Dr. Mosaferian Beauty Clinic

Category: Skin Care

Derma roller for hair growth
Derma roller for hair growth can increase hair counts by 15%. And as clinical evidence for microneedling continues to grow, so do the devices available to consumers: microneedle rollers, microneedle stamps, and even automated needling devices – with needle lengths ranging from 0.25mm to 2.5mm (and higher).

But with microneedling research still in its infancy, there’s one big question that researchers have yet to answer:

When it comes to treating pattern hair loss, what’s the best microneedling needle length? 0.25mm? 0.5mm? 1.0mm? 1.5mm? 2.0mm? Higher?

Despite what microneedling manufacturers tell you, there is no clear-cut answer.

Rather, the evidence indicates that when it comes to treating pattern hair loss, the right microneedling needle length is highly contextual. It depends on (1) how frequently you plan on microneedling and (2) whether you’re combining microneedling with other treatments.

This article dives into the research to uncover the evidence, and how to best position yourself for hair regrowth if you decide to start microneedling.

Example before-after: hair regrowth without finasteride

What is microneedling for hair growth?

Microneedling is a stimulation-based therapy for hair loss. Similar to platelet-rich plasma therapy and massaging, microneedling leverages acute wounding in balding scalp skin (via medical-grade needles) to evoke growth factors. Over time, these growth factors may help to (1) promote the formation of new blood vessels, (2) reduce the appearance of scar tissue, and (3) promote hair follicle proliferation.

Yes, the therapy hurts. And yes, microneedlers look like small medieval torture devices.

A microneedle roller used for hair loss

But despite the pain involved in therapy, microneedling – when repeated once or twice-weekly, and for 3-6 months – have been shown to greatly improve hair growth in men with androgenic alopecia (AGA).

Just see the results of this 2017 study, which demonstrated hair count improvements of ~15% for those using microneedling devices without any other treatments.

Microneedling for AGA: results over six months (bi-weekly sessions)

Or the results of this 2013 study, which found that microneedling enhanced the regrowth achieved from 5% minoxidil by 400%.

Microneedling + 5% minoxidil for AGA: results over three months (weekly sessions)

In short: microneedling is effective at improving pattern hair loss (AGA) in men. But questions still remain as to its best practices. Questions like:
- How far apart should we space our sessions? Daily? Weekly? Monthly?
- How long should our sessions be? Five minutes? Ten? Twenty?
- What’s the best needle count? 192 needles? 540 needles? More?
- What’s the best needle length? 0.25 mm? 1.0 mm? 2.0 mm? More?
…and many more.

The truth is that it’s impossible to answer any one of these questions without answering the others. After all, these questions are all interlinked. The smaller the needle length, the quicker your healing, the more frequently you can microneedle. And the higher your number of needles, the more inflammation you can evoke, and the shorter your sessions can be.

Having said that, the best needle length debate might be answerable by itself. Why? Because at different needle lengths, microneedling has different effects.

Here’s why.

Derma roller for hair growth: different puncture depths, different effects on the hair follicles

Our scalp skin consists of three main layers: the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis (i.e., subcutaneous layer).

The thickness of our scalp (and its subcomponents) is influenced by our age, gender, and degree of balding. But in general, our scalp skin is just 5mm to 6mm thick.

Within that skin, our epidermis is usually less than 0.5mm thick, our dermis is 1-2mm thick, and our subcutaneous layer is 3mm thick.

This has significant relevance to microneedling needle lengths. Why? Because the depths at which these needles puncture our scalps has a direct influence over which regions of the hair follicles we will stimulate.

Needle lengths of 0.25 mm to 0.5 mm may improve topical absorption

At shorter needle depths (i.e., 0.25mm to 0.5mm), microneedling only wounds the top layers of the skin (the epidermis). This will improve the absorption of topicals (i.e., minoxidil). However, these shallower depths likely won’t evoke the growth factors necessary to encourage hair follicle proliferation. For this effect to occur, we need to incur wounds deeper – specifically, we need to wound the dermis.

