Acne Protocol

Hi Lisa,
I need some advice for a 17 male teen. He has very dry skin, Fitz III, lots of blackheads and pustules. According to mom he's now breaking out on his chest. I've gone over in detail dietary issues, lifestyle etc.... And it appears that he is very good with his diet , mom is a naturalist and cooks healthy at home. I've seen him twice on a teen package and haven't seen much difference in his skin like I do with most clients . He is very proactive and mature for his age and actually uses his products twice a day. He has a very busy school schedule hence the reason I've only seen him twice since February. His next appointment is April 24th. I want to see him more often and will press this issue at his next visit. Prior to seeing me for the first time he was using antibiotics orally but both he and his mother did not want to continue with these meds.
Here is his current protocol;
Green Tea Antioxidant Cleanser( I didn't want him to get too dry with a Blemish Control Cleanser considering the other products that have AHA's, BHA)
Glycolic cleanser twice a week
Blemish Control Pads (am)
Glycolic Retinol Pads (pm)
Blemish Spot Treatment
light Aloe Moisturizer
SPF 30.

I've also recommended Zinc monomethionine 40-50 mg with permission from his doc (which he just started taking) a cool mist humidifier in his room at night and I've asked him to try to steam his face for a few days before his appointment to make extractions easier.

For professional treatments I've used coconut/papaya with 1 pump 20% Lactic Acid (1st visit) and raspberry/peach with 2 pumps 20% Lactic Acid (2nd visit) with steam 8 minutes. Extractions ( but he's extremely hard to extract due to his dry skin), Strawberry Spearmint Mask, Ageless Hydrating a Serum, Light Aloe Moisturizer and SPF 30.

Help!!!! any advice will be greatly appreciated. He was referred to me by another teen client that I've been able to help tremendously with back acne.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lisa VanBockern on April 9, 2014 at 12:40pm

Hi Denise:

As far as home care I would incorporate more hydration - maybe cucumber toner instead of the glycolic pads, and add the Ageless Hydrating Serum. I'm driving more water in the skin this way.

I like the professional treatments you are doing. I heard you say that he's very busy, but my philosophy is more treaments, just mini-treatments. IF POSSIBLE, could you ask him to stop by twice a week (say Monday and Thursday) for 15 minute treatments. I would perform a quick cleanse, apply retinol scrub under steam (retinol to help break up the follicle lining and impaction), and layer the blueberry enzyme right on top of the retinol scrub. Leave it on for 7 minutes, remove, cucumber toner, moisturizer and spf. By doing this twice a week I feel that we will have a chance at loosing the impactions. As they start to loosen, the body will try to expel them. After 2 weeks, you might have a better chance at extractions.

If the mini treatments are not possible, then I would suggest retinol scrub at home for 10 minutes twice a week in the shower. Steam and retinol are softening the impactions.

I realize this is sounding like a lot of product, but I think we need to keep trying to find the magic combination for him. If you need to return any product that you will discontinue for him, just let me know.

For his back, I would have him use the glycolic cleanser and blemish pads 3-4 times a week.

When I hear about back/body acne, I start thinking food sensitivities or allergies. Does he eat a lot of wheat? Dairy?

I would ask him to have patience as you try to find the perfect combination for him. Everyone is unique, and perseverance is key.

I hope this helps.

Lisa

Permalink Reply by Denise Ivers on April 9, 2014 at 1:56pm

Thank you Lisa!

I did forget to mention that he is using the Cucumber Toner already. I'll see if he can come in twice a week after his next visit.
Thanks again!
Denise