A Field Guide to Acne Treatment

By Kristin Naff

Acne can be a beast. There are hundreds of acne treatments on the market, and not all of them work for everyone. Here are some tips to help navigate your treatment, regardless of what method you’re using. As with any medical condition, when in doubt, consult your physician.

Tips for Females Only:

Track your cycles.
Some women have acne breakouts shortly before they menstruate. If you’re one of these women, be especially careful about maintaining your acne treatment around this time.

Be careful about your makeup.
Makeup pads can harbor bacteria (like the bacteria that cause acne), and should be changed regularly. Be sure that your makeup is labeled non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic. This means that the makeup won’t clog your pores. Most cheap makeup is not non-comedogenic. Some women find that even non-comedogenic makeup aggravates their acne.

Tips for Everyone:

Take a picture, or several.
Having your picture taken can be uncomfortable if you have acne, but it’s the best way to track your progress. Date your photographs, and write down what you’re currently doing to take care of your face. Be sure to take later photos under the same lighting conditions. Be wary of photographing under yellowish tungsten lights: you’ll need accurate color to tell whether redness is clearing up. If you’re seeing a dermatologist, photographs can be a valuable tool for him or her as well.

Think back.
There are many factors that influence your skin, and not all of them are related to what you’re using to treat acne. If you’ve got a breakout, think back, and consider any changes in your routine that might be responsible for it.

Don’t give up.
Zits can cause permanent scarring. If your acne bothers you, treat it! There’s no reason to wait until you “grow out of it.” Acne is common in adolescents, but many people find that their acne doesn’t clear up with age. There are many remedies available: home remedies, over-the-counter treatments, and prescription treatments. If you are unsure of where to start, talk to your local pharmacist or family doctor, or make an appointment with a dermatologist. If you have severe acne, don’t hesitate to get it professionally treated.

Be skeptical.
The Internet is the world’s biggest platform for snake-oil salesmen. A legitimate treatment will have been tested in published trials or studies. When in doubt, contact your pharmacist or doctor. Use common sense as a measuring stick for alternative treatments: if it sounds dangerous, implausible, or strange, stay away.

Be consistent.
There is no cure for acne, although a few prescription treatments have long-lasting benefits. Most treatments require regular use to continue to be effective. Zits can take a while to form. Treating acne requires some patience and persistence.

Ask questions.
Your pharmacist can tell you a lot about your treatment: what side effects it causes, how to tell if you’re allergic, and how long you can expect to wait before seeing results. Other sources of information are doctors, drug manufacturers, and fellow acne sufferers.

Mind the side effects.
Some acne treatments can make you more prone to sunburns, or can cause dry skin. Your doctor or pharmacist can advise you on how to cope with the side effects.

Don’t pick.
A popped zit can act like a miniature open wound on your face, and a potential entrance for harmful bacteria—and not just the bacteria that cause acne.

Don’t overdo it.
Combining treatments, or using larger than the recommended dose, should be done only at a dermatologist’s recommendation.

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Boost Your Body Image

By Dinsa Sachan
Body image is the little sistah of self-image. It's how you perceive your physical appearance and what you think others make of your looks. A 2006 worldwide survey conducted by Dove found that 90% of women want to change at least one aspect of their body (body weight being number one). How do you think you perceive your own body? How good is your body image?

Here's a quick check:

1. Do you continuously fret about your body?
2. Do you look into the mirror again and again?
3. Do you avoid social gatherings because you think people will find you unattractive?
4. Do you get upset when people make negative remarks about your body?
5. Do you feel a tinge of envy while flipping through magazines that display beautiful fashion models?

If you answered yes to most of them, you probably do suffer from a poor body image. But don't worry. Have patience. This is a psychological condition you can get rid of. Read on.

Two Cautions to Start With:

1. Don't be mislead by the media: If you are one of those who feel miserable looking at the beautiful, toned bodies of models on the ramp, sit up. Point number one: most of these girls don't look half as good in reality. Their faces are heavy on make-up, and the actual images you see splashed across the magazines have been altered digitally. Don't believe us? Watch this Dove documentary.

2. Close your ears on the critters: Family members and friends have a strong impact on our body image. We are continuously receiving feedback from them about our bodies. When this feedback is negative in nature, it is bound to worsen our body image. Most of the people who crab about your body have poor self esteem themselves, and their demeaning comments are only reflections of their own poor body image.

Tips to Boost Your Body Image

1. Challenge Yourself: If you find yourself hiding behind the closet and avoiding social life because you think you are unattractive, challenge yourself by going out and meeting people. It's easier said than done, but the only way you are going to conquer this is by breaking out of your shell.

2. Focus on the positive aspects: We are conditioned to focus on our flaws all the time. Make it a point to praise your noteworthy aspects when you look into the mirror. Think of ways you can highlight a good feature and add to its beauty.

3. Look for good points in others: Whenever you meet new people, look for their good qualities, other than physical traits. When you begin to focus on others' positive qualities, you begin to look for those qualities in yourself too.

