Acne Skin Treatment

Acne Prevention Vitamins

2010-12-30T20:17:00.000-08:00

Many nowdays are deficient in vitamins and minerals due to improper diet. Studies show that fewer than 32 percent of Americans eat the required servings of vegetables each day. Also, the American diet is comprised of too much of processed sugar and not enough fruits and water. A deficiency in essential vitamins and supplements can only spell trouble for the skin. If your body does not get the required nutrition for skin renewal, tissue repair and for its organs to naturally detoxify, then your chances of getting acned skin, along with other health problems, are likely to increase.

Vitamin A strengthens the protective tissue of your skin and helps in acne remedy. It reduces the production of sebum and works in repairing the tissue that skin and mucous membranes are made of. It’s also a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants are important and needed to help rid your body of toxins that have built up. A lack in Vitamin A can cause acne!

The Complex B vitamins are also helpful in preserving healthy skin through the relief of stress. Stress has been identified as a major trigger for acne for some people. The B vitamins should always be taken together. Thiamine is an antioxidant, helps circulation, and aids in digestion. Riboflavin works with Vitamin A and is essential for healthy skin, hair, and nails. Niacinamide helps with the metabolism of carbohydrates in your system and improving circulation. Niacinamide shortage in your diet can cause acne. Pantothenic Acid or B5 is popular for helping to reduce stress and is needed for the adrenal glands to function properly. Vitamin B6, or Pyridoxine is important for the correct function of your immune system and antibody production.

Vitamin C with biofavonoids is also referred to as the “super vitamin" and can play an important role in your acne remedy. Vitamin C is instrumental in at least 300 metabolic functions in your body, is needed for tissue growth and repair, and flushes toxins from your system. Vitamin C also improves immunity and protects against infection. If you have diabetes, check with your doctor for the dosage that is best for your body.

Chromium, widely used for weight loss also helps fight acne. Chromium should be taken in an added form since chromium in foods is not easily absorbed. Much of it is lost in processing and high doses of sugar cause the loss of chromium.

Zinc aids in acne remedy by regulating the activity of the oil glands. It promotes the healing in tissues and helps to prevent scarring. Zinc promotes a healthier immune system that in turn aids in the healing of wounds. In addition, a powerful antioxidant that helps prevent the forming of free radicals, or toxins that can harm your body.

Finally, Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant. It improves healing and tissue repair and prevents cell damage by inhibiting oxidation of fats and the formation of free radicals.

One interesting fact about acne can be noted that is a multivitamin with added chromium supplement will give you most of what your body needs for the day. It should be also noted that taking too much of a vitamin or mineral can also be toxic and dangerous. Read the recommended dosage and stick with it.

With enough vitamins for your body, you are assured of a well nourished body. Your body organs, cells and tissues can perform optimally on the inside and you get to see the benefits on a physical level.

Adult Acne Treatments

2010-11-30T20:15:00.000-08:00

Adult acne is an inflammatory skin disorder which is commonly seen in people aged between 30 and 50 years. The main aim of any best adult acne treatment should include prevention of scarring and clearance of acne.

Adult acne is an inflammatory skin disorder which is commonly seen in people aged between 30 and 50 years. Adult acne is more likely to be seen in people with fair skin. The exact reasons for adult acne is unknown but is believed to relate to the changes or imbalance in an individual’s body hormones. It is believed that the hormonal changes of an individual, at various times in his/her life, leads to the increases in the amount of oil in the skin which results to clogged pores or hair follicles in the skin. This leads waste particles to build up under the surface of one’s skin which becomes infected by bacteria and generates acne or the spots suffered by acne sufferers.

Hence the main aim of any best adult acne treatment should include prevention of scarring, clearance of acne, and morbidity minimization. Acne sufferers must be advised to cleanse their skin gently using a non-comedogenic moisturizer. It is also advisable not to use harsh skin products and avoid picking and rubbing the skin. Consuming more amount of water can also help skin stay healthy.

People who are suffering with mild to severe adult acne can be treated with tropical or oral medicines. For severe form of adult acne systemic therapy is mainly used. A wide assortment of systemic agents used to clear adult acne includes isotretinoin, interlesional corticosteroid injection, oral contraceptives, and oral antibiotics (tetracycline and erythromycin).

In United States, some of the most popular prescription topical antimicrobials used to treat adult acne include benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, erythromycin, clindamycin, and sodium sulfacetamide. Some of the various types of prescription topical retinoids used in the treatment of adult acne include tazarotene, adapalene, and tretinoin.

Most treatments for adult acne are similar to ordinary acne. Remember not every popular adult acne products work well for everyone. It is always a better idea to consult your physician before you choose any adult acne treatment.

Going For Acne Laser Treatment?

2010-10-20T20:04:00.000-07:00

If someone has acne, have a lot of spots in his face, neck, and body. Acne is very common among adolescents. It is the more regrettable situation for youth case stubborn acne on your face. Is the stage of life, when like not only healthy but much more attractive and presentable!

Common skin issues with acne include skin rashes, making outbreak of blackheads, whiteheads and nodules in the form of grains and acne; and training areas dry, fats and reddish brown skin spots. Greasy and spicy food can also cause acne prone skin.

Acne lesion healing is not the end of the problem. It is the beginning of a new series of problems, for a lot of patience and understanding is necessary to resolve. Repeated dermatologist, clinic, travel are required.

Effects inflammatory post caused by acne are part of the skin's natural healing process. Medications and practices in vogue only can help facilitate this process of healing. Laser in the treatment of acne, therapy is still at the kindergarten level. Researchers and scientists in this area are very confusing and far not be has been able to definitive conclusions. Also, your problem is the same as facing the specialists in the treatment of acne in other branches of science.

Not only the treatment is suitable for everyone. Skin type varies from person to person. The texture of topography and the skin of each person is different. Therefore, the person who opts for and the person gives treatment, both have to be realistic about the results, while tasks until the laser treatment option.

Two types of acne patients often opt for laser therapy. One, who are interested in getting rid of the scars, grains or whatever that it is, on the basis of emergency and second are prepared to wait but wanting to have a permanent cure. Side effects typical to go with other acne treatment systems apply to therapy as well as laser. The damage is likely to be caused by the laser which is still at the stage of research and development system. Well, no one should be rushed to do the same.

Laser treatment specialists are also fully aware of its own limitations of the current situation of this system. Still suitable skin care will continue to be a problem, even after they get rid of the unwanted part of the skin. Enhanced fabric that will drive the blood flow to the pores, causing to open, metabolism is the only answer. and researchers are not themselves convinced of the effectiveness of treatment with laser, how can your dermatologist recommend going strong? Even if do you, please, be guided by what has been decided for you!

Teen Acne Treatments

2010-09-30T20:02:00.001-07:00

Acne is one of the major problems teenagers face, it is something that, in some conditions, may have a devastating effect on their social life, self esteem and mental health. The acne condition can range from mild to severe, and in some cases is very difficult to treat and decrease. In addition to acne being a skin condition that is, to say the least, unpleasant, it also have social and emotional effect. This effect carries with it a multitude of psychological issues that change teens lives in different ways.

When thinking back I remember my acne problem and very clearly remember that my friends and peers were not much of a help to me at those times. Society seems to react to this skin condition in the worst possible way, when the spirit of the teenager is at its most delicate phase. This is a prime reason to why many teens try and avoid social events, situation where they might be in danger of embracement over a skin condition on which they seemingly have no control.

One big problem is that some people do not understand the acne problem for the mere reason that they never suffered from it, obviously this creates a terrible situation where the teen is not only ridiculed for the acne he suffers from, he gets this from others that very clearly do not have the problem. In more recent years, however, the problems faced by those who suffer from acne are being more widely addressed, and the social and psychological effects being studied more closely.

Some will say that the problem is our society and the norms it sets, the definition of beauty or of health in certain ages and in certain cultures. In a society where so much importance is placed on appearance and complying to the "norm", higher standards have been set concerning what people do and don't accept. In the defining phase of his life, the teenager is extremely exposed to these social agreements and this creates problems with the understanding of the limits to improvement and the shame that follows lack of improvement. For teens this very important and sometimes even seem crucial. Many teenagers slowly get used to what other teenagers say about them and within a short period of time become very critical of their appearance and social possibilities, it is of course ridicules that a young man will judge himself for having a skin condition but this actually happens and even more, some teens begin to develop inner hate towards themselves – because of this social pressure.

The best solution for explaining and combating acne and its social implications, it is recommended that a parent or a guide of some sort will explain to the teen that acne is caused by many different things, many factors contribute to the development of acne. In teens it is believed that hormones are the primary reason, hormones cause the body to produce excess oil, which in turn clogs pores and causes pimples. This kind of situation can be solved by regular acne treatment. The parent should also explain that eating certain foods and the way you clean your face also has little to do with the development of acne, reassuring the teen at this point is very important as he is very likely to be bombarded with exaggerated acne urban tales that create a feeling like everything the teen is doing is the cause of the acne, as if it was a curse he couldn’t shake.

Female Adult Acne Treatment

2010-09-20T20:03:00.000-07:00

If you are an adult woman suffering from Acne outbreaks, you probably often has felt frustrated or embarrassed by this condition. Rest assured; you are alone. Millions of women around the world have long past their teenage years now follow through adult acne trials today. If you are a woman who feels that all is lost, we know that regardless of their status is available to you acne treatment.

Women go through hormonal changes, many times in their lives. If you have a recent acne outbreak, may be due to hormonal changes in the body. When the body has a high level of androgens, the hormone called testosterone, can cause the female body acne outbreaks.

For mild cases, a series of over-the-counter products is available as Clearasil or 10 Oxy. These products often used a combination of both, salicylic acid, or benzoyl peroxide. These act as an antibacterial cleaning agent and can be effective in less serious cases of female adult acne.

For severe or prolonged hormone imbalances, can be considered to talk to a doctor about hormone treatments. If the hormonal imbalance is the cause of your acne, a doctor can help to identify and diagnose problems. Hormone treatments can be effective against even in the worst cases of acne found in women. Treatment inhibits androgen stimulate oil glands, thereby reducing the excessive oil that can cause obstruction of the pores and hair follicles. A blood test and a recipe for oral medications are often necessary for the treatment of hormones, so it is only available from a doctor. They can be very effective treatments, however, to the point of stopping acne, before even occurs.

An option of last resort is a prescription medication called Accutane. It is a concentrated form of vitamin to. Vitamin A is a powerful nutrient that strengthens the protection of the skin tissues. Helps repair and maintain the mucous membranes cells which are made of. It also inhibits the production of sebum, a type of oil the body produces in the sebaceous glands body. When your body produces too much sebum, the pores and hair follicles can be converted in jammed. Accutane should be used when other treatments have been tried and failed because it has some side effects such as possible complications during pregnancy or birth defects.

Birth control pills may be another option. Hormonal pills such as OrthoTryCyclen and Estrostep are standard recipes that often help prevent acne outbreaks. They are not always entirely effective in cleaning stains and it must sometimes be used in combination with other forms of treatment. Once again, a doctor is the best person to consult with to help determine what may be the best options. When taking any type of hormonal contraceptives, women must remember follow health restrictions that come with the use of the pill, such as not smoking.

Remember, any level of acne that a woman can be treated and helped to. The first step in the prevention of acne is to consult a doctor or dermatologist. If you're ready for your beautiful skin, it is possible with some effort and attention.

Brush Your Skin and Keep Acne Away

2010-08-20T20:02:00.000-07:00

The skin is the largest channel removal. Skin eliminates toxins which are brought to the surface of the skin of the blood. When the regular deletion channels are slow or partial connected as your colon is constipated, not all toxins, leave through their feces.

Toxins that accumulate in the colon tend to move in the blood when the walls of two points have been weakening from the constant constipation or abuse of food intake excessive spam. Once blood moves in the liver for detoxification.

If you frequently is constipated, that your liver will be working and unable to detoxify all the toxins of two points. The liver will store a lot of these toxins in its own fabric and the other when in the tissues of your body, joints, organs, cells and skin.

When you have excessive toxins and your immune system is unable to detoxify them, these toxins moves to the surface of the skin of blood, where are enter the pores of hair - follicle - and try to move to the surface of the skin. When their pores are not working properly, excessive toxins in the pores can lead to acne.

Body odour is also a result out of the skin that must move out through other channels of elimination of toxins.

If your skin of the body is clean and open your pores and unclogged, toxins moved through the pores without creating grains or eruptions. The skin usually daily moves 1-2 pounds of toxins from your skin.

You can specify when their pores are open. Sweats freely during the year. If you do not sweat much during hot weather or during exercise, then probably your skin pores are connected.

To keep your skin active and serve as a good channel removal that needed brush your skin on a daily basis before you shower or during your shower. When you skin brush, brush in one direction, from feet to his heart.

In his book, detoxification For Life, 2002, Loree Taylor Jordan, C.C.H., says the identification

"One of the best gifts you can give you health it is the gift of brushing the skin." Dry skin brushed in one of the best in all bathrooms. SOAP can not wash as clean as new skin you have under the old skin. Do new skin on the body every 24 hours. The skin will only be as clean as the bloodstream. Skin brushing dry, remove the top layer. This helps eliminate the cold of uric acid crystals and several other acids in the body. "Skin must remove acid waste £ 2 daily."

Understanding of how their skin lives can help you keep it clean. Your skin brush daily and bring toxins to the surface of the skin where you can dispose of them in the shower.

Acne Prevention - Lifestyle and Diets

2010-07-20T19:58:00.000-07:00

Life style

Is your lifestyle that is causing your acne? Certainly not. But the way you live affects your entire body, including your largest organ: the skin. The place to work, hours maintaining, the forms of play: all of these can take a toll on the skin, especially in those who are prone to acne. The following are some daily triggers acne, may not be aware of, and some things you can do to avoid them.

Comedones at work. Because any part of your skin is always in contact with your environment, it is important to pay attention to the substances that come into contact on a regular basis. You may be exposing yourself to substances comedogenic (poro-obstrucción) at work without even knowing it; while these substances are not the cause of your acne, can aggravate. For example: Airborne fat in a fast food restaurant you can create an invisible film on the skin, pore obstruction. Industrial oils-types used in automobiles, in factories, bike - are also comedogenic.

Acne & Sleep - sleep and your skin. Simple good you can do to make your skin can surprise you: dream! Scientists and the world agree that dream of a good night - at least eight hours--mothers can do wonders for your skin. How? A healthy body, well rested has the resources to build a strong immune system. While a strong immune system does not prevent acne completely, can help fight the infection by what their injuries clarify more quickly. Fortunately, his body is not picky; uninterrupted sleep during the day is just as beneficial. So if you work late, sleep late - and try to keep a schedule regular.

Acne & Sun - Savvy sun worship. While small amounts of sun exposure can initially improve acne, don't be fooled; the benefit is temporary. Consistent sunbathing dry the skin, causing their sebaceous glands produce more oil. Also, skin that has been exposed to the additional, create the ideal environment for comedones old frequently; cells slough Sun when combined surplus oil and dead cells or blocked pores. If you work (or play) in the Sun, it is important to protect your skin with sunscreen. Look for oil-free products that provide at least a level of protection for SPF 15 UVA and UVB rays.

Acne & stress - stress connection. Not surprisingly, stress often plays a role protagonist in the course of acne drama. "Ninety percent of my patients complain about how stress causes skin." It has a big impact, and is becoming a bigger problem every day, says Katie Rodan, MD, a clinical professor of Dermatology at Stanford University.

How can highlight: emotional anxiety caused by any number of factors in their lives - are displayed in your face? The connection is purely chemical. When you are tense, adrenal glands go work, flooding the bloodstream with hormone cortisol. This triggers the sweat glands in your face to produce more oil. When your sebaceous glands to go at high speed, there is a greater likelihood that this excess oil mixed with the dead skin cells and obstruct their pores, bacteria of trap inside. The result? More acne, mostly inflamed papules instead of black spots or whiteheads.

What can you do? Of course, you cannot delete the strain of his life: it is part of the human being. But you can minimize its damage by leading a healthy lifestyle. A balanced diet and at least seven hours of sleep each night will help build a more solid foundation of physics; if you are well fed and well rested, is less likely to feel irritated by the events of your day. Try to do some exercise every day, even if it is only a walk around the block at noon. It is also important to take time each day to relax: read a book, a bath, yoga or is it that makes you feel happy and calm. It is an important step towards general good health and the health of your skin.

Diets

Don't eat that - you get zits! We have all heard it, parents, friends or family doctor. But the fact is that even after of extensive study, scientists have not found a connection between diet and acne. Not chocolate. Not of French fries. Not the pizza.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, "is important for the improvement of raw materials for the healthy skin of a healthy diet", but also note that greasy or sweetened foods do not cause acne.1 also, agreed in a study published in the journal of the American Medical Association, "diet plays no role in the treatment of acne in the majority of the patients... even large quantities of certain foods have not clinically exacerbated acne."1. Of course, this does not mean that you should make a habit of eating foods high in sugar or fat. The skin is the body's largest organ so what is good for the rest of you will be good for your skin, too.

Acne prevention & Diet - nutrients for healthy skin. There are a number of nutrients found in everyday food is known to promote a healthy body - and therefore a skin healthy. Get wise to these substances, and you can increase your chances of conquer your acne.

Acne prevention & Diet - vitamin a. natural, occurring vitamin A or retinol, is found in dairy products, fish, liver oils. Vitamin A, produced by plants is known as beta-carotene and is located in yellow/orange fruits and vegetables such as carrots, yams, apricots, cantaloupe melon, as well as green as parsley, kale and spinach plants. Extremely high doses of vitamin A are toxic, so don't overdo it.

Acne prevention & Diet - vitamin B-2. Stress has been known to exacerbate existing cases of acne, and it is often useful to relieve the stress of vitamin B-2. Foods with a high concentration of B-2 include whole grains, fish, milk, eggs, meat, and green leafy vegetables.

Acne prevention & Diet - vitamin B3. Located in peanuts, eggs, avocado, liver and lean meats, vitamin B3 improving circulation, promote healthy skin. It also reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood and helps you to metabolize protein, fat and sugar - increase your energy through the appropriate utilization of food.

Acne prevention & Diet - vitamin e. vitamin E is found in almonds, peanuts, sunflower, broccoli, germ of wheat and vegetable oil seeds. A powerful antioxidant, protects cells against the effects of free radicals, which are potentially damaging by-products of the metabolism of the body.

Acne prevention & Diet - zinc. Even in amounts drawn, antioxidant zinc is known to boost the immune system, improving global health: of course reflected in the skin. Zinc can be found in eggs, whole grains, nuts and mushrooms.

Acne prevention & Diet - know your own triggers. From Acne is different for everyone, you may have certain foods that cause skin rashes. Clearly, these foods should be avoided. You can also check that his vitamin supplements by their content of iodine; while normal amounts of iodine has not been proven to affect the skin, larger amounts of 150 mcg RDA can aggravate their acne.

In general, use your common sense. Drink much water and eat a healthy and balanced diet, but don't be afraid to satisfy their cravings every now and then.

A Natural Approach To Managing Acne

2010-06-20T19:55:00.000-07:00

Almost everyone has suffered acne at one time or another in their lives. It is primarily a disease of the Sebaceous Gland (glands in the skin that secrete an oily substance) of the face, neck and back. When the sebaceous glands becomes clogged with oily substance that are created, the accumulation in the grains occurs. There are several forms of acne, but the most common is acne vulgaris, found primarily in adolescents.

Do not know the exact cause of acne, but the factors contributing to this condition include inheritance, skins and AIS. Other factors include allergies, stress, the use of certain drugs, nutritional deficiencies, liver dysfunction, exposure to industrial pollutants, cosmetics, and the monthly menstrual cycle.

In addition, skin works to eliminate a part of toxic wastes from the body by sweating. If the body contains toxins rather than the kidneys or liver can fulfil effectively, the skin is responsible. In fact, some doctors called the skin in the 3rd kidney. As toxins escaping from the skin, can affect the health and integrity of the skin, creating problems. recommendations for the welfare of note: some of these recommendations may take 2 to 4 weeks before the results or enhancements are experienced.

Distilled white vinegar (can be diluted if it is too strong) apply to the face and the affected areas. Let this stand for 5-10 minutes before rinsing out with cold water.

Lemon or any citrus fruit works great as a natural exfoliant, removing dead skin that can block cells drips. As with the white wine vinegar, apply a lemon juice (or desired citrus juice) to the face. Let it dry for 10 minutes, and then rinse with cold water. You may feel a slight prick or record when you apply the lemon juice. If so, diluting juice is acceptable.

Increase the consumption of water. Water helps hollowed out toxin and help transport nutrients into the body.

Eating a well-balanced diet to ensure proper nutrition. Have a high quality multiple vitamin and mineral supplement to compensate for missing in today's food nutrients.

Echinacea or Oregon grape can be used to boost the immune system and to fight against bacteria that cause acne.

Leon dandelion, burdock or red clover can help keep the liver clear toxic overload.

Combinations of herbs like Natures Sunshine detoxification of the skin in the massage and BP-X can be used to clean and detoxify the liver, and reduce acne.

Large amounts of vitamin A have successfully used to treat severe acne. Large quantities, however, can be toxic and should be used only when you work with your health care provider.

Consider adding additional zinc to their diet. Zinc helps healing of tissues and help prevent healing. It is also important for the body resistance to infection and inflammation.

To delete and cure skin, try a homeopathic remedy of acne. You can help dry up grains and prevent future outbreaks.

Tips for Reducing Acne

2010-05-20T19:52:00.000-07:00

Would you like to know what are the-in-the-know that say about acne? The information contained in the following article comes directly from well-informed experts with special knowledge of acne.

Here are some tips that have helped hundreds of people who suffer from acne. We hope that they help you too:

1. Water is the best

Water is, by far, the most effective treatment for acne. The main support for this claim is the fact that water is alkaline (pH 7.3) and can be considered as a natural treatment or almost free acne treatment. Therefore, the best is that you drink at least eight glasses of water a day (10 to 12 is better). This will help your body get rid of oil, waste and toxins, and water even help to moisten skin as saves its obstruction pores. Perhaps most importantly, that the water helps relieve stress and relax your body at the end, so you can have a sleep better. Note that water and sleep are factors that contribute to reducing stress. Along with this, try to reduce their consumption of coffee drink soft drinks, tea and alcohol as much as possible. The reason behind this is partial diuretics them more water in the cells of the body in the unit.

2 Avoid Astringents

If your goal is to have a beautiful skin, then try avoiding astringent natural soaps and astringent agents that reduce the size of the pores of your skin, such as flour, oats, Hamamelis, very cold water and rubbing alcohol. Found actually to reduce the size of the pores of the skin, more oils are stuck in the pores of the skin, causing the appearance of acne.

3 Avoid stimulants

Avoid coffee, tea, cigarettes, as well as excessive sugar sweets and soft drinks. It is often said that no potential to affect the whole body, the brain and nervous system easily can stimulate the sebaceous glands to release more oil. This oil have to leave the body of the pores, worsening of your acne in the final. ATS even trigger stress.

4 See diet

Note that the diet affects acne. So be careful with what you eat. As much as possible, try to eat foods that are low in fat, and fat produce more oil in the body, which are capable of producing acne.

5 Avoid alcohol

A number of people thought that alcohol is one of the best ways to relax and relieve stress. Well, alcohol can do this, but studies have found that alcohol causes the formation of acne. He is capable of producing acne, knowing that it is astringent, thus shrinking the pores of the skin, making them more prone to clogging. Apart from this, the alcohol inhibits sleep, thus causing more fatigue and stress, leading to Acne worse.

6. Hot and very cold count

Considering the baths, avoid very hot and cold water in areas of the skin affected by acne. Use warm water instead; perhaps very than 98.5 degrees on its skin.

Acne: Laser, a good therapy for acne without side effects

2010-03-18T19:53:00.000-07:00

Laser seems to be a good therapy for acne without side effects. Lasers and light-based systems has become one of the most common methods to treat a variety of skin disorders, including acne vulgaris, during the last ten years.

Many patients do not respond adequately or develop side effects with the various oral and topical treatments available for treatment of acne. Therefore, the growing demand of patients who suffered from acne for a faster, safer and side-effect-free novel therapy.

The Dermatology and Lasers Clinic from Tel Aviv MSQ, Caesarea, Israel, studied the situation to take the role of light therapy in the armamentarium of treatments for acne vulgaris, to discuss the photo biology aspects and biomedical optics, to review current technologies of laser / light - based devices, to evaluate the clinical experience and results, and to outline clinical guidelines and treatment considerations, as they are reported.

After a series of clinical studies, the results show that 85 percent of patients show a significant quantitative reduction of at least 50 percent of their lesions after four treatments every other week. Approximately 20 percent of the cases show that acne eradication may reach 90 percent. Three months after the last treatment, clearance is approximately 70 percent to 80 percent. In the meantime, has not the respondent rate is 15 percent to 20 percent.

