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Dr. Norris Recognized as One of the Top Doctors in Portland

Co-Founder of Amanda Blakley Skincare, Dr. Patricia Norris, has been recognized as one of the top Doctors in Portland, OR by Portland Monthly Magazine.

We are so excited that she was recognized for the amazing Doctor we know she is!

Click the links below to check out the list and selection process! 

http://www.pdxmonthly.com/articles/2015/12/30/portland-s-top-doctors-nurses-2016#.Vp1C1G8LnVg.pinterest

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Acne: What is Making You Break Out & How to Avoid It

prevent acne

Dr. Norris has been practicing dermatology for over 20 years and has seen her fair share of skin problems. From common conditions like acne and rosacea to rare conditions like Lupus and Leprosy. When it comes to treating your acne and preventing your next breakout she is the expert that you can trust! While some tips work for most skin types there are a few tips that are especially helpful for those with extremely dry or oily skin; so stick with us while we cover what is the best for your skin type.

prevent acne

Sometimes we think we are doing all of the right things: washing our face, avoiding certain lotions, or using the product that our favorite celebrity says they cannot live without, but what you might not know is how important diet is when it comes to the skin. According to the AAD, studies suggest that eating high glycemic foods such as bread, potatoes, candies, and desserts may cause or worsen acne breakouts. Along with those sweets and breads another thing to avoid is dairy. Dr. Norris has found that dairy products, especially nonfat milk, can actually worsen acne and cause more breakouts on your face. Minimizing these foods and drinks will help to keep your skin clear.

prevent acne

In terms of washing the facial skin (and the rest of your body), be sure you are not over-washing. Dr. Norris suggests washing with a simple pH balanced facial cleanser only once a day. She says that you should avoid harsh soaps and gritty face washes that have beads or exfoliating properties. Your skin naturally exfoliates and using products that claim to exfoliate may actually cause irritation and inflammation of the skin which could lead to darkening of the skin and even scarring if the acne is severe.

prevent acne
When moisturizing your face, steer clear of creamy or heavy moisturizers as they may clog pores which can lead to more acne.  If you have acne, you do not need a moisturizer as your skin has its own natural oil.  Cream based and lotion based sunscreens may also worsen acne. Get your skin under control and keep it looking its best! 

Links for References:

https://www.aad.org/media/news-releases/growing-evidence-suggests-possible-link-between-diet-and-acne

Amanda Blakley Skincare – BLOG

Acne: Simple Tricks to Prevent & Treat Facial Acne

Simple Tricks to Prevent & Treat Facial Acne

After treating thousands of patients for acne Dr. Norris has found that there are only a few over-the-counter tricks to treat acne. While, there have been quite a few claims out there saying that the best home remedy for acne is the sun. The sun decreases inflammation and sometimes improves acne, but this is not a typical recommendation from Dermatologists since the sun speeds up premature aging and increases the risk of skin cancer over time. So while many people will tell you the sun helps with acne, sometimes the risks outweigh the rewards.

Simple Tricks to Prevent & Treat Facial Acne
Mineral foundation powder makeup is a very good way to protect your face from excessive sun exposure without causing acne. In general, Dr. Norris recommends avoiding lotions, creamy moisturizers and sunscreens on the face if you are acne prone. When choosing a daily foundation makeup, mineral powder is the best choice for acne prone skin. Avoid liquid foundations, “cover-up,” tinted moisturizers, or bb and cc creams, as these products will have the same affects as a lotion or creamy moisturizer: clogging pores and potentially causing more acne. Mineral powders come in multiple shades that match your skin tone while protecting against the sun.
                            mineral foundation powder      
Another suggestion as mentioned in the last post is sticking to a simple daily skincare routine, washing your face only once a day with a pH-balanced facial cleanser, followed by a light moisturizer like the Amanda Blakley Skincare glycerin spray. If you have a blemish or are having a breakout you can spot treat with over the counter benzoyl peroxide gel (5% or 10%). If you use benzoyl peroxide you want to be careful with clothes and towels as it might bleach them.
    
bleach skin damage
If you cannot get your acne under control at home by simplifying your routine or trying over the counter benzoyl peroxide, which has anti-inflammatory properties to help minimize blemishes, then it is time to call and schedule an appointment with your dermatologist. Typically, they can prescribe topical and/or oral medication to help get your acne under control.

