How can I manage my acne?

/0 Comments/in /by

Acne is a skin condition that can impact any patient at any age. In fact, many of the adult patients we see in our practice are seeking a solution to chronic acne. Acne can be anywhere from mild to severe, and there are several different types of acne that can develop on the skin. With a proper diagnosis, patients can work with Dr. Jack Bertolino of Smooth Solutions Medical Aesthetics to find a solution.

Acne management solutions

There are many ways in which a patient may attempt to control their acne condition. In some cases, patients can utilize over-the-counter products and changes in their skin care regimen to address the problem. Others with more severe or resistant acne problems will want to work with a dermatological team of professionals such as those available at Smooth Solutions Medical Aesthetics. Below are a few options for patients to consider when it comes to treating acne:

  • Skincare products. Improvement of acne starts at home with the daily use of cleansers, moisturizers, toners, and cream. Patients can ask Dr. Jack Bertolino about the products they currently use and determine if a change is needed to see improvement.
  • Medications. Over-the-counter products that contain ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid may be beneficial for some of our patients. However, some patients may require stronger solutions that are prescription only.
  • Light therapies. Once patients are on appropriate medications and have tailored their daily skin care routine to their needs, a discussion of light therapies may occur. Light therapies, such as intense pulsed light or blue light therapies, can be an effective way of treating the bacteria that may be present on the skin and reducing the redness and inflammation common with moderate to severe acne. Light therapies are noninvasive but have been shown to provide dramatic results for those seeking improvement for their conditions.

Control your acne today!

If you live in the area of Williamsville, NY and are interested in working with a medical professional to address your acne once and for all, contact Dr. Jack Bertolino of Smooth Solutions Medical Aesthetics. The practice is located at 5839 Main Street, Suite #102, and can be reached by calling (716) 633-6100.

Acne Treatment Buffalo NY

Sending Your Kid off To College? How to Make Sure They Take Good Care of Their Skin

/0 Comments/in /by

One of the things that don’t seem to change in parenting is having to practically babysit your kids; even when they are in college. If your child has acne-prone skin, but they are headed off to college this fall, you may be worried that their acne may go into overdrive and they won’t know what to do. Luckily, Dr. Bertolino has created a list of a few tips that you can send with your college student so that they come back with clearer, healthier skin. Are you ready to learn some more? If so, then read on.

Send them with face wipes

If your teenager hasn’t already gotten into the habit of washing their face before they crash in bed, then they probably aren’t going to do it in college. Your college student is going to have more late nights and less time that they want to do things like wash their face. Make sure that you send them with plenty of face wipes that they can clean their face with. Face wipes are easy, fast, and relatively effective. One thing to remind them though is that face wipes can’t completely replace face wash, so they should at least use face wash when they are in the shower.

Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Bertolino Before They Go

Another thing that you should do is schedule an appointment for them with Dr. Bertolino before they head out of town. Dr. Bertolino will take a closer look at their skin and then put them on the right skincare products. For instance, if your child has acne-prone skin, then Dr. Berotino may recommend a series of treatments to help fight their acne and balance the oil on their skin. Just make sure that your child knows the importance of being consistent when using their new skincare products.

Ultimately, it’s up to your college student if they want to prioritize having good skin, but these tips may also put them on the right track. To learn more, contact our Williamsville office and call us at  (716) 633-6100.

3 Things to Ask Santa For This Year

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

Are you in the process of making your list and checking it twice? If you want to make sure that you get exactly what you want for Christmas, then we have a few suggestions for you. Based on some skin care concerns, Dr. Jack Bertolino has created a list of a few different procedures that you may want to ask for for Christmas.

Acne Scars

If you thought that you’d be done with your acne in your teens but you still have acne scars in your adult years, then Dr. Bertolino may recommend a treatment like microneedling. Microneedling is ideal at treating a variety of skin care issues including acne scars. By targeting the top few layers of your skin, microneedling encourages the natural production of newer, healthier skin in its place; leaving you with fewer signs of acne scars in the process.

Cellulite

If you loathe your cellulite, then you’re not alone. Cellulite is one of those genetic things that even the fittest of people can get; making it that much more frustrating. To help treat your cellulite, Dr. Bertolino may recommend a treatment called Vaser Smooth which works to actually break up the dimpling to leave you with smoother skin.

Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Depending on the severity of your fine lines and wrinkles and where they are located, you may want to ask Mr. Clause for either dermal fillers or Botox. Botox is typically used around the eyes and across the forehead whereas fillers are used around the nose and mouth.

Before you land on one of these procedures, Dr. Bertolino will want you to come in to our office for a consultation. During your consultation, he will be able to determine which procedure is going to give you the best results. Are you ready to learn more? Schedule your consultation today and call us at our Williamsville office at (716) 633-6100.

Skin Care Buffalo, NY

What to Know About Pimple Care

/0 Comments/in /by

If there’s one thing to know about acne it’s that it can feel like it’s plaguing your life. Whether you have chronic adult acne or if you just suffer from some hormonal acne about once a month, then this article is definitely for you. Before you go back to your old habits and start popping your pimples like it’s nobody’s business, take a closer look at these tips from Dr. Jack Bertolino.

