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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Below you will find answers to our most commonly asked questions about AcneRecovery.
Acne is an abnormal condition of the skin involving the interaction of the sebaceous (oil) glands, the hair follicles and hormones. When these factors combine in the wrong way, the result is blocked pores and resulting pimples. Unresolved pimples can progress to more severe inflammation and resulting scarring. The primary areas affected are the face, neck and upper trunk.
Four primary factors converge at the pilosebaceous unit (PSU) to cause acne. The PSU consists of a sebaceous (oil) gland and follicle (the channel that contains a fine hair shaft).
Researchers are still trying to fully understand the exact causes of acne. Although the entire story is not clear, here are some factors that are known.
For more information on acne and its causes, the National Institutes of Health is a good resource.
Does everyone outgrow their acne? While virtually everyone has at least the occasional pimple as an adolescent, by their early- to mid-twenties, most adults no longer experience acne. However, there are many adults who do have acne well into middle age and even beyond. The large majority of these adults are women, though men can also have acne into their 50’s or beyond.
How serious is acne? What damage can it cause? As humans, we all identify each other largely by reference to the face. Our faces are closely tied to our identity. Which is what makes acne so troubling – by presenting our faces as ‘damaged’, it seems to present us as damaged. The result is that, in study after study, acne has been shown to extract a heavy psychological toll. The psychological stress of coping with acne is on a par with epilepsy, diabetes and asthma – even though it is far less threatening physically. A teenager already struggling with the challenges of adolescence is especially vulnerable to acne and its impact on her/his self-confidence. Even more mature adults find acne damaging to their self-image. In fact, among those with active acne, there is a significant increase in suicidal ideation compared to those without acne. Finally, acne’s ability to cause permanent scarring causes perhaps the ultimate damage to individual. For the adult with scarring, the impact on self-identity continues decades after she or he has ‘outgrown’ their active acne.
Should I treat my acne – or just wait for it to disappear? It all depends on the severity – on the damage being done. (See discussion on the previous question, above.) Those with occasional, mild acne who are not troubled by it may well choose not to bother with treatment. But, if the acne is significantly impacting one’s comfort or self-confidence, it is time to take action. And, without question, if the acne is substantial and risks permanent scarring, everything possible should be done to bring it under control.
What is the difference between ‘over-the-counter’ and ‘prescription’ acne treatment? Over-the-counter” (OTC) acne treatments use Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved medications for the treatment of acne, but do not require a doctor’s prescription. These products can be purchased in stores, on the internet and via infomercials. For a large proportion of those with acne, an OTC medication such as AcneRecovery can bring good control. The FDA indicates that OTC meds are appropriate for ‘mild to moderate’ acne. Prescription treatments require a physician’s involvement. The doctor has access to treatments that may be more potent. But with greater potency comes the potential for more troublesome side effects. And a physician is best qualified to help the acne patient balance those risks and benefits. A physician may recommend a topical medication, an oral medication or a procedure such as laser treatment. If OTC’s are effective in treating a person’s acne, they are generally the most convenient and least expensive approach because they don’t require physician visits and the medication is usually less expensive than prescription medications.
I think I need to see a doctor – how can I find a good one? The best qualified doctor to treat acne is a dermatology specialist. You can find a dermatologist in your local Yellow Pages, or by visiting the web site of the American Academy of Dermatology. If you live in a community without access to a dermatologist, you may choose to visit a pediatrician (for an adolescent) or a family practice physician.
Are all OTC (Over-The-Counter) acne medications basically the same? No. First, the active acne medication used varies from product to product. Each will have one of these ingredients: benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, sulfur, resorcinol or sulfur/resorcinol. Different individuals respond differently to each of these medications. Next, different products contain different concentrations of the active medication. For example, different BP products range from 2.0% to 10.0% of the active medication. For some, a given product may be too strong. For another, the product may not be strong enough. No single fixed-strength product can address every user’s needs, especially as they vary over time. AcneRecovery’s unique adjustable dial controls the concentration of active medication, allowing the user to meet her or his individual needs. Another factor is the delivery system. For example, it is possible to use plain benzoyl peroxide – all of which goes to work immediately. For some that initial surge may be overly irritating. AcneRecovery, however, also uses a time-release benzoyl peroxide delivery system that gradually releases the benzoyl peroxide over a longer period of time. For many, this results in a better-tolerated, effective treatment option. Finally, the botanical skin care ingredients for skin support vary widely among products. Most drug store brands have little, if any such support. Infomercial brands may have some, but often it is minimal. AcneRecovery is unique in its rich botanical skin support system.
