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

by Lydia Preston (Author), Tina Alster (Author) "THIS IS THE BOOK I've always wished I had for myself..." (more)
Key Phrases: acne experts, acne patients, women with acne, United States, New York, Alan Shalita (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

An essential and comprehensive guide to acne for women of all ages

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.

About the Author
Lydia Preston, a former staff-editor at Time-Life Books, has written about skin conditions for Self and Ladies Home Journal. Her consumer and health articles have appeared in Money magazine, The Washington Post Magazine, and National Geographic Traveler. She lives in Alexandria, Virginia.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Fireside; 1 edition (June 29, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743236238
• ISBN-13: 978-0743236232
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #201,835 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #50 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Beauty & Fashion > Skin Care
  #59 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Aging > Skin Ailments

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive Guide to Acne Treatments, July 24, 2005

By	Kelly Garbato "www.easyvegan.info" (Kearney, MO USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a teenager, I was plagued with the occasional flaming red pimple. Although my skin was usually clear, I didn't fully appreciate this until my mid-20s, when - to my surprise - I started to have more frequent and severe flare-ups. Like many people, I assumed that acne was a "teenager's problem," so I was both puzzled and frustrated when my acne only worsened with age - despite the inordinate amount of time I devoted to skin care.

Over the previous six months, the situation has become intolerable. Now approaching 30, the periods of flare-ups far outnumber clear days. Objectively, I know that I don't have it "that bad," but it's bothersome nonetheless. I decided to take action and map out a plan of over-the-counter treatments before turning to a dermatologist for help (a last step for me, since, in my experience, dermatologists seem to overcharge and under-deliver!). At first, I tried to locate advice on the Internet. Unfortunately, I was unable to find a site with comprehensive and consistent information; for example, home remedies ran the gamut, from lemon peels to shaving cream to tumeric. There are literally as many "folk remedies" as there are acne sufferers!

Rather than try to sort through this information overload, I instead turned to my local library. The most recent book on acne treatments they owned was "Breaking Out," so I checked it out right away.

I have to say, I think I hit the jackpot the first time around! "Breaking Out" is a comprehensive guide to acne treatments. Preston covers all the bases; she discusses acne myths and truths; OTC treatments that work (as well as those that don't); various prescription remedies; and even more drastic therapies, such as Accutane and hormones. A longtime acne sufferer herself, she's definitely done her research - and she also addresses her audience with empathy. She features interviews with a number of prominent researchers in the field, but the discussion is never dry or boring. Rather, she manages to break down the science behind acne causes and treatments so that it's easily comprehensible to laypeople.

After reading "Breaking Out," I drew up a plan to deal with my acne: a facial wash containing 2% salicylic acid (twice a day), together with a 10% benzoyl peroxide cream (again, twice a day), and an oil-free moisturizer with sunblock (as needed). When I went to my local grocery store, book in hand, I was able to tackle the five mini-aisles of cosmetics with ease: I knew exactly what I wanted, and what products/ingredients I should avoid. Although it's only been a few weeks, it already seems like I'm getting fewer pimples (though I suppose it could just be my imagination!). Best yet, I feel confident, empowered to solve the problem, as opposed to sitting back and passively accepting the advice of clueless dermatologists.

Even though the guide is directed at women, men might find it helpful as well - particularly the chapters on various treatment options. I'd also recommend the book to men whose partners are afflicted with acne. Preston addresses the emotional aspects of acne, and her advice to women might help men understand how acne affects the emotional health and well-being of their partners.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, July 29, 2004

By	Greg Estrada (Chevy Chase,MD) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Very thorough--very well written--clear practical info on how to handle acne and it's subsequent scarring from a writer who's actually lived through it all herself...
and *finally* someone in the skin industry publicly gives Accutane the credit it deserves-it truly is THEE miracle drug of this century.
Besides the book's utilitarian merits it's actually a fun read--full of personal anecdotes-take it to the beach--well--put a brown paper bag bookcover on it first...

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reporting, great information, July 22, 2004

By	Claregirl17 "Claregirl17" (Los Angeles, USA) - See all my reviews

As a newspaper reporter who covers health and fitness, and someone who's had acne-prone skin for 20 years, I'm impressed with this book. Preston did a lot of research and covers all the bases. It's clearly and concisely written, with a lot of little tidbits of information that help us to make informed decisions about our skin care. For example, many of the benzoyl peroxide products on drugstore shelves are 10 percent strength -- but for most of us, 2.5 percent or 5 percent gives the same acne-fighting benefits without all the dryness and redness and irritation. There's a great appendix in back detailing what products contain which ingredients. Preston has suffered from acne herself, and her writing reflects that. I was left with the impression that she knows exactly how you feel -- which is very comforting. A very helpful and reassuring book.