Breaking Out: A Woman's Guide to Coping with Acne at Any Age


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Author: Lydia Preston
Binding: Paperback
EAN: 9780743236232
Label: Fireside
Dimension: 0.7 x 8.3 x 5.5 inches
ISBN: 0743236238
Manufacturer: Fireside
Publisher: Fireside
Number of items: 1
Number of pages: 256
Publication date: June 29, 2004
Studio: Fireside

Acne is no longer just a teenage affliction. In fact, dermatologists often refer to it as a woman's disease, and drugstore shelves are filled with acne products specifically geared toward adult women. But how do you choose from the overwhelming selection of treatments? Which products are appropriate to use as you grow older, become pregnant, or enter menopause? How can you work with a dermatologist to get the most out of prescription acne medications?

Lydia Preston answers all of these questions and more, with up-to-date information drawn from her years of reporting on dermatology, as well as her own long personal experience with acne. In Breaking Out, she shares the wisdom of dozens of doctors and scientists who have devoted their careers to studying and treating acne, including:
  • Guidelines for buying and using over-the-counter products
  • Treatment for acne scars
  • Emergency acne remedies and camouflage tips
  • Alternative treatments, including herbal remedies, acupuncture, dietary approaches, and ways to unlock the mind-skin connection
No one has to live with acne or its consequences. Breaking Out is an invaluable guide to understanding and combating acne that women of all ages can turn to with confidence.




Ratings & Comments(Average:5.0)


5 - Great
I have battle acne since I was 13 now 26. I was expecting to know everything about acne and I was wrong! really great information especially for adult woman. I read this book in two days very easy reading and informative.
4 - Very Informative
This book is very well-written and informative. I learned so much about acne and found a few things to try on myself. After multiple trips to beauticians and dermatologists, I found a regimen that had me looking much better in a couple of weeks! I'm impressed and have shared the book with my three sisters. I wish she would have covered the role of acne in pregnancy and nursing more thoroughly; that would have been an improvement. Also, it is a little outdated on the products available, but as soon as the book was printed it was outdated, so that didn't affect the review. I feel this book is well worth the price.
5 - This book saved my skin!
This book is a no-nonsense, common-sense approach to learning about which kind of acne you have, and then finding the most effective treatment options for YOU. The author wades through all the marketing hype and consults hundreds of doctors and dermatologists to give you accurate, unbiased information about a variety of OTC/prescription products and virtually all treatment options currently available. She describes the common level of effectiveness for each product and tells you how to use it correctly (you may be surprised!).

One of the best things about this book is that the author understands what you're going through: to get rid of her own adult acne, she went to several different dermatologists and ended up taking Accutane. She knows your frustration, embarrassment, and despair; her tone is one of empathy.

The information I learned from this book has made a huge difference in my complexion. After 12 years of moderate acne and having tried the gamut of OTC/prescription treatments to no avail, my skin has now been consistently clear for six months, ever since I started one of the treatment plans recommended in this book. Sometimes I can hardly believe it myself when I look in the mirror.

Before reading this book, I had never thought of using more than one product, and -- this is key -- using them in the right concentrations at different times of the day. If you're curious, I use Ecco Bella's Leave-on Invisible Exfoliant & Blemish Remedy (low-pH 2% salicylic acid) each morning, and Earth Therapeutics' Clari-T Acne Serum ยบ5 (5% benzoyl peroxide) at night.

Good luck, Reader! Don't be embarrassed to check out this book from your local library (or buy it here on Amazon) -- your skin and your self-esteem are worth it.

** Update, Nov. 17, 2008: My skin has been clear for 10 months! I was in a LUSH store a few weeks ago, and the sales associate was telling me about one of their facial masks and said, "Oh, but this one's for people with acne, and you obviously have clear skin..." And I looked at her, shocked, and responded, "No, I really DO need that mask! I use zit medicine every day!" It just goes to show you that 1) the treatments in this book work, and 2) you are your own harshest critic.
5 - Good Introduction
After finding myself trying several OTC programs which didn't work, I stumbled across this book. I had no idea that I had been using BP all wrong! FYI, BP is not a spot treatment for pimples with white showing. I also had no idea that salicylic acid products had to be of a pH between 3 and 4 to be most effective. I wish the author would have tested more salicylic acid products for the appropriate pH. Only a couple of the ones she tested had the requisite pH. I would have much rather had a large list of products with the recommended pH than a large list of products without it. Also, I agree with a previous reviewer that pictures would be most helpful, especially in describing the formation of acne and what the different kinds of acne look like. Overall, I found that this book is a good introduction to the world of acne, but definitely not a place to stop learning.
5 - Great Starting Point to Understanding Acne
I LOVED this book. Lydia uses tons of references and provides the reader with varying opinions on acne. She readily admits that there isn't one universal cure for acne and her research is extensive. I recommend this book to all of my clients who suffer from acne. There is a comprehensive bibliography as well where you can find books with more in-depth information.




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