Clear Path Skin Care & Acne Clinic

Cornish Game Hens Ingredients: • 5 Cornish game hens • 2 ribs celery, cut into chunks • 2 large carrots, cut into chunks • 1 medium onion, roughly chopped • 2 bay leaves • 1 sprig thyme Crust: • 1 bunch rosemary, fresh, finely chopped • 1 bunch thyme, fresh, finely chopped • 1 bunch sage, fresh, finely chopped • ½ cup of *real olive oil • 1 Tbsp non-iodized salt Instructions: 1. Finely chop the rosemary, sage, and thyme. Then add the herbs, salt, and oil together in a small bowl and rub it all over the skin of the hens. 2. Add the onions, carrots, celery, and bay leave in the large roasting pan. Put the hens on top of the vegetables and refrigerate overnight if you have time, this will help the skin dry out and become nice and crispy. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees. Cook time is about 17 minutes per pound. 4. Put 1 cup water into the bottom of the roasting pan. Roasting the hens in the preheated oven until the skin becomes brown, about 40 minutes. 5. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees for the rest of the cook time. Baste the hens every 30 minutes with the pan juices; add a little more water to the roasting pan, if needed. Once it has browned you can loosely tent the hens with foil to prevent it from getting too dark and drying out. 6. Remove the hens from the oven when an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the hen registers 160 degrees. Make sure that the thermometer is not touching a bone when doing the reading. 7. When the hens are fully cooked remove it from the oven and let it rest for at least 30 minutes. Cover loosely with aluminum foil while it’s resting. 8. Carve and enjoy! Roasted Green Beans with Almonds Ingredients: • 1 lb. of green beans • 1 Tbsp of *real olive oil • 1 Tbsp of slivered almonds • Pinch of pepper • ½ tsp of non-iodized salt • ½ tsp of garlic powder (optional) Instructions: 1. Place green beans in a pan and drizzle olive oil over the top. 2. Sprinkle non-iodized salt, pepper and garlic powder over green beans. 3. Add almonds to green beans once cooked to your liking. 4. Squeeze lemon to taste (optional). 5. Serve immediately. Roasted Butternut Squash, Brussels Sprouts & Onion   Ingredients: • 1 lb. brussels sprouts (halved) • 1 lb. butternut squash (chopped into cubes) • 1 red onion (cut into cubes) • 1 ½ Tbsp olive oil • ½ tsp dried thyme • ½ tsp non-iodized salt • ½ tsp pepper Instructions: 1. Place the empty roasting pan in the oven. Preheat oven to 400 degrees 2. Once the oven is preheated, remove the pan from the oven and put the vegetables on the pan. Top them with the other ingredients, and toss to coat. Careful, remember the pan is HOT! 3. Roast for 18minutes. Flip the vegetables over and give them a good stir around the pan. 4. Roast for another 18 minutes or until butternut squash is tender. You might need an extra 5 minutes here if you started with frozen squash. Mashed Cauliflower Ingredients: • 1 medium sized head of cauliflower, chopped into florets (about 1 ½-2lbs) • 1 Tbsp *real olive oil • 6 garlic cloves, minced • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves • Non-iodized salt and pepper to taste Instructions: 1. Fill a large saucepan with about an inch of water, and insert a steamer basket. Bring the water to a boil and add the cauliflower florets. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cover, allowing the cauliflower to steam for 10 minutes, or until fork tender. 2. Drain the cauliflower and set it aside. Return the pan to the heat and add in the *real olive oil and garlic. Sauté briefly, just until the garlic is softened and fragrant, about 2minutes. 3. Transfer the cauliflower and garlic to the bowl of a large food processor, blender or potato masher. 4. Blend until the mixture is smooth and resembles mashed potatoes. You can add a splash of water if needed. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more non-iodized salt if desired. Baked Apples Ingredients: • 2 lbs. tart apples, peeled and thinly slice • 1 Tbsp coconut oil, melted • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 3 Tbsp coconut sugar • ½ tsp ginger and nutmeg each • 1 Tbsp lemon juice • 1 tsp arrowroot starch, (optional) Instructions: 1. Preheat oven the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish. 2. Add the sliced apples to the greased baking dish along with the remaining ingredients. Toss to evenly combine. Coat all of the apples in the spices, sugar, lemon juice, and starch. 3. Transfer to the oven and bake for 30 minutes until the apples are tender and caramelized. 4. Remove from the oven and let cool about 5-10 minutes. Cauliflower Stuffing Ingredients: • 2 medium heads of cauliflower (6 cups chopped) • 1 Tbsp *real oliveoil • 1 large yellow onion • 1 garlic clove,minced • 3 stalks of celery, chopped • 2 cups of mushrooms, sliced • ½ cup of almonds, roughly chopped • 1 tsp red wine vinegar • 1 tsp non-iodized salt • ¼ tsp black pepper • 2 ½ tsp dried sage • ½ tsp of dried thyme • ¼tsp dried marjoram • ½ tsp dried rosemary • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg Instructions: 1. Pulse cauliflower in a food processor until “rice” consistency is reached. 