Needle lengths of 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm may evoke growth factors for hair follicle proliferation

At longer needle depths (i.e., 1.5mm to 2.5mm), microneedling needles will puncture the dermis of our scalp skin. This has important ramifications to hair follicle proliferation, because the dermis is where the hair follicle stem cell bulge resides. It’s also where there are vascular networks – such that punctures at this depth ofte lead to swelling and/or pinpoint bleeding.

What is the hair follicle stem cell bulge?

The hair follicle stem cell bulge is located 1.0 mm to 1.8 mm deep in our scalp skin near the isthmus (upper third) of the hair follicle – and can usually be found at the base of the arrector pili muscle.

This hair follicle stem cell bulge is sort of like the “source material” for a hair follicle. These stem cells help replenish and repopulate the cells that constitute each hair follicle. If a hair follicle’s stem cell population is completely depleted, hair follicles can no longer replace old cells, and the hair follicles will stop proliferating (or growing).

Hair follicle stem cell bulge

Interestingly, we can stimulate these stem cells via wounding. If wounds are incurred surrounding these stem cell bulges, the growth factors stimulated during wounding can even signal to these hair follicle stem cells to initiate a new anagen phase of the hair cycle.

For pattern hair loss sufferers, this often means increases to hair counts within the realms of 15% – and that’s without any other therapies. That’s an impressive improvement. But again, it bears repeating…

We only see these hair count increases from studies using microneedling devices (by themselves) that puncture 1.5mm to 2.5mm deep. In other words, we only see these hair count increases at microneedling lengths that stimulate the hair follicle stem cell bulge.

Long-story short: we likely need to microneedle at depths of 1.5mm to 2.5mm if we’re to expect appreciable stimulation of the hair follicle stem cell bulge, and thereby appreciable hair follicle proliferation (i.e., hair regrowth).

Now, it’s worth noting that studies testing microneedling as a monotherapy have only ever investigated needle lengths of 1.5mm and greater. So, the absence of evidence should not imply evidence against shorter needle lengths. But we also have to make recommendations based on what is known, not postulated. So, consider these limitations as you keep reading.

So, should we all microneedling at needle lengths of 1.5mm or greater?

Not necessarily.

When it comes to needle depths, there is an upper limit. Specifically, we want to avoid puncturing something called an emissary vein.

Emissary veins are bi-directional blood vessels that run from the scalp’s hypodermis (i.e., muscle tissues) through the cranium (i.e., skull bone) and into the brain. When brain infections occur following scalp injuries, they are almost always the result of a puncture to the emissary vein – as an open emissary vein can allow pathogenic bacteria from the epidermis to bypass the skull plate and migrate directly into brain tissues. This can cause serious health ramifications, and even death.

Emissary veins aren’t everywhere on the scalp. And in general, they’re located at depths deeper than 5mm – at the bottom edges of the hypodermis.

There’s no reason for us to risk wounding an emissary vein via microneedling – especially because we can stimulate the hair follicle stem cell bulge at shallower depths (i.e., 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm).

Moreover, the studies that we do have on microneedling for pattern hair loss don’t test needle lengths above 2.5mm. So, don’t deviate from what is clinically supported; don’t go deeper than needle lengths of 2.5mm.

So, now that we’ve established a lower and upper limit for mironeedling needle lengths, let’s revisit that question: which needle length is best for regrowing hair?

Derma roller for hair growth: what’s the best needle length?

Since microneedling research is still in its infancy, we don’t yet know the best needle length. But we can give you a general idea of the best needle lengths based on the clinical studies on microneedling published so far.
- In a 2013 study, participants used 5% minoxidil twice-daily alongside microneedling with a 1.5mm needle roller once-weekly. Over three months, the author (Dr. Dhurat) found that the 1.5mm needle roller improved hair regrowth from minoxidil by 400%.
- In a 2015 study, participants used minoxidil and finasteride daily alongside microneedling with a 1.5mm needler roller either once-weekly or twice-weekly. After six months, the researchers found significant increases to hair counts. (5)
- In a 2017 study, participants used 5% minoxidil alongside a 1.5mm to 2.5mm automated needler once every two weeks. Over six months, the investigators found comparable hair count increases to that of Dr. Dhurat’s 2013 study. They also found that microneedling alone improved hair counts by ~15%.
- In a 2020 study, participants applied 5% minoxidil twice daily and microneedled once every two weeks with either a 0.6mm or 1.2mm needle length roller for 12 weeks. They found that microneedling with either length was more effective than 5% minoxidil twice daily by itself. In terms of statistical significance, the study showed that there was no statistical difference between the two lengths with respect to improved hair counts: in conjunction with minoxidil, the 1.2mm needle improved hair counts by about 15% while the 0.6mm needle improved hair counts by about 19%.
But these aren’t the only studies done on microneedling for hair loss. There are many more, which we’ve discussed in our systematic review on the subject (recently published in Dermatology and Therapy).