What active medication do AcneRecovery products use? AcneRecovery’s Face Wash contains 2.0% salicylic acid as the active acne medication. The Repair Lotion for daytime use is adjustable from 0.5% to 2.0% salicylic acid. And the Treatment Lotion, used at night, is adjustable from 2.0% to 7.0% benzoyl peroxide.
What is unique about AcneRecovery? AcneRecovery is unique at multiple levels. It is the combination of these advantages that makes it so effective.
Who’s got time anymore for a complicated skincare regimen? With AcneRecovery, there are just two simple steps: Wash face… apply lotion! Two steps. How much easier can it be? But, don’t let that simplicity fool you. In order to make it that easy for you, all the complexity and details went into the formula. All those details are what make it such an easy and pleasant experience to use.
How was AcneRecovery developed? AcneRecovery
was developed by a team led by Dr.
Randall Wilkinson, CEO of Trienelle Skincare, Inc. As with the Trienelle products, Dr. Wilkinson collaborated with Dr. Ron DiSalvo and Dr. Jeane Huang for the acne treatment system. Dr. DiSalvo is well known in the personal care industry for his innovations and contributions to state-of-the-art textbooks. Over three years, the various unique features of AcneRecovery took shape, going through multiple changes of formulation until everything fit together exactly as needed.Have any studies been done of AcneRecovery? The acne treatment medications used in AcneRecovery (benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid) have been extensively studied in scores of published studies in the medical journals. They are two of the safest and most effective medications available for acne. Beyond studies of the specific ingredients, an evaluation of user experience of the AcneRecovery System approach was completed in 2006. A summary of this study appears elsewhere on the AcneRecovery web site. And before and after photos of participants in the study can also be reviewed on the site. Further studies of AcneRecovery are planned and details will be released as they are completed.
No. The
price per day is comparable to other products which are missing the key
AcneRecovery advantages. This translates to $1.22 per day, on average. By comparison, according to information taken from their respective web sites, the Proactiv system costs $1.23 per day if purchased at retail (savings are available for joining their club). Murad’s Acne Complex kit averages $1.00 per day. And, Rodan and Fields’ Unblemish costs $1.42 per day. Only AcneRecovery has the ability to adjust dosage to one’s unique needs and the precisely balanced botanical formulation.
How long will it take for AcneRecovery to work? In AcneRecovery’s User Study, just over half of participants saw improvement in the first 1-2 weeks they were using the System. By one month, 78% had seen improvement. And 98% of those reporting after 90 days had seen improvement. But, here’s the important thing to notice. Although the improvement began that soon, it continued to build over time. A third of users were seeing maximal improvement in one month, while it took two months before three-quarters of users reached their peak. The final quarter took as much as 10 weeks or more to reach full benefits. This is not surprising. Acne treatment has a double goal: settling down a current attack and preventing future breakouts. The only way to accomplish this is with ongoing treatment. AcneRecovery makes it easy to be consistent. First, because it’s adjustable, the user is able to decrease the treatment strength instead of being tempted to stop treatment due to side effects. Second, it’s an easy two-step program. Just wash the face, then apply the lotion. The formulation allows the user to advance past the old 3,4 o5 even 5 step programs no one has time for these days!
Is AcneRecovery 100% sure to help my acne? No. No medication, including the most potent and expensive prescription medication works for 100% of users. That said, there is a really good probability that AcneRecovery will work for you. And, if it doesn’t, AcneRecovery does have a 100% money-back guarantee of your satisfaction, so you can return it for a full refund.
Do you have before and after photos of people who have used AcneRecovery? Absolutely. Users in the AcneRecovery User Study were asked to take photos of themselves before starting use and during use of the product. You can see a wide range of their before and after photos on the AcneRecovery web site.
