What to do with whiteheads, pimples and cystic acne

MANILA, Philippines -Q: I have whiteheads and no matter what I do, I can’t seem to get rid of them. The head of the whitehead is very hard and packed, and if I try to squeeze the head to loosen it, I end up bruising my face. What should I do?

A: It sounds to me that what you are experiencing is a condition known as milia, not whiteheads. Milia are actually tiny, hard, white cysts. They are caused by blocked sweat ducts and can result from the overuse of certain types of skincare products or cosmetics. They can be notoriously difficult to eliminate and may need to be removed by your dermatologist, who may first prescribe an alpha hydroxy acid moisturizer or Retin-A to help loosen them before they extract them. An at home remedy that might help is to gently massage the affected area with a mild cleanser and a Buff Puff. Do not do this with a vigorous motion as you will inflame the skin.

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Pimples everywhere

Q: I have pimples on my scalp, and wherever my hair touches the skin — my forehead, temples, neck — I have a breakout. I wash my hair every day, which alleviates the situation a little, but I have a lot of acne on my back. I started using your Pore Refining Acne Treatment Gel Cream, and it’s definitely helped. Is there anything else I should be doing?

A: You may have folliculitis on your scalp, and that sometimes requires special treatment. Using DMAE-treated pads on the face and body, and washing your hair daily with a medicated shampoo that contains sulphur or zinc may help. Start a nutritional supplement regimen containing a multi-vitamin, antioxidants (including alpha lipoic acid and DMAE), and essential fatty acids. Also, try to keep your hair off of your face, neck, and body. If you continue to use the products you are already using, and follow my tips, you should see a resolution of the problem. To treat this from the inside out, follow an anti-inflammatory diet. It is always wise to see your dermatologist when experiencing any type of skin problem.

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Cystic acne

Q: I am a 47-year-old woman with cystic acne; I’ve also suffered from hidradenitis suppurativa since a very young age. I have tried everything to no avail. Will your program help me?

A: Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic condition characterized by swollen, painful, inflamed lesions. As we know, cystic acne is a systemic inflammatory disease. To treat these two conditions I recommend that you closely follow the anti-inflammatory diet and take a dietary supplement that contains high levels of anti-inflammatories. I also recommend taking high-quality Omega-3 essential oil capsules three times per day. I recommend three brands: Perricone MD Omega-3; Optimum Health International’s M.D. Designs™ Norwegian Fish Oil; and Dr. Barry Sears OmegaRx Pharmaceutical Grade Fish Oil. Do not bother with discount fish oils — buy only the very best if you are serious about your treatment — your health and your looks.

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Body-type acne

Q: I have a bad case of “body type” acne on my inner thighs, and no medications seem to help. It is so bad that I have developed scarring from it, too. Can you recommend products for me to get rid of this?

A: Check with your dermatologist because this may not be a case of acne. It sounds like it may be a condition known as folliculitis, a general term that encompasses a group of skin conditions characterized by inflamed hair follicles. This inflammation may be caused by any number of things, including bacteria, infection, yeasts or fungi, and certain inflammatory skin diseases. Your dermatologist can determine the cause, and the best course of treatment. Over-the-counter treatments that might be helpful include topical alpha hydroxy acids containing glycolic acid. The scarring may actually be post-inflammatory hyper pigmentation. Applying a body toning lotion containing high levels of DMAE over the alpha hydroxy treatment may help the scarring/hyperpigmentation to fade.

You can help control the inflammation on a cellular level by taking antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. For example, alpha lipoic acid (ALA) has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, which make it extremely valuable in the treatment of acne, and helps control both blood sugar and insulin. A rapid rise in blood sugar may produce a burst of inflammation that elevates insulin levels, which then affect many other hormones in the endocrine system, resulting in the formation of new acne lesions, not to mention the exacerbation of existing acne. When blood sugar is stabilized, insulin levels are more easily controlled. Alpha lipoic acid can control blood sugar by both sensitizing the cell to the effects of insulin and allowing the cell to better utilize blood sugar.

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In the Philippines, the N.V. Perricone, M.D. skincare line is exclusively available at Rustan’s Essenses.

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