According to researchers, laser and light-based therapy is a safe and effective modality for the treatment of mild to moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris. After comparing the efficacy of oral antibiotics, improvement of acne by light therapy offers faster resolution and fewer side effects and lead to patient satisfaction.

Acne Talk For Teenagers

2010-02-18T19:52:00.000-08:00

Acne is painful - on the inside. We live in a culture where not just youth, but beauty is worshiped. It is everywhere and you can not drop it. The results of having acne can be emotionally devastating for teenagers as they are very conscious of their appearance and their image. Even if they feel they suffer alone, they do not. The fact is that approximately 85% of the population in the United States have at some point suffered with acne, and approximately 17 million people have acne. You are far from alone.

Acne in teens is due to the action of hormones on the skin oil glands. During puberty both boys and girls have an increase in hormones called androgens. These hormones cause sebaceous glands under the surface of the skin to enlarge. The sebaceous glands in response produce excess oil. This excess oil mixes with bacteria and dead skin on the skin surface and blocks pores. Within these pores the bacteria multiple and cause inflammation.

Acne is usually genetic, so you can not manage to avoid it. But there are things you should know one thing you can do to help you deal with it.

There are many myths about acne. The most famous is that chocolate and greasy foods cause acne. Over the years, dermatologists have discovered there is no evidence for this claim. But if you find that you break out more after eating certain foods, avoid them. Although there may have an impact on your acne, eat a healthy diet complete with fruits and vegetables is a good idea. Another myth is that acne is caused by poor hygiene. This is not true at all. As mentioned above, acne caused by overproduction of oil, period. Myth three encourages you to scrub your face several times a day. Actually does more than wash your skin can lead to more inflamed. Also, if you use drying products to excess on your skin your skin may rebel by producing more oil.

Anyway one of the literally hundreds of treatments you decide to choose to remember that acne takes time to disappear. Overnight or miraculous results do not happen. It takes six to eight weeks to see results from treatment. Once acne has cleared the continued treatment is necessary to prevent it from recurring.

If an acne treatment takes more than six to eight weeks to show a significant difference it probably will not work. Try something else.

You should see the advice of a dermatologist. With the number of products on the market, how will you choose? What one person can clear acne may not be ready another. Your skin type and lesion types must be taken into account. Before using a bundle of money on an unknown treatment see a dermatologist. He or she can plan an individualized program based on skin's needs.

7 Little Known Acne Skin Care Secrets

2010-01-18T19:46:00.000-08:00

An acne problem is not a problem, as long as you know wise acne skin care tips. You need a lot of money to get it healthy glowing skin with the natural acne skin care methods, acne should not be treated like monsters under your bed. Here are some acne skin care methods we can practice.

stream of water. Oil, they say is thicker than water. But water is the plainest, most natural substance we can use for acne skin care. In washing your face, do it gently. Rubbing and scrubbing your face does not clean not dry gently. For best acne skin care effects, use a mild cleanser or toner in the morning, noon and evening, and after doing a heavy work out, help you to achieve a clear skin.

Pick that zit. People who spot pimples and impurities as if pricking a bubble only aggravates the risk of skin inflammation and acne scars. Avoid hand contact with the face for better acne skin care results.

Shave with care. Choose the best electric shavers and safety razors you can trust for years. They will be more comfortable to use. Men do not need a super sharp knife to get rid of the beard. A regular shaver used with soap and water, or shaving cream will help you get the smooth finish. Doctors advised men to shave lightly, and shave only when necessary for acne skin care maintenance.

Sun beach! If you love Sun tanning or just want the sight of that sophisticated sunburnt look - forget it. This is an acne skin care no-no. The sun's harmful ultraviolet rays redden the skin, making skin drier. It can make one's blemishes visible, speed up aging and cause serious damage to the skin. In addition, excessive sun exposure causes skin cancer. You do not want to ruin the great acne skin care you have been to start with.

Cosmic Cosmetics. Eye shadows, blush on, moisturizer and other cosmetics we use will be free from oily substances to permit healthy acne skin care maintenance. Although hair styling products in forms of gels or aerosols that come in close contact with the skin may destroy a healthy acne skin care practice. Select hair styling products, which are commercially labeled as non-comedogenic are products which do not provoke the formation and growth of blemishes and other related skin
disorders.

smeared Face. An African beauty secret reveals the power of Shea butter comes from Karita Nut Tree (or Mangifolia tree). Hmmm ... juicy acne skin care tips! Karita Nut Tree was discovered in the semi-arid savanna in West Africa and Central Africa. People in Africa, women in particular - rely on Shea butter as a vital tool for acne skin care treatment for over a century now.

Spare me that SPA! You do not go to the most expensive spa parlors to get the destressing facial treatment to help you in your acne skin care endeavor. Create a home made magical elixir right at the comfort of your own home by purchasing simple spa tools found in beauty shops.

Get only the best and the fresh. Increase your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. These acne skin care tools are free of toxins that reduce the speed of blood circulation. A salad or a fruit a day, will keep an acne away!

There is no perfect cure, medication, treatment or acne skin care methods for acne problems. Thus, as the sole owner of our own skin, we must take full responsibility for what is to be our first armor against diseases and bodily injuries.

Acne- Does sunshine improve it?

2009-12-18T19:51:00.000-08:00

Acne and Treatments --

Acne has many treatments. Being a very common problem, people have found their own ways to treat acne. Some of them do not cure acne, but may further damage the skin. Many of us believe that acne can be treated by getting exposed to the sun, but is it true? Let's find out the truth.

Acne-causes

When we know about what causes acne, we can determine if sunshine affects any of them. The causes of acne are very simple. Because of hormonal changes and a time pressure, or chemicals, your body produces more sebum. Gland is beginning to produce oil, but the gland opening is closed with dead skin. This allows the gland expands like a balloon. The bacteria P.acnes infects the gland and inflames it. This gland forming acne. If the infection is not serious that you want to call it black heads or white heads, or pimples, cystic acne, etc.

Acne - Treatments --

Every acne treatment is trying to solve one or more of the causes of acne formation. Sunlight does not address some of the reasons. What it does is to either burn the skin or brown. With tanned look, see acne less clear, and we believe that it goes away. But it is not true. Rather Sun damages the skin and can cause premature wrinkles, aging and even cancer. Check with your doctor about acne treatment and stop believing that the sun can cure it.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Contact your doctor for medical concerns. Follow the tips in this article only after consulting a doctor. The author is not responsible for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

The Best Treatment For Acne Vulgaris - TCA Skin Peels-Used By Plastic Surgeons Everywhere

2009-10-03T07:13:00.000-07:00

Acne vulgaris (acne) is a condition, popular with teens and young adults, which is characterized by red, inflamed bumps and patches. These bumps and patches are formed by overactive glands sebacious (usually due to hormonal imbalances), high skin pH, oil, and will be enough to thrive in these conditions. This acne can be aggravated by the summer heat, improper cleaning, collection from itching and the bumps (not pimples and will only get worse when he began), the pH imbalance, poor nutrition, etc. ..

By changing our habits we can improve this condition. Mild soaps and detergents will be less irritating. Eat a balanced diet mean the condition is slowly improving. And we all know not to take postules acne and bumps, but to stop and eventually cure it we must get to the source deep in the skin.

Surface treatments such as benzoyl peroxide creams and solutions are at best minimally effective and may further irritate the condition. We need to get different levels to the source, the bacteria, inflammation, and glands sebacious where forms of acne.

Plastic surgeons know that glycolic and salicylic peels are better than treatments of hydrogen peroxide, but not reach the source. This is where surceons plastic and doctors use TCA peels (trichloroacetic acid) which is a deep peel to reach the source, change the pH of the skin (which kills the bacteria - which can not survive in conditions of high acidity), and regeneration of skin off several layers of stagnant growth. TCA peels have been clinically proven to treat and cure acne better than any other treatment (including lasers and Accutane) without any of the horrible side effects).

TCA peels used to be something only the rich could afford, but not anymore. You can still contact your doctor and pay $ 500 + or you can do it yourself. TCA peels are the easiest, safest and most effective of all the skins of the skin and are now easily available. For more details on TCA peels contact the author below or look on the internet. Get a TCA peel and begin to enjoy cleaner, more youthful skin and stop wasting your money on products that do not work.

Skin Care and Acne

2009-10-03T07:10:00.000-07:00

How can you avoid acne infections with simple skin care techniques?

You know that only by following some simple skin care techniques you can avoid the problem of acne? Here are those techniques. Follow these tips and stay away from acne.

Wash your face regularly

Wash the face with a mild detergent three times a day. Also wash your face after heavy exercise. In general, some people with acne try to stop outbreaks and oil production by scrubbing the skin with strong detergent soaps and rough scrub pads. Scrubbing if not improve acne, but may exacerbate the problem. Above all, do not forget to wash your skin after washing.

Acne shaving

Those who have acne can use the electric razor or safety, which is more convenient for them. Children who use a safety razor should use a sharp knife. They should soften the beard thoroughly with soap and water before applying shaving cream. Dent imperfections can be avoided by shaving lightly and only when necessary.

Do not handle your skin frequently

People who squeeze, pick or pop their zits developing scars or dark spots on my face. They should also avoid rubbing and touching their skin lesions.

Avoid sunburn and tanning

Many of the drugs used to treat acne can make a person more likely to sunburn. Sunburn that reddens the skin or suntan that darkens the skin may make blemishes less visible and make the skin feel dry. But these benefits are only temporary. And, there are known risks of excessive sun exposure as the most rapid aging of the skin. There is no risk of developing skin cancer too.

Tips for choosing makeup

If you found a treatment for acne you need to change some of the cosmetics used. Cosmetics you use should be free of oil. It will be difficult to apply foundation evenly during the first weeks of treatment. It is because the skin becomes red or scaly with the use of topical tretinoin or benzoyl peroxide. Products for oily hair may eventually spread over the face and causing closed comedones. So it is advisable to use products that are labeled noncomedogenic. And, in some people, these products may cause acne. Then you must take extra care with makeup.

Types of Acne Treatment Solutions For Your Skin

2009-08-30T21:19:00.000-07:00

Treating your acne can be an overwhelming task what with all of the medications available these days. The best way to find treatment for your acne is to first learn about your skin. There are 3 main skin types. Knowing what type of skin you have is the first step to effectively controlling your acne. If your skin is oily a gel product is best; if it is dry, you should choose a cream based product. People with sensitive skin should choose products with lower concentrations of active ingredients.

It may be best to visit a dermatologist when choosing acne treatments. With so many different factors affecting what causes acne and there are so many treatments to choose from you may feel more comfortable getting the help of a professional when making your decision.

If you would rather control acne your own way, understand that it is very important to read all labels and always, always use as directed. As with all medications, educate yourself on any side-effects or warnings.

Acne treatments are available in several different ways including:

- Prescription Medications
- Creams and Gels
- Facial Masks
- Topical Treatments
- Over-the-Counter Treatments
- Home Remedies

Prescription Medications

Oral antibiotics (tablets), taken daily for around 3 months, can be prescribed for inflammatory acne. These pills act to kill off the bacteria infecting the skin. However, it may take four to six months for the benefits to be seen. For women, a standard combined oral contraceptive pill (containing an estrogen and a progestogen) can improve acne symptoms. Antibiotics do not prevent pores from becoming blocked so treatment to prevent blackheads, such as benzoyl peroxide, is often also prescribed at the same time.

Creams and Gels

Lotions that contain benzoyl peroxide dry out the skin and encourage it to shed the surface layer of dead skin. Benzoyl peroxide also has an antibacterial action. Together, these effects make it harder for pores to become blocked and for infection to develop. When used as directed, these products can make a big difference to the overall appearance of your skin.

Facial Masks

Facial masks can be a great addition to your basic skin care regimen by offering extra deep cleaning and exfoliation to troubled skin. Masks send a concentrated dose of proven acne fighters to your skin and deliver them deep down. A good facial mask can act to keep even the most troubled skin clean and clear, reducing the frequency and severity of breakouts.

There are several benefits of using clay masks. As a facial clay mask dries it tightens the skin, shrinks the pores and naturally pulls excess oils and impurities such as whiteheads and blackheads from your skin.

Topical Treatments

Topical antibiotics work by killing the Propionibacterium acnes bacteria. This helps reduce the small infections in the pores, and also indirectly keeps the pores open.

Over the counter Treatments

Over-the-counter remedies are available anywhere from your local pharmacy to the grocery store and are intended to treat mild to moderate acne. These treatments include the creams and gels mentioned previously.

Home treatment

It's important to keep spot-prone areas clean, so wash the affected area twice a day with an un-perfumed cleanser. Never, ever pick a zit! This could lead to scarring as well as spread the infection. No home treatments for acne will work immediately. It can take weeks, if not months, for significant effects to be noticeable. Never sleep in makeup and wash your face in the morning when you wake up and at night before you go to bed.

Skin Care For Acne Sufferers

2009-08-20T21:19:00.000-07:00

For many cases of acne, a physician will recommend that individuals gently wash their skin with mild soap and possibly a cleanser. The best time for acne sufferers, or anyone, to wash their skin is in the morning and the evening and following any exercise program. In caring for skin, many acne sufferers believe it’s better to scrub their skin in hopes of getting it clean. However, this is not a good idea. If you already suffer from acne, scrubbing will only make the condition worse and may cause irritation to your otherwise healthy skin. Instead, gently washing the skin with a soap that does not contain harsh ingredients and contains some type of moisturizing lotion may help to cleanse and rejuvenate without the potential for irritation.

Individuals who notice the presence of acne should avoid the temptation to pick, squeeze or pinch their blemishes. This action may lead to scarring or even infection if not left alone to heal. In addition, acne breakouts should not be touched or rubbed in order to avoid irritation. Individuals should also avoid a sunburn or suntan for the sole purpose of concealing acne. Because either of these two darkens the skin, many believe that this will lessen the visibility of their breakout. While this may be true, it is also very temporary and it’s important to note that prolonged exposure to the sun or tanning bed may increase the risk of early aging signs, developing skin disorders or even cancer later on in life.

If they are makeup wearers, individuals who are being treated for acne may wish to reconsider their choice in cosmetics. Any type of product that is used, including foundation, moisturizers, eye shadow and bush should be oil free. It can sometimes be difficult to evenly apply cosmetics when acne is present. The reason is because it’s nearly impossible to get a smooth application when your skin has red bumps or inflammations. The best way to conceal blemishes is to dampen a makeup sponge before dipping it into the foundation. Once the foundation is present on the dampened sponge, it should be evenly applied over the face. This technique will provide better coverage for acne sufferers and will result in a much smoother look than just using a dry application.

When some people think of skin care, they feel that they couldn’t possibly have the time to devote to making their skin look and feel great. The truth is, however, that regular cleansing with the proper soap and choosing the right cosmetics can go a long way in improving the tone of your skin. In addition, skin care is linked to other factors, including diet and exercise. If you can maintain a well-balanced diet and participate in an exercise as simple as walking for 30 minutes a day, 3 days a week, your skin tone ay improve dramatically.

The information in this article is intended for informational purposes only. It should not be considered as, or used in place of, medical advice or professional recommendations for the cause, diagnosis or treatment of acne. If necessary, individuals should consult a medical doctor or dermatologist for information regarding the use of cleansers or other effective treatment methods.

7 Tips on Maintaining Acne Free Skin

2009-08-10T21:18:00.000-07:00

Having that nasty zit is sometimes quite annoying. In fact, it is a great factor on suffering low self-esteem particularly on young people whose main focus at puberty is the physical attribute. Preventing acne breakout is not a piece of cake that is why even if you know everything about acne control, the acne still shows up every now and then. The lack of time to maintain acne free regimen daily contributes to the breakout. So how do you maintain your acne free skin? Here’s how:

1. Do not prick the acne affected area. Touching it with bare hands can cause further irritation. Unclean hands carry undesirable microorganism that can cause acne. So it is rather safe to keep your hands or any other object from your face to impede the inflammation of the acne and scarring of the skin as well.

2. Avoid using oil-based products on your hair. Guys and girls wear hair products to improve their appearance. Dermatologist might agree that the products are safe on the scalp however, this chemical-laden beauty products slide down to your face as you sweat out. The fluids goes down to the acne hence aggravate the already affected area of the skin.

3. Minimize the use of cosmetics over the pimple. It is alarming to know that although beauty products can conceal your pimple break out, it increases the risk of infection. The combination of the harsh compounds on your foundation makes up and bacteria that come with the sponge (if the foundation you are using is not newly opened) exacerbate the acne. If your job requires you to wear make up, you should avoid those generic brand make up. Some generic brands of make up do not mention the harsh chemicals that are present in the product.

4. If you are using alcohol-based and oil-based facial wash or toner, taking a break will somehow minimize the inflammation of the skin.

5. Avoid getting anything that might contain microorganism to touch your face. These include your unmanaged hair, dirty handkerchief, towels and even pillow. The only way to control the transfer of organism to your face from the material of origin is to always keep your hair in a bun or use a hair band that will keep it in place away from your face, a fresh pillowcase for your cushion, and clean towel and handkerchief to wipe your face.

6. An over-the-counter ointment can be bought from your local drugstore. A topical cream or ointment containing benzoyl peroxide is your best bet to vanish that undesired acne. Some dermatologist recommends tretinoin-based products cream over the benzoyl peroxide because of irritant threat on the peroxide content. Depending on how sensitive the skin is, you can choose from the two.

7. If the acne is severe, a visit to your dermatologist is needed. The dermatologist will prescribe oral antibiotic to take at a certain period of time. Or if applies, an adapalene gel will be prescribed by the dermatologist for you to use for time duration. Close monitoring of the medication is needed since like other prescription-required medicines, it might trigger unknown allergies.

How to Control and Treat Acne During Pregnancy

2009-07-27T21:18:00.001-07:00

The period during pregnancy is considered to be the most pleasant moment in any woman’s life, as it brings a new life into this world. It can be different for different women. Some may face a lot of side effects during pregnancy, while others do not face any. A major problem faced by women during pregnancy is acne. It is likely to develop in the first trimester of the pregnancy due to hormonal changes that take place in the body. The difficult part is that, acne treatment can be frustrating, as it should be kept in mind to ensure that any medication taken to control acne does not harm to the fetus. Most of the acne treatments are not safe to be used during pregnancy. The over-the-counter drugs for treating acne can even cause birth defects in the baby.

Treatments to be avoided during pregnancy:

Acne treatment which contains Accutane : Studies have revealed that when this ingredient is used, it might be very dangerous to the baby causing birth defects, or in some cases, it might lead to miscarriage. This ingredient is not to be used even during breast feeding period.

Tetracycline usage too is not recommended: Tetracycline is an oral antibiotic used in the treatment of adults and teenagers, but not recommended during pregnancy as it may lead to poor bone development in the baby. It is also said to cause discolored teeth in them.

Medications containing female hormones: Researchers are still inconclusive on this subject, which are related with the development of the fetus and the female hormones, certain hormones can be passed on to the baby either during breast feeding or during pregnancy. But then, it is thought to cause birth defects in the baby.

Even though acne during pregnancy is not uncommon, it could cause fears of using topical drugs or any kind of treatment during such period for acne, hence could cause stress. With the hormonal changes happening and the growth of new life within during pregnancy period, it could pose a challenge to control acne too during such period.

By following a simple and easy- to-follow methods, women can avoid and control acne during pregnancy without any side effect:

Drink plenty of water, for a clear skin. Mild exercises during pregnancy can stimulate the blood circulation to all the parts of the body preventing from the outbreak of acne. Fresh fruits and vegetables should be consumed after a thorough wash. Pregnant women should avoid junk foods and foods prepared in the microwave oven. Cleanliness is the secret in the prevention of acne, hence pillows covers can be changed often, Hair brushes and combs should be free from dirt, face could be washed with mild soap and cold water, if possible massaging and steaming can be done to get a clearer skin.

Serious Skin Care For Acne-Prone Skin

2009-06-30T19:28:00.000-07:00

When it comes to acne, a lot of information is available from different sources. Old wives' tales, random experiments, and even misguided practices that promise instant cures for acne are followed by many in the hopes of being pimple-free. Unfortunately, some, if not all, of these are without scientific basis and can even make acne worse. Serious skin care for acne-prone skin starts with the right and proper information.

On causes of acne:

There are a lot of myths concerning the causes and treatment for acne. Below are just some of the most popular and widely practiced acne myths:

* Stress

Stress does not cause acne but it can make acne worse. Scientific studies show that stress can affect a person's hormonal cycle which can make the existing acne condition worse. Also, some psychiatric medicines taken to reduce stress can acne as a side effect.

* Masturbation or sex

Sex or masturbation does not cause acne. Studies done to relate sex or masturbation to acne are inconclusive with no additional evidence. An old wives' tale, this acne myth became popular during the early 17th century to discourage women from engaging in pre-marital sex or other scandalous behavior. Some misleading adults even use the fear of having acne to discourage adolescents of today from engaging in sex at an early age.

* Chocolates and oily food

Although eating too much of sweets and oily food is never good for anybody, the relationship between acne and this food group is largely indirect. Hormonal changes, which is the most common cause of acne, may cause a person to alternately crave sweet and salty food like chocolates and chips. Since this craving often coincides with acne flare ups, this food group has been misleadingly labeled as a cause of acne.

On cures for acne

If myths on the probable causes of acne are abundant, there are also many so-called cures that promise instant freedom from acne. These are:

* Frequent face washing

Since excess oil and dirt are among the causes of acne, some people have this misguided notion that frequently washing one's face can prevent and treat acne. However, this is not the case. Doing so only worsens acne since the skin is stripped off protective lipids which can make it sensitive, dry, and prone to irritations.

* Toothpaste

Toothpaste has antiseptic properties which can cause a pimple to dry out. However, while applying toothpaste to acne may be effective to some, it can cause greater damage to others especially if applied for over time. Toothpaste can dry out surrounding areas and “burn” pimple spots which can lead to discolorations.

* Sun exposure

Probably one of the most idiotic acne myth to surface, some people swear by this. However, sun exposure can only lead to one thing: skin damage. Tans and darker skin tones only hide or camouflage acne but a closer look and touch will reveal bumps and zits. This can make the acne situation worse since sun exposure can make one's skin dry, flaky, discolored, and extra-sensitive.

Eating a balanced diet, exercising, getting enough rest, and following a skin care regimen specific to one's skin type are essential for serious skin care of acne-prone skin. Medications and treatments prescribed by a dermatologist can also help greatly.

Acne And oily Skin

2009-06-20T19:27:00.000-07:00

Acne is a real cosmetic problem. Many of the acne patients sometimes feel that they would never get rid of acne. With latest treatments, if you have patience, you can treat your acne successfully. But what if you also have oily skin?

Oily Skin- What is it?

Our skin has sebaceous glands. These glands produce sebum. This sebum keeps our skin well moisturized and protects skin from microbial infections. The sebum is mainly made of lipids and dead skin cells. The skin constantly produces the sebum. If you don't wash your hair for few days you will find that your hair is oily. That is sebum. What if your body produces more than required sebum? You get oily skin.

Oily Skin- Why some people get it?

Why some people have it? As we saw, the sebum makes the skin oily. Some of us have overactive sebaceous glands. That is mainly because of hormones that trigger excess sebum production. That is the reason many women get more oily skin during their menstrual periods. Apart from regular care of the oily skin, talk to your doctor about any method to control the androgens that trigger sebum production.

Acne and oily skin-

Oily skin is the right environment for the P.acnes bacteria to flourish. With more oil in the glands and on the skin, these bacteria infect many glands and produce acne. If you have oily skin, please manage it properly, otherwise your chances of getting acne are high.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Acne Skin Care Basics

2009-06-10T19:27:00.000-07:00

When you have an acne outbreak, do you know how to take care of your skin? Unknowingly, many people tend to use acne skin care methods that aggravate their present condition further. Take for example the notion that a patient must seriously scrub his face to take away dirt. Is this the correct way for acne skin care? Not quite. Here's the scoop.

First, it is important to understand the cause of acne before knowing what acne skin care measures to use. Acne is neither a direct resul of dirt or uncleanness. However, your acne problems worsen when dirt mixes with sebum and other skin debris to create a mixture which may settle in the pus of the pustules.

Medically speaking, acne is caused by many internal body factors such as a weak immune and digestive system, impaired internal detoxification system, and stress. Outside influences like weather elements, pollutants, humidity and the bacteria thriving on the human skin contribute to aggravate your acne. Ultimately, all these factors may not have effectively produced acne if it were not for the "P acnes", which digest excess sebum. The effect results in inflammation, swelling and pain.

It is not easy to pin point the cause of acne on your own. It is best to solicit the help of a dermatologist to help you determine the cause of your acne and to recommend an appropriate acne treatment. Notwithstanding, there are a couple of tips on proper acne skin care that you should be aware of.

The first step to good acne skin care is to minimize the sebum production to a level to sustain normal skin. However, in most cases, to treat acne, more needs to be done.