What do all of the studies tell us?
- So far, we’ve clinically tested microneedle lengths from 0.25mm to 2.5mm for men with androgenic alopecia (AGA).
- However, only needle lengths of 1.5mm to 2.5mm were tested as a monotherapy (i.e., not in conjuction with minoxidil or other treatments).
- At depths of 0.6mm to 2.5mm, derma roller for hair growth is suspected to increase both topical absorption (with minoxidil) and hair follicle proliferation (as a standalone treatment).
And while the 2020 study demonstrates shorter needle lengths may produce results comparable to longer needle lengths (at least with respect to hair counts), the majority of evidence still supports the use of a 1.5mm to 2.5mm needle length.

The rationale? There are two factors to the depth of penetration when using microneedles: needle length and applied pressure. In earlier studies, 1.5mm needles were used to evoke erythema (skin redness) whereas, in the 2020 study, the authors aimed to evoke bleeding.

This is an important distinction to make.

Because evoking bleeding involves more pressure than just evoking erythema, it’s possible that both the 2020 study (using 0.6mm and 1.2mm needles) and the earlier studies (using 1.5mm needle lengths) penetrated to similar depths — simply due to differences in applied pressure.

The equation also gets more complicated when we evaluate not just “session endpoints”, but also the fact that microneedling rollers versus automated pens puncture at different depths in the scalp skin… even when controlling for the same exact needle length.

Why? Because derma roller for hair growth “roll” the needles onto the skin. That means the depth those needles actually penetrate is subject to angulation changes and user pressure variability (i.e., how hard someone presses down). However, with automated microneedling pens, studies suggest that needling penetration depths near-perfectly match needle lengths (up to 1.5mm, at least).

Resultantly, the best data we have suggest that microneedling rollers penetrate, on average, just 50-75% of their actual needle length. This makes it even more difficult to make needle length recommendations, because the actual microneedling device influences the answer.

What can be gleaned from all of the data?

Taking into account session endpoints, device differences, hypothetical mechanisms, and clinical outcomes from our latest systematic literature review on microneedling for hair loss, here are the needle lengths we currently recommend:
- Derma roller for hair growth. Use a 1.0-1.5mm needle length.
- Microneedling automated pen. Use a 0.6-0.8mm needle length.
These recommendations will hopefully improve topical absorption, stimulate growth factors linked to hair follicle proliferation, and minimize any concerns over infection or the puncturing of short an emissary vein.

Moreover, stick with needling once weekly, or once every two weeks. Again, it’s clinically effective. Other recommendations on other websites are theoretical, anecdotal, and generally unsubstantiated.

What about microneedling every day with a 0.25 mm or 0.5 mm needle length?

As stated earlier, it’s important to note that the absence of evidence does not imply evidence against any treatment protocol.

In other words, just because we don’t have studies trialing needle lengths smaller than 1.5mm for pattern hair loss (as a standalone treatment), this does not mean that smaller needle lengths are ineffective. It’s just that evidence supporting smaller needle lengths is unsubstantiated.

There are some YouTube personalities claiming to see great microneedling results from microneedling nightly with a 0.25mm and then immediately applying topicals. There are some men on HairLossTalk who are demonstrating results from microneedling every night with a 1.0mm roller.

There may be some benefits to microneedling more frequently – particularly if you’re also using a topical. For example, due to the relatively short half-life of topical minoxidil, users must apply minoxidil twice-daily in order to elicit a significant effect on miniaturizing hair follicles. Microneedlers with needle lengths of 0.25mm to 0.5mm help to increase topical absorption. Moreover, because these needle lengths typically only puncture the epidermis, they can be used more frequently (i.e., once daily) versus microneedlers with needle lengths of 1.5mm+ (i.e., once every week or more).

