DermExcel™ | Aging.Dry.Pigmentation.Breakouts.Folluculitis Treatment Plan

your dermal diagnosis™ results

Good day

We're thrilled you're taking proactive steps to understand your skin better. Below, you'll find your most recent Dermal Diagnosis™ results. Use this data as a roadmap to achieving healthier skin.

Date	Dermal Diagnosis™	Profile and Treatment Plan

DERMAL DIAGNOSIS™ RESULT BREAKDOWN

Aging Score	Hydration Score	Pigmentation Score	Inflammation category

Date	Dermal Diagnosis™

DERMAL DIAGNOSIS™ RESULT BREAKDOWN

Aging Score
Hydration Score
Pigmentation Score
Inflammation category

's Dermal Diagnosis™ Profile

Aging . Dry . Pigmentation . Breakouts . Folliculitis

Your ADPBF Skin Type, marked by Aging, Dryness, Pigmentation, Breakouts, and Folliculitis (often referred to as fungal acne), requires a comprehensive and nuanced skincare approach. This combination demands careful attention to hydration, pigmentation correction, acne management, and support for the skin’s aging process.

Folliculitis, characterized by small, uniform, itchy pustules primarily in dry areas, results from an overgrowth of bacteria. This type of acne often coexists with other acne breakouts, which present as varied blemishes, including blackheads, whiteheads, and potentially more severe inflammatory pimples. Additionally, pigmentation issues, such as dark spots and uneven skin tone, add to the complexity of managing your skin.

Dryness can exacerbate both acne breakouts and pigmentation problems. Lack of moisture can compromise the skin's barrier, making it prone to irritation, which can drive folliculitis and bacterial acne while also highlighting pigmentation issues. This complexity adds to the challenge of maintaining clear, even-toned skin and preserving its youthful appearance.

Your regimen should include treatments that address acne, pigmentation, and hydration to manage your ADPBF skin effectively. Proven anti-fungal agents like zinc pyrithione are crucial for controlling bacterial growth, while hydrating treatments containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid help maintain moisture. For pigmentation, incorporating brightening agents like vitamin C, niacinamide, and retinol can help even out skin tone and reduce dark spots. It's important to select non-comedogenic products that provide moisture without clogging pores, as dryness can worsen acne breakouts and folliculitis. Additionally, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich ingredients will help soothe the skin, reduce redness, and protect against environmental factors that accelerate aging.

Managing ADPBF skin involves a multifaceted approach: balancing hydration, employing targeted treatments for acne breakouts, folliculitis, and pigmentation, and incorporating anti-aging skincare practices to address fine lines and elasticity. With consistent care and the right combination of products, your skin can improve in clarity, tone, and health, managing multiple skin concerns while gracefully handling the aging process. This reflects a holistic commitment to your skin’s long-term well-being.

benefits

barriers

goals

YOUR SKIN'S MAIN CHARACTERISTICS

Dehydration

Pigmentation

Aging skin

↓ Barrier Function

Benefits of your ADPBF skin type

Reduced Oiliness

skincare awareness

protective barrier

Reduced Oiliness: You are less likely to experience the sheen and discomfort associated with oily skin types. This can contribute to a matte finish and potentially less clogged pores outside of breakout areas.
Natural Protection Against Certain Bacteria: The dry nature of your skin means it's less hospitable to certain bacteria that thrive in oily environments, potentially reducing your risk of some types of bacterial skin infections.
Comprehensive Skin Awareness: Managing your skin's diverse needs often results in a heightened understanding and attentiveness to skin health, encouraging proactive and informed skincare choices.