2. Add *real olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. 3. Add onions, garlic, celery and sauté for 5 minutes. 4. Add mushrooms and continue cooking until they’ve begun to sweat(about another 5minutes) 5. Add in cauliflower and cook for about 5 minutes, or until fully cooked. 6. Top with almonds, spices, and vinegar and cook for 1 minute. 7. Serve warm or store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cranberry Sauce Ingredients: • 12 oz cranberries • 1 cup powdered erythritol • ¾ cup water • 1 tsp orange zest • ½ vanilla extract Instructions: 1. Combine the cranberries, water, erythritol and orange zest in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a gentle simmer for 10-15 minutes, until the cranberries pop and a sauce forms. 2. Remove from heat. Stir in the vanilla extract. Pear Crisp Ingredients: Filling: • 3 cups of pears, cubed • 2 tsp almond extract • 1/3 cup unsweetened coconut milk • ¼ tsp of  non-glycemic response stevia, add more if desired Topping: • ¼ cup hempseeds • ¼ cup almond flour • ¼ cup coconut flour • 2 Tbsp coconut oil • 1 Tbsp water • 1 tsp cinnamon • Pinch of salt Instructions: 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 2. In a medium bowl, combine the pears, almond extract, coconut milk, and non-glycemic response Stevia. 3. In another bowl combine all of the topping ingredients and mix well until crumbly. 4. Grease a large ovenproof dish with coconut oil. Pour the pear filling into dish. Top with the crumble mixture and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool before serving. *Only purchase olive oil that has both, a Harvest Date and Best By Date. ...

When struggling with acne, it is difficult to wade through the enormous amount of advice being offered both online and by well-meaning medical professionals. This can be frustrating since many acne sufferers do not know where to turn for the truth – but now you have found yourself in the right place. So sit up, pay attention, and let's knock out a few of those acne myths that never seem to fade away. Myth #1 “It Will Get Worse Before It Gets Better”. This is often spoken by health professionals as they are handing you a prescription for Tretinoin or Retin A Cream. What they do not realize is both of these products contain Isopropyl Myristate – a very pore-clogging ingredient. What happens next? Your skin becomes dry, red, irritated, and acne can get worse. Does it ever get better? How can it? Myth #2 Accutane (Isotretinoin) Will Clear Your Acne For Life. At the ABQ Acne Clinic, scores of our clients have taken Accutane to combat acne. In fact, many of them have taken it several times, leaving numerous individuals to deal with the long term side effects of taking this drug. Why did acne come back? Simple, if you haven’t removed the root cause of acne from your life then it is reignited over and over again. Myth #3 Low Estrogen Birth Control Will Help Clear Your Skin. This is important to know; low estrogen birth control can exacerbate acne quickly into a full-on cystic meltdown. Why? Because low estrogen INCREASES oil production in the pores. This includes the IUD Paragaurd. True, it doesn’t have hormones, but it does have a copper tip that depletes zinc levels in the body. Zinc helps to fight acne by reducing the inflammatory response to bacteria and decreases oil in the pores. An acne safe option would be a name brand pill form such as Ortho Tri Cyclen that contains 35mg of estrogen, to help DECREASE oil in the pores. Myth #4 Diet Has Nothing To Do With Acne. Actually, diet has EVERYTHING to do with acne. For individuals who are genetically prone to acne, specific foods can increase oil production in the pores, and inflammation in the body. Which foods are the biggest triggers? To start with, dairy will increase oil production in the pores, and inflammation in the body, and it doesn’t matter if it is organic, raw, or hormone-free. It is an acne trigger. Iodine is another culprit in the realm of acne. Too much can aggravate pores leading to a breakout. For proper thyroid function, we only need 150 mcg of salt daily, and in our American diets, we surpass this level tenfold. Even healthy foods like broccoli, spinach, asparagus, and kale can spark acne, if you do not know your personal limits. Why? These are also very high in iodine. Additionally, high glycemic foods like bread, chips, crackers, and cookies can increase oil production in the pores. And this may surprise you, even consuming too many high sugar fruits can feed and support acne. Just because it is natural, doesn't mean it will help eliminate acne. Want to know more? The Clear Path Program is offered exclusively through the ABQ Skin Care & Acne Clinic. If you are ready to identify and remove the root cause of your acne, we can help. ...

