According to Lorelei Lee in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, “diamonds are a girl’s best friend”. Darlings, there are few greater fans than me of Anita Loos, who penned that priceless piece of American lore — or Marilyn Monroe, who made it her anthem. However, I propose that one of a girl’s best friends may be her dermatologist.
And if you are lucky enough have normal or even flawless skin you may think you can skip this item. Don’t. Eventually, we all need a dermatologist and maybe even a plastic surgeon. No darlings, this isn’t the beauty junkie speaking. After 40, you will want a skin check for dangerous moles and such. 
I also suggest you seek an out an expert for acne at any age. I have had acne for most of my life. As a result of fabulous doctors, I have no scars, physically or otherwise. Curing acne is a nightmare. It’s tricky. If you have an acne clinic near you go there. They are experts. Or, find a derm who really knows acne.
My most successful acne treatment was ClearLight. It was done at the Toronto Acne Clinic by Dr. Kevin Sliwowicz. It cleared most of my acne permanently. I now have only the occasional flare-up. ClearLight uses a type of blue light that kills acne bacteria without burning or irritating the skin. As you lie there for 20 minutes at a time, you feel nothing. This treatment has also worked for several of my acne-plagued friends.
My Atlanta dermatologist, Dr. Cynthia Abbott, has had good luck treating adult acne with Isolaz. It is a new FDA approved “photo pneumatic” device which combines light and suction. The light kills the acne bacteria and the vacuum cleans your pores. It is a wonder, as it clears stubborn cystic acne and rejuvenates skin at the same time. It requires no recovery time and has worked like a charm for many. Insurance won’t pay for it. I think we need to protest as they do pay for drugs that cost as much and have no better guarantee of working. It is effective in about 85 percent of cases. The Clearlight treatment that worked for me is effective in about 70 percent of cases. If you have acne, those are great odds, especially for treatments with no side effects.
Isolaz is expensive. Some of the celebrity beauty makers who offer it are charging up to $500 a session and the average acne patient needs at least four sessions. Dr. Abbott, who is committed to clear skin, charges $200 for the first treatment and $150 for follow-up sessions. Clearlight at the Toronto Acne Clinic costs between $420 and $875. The higher price is for more treatments and includes medical microbrasion. 
Large acne cysts that linger, hurt, and may scar can be also is injected with kenalog, a type of cortisone. They will then shrink almost overnight. If cysts plague you, find a derm office or clinic that gets you in fast for a quick injection. You need to see your doctor quickly.
Dermatologist can also help with pesky skin issues that don’t respond to over-the-counter lotions and potions. Stubborn brown patches called age spots may need stronger medicine. Those same brown patches can be caused by pregnancy and the birth control pills.
Your doctor can prescribe Tri-luma, a pricey cream that can fade discoloration. It contains fluocinoline, a steroid, tretinion or retin A, and hydroquinone. This potent and sometimes irritating mixture of medicines has been shown to be significantly more effective at fading discoloration than any one of these ingredients alone. A derm can also zap brown spots and broken capillaries with Intense Pulsed Light treatments. Some dermatologists can tighten up saggy faces and erase crow’s feet with the new Fraxel lasers. Fraxel lasers only treat about 20 percent of the skin at a time so there is little redness, but dramatic results are possible with several treatments. They also stimulate new collagen deep down in the epidermis. The cost can be $4,000 to take 10 years off your face, but it is cheaper and less traumatic than surgery. Many dermatologists are also artists with Botox and fillers.
The right doctor will work with you, help you, and find a solution you can afford.
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Rid your skin of that dull winter pallor with Repêchage Hydra Refine One-Minute Clarifying Mask . If your skin is looks dull, or if you have clogged and enlarged-looking pores, try applying Repêchage Hydra Refine One-Minute Clarifying Mask once or twice a week for smoother, brighter skin.
The “Magic Wand” is a hand-held blue light device from Klima Health Solutions. It treats acne blemishes with a combination of deep heat and a specific wave length blue light. 
The trouble with most products that treat break-outs is that they over-dry delicate, already-stressed skin. Avène Cleanance Mask helps oily skin look fresh and clear without over-drying it. It contains Avène thermal spring water to soothe skin, botanicals to help regulate skin, zinc to purify, salicylic acid to exfoliate, and kaolin clay to absorb oil and impurities.
Acne plagues women of all ages. It is soul-destroying to have your face break out before an occasion or a big business meeting. And it doesn’t help that acne is one of the hardest diseases treat. What’s a blemished beauty to do?
Taking care of your skin is important. Treating yourself to a facial can yield benefits for months, especially if you follow up with a good regime at home. If you are looking for a bargain, do not be tempted to go to a chain for your skin or massage. In my opinion, they are never good value. Stick to small independent local operators to get the best value for money. Kara Brannon