Thus, some might argue that daily microneedling with a smaller needle length might help to more regularly promote topical absorption, and that this benefit might outweigh the stimulation of growth factors elicited from needle depths of 1.5mm and beyond.

But again, these stories are just anecdotes; and the rationales behind shorter needle lengths and more frequent needling are just hypothetical. While we do have people trialing augmented microneedling lengths and schedules in our membership community (with great success), we can’t yet extrapolate their results to what all pattern hair loss sufferers should expect.

Long story short: until these anecdotes stand the test of a clinical trial, we must make our recommendations based on the evidence already available… and that means recommending a 1.5mm to 2.5mm needle length.

The bottom line: Derma roller for hair growth, stick with 0.6-0.8mm needle lengths for automated pens, and 1.0-1.5mm needle lengths for rollers

These needle lengths are what worked in clinical trials, and they seem to be working well for the people inside of our membership site.

Questions? Comments? Please reach out in the comments section.

Example before-after: hair regrowth without finasteride
May 4, 2024
Punch excision for acne scars

Punch excision is a method for treating acne scarring in which a is utilized to remove scar tissue. This scar revision treatment is a minimally invasive surgical procedure, ideal for deep ice pick scars.

Using the technique of punch excision the acne scar is surgically removed through the use of a surgical tool that matches the size of the scar (ideally 1.5-3.5 mm). The remaining wound is closed with a stitch. Punch excision is an ideal technique for revising deep ice pick scars and narrow, deep boxcar scars (<3 mm).

How to perform punch excision

After preparation of the site, the skin is stretched perpendicular to the lines of least skin tension so that the wound forms an oval.While holding the stretched skin taunt, the punch instrument is introduced vertically using a smooth twisting motion. Once the instrument reaches its maximum depth or goes through the dermis and into the subcutaneous tissue, the punch can be removed.

The wound may be closed and hemostasis achieved by gel foam or by suture. Gel foam is indicated as a hemostatic device for use with surgical procedures. The wound may also be closed with nonabsorbable suture to aid in hemostasis and to produce a better aesthetic result.

Does punch excision hurt?

Prior to performing a punch excision, the treated area is injected with lidocaine. This numbs the treatment area to minimize discomfort associated with the procedure. You can generally expect that the most uncomfortable step in the process of punch excision is the simple lidocaine injection used as a local anesthetic before the procedure. Typically, patients do not experience side effects, though there may be mild soreness at the site of treatment post-procedure for a few days.

SKIN TENSION LINES (LANGER’S LINES)

Skin tension lines, also known as Langer’s lines or lines of cleavage, are linear clefts in the skin that indicate the direction of orientation of the underlying collagen fibers. If the skin is disrupted parallel to the long axis of the fibers, the wound tends to reapproximate. However, if the wound crosses the long axis of the fibers perpendicularly, they are disrupted in a manner that causes the wound to gape open; therefore, greater tension is required to close the wound. Lacerations that run parallel to these lines naturally reapproximate the skin edges. Lacerations that run at right angles to the tension lines tend to gape apart

Does punch excision leave a scar?

Punch excision for acne scar revision generally does leave behind slight scarring of its own, though the scars are smaller, softer, and less noticeable than the original atrophic scars. The scar left behind after punch excision will most often resemble a small line as opposed to a depression.

In areas under a great deal of static tension, such as the cheek, there is a real risk following any kind of excision (including punch excisions) for the subsequent development of stretch scars and even tram track stitch marks, which can be quite unsightly, especially in an area as prominent as the cheek.

punch excision vs subcision

Both scar Subcision and punch elevation are acne scar treatments involving a minor surgical incision performed with local anesthesia that aids in releasing tethered scars.

Subcision is a very effective technique for correcting atrophic scars, whereas punch techniques are very effective for deep boxcar and ice pick scars.

February 9, 2024
Vitamin c serum
What to look for in a vitamin C serum

To make sure you get the best return on your investment, here are a few things to keep in mind: Skip creams spiked with vitamin C and instead choose a serum, which is more effective at Additionally, there are several forms of vitamin C—and not all are created equal. Check the label for L-ascorbic acid, which is considered to be the vitamin C that’s best for skin. (Even better: if it contains 15 to 20 percent L-ascorbic acid, which is the most effective.) “Vitamin C is notoriously unstable—especially when it’s exposed to air and light,” “So it’s best to pick a formula that comes in an airtight pump or opaque bottle, and keep it away from direct sunlight.”

