Complexion Repair Acne Treatment System

Acne affects more than 90% of all adolescents, nearly 50% of all adult women and 25% of all adults.  It is one of the most widespread medical conditions in the world. Yet there's still no cure.

Therametics has now developed a 4 product acne treatment system which will be available for sale in October.  At the heart of this system is the Acne Treatment Serum, which is a proprietary silicone based product containing 2% salicylic acid. This product has been clinically tested and as many of our PSRs know from personal experience, the product works rapidly to clear acne and does so without drying the skin, causing redness or irritation, or causing sensitivity to the sun.

What Causes Acne?

Acne is caused by 3 events that occur in the skin.

1. Blocked hair follicle pores that are plugged with sebum (oil) and dead skin cells.

2. Bacteria within the pore multiply and secrete substances that trigger an immune response.

3. Immune cells enter the pore to kill the bacteria, causing inflammation and swelling (pimples).

What Treatments Are Available for Acne?

 There are many topical and oral OTC and prescription drug treatments for acne. The OTC products available contain "actives" like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, sulfur and resorcinol. Prescription medicines may include higher concentrations of benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, and antibiotics. The oral retinoid derivative, tretinoin (Accutane) has also been used for severe acne, but its manufacturer has recently decided to no longer offer the product. Of the OTC medicines available the most commonly used drugs are benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. Therametics does not put any benzoyl peroxide in any of their acne treatment products.

Why Doesn't Therametics use Benzoyl Peroxide?

Benzoyl peroxide has one effect on acne; it kills the p.acnes bacteria. However, the product can severely dry the skin, causing redness and irritation, and it can make the skin sun sensitive. But perhaps more importantly, benzoyl peroxide is a free radical generator and is also known to act as a tumor promoter. A tumor promoter is a chemical compound that, while it does not cause cancer itself, it can promote tumor formation when combined with another chemical or UV radiation. Over 50 publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals have reported on the tumor promoter effects of benzoyl Peroxide (Zhao, J. et al. 2000, Carcinogenesis 21: 811-816). Because of the possible link between benzoyl peroxide and cancer, the FDA re-classified benzoyl peroxide, removing its GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status and giving it a Category III status (insufficient data to determine safety). The following excerpts are taken from the FDA Register, volume 66, page 9954-9955)

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) / Department of Health and Human Services
"Topical Drug Products Containing Benzoyl Peroxide: Required Labeling"
"The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing additional labeling (warning and directions) for all topically-applied acne treatment drug products containing benzoyl peroxide.  The warning advises consumers to avoid unnecessary sun exposure and to use a sunscreen when using a benzoyl peroxide product to treat acne..."

"The agency classified benzoyl peroxide from its previous status Category I to Category III status.  This action (56 FR 37622) was based on new information that raised a safety concern regarding benzoyl peroxide as a tumor promoter in mice and a study that reported that benzoyl peroxide has tumor initiation potential."

"FDA evaluated these data and information and determined that the studies show that benzoyl peroxide is a skin tumor promoter in more than one strain of mice as well as in hamsters.  To date, topical studies (which have shown only tumor promotion) have been of short duration (about 52 weeks).  Although animal data and human epidemiology data are available, the agency has determined that further studies are necessary to adequately assess the tumorigenic potential of benzoyl peroxide.  These studies are currently being conducted.  The agency acknowledges that it may take several years for these studies to be completed and analyzed, and for the final determination to be made on benzoyl peroxide's safety.”

Therametics Uses Salicylic Acid in Complexion Repair: What is It and How Does it Work?

Salicylic acid is classified as a BHA or Beta Hydroxy Acid and has the ability to penetrate the pores of the skin to remove dirt and oil that build up and cause outbreaks of whiteheads, blackheads and pimplesAHA’s or Alpha Hydroxy Acids, which are commonly used in skin care products, are unable to do this, which means a BHA is more effective at exfoliating skin and cleaning the inside of the pores as well.This BHA is excellent for the treatment of acne because it is so effective at sloughing off dead cells and exfoliating skin by softening keratin, which is a protein that forms part of the skin’s structure. Technically, salicylic acid is classified as a keratolytic, or peeling agent, and works by causing the outer layer of the skin to shed. It is dispensed in both prescription and OTC medications as the active ingredient in a variety of treatment products.

1. COMPLEXION REPAIR SERUM CONTAINS SALICYLIC ACID IN A MOISTURIZING FORMULATION

Although salicylic acid is an excellent "active" to use in acne treatment products, it can dry the skin, especially if used at a concentration of 2%. If the skin is allowed to become too dry or irritated, clearing of acne is delayed or even prevented. Therametics has developed a unique 4 product set of moisturizing formulations that take advantage of salicylic acid's efficacy in treating acne, but which prevent the skin drying that may occur. This results in the rapid clearing of acne lesions. The Complexion Repair Acne Treatment System is designed to address all three causes of acne: 

1. Clogged pores.

2. The rapid growth of p.Acnes bacteria within the clogged pore.

3. Inflammation caused by the bacteria which results in swelling into a visible pimple.

Unlike other acne treatment products which target either the bacteria (benzoyl peroxide based products) or the clogged pore (salicylic acid), Complexion Repair works deep within the skin and pores to address all three symptoms of acne without drying out the skin, damaging the skin's protective barrier, or causing redness. The result is a radiant, moisturized, acne-free complexion!

2. COMPLEXION REPAIR REHYDRATING LOTION PREVENTS SKIN DRYNESS AND REDUCES VISIBLE REDNESS

To ensure that the skin is not being dried out by the use of salicylic acid,  Complexion Repair Rehydrating Lotion should be used in the evening after washing the face with Complexion Repair Foaming Cleanser. Re-moisturizing the skin with the Rehydrating Lotion will help prevent facial redness which often occurs with acne treatment products. In addition, the Therosol® in this Rehydrating Lotion helps calms the skin and helps visibly reduce redness. 

3.COMPLEXION REPAIR FOAMING FACIAL CLEANSER

This cleanser has been specifically formulated to for acne-prone skin. To eliminate irritation and dryness, this cleanser contains NO soap, and no Lauryl or Laureth Sulfates. These detergents are commonly found in cleansers but are well-known to dry and irritate the skin. Therametics Foaming Cleanser is formulated with 2 gentle surfactants that clean deeply and thoroughly but without drying and irritating skin that is already irritated from acne. The cleanser also contains Therosol® to calm the skin and reduce the appearance of redness. In addition the cleanser contains Triclosan, a well-known anti-bacterial and preservative ingredient.

4. COMPLEXION REPAIR TONER

This toner is designed to pull excess oils from pores, and to soothe and revitalize the skin. The toner does contain alcohol and is therefore not recommended for extremely dry skin. Witch hazel and Therosol® provide antioxidants to the skin to help prevent the appearance of redness. The toner should be used after cleansing and before applying Acne Treatment Serum or Rehydrating Lotion.  The toner contains salicylic acid,  Therosol®, and Witch Hazel, a known anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and astrigent. 

Look for the new Complexion Repair System in the Product Section. Coming Soon!