--- title: "All Articles — School of Dermatology" url: https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles description: "Browse all evidence-based skincare articles covering ingredients, treatments, and skin concerns." lang: en --- # Articles Browse all evidence-based skincare articles covering ingredients, treatments, and skin concerns. Light Therapy ### How Long Does Red Light Therapy Take to Work? Most people abandon red light therapy before it has had a fair chance. The mechanism works on a biological timescale rather than a cosmetic one, and the changes that matter accumulate over months in a way that is easy to miss week to week. Jamie Reeves · 8 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/light-therapy/how-long-does-red-light-therapy-take-to-work Light Therapy ### Are LED Masks Safe? LED masks are safe for most people, and the reasons are structural rather than reassuring. These devices generally use non-ultraviolet, low-level light and are designed to operate without significant tissue heating. That gives photobiomodulation a different safety profile from UV exposure, ablative procedures and potentially irritating topical treatments, although adverse reactions are still possible. Jamie Reeves · 8 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/light-therapy/are-led-masks-safe Light Therapy ### LED Light Therapy Colors Explained LED masks arrive with anywhere from one setting to eight, labelled by color rather than by anything that explains what the colors are for. Red, blue, green, yellow, and several others all appear in consumer devices, and the marketing rarely distinguishes between the ones with substantial research behind them and the ones added to lengthen a specification list. Jamie Reeves · 8 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/light-therapy/led-light-therapy-colors-explained Light Therapy ### How to Use an LED Mask LED masks work best when they are treated as a clean, consistent skincare step rather than something used randomly when the skin looks dull or stressed. The routine itself is simple: cleanse, dry the skin, use the mask, then apply skincare afterward. Jamie Reeves · 8 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/light-therapy/how-to-use-an-led-mask-frequency-routine-best-results Light Therapy ### What Does Red Light Therapy Do? Red light therapy uses specific red or near-infrared wavelengths to support visible skin quality, including smoother-looking texture, better radiance, more even tone, and a calmer-looking complexion over time. It is most often discussed for the face, where concerns like dullness, fine lines, redness, and uneven texture tend to show first. Jamie Reeves · 8 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/light-therapy/what-does-red-light-therapy-do Skin Care ### LED Light Therapy for Dark Circles Dark circles under eyes can make the face look tired even when the skin is otherwise healthy. LED light therapy can be a useful addition to a dark circle routine, especially when the under-eye area looks dull, uneven, tired, or thin. By supporting better-looking skin quality over time, it can help the area appear brighter, calmer, and more refreshed. Jamie Reeves · 7 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-care/led-light-therapy-for-dark-circles Skin Care ### Red Light Therapy for Aging Skin Red light therapy can be a useful addition to an aging-skin routine when the goal is smoother-looking texture, better radiance, firmer-looking skin, and a healthier complexion over time. It is not an overnight wrinkle fix, but it can add a steady light-based treatment step to daily skincare. Jamie Reeves · 7 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-care/red-light-therapy-for-aging-skin Skin Care ### LED Face Mask Buying Guide LED face masks range from about fifty dollars to several thousand, and the marketing rarely explains what separates them. Most product pages list colors and modes, describe the results in general terms, and leave out the figures that actually determine whether a device does anything. Jamie Reeves · 7 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-care/led-face-mask-buying-guide Hair Care ### Red Light Therapy for Hair Loss Red light therapy has more evidence behind it for hair than for most concerns it is marketed for, and considerably more than its reputation as a skincare treatment suggests. Low-level laser and LED devices have been studied for pattern hair loss for decades, and several are cleared by regulators for that specific use. Jamie Reeves · 8 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/hair-care/red-light-therapy-for-hair-loss Skin Concerns ### Ingrown Hairs: Why They Happen and How to Prevent and Treat Them Painful red bumps where you shaved or waxed are usually ingrown hairs — and the way you've been treating them is probably making them worse. Here's the actual playbook. Jamie Reeves · 8 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/ingrown-hairs-prevention-treatment Skin Concerns ### Body Acne: Why Your Back and Chest Break Out Differently Than Your Face Back and chest acne is more stubborn, more inflammatory, and more often caused by friction, sweat, and Malassezia than your face acne ever is. Treating it like facial acne is why nothing has worked. Jamie Reeves · 9 