So, which ones are worth it? Dermatologists say these face-brightening-and-tightening formulas—suitable for a wide range of skin concerns, including acne, hyperpigmentation, oiliness, dryness, and sensitivity—are the best vitamin C serums money can buy.

vitamin c serum for oily skin

1. It Hydrates The Skin Effectively

People with oily skin have a strange, not entirely misguided fear that using moisturiser will make their skin greasier. But what they fail to understand is what makes their skin too oily — sometimes, there’s an overproduction of sebum from the face’s sebaceous glands.

Additionally, using harsh, alcohol-based cleansers without moisturising effectively can strip the skin of its natural oils, and make the sebaceous glands go into overdrive, meaning they produce more sebum than necessary. We say it’s about time we struck a balance between the two extremes, which is where a vitamin C serum for oily skin steps in! Instead of being a humectant that would draw extra moisture on your face, vitamin C serum simply helps your skin to retain moisture. This means that it can hydrate and moisturise your skin effectively without making it overly greasy, which we count as a total win!

2. It Helps With Pores

Having oily skin means having to deal with humanity’s biggest threat yet — large, clogged pores. Since excessive sebum production clogs and congests your pores, it almost feels like there’s no respite. That is, apart from vitamin C serum. Since it’s an antioxidant, vitamin C manages to unclog the pores, clear out dead skin, and reduce the overall amount of sebum. Additionally, it also minimises the pores — and since it’s non-comedogenic, you know that you can kiss those social life-ruining blackheads goodbye.

3. It Takes Care Of Acne

Breakouts are the absolute worst, and regardless of whether you get blackheads or full-blown cystic acne, we’d just like to say — we feel you. Enter vitamin C serum. Even though acne is the bane of everyone who has ever had oily skin, vitamin C serum for oily skin manages to take care of it as if it were never there. This is because vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that fights the free radical damage that may happen to the skin cells. Additionally, topical vitamin C serums can help reduce the inflammation caused by acne — and we already covered how it helps with pores and blackheads, so you know you’re in safe hands.

4. It Promotes The Healing Of Acne Scars

While you may have figured out how to heal your acne, healing acne scars is a whole other story. They take what seems like centuries to disappear, always reminding us of the painful pimples they once were, and give rise to a lot of unnecessary questions when visible. Thankfully, because vitamin C serums promote the skin cells turnover rate and promote collagen production, it manages to renew the cells much quicker than what would happen if you just let it be — and hence, manage to manage to make acne scars disappear into thin air, like they were never there in the first place.

5. It Prevents Future Breakouts

Just because your acne and your acne scars are taken care of doesn’t always mean that you’ll never get breakouts again; and we’re not promising that either! What we will say, though, is that if you’re scared of major breakouts in the future, you can be assured that vitamin C serum will take care of it. Since it’s slightly acidic, vitamin C manages to kill acne-causing bacteria that may settle in the pores, thus preventing bacteria-induced breakouts.

6. It Brightens The Complexion

One of the biggest problems with having oily skin is that if you’re susceptible to having a dull complexion, you’re in for a bad time. Not only will all promises of dewy skin fail you — since your skin is already oily to begin with — but you’ll have to deal with a weird amalgamation of dullness and oiliness, meaning your complexion just does not look good. This is where a trusty vit C serum for oily skin comes in super handy. Since it’s an antioxidant, it protects the skin from sun damage, stimulates collagen production, and gets rid of dullness-inducing dark spots to reveal a radiant, glowing complexion that doesn’t look oily. We’d say the future of oily skin after using a vitamin C looks just like the person using vita C serum for oily skin; bright AF.

While the benefits of using a vit C serum for oily skin are multifold and plenty, don’t treat this as a one-size-fits-all product, where every single serum will work for you. You need to be careful of the kind of serum you pick, and take into account specific details to ensure that your serum doesn’t make your skin oilier. Ahead, we’re letting you in on how to pick a vit C serum for oily skin, so take notes.

