chance to breathe at night, free of dirt and pores clogged with oil. If you don’t clean the skin so the breakouts can heal, you are opening the doors of having more areas on your skin to breakout…never a good look if you can prevent it!

You also want to make sure your eye area is clean of any bacteria, dirt, or makeup otherwise you are more susceptible to eye infections. We have living organisms on our eyelashes and you need to keep that area as clean as possible at bedtime. And for any of you who wear makeup, imagine if you get an eye infection…you’ll have to throw away all your eye makeup and start over! An expensive mistake!

For those nights where you may just stumble to your bed, at least have some facial cleansing cloths by your bedside so you can swipe a couple over your face, eyes, and neck before entering dreamland…zzzzz.

Other than using a chapstick or lip balm on the regular, using a lip exfoliator about 3 times a week wouldn’t hurt either. Now guys, I know you’re reading this and thinking, “What the HE*L is a lip exfoliator?!” Well I’m about to tell you and honestly, it may … Read more Everyone has lips but a lot of people don’t take care of them! There’s nothing worse than seeing someone who has chapped, dehydrated, crackly lips. Why are they so overlooked?! I wouldn’t want to kiss someone with chapped lips, would you? So why are you the exception? Everyone should keep chapstick or lip balm in their pocket or purse and re-apply as needed. A good rule of thumb: If you find yourself starting to lick your lips to wet them, re-apply.

Other than using a chapstick or lip balm on the regular, using a lip exfoliator about 3 times a week wouldn’t hurt either. Now guys, I know you’re reading this and thinking, “What the HE*L is a lip exfoliator?!” Well I’m about to tell you and honestly, it may turn you off but I promise, I won’t tell you’re exfoliating your lips and ruin your game if you don’t. No one has to know you exfoliate so get to it. Here’s a really great lip exfoliating recipe that tastes good too! But resist the urge to lick it off until it’s done its job!

Gather ¼ teaspoon of olive oil and 1/8 of a teaspoon of brown sugar and mix together in a small bowl. Apply to your lips with your fingers in a circular motion over and over. Continue this for about a minute or two, and then rinse off with warm water. The sugar granules will rinse away, leaving a minimal amount of olive oil on your lips for added hydration. Don’t be afraid if you get some olive oil on the outsides of your lips. Olive oil is a great moisturizer that won’t clog your pores. In fact, you can use this recipe on your entire face! Brown sugar has molasses in it, which is another great hydrator for your skin. After exfoliating your lips, apply some lip balm or chapstick and your lips will be kiss-worthy!

If you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to make a sugar scrub treatment, take a clean, soft bristle toothbrush to your lips with some water and very gently rub the bristles over your lips in a circular motion for about a minute. Your lips will be instantly smoother.

It’s also very important to keep your body hydrated by drinking plenty of water. We recommend at least 8 glasses of water a day if not more and your lips and mouth will stay fresher too. Minimize your salt intake because salt retains water within your body.