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Questions raised by acne patients.

Over the Counter Drugs

Q: I've tried a million over the counter products for acne and they work for a while and then they stop. I've tried oil-free cleansers, gels, cover-ups, and makeup - all of which claim they help acne-prone skin. But they're not; what am I doing wrong?

A: You're not doing anything wrong except wasting your money. The products you're buying don't work. Even though they are labeled oil-free, they really aren't oil-free. Counter">All products with the exception of water, are oil-based. Just like in the foods you eat, there are good oils and bad oils. The products that you have been using are full of bad oils and are producing new acne, not helping it. Over the counter eye shadows and lipsticks are fine, but when it comes to make-up and cleansers, the stuff you've been buying just isn't helping.

Q: What about all the acne soaps and astringents I use? I wash and scrub my face constantly, but I still break out. Why?

A: You can scrub all you want but it won't make a difference. Acne forms inside your hair follicles which are below the surface. The same thing goes for drying-out your skin with alcohol or astringents. All this does is clean the top layer of your skin, but it doesn't go inside the clogged hair follicles to clean them out. It's important to realize that your pimples are forming beneath the top layers of your skin and that over the counter products can't help you there. The Acne Treatment Clinic offers topical medications which go deep into the clogged hair follicles to clean them out and prevent new pimples from forming. Whether you suffer from severe acne or occasional breakouts, our products work quickly giving you positive results.

Q: I've tried just about everything for my skin. What do you put in your products that make
them so different?

A: It's not what we put in them, it's what we don't put in them. Our products are formulated without adding oils to interfere with their effectiveness. The Acne Treatment Clinic has a safe, effective, and inexpensive skin care program that works. There are no side-effects, no sun-sensitivity, no pills, and no gimmicks.

Q: I'm very skeptical about new products, especially since everything I've used up till now hasn't worked. What is your success rate? How long have you been in business and most of all, do you have any idea how I feel!?

A: I know these products work because I suffered from acne for 25 years. It destroyed my self-confidence, made me feel unattractive and was just plain ruining my life! After graduating from the University of California at Berkeley, I did some research, hired a chemist, and opened the Acne Treatment Clinic. We have been in Northern California for over ten years and have successfully treated over 5,000 men and women of all ages. When many of our graduating high school seniors went off to college, we started sending their products to them by mail. Word spread on campuses all across the state and country and soon we opened our mail order division. Now with the Internet, we are able to send our products all over the world. I must have the most rewarding job in the world, because I know exactly how it feels to have acne and know exactly how great it is to clear it up!

Q: Do all your clients use the same products?

A: No. Everyone's skin is different. That's why the Acne Treatment Clinic offers a variety of products, all formulated for specific skin types and problems. Many factors determine your treatment which is customized for you. That's why we ask you to please fill out the questionnaire on the How to Order page so we can personally help you.

Q: Are chocolate and greasy foods really bad for my skin?

A: No! How could anyone live without chocolate or French fries?

Food

Q: Is there a connection between what I eat and my acne?

A: Yes, it helps to eat a well balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals with plenty of water. This is paramount to having a healthy body and a good complexion. Splurging on bad food once in awhile is no big thing, as long as you eat well most of the time. However, some people have that backwards. The stress you put on your body if you mistreat it by not eating right, smoking, doing drugs, over-doing the alcohol or caffeine is enough to aggravate even the most mild acne case.

Prescription Drugs

Q: Why don't antibiotics work for acne?

A: Antibiotics work for getting rid of an infection, like strep throat. When it comes to treating acne, all topical and oral drugs are doing is temporarily killing the bacteria, which eventually become resistant to the antibiotic. A common practice is to prescribe the topical ointment, Retin-A' in conjunction with antibiotics. Unfortunately, many people experience redness and irritation which actually cause more pimples and blackheads to form. Because Retin-A' and antibiotics make your skin very sun-sensitive they are not practical for many acne sufferers. Another drug often prescribed for acne is Accutane'. This is just a temporary solution to your acne, but it's not a long term and safe alternative to controlling your breakouts. And if not helping acne isn't enough, some antibiotics also reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. Check with your doctor.

Q: What should I expect to see after using your products for a couple of months?

A:You will definitely look better. Your pimples will be smaller, go away faster, and you should have fewer of them. Our products will prevent new pimples from forming and will reduce the swelling and irritation on your skin from your breakouts. We stand behind our products, and if for any reason you are not happy with them we will refund your money. They get to the root of the problem and work. At the Acne Treatment Clinic our products are specially formulated for problem skin. That's all we do - is treat your type of skin. We are specialists in acne and only acne.

