Bishara Gattas

Younger woman and older woman, both with great skin.

Could You Be Making These 4 Common Skin Care Mistakes?

It's not easy to have a glowing complexion. Just look at the statistics: 85% of people will suffer from some sort of acne in their lifetime, and around 7.5 million Americans suffer from psoriasis. Despite this, the beauty and skin care industry is doing better than ever.

So what gives? Unfortunately (and fortunately), the secret to perfect skin isn't just about buying the best skin care products for women. Rather, it takes a commitment to a certain lifestyle that will not only have your skin looking better, but will have you feeling better, too.

Here are 4 skin care mistakes to avoid:

Not getting enough sleep

During the day, your skin is working hard to protect itself from damaging free radicals, pollutants, and ultraviolet rays. Just like your mind, your skin is able to rejuvenate and repair itself overnight, keeping skin in top notch condition. However, a lack of sleep will effectively accelerate the aging process, delay healing, and will result in a number of skin problems, such as acne, dark circles, and puffy eyes. To look and feel your best, shoot for eight hours of sleep per night.

Not washing your face before bed

While applying SPF, primer, makeup and the like has your skin looking good and feeling good during the day, these products are built to last and will remain heavily on the skin, clogging your pores and leaving it susceptible to dry skin, breakouts, and sensitive areas. Instead, use a gentle cleanser before bed and an evening formulated moisturizer that will help your skin to rejuvenate as it intends to. Ask a dermatologist about what night-time routine and products are best for your skin.

Not moisturizing your skin

Many of the 50 million Americans dealing with acne believe that people with oily skin should skip the moisturizer before bed. But like previous tips have shown, the skin has a tendency to dry out as you sleep. Providing it with the essential moisture necessary will help to halt excess oil production that leads to breakouts in the first place.

Not staying informed

Ignorance is bliss, but it also makes for poor skin habits and a bad complexion. Visit your local dermatologist regularly, or schedule a dermatology appointment to find out what skin care routine is best for your specific skin type. Whether you choose in-person or online, an expert will help you to correct any mistakes that are disrupting your current skin care routine.

by Bishara Gattas

Understanding Adult Acne

Acne vulgaris is an inflammatory skin condition that affects around 50 million Americans. Acne is typically associated with young adulthood. Indeed, in the throes of pubescence, angry, hormonal teenagers are expected to have unsightly acne. But come adulthood, your acne will disappear and your skin will become surreptitiously clear, right?

Wrong.

While acne typically begins in young adulthood, adults are susceptible to developing acne, too. Approximately 85% of people develop acne at some point in their lifetime; from your early 20s to your late 50s, acne in adults is developed for a number of reasons.

So why do adults suffer from acne? In truth, it could be for a number of reasons, but here are the two most common:

Hormones

Stress or changes in your hormone levels from menopause, menstruation, or birth control can incite acne for adult women.

Medications

Certain medications, such as antiseizure drugs, lithium, and corticosteroids. In addition to medication, adult acne can also be a symptom of other, more serious conditions.

Talk to your local dermatologist to better determine the cause of your adult acne.

Combating Adult Acne

Dealing with adult acne can have grave social and personal consequences regarding positivity and self-esteem. In tandem with a great dermatology clinic, the best skin treatment for acne is relatively simple and can be followed by anyone:

  1. Wash your face every day, but no more than twice a day.
  2. When washing your face, use warm water and a gentle cleanser. Avoid harsh exfoliators and extreme temperatures.
  3. Use a gentle washcloth or baby cloth when washing your face.
  4. When drying your face, pat it dry, as to avoid irritation.

Seek Help

As far as over the counter solutions go, look for gentle cleansers that won't strip your skin of essential oils. When looking for the best skin care treatments over the counter, look for creams with salicylic acid or retinoid, as well as benzoyl peroxide.

Above all, it is recommended to seek the help of a dermatologist clinic or a dermatologist online for help. Adult acne could be indicative of a more serious problem. For the best treatment possible, as well as the best medications, look to a dermatologist for help.

by Bishara Gattas

The Top 3 Winter Skincare Tips

Winter is coming. And with the changing of seasons, it's time to change your skin care routine. While the chill of the season may bring a rosy glow to many a cheek, the low temperatures and harsh winds may incite dry skin, increased acne, irritation, eczema, and other averse skin conditions.

And it's not just the cold temperatures — when you crank up the heat in your home, that dries your skin out, too.

"As soon as you turn the heat on indoors, the skin starts to dry out," Bonnie LaPlante, an esthetician with the Canyon Ranch resort in Lenox, Mass., told WebMD in an interview. "It doesn't matter if you heat your home using oil, wood, or electricity. The skin gets dry."