Barriers to your skin health

Dehydrated Skin

Pigmentation

Aging skin

↓ Barrier Function

Dehydration and Dryness: Your Skin Type often struggles with maintaining optimal hydration levels, leading to a compromised skin barrier that cannot effectively retain moisture. This exacerbates dryness and potentially makes the skin feel tight and uncomfortable.
Visible Signs of Aging: The aging process may be more noticeable with your skin type due to the inherent dryness and the potential for breakouts to cause post-inflammatory changes or damage that accentuates the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and a loss of skin elasticity.
Breakouts: Despite being less oily, your skin type is still prone to breakouts, possibly due to dead skin cell accumulation and a compromised moisture barrier. Managing breakouts without further drying out the skin or causing irritation requires a delicate balance in your skincare routine.
Inflammation: The inflammation associated with breakouts can accelerate skin aging, contribute to wrinkles, and cause skin to lose elasticity over time.
Hyperpigmentation: Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from acne breakouts can lead to dark spots and an uneven skin tone, requiring targeted treatment and care.
Microbiome Imbalance: A disruption of the skin’s microbiome from an imbalance of bacteria and fungi on the skin. An overgrowth of yeast can lead to folliculitis, while an imbalance in bacterial flora can aggravate or initiate breakouts. This makes it essential to choose treatments that respect and promote a healthy microbiome.

your frustrations

Congested pores in the form of blackheads and whiteheads.
Impaired and dehydrated skin barrier.
Premature skin aging.
Rough skin texture with inflammation in the form of breakouts.
Sensitive skin that reacts to various stimuli and products.
Uneven skin tone with dark spots or patches.

your goals

Radiant skin with an even skin tone.
Bright, hydrated, and healthy skin.
Protected and healed skin barrier.
No allergic skin reactions.
Prevention and correction of premature skin aging, including lines and wrinkles.
Smooth skin texture with no breakouts and inflammation.

Aging . Dry . Pigmentation . Breakouts . Folliculitis

treatment objectives

Inhibit hyperpigmentation

Inhibit the pathways in the hyperpigmentation process to stop the stimulation, production and transfer of melanin (pigment cells).

Deeply Hydrate and Nourish

Advance the skin's hydration capabilities by boosting its capacity to attract and retain moisture at a cellular level. Promote the enhancement of the skin's own hydrating agents, ensuring sustained moisture balance and preventing dryness.

Skin Barrier Restoration

Repair damaged skin barrier and restore barrier function. Boost the protective skin layer by increasing the production of elastin, collagen, ceramides, and lipids.

Prevent & Repair Premature Aging

Protect the skin from factors that accelerate aging, such as UV exposure and pollution, and correct existing signs of aging, like fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity.

Reduce Inflammation

Alleviate inflammation and redness by restoring equilibrium to the skin's microbiome. Focus on creating a harmonious skin environment that supports healthy bacterial flora, essential for maintaining skin health and preventing breakouts.

DNA Protection and Repair

Safeguard and repair UV-induced DNA damage, utilizing a blend of UV defense, Retinol, Niacinamide, and antioxidants. This strategy prevents future damage and aids in the repair of existing cellular impairments.

include

Anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and pigmentation-disruptive ingredients.
Broad spectrum sunscreen with antioxidants - preventing premature aging and protecting DNA.
Effective barrier repair agents restore your skin's natural barrier and prevent premature aging.
Hypoallergenic and pigmentation-disruptive ingredients.
Skin-identical medical-grade ingredients that penetrate the skin to activate a biological response.

avoid

Damaging lifestyle habits, e.g., smoking, tanning beds, excessive sun, and sugar consumption.
Toners and foaming cleansers containing soap & sulfates.
Fragrance in skincare products.
Harsh anti-bacterial products that disrupt the skin's natural microbiome.
Irritating plant extracts and essential oils that will trigger adverse reactions.

Aging . Dry . Pigmentation . Breakouts . Folliculitis

Active Ingredients your skin needs

Retinoic acid analogue

Retinoic acid, often referred to as tretinoin in its pharmaceutical form, is the active form of Vitamin A. It is widely recognized for its powerful effects in dermatology and skin care, particularly in treating acne and signs of skin aging.

Retinoic acid works at the cellular level to modify gene expression and affect cell growth. In treating acne, it promotes the turnover of skin cells, reducing the likelihood of pore-clogging and helping to clear existing breakouts. Additionally, it decreases the cohesiveness of follicular epithelial cells, further preventing the formation of comedones.

