TEEN ACNE

By: Elisabeth Sanchez, L.E

We all know how frustrating acne can be, especially for teenagers. You want to look your best, but are plagued by those pesky, red, sometimes inflamed bumps that refuse to go away. How do you get rid of acne? Unfortunately it can be an arduous process, but at our Belleza Med Spa we have cleansers to kick start and bring back the clear skin you have been waiting to see.
A cleanser that is often recommended by our doctors is the Belleza Benzoyl Peroxide wash. It comes in two different strengths and is safe and effective for both the face and body. It's great to keep in the shower to use as both your body wash and face cleanser in a one step process that helps treat acne while restoring soft supple skin.

For the teen on the go our Belleza Glycolic and Salicylic Pads may be the perfect option for you. The 5% Glycolic Acid exfoliates your skin while the 2% Salicylic Acid kills the acne causing bacteria that lies beneath the surface. Easy to fit in a backpack or purse our face pads go where you go. Use them on the way to school or after gym class these discreet pads are a good fit for the active teen.

For those who want a pampering yet exfoliating skin cleanser Neo-Cleanse is the right cleanser for you. It is non-comedogenic and Dermatology tested. This cleanser contains Glycolic Acid that gently removes dead skin cells which can build up leaving the skin feeling dull and prone to acne. Neo-Cleanse Exfoliating Cleanser is tough on all grades of acne without over drying the skin.
There is a cleanser for every teen dealing with acne. It's a matter of finding the one that best suits your personal skin needs. Here at Belleza we are committed to helping you achieve your skincare goals and keeping you educated on the proper regimens which will reveal acne free skin.

Those Pesky Red Bumps

By Laura Collins, APN DCNP

Have you ever wondered what those little red bumps with the dry skin on the backs of your arms or on your thighs were?

This is a condition known as Keratosis Pilaris,or KP,and it is completely harmless. About 50% of the general adult population experiences it at some point during their lives. The condition can also be chronic. It has been described as a feeling like goosebumps or sand paper on dry skin. The condition may in fact worsen during the dry winter months and even during pregnancy.

How would I know it is KP?

Some of the most common symptoms include: small, painless acne-like bumps with or without dry skin, most notably experienced on the upper outer arms and thighs.

Are there any treatments available to treat KP?

Unfortunately there is no cure, however there are a few things that you can do to minimize the appearance of the lesions, cut down on redness, and sometimes even clear the condition. We recommend keeping showers to less than ten minutes, using lukewarm to cool water only. We prefer a gentle soap such as the Dove Nutrium Body Wash or Cetaphil cleanser. You may gently exfoliate the affected areas with a loofah sponge two to three times weekly to assist with clearing. Finally, it is important to moisturize one to two times daily with a cream, such as Cerave Moisturizing Cream.

If the above recommendations aren’t enough to clear the condition, you may try over the counter Amlactin cream or lotion, available at most drugstores. If this is still not enough to improve the condition, you may consider making an appointment with us to determine if more aggressive, prescription treatment is needed.

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Tanning

Have you ever gone to a tanning bed to get a base tan before a trip or to look good for a dance? Do you go weekly because it makes you feel good or for the vitamin D?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are among the millions of people who still expose themselves to this known carcinogen. Just like with smoking, we now know so much more about the effects of tanning on our skin. There is no such thing as a safe tan, and indoor tanning is even worse than tanning outdoors. Recent studies now suggest that indoor tanning, especially while you are young may increase your risk of developing a melanoma by as much as 75%.

Melanoma is a skin cancer that can potentially spread through your body and could be fatal. Tanning also increases your risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancers.

Tanning can also prematurely age the skin, leading to age spots, lines, and wrinkles as well as thinning of the skin. This happens because the ultraviolet light from both tanning beds and sunlight damage the collagen and elastin. The American Academy of Dermatology advises that if Vitamin D deficiency is a concern you should seek other ways rather than sun exposure to correct it. We recommend speaking to your primary care physician about having your Vitamin D levels checked and starting a supplement. If you still desire the look of a tan, a safe alternative to consider is spray tanning.