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/body-acne-back-chest Skin Concerns ### Stretch Marks: What They Are, Why They Form, and What Can Actually Reduce Them Stretch marks aren't just cosmetic surface lines — they're real scars formed in the deeper dermis. Understanding what they actually are explains why most products do nothing and which treatments truly help. Jamie Reeves · 9 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/stretch-marks-causes-treatments Skin Concerns ### Contact Dermatitis: How to Tell If Your Skincare Is Actually Hurting You Not every skin reaction is a 'purge.' Sometimes your skincare is genuinely hurting you — and continuing to use the offending product can turn a brief flare into a months-long problem. Jamie Reeves · 9 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/contact-dermatitis-skincare-irritation Skin Concerns ### Seborrheic Dermatitis: The Skin Condition That Looks Like Acne But Isn't Persistent redness and flaking on your nose, brows, or scalp that gets worse with acne products is almost never acne. It's usually seborrheic dermatitis — and it needs an entirely different approach. Jamie Reeves · 9 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/seborrheic-dermatitis-not-acne Skin Concerns ### Hormonal Acne: Why It's Different and What Actually Works If your breakouts cluster on your jawline, flare a week before your period, and shrug off every spot treatment you try, you're not dealing with regular acne. You're dealing with hormones. Jamie Reeves · 10 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/hormonal-acne-what-works Skin Concerns ### Dry vs Dehydrated Skin: Why the Distinction Actually Matters for Your Routine Dry and dehydrated sound like the same thing, but they're entirely different problems with entirely different solutions. Mixing them up is one of the most common reasons routines stop working. Jamie Reeves · 9 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/dry-vs-dehydrated-skin Skin Concerns ### Milia: What Those Small White Bumps Actually Are and How to Get Rid of Them Tiny, hard, pearl-white bumps that won't budge no matter how hard you press. Milia are not pimples, and treating them like acne is a fast way to make them worse. Jamie Reeves · 9 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/milia-white-bumps-treatment Skin Concerns ### Psoriasis: Understanding the Difference From Eczema Those red, scaly patches on your skin — are they eczema or psoriasis? The distinction is critical because the conditions have different causes, different triggers, and different treatments. Jamie Reeves · 10 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/psoriasis-vs-eczema Treatments ### Face Yoga: What the Science Says About Facial Exercises and Aging Face yoga promises a natural alternative to Botox and fillers. But can facial exercises actually combat aging, or do they just give you new wrinkles? Here's what the evidence says. Jamie Reeves · 9 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/treatments/face-yoga-facial-exercises Treatments ### Facial Rollers: Jade vs Rose Quartz vs Metal and What the Research Says Jade rollers went viral, rose quartz followed, and now there's metal, ice, and everything in between. Here's what the research actually says about facial rolling. Jamie Reeves · 8 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/treatments/facial-rollers-jade-vs-rose-quartz Skin Concerns ### Eczema: What It Actually Is and How to Manage It Long Term Eczema isn't just dry skin — it's a complex inflammatory condition driven by genetics, immune dysfunction, and barrier defects. Here's what the science actually says about managing it. Jamie Reeves · 11 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/eczema-management-guide Treatments ### Face Massage: Does It Actually Depuff or Just Feel Good Facial massage feels wonderful — but does it actually do anything beyond relaxation? Here's what the research says about depuffing, lymphatic drainage, and those anti-aging claims. Jamie Reeves · 8 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/treatments/face-massage-depuff Treatments ### Gua Sha: Separating the Real Benefits From the Hype Gua sha has become a skincare staple — but the claims range from plausible to wildly exaggerated. Here's what the actual evidence says about this ancient technique. Jamie Reeves · 9 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/treatments/gua-sha-real-benefits Skin Concerns ### Perioral Dermatitis: The Rash Around Your Mouth That Won't Go Away That stubborn, bumpy rash around your mouth that won't respond to anything you throw at it? It might be perioral dermatitis — and treating it requires doing the opposite of what you'd expect. Jamie Reeves · 10 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/perioral-dermatitis-rash-mouth Skin Concerns ### Red Light Therapy for Anti-Aging: What Dermatologists Actually Think Red light therapy has gone from niche biohacking trend to mainstream anti-aging treatment. But what does the dermatological evidence actually support? Jamie Reeves · 10 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/red-light-therapy-anti-aging Treatments ### Dermaplaning at Home: What the Professionals Don't Tell You At-home dermaplaning is everywhere on social media — but the technique carries