Specific vitamins can significantly improve skin issues, such as acne. Different supplements have different benefits. One of the essential vitamins to include in an acne regimen is zinc. It is particularly beneficial when treating inflamed acne, cystic acne, or hormonal acne. While zinc isn’t necessarily a cure-all for acne, it is undoubtedly helpful. Here are some of the benefits: - It helps apoptosis occur. Apoptosis is when your skin cells naturally die and slough off. When you are deficient in zinc, apoptosis is delayed which leads to cells sticking together and clogging pores -Zinc is highly anti-inflammatory, which of course, inflammation is one of the root problems when it comes to acne -It is also anti-bacterial, which is another source cause of acne. -It is an effective antioxidant for the skin. -It helps your metabolism of omega-3 fatty acids, which is very useful for reducing inflammation. -Zinc helps deliver a critical anti-acne nutrient, Vitamin A, from your liver throughout your body and to your skin. This also helps regulate your body’s hormonal balance. Signs you are deficient in zinc: Dry skin, hangnails, white spots on your fingernails, frequent colds, hair loss, diarrhea, low sex drive, and acne. Now it would be ideal for getting all of the zinc we need through diet, yet the majority of acne sufferers are consuming low levels of zinc. If you have acne, you want to be sure to increase your zinc levels with food sources such as lamb, unsalted pumpkin seeds, grass-fed beef, mushrooms, and chicken. Also, taking a zinc supplement can quickly increase zinc levels as well, to help fight acne. When it comes to taking a zinc supplement, not all zincs are created equal. Here at the ABQ Skin Care & Acne Clinic, we prefer OptiZinc. The absorption rate is much higher because the zinc is bound to an amino acid called monomethionine. Optizinc also contains copper, which increases the metabolism, therefore increasing all of the benefits listed above. Take 30mg a day with a meal for best results. ...

As a society, we tend to idealize smooth flawless skin. We admire individuals with beautiful, clear skin. Having immaculate skin is a picture of health right? So why do we self-sabotage, and engage in habits like touching and picking the skin which tends to worsen texture and spread bacteria? Do you find it hard to keep your hands away from your face, and more specifically your acne?  Being a face-toucher or picker is common, but detrimental for the health of your skin.  Not only does it prolong the life of active blemishes, but it spreads bacteria causing new blemishes.  Picking can cause bacteria that otherwise sits on the surface of the skin to penetrate deeper into the pore triggering a breakout.  It can also cause pigmentation (pink and brown marks left behind) and lifelong scarring. The clinical name for repeated picking of one’s own skin is called Dermatillomania, or Excoriation Disorder.  This is a common compulsion among acne sufferers and even those without acne.  The impulse to pick may stem from the desire to flatten out unwanted blemishes, be in control of the skin, or simply be an unhealthy habit for managing stress. In times of stress, people can often be found with hands looming near the chin, cheek, or forehead.  This kind of repetitive behavior can be a mild form of OCD.  It’s like a reflex without conscious control.  Often times people don’t even notice that they’re doing it.  There can often be a rush of relief with the sensation of scraping off a bump or blemish, however, it is causing much more damage to the skin in the long run. There is also the factor of mirror neurons.  We tend to mimic the people around us, so when they are touching their faces, or leaning on their hands, we are more likely to engage in the same behavior.  Kind of like the impulse to yawn when someone around you yawns. If you think about the number of things our hands touch throughout the day, from our phones, to bathroom stalls, to door handles, to other people’s hands, it is quite understandable how easy it is to transfer unwanted bacteria and oils to our face.  And even if your hands have just been washed, there is still the factor of friction causing irritation to the pores. This friction can spread current blemishes and cause new ones. Fortunately, there are a few ways to help break these detrimental habits of touching and picking. First and foremost, become conscious of these compulsions.  Use a pattern interrupt like a loose watch or bangle bracelet.  When we lift our hands to our face the watch or bangles slips down the arm, jarring your attention it can help make you aware of the habit. Place a rubber band around your fingertips. When the fingers touch the face, the unusual sensation of the rubber band can help act as a pattern interrupt before picking ensues. Tap a light layer of Vaseline in areas that are continuously a problem area for touching. Just like the rubber band, the sensation of the Vaseline can draw attention to the touching or picking.  Especially for picking, the sensation of Vaseline under the nails rather than skin can act as a negative reinforcement to touching. And no worries, if it is plain petroleum jelly, it will not clog your pores or break you out. In times of stress, take 10 deep breaths, or practice a minute of meditation rather than engaging in picking or touching. Pay attention to those mirror neurons, and make sure not to mimic the bad habits of those around you. Engage a friend or relative to help monitor your actions and point out when you are engaging in these behaviors. At the ABQ Skin Care & Acne Clinic, it is our goal to create a supportive environment that helps our clients break acne triggering habits and lead an acne-free lifestyle.  Not only do we help clients get clear, but we can also help eliminate pigmentation marks and old acne scarring.  For more information give us a call at (505) 369-1680.  Change your skin, change your life! ...

