Acne is a common skin condition that happens when hair follicles under the skin become clogged. Oil and dead skin cells plug the pores, and outbreaks of lesions (often called pimples or zits) can happen. Most often, the outbreaks occur on the face but can also appear on the back, chest, and shoulders.
For most people, acne tends to go away by the time they reach their thirties, but some people in their forties and fifties continue to have this skin problem.
People of all races and ages get acne, but it is most common in teens and young adults. When acne appears during the teenage years, it is more common in males. Acne can continue into adulthood, and when it does, it is more common in women.
Acne causes several types of lesions, or pimples. Some types:
Doctors believe that one or more of the following can lead to acne:
The following factors may make it more likely for you to develop acne:
The following do not cause acne, but may make it worse.
Seborrheic dermatitis is a common, chronic, relapsing form of eczema that mainly affects the sebaceous, gland-rich regions of the body.
Doctors don’t yet know the exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis, but studies point out that it may be related to a yeast (fungus) called Malassezia that is in the oil secretion on the skin.
The condition appears in patches of greasy skin covered with flaky white or yellow scales or crust on the face, sides of the nose, mouth, and eyebrows. It may also occur on chest, ears, eyelids, armpits, and groin area.
The condition also affects the scalp, and causes scaly patches, redness and stubborn dandruff. In these cases, «Fungoral», a shampoo containing fungicide, is recommended.
Individuals with increased sebum production are prone to the condition. Approximately 5-10 % of men and women, aged 20 to 45 years, are affected.
Keratolytics is recommended to use to remove scales when necessary, such as Salicylic-acid (Acticlar Pads) and Azeloglycine (Acticlear Gel). These active ingredients are often combined with Sulfur (Sulfactil Cleanser) to further reduce one of the triggering factors, the yeast Melassezia. Niacinamide (Niactil 4%) is often recommended to moisturise and strengthen the skin barrier.
Perioral dermatitis is an acne-like skin disease that mainly occurs in young, female adults.
The skin condition is perceived as red rash with swollen, inflamed bumps called papules, typically located near mouth and chin, and occasionally cheeks. The condition may also occur around eyes. Perioral dermatitis is not a serious condition, and by using the correct products, it can be held under controll.
The exact cause of perioral dermatitis is unknown, but there are many theories. One theory is that this skin condition is caused by follicular fusiform, a type of bacteria. Avoid triggering factors such as topical cortinsone creams, excessive sun exposure, overly active treatments that irritate the skin barrier, and stress.
The condition is characterized by its “acne-like” rash on the chin and around the nostrils. Common signs are itching, blisters, a burning sensation, and dry skin in the affected areas, especially when applying creams or make-up Located around mouth, nose and chin. Occotunally it occurs around eyes. Mainly affect women, rarely men (we see more cases now than before) Flare-ups are completely normal
When treating perioral dermatitis, take into consideration that it should be treated as a sensitive condition using mild products and light moisturizers. Sulfur and Azelic-acid possess anti-inflammatory properties, while Niacinamide moisturize and strengthens the skin barrier. Avoid active ingredients such as fruit-acids and concentrated topical vitamin A, when the condition is active.
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition, characterized with persistent facial erythema, visible blood vessels, solid bumps and pimples, and inflammations.
Rosacea is a chronic condition involving the central areas of the face, nose, chin, cheeks and forehead. Symptoms most often start between the ages of 30 and 60 years.
There are four different stages of rosacea, where the skin care business is able to treat and give suitable recommendations to the less severe conditions, stages 1 and 2. The severe conditions, staged 3 and 4, can be helped with prescription drug such as antibiotics as well as topical creams, and therefore a medical professionals should be involved to help with treatment. Laser therapy treatment may also be helpful in reducing redness and broken blood vessels.
Rosacea is one of the most common conditions to be treated by professional dermatologists, and effect approximately 5-10 % of the population. The condition usually starts in affected persons when they are between 20 and 50 years of age and affects more women than man. Unfortunately, hereditary also can play a major role in one’s tendency to suffer from Rosacea, and the chances to develop rosacea increases 30-40 % if a close relative is affected.
The earliest stage of Rosacea is characterized by transient erythema, and cover the most central parts of the face, typically cheeks, nose, and forehead. Without treatment, the redness can get more persistent, cover more skin, and even become permanent. The redness is due to inflammations and small blood vessels beneath the skin surface that may become enlarged and visible. These symptoms often flare up and then disappear. The skin is often perceived as hypersensitive.
The goal with recommended treatments is to reduce flushing and redness, and to prevent puss-filled blemishes. First and forward, identifying and avoiding triggering lifestyle factors that aggravate flare-ups, is highly recommended.
