Skin Typing Features

One of the fascinating features of Skin Typing is that people of different ethnic or racial backgrounds can share a Skin Type. In most instances, all people with the same Skin Type will follow the exact same treatment plan, but sometimes skin color can be a differentiating factor because of the way pigment (the factor in skin that produces color) is produced in different racial and ethnic groups.

For example, two best friends, Valerie, a medium-skin toned brunette, and Dana, a dark-skinned woman, came in for back-to back appointments. After they each took the questionnaire and tabulated their results, they were surprised to discover that they shared the same Skin Type. They were both “P,” Pigmented Skin Types, which gave both Valerie and Dana a tendency to develop pigmentation issues. And each of them did have a problem with pigmentation. That’s why they came to my office. Valerie had an area of dark skin discoloration (called melasma) on her cheek, and Dana had dark spots in areas where she had once had pimples. Although I recommended that they follow the exact same protocol and use the same kinds of products, there was one key difference. Valerie could benefit from an advanced cosmetic procedure that uses light instruments or lasers to treat pigment problems like hers, while Dana would benefit most from prescription products used daily and should not undergo laser treatment since this can cause discoloration in people with darker skin tones.

A Dermatologist’s Story

“A patient came to see me because of skin discoloration on her chin and cheeks. An African-American with oily skin, Sylvia never guessed that the skin scrub she’d picked up at the Neiman Marcus beauty department was causing this problem. Anyone with highly pigmented skin (like many dark skinned people) must stay away from all ingredients and procedures that cause inflammation. Yet, not knowing her SkinType, Sylvia had no idea that her choice of skin product stimulated the inflammatory response, which in turn led to dark spots. I taught Sylvia what to look for on product ingredient labels. Common ingredients, like vitamin C, AHA, and alpha lipoic acid, can create inflammation, as do buff puffs and strong scrubs. She was surprised to learn that hair removal formulas, like Nair, and hot wax products may also cause inflammation. In using wax or a chemical depilatory to remove facial hair, Sylvia wound up with unsightly dark patches that looked far worse than the hair she was trying to remove. Now she knew to avoid them. Once she became aware of the needs of her Skin Type, she was able to make changes that helped reduce the dark spots considerably. In addition, I recommended she use products containing oatmeal, feverfew, chamomile, or licochalone, which are known to have anti-inflammatory properties.” Dr. Leslie Baumann, M.D.

Stubborn Acne Problems

For many people, nothing is more embarrassing or difficult to deal with than acne. Even adults can suffer from acne are search for a way clear their skin quickly and effectively. When you are suffering, there are many things you can do to eliminate acne immediately and effectively.

The most important and simple thing that you can to do is keep your skin clean as possible. Acne is typically caused by clogged pores from excess oils and bacteria. These clogs cause the skin to become swollen and red. A few varieties of acne are due to clogged pores; blackheads, whiteheads and pimples. Keeping the skin free from dirt and excess oils is one way that you can make sure that your pores don’t become clogged.
Scientific discoveries to understand and cure acne are occurring every day. These results may be able to help eradicate the type of acne you have in the future for good. For now, know what products are available and make the best-educated choice about your most valuable asset – your skin. Some who have a very stubborn type of acne will not respond to the usual products sold over the counter. Several will also not respond to their prescription medications.

Previously, most considered sulphur preparations the best of acne treatments. They caused short-term abrasion of the skin and acted as disinfectants, too. However, research eventually revealed that acne treated with sulphur-based preparations returned with increased severity. The search for the best acne treatments continued. The most commonly used acne-control agents today contain either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Both work by removing the obstructions that cause acne, but also seem to be of no long-term benefit unless used in conjunction with other preparations. Under the right conditions, the application of a compound containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or glycolic acid will generally obtain good results.

Most dermatologists will advise preventive measures at the first signs of serious acne infestations, and maintaining these at every stage of treatment to prevent reoccurrence. Such measures include scrupulous skin and internal hygiene and elimination of certain foods. The correlation between foodstuffs like milk products and fat-saturated items is yet to be scientifically established.

Regularly cleaning acne-beset skin with a good quality deep cleansing lotion can be nothing but beneficial. It will make even the best acne treatments more effective. However, contrary to popular belief, astringents do more harm than good – though they do remove excessive superficial oils, they cause the very closing of pores that may have lead to the acne in the first place.

Home remedies for acne abound, but the term needs clear definition. An effective home remedy for anything can and should transcend messy poultices whipped up from exotic vegetables in the kitchen blender. There is no limit to inventiveness on this one – people have used potatoes, basil, garlic, vinegar, lemon/lime juice and even toothpaste. They claim various levels of success.

There are certain domestic therapies that have proved very effective in controlling acne. Tea tree oil appears to be among nature’s best acne treatments. However, it must be borne in mind that tea tree oil causes the secretion of extra sebum, and washing the skin scrupulously after its use is important.

If you are searching for a way to eliminate acne, the key is to not give up - look for a product that is attacking the problem in another angle if the first one did not work. Your acne may not respond to all products, but try to find a different solution that will address the problem not only from the inside but also from the outside.