What Causes Acne? Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin condition, characterized by whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, nodules, and cysts. These occur when hair follicles become clogged with dead skin cells, bacteria, and oil. Eruptions can be located on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and upper arms. More aggressive types of acne lesions such as Acne Inversa, can be found in underarms, cleavage, inner thighs and buttocks. For many years it was believed that overactive sebaceous glands were the primary cause of acne, however, new research and studies now show it is inflammation that is the main issue behind acne. Moreover, inflammation is the foundation of acne and can be present in the skin even before a break out occurs. Of course, P. acnes bacteria play a part in acne, yet, it is this initial inflammation that helps to kick start the bacteria colonization in the pore. This lethal combination has the ability to alter the oxygen tension in the pore and soon creates the perfect environment for acne causing bacteria to multiply. However, some studies show that regardless of the type of acne, P. acnes bacteria is not required for the development of inflammation in some acne lesions There are several other major factors, which should never be overlooked and are just as important, such as genetics, hormones, emotional stress, and diet which definitely contribute to acne well. For example, high glycemic foods such as bread, tortillas, and pasta can spike insulin levels leading to increased oil production in pores and excess skin cell turnover. And this is just the tip of the iceberg! Inflammation can be quickly reduced through simple dietary changes, specific antioxidant supplementation and the use of a very effective acne fighting product line that prevents the buildup of dead skin cells, bacteria and oil production in the pores. It’s called the Clear Path Program.   How is the Clear Path Program Different from Other Acne Management Programs I Have Tried Before? A majority of our clients have suffered and struggled with acne for a big part of their lives. They have tried a variety of antibiotics, topical prescriptions, and laser treatments. Many were so desperate to get clear skin, they took their chances with Accutane - often resulting in disabling, long term side effects. Even more so, the acne returned within a few months to a couple years. What's the difference? The Clear Path Program isn't a costly Band-Aid. It is based on removing the root cause of acne, not subduing side effects. Think of it as, 'where science meets common sense,' because that is what it comes down to. It's simple, remove the reasons 'why' you are breaking out and clear skin can be achieved fast. The Clear Path Program is much more than just a product line. You will learn step by step how to manage acne for life with the Clear Skin Diet, making a few lifestyle changes and utilizing products that are customized to your type of skin, and stage of acne. We offer a 98% success rate, and provide you with the education, tools, guidance, and support you need to finally achieve clear skin. You will quickly become your own Acne Specialist and learn how to rely on yourself. With the Clear Path Program, there are no ‘one-size-fits-all’ options. Once we determine the best products for you, you will learn how to use them in a very specific way that is quite different from other systems. With our easy to use step-up system, acne doesn't have a chance. We make sure your skin does not plateau and stop responding to the home-care regimen. That's why we require frequent check-ins and communication with you to make sure your program is on track. Acne is a tricky inflammatory disease that requires close monitoring initially, and we are your partner in that process.   Can the Clear Path Program Help with Hormonal Acne? Absolutely! Hormonal acne essentially means excess oil in the pores. Many of our clients once believed they were doomed to live with acne because it was labeled as 'hormonal acne.' In fact, a majority of them were given drugs like Spironolactone in order to reduce oil production in the pores. However, not only does it carry a Black Box warning from the FDA for possible tumor development, it also lowers your natural testosterone levels leading to depression, fatigue, low libido, and other unwanted side effects. The good news is, you don't even need it. You will learn how to control oil production by removing specific oil producing foods from your diet, and by utilizing the Clear Path Products you can immediately reduce oil in your pores as well. The Clear Path Program will teach you step by step, how to control hormonal acne quickly and effectively.   I Was Given a Birth Control Method that Was Supposed to Help My Acne – But it Made it Much Worse – Why? At the ABQ Acne Clinic, we have many clients who had been given a form of birth control with the intent to help clear acne. However, the problem is, most dermatologists, (including many gynecologists), are unaware that low estrogen birth control methods actually stimulate and increase oil production in the pores leading often to severe, cystic acne. This also includes hormone free IUDs like Paragaurd. It's true it does not contain hormones; however, the problem is, it has a copper tip that has the ability to aggravate acne. So, every 3 - 4 weeks or so, a new breakout occurs creating new blemishes, while feeding the current ones. The bottom line is, you do not need birth control to clear acne. It is a factor, either it aggravates acne or it doesn't. With the Clear Path Program, you will learn exactly which methods are truly acne safe and all of the ones that are not.   Proactiv / Rodan & Fields, Did Not Help Clear My Acne - Why? These are simple product lines that can clear a couple blemishes and that is why it works for some people. But they are not strong enough for people with more than a few blemishes. Additionally, the skin often adapts to the regimen and stops responding. For most people, they seem to work nicely for about three weeks or so, and then it typically stops working. This is a typical ‘one-size-fits-all’ acne regimen, and the potency of the products tend to be weak, which means it would not be strong enough to actually clear the skin completely. It can only reach a certain point and then stops. If you have more than a couple blemishes, then you need potent anti-bacterial products and powerful exfoliants used in a very strategic way to get your acne fully under control. This is why you need a system and guidance to show you step by step what to do. Without the proper guidance, you could experience dry, irritated, flaky skin because the products you are using are too strong for your skin type. You could also experience continuous breakouts because your products are not strong enough to control your acne. Even so, it is always important to remember that products alone do not get you clear. It is crucial to learn which foods in your diet have been ‘feeding’ your acne, including some of the ‘healthy ones.’   