Is it hard to figure out how to correctly adjust the dial for my acne? No. In the AcneRecovery User Study, users consistently were able to find the right setting for their individual needs in a short time. Here’s one user’s comment: “AcneRecovery was the first thing that I've ever used that worked on the acne and didn't have awful side effects. There was a little dryness in the beginning, but then when you got used to knowing how much of both products to use, it was fine. The acne cleared and I had no dryness at all. And the longer I use it, the easier and better it gets.” As she noted, the dial is easy to use. It’s clearly marked and easy to know how to increase and decrease strength. If your acne is flaring or you need more strength, turn it to a higher number (0-10). If you’re experiencing some irritation or other side effects from the medication, turn it to a lower number (0-10). For more detail, check out “Managing Your Treatment” on the AcneRecovery web site.
I don’t see celebrities all over your web site. Is there a reason? Yes. Quite simply, it’s this. Instead of spending millions paying celebrities for their endorsements and photos, we’d rather spend it making a better product. (Given the $2 million that Lindsay Lohan was reportedly paid for her Proactiv ads, that’s a lot of product improvement it could have been spent on!) Call us crazy, but we just think that things like the ability to adjust your treatment strength and having a rich mix of botanical skin support (just compare ingredient lists!) are more important to our users than helping support overpaid celebrities.
Who – or what – is Trienelle Skincare, Inc.? AcneRecovery was developed by, and is manufactured and distributed by Trienelle Skincare, Inc. We are a division of Trienelle Skincare, Inc. Launched in 2000, the Trienelle skin care line is an advanced anti-aging product line based on these principles:
Will AcneRecovery make my skin dry, red and flaky? The acne medications used in AcneRecovery can cause side effects like that. But, those symptoms are generally dose-dependent. That means that they higher the concentration of the medication, the more likely it is to cause the side effect. Because AcneRecovery is adjustable, you are able to decrease the concentration of the dose you are using. For most users, that means you’re able to find a setting that allows you to treat the acne, but to minimize the degree of irritation you experience from the medication.
How does AcneRecovery adjust the concentration of my medication? The mechanics of the system are best explained on the AcneRecovery site itself. Take a look at “How It Adjusts Your Dose”.
Will AcneRecovery help reduce the excessive oiliness of my skin? Probably. 88% of those who used AcneRecovery for 90 days reported that they felt it had helped the oiliness of their skin. If you still have overly oily skin while using AcneRecovery, you might want to try using one of these as necessary to keep the oiliness under control:
AcneRecovery has some products in development which will help reduce oils on the skin surface. In keeping with our philosophy of providing effective products, we won’t release them until they’re really ready. Stay tuned...
Where can I purchase AcneRecovery? Following its launch in September, 2006, AcneRecovery will gradually be available in select stores and professional practices across the United States and internationally. To identify the nearest location to you, please check our current list of retailers. AcneRecovery products are also available directly from Trienelle Skincare.
Is AcneRecovery recommended by experts? Yes. AcneRecovery has been recommended by a variety of health authorities. A sampling includes:
How long will it take to receive my AcneRecovery? If you ordered through the AcneRecovery/Trienelle Skincare web site, or through our 800 toll free number (800-539-5195), your order will normally be processed by the next business day. The product will routinely be shipped via the US Postal Service’s Priority Mail Service which should take no longer than 5 business days to reach a continental United States address. If you want to receive your order faster, you can request expedited courier shipment service for an additional fee.
Can I set up an automatic shipment plan for my AcneRecovery products? Absolutely. You can customize your shipments to precisely fit your own needs and usage patterns. And, as those change, your plan can be easily adjusted. You can make your own changes by logging on to your account online at the AcneRecovery web site or by calling Trienelle Skincare’s Client Services department at 800-539-5195. If you are on an automatic shipment plan, you’re automatically enrolled in AcneRecovery’s Preferred Member Club. Members receive free shipping on all AcneRecovery products.
I purchased products directly from AcneRecovery/Trienelle Skincare and would like to return it. How do I so do? Call 800-539-5195 to let us know to expect the return. The agent will provide you with an “RMA” (Return Merchandise Authorization) number to attach to the product when you return it. The agent will also provide the correct address for return of your product.
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