If skin oiliness persist, it is best to keep the pores open. The principle behind this acne care is to release the clogs in the pores and wash them out. The only way to achieve this is to wash the face with extremely hot water. Repeat this procedure to help repel skin bacteria.

It is also recommended that you do not zealously wash your face with harsh scrubs or cleansers. By doing this, you may only aggravate the severity of your acne. Actually, washing your face gently two times a day is enough.

In terms of acne skin care products, choose the ones that work best best for you. Select the acne care product that gently clears away the oil and dirt without leaving your skin dry and irritated. In fact, ,mild acne care works best for all skin types. This will require some trials and consequently, some errors.

It is best to trust your dermatologist recommendation first. If his recommended product does not work, then shift to other acne skin care products. This way, you are experimenting with acne care products that may suit you best. It is important to note that during your first applications, use small amounts on a small area so that any damage is at best limited.

Also, avoid alcohol-based cleansers as these may only dry out your skin. Dry skin is more vulnerable to serious acne outbreaks. On the other hand, minimize the use of oil-based products as these in themselves may add up to the pre-existing oil content of the skin. At any rate, an acne patient must avoid applying cosmetics, however oil-free they may appear to be.

Proper acne skin care methods can go a long way to help you in your acne problems. Good diet and lifestyle habits are other measures that you can also adopt for better glowing skin. Good luck!

Acne Care Skin Treatment

2009-05-30T19:26:00.000-07:00

There are many possible causes for acne. People of all ages, lifestyles, and backgrounds can develop it, and the causes can be different for each. The first step to understanding what is causing your acne is knowing your skin type and how to care for it. If you have oily skin, you wouldn't want to use a facial cleanser containing oil because your body is already producing a good amount of it. Likewise, if your skin is dry, you wouldn't want to necessarily use a product that is oil free. Perhaps, one of the most common myths is that oily skin does not need to be moisturized. Oil is not moisture, and skin needs moisture. Determining the cause and caring for your type of acne, as well as properly caring for your skin is crucial in curing acne.

This article covers some of the possible causes of acne and how to help determine what might be causing yours.

The skin is the largest organ in the human body. Like all other organs, proper care must be given to ensure it works correctly.

Topical treatments are those used on the surface of the skin. By helping to keep pores open, eliminating excess dirt and oil, and getting rid of unwanted bacteria, these may do the trick. There are other medications that can be taken orally to help eliminate excess oils by keeping the body from producing it, along with various other medical remedies that help treat acne. Before you can treat it, however, you need to understand what is causing it.

Hormones can play a major part in causing acne. In adolescence, the changes the body goes through can cause constant breakouts, while in adult years, bodily changes, such as premenstrual and pre menopausal episodes, can cause breakouts to continue. While any hormonal excess can promote acne, the mail hormones are most notorious for doing so.

The body can then produce more oil, which can block pores and cause breakouts. Using products that help eliminate or control oil may be helpful in curing acne with this cause.

Stress can also be a contributing factor to the presence of acne. When you are stressed, the body releases certain hormones and chemicals which can produce toxicities that cause acne. Try to eliminate stress by staying away from stressful situations.

It is also believe that some foods, such as chocolate and sugar can cause acne. While this is commonly disputed and often thought to be a myth, it is unclear whether these foods are unable to actually cause acne. Ask a physician if you want to know more about this as a possible cause.

Because there are many types of acne, there can be many causes. Environment can influence acne, as well as lifestyle. The products you use can also effect your acne. If you are not using the proper products to counteract acne, you may see an increase in breakouts. As mentioned above, if your skin is oily, you don't want to use products containing excess oil, as this would add to the oil on your skin and could clog pores and cause further breakouts. It is also important to keep the skin properly hydrated and moisturized. Learn how to care for your particular skin type and try to eliminate the factors that are causing your acne. This will help you have healthier skin.

Acne Skin Care Tips

2009-05-20T19:26:00.000-07:00

Some basic tips can help you to gain control over your acne.

Acne skin care is no easy thing. For most people it is very challenging. Sometimes, acne lasts only through puberty and once those crazy adolescent years have past, things just get easier. Your face clears up and you don’t really worry about acne. But, that does not mean it goes this well for everyone. For many, acne will last well into their 20’s, 30’s and even beyond. And, for that there is a need for acne skin care tips like these.

Tips You Can Use Now

1. Find an effective skin care regimen and cleanser. There are many out there that are both natural acne treatments and those that are chemical in nature. The fact is that in order for your skin to heal, the bacteria on it will need to be cleared up. You will need to insure that your acne products will do this.

2. Use exfoliating acne skin care products. By exfoliating, you are removing the dead skin cells on your skin that are literally feeding the bacteria on your face. As disgusting as it sounds, getting rid of them through exfoliation is critical to getting rid of the acne.

3. Use natural acne skin care products as well. These will be found on the web and can provide you with the most fundamentally solid way of treating acne in a natural way. Have an arsenal of good quality natural skin care products can give your body what it needs to fight off bacteria and to heal.

Getting Acne Skin Care Training

You may be thinking that acne skin care training sounds silly. The fact is that if you have the necessary knowledge to fight off your acne infections you will be more likely to make it work for you. So, before you head off to make a purchase of some costly acne medication, learn why they will work or maybe even why they may not. There are many out there that may be able to provide you with just what you need in acne skin care.

Acne Skin Care: 8 Simple Tips To Follow

2009-05-04T19:25:00.000-07:00

Commonly affecting the skin condition of people between ages 12 to 24 is a disease called acne. The cause of acne is hard to determine. However, over secretion of the sebaceous glands is pointed as the cause to trigger most acne outbreaks.

Pilosebaceous units are the combination of the hair follicles and oil glands in the skin. Except for the surface of the palms and the soles of the feet, pilosabaceous units are found on the skin tissue throughout the body . They are responsible in secreting the oily substance called sebum. However, due to many factors (e.g. hormonal imbalances, stress and the skin's natural condition) the oil glands may be induced to produce more sebum than normal. When this happens, the excess oil plugs the skin pores. This process brings about bacterial infection and stimulate the reaction of the immune system. In the end, acne inflammation results.

Acne can strike at any skin type. An oily skin type is most subseptible to acne. Dry skin on the other hand, may not be as susceptible but serious outbreaks may occur during winter. Normal skin is equally susceptible to acne but the level of severity may not be as high.

Presently, acne is not yet totally curable but can be remedied with several acne skin care methods. Many seek the help of topical medications, which are applied on the surface of the skin. However, employing the use of acne skin care products like "pore strip pads" may remove whiteheads and blackheads but they would not have any effect on the excess sebum produced.

Nevertheless, for remedy and prevention, it is best to employ the following 8 simple tips:

1. A healthy, well-balanced diet must be observed. Therefore, your food intake must incorporate all the essential nutrients the body needs for efficient functioning.

2. Drink plenty of fluids like water, juices. Minimize the intake of carbonated drinks.

3. No make up is recommended.

4. Wash your face with mild soap and water. The logic is to not remove the dirt (as the majority of acne-inflicted person perceive) but to remove the plugs on the skin pores, which may be a combination of dead skin cells, bacteria and hardened sebum. Although dirt is not truly the cause of acne, it may contribute to further infection through its interaction with skin debris and particles and extra oil in the skin.

5. Use topical cleansing pads that may contain one or the combination of the following: salicylic acid, sulfur and benzoyl peroxide to remove excess oil. Another way to minimize the presence of extra oil in the skin is to wash the face with the hottest water you can withstand.

6. Minimize the use of harsh cleansers and use acne skin care items that exfoliate mildly. Do not scrub vigorously to the affected areas.

7. If your hands are dirty, refrain from touching your face.

8. If you have long hair, tie up your hair so that it is kept away from the face. This is especially so if the weather is hot and you have been perspiring.

Preventative acne skin care steps are just as important as the treatment of acne itself. With prevention, at least, you know how to ensure that your acne problem does not escalate and spread to a bigger infected area.

Back Acne - A 'What You Need To Know' Guide

2009-02-28T22:13:00.000-08:00

Back acne – you might not see it, but if you have it, you'll certainly feel it. And although not everyone will get acne on their backs, this condition is common enough to have earned the nickname, 'bacne'. Sounds funny but it isn't really. The back area is home to thousands of sebaceous glands and each one is busy producing a lot of oil. Tight-fitting clothing and clothing made from fabrics that don't allow the skin to breathe are two of the biggest instigators of back acne. Even wearing a backpack has been attributed to triggering bouts of back acne.

These types of clothing and accessories trap the oil that's being constantly produced by the sebaceous glands on the back. And just like the acne that appears on other parts of the body, when the sebaceous gland gets clogged, dead skin cells become trapped inside the hair follicles and soon, bacteria is on its way, inflaming the tissues surrounding the affected areas and causing acne.

Any type of acne can appear on the back including whiteheads and blackheads, pustules (the surface type), papules (a bit deeper) or the acne can form deep in the skin and cause acne cysts. Back acne doesn't seem to be triggered by hereditary, stress or a poor diet, but long hair has been known to aggravate the pores on the back. If you have long hair and back acne, you might want to keep your hair off your back.

Back Acne Treatments

The skin that covers the back is much thicker than the skin that covers the other parts of the body where acne is prone to appear. And because of this difference in skin thickness, the treatment regime for 'bacne' is going to be different.

It's still very important to keep the back clean and the best way is to bathe or shower frequently, especially after working out. Use a cleanser that contains salicylic or glycolic acid. If you've never used one before, now is the time to learn how to gently use a loofah so you can begin removing those dead skin cells (also known as exfoliating).

After washing and drying the skin, apply a topical product that contains benzoyl peroxide to the areas on the back that are affected by acne and be sure to allow the product to fully absorb into the skin (it can stain clothing). Also, it's important to only treat the areas that have acne, rather than slathering the product all over the back. You don't want the skin on your back to become excessively dry. If you dry out the skin, you'll have to moisturize and that could cause more acne. If you cannot reach the affected areas, have someone apply the product for you.

That's all you really need to treat back acne. Most people don't wash their backs as well as they should so changing this bad habit will produce almost immediate results. Of course if your back acne is severe, you should consult with a dermatologist.

Adults Don't Get Acne! Do They?

2009-02-20T22:11:00.000-08:00

Skin problems not only effect those in their teens, adult acne is also a very common occurrence, in today's society. Adult women are more apt to suffer from acne than men. Adult men are at higher risk in terms of permanent scaring, caused by acne problems. Contrary to what most people think, adult acne is NOT caused by improper hygiene.

In truth, acne is caused by a number of different things. Oily skin, hair ducts that do not close as they should and infection are three key factors which lead to skin problems. These factors remain the same, in both adults and teens. (How's that for thinking you wouldn't get acne, because you are an adult.)

Pimples occur when dead skin, small deposits of fatty tissue and keratin get clogged in a hair duct. When the duct is open, this clogging produces a "blackhead". When the duct is closed, it is referred to as a "whitehead". Because a whitehead is closed, in most cases, it will eventually rupture. This bursting causes the redness and infection of adult acne.

There are many myths associated with adult acne. Dermatologists tell us that acne is not caused by eating chocolate, fish or oily foods. Stress, in itself, does not cause acne. However, there are certain stress-relieving drugs that have been known to cause skin conditions.

Acne does not clear up faster if you wash your face several times a day or sit out in the sun. Acne is not caused by dirt. Washing your face many times a day can actually do more harm than good. Sitting in the sun only darkens your skin and can cause scaring.

Remember, if you are battling a skin condition, you are not alone. There are numerous ways to treat the problem. You do not have to live with adult acne forever!

Acne Treatment - Benzoyl Peroxide

2009-02-10T22:11:00.000-08:00

Benzoyl Peroxide is one of the common ingredients used to treat acne. You can find this active ingredient in the form of a cream, gel, lotion, facemask, or cleansing bar. Benzoyl Peroxide is very effective in treating mild cases of acne. This acne treatment drug is available in non-prescription form for concentrations of 2.5%, 5% and 10%. If you are looking for concentrations higher than 10%, you need a doctor's prescription. Several studies have shown that 2.5% benzoyl peroxide is equally effective to combat pimples and is less irritating. Therefore, if you want to try Benzoyl Peroxide to treat your acne, you should begin with a low concentration (example 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide).

How Benzoyl Peroxide works
Before we go into details on how benzoyl peroxide can prevent acne, it is useful to understand how acne is formed. Propionibacterium acnes (P.acnes) is a bacteria that causes the skin disorder acne. P.acnes is a major inhabitant of human skin and is the causative agent of acne. This skin-dwelling organism will multiply rapidly within clogged sebaceous follicles if left untreated. Fortunately, these bacteria cannot live in the presence of oxygen. Benzoyl Peroxide is an oxygen-releasing chemical in the organic peroxide family. Upon applying on the affected area, this chemical is absorbed into the pores and releases the oxygen to destroy P.acnes.

Side Effects of Benzoyl Peroxide
It is important to note that there are some side effects when using this anti-acne medication:

a. Dryness
If you are using 5% or 10% of benzoyl peroxide, you may want to try a lower concentration, say 2.5% of benzoyl peroxide.

b. Irritation
For irritation, you can reduce the usage frequency. If you encounter severe irritation even the usage frequency is low, you should discontinue using the product.

c. Allergy
If you are allergic to Benzoyl Peroxide, you should discontinue using it and consult your dermatologist for other acne treatments.

d. Bleach
Benzoyl Peroxide is a powerful bleaching agent. You should prevent your hair from contacting this bleaching agent as this medicine can cause permanent color dampening.

Before using Benzoyl Peroxide for your acne treatment, please take note that this medicine generates free radicals in the skin. The result is redness of the skin due to oxidative stress. The effect is similar to unprotected sun exposure. If you are using a benzoyl peroxide product to treat your acne, you should avoid unnecessary sun exposure and use a sunscreen during the day.

Please be reminded that the above information is for informational purposes only and it is not intended to replace any health care services you need. The information provided is strictly not meant to diagnose medical conditions, offer medical advice, or endorse specific products or services. Do not rely upon the information provided alone for medical diagnosis or treatment. Kindly consult your doctor about any personal health concerns.

Acne Treatment- Do You Know What Is Acne?

2009-01-30T21:15:00.000-08:00

Acne is one of the most common skin disorders that can cause damage to skin. Acne not only may disfigure skin, but it also affects the psychology of the sufferer. Acne that begins with plugged skin pores develops in stages. Let us find out more.

Acne development stages- In the first stage acne normally begins in the form of whiteheads and blackheads caused by plugged pores of the skin. Blackheads are also called as open comedones and whiteheads are called as closed comedones. The blackheads and whiteheads are the first stage of acne. The second stage is pimples or zits. They are medically known as papules and pustules. Pimples form when the acne gets inflamed. Some people suffer from very large acne that is called nodules and cysts. These are very large and deep lumps of acne.

Where does acne develop- acne develops on all the places of the body where sebaceous glands are found. Skin produces an oily substance called sebum. This sebum is produced by sebaceous glands. With the clogging of these glands, acne develops. Sebaceous glands are attached to hair follicles and the sites are mainly - face, neck, chest, back, shoulders neck and upper arms. So you can expect to get acne on all these sites. face is not the only place for acne.

Who gets acne - Any body can get acne. Though most of the teenagers suffer from acne. It can occur in the higher age groups of thirties, forties or above. Even if you did not get acne during your teenage , you can get it later in life.

Why should we worry about acne - acne can disfigure the skin permanently. It causes lot of mental stress and affects confidence by spoiling the looks. Though acne can clear without medication in few years, treatment can cure acne quickly and stop this irritating condition.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Acne in Adolescents

2009-01-21T22:10:00.001-08:00

Acne is one of the most common problems in adolescent teens affecting nearly seventeen million people in the United States. Acne is nothing but a disorder involving sebaceous glands and hair follicles. Acne results from the clogging of sebaceous glands leading to the formation of pimples and cysts. The condition usually begins with the onset of puberty. Going by the facts, as teens attain puberty the androgens also called male sex hormones are produced in high number leading to sebaceous glands becoming over active which results in sebum being produced in high proportions.

Sebum, which is nothing but oil is produced by sebaceous glands which travel to the skin surface through hair follicles. But, skin cells block the follicles which results in oil also being blocked. When these hair follicles are blocked it results in the development of skin bacteria known as Propionibacterium Acnes within the follicles which in turn results in swelling of the skin called Acne. If the hair follicles are partially blocked it results in blackheads. If the follicles are completely blocked they result in whiteheads. But if these plugged follicles are not treated they ultimately burst causing the oil, bacteria and skin cells to spill all over the skin resulting in irritation and formation of pimples. Acne can be shallow as well as deep in various individuals depending on the nature of skin and amount of oil produced.

There can be various causes why Acne forms. Apart from rising hormone levels due to puberty it can also be attributed to certain other factors like intake of drugs which contain lithium, barbiturates and corticosteroids. Acne can also be caused due to excess grease and oil in the scalp, due to cooking oil and use of some cosmetics can actually alleviate the acne problem. Acne problem many times is inherited also. Acne problem is worsened if the pimples are squeezed or scrubbed too hard.

Acne can form at any place of the body but they most commonly form in the areas where there sebaceous glands are present in high proportions like face, chest, shoulders, neck and upper back. The symptoms may differ from person to person but commonly seen symptoms are: formation of blackheads, whiteheads, lesions filled with pus and which are very painful and lastly nodules. One may get confused sometimes as symptoms of acne may be like some other skin condition and it is always advised to consult a doctor in this scenario.

There are lots of treatments available today to treat acne. The primary goal of the treatment is to reduce scars and better appearance. There are various treatments and the doctor decides which specific treatment you need based on: the extent of acne problem, age, medical history, overall health, tolerance to specific medications and procedures, expectations and last but not the least what patients prefer.

Treatment of acne is classified into topical and systemic drug therapies which are given based on extent of severity. In some instances the combination of both the methods might be the way to go for acne treatment. Topical medication is nothing but creams, gels, lotions, solutions etc. prescribed to patients for acne treatment. Some of the examples of topical medication are: Benzoyl Peroxide which kills the Propionibacterium Acnes bacteria, antibiotics helps in stopping or slowing down the growth of the bacteria and also reduces inflammation, Tretinoin helps in stopping the formation of new acne lesions and Adapalene reduces formation of comedo.

Systemic drug therapies involve prescription of systemic antibiotics primarily for the treatment of acne problem which is moderate to severe in nature. The examples of antibiotics prescribed are Doxycycline, erythromycin and tetracycline. In some cases an oral drug called Isotretinoin is prescribed for teenagers with severe acne problem which shrinks down the sebaceous glands that produce oil. The results are pretty good and almost ninety percent of the adolescents have success with this oral drug. But the drug has some serious side-affects and thus it is very important that one consults a doctor before use.

Acne Treatment- What Is Sebum

2009-01-20T21:15:00.000-08:00

Sebum is part of the oil that is found on the surface of the skin. Other ingredients of the oil on the skin are- sweat, lipids and environmental dirt. It is sebum, which contributes a lot to our body odor. Sebum itself is odorless but its bacterial disintegration produces odor. That is why if you keep your skin clean of bacteria with anti bacterial soaps regularly, you can reduce body odor to a great extent. Sebum reaches hair follicles
and coats the hair and also reaches the skin through the hair follicles. Many people experience oily hair if hair is left unwashed for few days. That happens because of sebum. The Latin meaning of sebum is fat.

How sebum is produced- sebum is produced by sebaceous glands. These glands are found on most parts of the body. Except few, most sebaceous glands open into a hair follicle. These are the sites of acne formation.

What does sebum do- sebum protects skin from bacterial infection. Sebum also reduces the natural water loss of body from the skin. Increased sebum production can cause acne.

Sebum production- sebum production decreases with age. Particularly in women it reduces after menopause. Adult females produce less sebum than men. Sebum production may experience jump at the time of puberty in men.

There are some common theories about sebum. Some people believe that drying excess sebum with blotting oils will reduce sebum production. Some believe that if you use products supposed to control oil production that will increase sebum production. Both are wrong conclusions. Drying excess oil will only remove surface oil. And using oil control products will not increase sebum production. Sebum is required to protect our skin, but increased production of sebum leads to oily skin and frequent acne flare-ups.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Acne- Treatment Regime For Severe Acne

2009-01-10T21:14:00.000-08:00

This kind of acne requires intensive treatment over a period. Your doctor will treat you with combination therapy to control and cure the acne while trying to take care that minimum scars form. The treatment regimen for severe acne may include physical as well as oral and topical treatments. The options ay include- Isotretinoin, Oral antibiotics,
Oral contraceptives for female patients, Injecting corticosteroid in the lesion and
Surgical procedure. Let us look at them.

Isotretinoin: Isotretinoin is one of the most potent treatments fore severe form of acne which has not responded well to other therapies. Isotretinoin is the best treatment option for cystic acne. Isotretinoin is a form of Vitamin A. The normal course of Isotretinoin is one or two pills a day for up to twenty weeks. Your dermatologist best decides this. Isotretinoin should never be taken without medical supervision. Isotretinoin is one of the best options because it helps treat all the four factors of acne formation- excess oil, clogged pores, inflammation and the bacteria P.acnes. Isotretinoin can also have many side effects.

Side effects of Isotretinoin - For women, it is very important to be in constant contact with their doctor because Isotretinoin can cause damage to developing foetus. It cannot only never be given during pregnancy but before the treatment begins all possibilities of pregnancy have to be eliminated. Please talk to your doctor in detail and follow his/her instructions very strictly. The other side effects of Isotretinoin may include joint pains, headaches, nausea, depression and others. You must not miss your appointment with your doctor while taking Isotretinoin.

Oral antibiotics - broad spectrum antibiotics can reduce the bacteria P.acnes substantially. With reduction in the population of this bacterium inflammation reduces. The choice of the antibiotic is best left to your doctor. The antibiotic may include drugs such as - tetracycline, erythromycin, doxycline etc.

Oral contraceptives for female patients- overactive sebaceous glands produce more sebum and are one of the main causes of acne. Some oral contraceptives can reduce the production of excessive sebum. These drugs can be taken only under medical supervision. Sometimes, you may have to consult gynecologist for which your doctor will advise you.

Injecting corticosteroid in the lesion - a great help in preparing for a social event, in this treatment a mild steroid is injected in the cyst. The steroid reduces the acne substantially with in few days. This treatment also prevents scarring as it reduces the possibility of bursting of a cyst and dries it totally.

Surgical procedure- your doctor may find it necessary to cut open the acne and drain it. It is done with sterile equipment and needs skill. Acne patients should not do draining of acne.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Acne Treatment, Best Acne Treatments

2009-01-01T21:14:00.000-08:00

Acne treatment has many varieties. Acne is a broad term which includes blemishes, blackheads, and whiteheads. See acne information for more. Acne can strike at any age. Effective acne treatment is sometimes difficult to find, and understanding acne and prevention can be frustrating. Below are some acne treatment tips that have worked for many. Understanding acne treatment is a very important step to take before undergoing the treatment itself.

Although acne isn't life threatening it can be uncomfortable and hard on your ego. There has always been a debate about the actual cause of acne. The actual cause isn't as important as finding a cure. There's acne treatment for teenagers that has been specifically configured for the teenage age group. Adult acne is also common and adults can experience acne problems well into their 40's.

So is there a cure for acne? Well yes and no. There are many products available and for some they are a cure, for others they do not help. A cure is only a cure when you find a product that works for you.

Most acne treatments will take time to work. It usually takes around 8 weeks before you see any significant improvement so you are going to have to be patient. Once your acne's cleared up it's important to continue with the acne treatment that's working so it does not return.

If you have serious acne it is best to consult a dermatologist. However in milder cases you will often be able to get it under control by yourself just by preservering. Try these acne treatment tips to conquer your acne.

Acne control through exercise

Regular exercise helps keep your whole body in shape. It builds your immune system and helps eliminate toxins from the body. It's a great start to fighting acne.

Diet can act as acne medicine

You need to eat at least 5 servings of fresh fruit and vegetables each day. Fresh fruit and vegetables are full of nutrients that your body needs. They boost the immune system and are good antioxidants. They can work towards helping you get rid of the acne. Try to avoid refined sugars and fatty foods which have are not good for you or your skin. You also need to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to flush your system of toxins.

Cosmetics can help acne treatment

Choose cosmetics that are water based and hypo-allergenic. Avoid oil free products, coal tar derivatives, and heavy creams. Make sure you wash your skin thoroughly every night to remove makeup residue.

Hormones and acne

Hormones can play a role in acne flare ups and they can be used to reduce outbreaks. Your doctor may decide to use HRT to eliminate or reduce your acne outbreaks.

Clean skin for acne treatment

You need to avoid harsh scrubbing of your face but you also need to thoroughly clean your skin nightly. Use a mild cleaning regime every night. Once or twice a week you should also use an exfoliator to gently remove damaged skin and unplug pores. Also see acne skin care tips that work.