Hand Over the Torch

You may consider yourself to be a pimple popping professional but before you add that status to your LinkedIn page, hand over the torch to our staff. Because Dr. Bertolino and his staff have actual professional experience extracting pimples, it’s safe to say that we know what we are doing and that when we do it, you are less likely to have scarring or more breakouts afterward.

Clean Up After Yourself

If you’re going to pop your pimples— no matter how much we tell you not to— make sure you at least clean up after yourself. As soon as you pop a pimple, bacteria can spread to the skin surrounding it which can lead to further breakouts. Use either rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or some facial astringent afterward to ensure that the bacteria doesn’t spread.

Get Treatment

If you feel like your acne is getting out of hand, then it’s time to come into our office for a consultation. During your consultation, Dr. Bertolino will take a closer look at the type of acne that you have and will then discuss our OmniLux, DermWorx, or clearConcept treatments with you.

Leave the popping up to your popcorn and skip the pimple popping altogether. Use the tips in this article to help you manage your pimples and get one step closer to a clearer complexion. To learn more, schedule a consultation at our Williamsville office and call us at  (716) 633-6100.

Acne Treatment Buffalo NY

Suffer from Adult Acne? How Dr. Bertolino Can Help

/0 Comments/in /by

Having acne when you’re thirteen is one thing, but having adult acne can make you feel like you’ll forever be stuck in puberty. And although you may think that popping your pimples and using over-the-counter ointments are going to help your acne get better, if it’s not already long gone by now, it’s time to move on to bigger and better acne treatments. Whether you suffer from hormonal acne or acne that’s caused primarily by bacteria, Dr. Jack Bertolino may have a few treatments to help you. Let’s take a closer look.

Omnilux Blue LED Light

One of the best ways that we have seen acne treatment work is by treating the source. By using Omnilux Blue LED light, we are able to kill acne-causing bacteria on contact. Then, we usually follow up 48 hours later with the Omnilux Red LED light to help manage the inflammation.

Chemical Peels and Microdermabrasion

Another option that we use to help get rid of the acne-causing bacteria and inflammation is a combination of chemical peels and microdermabrasion which work to get rid of dead epithelial cell and make sure that the pores stay open and clean.

Dermworx

This at-home acne fighting kit is great at helping you get rid of acne and maintaining your results from the comfort of your own home. Depending on how severe your acne is, it will help Dr. Bertolino determine if Dermworx will be strong enough to fight it.

PRP

Platelet-rich plasma isn’t just good at helping treat patients who are suffering from fine lines and wrinkles. In fact, Dr. Bertolino uses it for a variety of things including helping treat acne in the acute phase to get rid of scarring and improve your skin heal up.

clear CONCEPT

This acne treatment process combines acne treatments and technology to help give you superior clinical results without the need for prescription drugs.

With all of these options, you may be wondering how you’ll know what treatment is best for you. During your initial consultation with Dr. Bertolino, he will conduct a brief skin evaluation and help determine what treatment will work best for you. To learn more, schedule a consultation at our Williamsville office and call us at  (716) 633-6100.

Acne Treatment Buffalo NY

3 Ways to Avoid an Acne Breakout This Halloween

/0 Comments/in /by

Acne Treatment Buffalo NYWith social media platforms like Instagram and SnapChat making people almost instantly famous, people will do just about anything to get a like or more followers— which makes them go all out for every occasion including Halloween. And with costume makeup and face paint, you can transform your entire appearance with just a few tools. But, if you have acne prone skin, costume makeup and face paint may cause your skin more harm than good. To ensure that you get as many likes on Instagram as possible without having to break out afterward, this article will list three things you can do to avoid acne.

Don’t Share

Sharing is caring until it’s not. If you and your friends are hoping to save money by sharing costume makeup and face paint this Halloween, think again. Not only will you be sharing makeup but you’ll be sharing germs and bacteria as well. And, if you are spreading bacteria from person to person, you are more than likely to break out.

Be Cautious

Rather than buying just any cheap costume paint or makeup off of the grocery store shelf, take time to read the labels. For instance, some costume paint is designed only for the body and not the face which can lead to major breakouts. Remember that the more cautious you are when buying costume makeup, the better chances you have of shielding your skin from a major acne breakout.

Use Face Wipes

If you’re going to be hopping from party to party all night and then crashing on one of your friend’s couches, make sure to bring along some face cleansing wipes. That way you can quickly get the makeup off before you go to bed without having to worry about washing your face. Just remember to exfoliate your face the next morning to get off any leftover makeup or paint.

Avoiding acne breakouts starts with good skincare and habits. Keep your skin protected this Halloween by using the tips listed above. Schedule your appointment with Dr. Jack Bertolino today to learn more about how you can treat your acne.

Acne and Pimples and Spots. Oh No.