What is the best vitamin C serum for women over 50?
- Best overall Anti-Aging Vit C Serum for women over 50 : Skinceuticals CE Ferulic Serum
- Best Amazon Vitamin C Serum for women over 50 : InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum
- Best exfoliating Vitamin C serum for women over 50 : Dr Dennis Gross Vitamin C Lactic 15% Vitamin C Firm & Bright Serum
- Best vit c serum with microneedling:
- philosophy 2-Step Microdelivery Peel
- Best Vitamin C for women over 50 with Dry Skin : Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate
- Best Vitamin C for women over 50 with Acne Scars : Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15 Percent Vitamin C Brightening Serum
- Best vitamin C for women over 50 with oily skin : Tula Triple Vitamin C Brightening Treatment Drops
- Best Vitamin C for women with Rosacea : Klaris Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop
- Best Natural Vitamin C for women
  : Mad Hippie Vitamin C
- Best Vitamin C Serum for women With Collagen : Olehenriksen Truth Serum
August 20, 2023
The Secret Of Penis Skin Care In 2023

Smooth Penis Skin: Why It’s Important and How to Get It

Silky smooth penis skin is what most men hope to have. A touchably soft penis invites intimate touch and excitement. It also shows that a man is healthy cares about his body. And when the penis is smooth, it’s more responsive to touch and other stimulation. This results in better sex, confidence, and improved sexual function by penis skin care.

What Happen When A Penis Goes Uncared For?

On the flip side, a man who doesn’t take care of his penis can be affected by a host of issues that are uncomfortable, unsightly, and definitely don’t invite sexual escapades. Without proper regular care, penile skin can become dry, irritated, and even scaly. While a smooth penis is highly sensitized, a dry or ill-cared for penis is actually desensitized. That means foreplay and sex won’t feel as good as it usually does resulting in a lackluster orgasm and reduced sexual satisfaction (and maybe even a little frustration).

Having a smooth penis is also a health concern! Penis skin protects the body from foreign pathogens causing illness and infection. Broken skin on the penis can invite bacteria into the body and cause a man to get sick or find himself in significant, avoidable pain.

Bedroom benefits and penis skin care

Let’s be honest – a penis that looks and feels good is more likely to get attention, and prolonged attention at that. A healthy penis can provide a man and his partner hours of pleasure. A smooth penis feels great and is hard to put away. Bringing a healthy penis into the bedroom increases the likelihood of prolonged foreplay, higher likelihood of fellatio, and more time spent teasing and touching a healthy, happy male member.

penis skin care

How to Get Luxurious Penis Skin Care

Convinced that a super smooth penis is the penis to have? Here are the best ways to get a smooth penis skin.

1) Eat Healthy Fats – Eat a healthy diet that includes mono-saturated fats like avocados, olive oil, mackerel, and nuts. These fats keep skin supple and bouncy, even all the way down there.

2) Get Regular Erections – The penis is a muscle, so men need to use it or risk losing tone. A toned penis is more likely to be smooth, and besides, it’s a great way to keep the penis healthy.

3) Use Natural Cleansers – Avoid anything with unpronounceable ingredients or lye, and only use hands or a soft washcloth to cleanse the area. One of the best cleansers to use is actually one formulated for babies since the penile skin is just as sensitive.

4)Avoid harsh exfoliation – There are tons of men’s health boards out there which will say to use exfoliants on the penis, but do not! Penile skin is very delicate and can be easily torn. Once torn, even microscopic tears, bacteria can invade and cause a host of medical issues. Not only that, getting too rough with the scrubbing can also decrease sensitivity and no one wants that!

Apply a specially formulated penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin) daily to the penis, being sure to cover the entire area. These penis-specific cremes are specially formulated, using natural bases like Shea butter and vitamin E that not only heal and hydrate the skin but also lock in moisture. Choose a crème that also includes other ingredients like L-Carnitine which promotes penile sensitivity and L-Arginine, which increases blood flow to the penis for strong, firm erections.

A smooth penis is a great way to gain confidence, stay healthy, and enjoy a dynamic sex life.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/John_Dugan/190762

Discolored Penile Skin

March 3, 2023
Hydrocortisone cream for face
Hydrocortisone cream works better to combat acne when it’s combined with other treatments.