real risks that influencers rarely mention. Here's the unfiltered truth. Jamie Reeves · 8 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/treatments/dermaplaning-at-home Skin Concerns ### Keratosis Pilaris: The Real Reason You Have Bumps on Your Arms Those tiny, rough bumps on your upper arms that never seem to go away? That's keratosis pilaris — and while it's completely harmless, there are effective ways to smooth it out. Jamie Reeves · 9 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/keratosis-pilaris-bumps-arms Skin Concerns ### At-Home Collagen Treatments: What the Research Actually Says The collagen industry is worth billions, but which at-home treatments actually stimulate collagen production? We reviewed the clinical evidence for all of them. Jamie Reeves · 10 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/at-home-collagen-treatments Treatments ### RF Microneedling: Is It Worth the Upgrade From Regular Microneedling RF microneedling promises supercharged collagen remodeling — but at double the price. Here's whether the radiofrequency upgrade delivers proportionally better results. Jamie Reeves · 10 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/treatments/rf-microneedling-worth-upgrade Skin Concerns ### Hyperpigmentation vs Age Spots: Understanding the Difference People use 'hyperpigmentation' and 'age spots' interchangeably, but they're not the same thing. Understanding the difference determines which treatment will work. Jamie Reeves · 9 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/hyperpigmentation-vs-age-spots Treatments ### What Happens to Your Skin During a Professional Facial (And Is It Worth It) Professional facials range from glorified spa relaxation to clinically meaningful skin treatments. Here's how to tell the difference and decide if they're worth your money. Jamie Reeves · 9 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/treatments/professional-facial-worth-it Skin Concerns ### Fungal Acne: Why Your Regular Acne Treatments Aren't Working If your acne doesn't respond to benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, or antibiotics, you might be treating the wrong condition entirely. Fungal acne requires a fundamentally different approach. Jamie Reeves · 9 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/fungal-acne-treatments Treatments ### Red Light Therapy Panels: The Complete 2026 Guide to Wavelengths, Dosing, and Choosing a Device How photobiomodulation actually works, which wavelengths matter for skin and deeper tissue, and how to evaluate a panel before you buy. Jamie Reeves · 18 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/treatments/red-light-therapy-panels-guide Skin Concerns ### Forehead Lines: What Causes Them and What Actually Reduces Them Forehead lines are among the most common aging concerns. Here's what's causing yours and which treatments — from at-home to professional — actually work. Jamie Reeves · 9 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/forehead-lines-causes-treatments Treatments ### Microdermabrasion vs Chemical Peel: Which One Does Your Skin Actually Need Both exfoliate, both promise smoother skin — but microdermabrasion and chemical peels work through fundamentally different mechanisms. Here's how to choose. Jamie Reeves · 9 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/treatments/microdermabrasion-vs-chemical-peel Skin Concerns ### Melasma: Why It's One of the Hardest Skin Conditions to Treat That symmetrical brown discoloration on your cheeks isn't typical hyperpigmentation — it's melasma, and treating it requires a completely different approach than treating dark spots from acne. Jamie Reeves · 10 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/melasma-hardest-skin-condition Skin Concerns ### The Truth About Eye Creams: Do They Actually Work Eye creams are one of the most debated products in skincare. Are they a necessary investment or expensive marketing? The answer is more nuanced than you'd think. Jamie Reeves · 9 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/truth-about-eye-creams Treatments ### Laser Resurfacing: What It Actually Does to Your Skin and Who It's For Laser resurfacing promises dramatic skin renewal — but the reality is nuanced. Here's what actually happens to your skin, who should consider it, and what to expect. Jamie Reeves · 10 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/treatments/laser-resurfacing-what-it-does Skin Concerns ### Retinol for Anti-Aging: The Complete Guide to Getting Started Retinol is the most evidence-backed anti-aging ingredient available over the counter. Here's exactly how to start using it without destroying your skin in the process. Jamie Reeves · 11 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/retinol-anti-aging-guide Skin Concerns ### How to Tell If Your Skin Is Sensitive or Just Sensitized Not all reactive skin is 'sensitive.' Most people with irritated, stinging, red skin have sensitized their skin through products or habits — and that's actually good news, because it's reversible. Jamie Reeves · 8 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/sensitive-vs-sensitized-skin Skin Concerns ### How Collagen Loss Actually Works and How to Slow It Down Collagen loss is the single biggest driver of visible skin aging. Understanding