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HEALTH
BREAKING AWAY FROM
by Marion Hixon
SKIN MYTHS BUSTED!
A LOOK AT THE REALITY BEHIND SKIN CARE MYTHS.
→ **Myth:** Dabbing toothpaste on a zit will dry it out and clear up your skin overnight.
**Truth:** Toothpaste isn't necessarily healthy for the skin and will have no quicker effect than medications.
**Myth:** You should pop your pimple using your fingers or fingernails.
**Truth:** Oils and bacteria in your fingernails could cause further infection and increase the chance of scarring your skin. Only resort to popping a pimple if it has come to a head on your skin (and some never will). If you must pop, do it after a hot shower with tissue wrapped around your finger. Squeeze the blemish back and forth.
→Myth:You should pop your pimple using your fingers or fingernails.
Myth: ice cubes will shrink pores.
Truth:The only way to do this is through purging the skin of all oils and toxins. Then following a proper skin care regimen.
Myth: Makeup will clog your pores.
Truth: You shouldn't go to sleep without washing off makeup, but pores will remain open despite a layer of makeup on the skin.
Sources: Lindsey Pollock and the office of Dr. Lee Bittenbender, M.D.
BREAKOUTS
How to fight that hideous acne
Don't do it. Even if you have a date tomorrow, don't pop that fresh pimple you're sporting. Dr. Lee Bittenbender, of the Dermatology Center of Lawrence, discourages popping pimples no matter how great the temptation. He says a pimple can be treated in about three days.
But most students don't have three days to wait for their skin to clear up.
Take care of your skin before that pesky acne crops up. Here's your guide:
Proper skin care at home:
Lindsey Pollock, an esthetician (or skin care specialist) at Images Salon & Day Spa, says everyone needs to use a cleanser, toner and moisturizer every day. She says that if you are dealing with recurring acne, using a treatment gel will help. Products like Neutrogena Rapid Clear Acne Eliminating Gel can be found at drugstores for $5 to $10. Be selective about what you choose to treat your skin with.
ACNE-FIGHTING TO DO LIST
Drink lots of water,
Especially after drinking
and eating junk food.
Wash your face before going to bed.
Use face wash, toner and moisturizer.
is available through www.proactiv.com. If over-the-counter treatments don't work, progress to a prescription medication or other procedures that will help alleviate acne. Both Bittenbender and Fried agree that prescribed topical solutions like Differin, Retin-A and Tazorac will help clear skin. Some dermatologists prescribe antibiotics, which get to the root of the problem by fighting bacteria.
Shower immediately after working out.
because some stronger products can lead to inflamed skin.
Lower stress levels with time-management and rejuvenating activities like exercise and sufficient rest.
Don't pick at your skin.
"People often over wash their skin using astringents, toners and other potentially harsh solutions that can lead to irritation and even worsening of acne," says Dr. Richard G. Fried, author of Healing Adult Acne: Your Guide to Clear Skin and Self-Confidence.
A Natural solution
Though it hasn't been proven, tea tree oil is rumored to help acne. The antibacterial oil originates from New South Wales, Australia, and can be found in soaps and deodorants. Bridget Trybom, a facialist at Lada Salon, says dabbing tea tree oil on a blemish can lessen redness and swelling and helps prevent scarring from acne. However, professionals still tend to disagree about the use of natural medicines. Tea tree oil products are available at The Body Shop for $5-$12.
Facials + Dermatologist:
Look for over-the-counter treatments that contain benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid or salicylic acid. Benzoyl peroxide is the main ingredient in Proactiv, the mail-order skin care regimen promoted by celebrities Jessica Simpson and Alicia Keys. Professionals such as Pollock, Fried and Bittenbender have all heard Proactiv has been successful for some patients. Proactiv
Pollock advises regular trips to a salon
for properly-applied facials, a thorough home regimen and trips to the dermatologist to battle acne effectively.
Accutane
Bittenbender advises the use of Accutane to remedy serious acne that hasn't responded to other treatment. Accutane is a pill acne treatment that decreases the amount of oil produced by the skin. However, Accutane can result in birth defects so severe that, starting March 1, female patients
must take precautions. These precautions include multiple pregnancy tests before, during and after the treatment and a strong encouragement to use two forms of contraception. There also is an ongoing discussion in the scientific community that links Accutane to clinical depression. Patients can experience side effects like chapped lips, achy joints, elevated blood pressure and dry skin and eyes. Bittenbender says he recommends it more to men than women because of the risk of birth defects.
Birth control
It doesn't work for everyone, but hormone-based birth control can improve some women's skin. Fried says some birth control pills decrease levels of testosterone and, therefore, the hair follicles that cause acne are less active.
There are several causes of acne and according to Bittenbender and Pollock, the leading cause is genetics. While many think acne appears because of alcohol intake or a diet heavy in grease, Bittenbender disagrees. "There's no good evidence to support that diet plays a role," he says. "As far as I'm concerned you can eat what you want."
So go ahead and drink all night. Then eat a pizza. Just be sure to wash your face before you go to bed.
02. 02.2006 JAYPLAY <07