Retinoic acid's ability to stimulate collagen production is a key benefit in anti-aging skincare. This leads to a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles and an improvement in overall skin texture and tone. It also aids skin discoloration and hyperpigmentation by accelerating cell turnover, bringing new skin cells to the surface faster, and shedding pigmented and damaged cells.

Despite its benefits, retinoic acid can irritate the skin, causing side effects like redness, dryness, and peeling, especially during the initial period of use. Its potency means it is generally available by prescription and requires careful monitoring by a healthcare professional.

Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR) is a newer, esterified form of retinoic acid. Unlike cosmetic retinol, HPR binds directly to the retinoid receptors of the skin cells without needing conversion. This direct binding allows it to deliver similar benefits to retinoic acid, such as stimulating collagen production, improving skin elasticity, and reducing signs of aging, but with a lower risk of irritation.

HPR is considered more gentle and less irritating than traditional retinoic acid while offering comparable benefits. With HPR, everyone has access to the benefits of prescription retinoids without the risk of side effects.

Physiological Effects

Cell Turnover and Renewal: HPR promotes rapid cell turnover, aiding in the exfoliation of dead skin cells and generating new cells.
Skin Texture: Promoting cell renewal improves skin texture and addresses issues like roughness and dullness.
Collagen Production: It stimulates collagen production, which is essential for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improving skin elasticity.
Acne Treatment: Effective in treating acne by unclogging pores and reducing the size of sebaceous glands, it diminishes both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions.
Pigmentation: It can reduce hyperpigmentation by accelerating the turnover of hyperpigmented skin cells and inhibiting melanin production.
Photoaging: Effective in treating signs of photoaging, reversing some of the damage caused by UV radiation.

Special Benefits

Retinoid Receptor Activity: HPR, an ester of retinoic acid, binds directly to retinoid receptors in the skin, enabling it to work without needing to be converted into retinoic acid.
Lower Irritation: Typically, it causes less irritation than retinoic acid, making it more suitable for sensitive skin types.
Collagen Stimulation and Anti-Aging: Like retinoic acid, HPR helps in stimulating collagen production and has anti-aging properties.
Acne and Hyperpigmentation: It effectively treats acne and reduces hyperpigmentation, often with fewer side effects than retinoic acid.
Stability and Penetration: HPR is more stable and lipid-soluble, so it penetrates the skin more effectively and is less prone to degradation.

References

Zaenglein, A. L., Pathy, A. L., Schlosser, B. J., Alikhan, A., Baldwin, H. E., Berson, D. S., ... & Thiboutot, D. M. (2016). Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 74(5), 945-973.e33.
Fisher, G. J., Wang, Z. Q., Datta, S. C., Varani, J., Kang, S., & Voorhees, J. J. (1996). Pathophysiology of premature skin aging induced by ultraviolet light. New England Journal of Medicine, 337(20), 1419-1428.
Truchuelo, M. T., Jiménez, N., Jaén, P. (2018). Assessment of the efficacy of a new complex-based retinoic acid and retinol in a 3-month study using objective methods and skin biomarker analysis. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 17(3), 347-354.
Mukherjee, S., et al. (2006). Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety. Clinical Interventions in Aging.
Randhawa, M., et al. (2015). Hydroxypinacolone retinoate: a new retinoid and its use in dermatology. Skin Therapy Letter.

Azelaic acid

Azelaic acid, a naturally occurring dicarboxylic acid, is an effective ingredient in dermatological treatments, particularly for acne, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation, with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Physiological Effects

Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Azelaic acid reduces inflammation, effectively treating inflammatory skin conditions like acne and rosacea.
Antimicrobial Action: It possesses antimicrobial properties that target acne-causing bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes), helping to reduce acne outbreaks.
Keratolytic Effects: It helps unclog pores and reduce the formation of comedones (black and whiteheads) by normalizing the shedding of skin cells.
Depigmenting Agent: Azelaic acid effectively treats hyperpigmentation disorders, including melasma, as it inhibits tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in melanin production.