The Dermatologist Prescribed Me Antibiotics and My Acne Got a Little Better, But Then it Came Back Even Worse. What happened? Antibiotics work by subduing a portion of the bacteria, and it does nothing to unclog your pores. This is a key point to be aware of. Acne is not just a bacterial issue, you must address the pores clogged with dead skin cells, and decrease inflammation. Now, because some of the bacteria are reduced by the antibiotics, your acne may subside to a certain degree. But it will come back, often with a vengeance once you stop the medication because the bacteria that survived will breed a population of bacteria which is stronger and more resistant to the antibiotics and your pores are still clogged, and you have high inflammation so the conditions remain conducive for acne to return. Additionally, we have had many clients over the years suffer from numerous side effects when taking antibiotics long term for acne. Not only does it kill the ‘good bacteria,’ found in the digestive tract leading to disturbances in the gut microflora, which allows Candida to colonize the digestive tract, it also increases inflammation in the body leading to more acne breakouts. Interestingly, Europe has caught on to the detrimental side effects of prescribing long-term antibiotic treatment for acne. In fact, in some countries it is considered malpractice and a physician could lose their medical license for such actions.   My Dermatologist Told Me 'Diet Has Nothing to Do with Acne.'  It is a fact that foods play a major part in contributing to acne. The reality is, dermatologists, acquire very limited amount of nutritional training and really are unaware of the vast majority of foods that trigger acne. In fact, most were taught in medical school there is no connection between diet and acne based on a highly faulty study performed over 50 years ago! I am referring to the infamous, poorly controlled ‘Chocolate Study,’ conducted by Dr. James Fulton and sponsored by the Chocolate Manufacturers Association. In the study, each participant was instructed to eat one candy bar a day (one contained chocolate, the other did not) and each received the exact amount of calories, fat, and sugar content. This went on for several weeks. At the end of the study, the blemishes on each of their faces were counted to determine the results. The study suggests – but does not prove- that chocolate alone does not cause acne. The study, however, does not touch on the sugar, and fat content. Among the numerous errors in this study, one, in particular, is quite blatant. The test completely failed to isolate chocolate from its other main ingredient, sugar. No other foods were tested, the only focus was on whether chocolate affects acne or not. Another key fault in this study is that many of the participants had acne in the beginning of the trial and continued to have acne at the end of the trial.  The correlation to the chocolate was only considered if the participant had more blemishes at the end of the study, but failed to correlate to feeding the existing acne.  Many of the participants also were not acne prone, which is one reason why this study has been discredited.  And with these results, it was determined that foods, in general, do not influence the health of the skin. This study has become the cornerstone in the world of dermatology--for several decades. With the Clear Path Program, you will learn all the facts and the truth about the relationship between diet and acne. This program is about education and empowerment.   My Dermatologist Prescribed Me Topical Prescriptions and it Made My Acne Worse. Why?  Topical prescriptions like Retin A Cream, and Tretinoin actually contain a pore clogging ingredient called Isopropyl Myristate. According to the comedogenic scale, based on a 0-5 rating, this determines to what degree an ingredient can clog the pores. And Isopropyl Myristate is rated a 5. Of course, 5 is the worse. Obviously, this is not the best ingredient to have in an acne medication because it triggers more acne rather than actually clearing the skin. How does this happen? Pore clogging ingredients consist of tiny, sticky, molecules that are able to penetrate deep into the pore and mat up with dead skin cells. It’s as simple as that. Now that you are applying a pore clogging topical prescription to your skin, not only will your skin feel irritated and dry, you could also experience new breakouts. In fact, most dermatologists will say that your skin will 'get worse before it gets better.' Of course, it rarely 'gets better,' instead, it supports acne. Does your dermatologist know about this pore clogging ingredient? Most likely not.   Nothing Has Worked to Clear My Acne, and My Dermatologist is Now Suggesting Accutane – What’s That? Accutane is a chemotherapy drug, and the commercial name for Isotretinoin, which causes your body to shut down the production of sebum (the oil that's found in your pores). It is a very dangerous drug which can cause birth defects, diabetes, low white/red blood count which can lead to infections and anemia, including heart/liver damage, chronic IBS, and the list goes on from there. Consequently, women of childbearing age must be on two forms of birth control and monitored regularly by a physician. Even more shocking, a vast majority of female acne sufferers who are given Accutane to fight acne, are also given a low estrogen birth control method - which actually increases oil production in the pores leading to severe breakouts once they stop taking Accutane - thus, creating a new cycle all over again. This does include ‘no hormone,’ IUDs such as Paragaurd as well. Will your dermatologist or gynecologist know this? Most likely not. If you are reading this, and are currently taking Accutane and a birth control method, check it for yourself. If your method offers 30mg of estrogen and under, you are on the cyclical acne churning wheel of taking a medication to eliminate