In one older study, benzoyl peroxide coupled with hydrocortisone worked better to calm breakouts than benzoyl peroxide used alone. The combination treatment worked better, in part, because hydrocortisone counteracted the redness and irritation that benzoyl peroxide can cause as it dries out the targeted acne.

Hydrocortisone cream for pimples

In larger pores, a clog becomes a blackhead. When a smaller pore gets clogged, a whitehead is usually the result. All clogged pores have the ability to evolve into the red, swollen inflammation that people call pimples. If this happens, hydrocortisone can reduce the swelling and redness.

If the blackheads or whiteheads just look like tiny specs, hydrocortisone won’t likely provide any visible improvement. Instead, your pharmacist can recommend an over-the-counter treatment that specifically targets these types of acne.

Hydrocortisone cream for cystic acne

Cystic acne is a more severe form of acne. It usually appears as red, hard, tender, and very irritated nodules. Because inflammation is a key aspect of cystic acne, hydrocortisone cream can help, at least to some extent.

While hydrocortisone can usually make this type of acne appear less red and swollen, it’s a temporary, cosmetic fix, rather than a long-term solution.

How to use hydrocortisone cream for face acne

To treat your acne with topical hydrocortisone cream:
- gently wash your face with a nonirritating cleanser.
- apply a dab of hydrocortisone cream and softly rub it in.
- use it once to four times per day when inflammation is present.
You might also consider using a mild, fine-grained product to exfoliate your skin up to three times per week.

How to avoid Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation

A soothing bit of hydrocortisone on face or body areas can be a savior after irritation from waxing, depilatories, laser treatments, peels, microneedling, and other common cosmetic procedutes especially in darker skin tone patients.

Visit on Amazon

New studies demonstrated that the degree of UVB-induced erythema and hyperpigmentation were reduced in parallel manner by applying topical corticosteroids immediately after UVB irradiation. This observation has led us to speculate that anti-inflammatory properties of topical corticosteroids may have beneficial effects in minimising the risk of PIH occurring after laser irradiation.

Hydrocortisone cream for face Side Effects

Stinging, burning, irritation, dryness, or redness at the application site may occur. Acne, unusual hair growth, small red bumps on the skin (folliculitis), skin thinning/discoloration, or stretch marks may also occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, remember that your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

If the treated area starts to bleed, especially if you are using this product for anal itching, contact your doctor right away.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Hydrocortisone cream for face precausions

Before using hydrocortisone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other corticosteroids (such as prednisone, triamcinolone); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

If you have any health problems, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this product.

If you have itching of the outer female genitals with vaginal discharge, consult your doctor before using this product.

Do not use if there is an infection or sore in the area to be treated. Skin infections can become worse when this medication is used. Tell your doctor promptly if redness, swelling, or irritation does not improve.

Children may be more sensitive to the effects of too much corticosteroid medication. Consult your doctor for more details.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk when applied to the skin. Similar medications pass into breast milk when taken by mouth. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

If prescribed by your doctor, use this medication for your current condition only. Do not use it later for other skin problems unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in those cases.

Keep all medical and lab appointments.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Refer to the storage information printed on the package. Protect from light and moisture. If you have any questions about storage, ask your pharmacist. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
February 24, 2023
How To Restore Your Skin Microbiome In 2023
What is skin microbiome?

The human skin has 1 billion microbes (bacteria) per square centimeter and that natural bacteria maintains the skin’s immunity and prevents pathogenic growths. Skin microbiome is a community of microorganisms that live together. It plays an important role in assisting our immune system to defend our body from pathogens. “When our microbiome becomes unbalanced, we can end up compromising the task force of good bacteria that keeps our skin healthy, causing dryness and irritation.

The topical application of probiotics has been shown to reduce the proliferation of harmful microorganisms that cause discomfort and irritation on the skin’s surface.” Non-living probiotics are actually common ingredients in skin care, whether it is labeled as probiotic skin care or not. The probiotic helps protect against UV rays, support skin barrier function and decrease skin sensitivity.

