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Articles by Dan Kern

Diet and Acne

Looking at the Research and Possible Links Between Diet and Acne The Essential Info Studying the relationship between diet and any disease, including acne, is complex, time-consuming, and expensive. For these reasons, the research performed thus far on diet and acne has relied mainly on surveys, which are less than ideal. However, from the admittedly …

Cyproterone Acetate in Acne Treatment

Cyproterone Acetate Is an Anti-androgen Medication That Is Normally Found as Part of a Birth Control Pill and May Be Somewhat Effective Against Acne The Essential Info Cyproterone acetate (CPA) is an anti-androgen medication, which means it suppresses the production of androgens (male hormones that are found in both males and females) in the body. …

How Acne Affects Self-Esteem

Acne May Lower Self-esteem, Especially in Teens and Females The Essential Info In both teens and adults, acne may lower self-esteem and can lead to self-consciousness and possibly depression. Even though acne is a “thing everyone goes through,” the emotional effects of acne are real and serious, particularly for people with more severe cases of …

Can Witch Hazel Help Acne?

Witch Hazel Is Mildly Antibacterial and Anti-inflammatory, But We Don’t Have Enough Evidence to Know if It Will Help with Acne The Essential Info Witch hazel is an astringent, which basically means it tightens and dries out the skin. Using witch hazel, particularly on oily skin, imparts a “fresh” and “clean” feeling. However, the activity …

Topical Olive Oil and Acne

Olive Oil May Be Beneficial for Overall Healthy Skin, but May Not Be Safe for Acne-prone Skin The Essential Info 4 Positives: Topical olive oil can: These 4 properties make olive oil a potentially beneficial oil for overall skin health. 1 Unknown: It is important for people with acne to maintain a strong skin barrier. …

Stress and Acne

Info on How Stress May Worsen Acne and Tips on How to Chill Out The Essential Info Stress may make acne worse through increased: This is particularly true in females but is also true in males. Stress is defined as any undue emotional or physical strain. Examples include: Emotional: Physical: What To Do About It Worrying …

Chocolate and Acne

Some Evidence Is Beginning to Show that Chocolate Might Increase Acne Symptoms, But It Is Too Soon to Say for Sure The Essential Info The first study on chocolate and acne, published in 1969, concluded that chocolate had no effect on the severity of acne, and despite several serious design flaws in the study, this …

Do Birth Control Pills Clear Acne?

Yes, They Usually Clear the Skin to a Significant Degree, but Carry Risk The Essential Info Acne is linked to hormones that fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle, and for this reason, doctors sometimes prescribe birth control pills to stabilize hormones and reduce acne. The most common type of birth control pill, called combined oral contraceptives …

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) vs. Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs)

AHAs and BHAs are Both Hydroxy Acids Used to Treat Acne, but Differ in How They Affect the Skin The Essential Info Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are acids used to treat a variety of skin diseases, including acne, and are available in: Over-the-counter Products Professionally-administered Peels Examples of Widely-used AHAs: …

Is Pizza Bad for Acne?

Follow These Suggestions to Enjoy Pizza When You Have Acne The Essential Info I hesitate to even write an article like this because my youth was dominated by avoiding certain “bad foods for acne” I would read about. As you read through this information, keep in mind that having a few slices of pizza on occasion …