/0 Comments/in /by

acneSometimes it seems like no matter how you try to maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating clean and exercising, your skin still breaks-out – and invariably at the most inopportune times. If you are concerned about the appearance of your skin because of acne flare-ups, we may be able to help. But first, let’s talk about some of the probable causes of acne.

Blocked Pores. Your body is full of pores, and they play an integral part in your body’s overall health. Their purpose is to move waste products such as sweat from your body to help it maintain a healthy equilibrium. But your pores can easily become obstructed, and when that happens, acne can be a result. One of the surest ways to combat this acne trigger is to keep your face clean with a morning and night skin care routine – wash your face and never, ever go to bed with your make-up on!

Bacterial Growth. Acne loves and feeds on germs. Don’t touch your face and don’t pick at your skin. Your daily face-touching habits when relaxing at home, at work or when you sleep can add unwanted, unhealthy bacteria to your facial skin – making existing acne worse and resistant to treatment.

Excessive Oil. Your skin needs oil to stay moist, bright and youthful. But when your skin produces too much oil, your risk of acne is increased. With hormonal changes comes excessive oil production. That’s why so many teens going through puberty suffer from acne. Many adults must also deal with hormonal imbalances and may find they need treatment for adult acne as they age.

How can we help? Dr. Bertolino offers clearCONCEPT™, a highly effective treatment to address the problems of acne and its scarring. Developed by leading dermatologists, clearCONCEPT™ combines the latest in proven acne treatments and technology, coupled with physician-only cosmeceuticals, to deliver superior outcomes – without relying on prescription drugs.

Don’t suffer with the embarrassment of acne any longer. Call to schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Bertolino, today: (716) 633-6100.

Acne Treatment in Williamsville, Buffalo, NY - Smooth Solutions Medical Aesthetics

Acne Pustules – Not Something to be Sneezed At or Squeezed At

/0 Comments/in /by

Acne, at any age, is a devastating condition. There are several common types of acne, but among the more severe are pustules. This type of acne is often found in clusters on the skin and can affect your entire body, from your face, neck or back. Acne pustules can be painful, embarrassing, difficult to get rid of on your own and hard to treat.

Pustules are medium-sized, round bumps that are characterized by a white or yellow dot in the middle, which is an indication of pus in the pimple. There may also be a red area around the pustule due to the infection under the skin.

Tempted to squeeze? Eager to pop?

  • That is the initial reaction and desire of most people who have acne, but that is definitely not what should be done. Squeezing and popping leaves an open wound on your face which can easily become infected with bacteria, leading to the continuation of the acne and eventually, scarring. Squeezing also pushes the infection farther down under the skin, leading to more pustules and infection. Unfortunately, touching, squeezing and popping can quickly get out of hand.

If your acne pustules are a consistent and serious problem, a visit to Dr. Bertolino is definitely the best solution. 

Over-the-counter products rarely have the strength that is needed to completely clear up the problem, although the most useful DIY treatments contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.

Dr. Bertolino can come up with a combination of products to not only treat your pustules, but also help make your skin soft and moisturized.

Remember:

  • Do not squeeze or pop a pustule, as you can easily make one acne pustule turn into three.
  • Try not to touch your face during the day, as that transfers germs, bacteria and dirt.
  • Make sure to wash your face daily with a doctor-recommended cleanser.

Dr. Bertolino and the highly trained team of professionals at Smooth Solutions understand how acne affects your life. Call for a treatment consultation, today (716) 633-6100.

Teen-aged acne bothering you in your 30s, 40s, 50s? We can help

/0 Comments/in /by

acneIn a perfect world, by the time you notice your first troubling wrinkle, your acne would be long gone. Unfortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Grown-ups are often surprised to realize that some level of acne is a lifetime affliction. And in fact, low-grade, persistent acne has been found to be particularly common among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s. But adult men struggle, too, often tied to face and body hair.

The bumpy truth is that all those factors related to being alive — such as diet, stress and hormones — mix with dirt, oil and dead skin cells, and conspire to keep our skin in perpetual adolescence.

So what to do?

Well, there are certainly lots of products — over-the-counter, prescription, topical solutions and pills – designed to help teens and adults better manage the frustrations of acne. But maybe your insurance no longer covers prescriptions past the teen years. Or you don’t want to take antibiotics again for your condition. And those store-bought creams don’t seem to be doing the trick.

At Smooth Solutions we can assess your skin issues and create an adult acne treatment plan that fits you and your lifestyle. To get started, simply call us for an appointment at 716.633.6100. Here’s an idea of what you can expect:

  • We will start by advising you to stay calm about your breakouts because stress is such a contributing factor.
  • We’ll ask about your sleep habits and remind you how much eight hours of sleep each night can help your skin rest and regenerate.
  • And even though sweat can exacerbate your bumps, we probably will advise you start or continue a workout routine.
  • While you should definitely treat your acne, stay away from those stronger cleansers and medicines that you might have considered in your younger years. You don’t want to dry out or irritate your skin because that will also cause breakouts.

Finally, we want you to discover clearCONCEPT™, a highly effective treatment we use at Smooth Solutions to treat acne and acne scarring. So learn more by calling today.