meso-botox – Modesto Botox, Dr. Calvin Lee

Acupuncture for Acne?

I got this question today and here’s my attempted answer:

Hi! I have tried acupuncture many times for Acne and still get requests for it – many times it’s in combination with other treatments for the patients – such as for stress or weight loss. My patients report that it helps with acne. But I’m not sure how well it really works. But I’m happy for the positive feedback from my patients. In my opinion, acupuncture is somewhat mediocre of a treatment for acne (in my hands). But because the side effects are low, I sometimes think that it’s worth a try. And by a “try” I usually tell the patients that we can try 4 sessions of acupuncture (spaced about 1 week apart) and if we see an improvement, then it’s worth continuing the acupuncture, if we don’t see an improvement, then it’s time to quit acupuncture. I currently charge $125 for the first visit then $75 for subsequent visits (prices subject to change – please call us). There is acupuncture for skin health and there is acupuncture for hormonal stabilization which are both modalities I use with acupuncture to try to help with acne. Feel free to call us if you want to schedule an appointment 209-551-1888. I also have other ways to treat acne along with acupuncture. It may involve prescribing antibiotics – topically for the skin. Or the Obagi Clenziderm system – all available with us. Or the Blue Peel Radiance which I would perform on the face for acne reduction – or perhaps a combination of all these things. Best of health!

Botox for Acne?

oh and on a side note – I can’t help but mention that Botox has been known to somewhat help with inflammatory processes of the skin – which includes Acne. Thus if there’s acne on the forehead and there are wrinkles in that same place – what a wonderful opportunity to try Botox! Same too for pebbly chin – we can inject Botox in the chin area! There is a new growing world of mesoBotox where Botox is injected in diluted amounts superficially into the cheek skin. This is supposed to create some tightness and I think it would reduce acne in that area – but I haven’t tried it enough to recommend it fully.

Calvin Lee, MD
Modesto Botox and Acupuncture

Summary:

For Active Acne we can try:

Acupuncture for skin health
Acupuncture for hormonal stabilization
Blue Peel Radiance
Obagi Clenziderm system
Topical Antibiotics – we also carry these in our office
Botox if on the forehead or chin.
MesoBotox for the cheeks perhaps something to try in the future.

I attempt to answer another public forum question about Botox. This question comes closer to my office in Modesto, California – it is from San Jose, California!

Why do I break out since having Botox?

In the exact same area where the injection was; is where i break out. As if causing a “man made pore” from the needle which then does not close up and gets filled causing an ongoing blemish effect. I ONLY break out now where I’ve had the injections. But why??

My Pimples and Botox Answer:

Wonderful question. I’ve encountered this question about having breakouts in the area of Botox injections in my own practice in Modesto, California about 3 times. So this is rare. The world of medicine is complex, and sometimes it seems strange. I have not had a case of the “man made pore” – so I can’t address that question except to speculate that it may be a scar of sorts or somehow related to a cyst? I’ve had an experience where there was a reddish – pimple like reaction to only one of my needle pokes. I suspect in that patient that there was an underlying infection in that area – such a pimple – which then got exacerbated when I decided to inject Botox too close to that area. Botox injections are tricky, we want our injections to be in strategic places, but sometimes in our patients, blemishes and veins get in the way of an ideal placement – and thus I have to compromise in my decision and Botox strategy.

Regarding the break-outs in the Botox areas. For some of my patients, I’ve come to realize that they are sensitive to some of the antiseptic methods I use to help prevent infections from the Botox procedure. Sometimes they are allergic to the antiseptic. There are various ones available out there and perhaps switching to a different antiseptic could help. Meaning, having your injector/surgeon/doctor/nurse switch to a different agent. And there’s the possibility that the actual needle poke – which is a very mild form of skin trauma – could incite a inflammatory process.

Ironically (to your question of why does Botox cause more blemishes), I’ve found most of the time that Botox helps calm down inflammation in an area of skin. This may be due to reduced sweating or a direct effect on rashes and pimples by Botox. Also, Botox sometimes shrinks pores as with what we’ve seen with meso-Botox.

Thank you for your question, I’m just answer from my own personal experience as a Botox injector. Without having seen you in person, I’m answering the best I can without physical examination info. My comments are meant for a general public discussion to help others who may have similar concerns. I’m also using my answers to build up library of information for my own patients and also to see how my answers compare with other doctors. There is always much for us to learn from each other. My answers are generalized medical information only, not directed medical advice. For medical advice please see your doctor/surgeon in person.

I hope this discussion is somewhat helpful.

Calvin Lee, MD – Botox Surgeon
Botox injections Modesto, California

Tag: meso-botox

Does Acupuncture Help with Acne?