Anti-inflammatory products such as Niacinamide (Niactil 4%) and Azeloglycin (Acticlear Gel) to reduce inflammation and strengthening the skin barrier (epidermis), is recommended to prevent and reduce the risk of recurrence.
Antioxidants has proven good results for Rosacea conditions. Hydractil Normalizer strengthen and provide cell-protection against UV-rays and neutralize free radicals. The product promotes a more even skin tone, calms, strengthen and counteracts damaged dermal vessels and redness.
Common medical treatments Laser therapy treatments and karlaser is highly effective in reducing redness and visible blood vessels.
Combined with facial redness and flushing, the second stage of Rosacea is associated with pustules, which are pus-filled blemishes, and red, swollen bumps. These typically appear on the cheeks, chin, and forehead, and swelling may occur. The condition is frequently misidentified as acne, but compared to acne, the condition is not affected by an excessive production of sebum.
The goal is to reduce redness, puss-filled blemishes, and dumps. Cases with stage 2 Rosacea rarely experience sensitivity and identifying and avoiding triggering factors is therefore an even more important action.
Acticlear Gel contains 15% Azeloglycin, which is a highly effective active ingredient for stage 2 Rosacea. The active ingredients possess anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Some may feel a slight irritation towards the ingredient to begin with, but after continuous use over the course of weeks, the ingredient is better tolerated.
Other products such as Sulfactil Cream, contain 5% Sulfur, another active ingredient that has proven effective on inflammation and acne-like conditions. Local spot-treatment using Sulfactil Cream in a thin layer is recommended. Temporary moisture loss may occur, and Niactil 4% is recommended in addition to provide moisture.
Rozex gel/metronidazole 0.75 %, Tetracyclines and isotretinoin
Abnormal skin pigmentation is a common skin condition that is characterized by darker areas of skin, first appearing in areas that are exposed to direct sunlight such as the face, hands and arms
There are many differing degrees of hyperpigmentation, with the most common being Melasma and skin damage due to exposure to direct sun light can vary in seriousness.
It is a difficult condition to treat seeing as it is often accompanied by hormonal changes and that long-term damage from sun light can be deep seated.
Melasma is typically characterized by a symmetric pigmentation on the face. It usually effects the chin, upper lips, and forehead. The condition is provoked by sun light and therefore more prevalent during the summer.
The exact cause of Melasma is currently unknown, how ever there is a very close correlation between its development and exposure to sun light. Use of birth control pills or hormonal IUD’s may provoke the condition, and those with darker skin types may also be predisposed. Melasma during pregnancy is quite normal and known as Kloasma, often referred to as “the mask of pregnancy”.
Pigmentation spots is referred to medically as Solar Lentigo, these are pigmentation spots caused by over exposure to sun light and the symptoms generally increase with age and is regarded to a certain extent as a hereditary condition.
Damage due to sun light is most common on the face, near the hair line, chest and back of the hands. It is cause by a local proliferation of melanocytes and the build up of melanin, the skin natural defense against sun light. The pigmentation spots may vary considerably in tone, from a light brown to almost black color.
Over 90% of Light skin people over the age of 60 experience in some degree Solar Lentigo, and 20% over the age of 35. Cases in Scandinavia have increased due to the increased use of Solariums throughout the year. With any first indicators of a change in skin pigmentation, it is recommended that one consults a specialist in order to rule out the possibility of Melanoma (Skin Cancer). Normal pigmentation spots are not a serious condition and generally regarded as having only cosmetic implications.
Preventative treatment is of paramount importance. Regular use of sunscreen SPF 50 during periods of high UV rays is highly recommended.
We recommend: Chemical Peeling ,Microneedling and CO2 Laser treatments with a dermatologist
Many people experience both dry skin and oily skin simultaneously, this is known to dermatologist as “combination” skin and is the most common skin type.
The T-zone is the area most commonly related to excessively oily skin conditions. In “combination” skin cases the cheeks in contrast to the T-sone is dominantly dry. The oily skin of the T-sone is dominated by larger pores and a higher level of sebum. The higher levels of oils and sebum in the T-sone promotes the development of blemishes, pimples and greasy/shiny skin conditions.
What are the tell-tale signs of Combination skin?
The forehead, nose and chin, the T-zone, is often red with enlarged pores commonly accompanied with impurities and blackheads. In contrast the cheeks can be excessively dry, tight and stretched. This variation is caused by abnormal sebum generation over the area of the skin.