acne, yet your birth control is creating acne. When you are taking Accutane, you may not be aware, but during your monthly doctor visit, they are looking for signs of depression, which is also extremely common. In fact, the FDA gives Accutane a Black Box warning. Studies have shown that it deteriorates up to 21% of the prefrontal cortex - leading to severe depression and has been attributed to well over 7,000 suicides. Aside from depression, many Accutane users have experienced a mild to a debilitating condition called Anhedonia, which eliminates the ability to feel pleasure, joy, or happiness in one’s life. This condition can often be felt while taking a course of Accutane, however, studies show it can become increasingly worse once an individual has stopped the drug. If that is not disturbing enough, sexual dysfunction in young adults is now connected to Accutane as a potential side effect. Males can experience erectile dysfunction, impotence, loss of libido, genital anesthesia, anorgasmia, and more. Females can experience loss of libido, painful intercourse, vaginal dryness, anorgasmia, genital anesthesia, altered or loss of menses and infertility. For both males and females, symptoms could resolve over time, yet, for many they do not. Initially, this was anecdotal most likely due to many individuals feeling embarrassed to report such side effects. Additionally, it can become a battle in the doctor’s office when someone is explaining their sexual side effects from the use of Accutane, when these issues are not listed on the manufacturer’s product information. Even so, now there are studies available to confirm this correlation. The question is, how long will it take for the manufacturer to acknowledge and add this to its list of side effects? My guess is a very long time. In our experience at the ABQ Skin Care & Acne Clinic, the bottom line is this; a majority of our clients who have taken Accutane in the past, experienced the reoccurrence of acne anywhere from a few months to a couple years after stopping the medication. Why? Because the client was still unknowingly feeding acne, using the wrong birth control, and following the same daily habits which ends up triggering it all over again.   Why Does My Acne Get Worse Sometimes? This can depend on many factors such as, an increase in inflammation, consuming acne triggering foods, chronic stress, using the wrong hair products, (including not washing your hair often enough), pore clogging cosmetics, hormonal fluctuations often due to menses, touching your face, etc. Once you understand all of the acne triggering sources in your life, you will be able to maintain long term clear skin. The Clear Path Program will show you step by step how to do this.   What if My Skin is Very Sensitive? We have lots of clients with very sensitive skin. We will only give you treatments and skin care products that are right for your skin. We have numerous products and treatments to choose from to work with all skin types and stages of acne.   Will I Always be Fighting Acne?  You may need to manage your acne for many years to come. Some individuals may experience a ‘burn out’ in the pore, which simply means, the pore in no longer aggravated, but this tends to be a genetic propensity, however, you will not ever know if you are prone to this, until if/or when it does happen. Even so, clients who have been following the Clear Path Program for years, continue to feel energetic and healthy because they are following a low inflammation diet. Remember, at the foundation of all disease is inflammation. Additionally, with the Clear Path Program, you can experience incredibly clear, vibrant skin and be able to maintain these results for life. ...

As you may already know, following a low glycemic diet is imperative to achieving clear skin. The Glycemic Index provides information on how the foods you eat affect your blood sugar levels – ratings are from 1 to 100. When your blood sugar levels spike, it increases oil production in the pores, leading to new breakouts as well as sustaining current blemishes. While you are in the clearing process, it is important to know the glycemic rating of the foods you eat. If you consume foods rated at 55 and below, you will see clear skin fast. However, moderate levels such as 55 and up, oil production begins to ramp up and so does acne. Other benefits of following a low glycemic diet can be weight loss, improving cholesterol, fighting heart disease and it also helps to control your appetite. Citrus is a tricky category. Even though it is generally low glycemic, it is very acidic and has the potential to increase inflammation in the body, leading to breakouts. Be on guard with citrus, consume small amounts during the clearing process and watch your skin for any changes. The ripeness of a fruit can also play a part in increasing the glycemic index. For example, bananas tend to have a rating of 54, which is already slightly an issue because it is close to the 55 limits. However, if it is ripe, the rating can be much higher. Something else to keep in mind is the cooking process you may use. Baking, frying, and carmelizing can actually increase glycemic levels. Such as sweet potatoes/ yams, which can become acne triggers just by baking them. However, you can decrease the glycemic rating by boiling them. Lastly, breads have always been an issue when it comes to triggering acne. When comparing the ingredient deck to the Clear Skin Diet list, even if it looks safe, chances are it most likely is not. Why? Because a majority of breads are made with high glycemic flours and ingredients. We recommend KnowFoods.com for a variety of acne safe, low glycemic bread products. Whichever fruits and vegetables you may choose to consume, always check their glycemic ratings to prevent breakouts. Here are a few acne safe, low glycemic fruits and vegetables suggestions you can enjoy. Fruits & Glycemic Index Apricots 23 Apples 39 Avocado 15 Blueberries 54 (Very small servings only) Cherries 22 Dates 36 Nectarines 30 Prunes 29 Pears 37 Plum 38 Strawberries 40 Peaches 42 Coconut 45 Grapes 46 Kiwi 52 Bananas 54 Vegetables & Glycemic Index Artichokes 15 Bell Peppers 40 (remove skin/seeds) Brussel Sprouts 15 Cauliflower 15 Celery 15 Cucumber 15 Carrots 43 Eggplant 15 Green Beans 15 Green Peas 51 Leeks 15 Lettuce 15 Mushrooms 10 Okra 15 Onions 10 Peppers 15 (remove skin/seeds) Sweet Potato 61 (Boil to bring down glycemic level) Summer Squash 15 Tomato 15 Yams 54 (Boil to bring down glycemic level) Zucchini 15 ...