Shaving and acne

Is actually a great exfoliating treatment the removes dead skin. However you should never shave an area that is infected or inflamed. Always use a shaving cream if your skin is sensitive.

Stress and acne control

Can be a contributing factor to acne so try to relax and unwind. Emotions trigger chemical reactions in the body which can cause an outbreak.

You can help control your acne outbreaks by following these simple steps. What are you waiting for?

Acne Scar Treatment Techniques

2008-12-14T21:13:00.000-08:00

Acne is one of the most common and bothersome skin conditions for adolescence. Although acne itself is not curable, even the most severe cases can be treated effectively. For these sever conditions, various types of acne scar treatment are available if warranted by the situation.

Recent estimates indicate that 85% of the population between the ages of 12 and 24 suffer from acne. The severity and amount of time a person has acne can vary from person to person, but for most of us, it will eventually go away by itself. It is true that even mild acne may affect normal social activities because of the undesirable changes to your appearance, but this is considered more of a nuisance than anything else.

Unfortunately, there are more severe forms of acne with greater consequences. In addition to being painful, sever cases of acne can cause serious scarring. Acne scars can occur in both mild acne or severe acne, but the chances of scarring increases as the acne severity increases. Luckily, you have the option of choosing between several acne scar treatment techniques available.

The purpose of acne scar treatment is to restore your skin to its original appearance. You will find, however, that restoration is not always 100%, but acne scar treatment works to make the scarring almost invisible. There are a variety of techniques available to remove acne scars and each one uses a different approach. It is recommended that you consult with a dermatologist to determine the best technique based on your type of acne and the severity of scarring present.

At this point, you may be asking yourself how acne scars occur. In general, acne scars, and other types of scars for that matter, result from tissue damage. After tissue is damaged, the body will begin healing itself and in the process discourages any chance of infection. Your body sends a special chemical call collagen to the affected area. Sometimes, the collagen is produced in excess and develops into an irregularly shaped fibrous mass resulting in an acne scar.

Other types of scars that may also occur include soft scars, depressed scars, "ice-pick" scars, atrophic macules, and many others. For the most part, these types of scars are caused by the loss of tissue from a particular area.

Injecting collagen under the surface of the scarred skin is one of the most popular acne scar treatment techniques being used. The purpose of this technique is to puff out or restore the skin, which makes the scar much less noticeable. Another acne scar treatment technique is called autologus fat transfer. This process uses the fat from one part of your body for injection into the affected area. This helps to fill in the scar, but since fat is eventually absorbed into the body, repeated applications may be needed.

Other effective acne scar treatments include laser or dermabrasion. Skin grafting and even surgery is a possibility, but these procedures are used only used in the most extreme cases. Hopefully, you will not have to undergo any of these techniques to address your acne, but if scarring is present, with the help of your dermatologist you will be able to make an effective choice.

Natural and Herbal Remedies for Treating Acne

2008-12-07T22:55:00.002-08:00

Millions of people are affected by acne all over the world, as the number of skin care products proves it available in the market for treating pimples. Many of the over-the-counter products meant for treating acne contain chemicals, which might deteriorate the skin and might be only a temporary remedy. As the people are now aware of the hazards of the chemical usage, everyone is looking for a natural and herbal remedy to treat acne. Herbal medicines are not harsh because it does not contain any chemicals and are compounded mixtures of naturally available plants and herbs.

Some of the natural herbal treatments for acne:

Natural treatments can be in the form of lotions, creams, home made products or even herbal formulations. Below listed are some ingredients, which can be procured from a herbalist and made to use for treating acne.

Echinacea and tea tree oil are the very common natural herbal remedies known for treating acne and is available widely. Echinacea and Oregon grape can help in increasing the immune system of the body. While tea tree oil consists of terpenoids, which is known for its antifungal and antiseptic property.

Green tea is used in the defense of bacteria lowering the hormone activity, thus acne can be controlled. Almond oil is very good in removing acne scars.

Apricot and citrus juices alleviate the presence of cysts and acts as a natural exfoliate, getting rid of the dead skin cells making the pores free from clogs.

Distilled white vinegar can be applied as a topical solution on the affected area to cleanse the pores. Honey mask helps in the healing process of the skin affected by acne due to its anti bacterial quality.

Green tea, chamomile and oatmeal are excellent herbs for treating inflammation due to its anti inflammatory properties. It helps to soothe the affected part and aids in the release of heat and making the skin to heal properly. When the affected part is washed with oatmeal, the itching sensation is reduced. Ginger helps to reduce redness and inflammation and can be consume in any form.

Licorice is a very important herb used in the treatment of acne since the Middle Ages. Licorice increases mucous secretion, stimulating the adrenal gland function making the natural defense system of the body into overdrive to remove bacteria and germs responsible for acne and pus.

Vitamin A And Vitamin E For Acne

2008-12-07T22:55:00.001-08:00

In the fight against acne, vitamins A and E both act fairly similarly and both have great advantages for preventing its outbreak. Needless to say, getting proper amounts of these vitamins into your body everyday is crucial for maintaining clear, healthy skin and for helping to prevent acne from becoming a problem.

Vitamin A fights acne initially by helping to strengthen the protective tissue of the skin. Additionally, it reduces sebum (oil) production in the skin. This combination helps the skin to become more capable of fighting acne and also this healthy skin, with less oil, is less likely to suffer from acne breakouts. Furthermore, Vitamin A is a very strong antioxidant which helps to rid the body, including the skin, of harmful toxins and free radicals, therefore helping to clear the skin of many problems, including acne. Vitamin A is usually taken in conjunction with carotenoids which enhances its effects against acne.

Vitamin E is also an antioxidant. Although not as strong of one as Vitamin A, Vitamin E still does help to rid the skin of toxins which can lead to acne and helps to clear up existing acne. Vitamin E also promotes tissue repair and healing of the skin, two important aspects that help to both strengthen the skin and also to prevent damage caused by acne to become permanent. Additionally, Vitamin E prevents cell damage by inhibiting the oxidation of lipids (fats) and the formation of free radicals.

As can be seen, both vitamins have fairly similar methods of assisting in the fight against acne. Both help to strengthen the skin and healthier, stronger skin is less prone to acne. Both are also antioxidants and help to clear the skin of acne and prevent future breakouts. The difference is that Vitamin A reduces oil production and Vitamin E promotes tissue repair and healing. In combination, these vitamins are extremely effective in combating acne.

Both Vitamin A and Vitamin E are extremely important vitamins and a deficiency in either of them can lead to acne. Consuming healthy amounts of these vitamins every day can help to fight existing acne and also to enable to body to better prevent further acne breakouts from occurring. Put plainly, both of these vitamins should be involved in any methods used to combat acne and should be heavily considered when looking for acne fighting vitamin supplements.

Treat Acne With Essential Fatty Acids

2008-12-07T22:54:00.006-08:00

Whilst scientists do not fully understand the cause of acne, the role of essential fatty acids in the body, including the skin, is reasonably understood. This understanding has led to some scientists and natural health practitioners looking at the effects and benefits of essential fatty acids for skin conditions such as acne.

Udo Erasmus is a writer with post graduate studies in genetics, and biochemistry, and a PhD in Nutrition. He believes there are nutritional deficiencies and problems that can cause or exacerbate acne, though they are not as simple as the usual ones about chocolate!

Central to his belief is that: "Hard fats and (hard) protein debris clog narrow pores and channels in our skin, and invite infection by bacteria who feast on the mess". (p346)

He believes acne is a result of "fatty degeneration". Factors in this are:

* fats associating poorly with protein
* too many 'hard' fats
* not enough essential fatty acids

Hard fats are also called saturated fatty acids. These are the fats that are found in most food, including animal fats and dairy. Their name comes from the fact that the fat molecules carry the maximum amount of hydrogen molecules that they possibly can. This has significance in the way these fats act in our body. Some of these saturated fats have a high melting point, like butter and milk fat.
An excess can cause problems for our arteries and heart health.

Fatty acids, of the essential and non essential kind, are found in our cell membranes. This includes the membranes of the skin. Erasmus describes the characteristics of saturated fatty acids as tending to stick together. And because they have a higher melting point, they are more likely to be clump together and form deposits when we consume them in excess. So, they are harder for the body to get rid of. And as well as clumping together, they can clump with other things like protein, minerals, and cholesterol. Excess sugar can be a problem because our body converts excess sugar into saturated fatty acids.

Other problems with excess saturated fatty acids includes the fact that the body can convert them into unsaturated fatty acids, which can then oxidize if we don't consume enough fatty acids.

Saturated fatty acids can reduce the supply of oxygen to our tissues, by making blood cells which carry oxygen stick together and so impede that vital transportation system which normally carries oxygen to our cells.

Excess fat, including excess saturated fats, are stored in the adipose cells in our skin. These are fat storage centers.

Erasmus recommends consuming W3 (alpha linolenic acid) and w6 (flax and linoleic acid) essential fatty acids in the correct ratio.

Essential fatty acids have free receptors for hydrogen bonds. This characteristic changes the way the molecules are structured in terms of the shape they have. And it is this different shape, a kinked shape, that means they don't clump together with the affinity that saturated fats do. And they also have a lower melting point - so they are more liquid also. Because of this difference in structure, they also have a slight negative molecular charge, and given that like charges repel, this is another reason why they don't clump together. Erasmus characterizes these properties of unsaturated fats as providing 'fluidity' to cell membranes. He says this allows the cells to fulfill important chemical functions.

Inflammation, a characteristic of acne, is associated with a deficiency in the essential fatty acid LNA, or alpha linolenic acid. Erasmus writes that whilst inflammation is not a classical symptom of LNA, when people take alpha linolenic acid supplements, this symptom can be reversed.

Essential fatty acids as a group are strongly anti-inflammatory. Another essential fatty acid, linoleic acid (LA) has particular reference to acne. When there is a deficiency of linoleic acid, the oil producing glands in the skin make sebum that is mixed with oleic acid. Oleic acid is found in butter and land animal fats. However, in excess, it can interfere in essential fatty acid use. But more importantly for acne sufferers, sebum mixed with oleic acid is irritating to the skin. It lends itself to blockages of the pores that result in acne, blackheads and whiteheads.

The Emotional Effects of Acne

2008-12-07T22:54:00.005-08:00

You've been anticipating — and possibly dreading — the "big day" for weeks. The nature of the event isn't important; it may be a first date, an important job interview, or your own birthday party. You try to hide behind hair or heavy make-up. But you can't ignore the face in the mirror.

Sound familiar? For acne sufferers all over the world, these scenarios are all too common. Even routine social interactions — a day at the office, a trip to the market — can be a nightmare of stress and self-loathing. Yet, due to the "merely cosmetic" nature of acne vulgaris, these very real emotions are widely dismissed as oversensitivity. Clear-faced friends and co-workers say, "Really, it looks worse to you."

And they're probably right. But they're missing an important point: Acne is as much about how you feel as how you look. Over the years, the research methods and medical treatments may have changed, but the answers to the question "how does your acne make you feel?" have remained alarmingly constant: Ugly. Angry. Dirty. Depressed. These answers are consistent across gender lines, age barriers and national borders.

What is being done?

Every year, millions of dollars are devoted to the medical study and treatment of acne; millions more are spent on the development and marketing of over-the-counter remedies. Comparatively little energy, however, has been spent determining the psychological and social effects of the condition. Consider the following statement:

There is no single condition which causes more psychic trauma, more maladjustment between parent and children, more general insecurity and feelings of inferiority and greater sums of psychic suffering than does acne vulgaris.1

Made by Sulzberger and Zaidems in a 1948 article, this statement rings true today. Despite acne's limited impact on overall patient health, several studies have concluded that it produces a similar degree of emotional stress to skin conditions causing significant physical disability. The implications are fairly obvious: Acne hurts more on the inside. So why is it so easy for people to dismiss these feelings as vanity?

The problem of measuring emotion.

The difficulty lies not in validating acne's negative affects, but in quantifying them. For years, researchers have been struggling to find an accurate means of measurement for this particular kind of study. Scientists use psychometrics to measure conditions of the mind, but have yet to develop a scale for evaluating the psychological effects of physical conditions such as acne. And the use of psychometric scales for evaluating acne patients has been largely inconclusive.

Why? Emotional symptoms — depression, anger, low self-esteem — are influenced by an incredible number of variables. So it's difficult to know for sure whether one's depression is caused by acne alone or a combination of factors, ranging from trouble in school to on-the-job stress. At the moment, the best way to understand the psychosocial effects of acne seems surprisingly simple: Listen.

The power of patient testimony.

Until science develops an accurate scale, the best way for us to learn about acne's emotional effects is from the patients themselves. The following passages are excerpted from verbatim quotes taken during a 1995 study in San Francisco.2 In dramatic contrast with the psychometric questionnaires used in the past, patients were asked open-ended questions and encouraged to answer at length.

It has been many years since I have looked in a mirror. I comb my hair using a silhouette on the wall to show the outline of my head. I have not looked myself in the eyes in years, and that is painful to not be able to do that, and that is a direct result of acne.

When my acne got more severe, I began to really examine more things, become more aware of social norms, what is acceptable, what is attractive. That is when I began to have lower self-esteem; it made me become more of an introvert. It made me want to avoid certain occasions. 'Ask her out? Well, maybe not. She won't be interested because of how I look.

It's associated with being dirty, and I hate that, because it's not at all like that. I inherited it from my mother, and she is always telling me that she had the exact same thing, and that it will go away. I am mad that I inherited it from her. My dad makes me feel bad because he never had bad skin when he was younger, so he doesn't understand.

My mother doesn’t know what she has done to hurt me. If I ate fatty foods, she would criticize. If I ate spicy food — which Thai food is, they are all spicy — she would say that because I ate spicy food, that was why I had pimples. She kept telling me how ugly my face was, and no one was going to marry me if I had bad-looking skin. And that really hurts me.

I know I am so insecure in this way — but if I go into a store, I won't buy candy, even if I really want it. I think in my mind that people are looking at what I am buying, and thinking, 'Oh, she eats junk. No wonder she has so many zits on her face.

From just this small sample, it's easy to see the wide-ranging emotional impact of acne on those who suffer from it. These accounts of family conflict, social withdrawal and deep private suffering are, according to the patients, the direct result of their acne.

While it's hard to measure the impact of this condition, the message within these testimonies is clear: Acne can cause profound emotional suffering. Of course, if you live with acne, this isn’t news — but it may be helpful to know you’re not alone.

Understanding Acne in Puberty Stage

2008-12-07T22:54:00.003-08:00

Puberty acne develops from a few simple steps. First, teenage acne occurs when for some unknown reason or combination of reasons, hair follicles, also known as pores, become blocked. Although the exact combination of reasons that pores become clogged may not be fully known, many contributing elements for teenagers and adults alike can include:

* genetics (whether or not there is a history of acne problems and if so, to what extent)
* hormones
* dietary and vitamin make up (or lack of /deficiency)
* stress related factors

Other denominators in the development of puberty acne could include factors like how your body normally rids itself of its dead skin cells. And influences that may be working against this regularity. For example, climate and other environmental factors, overall body health at the time of the outbreak, and your hormones and their effect on your own body's sebum production (especially for females).

Second, the normal dead skin cells that combine with your body's natural sebum oil as it drains through the skin's surface become clogged in these blocked pores. This substance becomes somewhat sticky, further clogging the passageway.

Third, bacteria begins to grow around these clogged areas. As a normal reaction, your body's white blood cells attack the bacteria, fighting it and pushing it out of the body.

And forth, the resulting growths during this 14-day to 21-day battle are called microcomedones. Microcomedones turn into comedones, commonly referred to as blemishes, pimples or acne.

There are basically four types of puberty acne: whiteheads, blackheads, pimples and nodules.

Whiteheads are when the sebum (oil) and resulting bacteria are trapped below the skin's surface and you can actually see a white head appear above (or near popping out of) the skin.

Blackheads are when the sebum and resulting bacteria are only partially trapped, slowly draining out the surface and turning black because of your skin's melanin or pigmentation. In the absence of either white or blackhead are generally (but not always) smaller pimples. And the often deeper, boil-like lesions are referred to as nodules.

All forms of puberty acne can be mild, moderate or severe. Typically, mild puberty acne is visible in the form of whiteheads and blackheads, sometimes pimples.

With moderate puberty acne, more pimples and pustules are present on the face, some may appear on the back or chest.

And with severe puberty acne, many nodules develop, often large and sore, over parts of the face, back, chest and other body areas. This type of acne can lead to scarring.

Actually, lesser cases of puberty acne have been followed by scarring. So for those with possible nodular acne, seeking advice from a healthcare provider as soon as possible is recommended.

A gender issue to note is that males more often have the severe form of acne rather than females, due to their hormones. And the areas where they tend to break out most frequently are unfortunately more difficult to treat, the chest and back.

Tips To Selecting The Right Acne Medicine

2008-12-07T22:54:00.001-08:00

If you suffer from acne, then you are not alone. Every day, people try new acne medicine in the hopes that it will prove to be successful in ridding them of the redness, swelling and discomfort that goes along with the ailment.

The best way to correct this skin problem is to select an acne medicine that carries little or no side effects. Today, many conventional medicines carry side effects that are often worse than the ailment itself. When searching for an acne medicine, whether it be over the counter or prescription, make sure that you understand any potential side effects that may result from it’s use. It may be difficult to reason with an acne medicine designed to rid you of the discomfort and embarrassment of acne when it, itself, carries a possible side effect of irritation and/or a rash.

The best types of acne medicine will be those that are gentle to the skin and perhaps are even designed for sensitive skin. Always look for a product that is simple to use and understand. It should not promise instant results because, quite simply, there is no miracle cure for acne. There are, however, medications that are designed to treat the ailment. As is the case with any treatment, results will take time. When searching for the right acne medicine, look for one that promises realistic results in a realistic timeframe.

If you are seeing a dermatologist and are receiving prescriptions, make sure that your physician/dermatologist is aware of any current or past medical conditions. Certain illnesses, either past or present, may prevent you from being able to safely use some acne medicines. For instance, women who are pregnant or think they may be pregnant, children and the elderly must be very careful about the medications that they are prescribed or use via over the counter purchases.

A final thought to consider with acne medicine is, in some cases, the offer of a guarantee. This symbolizes a company’s belief in their product, which goes a long way in consumer trust. When you do use a product, make sure to use as directed and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines exactly.

This article is to be used for informational purposes only. The information contained herein is not intended to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice regarding the use of acne medicine. Prior to beginning any treatment regimen, the patient must consult a licensed medical doctor or dermatologist for advice and/or to determine the best course of action for his/her individual situation.

The Whole Truth About Acne Home Remedies

2008-12-07T22:53:00.001-08:00

A lot of people suffer from acne. Anyone with acne has one goal in mind: to get rid of it. The severity of the condition will vary between people, as will the effectiveness of certain treatments. You shouldn't have to deal with the embarrassment of blemishes on your face. The prescription and over-the-counter medications vary in price and effectiveness toward your skin. But why not try a few acne home remedies first? You may find something that works for you from your very own bathroom or kitchen.

The main purpose of an acne medication is to unclog your pores and calm inflammation. Acne home remedies are usually not for extreme cases, but more aimed at the mild to occasional blemishes. Some acne home remedies sound a little silly, and are not tested or proven by a real dermatologist. Some home remedies may worsen your condition or not effect it at all. You should be aware of this possibility before you try any of these. Common acne home remedies include: salt water, toothpaste, egg whites, ice, apple cider vinegar, steam, or wheat germ.

Washing your face with warm, mild salt water dries up excess acne-inducing oils. The advantage to using this instead of a normal soap to wash your face is that it is less likely to aggravate the acne or your skin.

Applying a bit of toothpaste on a visible pimple before you go to sleep helps reduce swelling. It also keeps the area free of oils that could make the spot worse. Be sure to use an actual paste because a gel will not have the same effect. This is the most common of all the acne home remedies.

Dab egg whites on a pimple that is already on the surface. If you leave it on overnight, it is said to draw out the infection and speed up the healing process.

Holding a cube of ice on acne before bed should visibly decrease the inflammation and swelling. It may also reduce the chances of scarring after your skin has cleared up.

Placing a cotton ball into apple cider Vinegar and then applying it to your infected area will almost instantly reduce swelling. This works especially well for large inflamed spots.

You are always advised not to squeeze any pimples, however, blackheads will not go away on their own. Opening your pores using steam to can assist you when you are cleaning your face. Take a hot shower or put your head over the vapors of a boiling pot of water.

Wheat germ, which can be found in most stores, is one of the only acne home remedies taken internally. Taking wheat germ with one meal a day can clear your acne and leave your skin softer than it was before because it is rich in helpful vitamins.

The most commonly effective acne home remedies are found in most homes. The benefit of experimenting with these on your blemishes is that you don't have to go out and buy anything. If it doesn't work, you didn't waste any money in the process. If it does help the condition of your acne, then you have a great, cheap solution to your problem.

The Secret Of Acne Treatment

2008-12-07T22:52:00.004-08:00

Acne has become awful disease for modern day people, especially girl. People just can’t wait to get rid of red pimple in their face. A lot of quick-cash seeker may offer you product that can clean your acne in a day.

However, sadly to say, what works for one may not work for others. The most important things to remember when it comes in terms of acne treatment is not about magical product that can remove your acne problems in a night. But knowing the simple rule of lifestyle is all you need to solve your acne problem.

For example, you must never be pop your pimples no matter how desperate you want. Another example is knowing what you eat can make significant different in getting rid from your acne in long term as we know that oil is the number one cause of acne.

Another things to bear in mind is give time for something to works. You can purchase hundreds of dollars acne treatment product but without give it a time to works it will do you nothing.

Choosing your acne treatment products is something that cannot be counted on your friend's opinion. Because every people has different skin condition. So when choosing your acne treatment products you have to try yourself what works for you and what not.

Or you can simply consult to doctor or professional to know what best to do. Not only they can point you out on what works best for your skin type but also they can save you from months of trial and error.

The worse thing about acne is not of acne itself but because psychology condition it may impact. When you feel low self esteem because you have over-extended acne remind yourself that others too have same problems with yours. You may want to create your own discussion group to support each other along the way.

Don't worry about whether others may want to join your discussion group or not just simply ask for it. You will be shocked at how many people that will become your new friend-in-needs.

Science Of Acne In Layman's Terms

2008-12-07T22:52:00.003-08:00

In a nutshell, a few simple steps occur that cause skin blemishes. First, acne occurs when for some unknown reason or combination of reasons, hair follicles, also known as pores, become blocked. Although the exact combination of reasons that pores become clogged may not be fully known, many contributing elements for teenagers and adults alike can include; genetics (whether or not there is a history of acne problems and if so, to what extent), hormones, dietary and vitamin make up (or lack of /deficiency) and stress related factors. Other denominators could include factors like how your body normally rids itself of its dead skin cells and influences that may be working against this regularity (for example climate and other environmental forces or overall body health at the time) and your hormones and their effect on your own body's sebum production (especially for females).

Second, the normal dead skin cells that combine with your body's natural sebum oil as it drains through the skin's surface become clogged in these blocked pores. This substance becomes somewhat sticky, further clogging the passageway.

Third, bacteria begins to grow around these clogged areas. As a normal reaction your, your body's white blood cells attack the bacteria, fighting it and pushing it out of the body.

And forth, the resulting growths during this 14-day to 21-day battle are called microcomedones. Microcomedones turn into comedones, commonly referred to as blemishes, pimples or acne.

There are basically four types of acne; whiteheads, blackheads, pimples and nodules. Whiteheads are when the sebum (oil) and resulting bacteria are trapped below the skinีs surface and you can actually see a white head appear above (or near popping out of) the skin. Blackheads are when the sebum and resulting bacteria are only partially trapped, slowly draining out the surface and turning black because of your skinีs melanin or pigmentation. In the absence of either white or blackhead are generally (but not always) smaller pimples. And the often deeper, boil-like lesions are referred to as nodules.

All forms of acne can be mild, moderate or severe. Typically, mild acne is visible in the form of whiteheads and blackheads, sometimes pimples. With moderate acne, more pimples and pustules are present on the face, some may appear on the back or chest. And with severe acne, many nodules develop, often large and sore, over parts of the face, back, chest and other body areas. This type of acne can lead to scarring. Actually, lesser cases of acne have been followed by scarring. So for those with possible nodular acne, seeking advice from a healthcare provider as soon as possible is recommended.

A gender issue to note is that males more often have the severe form of acne rather than females, due to their hormones. And the areas where they tend to break out most frequently are unfortunately more difficult to treat, the chest and back.

Laser Treatment for Acne Scar Removal

2008-12-07T22:52:00.001-08:00

Acne scar laser treatment stands out among all acne treatments in effectiveness. Acne scarring comes under cosmetic disfigurements posing psychological problems to the patients. It is notable here that most of these can very well be corrected using laser as skin resurfacing modality.