Good skin care routines are paramount, and in many cases are required both during the day and at night. A common mistake is to attempt to reduce the oil content of the skin by stripping it of essential fats. The skin may react to this treatment with an over production of sebum thus exaggerating the condition one is attempting to remove.
In order to tackle this problem correctly it is important to find the skin’s ideal balance, balanced products that aid in the correct level of sebum production is essential. Active ingredients such as fruit acids which remove dead skin cells and salicylic acid which extracts fats from skin pores are recommended for effective “combination” skin treatment and should by applied only to the areas with higher oil and fat content. Generally speaking, Azelaic acid and Niacinamide act well on “combination” skin.
Atopic dermatitis is the most common form of eczema, a chonic and inflamed condition that causes the skin to become itchy, dry and cracked.
Atopic dermatitis often occurs in people who get allergies, as “Atopic” means sensitivity to allergens. The condition causes the skin to become red, itchy, dry, craced and sore. Some may only have small patches of dry skin, while other may experience widespread inflamed skin all over the body.
Atopic dermatitis is a common hereditary condition, and is differentiated between:
The symptoms of atopic dermatitis often have certain triggers, such as water, soaps, detergents, latex, nickel, stress, and the weather. Contact dermatitis usually improves or clears up completely if the substance causing the problem is identified and avoided.
Although atopic dermatitis can affect any part of the body, it most often affects the hands, neck, upper body, and the face and scalp, and skin may thicken as a result of excessive scratching.
The symptoms of atopic eczema often have certain triggers, such as soaps, long baths and showers, detergents, active ingredients, stress, various illnesses, and the weather.
Atopic dermatitis is more common in children, and often develop before their first birthday. Some may also experience the condition as adults, or even develop the condition for the first time as adults.
Of all the atopic dermatitis cases, 45 % first experience the condition at the age of 6 months, and 70-85 % is diagnosed before the age of 5. Approximately, 10-20 % cases persist into adolescence and 2-3 % struggle with atopic dermatitis as adults.
Preventative actions such as mild creams, ointments and lotions help to seal in moisture. The use of active ingredients that are similar to the skin’s natural fats, enhance the skin’s ability to maintain moisture naturally.
The most common signs of aging skin are more visible wrinkles, sagging and rougher skin, and it feels drier and thinner.
Aging is a natural process and effects the skin of everyone. The process is driven by the body itself but is also strongly affected by the external environment.
The aging of the skin is generally accepted to start during the mid-twenties, however it is not until later in life that the skins natural aging process becomes evident. The skins aging can be loosely subdivided into 4 stages, starting in the 30’s, the second stage generally occurs in the 40 to 50 age bracket, the third stage between the ages of 50 and 60. The final stage occurs after the age of approximately 80.
The different phases have degrees of decreased cell activity and there are more and more visible signs of aging for every 10 years.
We differentiate between internal and external aging accelerants. The over exposure of external stress elements (to the skin) such as UV light contribute to between 80% and 90% of the initial earliest phase of skin aging. Other external factors that promote the aging process, the development of free radicals and skin inflammation is lack of sleep, stress, a poor diet and lack of exercise, excessive alcohol, smoking, exposure to pollution and poor air quality, illness and various types of medication.
In addition to the external factors the body ages naturally, this aging will be effected by both hormones and genetic make-up, and these will vary from individual to individual. Some experience hormonal changes (menopause) in their 40’s and will notice aging processes, for others these changes will not appear until later in life. This natural aging process can also effect both hair condition and growth and the build-up of impurities. For many, estrogen treatment during menopause has positive effect on both skin and hair.
Aged skin has lost its’ natural elasticity, may show uneven pigmentation, with wrinkle development being normal. Areas of the neck, chest and upper arms are often more effected.
Younger skin has maintained the ability to rejuvenate itself regularly. As we age however the skin loses its rejuvenation properties resulting in thinner skin. As the skin thins the accumulation of dead skin cells gives the skin a duller paler tone.
Elastin gives the skin it’s natural elasticity while collagen provides the skin with structure and is the main component of the skins connective tissue. With age the body’s ability to produce both elastin and collagen is reduced, resulting in a looser, rougher skin texture.
A simple self-test can be conducted to judge the elasticity of the skin. Pinch about an inch (2 cm) of skin from the back of your hand. Younge healthy skin will immediately fall back into place, while dry older skin will take some time before returning to its original form.
The ability for the skin to retain moisture deteriorate through time. The dermis consists of, amongst other things hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a nature substance that plays a major role in the skins ability to bind and retain water. When hyaluronic acid levels are reduced, cells can no longer retain enough water and the skin will feel dry and less firm.
