I propose a New Law that requires all Acne companies to post this warning with every advertisement in the same way the drug companies are forced to mention potential side effects in their commercials.

It is the irresponsible smiles of the Acne commercials that leaves people baffled and bewildered by their own failure.  They are irresponsibly making acne seem easy to beat.

To display what I see every week in the office, I will lay out the exact emotional phenomenon as it repeatedly unfolds.

We’ll use “John” as an example…

1)   John views widespread commercials showing happy people with success over a real medical condition.

2)  John buys the product as a “consumer” with the expectation that it will work as it did on the commercial.  His only responsibility in this “consumer” relationship is to pay for it and follow the instructions.

3)  John uses the product exactly as directed.

4)  John uses it patiently, “hoping and waiting” 2-3 months as directed.

5)  3 months later, John is angry that he still has bad acne despite perfect compliance.   John begins to lose trust and hope.

6)  John’s expectation was very high solely based on the commercial, and his experience did not meet his expectation.

(It is our expectations that determine our satisfaction.  In this case, John is very upset and will be slower to trust any company in the future.)

Why did John get so upset??

The exact reason John is upset is because the company who ran the infomercial did not mention that over 60% of people using their product do not get the results seen on the commercial.   And even more upsetting,  John was never told that the people themselves in the commercial were wearing makeup and altering the lighting to make the results seem great.

This upsetting phenomenon is happening every day to millions of people.  I am often left to pick up the emotional pieces in the aftermath when people come to the office or contact me online.

I believe it needs to stop, as the emotional results can be devastating to our whole community.   A society of distrusting, hopeless people who are angry at all big businesses for selling false hope.

In the world of beauty and fashion ads,  people have forgotten Acne has always been, and will always be, a medical condition that often times requires help from an expert practitioner.

To correct this widespread problem, Here is the legistlation I propose:

1) All Acne marketing be treated like prescription drug marketing as these products are also dealing with a medical condition.

-With this new responsibility will come the requirement to use zero makeup and zero camera or lighting alterations.

2)  All Acne companies are to be required to specifically disclaim the variablity in their results.

For example:

 ”Results may vary. If not improving, please seek other alternatives as time = scarring”

When a “Customer”  fails in this new scenario,  It causes much less anxiety to know the failure is more “the norm” than a special, unseen “affliction.”

Bottom Line:

Although always treatable, Acne is not always simple to fix.

There needs to be a higher level of accountability to get this message across while still giving hope to those who need.

Simple Benzoyl Peroxide and Salicylic Acid regimens have failed millions of people  (i.e. your case is not special)

When responsibly communicated.., those who fail will be less likely to self-victimize themselves as a special, untreatable case.

In a related conversation:

Are you Baffled that your dietary changes did not fix your skin??

When dietary strategies are hyped up as a “solution” for acne, maybe there should be some awareness of the warning above…?

In the conversation of “First do not harm”,  I’d like to emphasize the idea that reckless and irresponsible promises often cause real emotional wounds.

Proper Accountability and Responsibility is the key to prevent future needless suffering and self-victimization.

Acne commercials need to be held accountable for the emotional problems they have helped create,

-Dr. Neal

©2010 “Baffled by Prior Failure??” by Dr. Neal Schwartz

Hey Everyone,

It’s me Dr. Neal…

Things around the office have been crazy and I wanted to take a moment in the new year to say hello and let you know that I am here for those who still need.

I will always be available for the group who has slipped through the cracks of both the Western and Eastern medical systems.

After decades of passionate adventures and inspirations, my life’s work as a physician, a personal sufferer, and an inventor has revealed itself in its full potential.

It’s exciting, but more importantly, it’s what needed to be done.

Too many people have needlessly suffered, wasted years, victimized themselves, arrested their development, repressed their dreams, and created negative energy because of this chronic ailment.

I think we all have seen enough, and felt enough.  We have learned our lessons of compassion and humanity through personal suffering and it is now time to find comfort and peace in the moment once again.

It is time to truly feel comfortable in our skin at a level that allows us to fully express our individual personalities without inhibition or distraction.  The time has come.   It’s very exciting,  and very overdue.

As this mission advances onward,  further innovations will be used to give a larger group of people the same personal support that has created this magical gallery.

Here’s what’s coming in 2010:

1) Audio-Video Capabilities:

After speaking with many medical ethics professionals,  it appears that it will indeed be possible to fully disclaim and expand the virtual “client” relationships using audio and video conferencing.  This possibility could help give someone from across the country or across the world the needed trust and details in this new program.

2)  Elaborate Innovations in the Email System:

People always ask me,  ”How are you going to keep up with all the emails?”

and my answer is always,  ”I’m not sure yet,  but I do know that this practice will keep inventing ways to handle the traffic. This ongoing brainstorm is one of our top priorities.”

We have already added the first innovation to the email system and be ready for more elaborate inventions in the future that will allow thousands of emails to be handled with perfect precision.

3)  Lifestyle Modification Videos and Resource Expansion:

As you go through the blog,  you will notice that I have a passion for helping people fix up their anxiety, depression, lack of energy, and lack of enthusiasm for life.  This lifestyle section of the blog is going to expand in 2010 with more personal wellness videos geared to move people into action with specific plans that have worked dramatically for my patients in the office.  I will be teaching more basic fitness, advanced fitness, fitness tricks during work, music therapy, artistic expressions as a treatment for the mind, efficient home tricks to bring down stress,  and many more detailed techniques of living and feeling well.  As an inventor, you can expect these tricks and techniques to be both original and efficient in ways that bring real results.

4) More Video Testimonials:

You guys will let me know when everyone gets the reality that this is a treatable condition with no exceptions or special cases. Until that time, you know there will be more videos coming.  As always,  a special thanks goes out to the brave souls who have shared their stories.   You have saved many people from the same chronic suffering.

Talk to you soon,

-Dr. Neal