If you want to avoid the winter skin blues, follow these 3 winter skin tips for a glowing complexion.

Get the Help of a Professional

Finding the best skin care products at a pharmacy or drug store can be difficult when you don't have a specialist to aid your quest. Many products, such as exfoliants and ones containing salicylic acid, retinoids, or benzyl peroxide, can be extremely drying, and take a toll on already-dry skin. Instead of taking a chance, visit a dermatologist either in-person, or schedule a teledermatology session. Teledermatology services are becoming increasingly popular, and have a success rate of 91% for those who use them. These professionals will be able to assess your skin and tell you exactly what products you should be using.

Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize

Believe it or not, acne worsens when your skin is dry, making it more irritated and inflamed. And what many of the 50 million acne sufferers in America don't understand is that skin needs oil to be healthy. Because of this, it's important to keep moisturizing during the winter. Use an "ointment" moisturizer that will help to create a protective barrier on your skin.

Keep Your Sunscreen Routine

The cold doesn't automatically cancel out the danger of the sun's rays. And with one in five individuals in the US at risk of developing skin cancer in their lifetime, it's essential to slather on the sunscreen year-round. For women, try to use makeup and skincare products that contain at least 30 SPF for total coverage.

by Bishara Gattas

Acne infographic declaring 1 in 5 people struggle with acne.

What is Teledermatology? Your Questions, Answered

Click here to read an updated article on this topic.

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When an individual has acne, they can experience a range of complications, whether they are emotional or physical. However, no one is alone in their acne struggles. Approximately one in five people struggle with acne, and 85% of individuals will struggle with the skin condition at some point in their life.

For those who are in well-populated areas, it's easy to visit a dermatologist clinic and get the help you need. But for individuals in underserved areas, where dermatology care is either scarce or nonexistent, it's all too easy to suffer from acne without proper intervention.

Luckily, recent technological innovations have made the process of receiving dermatologist acne treatment widely convenient and accessible, no matter where you are in the world. That answer lies in teledermatology.

So what is teledermatology? Using secure video conferencing technology, teledermatology remotely connects patient and doctor, allowing them to come together and seek solutions to the patients' skin problems. Using telecommunication, the doctor is able to analyze the patient's condition, and appropriately diagnose and treat them in the best way possible.

Teledermatology has many benefits, for both patients and practitioners. As previously stated, telemedicine make dermatology treatment more accessible to individuals who would otherwise have limited access to services and treatment. It is also less expensive. On average, an in-person doctor's visit costs around $95, compared to a $40 telemedicine appointment.

Perhaps one of the most important benefits of teledermatology is that it works -- sometimes even better than traditional in-person dermatologist visits. According to research, approximately 91% of all telehealth outcomes were just as good, if not better than in-person practitioner visits.

by Bishara Gattas

3 Things You Need to Know About Skin Cancer

Having clear and beautiful skin is a priority for many — but what if your life depended on it? Making sure your body is free of cancerous moles and other signs of skin cancer is essential to leading a long and healthy life. Here are 3 more things you need to know about skin cancer:

Skin Cancer is Deadly

Each year, more than 3.5 million individuals are diagnosed with nonmelanoma skin cancers, and current estimates report than one in five individuals will develop skin cancer throughout the course of their lives. According to livescience.com, around 100,000 of these cases are melanoma — which contributed to 8,000 deaths each year. And what's worse, the rate is growing quickly. Between the years of 1975 to 2005, melanoma cases shot up a whopping 84%.

The Sun in Not Your Friend

Despite the rampant onslaught of claims that sun exposure is healthy in some way, shape or form, research and cancer rates suggest otherwise. UV rays literally fry the inner layers of your skin. This prompts your body to release more melanin pigments, while increasing your risk of melanoma. In fact, the sun causes 90% of all skin cancer. This is especially true for individual with moles; if you have more than 50 moles, or unusually shaped moles, you may have a substantially larger chance of getting cancer.

Sunscreen Isn't Everything

While sunscreen helps to reduce your sun exposure, it cannot completely protect your skin from melanoma skin cancer. Instead, avoid excessive sun exposure whenever possible. To supplement any preventative measures, perform self checks regularly and visit your dermatology specialist once a year to get checked for irregular moles. Just one small diligent act can help save your life.