Do it Yourself skin care remedies, treatments and recipes seem to be all over the internet these days promising to help repair a variety of ailments in the skin. Although some do it yourself methods can be beneficial, a majority of them are not and often lead to burns, allergic reactions, breakouts, irritations or just no results at all. Here are a few that made our hair stand on end. Baking Soda Baking soda is a commonly misused household item for acne. The thinking behind using baking soda on acne is that it is known to reduce inflammation in the body, but unfortunately, this product is a highly alkaline chemical that creates more harm than good. It disrupts your skin’s pH balance and can cause severe dryness, and lead to more breakouts. Toothpaste Toothpaste is an age-old acne remedy that can create potential issues with the skin. Some individuals believe that spot treating with toothpaste will dry out pimples and shorten the life of a blemish. This is not the case, and in fact, toothpaste can be very irritating to the pores. It can also cause hyperpigmentation (dark spots) by attracting more melanin to the surface. Also, most brands of toothpaste on the market today contain pore-clogging ingredients such as carrageenan and sodium lauryl sulfate which can trigger a breakout. Benzoyl peroxide is a much more efficient and safe product. Its purpose is to kill bacteria, reduce redness, inflammation, and prevent the formation of new pimples. Acetone Acetone is a crazy new fad made popular by celebrities recently. This ingredient is not only toxic (and most commonly used to strip paint, remove nail polish, etc.) but it can also cause extreme irritation to the skin. The hope is that it will dry out the skin thereby killing the blemish. Acetone is a harsh product that can wreak havoc on the skin by disrupting the natural ph level and skin barrier. What's the difference between acetone and a dab of battery acid? Not much. Lemon Juice Vitamin C is, in fact, great for preventing photoaging, lightening, UV damage protection, improving elasticity, and stimulating collagen production. Vitamin C is found in lemon juice, which is the thinking behind using it directly on the skin, but beware! Lemon juice is highly acidic and can be tremendously irritating to the skin as it disrupts the skin’s natural acid mantle. If prepared in a skin care formula properly, you can reap the many benefits it has to offer without causing harm to the skin. We love Clear Path Vitamin C serum, which is specially formulated to be gentle yet effective for all skin types. Coconut Oil This skin care fad has been around for a while. Once mainstream ‘do it yourself’ skin care enthusiasts found out coconut oil has antimicrobial and antibacterial benefits – they started rubbing it on their skin in hopes of transforming it. However, many of them experience negative consequences such as dull skin to severe acne eruptions. The reason why is because coconut oil rates a 4 out of 5 on the comedogenic scale which determines the likelihood of an ingredient clogging your pores. Skip the skin care fads and learn how to safely clear acne without all the gimmicks and hype. Doesn't it make sense to discover the root cause as to why you are breaking out and then make changes to create an acne free life? Clearing all stages and types of acne without drugs or lasers, it's what we do successfully- every day. For more information contact the ABQ Skin Care & Acne Clinic at 505.369.1680 ...