4. Develop other interests: If you find yourself fretting about your body too much, try developing other interests. If you have something constructive to occupy your mind, you won't be tempted to think about your body again and again.

5. Focus on complementing your beauty: Looking good isn't just about having a pretty face and toned body. If you look around, you will find that the people who really are attractive to others are the ones who have great personalities. They may not necessarily have Hollywood faces, but lure others with their communication skills. Develop a good dress sense, too.

Why it isn't worth bothering about:

Your facial features are genetically predetermined and so is your body type and how thin you can get. There's no use fretting about things which you have little control over. And there's always going to a more beautiful, smarter person than you. Look the best you can. That's the best thing you can do.

Dinsa Sachan is a champion for healthy body image. Reach her at dinsasachan [at] gmail [dot] com.

Winter Skin Survival Guide

By Carly Warburton
It's that time of year again and the worst of the winter months is about to wreak havoc on your skin- So, how do you "save your face"? Follow this survival guide to avoid a dull winter complexion and say hello to happy, healthy, glowing skin!

Clean Up

Throw out the 'ol soap and water routine to wash your face- Your skin will thank you! Soap is too harsh and strips your skin of its own natural, protective oils. Instead, use a cleanser appropriate for your skin type that is a creamy, milky formula.
Before bed, cleanse your skin and blot dry with a clean towel. Do not rub your face with a towel as this is very irritating to skin. To prevent stripping away those oils, just splash your face with cool water in the morning instead of washing your face. This will not only be beneficial for your skin, but will also give you that wakeup call you need to get to class on time!

Bring on the Mositure

During the winter months, skin can become flaky and itchy. The harsh elements and freezing temperatures can definitely take its toll. To combat those drying effects, simply use a good moisturizer (and yes, even if you have oily skin, you still need to apply a moisturizer). Applying a moisturizer balances the skin and creates a protective barrier that fights against cold, dry and windy conditions. It will give skin a young and fresh appearance. It will also help to create a longer-lasting base for makeup.
There are many different types of moisturizer ranging in price from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars. Price does not matter, just be sure to choose a moisturizer appropriate for your skin type. For example, if you have oily skin, you will not want to buy a product intended for severely dry skin. You will want to find a moisturizer that is oil-free but still hydrating to the skin.
Avoid any products that list alcohol as an ingredient. Alcohol is very drying to the skin. For the best protection, use a moisturizer with a SPF (Sun Protection Factor) built into it of at least 15. Remember that snow, ice, and altitude intensify the power of UV rays. Protect your skin just as much as you would in the summer months.
Don't forget your lips! Lips chap easily when exposed to dry or windy conditions. Use a lip balm or chapstick frequently. Find one with a SPF of 15 or higher in it.

Buff Away the Winter Blues

Exfoliation is a must, especially during the winter months- skin tends to look dull and dry. Exfoliating the skin will help to reveal a glowing and soft complexion. The top layer of skin consists of layers of dead skin cells that gradually slough away. By exfoliating regularly, you can speed this natural process exposing fresher skin underneath.
Use products intended for the face but avoid products with fragments of nuts and seeds to exfoliate. These are simply too aggressive and will cause more damage to the skin than good. Instead, use a product with jojoba beads or ground oats. Do not exfoliate the skin more than twice a week. Doing so will break down the natural barrier of the skin that protects from environmental elements, chemicals and harmful bacteria. An inexpensive option is to cut squares of muslin (available at local fabric stores) to wipe off makeup and cleanser. This gently removes excess dead skin cells and because the muslin is so gentle, it can be done daily. You can make your own body scrub by mixing equal parts of olive oil and sugar. Then add a couple drops of your favorite essential oil for a nice, relaxing fragrance.

Beat the Heat- Indoor That Is

Indoor or artificial heat plays a big role in drying out skin. Central heating and furnaces tend to dry out moisture in the air and even draws out moisture from the skin. Keep the heat at a lower temperature and use a humidifier in your home to add moisture back to the air. Your bedroom is the best place to put a humidifier since you spend most time there. At least 8 hours anyway-while you sleep!
Another hot spot in the home is the shower. As appealling as a hot shower sounds, it is very drying and irritating to the skin. It will strip the skin of natural oils. Instead, take a luke-warm shower or bath and put a body oil or lotion immediately after getting out.

H²O is the Way to Go

Often, women will spend hundreds to thousands of dollars on that "miracle" skin cream, but the best thing you can do for your skin during the winter months and all year long is free! Water used internally and topically is a skin saver. Put a small bottle (with a spray pump) of water in your purse or schoolbag. Throughout the day, mist your face. This adds moisture to the skin and will refresh and invigorate your face and your mind. You can add one or two drops of your favorite essential oil for a customized spritz. Finally, drink 6-8 glasses of water a day. This will hydrate your body and skin from the inside-out leaving you with a flawless, youthful complexion.

Now that you know a few tricks of the trade- you can "face" this year's Winter Wonderland with confidence!


Carly Warburton is a Licensed Master Esthetician and Professional Makeup Artist. She resides in Salt Lake City, Utah with her husband and 2-year old son.