Treatment For Skin Cancer Comes in All Shapes and Sizes

There are many skin cancer treatment methods available, and they depend on the patient's wants and needs and the stage and kind of cancer. Talk to dermatology and skin cancer specialists to see which kind of treatment is best for you.

by Bishara Gattas

3 Types of Acne and Treatment Options

Around 85% of all people suffer from acne in their lifetime and it affects a staggering 40 million individuals in the United States. While completely normal, acne can have damaging effects, leading to poor self-esteem and discomfort. Acne can be a difficult thing to treat and approach, but asking the right dermatologist questions can help you to discern what kind of acne you have and the best possible treatment.

1. Comedonal Acne

Comedonal acne occurs when your pores are extremely clogged. This is common in oily skin types and often looks like tiny bumps all over the skin, particularly in the T-zone.

While certainly a nuisance, comedonal acne is luckily easy to treat. Talk to your dermatologist about a prescription retinoid cream. Retinoid creams are highly exfoliating, and help to increase skin turnover at a fast rate, unclogging pores easily. For your regular skin care routine, take care to wash your face regularly, and exfoliate once or twice a week. Take a look at the skin products you use, as heavy, oily and pore-clogging makeup can lead to breakouts.

2. Inflammatory Acne

Inflammatory acne is more sporadic; think red bumps, whiteheads and blackheads. The problem with inflammatory acne is that it can be attributed to a number of causes. While clogged pores are of course a contributing culprit, inflammatory acne is typically a response to differing factors that irritate the body, such as hormonal imbalances.

For daily maintenance, focus on oil control. Use products that have salicylic acid, tea tree oil, or benzoyl peroxide in them. The goal is to reduce bacteria and the presence of oils that can further clog your pores. For over the counter solutions, ask a dermatologist for an oral antibiotic or a topical medication that helps to reduce inflammation.

3. Cystic Acne

Cystic acne is one of the more aggressive forms of acne that involves inflammation deep under the skin's surface. Due to the inflammation deep in the skin creating pressure, cystic acne can often be painful.

Cystic acne requires early intervention and aggressive treatment. With this kind of acne, it is important that you do not pop or squeeze the cystic pimples, as it will only drive bacteria deeper into your skin. Instead, ask a dermatologist questions about an aggressive treatment plan. Like all other forms of acne, a consistent facial cleansing regimen is essential. Consider going on an oral prescription medication such as Acutane, but understand that these kinds of treatments takes five to six months to show results.

If you are experiencing acne your inflammation, visit and ask your dermatologist questions regarding the best skin care regimen and necessary procedures to have your skin clear and glowing once more.

by Bishara Gattas

The 3 Steps To Acne-Free Skin

Sometimes, if you have pretty serious acne, it can be a pretty serious bummer. But even though it may feel like you're the only one trying to fight acne scars, blackheads, and back acne, the truth is that nearly 85% of people will have acne at some point in their lives. In fact, acne is the most common skin condition in the U.S., and currently affects 40 to 50 million Americans. Even still, it's good to know the best skin care routines to help you treat your acne. Here are some of the best skin care tips you can follow to avoid acne scars and improve your skin.

Keep it clean

If you haven't been keeping your skin clean, then your breakouts are going to get worse. Make sure you wash your face at least once a day, and keep it regularly moisturized so that your skin doesn't dry out from your cleanser. Otherwise, excess oils can build up on your skin and give you blemishes and blackheads. Find the right cleanser that helps to clean your skin without damaging it or clogging your pores.

Keep it protected

When you plan on being out in the sun, you want to make sure that your skin has the protection it needs to block out harmful UV rays. Otherwise, you can increase your skin's chances of developing cancer. The best skin care treatment involves a little bit of regular sun for vitamin D and a lot of sunscreen, to help shield too many UV rays from hurting your complexion.

Keep it cared for

The truth is that you can't be sure if your skin is in the best health possible unless you take it to a professional. Make sure that you visit a dermatologist if you have really persistent acne that won't respond to the over-the-counter treatments. But sometimes, it can be as simple as keeping your skin clean and happy.

You may have been born with this face, but that doesn't mean you need to accept bumps and scars. Take these steps to help kick acne out of your life, and off your skin.

by Bishara Gattas

Do You Know What's Been Causing Your Acne?

If you're a part of the 40 to 50 million Americans who are currently experiencing acne, you've probably been looking for the best skin care routine for a while now. But when almost 85% of all people will have acne at some point in their lives, it seems like an easy solution isn't as easy as we'd like to think. But the more you know about acne, the easier it will be to address the specific acne causes of your breakouts, and prevent further ones from causing you unwanted acne scars. Here are just a few things you should know about your acne, and how to treat it.