Acne scar laser treatment involves using a light beam from a carbon dioxide laser. The latter vaporizes the upper layers of damaged skin at specific and controlled levels of penetration.

Development of selective photothermolysis

The development of selective photothermolysis has caused significant advances in the use of laser technology for skin resurfacing. The improved technology has helped reduce residual thermal damage. By using shorter pulse durations of laser light, the minimizing of thermal damage significantly reduced the risk for scarring on the skin.

The latest procedures involve an intense beam of light to destroy the skin tissue instantly. As of now, carbon dioxide and Er:YAG laser reportedly offer best acne treatments. They are able to perform highly specific vaporization of tissue using powerfully focused light to precisely remove the skin layers. Thus they vaporize the ridges of scars and wrinkles and smoothing out the surface of the skin.

Best lasers for acne scar removal

Er: YAG laser offers the best acne scar laser treatment. The benefit of Er:YAG laser for superficial to moderate acne scar removal stems from the fact that this laser produces less thermal damage compared to other types of laser.

The short pulsed Er:YAG laser has a water absorption coefficient 16 times greater than that of the carbon dioxide laser. The water in the tissue absorbs most of the energy of these lasers. That results in minimal optical penetration depth and thermal damage.

The more limited penetration of these lasers into the skin triggers a histo-pathological improvement less pronounced than that of carbon dioxide laser. However, Er:YAG laser shows potential as an acne scar removal treatment especially in the treatment of mild to moderate superficial rhytides and scars. In fact it is the best acne scar laser treatment for acne scars that are not very deep.

How to Cure Acne Naturally

2008-12-07T22:51:00.001-08:00

Let’s face it: We mostly judge people on how they look.

This is a fact that cannot be denied and the reason why almost everyone is obsessed with their appearance. This is also why if anyone suffers from acne, they often go to any length to control this image distorting skin disease.

I am saying this from first-hand experience, pimples, commonly known as acne, can literally make you miserable. Imagine having a big bump nestled right on your lower lip with other small bumps crowding your face and all the while you’re talking to someone you keep wondering : “ Is this person looking at the bump…?”

Perhaps you may have tried everything from the popular products advertised on TV, to the over the counter drugs at the local pharmacy. Believe me, I have and NOTHING worked, on the contrary, they made matters worse.

I tried exfoliating, using a mask, applying astringents, creams. My roommate literally had to yell once: “What’s with all this ‘make-up’ like you are a Vegas show-girl?”
It would be an understatement to say my experience with acne was horrible.

I had just about given up hope and decided to accept the myths that maybe just maybe it was in my genes or as my pastor at the time said: “It was God’s will for me…” but, it was right around this time that I stumbled upon an associate whose conversation with me that day forever changed my life-at least in regards to dealing with acne.

He asked what I was using to control the acne and if you are a sufferer, you may know the feeling that arises within when someone brings up the subject of your malady. I got defensive and mentioned the product I was using rather snappily. He kept right on and as if sensing my discomfort, assured me he was only trying to help.

He introduced me to juice fasting as a therapeutic measure of healing (not the religious practice I thought it was) and also discussed facial massaging and how to properly cleanse the face. I was intrigued by these methods for the following reasons

1. They were natural
2. They cost little or nothing
3. They made the most sense

After trying each of the methods simultaneously, within about 3 or 4 days, I was relieved of the acne and even the razor bumps I also had. If felt good to be able to walk into the office and know that the girls were looking at me admirably and it was also a relief to know this horrendous mask was finally taken off me!

Years later after learning more about Naturopathy, Yoga and diet, I decided to dedicate a page on my website to offer this free information on how to cure acne naturally to my readers and am now including some of the tips in this article.

1. If you want to control your acne; you must make a change in your diet now.
This will not only clear up your skin, but will increase your all around health and well-being. A suggested diet will be a mucus-less diet comprising of raw and cooked Fruits, Leafy and Root vegetables augmented with a fast of some type. Remember the quote by Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine: “Let your foods be your medicine as nature heals ALL diseases!”

2. I can boldly say rid yourself of all topical and ingested drugs you are using to control acne as they only- from my experience- make matters worse.

3. Learn how to massage the face. You can type up facial massaging in your favorite search engine or simply view the free instructions and photos on my site. (Thank Goodness for the internet eh…?)

4. Change your pillowcase daily.

5. Steer clear of using microwaves. My anecdote on this device is in the same section mentioned in tip #3.

6. Engage in some form of vigorous exercise. This not only makes you fitter and healthier but aids tip #1 in detoxifying the skin, this being the second most important eliminating organ next to the lungs as stated by Dr. Stanley Burroughs, the author of the Master Cleanser.

In applying these steps above, you will definitely notice a drastic improvement in your skin. You too can cure your acne naturally without drugs and expensive visits to the dermatologists; you only need to be shown how.

If one way is true, it is the way of Nature.

How To Win The Double Battle Against Acne And Acne Scars?

2008-12-07T22:50:00.001-08:00

Just as a war has a post-war effect (on the completion of the war), acne healing is not the end of the story. It is the beginning of a new series of efforts to control the scars, and if possible, to obliterate it totally. It is the reformation and rehabilitation process for that particular patch of the skin.

Many people recoup the original health of the skin, without any permanent effects. But many have to suffer disfiguring scars. Topical skin care products and medications can work to some extent, but more efforts and ways and means will be required to find a lasting solution. A combination of surgical procedure and skin resurfacing have to play their part here. There are no other shortcuts or options to it howsoever.

The hyper pigmented mark on the skin, when the acne lesion is healed, should not be mistaken as a scar. At this stage, natural healing process has taken over, a post-inflammatory change. The result may not be immediate, nature is always slow, it goes placidly. The time frame for the scar-vanishing trick, may be anything between 6 to 12 months. If, even then the skin reverts to its original color, take it that you are going to be gifted with a permanent scar, and think of redrawing the plans for its permanent removal, in consultation with a dermatologist.

There are certain practices and medicines that can come in to play to expedite the healing process of the scar:

1. Wearing a good sunscreen is of utmost importance. Exposure to the sun causes damage to the skin and lengthens the process of healing.

2. Skin's remodeling process is amenable to certain tried and tested medicines. They heal up the post-inflammatory changes. One tested medicine is Tretinoin (Retin A-Renova, Avita).

3. Do not pick scabs under any circumstances. By doing so, you are rendering disservice to your own skin. You are interfering with the healing process of nature. By doing so, you are prolonging your own recovery.

Be realistic about the results. Do not try to achieve the impossible. Such efforts may cause more damage to the skin. No single treatment is right for everyone and your dermatologist knows what is best for you. Remember, treatment is addressed on a case-to-case basis.

No doubt, it is double punishment. Firstly to undergo the pains of recovery from acne and then to be the owner of a scar. Scars are there to remind you constantly and provide questioning room for others. In the ultimate analysis, let the advice and wish of the dermatologist prevail.

What causes Acne and how to control them.

2008-11-28T20:19:00.001-08:00

Acne begins in puberty, but it does not always end there. Every teenager, if examined closely enough will show some of the effects of acne with some being mild, others more severe. The major hormone causing changes in teenagers is androgen. Under its influence, the sebaceous glands produce more and more sebum (oil). This leads, then, to oily skin and a change in skin flora. There is an increase in the bacteria that cause acne as well as a type of fungus. All these contribute to the development of blockages at the oil gland openings known as comedones. Such blockages cause blackheads and whiteheads – and acne when there is infection of the skin’s pores.

Acne should not be viewed as something that comes with puberty. It has lasting effects on the skin, like scarring, and should be treated. A gentle skin cleansing without using cleansers that over-dry skin should be established. Addition to that a supplement such as Acuzine should be taken to have a fast and effective acne cure inside out.

In adults, acne could be a carryover from adolescence, occupational (exposure to chemicals or other skin irritants in the workplace), drug induced (some medications exacerbate acne) or cosmetic acne. There are also other factors that may contribute to acne besides family history such as frequent use of thick make-up, frequent activities under hot and humid conditions and contact with oily substances.

There is nothing much that we can do about genetics but surely we can do something about lifestyle factors to prevent acne. Using thick, oily creams also may lead to breakouts too. People with acne should use products that are formulated for people with oily skin.

Stress is another common aggravating factor for acne. Lack of sleep is a form of stress in itself too. And for women, the menstrual cycle can trigger off acne too. But whatever your stage in life with acne, if the acne cream or lotion show no sign of clearing up, then get Acuzine. Acuzine is rate no.1 acne treatment product with guaranteed results. It works for adults or teenagers suffering from facial or body acne. This is a natural acne treatment formula with no side effect and highly recommended by dermatologists. Fast and effective acne cure from inside out.

Treating acne at the start of the problem is easier than dealing with the scars.

Understanding Acne and its Devastating Results

2008-11-28T20:18:00.005-08:00

There are many days that get started off with a frightful scream or heartbreaking dismay from both men and women. The source of this shock and disappointment is an inflamed greasy and oily clogged up skin pore.

Acne is an unwelcome blemish on anyone's face; it can be quite painful too. If left untreated, acne can leave an unpleasant scar on the face, neck or back. Unlike the common pimple, acne can be inflamed and possibly turn out to be infected.

Hormones that go into overdrive during the teen years of a person cause acne, they produce an excess of oil deposits in the glands resulting to this skin blemish. While they are not particularly life threatening or are they extremely painful and disturbing they can leave permanent scars in the affected area.

Acne usually happens around the teenage years, from 13 to 19, and usually disappears there after. Different people have different levels or seriousness of acne infection. These will all depend on the amount of oils and dirt the face has. While some have minor infections that can be treated by simply washing the affected area, there are those that necessitate the consultation of a dermatologist or a skin expert.

Acne may not seem to be a serious matter for some, but it is an infection that can greatly affect many. There are people with acne who locks themselves up in their rooms waiting for the acne to disappear. It is a serious blemish that they cannot show to the world. Every year, ointments and acne medication has estimated sales of over a hundred million dollars. This just shows how many people are dead serious in eliminating acne.

The Many Causes Of Acne

2008-11-28T20:18:00.003-08:00

Acne remains a bit of a mystery. It seems to be partly hereditary, but why some people are affected by it and others are untouched isn't exactly known. We do, however, understand some of the biology behind it.

The main culprit is the excess production of sebum, an oily substance whose function is to keep skin and hair lubricated and supple. The production of the oily sebum blocks the skin's surface, which provides an ideal environment for bacterial growth. The bacteria multiply, the skin area becomes red and inflamed, and then a pimple pops up.

The Role Of Testosterone

The excess production of sebum is caused by testosterone, the male hormone. However, testosterone is present in both males and females. During puberty, the body changes in its reaction to testosterone, thereby producing extra sebum. This irregular reaction, occurring mainly during adolescence, causes the skin -- particularly the face and upper torso -- to become oily.

The sebum then combines with naturally occurring dead skin cells to block hair follicles.

The body usually regulates its reaction to testosterone by the early 20s, and then the annoying acne clears up.

Hair Follicle Theory

Narrowing hair follicles could be involved with the production of acne -- so says a recent scientific theory. Evidence suggests that hair follicles may become restricted for several reasons, including excessive shedding of cells within the follicle, abnormal cell binding, or water retention which causes the skin to swell.

The narrowed hair follicles prevent dead cells from being expelled from the body, creating a buildup beneath the skin. Combined with sebum, it produces ideal conditions for acne.

Making Matters Worse

Many people can't resist squeezing their pimples. This may make the condition worse, by spreading the bacteria to the surrounding skin area. It also can lead to scarring, sometimes permanently.

Even touching the face can worsen acne. Without realizing it, most of us touch our faces many times throughout the day. The problem is that our hands contain oils and bacteria that will increase the acne symptoms. In fact, all objects, including eyeglasses and telephone handsets, that make contact with the face must be clean.

Hair, particularly long hair, also touches your face, so it is important to keep your hair clean and oil free. Fabric accessories such as hats and headbands should be avoided or used as little as possible.

Other Factors

Other things that seem to aggravate acne conditions include diet, skin irritation, stress, hormonal activities such as menstrual cycles, and certain medications.

Dietary links show skim milk products to be related to acne. There is no statistical evidence, however, that foods such as chocolate and fast food have any association with pimples or aggravates acne.

Medications associated with acne include anabolic steroids (used for bodybuilding), lithium, barbiturates, halogens, and androgens.

Social Pimples not Medical

2008-11-28T20:18:00.001-08:00

Anyone that has graced our earth, has reached a stage in their life that is known as Puberty. Puberty is a time in life, different for everyone, where the largest hormone and sexual growth takes places. Common characterstics that are defined during this time are pubic hair, voice changes, larger breasts, etc.

A common 'side effect' to Puberty is the increased appearance of pimples. Pimples are a type of lesion on the skin that are caused by swelled or otherwise blocked pores. Most oftenly caused by acne, pimples can also be cause by other conditions such as smallpox.

The time of life when the greatest amount of growth occurs and the development of sexual characteristics (such as pubic hair, breasts in females, and lower voice in males) takes place. Noone that I have met likes pimple, and they have become a huge social issue in today's society. This is largely due to the direct affect that they have on one's appearance. Pimple's have the affect of making one appear 'dirty'.

It isn't hard to eliminate or reduce a pimple, all you have to do is press in and down on the area from both sides. This pressure on the area will bause the skin to pop, allowing the pimple to loose it's internal puss outwards. This is the most widely accepted method, however, it is not always recommended by dermatologists. Dermatologists have proven that in squeezing the pimple you can actually cause bacteria and puss to be pushed further into the skin, which in turn causes further irritation. Often times dirty fingers will also be the cause of prolonged infection.

Makeup For Acne Scars! Where Effective Cosmetic Products Camouflage Scars, Not Your Life

2008-11-28T20:17:00.002-08:00

Are you dropping out of society due to experiencing scars after acne breakouts? Are you searching for quality makeup for acne scars to help you blend your skin imperfections, and to also eliminate any future blemishes?

If your answer is yes to the questions above, then let me help you find the best cosmetic scar treatments that will allow you to get back out into the world, and enjoy your life the way you deserve to!

Nowadays, there are many advanced makeup products such as camouflage makeup specially designed for scars, and are widely offered by professional online skincare suppliers. These special skin products help you positively conceal such physical imperfections, such as scars, hyper pigmentation, rosacea, burns, and dark freckles to name a few.

If you happen to suffer from any of these conditions listed above, you’re not alone, and this is why quality acne cosmetics and scar treatments have been designed specially for you to help you in your current condition.

Now You Can Get The Scar Coverage You Need, Custom Made For You!

With treatment makeup, many of these uniquely designed scar products give you a large array of colors to choose from, helping match your skin tone perfectly, thus offering you that custom looking facial skin color blend. You pick 2-3 shades, and unify these colors together for that natural cosmetics look, and quality finishing touch!

The specially created Camouflage makeup products are made with mineral pigments that are fragrance and oil free, so it does not irritate your skin. The best thing is that the finish looks flawless, and your complexion will have virtually no signs of visible acne scars.

Don’t ever think that you’re the only one that has facial scars in this world! You would be surprised and amazed on how many of your favorite celebrities, and athletes have the same scar condition as you. This is the main reason why top quality scar cosmetics have been created, and when you’re under the camera and public microscope, these stars don’t want to take any chances of exposing their skin condition to their fans.

With that in mind, you can now take advantage of these quality skincare makeup products as well, and you don’t have to settle for the over-the-counter generic items that give you that caked on look, and do not properly blend away your scars. In most cases these retail products end up enhancing the look of your scar, rather than blending them.

You may notice that the prices on these products are a little higher than your retail store generic makeup products, but when you actually try them, you will understand why, and also realize that these uniquely designed scar care makeup items easily available to you online, are created for you in mind, and will eventually allow you to get your life back, by feeling comfortable in the public eye again!

Finding The Right Acne Cure

2008-11-28T20:17:00.001-08:00

Acne is one of the most common skin problems affecting people worldwide. A big misconception is that acne affects only teenagers, but many are surprised to learn that adults also suffer from this same inconvenience. Among the many causes are clogged pores resulting from makeup, everyday air particles and often a simple case of hormonal changes. While acne is a part of life for many individuals, it can be effectively treated with a variety of acne cure products.

One of the best, natural acne cure remedies is to wash your face at least twice on a daily basis. Early in the morning and late at night are both good times to cleanse the face. A moisturizing soap will be the most gentle for your skin whereas others with a harsh ingredient may strip the skin of it’s natural moisture and may even cause itching and/or redness.

Many people choose to use retail acne cure products, which can be effective if used properly. It is very important, however, that consumers read and understand the instructions and/or warning labels found in the packaging on all acne cure products. All treatment creams, pads or face wash products should be kept away from the eyes and are for external use only. This is not only true of retail products, but prescribed acne cure medications as well.

For a recurring or severe case of acne, many sufferers turn to a dermatologist for a more aggressive acne cure. In most cases, a prescribed routine and medication can help to treat acne. In most cases, a follow-up visit will be scheduled so that the doctor may monitor the patient’s progress and determine whether additional steps should be taken to treat the problem.

It is very important to avoid aggravating, or disrupting, any and all acne blemishes. Otherwise, the sufferer will face a possible bacterial infection from dirt and/or germs that may reside underneath the fingernail. Many believe that just because their fingernails appear clean, there is nothing to worry about. That’s simply not true. There are many germs and bacteria, which are not visible to the naked eye, that reside underneath the fingernail. This is why an acne sufferer should avoid any direct contact between their hand and the blemish area(s).

Effective Care And Treatment Of Adult Acne

2008-11-28T20:16:00.000-08:00

Adult skincare can be a challenging task even under the best of circumstances. Working to maintain healthy looking and feeling skin can be a complicated and time consuming task even for a person who is not afflicted with any type of troublesome or bothersome skin condition. Any man or woman who is afflicted with adult onset acne has additional challenges to face and meet in dealing with skincare related issues. With that said, by keeping some basic facts and following some proven treatment regimens, a person suffering from adult acne can achieve success in reigning this particular skin condition into control in the not too distant future.

Understanding the Causes of Adult Onset Acne

In reality, the primary causes of acne in adults are not all that different from what causes acne in children and teenagers. Indeed, in some instances when it comes to trying to trace the exact cause of adult acne, the task can be rather difficult as it is with younger people, including teenagers. In many instances there can be multiple reasons why a person becomes afflicted with acne as an adult. In some instances, an adult experiences an outbreak of acne due to improper skincare efforts. A person in such a situation is not properly cleansing and treating his or her skin on a daily basis. As a result, oils and dirt can build up on the skin causing there to be an outbreak of acne.

Additionally, there is some evidence to suggest that diet can play a role in the onset and development of acne in adults. There are a significant number of myths associated with foods and acne. However, the bottom line is that if a person does not eat a healthy and well balanced diet on a regular basis, he or she become more prone to the possibility of becoming afflicted with acne. Stress has been demonstrated to be a cause of acne in some men and women. Of course, stress can have a number of different negative consequences if it is not properly dealt with in an effective manner. On occasion, a person develops adult acne in response to different environmental conditions. In this regard, many people overlook the fact that their very homes can be the sites of contaminants in the air and in other areas that can result in different problematic conditions, including adult onset acne.

The Importance of Thorough Skin Cleansing

The most important step in dealing with (and preventing in the first instance) adult acne is a thorough and regular skin cleansing and washing program. For example, when it comes to the care and treatment of the skin on your face and neck, a person needs to make certain that he or she thoroughly cleans and washes his or her skin at least twice a day with an effective and appropriate facial cleansing product. In this day and age, there are some reliable skin cleansing and treatment products on the market for people who are suffering from acne, including adults and young people. An example of such a product that has proven to be most effective in properly cleansing skin and treating an acne condition is ZENMED Derma Cleanseฎ. Additionally, ZENMED Derma Cleanseฎ has been demonstrated to be effective in preventing acne outbreaks on the first instance.

The Necessity of Exfoliation

In addition to making certain that a person utilizes an effective skin cleansing product on a regular basis, that person will also want to make certain that he or she regular exfoliates the skin. Exfoliation is vital for the removal of dead skin cells, dirt, debris and oils that otherwise can accumulate on the and in the skin. By not regularly exfoliating, these waste products can accumulate on the skin, clogging the pores and then establishing an environment ripe for an acne outbreak.

Viable Skin Treatment Regimens

As mentioned previously, it is important for a person to utilize reliable and viable skin treatment regimens for the care and treatment of acne. Unfortunately, there is a wide array of different products on the market that are not in fact effective in the care and treatment of an acne condition. As a result, it is imperative that a person use only those treatments and products that have an established track record for successfully resolving an acne condition. Also as was mentioned earlier, ZENMED Derma Cleanseฎ is an example of a product that has proven itself successful in the care and treatment of acne, including adult onset acne.

Conclusion

While the outbreak and presence of adult acne can be a frustrating experience, there are now solid methods through which a person can work to resolve an adult acne condition. By following the tips and steps outlined in this article, an adult can be well on his or her way towards combating an acne condition. Additionally, by paying attention to the tips delineated in this article, an adult can work to prevent an outbreak of acne in the future.

Alternative Acne Treatment - Drug Free Solutions

2008-11-28T20:15:00.001-08:00

Acne is a skin condition from which most of us have suffered at one time or another, especially in our teens, but for most people it lasted only for a year or two. However it is possible to have this common condition at any time in your life, and many people are plagued by acne throughout their adult lives, and find themselves in an endless search for a drug or product which will end their problem for ever.

Acne itself is a condition caused by excess oil in the skin, and this oil breaks down into fatty acids which cause the skin to inflame. This normally takes place on the face and neck, but can also create more serious scars in addition to the common spots and pimples.

There are many natural and alternative acne treatments available in preference to the conventional chemical acne creams and lotions. Although not technically an alternative acne treatment, as a first step it is advisable to analyze your diet as this can often contribute significantly to the condition. Avoiding processed and prepackaged food is advisable for all of us, regardless of any skin conditions, but an unprocessed food diet should be particularly beneficial for those suffering from acne. Fried and fatty oily food and food cooked in vegetable oils will contribute to the oils which cause acne, but healthy oils such as those contained in fish such as sardines can be consumed, these are known as Omega 3 oils.

A healthy diet will also improve how your body processes food and integral to this is drinking lots of water. Most of us do not drink enough water, only getting part of our necessary intake though the water contained in other products and beverages. Drinking water, up to 10 glasses a day or more, will help to cleanse your system of many of the oils and toxins which may contribute to acne.

Another alternative acne treatment with potential benefits is increasing your vitamin intake. This can be done by buying vitamin tablets and supplements, but care must be taken as high levels of vitamins in the body can also be harmful. Vitamin A supplements can help with acne but as with all supplements they should be taken in moderation and preferably in consultation with your doctor. Similarly Zinc is often seen as an aid to alleviating acne symptoms, as it can help inflammation reduction and helps the immune system which protects against infection. Zinc can be found in foods such as liver eggs and seafood in particular. There are other products created from herbs which are reportedly able to help acne sufferers.

Overall the best advice to those afflicted by acne who want to avoid conventional chemical treatments is to start with a healthy diet, and give this new regime a chance to work. Locate one of the many sites or books outlining a healthy eating plan concentrating on those foods which contain little fatty vegetable oils and significant omega 3 oils, and critically drink lots of water. This simple change may be enough to alleviate many of your acne symptoms.

Acne Vulgaris - The Whole Truth

2008-11-28T20:14:00.005-08:00

Acne vulgaris is commonly referred to as just acne. From the start of the teenage years, almost everyone will suffer from some form of acne. It is ain inflammation of the skin that causes irritated sores, commonly on the face. This can lead to low self-esteem, embarrassment, and depression so it is important to treat it and take care of your skin.

The cause of acne vulgaris can be due to a number of different factors. Stress, hormones, and pore-blocking dead skin and oil are some of the most common reasons that people develop acne. It is also an inherited characteristic that you could get from your parents.

Stress changes the level of hormones and neuro-active substances that cause acne. A way to treat this type of break-out is to take some time to relax and de-stress your mind by exercising or writing. Find something that you enjoy doing and practice it when you are feeling particularly stressed over something

Hormone changes that occur during the teenage years can trigger acne vulgaris to flare up. This production of hormones is referred to as androgens. They stimulate oil glands to over-produce and contribute to developing blemishes.

It is a common misconception that all acne is the result of being unclean. If this was true, most people would not ever have to deal with acne. When natural skin oil is combined with normal skin bacteria and dead skin cells, the dead skin gets forced to the surface. The greater the amount of oil that is produced, the better the chance it as of clogging your pores. Clogged pores are where bacteria feed to produce inflammation, which results in pimples. Washing your face cannot treat a condition that develops primarily under the skin.

The effects of having acne vulgaris can be long-term if untreated. If the condition is severe, there is a chance for permanent scars to form. Most teenagers have trouble dealing with the way they feel when they have break-outs. Social situations are avoided at all costs to prevent the embarrassment of a flawed appearance. Some people go as far as missing school because of the appearance of acne vulgaris. Severe depression could also result from unhappiness with the appearance of their skin. Self-esteem and self-worth seem to diminish completely unless their skin is absolutely flawless. There is not a guaranteed cure for these feelings, however, getting an effective acne treatment could eliminate appearance from being the cause of it.