Role in Managing Dermatological Conditions

Acne: Azelaic acid inhibits the proliferation of acne-causing bacteria on the skin’s surface, thereby reducing bacterial growth and inflammation. Its antibacterial activity is primarily against Propionibacterium acnes, a key bacterium involved in the development of acne. Furthermore, azelaic acid helps unclog pores and reduce skin cell buildup, effectively treating mild to moderate acne.
Rosacea: Azelaic acid's anti-inflammatory action helps to reduce redness and swelling associated with rosacea. In addition, azelaic acid's ability to reduce keratinization (the process by which skin cells become more fibrous and less flexible) contributes to its effectiveness in this condition.
Pigmentation: Azelaic acid effectively treats melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation by inhibiting tyrosinase, an enzyme in melanin production. This helps to reduce the formation of excess pigment and can lead to a more even skin tone.

References

Fitton, A., & Goa, K. L. (1991). Azelaic Acid. Drugs.
Gollnick, H., & Schramm, M. (1998). Topical drug treatment in acne. Dermatology.
Passeron, T., et al. (2019). Melasma treatment: A novel approach using a topical agent that contains an anti-estrogen and a low-dose retinoid. G Ital Dermatol Venereol.
Wolf, J. E., Kerrouche, N., & Arsonnaud, S. (2006). Efficacy and safety of once-daily metronidazole 1% gel compared with twice-daily azelaic acid 15% gel in the treatment of rosacea. Cutis, 77(4 Suppl), 3-11.
Hollinger, J. C., Angra, K., & Halder, R. M. (2018). Are natural ingredients effective in the management of hyperpigmentation? A systematic review. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 11(2), 28.

Zinc Pyrithione

Zinc pyrithione, a compound with potent antifungal and antibacterial properties, has established itself as a cornerstone in the treatment of various skin conditions, particularly those involving Malassezia yeast. Its effectiveness against seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff, which are often associated with an overgrowth of Malassezia species, makes it a key ingredient for many dermatological conditions.

Zinc pyrithione’s mode of action is multifaceted, primarily targeting the membrane of fungi and bacteria, thereby disrupting their growth and replication. One of its significant mechanisms involves inhibiting fungal cell membrane transport by blocking the energy production pathway, which is crucial for cell survival.

In Malassezia, yeast, a natural inhabitant of the skin flora, can overgrow and cause conditions like seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff; zinc pyrithione's antifungal action is particularly beneficial. It reduces the yeast population on the skin, thereby alleviating the symptoms associated with its overgrowth, such as flaking, irritation, and redness.

Its efficacy in treating seborrheic dermatitis is attributed to its ability to reduce the Malassezia count, diminish inflammatory responses, and soothe the skin. Similarly, in dandruff, which is often linked to an excess of Malassezia, zinc pyrithione effectively reduces flaking and itchiness, promoting a healthier scalp environment.

The efficacy of zinc pyrithione in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff is well-documented. Its safety profile and efficacy have been confirmed by numerous studies, with significant improvements observed in both scalp and skin conditions following regular use.

Physiological Effects

Antifungal Activity: It is effective against a range of fungi, including those that cause dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. Zinc Pyrithione inhibits the division of fungal cells, reducing their proliferation.
Antibacterial Properties: This compound also exhibits antibacterial activity, making it useful in treating and preventing bacterial skin infections.
Anti-inflammatory Effects: Zinc Pyrithione can reduce inflammation, which is beneficial in alleviating symptoms of various inflammatory skin conditions.
Sebum Regulation: It helps in regulating sebum production, which can be beneficial for oily skin and conditions like acne.

Role in Managing Dermatological Conditions

Dandruff and Seborrheic Dermatitis: Zinc Pyrithione is a common ingredient in anti-dandruff shampoos and is effective in controlling the flaking and itching associated with these conditions.
Psoriasis: It can help manage the symptoms of psoriasis, particularly in reducing scaling and redness.
Acne: Due to its antibact