Ultra Violet (UV) rays from the sun break down the skin collagen content. Collagen is the skins natural protein that supports the skins connective tissues and keeps the skin elastic and firm. Excessive exposure to UV rays from sunlight will increase the risk of pigmentation and wrinkles, in extreme cases also result in carcinogenesis and skin cancer.
One of the most effective methods to reduce the aging effects of skin is to start early. Sunlight accelerates the aging process by breaking down collagen, in many circumstances the development of excess wrinkles is due to over exposure to sunlight and not aging alone. Avoid excessive exposure to direct sunlight, the use of sunscreen is highly effective and should be applied regularly throughout the entire year. It is never too late to start with these preventative actions.
Avoid lengthy period of physical or mental stress, as these will have adverse effects on skin tone and structure. Treating yourself to a regular salon treatment with Anti-Age-Peel, is an effective way of combating the negative effects of lifestyle and stress on your skin. This can also be very informative and give you a better insight into the needs your particular skin type may have.
The use of active ingredients that moisturize and nourish the skin is advised. Fruit acids help skin rejuvenation and remove dead skin cells, resulting in a glowing, vibrant skin. Daily use of ingredients such as retinoids and antioxidants help the bodies natural ability to repair and protect the skin. Daily us of sunscreen SPF 50 is a must.
Almost everyone experiences at some time in their lives periods of increased outbreaks of acne and/or symptoms of impure skin conditions.
The severity of acne can vary considerably through life. Mild or even moderate acne problems can be treated with various skin treatment products or prescribed creams. More server acne outbreaks, including cystic and inflamed outbreaks should be treated with prescribed medication after due consultation with an expert dermatologist.
Acne and associated impure skin conditions affects approximately 80% of all teenagers and 90% of those between the ages of 15 and 18, it is equally prevalent between the sexes. Already at the age of 10 acne outbreaks can occur and can continue well into mature life, some may still experience acne related conditions well into their 40’s and 50’s. Acne problems generally occur over parts of the body where the subaceous glands are well developed and larges, namely the chest, back and face.
Most acne and related skin conditions are related to the excessive build-up of sebum. Sebum being an oily, waxy substance produced by the body’s sebaceous glands, designed to coat, moisturize and protect the skin. Hormonal changes are the primary cause of excessive sebum production and this is why many suffer from acne outbreaks during puberty, where the skin becomes inflamed and pores can develop into fluid filled boils.
Unfortunately, hereditary also can play a major role in one’s tendency to suffer from acne. If either parent has had problems, there is a significantly higher chance that children will also suffer from the condition.
Last and not least, lifestyle is also a contributing factor to the development of acne. Poor diet and personal hygiene can and will provoke acne outbreaks, however are seldom the primary cause alone.
As with many things in life, preventative treatment is easier than curing existing conditions. Good skin care routines, both daily and nightly can greatly decrease the risk of adverse acne outbreaks. Dermatologists can recommend customized treatment with appropriate preventative medication, this medication may include products with active ingredients such as salicylic and azelaic acids combined with sulfur.
These ingredients and both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, helping the body to regulate the production of sebum. If over the counter products with these ingredients don’t have a positive effect after 3-6 months of treatment, it is recommended to consult a professional dermatologist who can advise on a customized treatment program, designed to effectively work with one’s particular skin type, and the underlying causes.
Symptoms of excessively oily skin are a shiny skin surface particularly on the forehead, nose and chin.
The pores of the skin are generally enlarged, and the skin’s ability to repels the dead skin cells is reduced, this is in part due to over production of sebum, the agent that binds the skin cells together. The end results of this condition is that the skin often appears to be rough and sallow. Sebum is the body’s natural agent to keep the skin healthy, too much of it can result in unfavorable bacterial conditions resulting in inflammation, clogged pores, and acne.
Basically, excessively oily skin is the result of the over production of sebum within the sebaceous glands and is often a genetic condition which one will inherit.
A common indication that one may be prone to chronic oily skin conditions is that the skin appears skinny or glossy, especially over the center of the face known as the T-Zone. It may be accompanied by inflammation of the skin. One may find that the pores are enlarged and open and the skin will feel flaky and have an un-even tone.
It is essential that the skin is kept clean with products containing active ingredients that can regulate the production of sebum. Cleansing should be carried out both morning and evening. One should also regularly undergo a peeling treatment with products containing active ingredients that help to exfoliate the pore linings and remove dead skin cells. Application of creams and gels that regulate the production of sebum should be done on a daily basis, these products should contain agents such as Azelaic Acid, Niacinamide, Retinol, Sulfur or Salicylic Acid