how it works is the first step toward slowing it down effectively. Jamie Reeves · 11 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/how-collagen-loss-works Skin Concerns ### Why Stress Breaks Out Your Skin and What to Do About It Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and it responds to stress in measurable, physiological ways. Here's the science behind stress breakouts — and what actually helps. Jamie Reeves · 9 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/why-stress-causes-breakouts Skin Concerns ### Sun Damage: How to Fade It and Stop It Getting Worse Sun damage is cumulative and often doesn't become visible until years after the exposure. Here's how to address existing damage and prevent more from forming. Jamie Reeves · 10 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/sun-damage-fade-prevent Skin Concerns ### The Real Difference Between Fine Lines and Deep Wrinkles Not all wrinkles are created equal. Understanding whether you're dealing with fine lines or deep wrinkles determines which treatments will actually work. Jamie Reeves · 9 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/fine-lines-vs-deep-wrinkles Skin Concerns ### Closed Comedones: Why They're Harder to Treat Than Regular Acne Those tiny, flesh-colored bumps that refuse to come to a head? They're closed comedones — and they require a completely different treatment strategy than inflammatory acne. Jamie Reeves · 9 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/closed-comedones-treatment Skin Concerns ### Neck and Chest Skin: Why It Ages Faster Than Your Face Most people invest heavily in their facial skincare routine but completely neglect the neck and chest — two areas that often show aging first. Jamie Reeves · 9 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/neck-chest-skin-ages-faster Skin Concerns ### Crow's Feet: What Works and What Doesn't Crow's feet are among the first visible signs of aging. Here's what the research says about preventing and treating these periorbital lines effectively. Jamie Reeves · 9 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/crows-feet-what-works Treatments ### What Happens to Your Skin If You Never Wear Sunscreen Sunscreen isn't a skincare nice-to-have. It's the single most effective anti-aging and cancer-prevention tool available. Here's the science of what happens without it. Jamie Reeves · 9 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/treatments/what-happens-without-sunscreen Skin Concerns ### Why Your Skin Loses Firmness After 30 and What Actually Helps Starting around age 30, your skin produces roughly 1% less collagen each year. Here's what's really happening beneath the surface — and what you can do about it. Jamie Reeves · 10 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/why-skin-loses-firmness-after-30 Skin Concerns ### Why Your Skin Gets Oilier When You Moisturize It sounds counterintuitive, but skipping moisturizer can actually make oily skin worse. Here's the physiological explanation — and what to do about it. Jamie Reeves · 8 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/why-skin-oilier-when-moisturize Ingredients ### The Difference Between Retinol and Retinoid: Why It Actually Matters These two terms are used interchangeably, but they sit at very different points on the potency spectrum. Here's why the distinction matters for your skin. Jamie Reeves · 9 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/ingredients/retinol-vs-retinoid-difference Treatments ### Can You Over-Exfoliate Your Skin? Signs You Already Have Exfoliation is the most over-done step in modern skincare. Here's how to recognize when you've crossed the line — and how to get back. Jamie Reeves · 8 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/treatments/can-you-over-exfoliate-skin Ingredients ### What Percentage of Retinol Should a Beginner Start With? Higher concentration doesn't mean faster results. Here's the evidence-based guide to choosing the right retinol strength for your first time. Jamie Reeves · 8 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/ingredients/what-percentage-retinol-beginners Treatments ### How Long Does It Actually Take for Skincare to Work? The skin cell cycle takes 28 days minimum. Here's why most skincare ingredients need weeks to months — and which ones work faster. Jamie Reeves · 9 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/treatments/how-long-skincare-takes-to-work Ingredients ### How to Layer Skincare Products in the Right Order The order you apply your skincare products matters as much as the products themselves. Here's the evidence-based guide to layering correctly. Jamie Reeves · 9 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/ingredients/how-to-layer-skincare-products Treatments ### Why Your Skin Purges With Some Products But Not Others That new serum broke you out — but is it purging or a reaction? The distinction matters, and only certain categories of ingredients can cause a true purge. Jamie Reeves · 8 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/treatments/why-skin-purges-some-products Ingredients ### Can You Use Niacinamide and Vitamin C Together? The internet insists these two ingredients don't mix. The science says otherwise. Here's why you can — and probably should — use niacinamide and vitamin