Breakouts, Acne Treatment

What can be done for large pores on the nose?

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants -All posts from Dr. Bussell-, Breakouts, Acne Treatment, Other skin conditions, Rosacea

Large pores on the nose can be genetic or the result of excess oil accumulation in the pores. The pores are actually passageways through which the body’s oil (sebaceous) glands normally secrete oil. If oil secretion is excessive or if the pores are clogged at the surface, the accumulation of oil can darken and become what are known as open comedones (blackheads). Large pores on the nose can also be seen with a condition known as rosacea, which is treated similarly but more aggressively.

It is helpful to avoid moisturizing the nose as this only adds more oil to the area. Drying and peeling agents are very effective to reduce the size of the pores. Our oily skin cleanser, when applied to a gauze pad or washcloth and gently rubbed on the open pores twice a day is very effective in minimizing the oil content of the pores. Additionally, facial acid treatments/chemical peels are very effective for minimizing this condition. Our Sal-Hydro™ helps dissolve, as well as lighten, the material within the pores. In our office, we do mild chemical peeling with trichloroacetic acid, which is also highly effective in reducing the pore size. Occasionally instrument extractions are used, however this must be minimally done and only under specific circumstances and only in a dermatologist’s office under sterile conditions.

I highly recommend that instrument extractions or manual extractions of any kind not be done at home or in any other facility besides a dermatologist’s office. This is not only because of problems with sterility outside the dermatologist’s office but also because improper squeezing of the nose can lead to irreparable scarring and permanently enlarged pores. The use of non-sterile instruments, fingers, tissues, or cotton swabs, which is frequently done outside of a dermatologist’s office can result in infection and more scarring.

The secretion of oil by the sebaceous glands on the nose is a normal biological process. Consequently, the production of oil will continue and treatment is ongoing. In particular circumstances, we use Botox or Dysport injections to decrease oil production. I cannot stress enough how important the treatment of this condition should be confined to a dermatologist’s office as I have seen numerous problems with infections and permanent scarring when this situation is approached by well-meaning others.

– Dr. Bussell

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants

433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 805   Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310-550-7661

Botox for acne???

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants -All posts from Dr. Bussell-, Botox & Dysport, Breakouts, Acne Treatment ,

Yes, that’s right. We have noticed with all the Botox that we do in our office that many of our acne patients had a significant reduction in the number of their breakouts within the Botox-treated areas. We have concluded that Botox has an effect on the oil glands that reduces the production of oil in the treated areas. This is most likely similar to the effect of Botox on the sweat glands, which results in decreased sweating. We have used dilute solutions of Botox in severely acne-prone areas with very good results. This treatment is not for everyone however it is a promising new addition to our fight against acne.

– Dr. Bussell

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants

433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 805   Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310-550-7661

Do you ever look in the mirror and examine the skin on your back?

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants -All posts from Dr. Bussell-, Breakouts, Acne Treatment, Moles and Melanoma, Skin cancer, Sun

Don’t neglect your back! Because many people don’t look at their backs, they just assume that nothing is happening there and that their back skin is fine. However, when I do a total body exam, a careful look at my patient’s back is very important. Atypical moles, which may be precursors of malignant melanomas, as well as growths that can become basal and squamous cell carcinomas need special attention. In addition, significant amounts of sun damage is often seen on the back. In many cases, treating this damaged skin can prevent future malignancies.

Furthermore, the back is also frequently a site for breakouts, usually very large, and with a tendency towards scarring. If you have not had a body scan which included a thorough look at your back, I highly recommend it. Skin on the back can be treated very similarly as I treat skin on the face, hands and arms.

 So don’t neglect your back in taking care of your total skin!

– Dr. Bussell

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants

433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 805   Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310-550-7661

Men, do your beards grow back into your skin and cause breakouts?

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants -All posts from Dr. Bussell-, Breakouts, Acne Treatment

An easy technique to encourage whiskers to grow out of the skin and to avoid ingrown hairs is to liberally soap up a wash cloth with our Bussell Skin Care antibacterial liquid soap, and use it to vigorously scrub the entire face, paying attention to the whisker areas. Doing so will raise the hairs and help lift them out of the skin’s surface so that shaving afterwards becomes more complete. In many cases, this will completely resolve the problem. In more stubborn or long-standing conditions, topical and/or oral antibiotic therapy, injections into cysts with a mild anti-inflammatory medicine, and gently removing ingrown hairs as a source of infection can be easily done during an office visit.

Whether you use a wet razor or an electric razor really depends on your skin’s preference. Try each and determine which your skin prefers. Remember to toss wet razors frequently, ideally after each shave, but at least twice a week.

– Dr. Bussell

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants

433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 805   Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310-550-7661

What forms does acne take and does treatment differ accordingly?

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants -All posts from Dr. Bussell-, Breakouts, Acne Treatment

Acne can be present as papules, pustules, comedones and nodules.  Papules are small acne bumps, which are usually red.  Pustules are papules filled with white material (these are commonly referred to as whiteheads).  Comedones consist of both whiteheads and blackheads; the blackheads are dilated pores containing dark oily material (sebum).  Nodules are larger bumps on the skin, usually filled with infection.

