Picky, picky...

Okay. This is a big one. Skin picking. Some of you know exactly what I'm talking about already. I mean, you already get that feeling in the pit of your stomach, because just hearing those words triggers a whole slew of vague but undeniable emotions. If you're a picker, you get it.
Those of you who don't get that feeling - consider yourselves lucky. Spared...!


Skin picking comes in various degrees of severity. And in its more serious forms has been referred to by more serious names:

Neurotic Excoriations
Acne Excoriee
Psychogenic Excoriations
Dermatillomania
Compulsive Skin Picking (CSP)
Psychodermotosis
Self Injurious Skin Picking (SISP)

I am a reformed picker. I remember - back in high school - being curled up on the floor in my room crying because of what I had done to my face. I really shouldn't have been left alone with a magnifying mirror in those days!! Fortunately, I was eventually steered in the right direction by my first esthetician who said to me, "Juliana, you're a picker. Go to school." And I did. I channeled the bad into good. Now I use my attention to detail and my knowledge about the skin to help make your skin require less picking! But I deeply understand that compulsive need to get rid of the pain and imperfection of what sometimes pops up on the skin.

I don't recommend picking at your own skin. Especially if you have a tendency to overdo it. Most times when clients come in, I can see the damage done, and I know how much better their skin would be looking without the gouges. The key, I think, is understanding that ultimately you are causing more harm than good. Did you know that there is a little tiny sac under the skin where the pimple is that holds bacteria? And that you can burst it under the skin when you go after that zit? This leads to the spreading of bacteria and more pimples. Best thing to do is apply ice to help take down swelling and kill bacteria. And use something medicated to spot treat... perhaps a dot of salicylic acid, some tea tree oil, or a bit of Volcanic Clay (Epicuren Volcanic Clay Mask). And come in for a facial. We do extractions under ideal and sanitary conditions without causing damage.

If you are a serious skin picker, there are some good resources online. You may need support. And you should not be ashamed to seek it out. Read some stories that other pickers have shared. And realize you are not alone. It is more common than you might think.

Here are a couple of online resources:

Stoppickingonme.com
Pickaderms

Super Product

I love Epicuren's Acne Cleanser~ formerly known as Medicated Acne Cleanser. I guess they took out the word medicated because it makes the cleanser sound harsh, and it's not. And it really doesn't have to say acne on it either, because it's great for any skin type that may be prone to breakouts or congestion and is slightly on the oily side. As long as your skin isn't dry or dehydrated...it's a perfect, very mild, yet gently exfoliating cleanser. I think it should be called Acne Prevention Cleanser. It's just a touch medicated with 1% Salicylic Acid, yet it's got moisturizing and anti-inflammatory ingredients. Paraben free. Fragrance free.


We carry it at Petite Spa (where I work) - stop by for some and say hello!!

Probiotics. Skin.

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria.


Good bacteria help keep the immune system healthy. Your diet and lifestyle largely dictate the balance of good bacteria to bad bacteria hanging out in your body. Things like antibiotics (which kill ALL the bacteria, the good with the bad), long term use of birth control pills, stress, diets high in sugar, wheat, and processed foods all diminish your body's good guy count. Sometimes the bad guys can take over and cause other problems (like yeast and other fungal infections). That's why doctors often recommend eating yogurt when you take antibiotics - because yogurt contains acidophilus and acidophilus is a probiotic.

It is optimal to take a high quality probiotic supplement. You can buy probiotic supplements at any health food store. If you ask where they are, you will most likely be directed to the refrigerated section, as most probiotics need to be in the fridge to stay alive. Here's the deal though: there are several brands of probiotics that are stable at room temp and don't need to be refrigerated. I prefer these. That way, I can simply keep them in my purse and take them at my convenience.

Here are a few brands I like, but there are many:

Jarro-Dophilus EPS

Dr. Ohhira's

PB 8

Kyo-Dophilus

It's important to have various strains of probiotics in your supplement, too. Some brands have just one strain, some have a bunch. Go for the ones with a bunch and switch them up from time to time, so your body gets lots of different good guys.

In 1964, Dr. R. H. Siver conducted a study using probiotics to treat gastric and intestinal disorders. He discovered that, in addition to improving his patients' gastrointestinal conditions, facial skin cleared up in 80% percent of his patients with acne. And the skin improved within the first two weeks of supplementation. Wow, right? Isn't it crazy that that was in the 60s and to this day most dermatologists still prescribe antibiotics (to teenagers, no less) for acne. The antibiotics only really appear to help while you're taking them, and when you stop, the acne comes back - only now your body is more resistant to antibiotics and probably completely wiped clean of good bacteria.

Here is an article you can read for a little more info.

The skin is the body's largest organ. Your skin looks the best when your body is thriving and healthy. Good bacteria help keep bad bacteria in check which leads to better health. I take them every day. Just sayin'.

Cure Acne with Your iPhone? Really??

Did you know there is an iPhone app that supposedly helps clear up acne as you talk on the phone? Yep. It's called AcneApp and was developed by Houston based dermatologist, Greg Pearson, MD. He says this app would have go through a lot more clinical study before he could "quantify its efficacy,” but that he was “fascinated by the concept..." Another derm said it takes at least 88 treatments to see results. But people seem to be giving it good reviews. Placebo effect, perhaps?
The principle is the same as that behind the red and blue LED light therapy you'd receive from a Licenced Esthetician to kill bacteria and promote collagen growth. In my experience, those machines actually do produce results. However, the effectiveness of AcneApp has not been proven. And apparently, there is also no way of knowing the specific wavelength coming from your iPhone or what kind of harmful ultraviolet rays could be emitted. That's a little scary.


In my opinion, the best thing to do with your phone to help control acne is keep it as clean as possible. Phones get dirty and greasy. And try not to mash it up against your pretty face too much. Yucky!

Ice, Ice, Baby!

You would not believe the way people marvel when I reveal to them that one of the best skin care products is not only free, but sitting right there in their freezers. That's right....ice! Ice is cold. And cold is good for pimples. Not only can acne bacteria not survive in a frozen environment (think of the concept of refrigeration... invented to keep bacteria from fuzzing up your food), but it is also a powerful anti-inflammatory - it takes down swelling. So next time you have a big, angry pimple coming up... grab a cube and a towel (to hold it with) and apply liberally. People ask how long to keep it on there. I usually say, "a little longer than you want to, but not long enough to get frostbite!"


Last summer I was in my friend Melanie's wedding. And of course... what comes out to say hello a few days before, but a big, red, "under-grounder" on my cheek. This was so not okay. So I went to the freezer and I held that ice on so long that i got all red and puffed up all around Mr. Zit. So, I think 5 minutes was too long! Try a few minutes - until you get that cold "ache". Or do it on and off for a while. Then do it again an hour or two later. You can do the ice trick multiple times on the same spot. My ice welt went away in about 30 minutes and the pimple immediately shrunk and was gone within a couple days. No picking, scabbing, scarring. Just gone. While this may not work on every spot every time, it's a good first line of defense. It's available, easy, free, and contains no artificial fragrance and no preservatives!
Have you ever tried this trick of the trade? I'd love to hear about your experiences if you have or if you do!

Melanie's wedding:


Super pretty, no?