C together. Jamie Reeves · 8 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/ingredients/niacinamide-and-vitamin-c-together Treatments ### Botox vs. Fillers: What Actually Makes You Look Older Faster Botox and fillers are the two most popular non-surgical cosmetic treatments in the world. But they work completely differently — and misusing either one can backfire. Jamie Reeves · 9 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/treatments/botox-vs-fillers Skin Concerns ### Under-Eye Circles: Which Ones Can Actually Be Treated Eye creams promising to eliminate dark circles sell billions annually. But the truth is more nuanced — the first step is identifying what type you actually have. Jamie Reeves · 8 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/under-eye-circles-treatment Treatments ### The Purge Is Real: What Happens When You Start Active Ingredients You started a new retinoid and your skin looks worse than ever. Is it purging or a bad reaction? Understanding the difference can save your skin. Jamie Reeves · 7 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/treatments/the-purge-active-ingredients Ingredients ### Peptides 101: Do They Actually Do Anything Peptides are everywhere in skincare marketing, but the evidence is more nuanced than the product claims suggest. Let's break it down. Jamie Reeves · 8 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/ingredients/peptides-101-do-they-work Skin Concerns ### Rosacea vs. Redness: How to Tell the Difference Your face is red and you've convinced yourself it's rosacea. But redness has many causes — and treatment depends entirely on the correct diagnosis. Jamie Reeves · 8 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/rosacea-vs-redness Treatments ### Tretinoin: The Complete Beginner's Guide Tretinoin is the most powerful topical anti-aging ingredient available. But starting it without a plan is a recipe for disaster. Here's your complete roadmap. Jamie Reeves · 10 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/treatments/tretinoin-complete-beginners-guide Ingredients ### Vitamin C Serums: Why Stability Matters More Than Concentration A 20% vitamin C serum that has oxidized on your shelf is worth less than a properly stabilized 10% formula. Here's what you need to know. Jamie Reeves · 8 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/ingredients/vitamin-c-serums-stability-matters Skin Concerns ### Hyperpigmentation: The Difference Between PIE and PIH That dark spot left behind after a breakout — is it PIE or PIH? The distinction matters more than you think, because the treatments are completely different. Jamie Reeves · 8 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/hyperpigmentation-pie-vs-pih Treatments ### Microneedling: How It Works and What to Realistically Expect Microneedling can genuinely improve scars, fine lines, and skin texture — but the devil is in the details. Here's what works, what doesn't, and what to realistically expect. Jamie Reeves · 9 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/treatments/microneedling-how-it-works Ingredients ### AHAs vs BHAs: Which Acid Is Right for Your Skin Chemical exfoliation is one of the most effective steps you can add to your routine — but choosing the wrong acid for your skin type can do more harm than good. Jamie Reeves · 8 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/ingredients/ahas-vs-bhas-which-acid Skin Concerns ### How to Actually Repair Your Skin Barrier If your skin is red, stinging, and reactive to everything — your barrier is probably compromised. Here's how to repair it based on actual dermatological science. Jamie Reeves · 8 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/how-to-repair-skin-barrier Ingredients ### Niacinamide: The Overachiever Ingredient That Does Everything Niacinamide is one of the few ingredients that genuinely does almost everything it claims. Here's the evidence behind the hype. Jamie Reeves · 8 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/ingredients/niacinamide-overachiever-ingredient Treatments ### Chemical Peels at Home vs. In-Office: An Honest Comparison At-home peels and in-office peels exist on a spectrum. Understanding where each falls — and what each can realistically achieve — helps you make the right choice. Jamie Reeves · 9 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/treatments/chemical-peels-home-vs-office Skin Concerns ### Why You Still Have Acne in Your 30s (And What to Do About It) You thought acne was a teenage problem. So why is your skin still breaking out at 32? The causes of adult acne are different — and so are the solutions. Jamie Reeves · 9 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/skin-concerns/acne-in-your-30s Ingredients ### How Retinol Actually Works (And Why Most People Use It Wrong) Retinol is the most studied anti-aging ingredient in dermatology. But most people either use it wrong or give up too soon. Here's what the science actually says. Jamie Reeves · 9 min read https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles/ingredients/how-retinol-actually-works ## Structured data ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://schoolofdermatology.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Articles", "item": "https://schoolofdermatology.com/articles" } ] } ```