It could be hormonal

Some people may not realize it, but unresponsive breakouts could be caused by an imbalance in your hormones. The acne causes could be from puberty wreaking havoc on your body's natural hormonal balances, or it could be a reaction to increased levels of stress, which would further unbalance your body's chemistry. Make sure you pay attention to the way that your body responds to certain stimuli, like stress and mood influences, and see a dermatologist for acne if it continues to get worse.

It could be dietary

If you tend to eat a lot of greasy foods, it could be negatively impacting your skin's health. The increased fat content in the food can lead to additional secretion of oils, and to make matters worse, the grease from the food itself can stay on your face and hands, causing more breakouts. To see a clearer complexion, nix the greasy foods, and see how much of an improvement you start to see.

It could be other contaminants

Though acne usually begins in puberty, any age group can develop acne, due to dirt and oils clogging open pores in the skin. Make sure you pay special attention to all things that will be touching your face throughout the day, like your pillowcase, your makeup brushes, and your towels. Keeping things you'll be touching throughout the day clean, like your phone and your keyboard, can also help you avoid additional breakouts in case you end up touching your face. Just remember to never pop your zits, unless you want more acne scars.

by Bishara Gattas

These 3 Things Could Be The Source Of Your Body Acne

Acne is proven to be the most common skin disorder in the U.S., and it affects nearly 50 million Americans. With nearly 85% of people reporting to have had acne at some point in their lives, it's a universal quest to find the best skin care treatments that will help you prevent acne scars. But what about people who experience back acne? Before you can find the best body acne treatment, it's important to become familiar with some of the causes of body acne, so you have the information you need to avoid acne scars and further breakouts.

Hormones

One of the most common acne causes is hormonal unbalance. This could be caused by the process of puberty, or could be the result of a greater issue. Make sure that if your back acne doesn't respond to over-the-counter treatments, you let your doctor know immediately, so they can help you find the real cause of the breakouts and establish a care regimen for you.

Clogged pores

If you're experiencing persistent back acne, it could be a result of the products you use clogging your pores. This could be your usual body wash or conditioner, even if you've been using it for a while. Try switching your hair and body products, and make sure that you're thoroughly washing your body to remove excess dirt and oils.

Irritation

In order to prevent acne scars, you should never pick at or pop your zits. This could irritate the surrounding tissue, causing additional breakouts and increasing your likelihood of acne scarring. Make sure that you leave any existing breakouts alone, and let them run their course, or you pose the risk of causing additional breakouts and making the entire situation worse.

If your acne won't respond to the over-the-counter treatments or adjustments to your skin-care routine, make sure you see a dermatologist. These specialists will be able to help you find the specific causes of your acne, whether it's on your face or on your body, and can plan the best routine for you.

by Bishara Gattas

These Changes Can Help Clear Up Your Acne

If you have cystic acne, you're not alone. Currently affecting nearly 40 to 50 million Americans, acne is a condition that at least 85% of people will experience at some point in their life. By their teenage years, more than 40% of young adults have already experienced acne, back acne, and/or acne scars. It can seem like the best skin care routines are few and far between, but the truth is that there are simple ways for you to avoid additional breakouts. Small changes to your routines can make a big difference when it comes to your skin. Try these easy tricks today, and you'll be sure to see an improvement in your skin.

Wash your pillowcases

If you've been experiencing stubborn breakouts, even if you diligently wash your face, it could be your pillowcase. When you sleep on the same pillowcase for more than a few nights, you leave behind all of the oils and dirt that your face has gathered for all those days. This debris can re-enter your pores at night, and can lead to additional breakouts. Make sure you wash your pillowcase a couple times a week, so you can rest easy knowing there's a safe place for your skin to rest.

Wash your makeup brushes

When you use the same tools to apply makeup day after day, they get clogged up with the products, and also additional oils from your face. Make sure that you wash your makeup brushes regularly using a gentle brush cleaner, or a makeup-removing face wash. Let them air dry and repeat every couple of days. Not only will you notice a decrease in your skin's breakouts, but you'll also see a more even makeup application with a cleaner, softer brush.

Wash your glasses

Some people don't notice that their glasses can be covered in makeup, oil, and dirt. Specifically around the bridge of the nose and where the lenses rest near the cheeks, you could experience breakouts from clogged pores and oily buildups. Make sure that you regularly clean the frames of your glasses, so to reduce the extra exposure to contamination, and prevent irritation to existing cystic acne.

If it seems like you've tried everything, over-the-counter and behavioral changes included, pay your dermatologist a visit, and find out what the best path of care will be for you.

by Bishara Gattas