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Articles by Dan Kern

Can Honey Masks Help Clear Acne?

Research Is Limited. It Might Help a Bit, But Don’t Expect Very Much. The Essential Info Honey has natural antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound-healing properties. Honey is also a safe, natural substance that comes with few side effects. While this makes it an appealing alternative to those who do not wish to experience the discomfort …

How Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) Help with Acne

Alpha Hydroxy Acids Are Acids That Exfoliate the Skin, Decrease Sebum (Skin Oil), Reduce Bacteria, Decrease Hyperpigmentation, and Promote the Penetration of Other Acne Medications The Essential Info Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are topically applied acids that treat a variety of skin conditions, including acne. They work by: Over-the-counter AHAs: Alpha hydroxy acids at concentrations of …

Adult Acne – Everything You Need to Know

Adult Acne Affects Men and Women, but Especially Women, and Can Present Differently than Adolescent Acne The Essential Info Adult acne is usually defined as acne that affects people over the age of 25. In about 1/2 of cases, acne ends after adolescence (around 18 – 20). For the other 1/2, it continues into adulthood. For …

Can an Egg White Mask Help Your Acne?

Egg Whites Have Not Been Studied as an Acne Treatment, but They Do Demonstrate Medicinal Properties That Might Affect Acne The Essential Info Acne is in part a bacterial disease and acne lesions are essentially small wounds to the skin. Egg whites are antibacterial and might promote wound healing, so there is a possibility that …

How Exercise Might Help with Acne

Regular, Moderate Exercise May Be Beneficial The Essential Info While there are still no studies that look directly at the impact of exercise on acne, indirect evidence points toward a possibility that regular, moderate exercise may improve acne to some degree through improved wound healing and a reduction in inflammation. Since acne lesions, medically speaking, …

How Dangerous Is Accutane (Isotretinoin) During Breastfeeding?

Isotretinoin Is Not Safe for Breastfeeding Infants and Should Be Avoided The Essential Info Isotretinoin (Accutane®) is an oral medication sometimes prescribed for severe and scarring acne that does not respond to other treatments. It is a vitamin A derivative that is very well known to cause severe birth defects and miscarriage. Isotretinoin’s chemical qualities lead …

How Often Should an Acne-prone Person Wash Their Towel?

A Good Rule of Thumb Is to Wash Your Towel Once a Week in Hot Water The Essential Info It’s OK to Reuse Your Towel: After you use your towel and hang it back up, the wet and warm environment can be a breeding ground for microbes (germs like bacteria, viruses, and mold). Since acne is …

Can a Lack of Sleep Cause Acne?

It Is Likely, Because Sleep May Help Balance Oil Production, Decrease Stress, and Support Wound Healing The Essential Info Although lack of sleep has not been proven to be a direct cause of acne, research shows that proper sleep encourages several things that could theoretically help prevent acne: The Bottom Line: Getting adequate sleep won’t …

Accutane (Isotretinoin)

Everything You Need to Know About Isotretinoin The Essential Info What It Is: Isotretinoin, often known by its brand name Accutane®, is an oral medication approved for severe, scarring acne that is normally prescribed for 15-20 weeks. It is sometimes referred to as the “nuclear option” due to its ability to provide remission of acne …

Does Lemon Juice Clear Acne?

Some Chemicals in Lemon Juice May Help The Essential Info Applying lemon juice topically to acne-prone areas of the skin is a popular at-home remedy. However, since scientists have not performed clinical trials to study the effect of lemon juice on acne, we must rely on studies that have investigated specific chemicals that are in …