Sun

Q: If the sun is so damaging to my skin, then why does it seem to clear up my acne?

A: It's not helping clear up your acne at all. The "tan" look is just a temporary coloring that appears to hide your pimples. But when the tan goes away, the zits stay. Worse yet, the sun tans your scars darker and sets you up for a whole new crop of pimples! Sun damages your skin and that's all there is to it.

True, you might look better and feel better with a tan, but what you're doing is creating new pimples for three or four months down the road - that's how long it takes for a pimple to form. It's not a fluke that your skin looks worse in October when your summer time tan catches up with you. That's why it is important to wear one of our specially formulated sunscreens to help prevent future breakouts.

Q: I try to remember and wear sunscreen, but every time I wear it my skin breaks out worse. What's the story?

A: Good sunscreen is good, but bad sunscreen is bad. If you're wearing acne aggravating sunscreen, then you're not helping the situation. Most of the over the counter sunscreens you've probably been using are loaded with oils which clog your skin. This produces acne. The Acne Treatment Clinic only has non-acne aggravating sunscreens, that not only protect your skin from harmful UV rays, but don't cause acne.

Remember that a sunscreen is JUST that: screen. You need to apply your sunscreen at least a half hour before sun exposure and re-apply it at least every two hours to receive the maximum protection. Also, it never hurts to wear a wide-brimmed hat or sit under a tree. Acne or not, the sun harms your skin.

Men Only

Q: I work out and sweat a lot. I always have pimples on my back but rarely on my face. How can I avoid them altogether?

A:Sweat aggravates acne, however, there are a few things you can do to minimize your breakouts. First of all, avoid sport drinks at all costs! Most sport drinks contain high amounts of iodine which has been shown to flare-up pimples when excreted through the skin in the form of sweat. Drinking lots of water during exercise helps minimize this problem. Wear clean, loose-fitting clothing during your workout because believe it or not, friction makes pimples bigger. Last, but not the least, you must try to shower at least 1/2 hour after exercise using one of our cleansers for acne prone areas.

Q: After working out and showering, it feels like the soap didn't cut the oil and sweat on my skin - especially on my back. Any suggestions?

A: The Acne Treatment Clinic's medicated cleansers are perfect for the job. They are adequate for both the face and body and thoroughly clean your skin without leaving behind any slimy residue. Best of all, they're not very expensive, last a long time, lather-up great, and really work.

Q:My skin seems to break out only where I shave.
Why, and what can I do to stop this?

A: If you are using a double edged razor, then STOP! Double edged blades cut the hair beneath the surface and cause trauma and subsequent breakouts. Try using a single-edged razor and shave in the direction of your hair growth. Also, you need to stop using your current shaving cream because it's probably aggravating your skin. We've seen the best results when men switch to one of our foaming facial cleansers and use it as their shaving cream. Never put cologne or aftershave on areas where you frequently break out because these products contain oils which will aggravate your acne. It is also advisable to use topical medications on a daily basis to prevent future breakouts as well. The products we sell at the Acne Treatment Clinic can be worn during the day so you are treating your acne around the clock without anybody knowing it but you.

Q: I'm 34 years old, have 2 kids, 1 house, 1.3 dogs and 800 zits! I was always looking forward to trading in my pimples for wrinkles, but it's starting to look like I'll be stuck with both. Why?

A:Acne is a genetic skin problem and aging won't get you out of this one. While it's true that the older you get the flare-ups usually become less severe, they're still unwanted and often embarrassing. Most acne sufferers go between times of flare-ups and clear skin their whole lives. Fortunately, the Acne Treatment Clinic has a safe, long-term treatment for controlling your acne. Sorry, we can't do anything about controlling your kids!

Women

Q: Can anyone tell when I'm wearing your products?

A:No. All our products, with the exception of the masks, are invisible on your skin. We don't expect you to stop your life so you can go home and treat your pimples.

Q: Why do I always break out about a week before my period? My pimples are large and hurt and seem to be located around my mouth and chin. Also, sometimes they pop up on my neck.

A: Hormones, hormones, hormones. It is very common to breakout along the lower half of your face and neck because of hormones. Regular periods and regular break-outs go hand in hand, however, if you're having irregular periods, the imbalance of hormones could make your skin worse. Also, where acne is concerned, some birth control pills are less acne aggravating than others. The good news is that you can effectively control most premenstrual breakouts using Acne Treatment Clinic products. Diligent use of the topical medications 30 days every month, insures your skin stays clear every day of the month -- even when you have your period.