YOU can't pop pimples, but SHE sure CAN!

Despite her mantra of "DO NOT POP PIMPLES!", when it comes to treating acne Naomi is definitely a "do what I say, not what I do" type of individual. 

While she emphatically reminds her patients to not even think about attempting extractions at home (its the number one cause of preventable acne scarring!), what she really means is anyone aside from herself (or Dr. Sobel) should refrain from at-home pimple-poppings.

Naomi's weapons of mass acne destruction consist of a metal extractor and the Isolaz acne laser. Ironically, these two tools are as different from each other as night and day. The Isolaz acne laser is a large, expensive photoneumatic device that can only be operated by a specialist, and the extractor is an inexpensive, simple little tool sold over-the-counter at every drugstore. 

The biggest similarity between the two?  Both should be left to the professionals. 

If an ill-equipped person tried to use the Isolaz, they wouldn't even be able to figure out how to power it on. If an ill-equipped person attempted to use a metal extractor, it is very easy for them to unintentionally worsen their existing acne, while marring and scarring their face for the future.

After personally attempting to use a metal extractor on myself years ago, I can vouch for it's deception... that unforgiving piece of metal does NOT want to do what you want it to! However, my own personal experience makes watching Naomi in action that much more impressive-- because she just makes it look soo easy. 

Cosmopolitan Skin Care's foolproof recipe for acne treatment

If you "google" the term acne treatment, thousands of different articles will come up.

Those that suffer from acne are so desperate to finally achieve clear skin, that they often fall prey to their own hopefulness... Whether it's the latest acne treatment P. Diddy is hawking, a mixture made in your own kitchen, some medication prescribed by your doctor, or an at-home laser treatment that a reality star swears by, there are a million different options currently being sold to those suffering from acne. We know, because our patients have usually tried all of these. 

As a last ditch effort to get clear skin, our typical acne patient has usually already tried everything on the market, and after a series of dissapointments-- they are somewhat skeptical about the efficacy of our seemingly science-fiction-like acne treatments. 

And then... they see the results.

By altering the way the skin actually functions, we are able to clear up any occurrence of acne, prevent acne break-outs in the future, and erase any sign of there ever having been an acne problem (i.e. acne scars). In short, many people who had all but given up hope on ever having acne-free skin, now bear the clear complexion of someone born with naturally perfect skin.

Is your acne treatment causing premature aging?

Every new acne patient invariably leaves our office with the follow products: a great face wash, a great sunscreen, and... a bottle of Benzoyl Peroxide.

Our acne sufferers adhere to their prescribed skincare regimen so devoutly, that we often find ourselves shipping our products to them across the globe. However, it's easy to understand why-- after trying everything else to fix their acne, they want to stick with what works.

BZP (my Benzoyl Peroxide abbreviation) devotion is not unusual-- in fact it is the single most commonly prescribed ingredient for all acne treatments. However, the reason it is so effective at curtailing acne is because of it's innate drying capabilities. BZP dries acne out by reducing the amount of oxygen in the skin, which thereby reduces the acne causing bacteria and infections. 

It is this amazing drying capability that has earned BZP it's reputation as the ultimate acne fighting cream, however some doctors are starting to wonder about a possible darker side to BZP's magic. With all of this excessive drying taking place, is BZP inadvertently causing pre-mature aging? 

The rule of aging usually goes like something like this; anything that dries the skin out, usually causes the appearance of more fine lines and wrinkles, thereby making the skin look older. Since BZP is by nature drying out the skin, reason lends that it would therefore be prematurely aging the skin. 

However, if BZP is being applied properly*, the uncomfortable, tight, dry, burning feeling shouldn't occur. Even anti-BZP California dermatologist Debra Luftman, MD admits that if the right moisturizer (i.e. a formula appropriate for your skin type) is used regularly, the skin will bounce right back to normal. 

BZP is now available in all sorts of strengths and formulas, so no matter what your skin is like-- there is a formula to help keep your skin pristine and clear. 

The one BZP precaution you do want to take to prevent premature aging is the avoidance of sun exposure. (We recommend all of our patients use their BZP at night so as to bypass this complication all together.) The light and heat of the sun amplify Benzoyl Peroxide's drying effects and can leave you with severely dried out, sun damaged skin. (Some experts even think that BZP cancels out the effect of SPF, which lends more reason to skip BZP application during the day.)

When used correctly, Benzoyl Peroxide is a must have in your anti-acne arsenal (if you look at the ingredients of the products you are currently using, you may be surprised to see you are already employing the benefits of this hard-working pimple buster.) Make sure to moisturize your skin properly, and enjoy your clearer skin-- Benzoyl Peroxide is not causing any premature aging. 

If you have any Benzoyl Peroxide experiences or questions you would like to share, please let me know. I'm always happy to hear skin related thoughts, inquiries, and stories.

* Benzoyl Peroxide should be applied in the thinnest layer possible, evenly covering the entire face, before bed. If you can see it on your skin, you've applied too much. Do not attempt to load-up an area for spot-treating, excessive drying (with peeling and flaking) is likely to occur.