Treatment for acne vulgaris is as simple as finding which medicine works best for you. Severe acne is usually treated by a dermatologist who will prescribe a medication specific to your needs. If the acne is less severe or occasional, an over-the-counter solution could be best for you. There are all types of factors that contribute to the development of blemishes so when picking out the right medicine, consider the specificity of your skin. If you notice that your skin is especially oily, then be sure that you use something that will target the oil. Blackheads and whiteheads are also a target area of some treatments available. To get the best result, experiment in finding what is best for what you need.

Acne Treatment- Know These Facts About Acne

2008-11-28T20:14:00.003-08:00

All of us have different ideas about acne. The scientific facts may be different.It is better to know the facts about acne before trying any therapy or believing in untested ideas. Please read some basic facts about acne below-

Frequent washing -

Frequent washing of the acne-affected area will not treat acne. It may adversely affect it. Washing twice a day is enough. Contrary to popular belief acne is not caused by dirt. It is the sebaceous gland that gets closed and forms the acne because of various reasons.

Food-

No food has any relation with acne. if you feel that a food makes your acne worse, please stop that food after consulting your doctor. No conclusive evidence has yet pointed out to acne and its relation to food.

Medications-

Some medications can bring on acne. Some cortisones, certain anti tuberculosis drugs and some anti epileptic drugs can cause acne. Chlorinated solvents can also cause occupational acne.

Oral Vitamin A-

Derivatives of vitamin A, called retinoids are used topically and orally to treat acne under medical supervision. Vitamin a does not treat acne. If somebody takes excessive Vitamin A hoping that it will treat acne, that may make the health worse as Vitamin A in large quantity can have adverse effects on the body.

Hereditary-

If your parents had acne, you may be more prone to it.

Hormonal changes-

Hormonal changes bring on acne. It is hormone Androgen that is responsible for excess production of sebum. Females can have acne outbreaks during menstruation and pregnancy.

Acne like conditions

Some other conditions such as folliculitis may appear like acne. There are many other diseases that may look like acne. They are- Rosacea, Keratosis Pilaris, Perioral Dermatitis and some other conditions. It is always better to get diagnosed by a doctor rather than beginning self-treatment.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Acne Scar Removal: How To Do It The Right Way?

2008-11-28T20:14:00.001-08:00

Acne scar removal is effective when done properly, with the right products.

For many individuals, acne scar removal is the best solution to having scars removed from their body. Many individuals spend years dealing with acne in one form or the next. They find that there are many products on the market that do little to actually help them to remove acne. Acne scars can be devastating to their self esteem and outward appearance. Many individuals will deal with confidence issues because of their scars. Yet, acne scar removal can be the exact answer to their needs.

How Do They Work?

Selecting the right product for acne scar removal is important in the process. What individuals need to know is how the product actually works. For some situations, the product will work by exfoliating the skin enough to create new skin growth in the area of the scar. When the new skin heals, the scar will be gone or much less noticeable. These exfoliating products work well for many. Often, this acne scar treatment is called a chemical peel.

There are both natural and chemical forms of this type of acne scar treatment. Many of them work in the same method with the goal of removing the top layers of skin to help improve the skin’s condition. Other products work by gently and effectively removing the scar through topical treatments. In any case, the method for which the acne treatment works should provide some results rather quickly.

How To Select The Appropriate One

When selecting an acne scar removal product, insure that you understand how the product works. Find out how it will work to remove the scars on your body. Also, insure that you are not allergic to anything in the product. If you are unsure, test the product on a small area of skin to see if there is a reaction within a day’s time. Also, you should notice where the removal treatment is used. Some are not meant for the face while others will not be able to be used on the neck or body.

Acne scar removal can actually help to reform the skin and the soul when it is selected wisely.

Acne Power Treatments For Every Age

2008-11-28T20:13:00.001-08:00

The creation of acne treatment products are on the rise and it’s no wonder. With nearly 17 million people suffering from the disorder, in the United States alone, it is easily one of the most common skin diseases. A disorder that results when hormones react to your skin’s sebaceous glands, acne is a severely embarrassing and potentially disfiguring disorder that can cause deep scarring and emotional distress. Naturally, a slew of new treatment options are available, including over the counter (OTC), prescription drugs and more to help combat this skin disorder.

Even for very severe cases, treatments are available to help. The over the counter topical remedies (lotions, creams, gels) are not prescribed by a doctor and can be purchased at any drugstore and have been shown to be very effective. The main ingredients in these products are often benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or sulfur, which do help in clearing up acne most of the time.

Several types of prescription topical medicines include benzoyl peroxide, tretinoin, adapalene, and azelaic acid. These can work well also, however some people develop side effects including stinging, burning, redness, peeling, scaling, or discoloration of the skin.

Then there are non-prescription products like Acuzine that come in pill form and contain Co-Enzyme Q-10, vitamin E, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Aloe Vera and other natural antioxidant ingredients. They work at the problem from the inside out, similar to antibiotics and usually have a minimum of side effects.

One common prescription medication is called Accutane. Many people have seen excellent results with this product, however there are side effects for some people. These include upset stomach, dizziness or lightheadedness, changes in skin color, and dry skin.

No matter what treatment you choose for your skin condition, do not expect immediate results. Most products take at least four to six weeks before you notice a significant improvement. Some take more, others may take slightly less but four to six weeks is the average wait. However, the earlier it’s treated the less chance you have of scarring and that’s got to be worth something.

Whether you have mild or severe acne, there is a product that is right for you. Consult with your doctor, conduct your own research and in no time you will have found a perfect treatment regimen for your skin type. Soon enough, you’ll be on your way to clear skin.

Acne Cysts And Their Treatment

2008-11-28T20:12:00.000-08:00

Deep cysts, inflammation, extensive damage to the skin and scarring characterize severe acne. It often requires an aggressive treatment regimen and should be treated by a dermatologist. Severe forms of acne can require years of treatment and may experience one or more treatment failures. However, almost every case of acne can be successfully treated. There are five popular treatments for acne cysts. There are many effective treatments that are available currently. Drainage and surgical excision, inner lesion corticosteroid injection, isotretinoin (a potent drug for treating severe cystic acne), oral antibiotics, and oral contraceptives are the most popular treatments. Some people may choose a more natural treatment for severe acne, which will also be covered briefly in this article.

Drainage and extraction, or acne surgery as it is also called, should not be performed by patients and is used on some large cysts that do not respond to medication and require drainage and extraction. Dermatologists are trained in the proper technique and perform acne surgery under sterile conditions. Patient attempts to drain and extract acne cysts, by squeezing or picking, can lead to infection, worsening of the acne and scarring. When an acne cyst becomes severely inflamed, there is a good chance it will rupture and scarring will occur. To treat these severely inflamed cysts and prevent scarring, dermatologists may inject such cysts with a diluted corticosteroid. This lessens the inflammation and promotes healing of the acne cyst. An inner lesion corticosteroid injection works by melting the cyst over the course of a few days.

Isotretinoin is the most effective treatment known today for severe acne and acne that is resistant to other medications and treatments. Isotretinoin is a form of vitamin A, a synthetic creation, which comes in a pill form. It is administered once or twice a day for anywhere from sixteen to twenty weeks total. There are many possible side effects that may occur while undergoing this therapy. Possible side effects include severe pain in the chest or abdomen, trouble swallowing or painful swallowing, severe headache, blurred vision or dizziness, bone and joint pain, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea or rectal bleeding, depression, dryness of the skin, eyes and nose, and thinning hair. While taking isotretinoin patients are monitored closely by their healthcare provider through follow up appointments.

Oral antibiotics have been a basis of therapy for severe acne for many years. Like topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics work to reduce the "P. acnes". "P. Acnes" are normal residents on the skin, which decreases inflammation. Treatment with oral antibiotics usually begins with a high dosage, which is eventually reduced as the acne resolves. Over time, the "P. acnes" bacteria can become resistant to the treatment. When resistance occurs, another antibiotic can be prescribed or other treatment options may need to be explored.

Oral contraceptives have been shown to effectively clear acne in women by suppressing the overactive sebaceous glands. Oral contraceptives can be used as long-term acne therapy; however, this medication should not be prescribed to women who smoke, have a blood clotting disorder, are older than thirty-five or have a history of migraine headaches, without the advice of a gynecologist. Spironolactone, a synthetic steroid, may be used in combination with oral contraceptives to treat acne in adult females. Spironolactone inhibits androgen, hormones that stimulate oil glands in addition to other effects on the body, production. There are possible side effects that may accompany Spironolactone treatment. A few side affects include irregular menstruation, breast tenderness, headache and fatigue.

Some people choose more natural ways to combat cystic acne. Some natural treatments are eating a whole foods diet that consists of only natural foods that have not been chemically or mechanically processed. Yoga or deep relaxation techniques may be used to reduce the amount of stress that is put on the body and the mind. Essential oils are another natural treatment that may be added to the diet of sufferers of severe acne. These are just a few of the natural methods of treatment for cystic acne. No matter what method of treatment you decide to try you should always consult a professional, whether it is your dermatologist or an herbalist. Your doctor should be able to refer you to a board certified dermatologist if needed.

The Acne Issue - Best Acne Treatments

2008-11-23T19:22:00.003-08:00

Acne is one of the most common skin diseases that a person usually experience. Acne is defined as an inflammatory skin eruption that commonly occurs in or near the sebaceous glands of the different parts of the body including the neck, face, shoulders, and upper back.

Though acne is a common problem, it is also one skin disease that is very easy to treat and prevent. There are many products that a person could consider as the best acne treatment. The best acne treatment for a person could be not the best acne treatment for another. This is because the best acne treatment is determined by the type of skin a person has and the skin reaction on that treatment. The best acne treatment could also range from the medical ones which are proven best acne treatments that modern medicine has to offer up to herbal medicines that are also accepted as the best acne treatment to some people.

Another thing that a person must consider before deciding on what could be their best acne treatment would be assessment of toxicity which excess of it could lead to harmful risks in the health of the customer. Here are some of the best acne treatments that have been tested and contain a low level of toxicity in it (meaning there is minimal or even no health risk in using it).

First on the list of the best acne treatment would be Australian Tea Tree Oil. In the review conducted about this product, it was given a rating of .01 with a score range of 0 to 10, 0 as harmless and 10 as potentially harmful. In using this product, just add one or two drops of the product in cotton and apply it to the affected area. Do not use this product on the whole face because the results would not be good (curiosity killed the cat). So far, this has the number one spot as the best acne treatment. Next on the list of best acne treatments would be Desert Essence Blemish Touch Stick with Eco-Harvest Tea Tree Oil with a rating of 3.8. This best acne treatment consists of Witch Hazel Extract, grain alcohol, and different kinds of extracted oils (Eco-harvest Tea Tree Oil, Blue Chamomile, Rosemary, and others). In using this best acne treatment, a person must apply this to the blemishes and to even other skin irritations five to six times a day, which should be used daily. It is also recommended to use it with a clean facial wash. The third spot for the best acne treatment would be Burt's Bees Doctor Burt's Herbal Blemish Stick with Tea Tree Oil. This acne treatment was rated a 3.9 score. For the application of this product, one must apply this to the affected area and the good news about it is that there is no minimum application limit for this medication, which means it could be applied as many times as desired. The next best acne treatment is also similar with last one that I mentioned. It is known as Burt's Bees Healthy Treatment Parsley Blemish Stick with Willowbark. This best acne treatment apparently has the same rating with the latter one (3.9). The only difference in this product is the willowbark element. The procedure for applying this treatment is also the same as stated above.

These are just some recommended best acne treatment that underwent a lot of research and study before they were declared as such. Though there are many other considered good acne treatments in the market, prevention is still the best way to overcome the acne issue.

Home Acne Treatments

2008-11-23T19:22:00.001-08:00

Using home treatments for mild cases of acne can easily be done if you follow a few guidelines. First off, though, it is important to keep in mind that for more severe cases like cystic acne, a consultation with a dermatologist is advised before beginning an at home regimen. However, home treatment of mild to moderate acne can dramatically reduce the appearance of acne on your face, giving you clearer skin and more confidence in your appearance.

After you decide that you want to treat your acne at home, it is essential that you are patient for the first couple of weeks. Acne medications do not work in a matter of days, as they need to fight deep below the surface to balance your skin, but after a couple of weeks you should start to see results. The same rule holds for prescription medications, as noticeable results will occur after a couple weeks. One of the first steps to improving your complexion is washing your face thoroughly two to three times a day. Wash your hands with an anti bacterial soap and, using a mild bar soap or acne scrub, thoroughly wash your face for about thirty seconds. Make sure that your bar soap is fragrance and color free as these can clog your pores and irritate your skin, causing inflammation and increased redness of your face.

If washing your face is not enough, further measures can be taken for home acne treatment. One of the most common is the use of benzoyl peroxide, which can be found in face wash, bar soap, topical cream or gel. Benzoyl peroxide is typically used once or twice daily, but initially most people should only apply it once a day or every other day to avoid redness and excessive drying. Generally, results will be evident after a few weeks, but if you do not notice a difference by then you should consult your dermatologist for advice.

Another popular home acne treatment is salicylic acid. You can usually find this in medicated facial pads and also in some face washes. Salicylic acid prevents your hair follicles from shedding excess skin and clogging your pores, thereby fighting the cause of most acne and blackheads.

Whichever home treatment you believe to be best for your acne, always keep in mind that the results are gradual and will be noticeable in a couple weeks. Follow the directions for your product and only use it the specified number of times per day. Also, combining treatments at the same time may cause irritation and excessive dryness to your face, so benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid should only be used one at a time. If you do not notice results for your home acne treatment after several weeks, contact your doctor for further advice.

Frequent Questions Raised About Acne

2008-11-23T19:21:00.003-08:00

Acne is a very common disease. People who have it tend to have similar kinds of questions about it and its treatment. This section addresses some of the common questions asked by people with acne. Please remember that your dermatologist is always the best source of specific information about your individual health issues, including acne.

Questions and Answer does follows:

1. What causes acne?

The causes of acne are linked to the changes that take place as young people mature from childhood to adolescence (puberty). The hormones that cause physical maturation also cause the sebaceous (oil) glands of the skin to produce more sebum (oil). The hormones with the greatest effect on sebaceous glands are androgens (male hormones), which are present in females as well as males, but in higher amounts in males.

Sebaceous glands are found together with a hair shaft in a unit called a sebaceous follicle. During puberty, the cells of the skin that line the follicle begin to shed more rapidly. In people who develop acne, cells shed and stick together more so than in people who do not develop acne. When cells mix with the increased amount of sebum being produced, they can plug the opening of the follicle. Meanwhile, the sebaceous glands continue to produce sebum, and the follicle swells up with sebum.

In addition, a normal skin bacteria called P. acnes, begins to multiply rapidly in the clogged hair follicle. In the process, these bacteria produce irritating substances that can cause inflammation. Sometimes, the wall of the follicle bursts, spreading inflammation to the surrounding skin. This is the process by which acne lesions, from blackheads to pimples to nodules, are formed.

2. I wash my face several times a day. Why do I still get acne?

Many people still believe that acne is caused by dirty skin. The truth is, washing alone will not clear up or prevent acne. Washing does, however, help remove excess surface oils and dead skin cells. Many people use all kinds of products, including alcohol-based cleansers, and scrub vigorously, only to irritate the skin further and worsen their acne. Washing the skin twice a day gently with water and a mild soap is usually all that is required. However, acne is actually caused by a variety of biologic factors that are beyond the control of washing. For that reason, you should use appropriate acne treatments for the acne.

3. Does stress cause acne?

Stress is commonly blamed for the development of acne. Stress can have many physiologic effects on the body, including changes in hormones that may theoretically lead to acne. In some cases the stress may actually be caused by the acne lesions, not the other way around! If the acne is being treated effectively, stress is not likely to have much impact on the majority of people.

4. I never had acne as a teenager. Why am I now getting acne as an adult?

Usually, acne begins at puberty and is gone by the early 20s. In some cases, acne may persist into adulthood. Such types of acne include severe forms that affect the body as well as the face (which afflict males more than females) and acne associated with the menstrual cycle in women. In other cases, acne may not present itself until adulthood. Such acne is more likely to affect females than males.

There are several reasons for this. As females get older, the pattern of changes in hormones may itself change, disposing sebaceous glands to develop acne. Ovarian cysts and pregnancy may also cause hormonal changes that lead to acne. Some women get acne when they discontinue birth control pills that have been keeping acne at bay. Sometimes young women may wear cosmetics that are comedogenic-that is, they can set up conditions that cause comedones to form.

5. What role does diet play in acne?

Acne is not caused by food. Following a strict diet will not, clear your skin. While some people feel that their acne is aggravated by certain foods, particularly chocolate, colas, peanuts, shellfish and some fatty foods, there is no scientific evidence that suggests food causes or influences acne. Avoid any foods which seem to worsen your acne and, for your overall health, eat a balanced diet--but diet shouldn't really matter if the acne is being appropriately treated.

6. Does the sun help acne?

Many patients feel that sunlight improves their acne lesions and go to great lengths to find sources of ultraviolet light. There is no proven effect of sunlight on acne. In addition, ultraviolet light in sunlight increases the risk of skin cancer and early aging of the skin. It is, therefore, not a recommended technique of acne management, especially since there are many other proven forms of treatment for acne. Moreover, many acne treatments increase the skin's sensitivity to ultraviolet light, making the risk of ultraviolet light exposure all the worse.

7. What is the best way to treat acne?

Everyone's acne must be treated individually. If you have not gotten good results from the acne products you have tried, consider seeing a dermatologist. Your dermatologist will decide which treatments are best for you. For more information about the types of acne treatments that are available, and for basic acne treatment guidelines, please see Acne Treatments in the main part of AcneNet.

8. What kind of cosmetics and cleansers can an acne patient use?

Look for "noncomedogenic" cosmetics and toiletries. These products have been formulated so that they will not cause acne.

Some acne medications cause irritation or pronounced dryness particularly during the early weeks of therapy, and some cosmetics and cleansers can actually worsen this effect. The choice of cosmetics and cleansers should be made with your dermatologist or pharmacist.

Heavy foundation makeup should be avoided. Most acne patients should select powder blushes and eye shadow over cream products because they are less irritating and noncomedogenic. Camouflaging techniques can be used effectively by applying a green undercover cosmetic over red acne lesions to promote color blending.

9. Is it harmful to squeeze my blemishes?

Yes. In general, acne lesions should not be picked or squeezed by the patient. In particular, inflammatory acne lesions should never be squeezed. Squeezing forces infected material deeper into the skin, causing additional inflammation and possible scarring.

10. Can anything be done about scarring caused by acne?

Scarring is best prevented by getting rid of the acne. Dermatologists can use various methods to improve the scarring caused by acne. The treatment must always be individualized for the specific patient. Chemical peels may be used in some patients, while dermabrasion or laser abrasion may benefit others. It is important that the acne be well controlled before any procedure is used to alleviate scarring.

11. How long before I see a visible result from using my acne medication?

The time for improvement depends upon the product being used, but in almost all cases it is more a matter of weeks or months instead of days. Most dermatologists would recommend the use of a medication or combination of medications daily for 4 to 8 weeks before they would change the treatment. It is very important for patients to be aware of this time frame so they do not become discouraged and discontinue their medications. Conversely, if you see no change whatsoever, you might want to check with your dermatologist regarding the need to change treatments.

12. Would using my medication more frequently than prescribed speed up the clearing of my acne?

No--always use your medication exactly as your dermatologist instructed. Using topical medications more often than prescribed may actually induce more irritation of the skin, redness and follicular plugging, which can delay clearing time. If oral medications are taken more frequently than prescribed, they won't work any better, but there is a greater chance of side effects.

13. My topical treatment seems to work on the spots I treat, but I keep getting new acne blemishes. What should I do?

Topical acne medications are made to be used on all acne-prone areas, not just individual lesions. Part of the goal is to treat the skin before lesions can form and to prevent formation, not just to treat existing lesions. Patients are generally advised to treat all of the areas (forehead, cheeks, chin and nose) that tend to break out rather than just individual lesions.

14. My face is clear! Can I stop taking my medication now?

If your dermatologist says you can stop, then stop--but follow your dermatologist's instructions. Many times patients will stop their medication suddenly only to have their acne flare up several weeks later. If you are using multiple products, it may be advisable to discontinue one medication at a time and judge results before discontinuing them all at once. Ask your dermatologist before you stop using any of your medications.

15. Does it matter what time I use my medication?

Check with your dermatologist or pharmacist. If you were taking one dose a day of an antibiotic, you could probably take it in the morning, at midday or in the evening, although you should pick one time of day and stay with it throughout your treatment. With oral medications prescribed twice a day or three times a day, you should try your best to spread out the doses evenly. Some antibiotics should be taken on an empty or nearly empty stomach. For optimal results with topical treatments, you should strictly follow your dermatologist's recommendations. For example, if instructed to apply benzoyl peroxide in the morning and a topical retinoid at bedtime, it is important to follow these directions strictly. If the two were applied together at bedtime, for example, you could decrease the efficacy of the treatment because of chemical reactions that make them less effective.

16. I have trouble remembering to take my oral medication every day. What's a good way to remember? What should I do if I forget a dose?

This is a common problem. Many patients try to associate taking their medication with a routine daily event such as brushing teeth or applying makeup. It also helps to keep the medication close to the area where the reminder activity is carried out.

In most cases, if you miss a day of your oral treatment, do not double up the next day; rather, get back to your daily regimen as soon as possible--but there may be different instructions for different oral medications. Ask your dermatologist or pharmacist about what to do if you miss a dose of your particular medication.

17. I have been using topical benzoyl peroxide and an oral antibiotic for my acne and have noticed blue-black and brown marks developing on my face and some discoloration on my body. The marks are especially noticeable around acne scars and recently healed lesions. Is this a side effect of medication and is it permanent?

It is not possible to make general statements about side effects of medications that apply to individual cases. A dermatologist should be consulted. The facial marks and body discoloration described by the patient in this case do fall within the range of side effects of some antibiotics.

Unique patterns of pigmentation are sometimes seen in acne patients treated with certain oral antibiotics—particularly minocycline. The pigmentation patterns that appear may include:

* Localized blue-black or brown marks in and around acne scars and in areas of previous acne inflammation

* A "muddy skin" appearance that may cover much of the body

* Diffuse brownish pigmentation of the feet and lower legs.

The pigmentation side effect gradually disappears after the therapy is discontinued.

Any side effect of a medication should be noted by the patient and brought to the attention of the physician. While most side effects are temporary they should be discussed with the physician and monitored.

18. My doctor is prescribing a topical retinoid for my acne. He said a retinoid is a substance related to vitamin A. If the drug is related to vitamin A, shouldn’t vitamin A dietary supplements be helpful in getting rid of acne?

Dietary vitamin A is essential to good health, especially vision. It has healthful effects in the skin. Large doses of vitamin A for the treatment of acne is not recommended on grounds of safety. The retinoids and retinoid-like substances used as topical treatments for acne are prepared especially for their potent effect on the shedding of cell lining in the sebaceous follicle. Their use should be monitored by a dermatologist.

Dietary vitamin A has multiple health effects in the human body. Vitamin A is essential for good vision. Extreme vitamin A deficiency can result in blindness, usually accompanied by dry, scaly skin. Vitamin A overdose that far exceeds the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of 5,000 IU can have effects nearly as catastrophic. Extreme vitamin A overdose can cause the skin to blister and peel—an effect first seen in early North Pole explorers who nearly died after eating polar bear liver that has an extraordinarily high vitamin A content.

Topical retinoids are usually prescribed as a treatment for moderate to severe acne. Side effects are chiefly dermatologic, including redness, scaling and dryness of the skin, itching and burning. These side effects can usually be managed by adjustment of the amount and timing of retinoid applied to the skin. Dose adjustment must be discussed with the dermatologist who prescribed the treatment.

19. Are there any acne treatments specifically for people with dark skin? Are there any treatments specifically harmful to dark skin?

There are no acne treatments specifically for use on dark skin. Acne treatments are generally as safe and effective on dark skin as on light skin. Some treatments for acne scars may cause temporary lightening of dark skin.

Acne is a common skin disease that has the same causes and follows the same course in all colors of skin.

Very dark or black skin may be less well-moisturized than lighter skin. Topical anti-acne agents such as benzoyl peroxide that have a drying effect on the skin should be used under the supervision of a dermatologist. Benzoyl peroxide also is a strong bleach and therefore must be applied carefully to avoid inadvertent decolorization of a patch of hair, towels or clothing.

