Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Adult Acne- Suffer No More!

by Dr. Lisa Benest

Once considered a teenage right of passage, today many people suffer from adult acne. If you have this potentially embarrassing, but very manageable condition, you should know the possible causes for your acne and, more importantly, what treatments are now available to you.

The first step in the treatment of adult acne – or simply to have a youthful, healthy complexion - is to implement the following as part of your overall health and fitness regimen:

● Cleanse twice daily: washing more frequently can trigger an over-production of oil.
● Maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet and drink plenty of water between meals.
● Eat organic whenever possible: your body does not need the extra hormones and antibiotics found in typical meats, chicken or even farm-raised fish.
● Refrain from touching, picking, rubbing and squeezing pimples or break-out areas.
● Take care to keep hair sprays and gels on your hair but off your face.
● Use a moisturizer if you need one. You don’t have to dry out your skin to treat acne.
● Try an over-the-counter homeopathic remedy.

If these basic steps do not resolve your acne, you should contact your dermatologist to discuss other treatment options. Your dermatologist may go over some of the common conditions that can result in adult acne to help determine the best treatment approach for you. If you are one of the many people who suffer from adult acne, you have probably tried at least one if not many treatments for your condition. Here are some of the most common conditions that can result in adult acne and their respective treatment options:

Stress
Stress can result in a break out. The most effective treatment for stress-related acne is to relax! To spot treat blemishes, you can try a prescription strength topical antibiotic gel. For over the counter options, a dab of tea tree oil or acne treatments containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide (a low strength, such as 2.5%, works as well as a higher strength with less skin irritation). You should see some relief by the next day. In the case of a large or painful pimple, call your dermatologist, as they may have a more powerful option.

Diet
The typical Western diet of processed food, refined carbohydrates and sugars contributes greatly to the incidence and severity of acne. Cutting out refined and processed foods will help keep you blemish free. Avoid artificial sweeteners (Xylitol or Stevia are ok), refined vegetable oils and dairy products. Supplement your diet with omega-3 fish oils. As an added benefit, this type of diet helps control obesity, diabetes, heart disease and high cholesterol!

Problem zones
If you break out in one or several problem zones, you should suspect anything that comes in contact with your breakout area. It could be your telephone, your bangs or even your toothpaste or hair gel. Once you identify the cause, keep it out of contact with your face (i.e. clean your phone with alcohol, keep your hair off your face or discontinue the product). If you can’t identify the source on your own, your dermatologist should be able to help you figure it out.

Monthly period break-outs
Hormone imbalances can cause acne breakouts. Some birth control pills can keep pre-period breakouts under control by maintaining a balanced hormone level. If a hormone-based acne treatment isn’t an option, consider incorporating a cream called a retinoid (such as Retin-A, Differin or Tazorac) into your skin-care regimen. As an added bonus, you’ll also see a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles!

Chronic acne conditions
Once you are diagnosed, your dermatologist might suggest a prescription medication. These include a variety of creams, or an oral medication such as an antibiotic.

All of these, even chronic acne conditions, are manageable if treated in coordination with your dermatologist. You should also contact your dermatologist to learn about other treatments available only in your dermatologist’s office, such as fruit acid peels or light-based (laser) treatments.

Dr. Lisa Benest is a medical and cosmetic dermatologist in Burbank, CA. She and her staff provide comprehensive skin examinations as well as an array of non-invasive, cosmetic procedures and offer a full line of skin care products. To learn more about how to take care of your skin as well as the most up-to-date treatments in skin care, schedule a Free Consultation with our cosmetic nurse. Check out our website for a complete list of all our treatments: www.lisabenestmd.com


Lisa Benest M.D.
1624 W. Olive #B
Burbank, CA
818-729-9149
www.lisabenestmd.com

For permission to reprint this article in full or in part, contact info2006@lisabenestmd.com

To view more articles by Dr. Benest click here: Articles

LASER YOUR WAY TO BEAUTY

by Dr. Lisa Benest


Lasers are high-tech light and energy devices that can now do everything from smoothing wrinkles to reducing acne and sagging skin, all with minimal pain and outstanding results.

Cosmetic lasers have evolved to become one of the hottest modalities in the quest for smooth, younger-looking skin. They not only treat existing problems but they can also help prevent the onset or advancement of certain conditions, such as wrinkles, rosacea, sagging skin or cellulite.

The word “lasers” commonly refers to all cosmetic machines that use light energy and/or radio-frequency energy. Some work to tighten tissues, prompting collagen and elastin production (which helps improve wrinkled or sagging skin). Other lasers direct heat to break up pigment (which removes sunspots). Other lasers focus on the reduction of broken blood vessels or unwanted hair.

Laser Hair Removal is performed with non-invasive laser light, specifically designed to eliminate hair permanently from all parts of the body. Highly controlled flashes of laser beams are selectively absorbed by the hair follicles lying below the surface of the skin. The absorbed light stops hair growth without damaging the skin.

Anti-Wrinkle treatments, such as the Polaris and ReFirme laser systems, are revolutionary new technologies that offer a safe and effective solution for smoothing fine lines, deeper wrinkles and firming the skin. They use the ELOS system, which combines both laser and radiofrequency energy for a synergistic, collagen tightening effect.