Treatment varies according to the size and depth of each acne lesion.  Comedones, blackheads and whitheads are frequenly treated by incision and drainage of the lesion with the use of a tool known as a comedone extractor.  The cores of the pustule and blackhead are removed with this instrument.  Papules are usually treated with an oral or topical antibiotic, as well as a drying agent.  Nodules may require stronger oral medication and sometimes even cortisone injections, as well as oral and topical antibiotics.

Treatments for these lesions should only be done in a sterile environment in a doctor’s office or under the direction of a dermatological practitioner.  Nicking and poking the skin at home can introduce more infection into the area and increase the chance of scarring.

– Dr. Bussell

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants

433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 805   Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310-550-7661

Do you have bothersome brown spots on your skin that you would like removed?

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants -All posts from Dr. Bussell-, Breakouts, Acne Treatment, Skin discoloration

First, it is important to have these spots accurately diagnosed by a competent dermatology practitioner.  Brown spots can be caused by many different factors and an accurate diagnosis is important.  If your brown spots are caused by overexposure to the sun (actinic keratoses), melasma (pigmentation following pregnancy or oral contraceptives) or are a result of prior inflammation to the area, normal skin color can frequently be restored by in-office light acid peels, as well as at-home treatment with our specially formulated Sal-Hydro Fade Formula™, which gently peels and lightens the affected areas.  Sal-Hydro™ works well for people with all skin types and skin colors.

Sal-Hydro™ is also extremely effective as a spot treatment for breakouts.  It not only helps the breakouts clear, but also minimizes or prevents any resulting discoloration of the skin.

– Dr. Bussell

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants

433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 805   Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310-550-7661

What can be done for acne on the back and chest?

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants -All posts from Dr. Bussell-, Breakouts, Acne Treatment

Acne on the back and chest is very common in men and women.  Usually these breakouts are very large and often painful.   Appropriate antibiotic therapy is very helpful in clearing this condition.  I have found that it is important to do a bacterial culture of a specimen from within these breakouts, as I do with facial breakouts.  The culture identifies the type of bacteria present and also tells me which are the most effective antibiotics for it.  This step  is important because bacteria can be sensitive to some antibiotics and resistant to others.  This procedure avoids unnecessary long-term use of ineffective antibiotics, which can be harmful.

Until you are able to come to the office for a culture, here are some suggestions:

– Keep the area as clean and dry as possible.
– Avoid application of greasy lotions or oils to the area.
– Ask us about additional products that may be helpful.

– Dr. Bussell

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants

433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 805   Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310-550-7661

Do hormone changes affect acne breakouts?

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants -All posts from Dr. Bussell-, Breakouts, Acne Treatment

Yes, definitely.  Premenstrual breakouts are very common in women.  Stress that affects both men and women also change the body’s hormonal balance and can cause acne breakouts.  30 year-old hormonal changes in women, as well as 50 year-old menopausal hormone changes, can also affect the oil glands and increase acne breakouts.  In male teenagers, there can be an increase in testosterone during growth periods, and testosterone stimulates the oil glands.  Any hormonal stimulation of the oil glands results in more oil and, combined with bacteria, produces acne breakouts.

Routine treatments for acne breakouts include an antibacterial soap like the Bussell Skin Care Antibacterial Soap, topical or oral antibiotics, and topical drying agents such as the Bussell Skin Care normal to dry and oily skin cleansers, as well as in-office acid peels, incision and drainage of breakouts, and injections into the breakouts with anti-inflammatory medication.   In addition to these routine treatments, we also may recommend various oral medications to regulate hormone production.  It should be remembered that acne breakouts can be caused by multiple factors and therefore respond to varied treatments.  In my office, we individualize the treatment to the patient.

– Dr. Bussell

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants

433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 805   Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310-550-7661

Are you frustrated with stubborn breakouts or acne?

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants -All posts from Dr. Bussell-, Breakouts, Acne Treatment

Here are some simple things you may not have thought about.

Breakouts or acne can be caused by multiple things.  These include overproduction of oil from the oil glands beneath the pores of the skin, bacterial infections within the oil glands and hormonal influences on these glands.

To minimize the bacterial aspect of this, try doing the following:

– Change your pillow case frequently – turn your pillow case over after sleeping on one side.
– Wash your hair as frequently as possible, preferably every day but no less than every other day.
– Avoid using a washcloth more than once as germs can grow on washcloths and towels.
– Do not use loofahs or facial brushes as these are incubators for germs.
– Add liquid antibacterial soap to your shampoo to lessen scalp bacteria making their way to your face. Dr. Bussell’s Antibacterial Soap is frequently used for this.

– Dr. Bussell

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants

433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 805   Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310-550-7661

Gentlemen, do you get breakouts after you shave your face?

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants -All posts from Dr. Bussell-, Breakouts, Acne Treatment

Often this problem is due to bacteria that grow on the razor blade between uses.  Shaving causes micro-abrasion on the skin surface which allows for the penetration of bacteria and causes razor bumps/acne.  A disposable razor should only be used once if you are prone to break outs in the shaving area.  An alternative is to use an electric razor that you take apart and then brush its blades  (get a new toothbrush specifically for this) with rubbing alcohol after each use.

Our liquid skin cleanser both for oily skin and normal to dry skin work great as antibacterial aftershave lotions and our antibacterial liquid soap is excellent for a smooth, clean shave.

– Dr. Bussell

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants

433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 805   Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310-550-7661