Darker skin has a tendency to develop post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (excessive skin darkening at places where the skin was inflamed). Severe inflammatory acne may result in dark spots. The spots resolve over time; a dermatologist may be able to recommend cosmetic measures to make the spots less apparent until they resolve. Some acne treatments, such as topical retinoids and azelaic acid, may also help fade the discoloration.

Removal of acne scars by dermabrasion or chemical peeling may cause temporary lightening or darkening of dark skin in the areas of treatment. Scar treatment should be discussed with a dermatologist or dermatologic surgeon before it is undertaken.

Alterations of melanin (dark pigments that give the skin its color) pigmentation such as vitiligo and melasma are not related to acne, but they may be present simultaneously with acne. The diagnosis and treatment of melanin pigmentation disorders such as vitiligo requires a dermatologist with knowledge and experience in treating these conditions.

20. Is acne that appears for the first time in adulthood different from acne that appears in adolescence?

Acne has a specific definition as a disease of sebaceous follicles. This definition applies to acne that occurs at any age. However, it may be important to look for an underlying cause of acne that occurs for the first time in adulthood.

Current understanding of the causes of acne vulgaris is described in the Main Text section Why and how acne happens. In brief summary, acne vulgaris develops when excessive sebum production and abnormal growth and death of cells in the sebaceous follicle result in plugging of follicles with a mixture of sebum and cellular debris and formation of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads). Bacteria in the follicles—chiefly Propionibacterium acnes, the most common bacterial colonist of sebaceous follicles—may contribute to the inflammation of acne by release of metabolic products that cause inflammatory reaction. The pathogenic events, which cause disease, in the sebaceous follicle are believed to be due in large degree to changes in levels of androgenic (male) hormones in the body—a circumstance usually associated with growth and development between ages 12 and
21. Some acne investigators believe that although this understanding is generally correct, there is more yet to be learned about the causes of acne vulgaris.

Acne that appears after the age of 25-30 years is (1) a recurrence of acne that cleared up after adolescence, (2) a flare-up of acne after a period of relative quiet—for example, during pregnancy, or (3) acne that occurs for the first time in a person who had never previously had acne.

Acne that occurs in adulthood may be difficult to treat if there are multiple recurrences. Some patients with severe recurrent acne have undergone repeated courses of treatment with the potent systemic drug isotretinoin.

Acne flares in association with pregnancy or menstruation are due to changes in hormonal patterns.

Acne that appears for the first time in adulthood should be investigated for any underlying cause. Drugs that can induce acne include anabolic steroids (sometimes used illegally by athletes to “bulk up”), some anti-epileptic drugs, the anti-tuberculosis drugs isoniazid and rifampin, lithium, and iodine-containing drugs. Chlorinated industrial chemicals may induce the occupational skin disorder known as chloracne. Chronic physical pressure on the skin—for example, by a backpack and its straps, or a violin tucked against the angle of the jaw and chin—may induce so-called acne mechanica. Some metabolic conditions may cause changes in hormonal balance that can induce acne.

Some lesions that appear to be acne may be another skin disorder such as folliculitis—infection and inflammation of hair follicles—that require different treatment than acne. Acne that appears for the first time in adulthood should be examined and treated by a dermatologist.

22. My 15-year-old daughter has what I would describe as a very mild case of acne. She has made it much worse by constant picking and squeezing. She looks in the mirror for hours, looking for some blackhead or blemish she can pick or squeeze. Does she need psychological counseling?

Excessive picking and squeezing of otherwise mild acne is a condition called excoriated acne, seen most often in young women. A dermatologist may provide effective counseling.

The typical person with excoriated acne is a person—often a young women—who is so distressed with her appearance due to acne that she literally tries to "squeeze the acne out of existence." The acne is often very mild, but the person’s face may constantly be covered with red marks from squeezing, and open sores where lesions have been picked open.

The word excoriate means to scratch or abrade the skin. Excoriated acne is a medically recognized condition that should be discussed with a dermatologist. Occasionally giving in to a temptation to squeeze a blackhead is not defined as excoriated acne. Hours in front of a mirror, squeezing and picking every blemish, is a definition of excoriated acne. A dermatologist may be able to counsel the patient regarding a course of treatment in which the patient can participate, but keep "hands off."

23. Can the rate of secretion or the composition of sebum be altered by diet? If it can, shouldn’t alteration of diet be considered a treatment for acne?

Diet has never been proven to have a role in the cause or treatment of acne. Dietary manipulation may have a role in the treatment of some scaling diseases of the skin, but not in the treatment of acne.

Dietary cause is one of the most persistent myths about acne. Foods, such as chocolate or greasy foods, do not cause acne, but certain foods seem to make some people’s acne worse. The following can bring on or worsen it:

* Hereditary factors

* An increase in male hormones found in both males and females

* Menstruation

* Emotional stress

* Oil and grease from cosmetics, work environment

No food has been shown to be effective in preventing or treating acne. A healthy diet is, of course, necessary for good general health.

24. Shouldn't I just try to eliminate sebum from my body?

No. When it isn't blocked in your pores, sebum helps keep your skin healthy.

25. Why does acne usually start at puberty?

No one knows for certain. What is known is that the sebaceous glands that produce sebum get much larger at puberty than they were before.

26. Why does the skin around a pimple turn red?

This redness is caused by the body's inflammatory response. Inflammation is a sign that your immune system is working to fight an infection. However, the inflammatory response doesn't always work perfectly, and can even be the cause of scarring.

27. If my skin turns red, does that mean that I'm going to have scars?

Usually, no. Even when there will be no permanent scar, the aftereffects of the inflammatory response can leave the skin red for months, sometimes for more than a year.

28. What are free radicals?

Free radicals are byproducts of oxidation in your body. We all need oxidation to occur as part of our life process, but there is concern that the buildup of unrecycled free radicals contributes to many conditions, including skin damage. Antioxidants, including several of the active ingredients in Acuzine, help prevent the buildup of free radicals.

Causes of Adult Acne: Seven Reasons Why Acne Appears After 30 Years of Age

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Adult acne is a form of common acne that can occur to people over 30 years of age. It is not uncommon for people who had no acne as a young person to found that they are having breakouts.

Acne appearance in an adult could have a number of causes.

The following are seven causes of adult acne:

1. Frequently the acne that one had as a teenager resurfaces later in adulthood. It is not always obvious why this occurs, but it is one reason for acne presence in adults.

2. In women, acne often reappears during pregnancy. This could also be true in the case of women during their menstrual period.

3. Something unusual is going on. It is smart idea to talk to a dermatologist or your family physician.

More possible causes of adult acne:

4. Particular medications can provoke acne. These medications include anabolic steroids, lithium, anti-tuberculosis drugs rifampin and isoniazid, anti-epileptic drugs and medications that contain iodine.

5. Constant physical pressure on the skin. Whether wearing a helmet or carrying a backpack, such pressure against the skin can cause breakouts.

6. Chlorinated industrial chemicals are another possible cause. Working in particular types of industrial environments can cause acne-like symptoms or even chloracne - a job-related skin disorder caused by constant exposure to chemicals, such as chlorinated dioxins.

7. Metabolic changes are yet another cause of adult acne. With changes in the hormonal balance of the body, such as those present during menstruation or pregnancy can cause acne in adults.

Be Proactive With Acne Treatment

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At some point in life, most people deal with acne. It is one of life's most annoying realities that doesn't seem to be a respector of persons. As a dermatologist, I am constantly meeting with teenagers, young adults and adults that are tired of struggling with acne and that are desperate for acne treatment that works.

Effective and healthy acne treatment is my life's work and my passion. I love researching about the causes of acne and about all of the possible methods for helping the skin clear from acne. If you've ever been to a store looking for an acne treatment, then you know first hand how many options there are and how easy it would be to make the wrong choices.

Most teens and adults I know go looking for the easiest and cheapest form of acne treatment that they can find. Yes, acne bothers them, but not enough to seek professional treatment. I am convinced that one of the reasons that so many people are unhappy with their chosen method of acne treatment is that they haven't taken the time to make changes to their lifestyle.

I am a firm believer that the most effective acne treatment is one that requires a total change of lifestyle. When any client struggling with acne enters my office, my first assignemnt to them is to change some of their lifestyle habits for a month and then return to see me. I will not prescribe any topical or oral acne treatment until people have other daily habits under control. For example, I look carefully at the typical diet of my patients and I look for ways to help them cut out junk food. I ask them to drink more water and less beverages that are filled with sugar, and I encourage them to stay away from sugary and salty foods for the month. I monitor their fitness habits and suggest that they get moving.

This might seem like a strange method of acne treatment, but you would be shocked to learn that every single client of mine returns to my office after a month of changing their lifestyle in awe of what a difference changing habits has made for them. Yes, I do offer topical and or oral acne treatments to supplement their other methods, but the point is that no topical or oral acne treatment will be as effective without partnering it with a healthy lifestyle.

Acne Treatment Product Information

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Recent studies have concluded approximately 90% of all teenagers, 50% of all adult women and 25% of all adults had suffered from acne, either as a chronic skin disease or at some point in their lives. Although there's no universal cure, acne is definitely easier to treat now than it used to be. However, finding the right acne treatment product is still a mystery for many of the sufferers.

Despite all the scientific knowledge today, people still think that acne is caused by particular things we do. Actually, it is mostly a combination of factors underneath our skin that lead to acne. The good news that there are acne treatment products that can eliminate it completely in about 95% of all cases.

Your skin has many wonderful features that help it recover completely even from serious acne if treated properly:

* It is self healing.
* It is very elastic.
* It registers and remembers sensations very precisely.
* It is very resilient.
* It is self-cleaning and hardly ever suffers any serious infection.
* It lets in some elements and protects you from others.
* It holds in the entire amount of liquid that flows through your body.

Salicylic Acid

There's a lot of evidence that salicylic acid is one of the most effective approach on acne problems. It decreases the number of primary acne lesions, as well as the number and severity of all lesions associated with acne. Salicylic acid is safe to use even on dark skin and gives good and fast results.

Glycolic Acid

Among popular alpha hydroxyl acids, glycolic acid is one of the most commonly used. It has similar results with a chemical peel. Even when used in strong concentrations, glycolic acid has only few negative side effects. Long-term day to day use may also have a beneficial effect on acne scars.

Glycolic acid is also effective in increasing skin resistance to ultraviolet light, improving moisture retention, as well as the general skin condition. However, even though it is quite effective and has only minor side effects, it is better to use as part of a more complex skin care system.

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is a widely used ingredient in acne treatment products. It used to be very popular in the 1930s, but since then, medical science has come up with new and more effective treatments. However, many dermatologists are still pleading for the benefits of acne treatment products that contain Benzoyl peroxide.

In addition to its antibacterial effect, Benzoyl peroxide apparently has an anti-oxidant action as well. Among its most common side effects is dry and irritated skin.

Many acne treatment products available on the market today use one of the ingredients mentioned above in combination with other ingredients. Some of the most famous and effective products against acne are ProAcrive, ZENMED Derma Cleanse System, Accutane and Benzoyl Peroxide. However, when purchasing an acne treatment product, you have to look through the side effects thoroughly, as some of them may be worse than your acne itself.

Acne's Frequenlty Asked Questions

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Over the Counter Drugs
Q: I've tried a million over the counter products for acne and they work for a while and then they stop. I've tried oil-free cleansers, gels, cover-ups, and makeup - all of which claim they help acne-prone skin. But they're not; what am I doing wrong?

A: You're not doing anything wrong except wasting your money. The products you're buying don't work. Even though they are labeled oil-free, they really aren't oil-free. All products with the exception of water, are oil-based. Just like in the foods you eat, there are good oils and bad oils. The products that you have been using are full of bad oils and are producing new acne, not helping it. Over the counter eye shadows and lipsticks are fine, but when it comes to make-up and cleansers, the stuff you've been buying just isn't helping.

Q: What about all the acne soaps and astringents I use? I wash and scrub my face constantly, but I still break out. Why?

A: You can scrub all you want but it won't make a difference. Acne forms inside your hair follicles which are below the surface. The same thing goes for drying-out your skin with alcohol or astringents. All this does is clean the top layer of your skin, but it doesn't go inside the clogged hair follicles to clean them out. It's important to realize that your pimples are forming beneath the top layers of your skin and that over the counter products can't help you there. The Acne Treatment Clinic offers topical medications which go deep into the clogged hair follicles to clean them out and prevent new pimples from forming. Whether you suffer from severe acne or occasional breakouts, our products work quickly giving you positive results.

Q: I've tried just about everything for my skin. What do you put in your products that make
them so different?

A: It's not what we put in them, it's what we don't put in them. Our products are formulated without adding oils to interfere with their effectiveness. The Acne Treatment Clinic has a safe, effective, and inexpensive skin care program that works. There are no side-effects, no sun-sensitivity, no pills, and no gimmicks.

Q: I'm very skeptical about new products, especially since everything I've used up till now hasn't worked. What is your success rate? How long have you been in business and most of all, do you have any idea how I feel!?

A: I know these products work because I suffered from acne for 25 years. It destroyed my self-confidence, made me feel unattractive and was just plain ruining my life! After graduating from the University of California at Berkeley, I did some research, hired a chemist, and opened the Acne Treatment Clinic. We have been in Northern California for over ten years and have successfully treated over 5,000 men and women of all ages. When many of our graduating high school seniors went off to college, we started sending their products to them by mail. Word spread on campuses all across the state and country and soon we opened our mail order division. Now with the Internet, we are able to send our products all over the world. I must have the most rewarding job in the world, because I know exactly how it feels to have acne and know exactly how great it is to clear it up!

Q: Do all your clients use the same products?

A: No. Everyone's skin is different. That's why the Acne Treatment Clinic offers a variety of products, all formulated for specific skin types and problems. Many factors determine your treatment which is customized for you. That's why we ask you to please fill out the questionnaire on the How to Order page so we can personally help you.

Q: Are chocolate and greasy foods really bad for my skin?

A: No! How could anyone live without chocolate or French fries?

Food
Q: Is there a connection between what I eat and my acne?

A: Yes, it helps to eat a well balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals with plenty of water. This is paramount to having a healthy body and a good complexion. Splurging on bad food once in awhile is no big thing, as long as you eat well most of the time. However, some people have that backwards. The stress you put on your body if you mistreat it by not eating right, smoking, doing drugs, over-doing the alcohol or caffeine is enough to aggravate even the most mild acne case.

Prescription Drugs
Q: Why don't antibiotics work for acne?

A: Antibiotics work for getting rid of an infection, like strep throat. When it comes to treating acne, all topical and oral drugs are doing is temporarily killing the bacteria, which eventually become resistant to the antibiotic. A common practice is to prescribe the topical ointment, Retin-Aฎ in conjunction with antibiotics. Unfortunately, many people experience redness and irritation which actually cause more pimples and blackheads to form. Because Retin-Aฎ and antibiotics make your skin very sun-sensitive they are not practical for many acne sufferers. Another drug often prescribed for acne is Accutaneฎ. This is just a temporary solution to your acne, but it's not a long term and safe alternative to controlling your breakouts. And if not helping acne isn't enough, some antibiotics also reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. Check with your doctor.

Q: What should I expect to see after using your products for a couple of months?

A:You will definitely look better. Your pimples will be smaller, go away faster, and you should have fewer of them. Our products will prevent new pimples from forming and will reduce the swelling and irritation on your skin from your breakouts. We stand behind our products, and if for any reason you are not happy with them we will refund your money. They get to the root of the problem and work. At the Acne Treatment Clinic our products are specially formulated for problem skin. That's all we do - is treat your type of skin. We are specialists in acne and only acne.

Sun
Q: If the sun is so damaging to my skin, then why does it seem to clear up my acne?

A: It's not helping clear up your acne at all. The "tan" look is just a temporary coloring that appears to hide your pimples. But when the tan goes away, the zits stay. Worse yet, the sun tans your scars darker and sets you up for a whole new crop of pimples! Sun damages your skin and that's all there is to it.
True, you might look better and feel better with a tan, but what you're doing is creating new pimples for three or four months down the road - that's how long it takes for a pimple to form. It's not a fluke that your skin looks worse in October when your summer time tan catches up with you. That's why it is important to wear one of our specially formulated sunscreens to help prevent future breakouts.

Q: I try to remember and wear sunscreen, but every time I wear it my skin breaks out worse. What's the story?

A: Good sunscreen is good, but bad sunscreen is bad. If you're wearing acne aggravating sunscreen, then you're not helping the situation. Most of the over the counter sunscreens you've probably been using are loaded with oils which clog your skin. This produces acne. The Acne Treatment Clinic only has non-acne aggravating sunscreens, that not only protect your skin from harmful UV rays, but don't cause acne.
Remember that a sunscreen is JUST that: screen. You need to apply your sunscreen at least a half hour before sun exposure and re-apply it at least every two hours to receive the maximum protection. Also, it never hurts to wear a wide-brimmed hat or sit under a tree. Acne or not, the sun harms your skin.

Men Only
Q: I work out and sweat a lot. I always have pimples on my back but rarely on my face. How can I avoid them altogether?

A:Sweat aggravates acne, however, there are a few things you can do to minimize your breakouts. First of all, avoid sport drinks at all costs! Most sport drinks contain high amounts of iodine which has been shown to flare-up pimples when excreted through the skin in the form of sweat. Drinking lots of water during exercise helps minimize this problem. Wear clean, loose-fitting clothing during your workout because believe it or not, friction makes pimples bigger. Last, but not the least, you must try to shower at least 1/2 hour after exercise using one of our cleansers for acne prone areas.

Q: After working out and showering, it feels like the soap didn't cut the oil and sweat on my skin - especially on my back. Any suggestions?

A: The Acne Treatment Clinic's medicated cleansers are perfect for the job. They are adequate for both the face and body and thoroughly clean your skin without leaving behind any slimy residue. Best of all, they're not very expensive, last a long time, lather-up great, and really work.

Q:My skin seems to break out only where I shave.
Why, and what can I do to stop this?

A: If you are using a double edged razor, then STOP! Double edged blades cut the hair beneath the surface and cause trauma and subsequent breakouts. Try using a single-edged razor and shave in the direction of your hair growth. Also, you need to stop using your current shaving cream because it's probably aggravating your skin. We've seen the best results when men switch to one of our foaming facial cleansers and use it as their shaving cream. Never put cologne or aftershave on areas where you frequently break out because these products contain oils which will aggravate your acne. It is also advisable to use topical medications on a daily basis to prevent future breakouts as well. The products we sell at the Acne Treatment Clinic can be worn during the day so you are treating your acne around the clock without anybody knowing it but you.

Q: I'm 34 years old, have 2 kids, 1 house, 1.3 dogs and 800 zits! I was always looking forward to trading in my pimples for wrinkles, but it's starting to look like I'll be stuck with both. Why?

A:Acne is a genetic skin problem and aging won't get you out of this one. While it's true that the older you get the flare-ups usually become less severe, they're still unwanted and often embarrassing. Most acne sufferers go between times of flare-ups and clear skin their whole lives. Fortunately, the Acne Treatment Clinic has a safe, long-term treatment for controlling your acne. Sorry, we can't do anything about controlling your kids!

Women
Q: Can anyone tell when I'm wearing your products?

A:No. All our products, with the exception of the masks, are invisible on your skin. We don't expect you to stop your life so you can go home and treat your pimples.

Q: Why do I always break out about a week before my period? My pimples are large and hurt and seem to be located around my mouth and chin. Also, sometimes they pop up on my neck.

A: Hormones, hormones, hormones. It is very common to breakout along the lower half of your face and neck because of hormones. Regular periods and regular break-outs go hand in hand, however, if you're having irregular periods, the imbalance of hormones could make your skin worse. Also, where acne is concerned, some birth control pills are less acne aggravating than others. The good news is that you can effectively control most premenstrual breakouts using Acne Treatment Clinic products. Diligent use of the topical medications 30 days every month, insures your skin stays clear every day of the month -- even when you have your period.

Stress and Emotions
Q: When I'm stressed or burned out, my acne gets worse.
What does one thing have to do with the other?

A: Whether it's from relationship problems, an unbalanced diet, lack of sleep, your job, or school pressures, stress aggravates acne. You may be able to control some stress, but unfortunately stress is a part of life. That's why it's important to have a skin care program that's easy to use and helps to fight off stress-induced pimples.
Acne Treatment Clinic products are specially formulated to prevent pimples. So whether you're stressed out or not, you are able to successfully control breakouts using our daily treatment plan.
Sleeping 8 hours a night, eating a well balanced diet, regular exercise and drinking plenty of water can immediately help reduce your stress level.
Getting close is simply out of the question when you feel bad about your skin.
We've all been there - we're too embarrassed by our skin to want to leave the house - let alone have someone touch it. Now there is a way to control your breakouts so your breakouts don't control you. The Acne Treatment Clinic was founded to help you get your confidence and your life back.
Nobody should feel bad about their skin and we are here to help you, regardless of your age, gender, or national origin. We offer a safe, affordable, long term solution for controlling your breakouts. And because we know the emotional roller coaster you've been on for years trying to find a solution, our products are fully guaranteed. For over 15 years we have successfully treated thousands and thousands of acne sufferers just like you.

Acne Can Ruin Confidence

2008-11-23T18:52:00.001-08:00

Confidence is very important, it helps us get through life easier. If we have a lot of confidence we find it easier to do tasks such as finding work, friends, loved ones. It is a known fact that people that have a great deal of confidence do actually do better In life. They find it easier to talk to people which allows them to get what they really want.

Having acne can completely ruin someone's confidence within themselves, If you doubt the way you look, you will mentally think about the way you look while you are talking to somebody. This may not be obvious to you but the person that you are talking to can sense that you do lack confidence and self esteem.

One of the most important aspects for our life is to find someone to love and have a family, even if you didn't want a family and simply wanted a lot of love you would still need to attract someone. The way someone acts has 60% impact on actually finding a partner, the person doesn't have to be good looking the thing that attracts people to other people is confidence.

Why Clear the acne?

Simple! If you had acne you would be less confident than if you had a clear skin. Image walking into a pub, club or anywhere were a lot of people are that you find attractive. You would walk in and feel that you stand out because of your acne and they do not find you attractive.

Now image that you have used a great product that removes the acne and clears the skin, simply image walking into the exact same place, the light shining of your clear skin. People still looking, but looking at how beautiful you look. Now just thinking of this you can see that you confidence can increase by just improving your skin.

There is no "Great" product!

WHAT!! There is a great product! I should know I have used it myself, I was once like you are now, I lacked confidence, I couldn't talk to anyone. The acne on my face simply stopped me from being able to talk and be the real me. I spent hundreds and hundreds looking for a product that would really do what I need, I asked doctor after doctor until I finally searched on the internet and found ClearPores.

ClearPores is a acne product which is very unlike any other, this is what attracted me to the product. It is a 3 part system, the first part is a face wash (which makes sense, your not going to have clear skin without washing it) The second part was a protection cream to help protect it from bacteria within the air. The final part is a herbal supplement which kills the bacteria within the skin. This was it! The product I was looking for, I asked doctors about what acne is they told me but one thing they said that really stood out was the fact that Acne appears under the skin 2 weeks before it appears on the surface. 2 weeks!!

This is when I remembered the clearpores product, it has that herbal supplement which helps kill bacteria before it surfaces. I brought the product, used it and now I have more confidence than I ever thought i would have.

Acne ruins 70% of life's, don't be apart of that 70%!

Acne- Do Miracle Cures Work?

2008-11-23T18:51:00.001-08:00

Acne is a frustrating condition. It takes quite some time to resolve and by the time one pimple resolves, one may get another. That frustrates us more. Daily application of formulations that seem not to work makes us look for cures that may be quicker. Sunshine, application of toothpaste, essential oils etc. are al taken as quick treatments. Before you get taken in by any of such treatments, please read further.

Acne- why do many of us look for miracle cures?

The main reason that many of us look for miracle cures for acne is because we can not tolerate acne. If it is severe, we want to get rid of it immediately. It makes us feel very bad. Our confidence is affected because of acne. Modern medicine has proven acne therapy but all of them take weeks to show effect. That frustrates us and we want a quick cure. This makes us look for miracle cures. If you have an important function to attend and are affected by acne, please consult your doctor about steroid injection. A steroid injection in the acne can dry it within few days. Please talk to your doctor about that option.

Acne- is there anything wrong with modern medicine?

There is nothing wrong with modern medicine for acne except the time. We want that our acne should resolve as early as possible. All medicines take time. Benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, retinoids, etc. all take time to treat acne. Many of us have no patience and that is how we get trapped to use other methods. These methods do not work because there is no scientific finding that says that they can. But in the process we lose precious time and spoil our looks further. Please get acne treated by your doctor and have patience. Even the severest form of acne has proven treatment.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Acne- Can You Stop Acne Formation?

2008-11-23T18:50:00.001-08:00

Acne- How It Troubles Most Of Us?