Simple Tricks to Prevent & Treat Facial Acne

Amanda Blakley Skincare – BLOG

Premature Aging and What Those New Lines Really Are

Premature aging, brown spots and wrinkles are caused by sun damage. The most common area on the skin to have sun damage is on the face. Moisturizers do not prevent wrinkles. Moisturizers plump up wrinkles with water so they are temporarily less noticeable. When the water evaporates, the wrinkles are back. Some moisturizers claim to have “age defying properties,”  this is likely due to the active ingredient listed on the label: sunscreen! 

 

                        skin moisturizer

 

To prevent wrinkles, wear sunscreen every day, even when it is cloudy and rainy. But remember, all sunscreens do not protect your face ALL day. If you are like many people you might apply a moisturizer with SPF in the morning. This is likely a chemical sunscreen that will last 2-4 hours. So, if you apply it at 7:00am, you will have little or no sun-protection by 10:00am. To make this type of sunscreen effective you will need to re-apply it every 3-4 hours. A better sunscreen for daily use is a physical sunscreen: like a zinc & titanium based mineral powder or foundation. A physical sunscreen blocks the sun-rays as opposed to having a chemical reaction with the sun rays. A physical sunscreen will give you much longer protection.

 

skin moisturizer 

Make a habit of putting on mineral powder or mineral foundation makeup on your face every morning before you start your day so you are protected. You will know that your sunscreen routine is working (preventing sun damage) if you do not get any color on your face when you are in the daylight. If the skin on your face is lighter than the skin on your hands, arms and neck your sunscreen protection is working!  Check yourself out and see if you are getting the best protection from premature aging and wrinkles!!

                          skin moisturizer      skin moisturizer

Amanda Blakley Skincare – BLOG

Prevent Back Acne (Bacne)

“Bacne”

Prevent Back Acne (Bacne)

I don’t know about you but I had many friends growing up who suffered from back acne and seeing as my mom was a dermatologist would always ask me how I avoid it or how to get rid of it and I never really knew the answer, I just knew I was lucky that I didn’t have it! After sitting down with Dr. Norris I learned that some people are more prone to “bacne” than others and specifically there are two groups, people who sweat a lot such as athletes and then those with a genetic predisposition for acne. Meaning this condition has a hereditary property, so don’t forget to thank your parents next time you see them if you have breakouts on your back! But don’t start to worry yet because there is still hope as there are some ways to minimize breakouts on your back.

 

3 Tips for Minimizing Bacne

  • Taking shower as soon after exercises or physical activity can help prevent breakouts 
Prevent Back Acne (Bacne)
  • Try to get out of your sweaty clothes as soon as possible after exercise. A lot of times people go to a work out class or on a run then head to meet up with friends, but staying in your sweaty clothes can impact your skins health and cause breakouts. If you don’t have time to shower, at least change!

Prevent Back Acne (Bacne)

  • Using benzoyl peroxide to treat this condition but you want to be very careful when using benzoyl peroxide as it can bleach your clothes and towels. Dr. Norris suggests putting it on directly after bathing and letting it dry completely before putting on your pajamas or climbing into bed!

Prevent Back Acne (Bacne)

  • Finally, it is sometimes helpful to wash your back once a week with a medicated shampoo such as Selsun blue shampoo. 

While some of these preventative measures can help minimize breakouts typically a dermatologist should see this condition, as a common treatment is an oral antibiotic along with a good skincare routine. Acne on the back does not tend to respond as readily to topical treatments as the inflammation is deeper in the hair follicle on the back than say acne is on the face.
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What are Facial Milia?

What are Those Little White Bumps on My Face?

Have you ever been bothered by small white bumps on your face? Try and squeeze and pop them because you thought maybe they were stubborn pimples? Well we have your answer to that mystery and also some ways to keep them from coming back!
 
Milia are tiny white bumps or cysts that are mostly seen on infants but can be seen on adults as well. According to the NIH “Milia occur when dead skin becomes trapped in small pockets at the surface of the skin or mouth.” Milia are very stubborn and there are only few ways to get rid of them! The NIH also states that “the bumps and cysts also occur on parts of the body that are swollen (inflamed) or injured.” Be sure to take care of these areas so you are not faced with stubborn milia!
 
Dr. Patricia Norris further explains that milia can even be caused by use of heavy moisturizing creams or lotions on the face! However, some people are predisposed to them, so if you are someone who is avoiding heavy creams and lotions but still seeing milia occasionally this could be your answer!
 
Dr. Norris states that while one way to treat milia or prevent them is to decrease lotion and cream use on face, the only real way to get rid of them would be to see your dermatologist for extractions.
 
 
 
Sources:
Interview with Dr. Patricia Norris 
AND

Amanda Blakley Skincare – BLOG