Email This Item! Print This Item!

Q & A From "Treatments for Teen Skin Care and Acne" With Christian Jurist, MD

Posted: August 21, 2008

1. Are certain ethnic backgrounds more prone to milia?

The proneness to milia is not necessarily tied up with specific ethnic backgrounds; darker skin phototypes being physiologically a bit oilier than other phototypes could have a higher percentage of milia development, but certainly milia can increase regardless of ethnicity and depending on other factors such as age, sun damage, use of steroids, comedogenic agents, skin resurfacing and skin trauma.

2. Are there ingredients that can suppress 5 alpha-reductase?

Although commercial ingredients, such as those found in anti-hair loss products, can inhibit the action of 5-alpha reductase, also known as DHT blockers, natural ingredients, such as zinc, linolenic acid, black cohosh, green tea extract (epigallo-catechin gallate), soy and phytoestrogens, flaxseed, pumpkin seed, evening primrose oil, saw palmetto, phytosterol complex, beta sitosterol, and L-lysine have a beneficial effect on reducing and controlling the activity of 5 alpha-reductase.

3. As an esthetician, my biggest dilemma is stage 3 or 4 acne. I get frustrated with not being able to see the results when using nonmedical skin care products.

Acne grades 3 and 4 are not easy to handle. Actually, these grades call for medical intervention in many cases, as cosmetic treatments may seem insufficient. The key to avoid a stubborn situation is to know how to handle inflammation; the skin needs to be soothed and sometimes nutritional anti-acne support becomes essential. Exfoliation should never be overdone, and professional weekly follow up is necessary. A great way to overcome the frustration of lack of results is using high-quality products that can offer better results because they have been specifically formulated to create a satisfactory outcome when offered in a systematic manner between professional and home care regimens.

4.Can minor extractions on a nodulistic cyst (ready to drain) cause permanent scarring?

Yes, it could, depending on the technique, tools used and manipulation of the skin. If the skin is subjected to heavy inflammation, scarring and hyperpigmentation can certainly ensue. I do not recommend applying pressure on the lesion, especially if this pressure goes on continuously, as it will create more damage inside the skin. Also, never try to extract a lesion that is not mature enough. The key to succeed in the acne battle is being gentle!

5.Can you treat adult acne with this procedure as well?

Definitely.