We all know that water is crucial to our overall health. It improves blood circulation, absorption, digestion (and yes, even excretion). But one of the most noticeable benefits of drinking water is what it can do for your skin. You have probably come across information about water making your complexion more radiant and younger looking; and then there are the naysayers who see no such evidence in their skin. So who do you listen to? It’s simple really, and common sense should be applied here. Our skin is the largest organ in the body. It is composed of cells, which are primarily made up of water. These cells, along with all of the other organs in our body must be hydrated to function properly. If you are dehydrated (which unsurprisingly most of the population is), then your overall health and skin truly suffer. Your skin will show you if you’re not getting enough water. Here are the consequences of dehydrated skin: -Dry Skin -Tight Skin -Flaky Sign -Less Resilience (For ex. sun damage) -More Prone to Wrinkles A study published in International Journal of Cosmetic Science (2007) stated that drinking 2.25 liters of water daily improved skin density and thickness within just four weeks. This exploratory study confirmed, “Drinking more than 2 L of water per day can have a significant impact on skin physiology.” Another study done by the University of Missouri-Columbia examined that just two cups a day increased blood flow to the skin. Be sure to drink at least 2 liters of water throughout the day. Your body can only absorb so much water per hour, so avoid guzzling water, as you will quickly eliminate most of it without enjoying the benefits. Unfortunately, you may hear health care professionals question the necessity for drinking water to hydrate the skin. Water is naturally occurring therefore it cannot be patented. When a substance cannot be patented, there is not much interest in the healthcare industry to invest funds into a study, because there is no profit to be made. Hydrating your skin from the inside by drinking at the very minimum 2 liters of water a day, combined with topical moisturizers is the best way to fend of dry aging skin. It improves elasticity, texture, and skin tone, so drink away. Keep it acne safe. If you are purchasing bottled water, always check the ingredient deck. Some leading brands like Daysani contain salt and potassium iodides. Lastly, when you are following the Clear Path Program, it is imperative to maintain hydrated skin. If your skin is dehydrated, it will become difficult to use some of the products you need to help prevent the buildup of dead skin cells and to kill bacteria. So, drink up! Get hydrated - then get clear.   ...

Each year, January is notorious for holding hopeful solutions to past problems. This is the time of year when motivation is at its peak to improve ourselves and to focus on a bright future.  Whether it’s career ambitions, relationship or health goals, this is a great time to start the year out with your best face forward.  And what better way is there than achieving the skin you’ve always wanted! Take a moment to focus on yourself, with your health and wellness in mind. Clear skin empowers self-confidence which results in bigger career ambitions, relationship goals, and greater life objectives.  Achieving clear skin is an excellent New Years resolution because it has a meaningful and lasting effect in all areas of life.  At the ABQ Skin Care & Acne Clinic, it is our mission to empower our clients and provide the tools, education, and guidance needed to maintain clear skin for life.  When you learn how to be an Acne Expert, the hopelessness that comes with acne disappears entirely.  You have the knowledge to choose the right products, eat the right foods, and engage in the best lifestyle habits that will result in beautiful skin and overall better health and wellness. Check out some of our other clients who have taken an interest in their skin and health: Before & After.  If you have more questions about how you can finally improve your confidence by reducing acne and start this year off right, give us a call at the ABQ Skin Care & Acne Clinic (505) 369-1680.     ...

People often refer to the dark pink and brown marks on their skin as age spots or acne scarring. In fact, these spots have nothing to do with age, but can be a result of acne or evidence of sun damage. In one case, blemishes can leave behind dark spots (otherwise known as hyper-pigmentation) once the active blemish has healed. These pesky marks can stick around for months or even years, but not to fear, they are not true acne scarring. True acne scarring can be divots and uneven texture of the skin, and that can be addressed in an entirely different way. To learn more about that checkout info about acne scar removal here. In another case, these dark spots can be brought on or even perpetuated by the damage caused to the cells by UV exposure. UV radiation causes the skin to send melanin (pigment) to the site to protect the skin. This is what brings on a lovely tan, but over time this UV radiation accumulates and lentigines (i.e., hyperpigmentation) form. We often see the greatest accumulation of this type of damage on the back of the hands, the forearms, and the face. SO HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO First and foremost is prevention! This means applying sunscreen like your life (or skin) depends on it. Make sure to use at least an SPF 30 and if you are going to be in direct sunlight, reapply every 2 hours. Limit sun exposure, wear wide-brimmed hats and cover up with breezy clothing. The damage the sun can do today can create physically visible damage in the future. HOW TO GET RID OF IT You can use a brightening product for home use that includes effective ingredients like kojic acid or hydroquinone. This helps to fade hyperpigmentation by breaking up the accumulation of melanin, removing dead skin and bringing new skin to the surface. Ingredients like these also prevent the new pigment from forming by interrupting the synthesis of melanocytes. Here at the ABQ Skin Care & Acne Clinic, we recommend using Clear Path Pigment Serum or Clear Path Derma-Brite, for sensitive skin. These products work with different skin types to correct skin tones, and when paired with lightening peels are highly effective in evening skin tone and eliminating dark spots. Lightening Peels are the second step to erasing dark spots. A medium-depth chemical peel helps to remove the top 2-3 layers of the skin (we keep it gentle - but highly effective) therefore increasing cellular regeneration and new skin to the surface. This reduces discoloration and provides fast and dramatic results in texture and skin tone. Pairing these treatments with a customized at home regimen increases the speed of results. Get the even skin tone you’ve been dreaming of in 2018! For more information give us a call at (505)369-1680. ...