Acne lasers are designed to treat both active acne as well as acne scarring. Unlike other therapies that address bacterial symptoms only, the Smoothbeam laser treatment targets the source of acne, overactive oil glands. In addition, the energy from the laser stimulates the skin to rebuild and replenish your own natural collagen and help smooth out the acne scars.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) or Fotofacials use a bright light system to target a spectrum of skin changes. A series of these treatments addresses the brown spots and broken capillaries as well as the dullness of the skin. The result is a smoother, creamier glow to the skin so that foundation may not be needed anymore!

There are many laser systems that effectively treat facial spider veins with virtually no downtime. They also address cherry angiomas, those pesky little red spots that develop on various areas of the body.

No one laser can treat every problem and often a combination of lasers will give you optimal results. In looking for a laser center, it is best to find someone who uses these machines on a daily basis. Remember that a laser is a medical device, so it should always be administered in a doctor’s office, never by a salon or a spa aesthetician.


Dr. Lisa Benest is a general and cosmetic dermatologist in Burbank, and offers extensive procedures in cosmetic skin care, using the latest and most up-to-date lasers and medical equipment. Visit us for a free consultation with our skin care specialist!

Dr. Benest can be reached at:
1624 W. Olive Ave #B
Burbank, CA 91506
818-729-9149
http://www.lisabenestmd.com/index.html

For permission to reprint this article in full or in part, contact info2006@lisabenestmd.com

Hey, Beautiful!

by Dr. Lisa Benest


Essential to youthful appearance is clear, soft skin. But what makes beautiful skin, beautiful? While there are many creams and lotions and techniques to handle blemishes and smooth out the wrinkles, a good, healthy diet is the most fundamental beauty regimen at any age.

The skin is a reflection of what's going on in the body; what you put in your body will affect the appearance of the skin.

The cells in your skin die and are replaced every day, in fact all of the cells in your body are replaced at least every seven years. There is no question you can improve the quality of your appearance by feeding those cells with pure water and plenty of nutrients.

Here are some tips for beautiful, youthful-looking skin.

1. Avoid processed food and hydrogenated oils

2. Eat organic meats to avoid unwanted hormones and antibiotics

3. Stay well-hydrated with plenty of water which is assimilated by your cells (use structured water).

4. Drink alcohol in moderation. Too much alcohol will dehydrate your body.

Be alert, if you are drinking a lot of coffee or soft drinks you are probably dehydrated.

5. You have probably heard that smoking can age your skin. The reason is that smoking cuts off oxygen so your skin does not get as many nutrients. This is why people who smoke often heal more slowly after surgery - their skin does not get oxygen and nutrients fast enough.

6. Take sun in moderation and no tanning salons.

Sun is necessary to produce vitamin D. But too much can cause wrinkling; it damages the DNA and cells and ages the collagen and elastic tissues in the skin.

Tanning booths are harmful even if they use only "UVA" rays. UVA rays penetrate deep and can damage the skin and cells, which can result in skin cancer. While tans can be attractive, the best attraction is clear, healthy youthful-looking skin.

Skin is a beautiful but it is also a very practical organ. It acts as a protective barrier, guards against bacteria, heals minor injuries easily, regulates body temperate and even helps to purify the system by eliminating waste fluid. It can remain and attain greater attractiveness with proper care. Some skin conditions are genetic and this too can be addressed and handled with modern dermatology.

But in either case, a good start is proper diet and plenty of water. Youthful-looking skin is healthy skin!


Lisa Benest
is a general and cosmetic dermatologist in Burbank, and offers extensive procedures in non-invasive cosmetic skin care, using the latest and most up-to-date lasers and medical equipment. Visit us for a free consultation with our skin care specialist!

Dr. Benest can be reached at:
1624 W. Olive Ave B
Burbank, CA 91506
818-729-9149
http://www.lisabenestmd.com/

For permission to reprint this article in full or in part, contact info2006@lisabenestmd.com

About Dr. Lisa Benest


Lisa Benest MD


Dr. Lisa Benest received her medical degree at UC Irvine with further training in Los Angeles and New York. A diplomat of the American Board of Dermatology and a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, she has been in private practice for over 10 years, specializing in medical and cosmetic dermatology, as well as skin cancer surgery. Dr. Benest is known for her friendly and personal care.


At the Lisa Benest MD Skin Care and Laser Center in Burbank - the heart of the movie studios of Los Angeles - you’ll find dermatologists who dedicate their expertise and artistry to making your skin look the best it can be.


Dr. Lisa Benest and her team of Board-certified dermatologists are among the most respected medical professionals in Los Angeles.


Whether you have a medical or a cosmetic skin care need, we blend the latest advances in skin care into the experience and wisdom of medicine.

Our dermatologists understand the desire within all of us to be as beautiful and healthy as we can be.


A clear, even, smooth skin with a youthful glow is part of that health and beauty. Dr. Benest has created a facility where many different approaches to medical and cosmetic dermatology can be found.

OUR MEDICAL AND COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY SERVICES

Doctors, Nurses and Aestheticians work together to provide you with many different dermatology solutions:

Laser Treatments for Hair Removal
Laser Aesthetic Applications
Botox
Restylane
Facials


These, along with other techniques, can handle such dermatological concerns as:


Wrinkles
Dry Skin
Sun Damage
Acne
Brown Spots


Dermatology in Los Angeles has reached a new artistic height at the Lisa Benest MD Skin Care and Laser Center, located in Burbank and easily accessible from all parts of Southern California.

Lisa Benest MD dot com


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