What are prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics?
- Prebiotics: Supplements or foods that contain a non-digestible ingredient that selectively stimulates the growth and/or activity of indigenous bacteria. “Think of them like fertilizer or food for good bacteria,” says dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner, who names thermal spring water and oat extract as commonly used prebiotic ingredients.
- Probiotics: Supplements or foods that contain viable microorganisms that alter the microflora of the host.
- Postbiotics: Non-viable bacterial products or byproducts from probiotic microorganisms that have biologic activity in the host.
skin microbiome

How to restore your skin microbiome?

The first step to restoring the skin microbiome is to assess the products in your regime. The ideal pH for the skin is just below 5. This is the pH that’s suitable for our skin to prevent the growth of pathogens. When we use products that are overly acidic or alkaline, we disrupt this natural pH balance and increase the likelihood of pathogenic bacteria getting into our skin flora.

Avoid harsh cleanser

It’s common to use harsh products these days to strip our pores and faces clean for a bare-faced sheen. However, these harsh ingredients can also remove our natural, dewy oils and destroy our skin’s eco-system.

Eat a healthy diet

While the gut and skin microbiome are different in nature, they are still interconnected.

Skin Conditions and the skin Microbiome

Your microbiome can change in ways that aren’t helpful. This imbalance is called dysbiosis. It’s not clear why this happens. But it’s linked to certain health conditions, including:
- Eczema (atopic dermatitis)
- Psoriasis
- Acne
- Rosacea
- Wounds that don’t heal
What is skin repair microbiome?

Repair Microbiome Night Creme increases and optimize the moisture level and improve skin elasticity and skin microbiome. Proven ingredients boost the suppleness of your skin. The skin is left silky soft and the result is a healthy and vital skin.

What is skin microbiome in cosmetics?

Skin conditions, such as dryness, oiliness or reddening are instantly recognizable to the human eye or touch.  But what do we understand about the invisible community of micro-organisms on the skin’s surface that influences such conditions? Scientists selected three bacteria which have the greatest impact on the three most common skin types, namely, dry, oily and normal skin:
- Cutibacterium Acnes – an important gatekeeper that influences sebum production.
- Staphylococcus Epidermidis – a keystone for healthy skin.
- Corynebacterium Kroppenstedtii – a novel target for the control of skin redness
skin microbiome

How to Keep Your Skin Healthy?

It’s hard to know how much you can change your skin microbiome, especially later in life. But there are some steps you can take to support it, and healthy skin in general:

Don’t over-sanitize. You can upset the balance of your microbiome if you clean your skin too much, especially if you use lots of antibacterial products. Some experts think too much washing raises the odds babies will get eczema. But we need more research on this.

Moisturize. This gives your skin barrier a boost. It’s especially helpful for certain skin conditions, like eczema or psoriasis. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on fancy creams. Petroleum jelly works just fine. Just make sure you stay away from harsh ingredients.

Eat a balanced diet. Some research suggests that the microbes in your gut also affect your skin. The way this works isn’t clear. But it’s a good idea to eat lots of plant-based foods. Those have prebiotics (indigestible carbs like fiber) that good bacteria really like.

Exercise. Physical activity is good for your overall health. It can also change your gut microbiome in a good way. That benefits your skin microbes, too.

Get out in nature. There’s evidence that green spaces can help our microbiome and boost our mental and physical health.

Treat medical conditions. Skin problems are common when you have certain unmanaged health issues. That includes diabetes and inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

Quit smoking. Cigarette smoking is bad for you in lots of ways. Studies show it can cause inflammation and disturb your skin microbiome.

Skin and co truffle therapy

SKIN&CO Truffle Therapy Face Toner is an alcohol-free tonic suitable for all skin types. Formulated with soothing botanicals to remove excess oil and purify skin.

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Benefits
- Purifying: Plant-based oils antibacterial extracts purify and prevent acne producing impurities from entering pores, tightens the appearance of pores and skin, and reduces irritation and redness in sensitive skin.
- Protecting: Antioxidant extracts rescue cells distressed by environmental aggressors and free radicals while protecting skin from further damage.
- Brightening: Botanical extracts repair skin cells damaged by free radicals and environmental aggressors, protects skin from further damage, and brightens blemishes and discoloration.
skin microbiome
July 11, 2022