After years of struggling with acne, an appointment with the team at The Cosmetic Dermatology Center at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care — Westchester provided the knowledge and treatment plan that would help me overcome my battle with my skin.
Registered Dietician and Nutritionist Jessica Shapiro, a 15-year veteran at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care, highlighted the importance of diet and how it relates to skin health and presented an extensive list of diet recommendations designed to help manage acne.
I learned about anti-acne foods that are rich in polyphenol; think fruits, vegetables, teas, spices, versus types that promote acne such as dairy, fast food, and anything high on the glycemic index. Shapiro offered a list of recommended foods for acne-prone skin, showing better choices to make going forward.
I then met with fellowship-trained, board-certified dermatologist Kseniya Kobets, MD, MHS, who helped construct a routine for my acne journey and performed the Forever Clear BBL treatment “that uses the power of light to comfortably and effectively clear acne without creams or medicine.” The BBL treatment, standing for BroadBand Light, delivers broad-spectrum visible and infrared light energy into the skin to treat acne.
Disenchanted with my years long attempts at clearing my skin, the BBL felt promising — something that could restore my confidence in a flash. Dr. Kobets made me feel heard and understood when it came to my struggle with acne, and she shared a pigmentation and rejuvenation skin care routine personalized specifically for my skin type.
The BBL treatment uses a three-step process. First, the skin is treated with blue BBL light to eliminate acne-causing bacteria at its source, deep down in the pores. Next was the yellow BBL light to reduce the inflammation and acne-associated redness. Lastly, the skin was treated with infrared light in rapid, gentle pulses to initiate the body’s natural healing process. The BBL is non-invasive, FDA-cleared, virtually painless, typically quick, and generally has no downtime. I left this appointment with my skin feeling refreshed, looking good, and without irritation.
After receiving the treatment, I felt excited about my skin for the first time in recent memory. I already have my next BBL session booked for next month — the number of sessions needed to achieve one’s goals varies on the person’s skin type. A journey that felt complicated and impossible was suddenly tangible, and I’m hopeful for the promise of a destination that brings with it not only healthier skin, but the best version of myself.
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