Acne troubles most of us. Either when we are teenagers or when we grow up. Those who have acne on face are shy of meeting friends and those have acne on the back are shy of removing their shirt in public. Teenagers ask if acne will spoil their relationships. Acne has been taken as a way of life. We have all come to believe that cane cannot be prevented. it can be only treated once you get it. Can acne formation be stopped?

Acne- How It Forms?

Acne is associated with our sebaceous glands with hair. When the gland produces more sebum, and dead skin cells accumulate, they block the pore of the gland. This increases the pressure in the gland and forms acne. If we want to stop acne, we have to address these two main issues along with getting rid of excess P.acnes bacteria that produces inflammation.

Acne- How To Stop Its Formation?

Suppose I am prone to acne. I can surely try all the measures to control the oil. i can consult my doctor about drugs that will bring my hormones in order and not activate sebum production. I will ask my doctor about how to make my skin shed the dead skin cells regularly so that they don't block the pores. I will try methods such microdermabrasion and AHA treatments to remove the dead skin layer. I will find out which antibacterial will take care of the P.acnes and don't allow it to grow. The issue is that most of us never ask our doctor in detail about the prevention but are happy to clear whatever acne we get.

Please talk to your doctor in detail about you can address these three issues and prevent acne. Don't allow it to form. Take help of science and make every effort to stop it forming.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Why The Best Acne Treatment May Be a Change in Diet

2008-11-17T22:13:00.001-08:00

Western medicine is notoriously sophisticated when it comes to drug formulations and targeted medicine approached from a perspective based in deductive science. It has, however, been largely a failure when it comes to being open to solutions to medical problems which come from outside the realm of deductive science. That is why for years western medicine failed to draw ties between diet and acne. Medical development, and treatments for acne sufferers, has progressed significantly within the last 15 years alone. Yet the problem of acne has remained largely uncurbed, until recently.

In the past few years empirical studies first trickled and are now flooding in indicating that there are links between acne and diet. The basic premise of the research is that eating refined carbohydrates and sugar is the ultimate culprit for many individuals’ problems with acne. The scientific theory holds that when carbohydrates and sugar are metabolized they lead to an increase in insulin and an insulin-like growth factor called IGF-1 production. This growth factor then causes male hormones to begin being produced in the body in much greater quantities. These growth hormones lead directly to an increase the amount of sebum produced. Sebum is the grease-like substance that comes out in your pores which people often describe as ‘oily skin’. Sebum then clogs your pores and ultimately causes to an accumulation of bacteria in those pores which cannot escape because of the sebum. This of course ultimately leads to acne.

That rather exhaustive explanation explains simply this; when you consume refined carbohydrates and sugars you may aggravate your skin, clog your pores, and develop acne.

So, what is the answer? Not surprisingly, it may be to cut back on sugars and refined carbs such as sweets and pastas. These foods provide us with very few of the nutrients we need while providing us with a great deal more by way of clogged pores. In fact, recent studies are showing that these foods may be so bad for you that your body actually fights them like it does a disease, through the production of white blood cells. Not only do these white blood cell expenditures temporarily lower your immune system, but they also cause your body to produce more waste, some of which is exuded through your pores.

But it may surprise you to know that giving up chocolate and spaghetti may not be the only way to go about getting clearer skin. Rather, there are a number of foods, in particular raw vegetables and antioxidants which can actively clear up skin. These foods act as a sort of mop within the body to soak up toxins, also known as free radicals, which are often expelled as bacteria through the skin.

So in effect, following a better diet can attack the problem of acne in two different ways, cutting back on sugars and refined carbs will cause your body to produce less of the pore clogging sebum, while increasing your intake of certain raw vegetables will significantly cut down on the amount of bacteria which is exuded through your pores. Combined, these two techniques will cut down significantly your propensity to suffer acne.

What Is Acne?

2008-11-17T22:12:00.000-08:00

Acne is commonly known as pimples, it is a skin condition that commonly afflicts people during their teenage years. Acne pre-dominantly affects the face but can also show up on the back, neck, shoulders and chest. While most common in teenagers it can appear on adults as well. Neither race or gender is an indicator of acne as it affects male and female and all races equally.

The medical term for it is Acne Vulgaris. It can be diagnosed by the lesions that form on the skin. These lesions can take several different forms: blackheads, whiteheads and cysts. Cysts are formed when the pore becomes completely blocked. Acne is most common during puberty because at this time your body is creating an excess of sebum. Sebum is an oily substance designed to keep the hair and skin soft and lubricated. During puberty the production of sebum is greatly increased which can cause the skin to feel oily and clog pores.

During puberty there is also an increase in the production of follicle cells. Dead follicle cells mixed with sebum can build up and cause white heads. This mix of oil and dead cells is a perfect breeding ground for bacterial which will cause the swelling and redness associated with pimples.

Acne affects about 85% of all people sometime from the age of 12-24. Around 25% of these people will have acne on their back and/or neck as well as the face. The acne will be severe enough to cause about 40% of these people to seek medical treatment.

Acne is most common on the face, especially on the forehead, nose and chin. The back is the next most common area of affliction followed by the neck, chest and shoulders.

Most people will have outgrown their acne problems by the time they reach their twenty's, but some people will continue to suffer from acne even as adults. In some cases people will not have any acne issues until they are adults, this happens more frequently in men than women.

Acne can have severe emotional and psychological repercussions. Since it affects their appearance it also affects their self image and self esteem. Teenagers are especially vulnerable to this attack on their self-confidence and can even trigger withdraw and depression, as well as feelings of anger and frustration.

Fortunately in this day and age there are many treatments that can help with acne. The foremost thing that can be done to help avoid or alleviate acne is to keep the skin as clean and oil free as possible. Washing the most common problem areas several times a day with soap and water, especially after any activity that triggers perspiration, is usually adequate. There are also many medications available by prescription and over the counter to help with acne control.

If the acne is severe enough you can consult a dermatologist, they can prescribe medications for the skin as well as antibiotics to help fight the bacteria. They can also offer advise on life style and diet changes that might help with the condition.

Top Five Acne Remedies

2008-11-17T22:11:00.000-08:00

Many people are concerned about products to remove acne, yet perhaps the more important factor to consider is prevention. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So, here are five of the basic but most important ways in order to treat and prevent acne build up.

1. Cleaning

Washing away the outside layer of the skin with natural oils is not really helpful preventing or curing acne, or pimple for other people, for it develops under the skin. Although it's a belief the people develop acne due to the fact that they don't cleanse their skin thoroughly. For everyone's information, washing the skin too much can cause irritation and produces more whiteheads and blackheads that turn into pimples after being infected. Gentle washing is only needed. Use mild soaps or cleanser, an example is Cetaphil or acne bars. Another good sample is Neutrogena product that washes acne.

2. Exfoliating

It is also important to exfoliate; this helps remove the dead skin cells, to maintain a healthy and glowing skin. A mild cleanser will help exfoliate the face after washing. Scrubbing will also help exfoliate the face, which can be done once or twice a week. This procedure will aid in reducing dead layers skin cells that clog the pores, reason why more pimples or acne.

3. Keeping the skin Clear

- Make sure that all cosmetics such as powder, lotion, blush on, foundation, and even sunscreen are oil free

- Complex 15 is oil free moisturizer that helps avoid dry skin

- Get in the habit of using oil-free lotions

- Get rid of hair chemicals such as gels or hair cream

- Always watch for labels with the term non-comedogenic, which means they don't cause pores to be clogged

4. Proven Chemicals

Benzoyl Peroxide

This eliminates the bacteria that worsens acne and it also unplugs oil secretions and helps pimples or acne to heal. This can be found in many over-the-counter acne treatments. Start traditionalistically with a five percent moisturizer once everyday like after washing the face before going to bed. After a week, make it twice everyday if there are no other medications being taken or used. If the acne is not yet healed after four to six weeks, try a ten per cent mixture. This can be bought over-the-counter, however, there is a need to seek for a doctor's prescription. Just be sure to request for a real form: the pharmacist can be asked which can be bought over-the-counter or which needs prescription.

Antibiotics

These are available only if there's a doctor's recommendation. Antibiotics are very helpful aid for pimples or acne that is already swelling and red and usually have pus, or for if it not those not anymore being treated with medications as expected. These antibiotics eliminate the bacteria, which develop to whiteheads. Make it a point to follow the doctor's recommended dosage and always take the antibiotic pills with enough amount of water. Some of these bacteria killing medicines may also increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun, for this use sunscreen when going out to prevent any sunburn.

Accutane

Accutane are antibiotics that are available only under a doctor's order and recommendation. Accutane is a very optimized pill that is intended for those with deep scars, or pimples that can no longer be treated by other medications or antibiotics. Blood test is taken every now and then when using Accutane as medication, as this can affect the levels blood cell and blood count. For women, the physician, possibly an obstetrician-gynecologist may require the intake of birth control pills prior to prescribing the Accutane. Extra caution is really taken into consideration, as it can be very harmful to to pregnant women. However, until this time some physicians are not prescribing Accutane.

5. Treatment Information

The Treatment can take some time which often takes six to eight weeks for the pimple to heal after there will be another start of treatment. Some medications can cause acne to get even bigger or redder before it gets well, there are times when these could have pus too. If the acne still has not welled after several medications with other drugs, the doctor may suggest that the patient take an oral medicine. Doctors recommend this retinoid as a last treatment, due to its serious effects and it is also very expensive. Sometimes women are asked to take birth control pills as to help them control acne especially in women who mood swings even before their menstruations start.

The Secret Of Fast Acne Treatment Revealed

2008-11-17T22:10:00.000-08:00

The Causes of and Possible Solutions to Acne Vulgaris

2008-11-17T22:09:00.002-08:00

Acne is the term for plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, and even deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and even the upper arms. Acne affects most teenagers to some extent. However, the disease is not restricted to any age group; adults in their 20s - even into their 40s - can get acne. While not a life threatening condition, acne can be upsetting and disfiguring. When severe, acne can lead to serious and permanent scarring. Even less severe cases can lead to scarring. Why does acne happen?

- An inflamed spot occurs due to the release of inflammatory fatty acids by a particular bacterium known as p.acnes, which causes the body’s defence systems to respond.
- You would however not get p.acnes colonisation of the hair follicle duct without a plug forming.
- The plug forms due to an increase in skin cell turnover, increased keratin deposition narrowing the opening of the hair follicle duct, combined with increased sebum production, which mixes with the debris to cause a blockage and a plug to form.
- The increased sebum, keratin and cell turnover would not happen if linoleic acid levels in the skin had reduced dramatically.
- Linoleic acid levels reduced due to the development of sensitivity to the hormone DHT.
- DHT is formed from testosterone. The chemical reaction naturally happens throughout the body and the conversion of testosterone to DHT is assisted and promoted by the enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. (All chemical reactions in the body are controlled and accelerated by enzymes).

Possible solutions to the underlying causes of acne:

1) Stop hormonal fluctuations. This is impossible although people do try by taking plant hormones, HRT and royal jelly. But basically it is best not to mess with our natural hormonal balance.

2) Use Roaccutane. This will affect the conversion of testosterone to DHT, but this will occur all over the body and DHT plays a role in a number of body functions and suppressing it leads to a number of possible side effects.

3) Reduce DHT levels in the hair follicle and in sebaceous gland area only, known as the pilo-sebaceous unit. If it were possible to prevent testosterone from converting to DHT in the acne area of the skin but not stopping this conversion elsewhere in the body could reduce skin sensitisation and the resulting linoleic acid loss, but without affecting the conversion of testosterone to DHT in other parts of the body. This would be great in principle if one can alter the conditions in the pilosebaceous unit for an extended period of time so that DHT levels were reduced locally during the times in our lives when normal hormone levels were ‘out of sync’ with a topical preparation could lead to a reduction in the triggering of the acne process. Two products called tri-ethyl citrate and ethyl linoleate which are safe and release citric acid and linoleic acid can change conditions in the skin which slows down the enzyme 5-alpha reductase and hence testosterone conversion to DHT is slowed down locally. The testosterone conversion to DHT will still occur but just somewhere else in the body, meaning other bodily processes are not affected.

4) If one could also replenish linoleic acid levels in the skin then this would lead to a slow down in oil production and skin cell turnover rates and keratin deposition, preventing the plug forming and the colonisation by p.acnes.

5) One could take linoleic acid supplements and foods high in linoleic acid. However linoleic acid is used by many parts of the body and one would have to take possibly toxic levels to affect skin levels significantly enough through oral supplementation alone. Doing this without going to excess is probably however a good thing and it has been noticed that the Eskimos (the Inuit) did not suffer from acne until they were introduced to western diets. However if one can find a way to supplement skin linoleic acid levels using a topical preparation then this would also have an impact on the acne process.

6) Getting linoleic acid into the skin is not easy but you can use special delivery technology using special molecular structures in creams such as Oleosomes and involving techniques with fancy names such as Drysyst technology to help this process. Also if one uses ethyl linoleate, then skin bacteria will help break this down and release linoleic acid into the skin (look for products containing ethyl linoleate.)

7) One could normalise cell turnover to reduce skin thickening and also reduce keratin increases in skin cells. This would help to prevent blocking of the pilo-sebaceous duct. Retinol A based creams have been shown to normalise skin cell turnover rates. However a potential side effect of retinol products is increased sensitivity to UV and maybe increased skin cancer risk. So users of retinol based products are advised strongly to use a high SPF sunscreen while using retinol based products. There is a chemical called triethyl citrate which also normalises keratin deposition and skin cell turnover rates and without causing photo-sensitivity (please search for products containing triethyl citrate).

8) Reduce oil levels on the skin. This is normally done by using detergents to keep surface oil levels down. Doing this on its own just leads to more oil production and one gets into a downward spiral with a ‘negative feedback loop’ leading to further increase (up regulation) of sebum (oil) production. However oil control is important and using mild detergents can help in controlling the acne process. Using a combination of triethyl citrate and ethyl linoleate has been shown in a clinical trial published in the British Journal of Dermatology at the end of 2007 which showed sebum production rates reduced by up to 68% with an average of 55%.

9) Use exfoliants and detergents to help unblock ducts by dissolving and removing plugs and keeping skin debris levels down and also reducing skin thickening. This is effective and can help but if the skin is inflamed and sore then exfoliants can, make the skin more sensitive and sore. It maybe better to use chemical exfoliants rather than irritating physical skin exfoliants. Better still use those which have shown to affect sebum production rates such as Salicylic acid and Pyruvic acid which are both hydroxy acids (also known as fruit acids). These are the only two who have shown a sebo-static effect which means temporarily slowing oil production. Another common chemical exfoliant used is glycolic acid but this has not shown to have a sebo-static effect. Also salicylic acid has shown to help with skin thickening by loosening skin cells. See products containing Salicylic acid and Pyruvic acid).

10) Even products with fruit acids may irritate some skins, and some acne sufferers such as younger skins can be very sensitive and actually don’t have excessive skin thickening. One could use a gentle non irritating cleansing agent containing products such as silicone and glucose based cleansers which are very skin friendly, and also contain triethyl citrate which will normalise skin thickening by addressing over active skin cell turnover, thereby addressing skin thickening from within the skin.

11) Control p.acnes levels. Keeping hair follicle ducts open and oxygen rich is one way but blockages can still happen. So if you are going to control p.acnes than ideally do this without attacking skin staphylococci as discussed earlier due to MRSA development risks. One can use antibiotics to do this and they may be indicated in pustular scarring acne but for most we know that p.acnes releases enzymes to break down the plug to release nutritious fatty acids which also can cause an inflammatory response from the body. If you change conditions in the pilosebaceous unit so these enzymes don’t work as well you can slow down this process and reduce the amount of food and consequently reduce the growth of p.acnes without attacking good skin bacteria (staphs) (see an example of how this ca be achieved)

12) Reduce inflammation. Using products to control bacteria will reduce inflammation but also anti-inflammatory’s used to reduce inflammation. Stopping the release of the inflammatory fatty acids is another way, but also mopping up the inflammatory free radicals produced is an additional way of controlling inflammation. Antioxidants are useful in this regard and the best antioxidants are probably skin soluble version of vitamin C such as ascorbic acid and others such as Ascorbyl Palmitate and especially Ascorbyl tetra-isopalmitate (see an example of a product containing these).

In Summary

If you have a product range which alters conditions to slow DHT production locally, increase linoleic acid levels in the skin, that normalise skin cell turnover, keratin deposits and sebum production while also having mild sebo static chemical exfoliants or silicone and glucose based cleansers. If this product also had, staph friendly antibacterials to control p.acnes, feeding and development combined with antioxidants to help control the inflammatory process, then you would have a highly effective product range which could be obtained with or without prescription and is supported by eminent dermatologists across the world, including the top dermatologist on acne in the UK who has had his independent trail published din the most respected dermatology journal in the world, then you would be onto a winner. If this product was incredibly reasonably priced you would think it would dominate the treatment options of acne.

Rosacea and Acne Treatment

2008-11-17T22:09:00.001-08:00

If you've ever suffered from rosacea, then you already know what a debilitating affliction it is. I have had to deal with bad skin ever since I was a teenager, so I am very familiar with the shame and embarrassment that comes from having a face covered in a red rash. One unique characteristic about this skin problem is the fact that sometimes it doesn't clear up completely, and in extreme cases, can even lead to scarring. This happened to me, which meant that I was faced with the possibility of carrying around reminders of my skin troubles for my entire life. Fortunately, however, I discovered several rosacea laser treatments that have worked wonders.

Of course, my dermatologist had been mentioning the possibility of rosacea laser treatment to me for years, but financial difficulties prevented me from following through. Because my insurance company considered rosacea laser treatments elective cosmetic procedures, I would have had to pay for everything out of pocket and the expense was simply too great at the time.

But, as is usually the case, things have changed with time. Now rosacea laser treatment are more common and more affordable than ever before. From what I was able to see, they are more effective as well. So I finally decided to take the plunge and get the rosacea laser treatment that I'd been putting off for so long.

The first thing I had to do was decide which treatment method would be best for me. As you might expect, there are several different kinds of rosacea laser treatment available on the market, so I had to do some research on the subject. I discovered that choosing the right one comes down to a combination of factors, including the severity of the scarring and the amount of money I was willing to spend. In cases where the scarring is more or less superficial, over-the-counter creams and ointments may be able to help. For more serious cases, advanced rosacea laser treatment such as prescription medications and laser therapy.

Another thing I learned is that rosacea laser treatment can help lessen the effects of scarring, but most likely won't remove the scars completely. Even so, I saw dramatic improvements in the before and after photos that my dermatologist showed me during my consultation. But my dermatologist also reminded me that each patient's case is different, and that results will almost certainly vary from person to person. Nevertheless, I had already made up my mind to undergo rosacea scar treatment.

Overall, I have to say this was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am happy to report that my skin's appearance did improve as a result of the rosacea laser treatment I chose, and now I feel like a whole new person. If your skin is causing you embarrassment and preventing you from enjoying your life, I recommend checking out some rosacea laser treatment today.

Know Your Enemy: Acne Basic Training

2008-11-17T22:08:00.001-08:00

You have company -- acne affects almost everyone. It strikes nearly 85% of the population between the ages of 12 and 24. 40% of acne sufferers have breakouts severe enough to require medical treatment.

Acne doesn't show favorites. Men and women of all races during adolescence and adulthood are nearly equally prone to acne.

Location

It's a widespread skin condition characterized by lesions that break out on the skin. The lesions form as whiteheads, blackheads, or cysts because pores get clogged.

The so-called 'T zone' of the face -- the nose, the chin and forehead -- are the most common areas for pimples to appear. The back is the second most common area for acne, followed by the neck, chest, and shoulders.

Timing

Usually acne first attacks during adolescence, most often at puberty because that's when the body starts producing an abundance of an oily substance called sebum. Normally a good thing, sebum keeps the hair and skin soft and lubricated. But during puberty, the body produces too much. The excess oil clogs the pores and leaves the skin feeling oily.

Puberty also triggers an excess production of follicle cells. Dying cells quickly build up and combine with sebum to form whiteheads. The oil and dead cell creates a breeding ground for bacteria that creates redness and swelling in the area resulting in pimples.

A Bad Image

Acne becomes a self-image difficulty for many people because it affects their appearance. Teenagers are particularly at risk as acne can cause feelings of reduced self-confidence and even depression. It causes some to withdraw from social interactions and others become angry and troubled.

Most people find their acne has cleared up by the time they reach their 20s. Although for some it can last throughout their adult years.

Treatable

The good news is there are many modern medical treatments for acne. The first line of defense is to keep the skin clean and oil-free. Do this by gently washing with soap and water twice a day, especially following activities or conditions that cause perspiration. There is a wide variety of medical treatments available, both prescribed and over-the-counter.

For serious cases, a dermatologist is needed for advice about nutrition, lifestyle changes, topical medications, and antibiotics that fight the bacteria causing pimples.

Don't just look in the mirror and cringe. Fight back!

How To Get Rid Of Acne: 3 Steps Toward A Fair Complexion

2008-11-17T22:07:00.002-08:00

There are many types of acne, but the most common form occurs during the teenage years when young adults experience a dramatic increase in hormone levels. These hormones signal the skin glands to produce more oil. When this oil mixes with dead cells, it can clog pores in the skin and trap bacteria as well. The result is often a raised tissue area characterized by swelling, redness, and pus. These bumps are also known as “pimples,” the symptom most commonly associated with acne.

Acne can occur anywhere on the face, neck, back, or chest, and severe cases can lead to social alienation, or emotional and physical scars. Although mild acne can not be entirely prevented, you can take three steps to minimize its impact.

Gently Cleanse Your Skin: Each day, gently wash your skin with lukewarm water. Avoid scrubbing your face too hard or washing it too often. Doing so can make your acne worse. Also avoid using skin and hair care products that contain excess oil. Instead, use water-based skin care soaps that gently cleanse your skin, such as Neutrogena or Dove.

Apply Topical Ointments: At least once daily, but no more than three times a day, apply a nonprescription topical ointment to problematic areas. One of the best products is Clearasil because it contains both benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. Benzoyl peroxide works to unplug clogged pores, while salicylic acid helps clear up blemishes by causing the top layer of skin to peel. Products that contain tea tree oil (commonly found in gels, creams, and lotions) or alpha-hydroxy acid are also desirable. However, remember that if you use a product too often, your acne can get worse. So confine your applications to less than three times per day unless otherwise directed by a doctor.

Avoid the Following: Make sure to avoid the following acts which can trigger acne flare-ups: overexposure to the sun, the wearing of tight-fitting items that rub against the skin, excess stress, constant touching of the face, working with oils or harsh chemicals, excessive sweating, hair hanging in your face, or the use of hair care products that contain oils. Also avoid squeezing pimples. Squeezing pimples can result in an infection and/or long-term scaring.

While mild acne is annoying, it will eventually pass. Most people will outgrow acne by their early-twenties, so there is reason to be optimistic. Make each of the above steps part of your daily routine, and you should be able to control your acne. However, those with more severe cases of acne should consult a dermatologist.

Helping Your Teenager Deal With Acne

2008-11-17T22:07:00.001-08:00

As a common skin condition, acne has the power to dramatically impact a teenager's life. It is estimated that 85% of adolescents have acne. Although we as adults know acne will pass, this is small consolation to the teenager who suffers from embarrassment, worry, waning confidence or even depression as a result. We as parents need to be supportive, but that isn't enough. Parents need to provide information and direction about how to treat acne. In most cases treatement can radically reduce the affects of acne.

Unfortunately, acne doesn't have a "one-cure-fits-all" solution. There are many types of acne, treatable by even more types of methods. It is important for you to help determine which type your teenager is experiencing to help make appropriate decisions regarding the direction of treatment. New medications have been developed since we were teenagers. What worked for us may not work for teenagers today. The best news is that most common acne conditions can be brought easily under control even if it can not be completely cured.

Your teenager is undoubtedly trying everything conceivable to control his/her acne. It is important to remember even if your teen isn't asking for your help, he/she still wants it. Be supportive when approaching your teen, not accusatory. Myths about oily foods, chocolate, or sex causing acne have been proven untrue. Even discussing your personal experiences with acne may help minimize the stressors for your teen, and help "humanize" you so he/she is more comfortable discussing it.

It is also wise to advise your teenager that most teenager suffer from acne-they are not alone. Of the 85% of adolescents inflicted with acne, 40% of the cases are severe enough to need professional treatment by a dermatologist.

Consulting with a dermatologist is prudent toward reassuring your teenager. Although the spots on your teenager's skin are most likely acne, there is potential the condition could be something else. A dermatologist can give you a definitive diagnosis, with as many treatment options as possible.

If your teenager has tried a few over-the-counter medications with little to no success, encourage him/her to seek the advice of a dermatologist. A dermatologist may recommend an alternate, prescription-only ointment, lotion, or even oral medication to help clear up the condition and offer relief from physical discomfort.

Most importantly, remind your teenager that acne does not last forever. As a teenager nears their early 20s, acne should become a thing of the past.

Cystic Acne Remedies

2008-11-17T22:04:00.000-08:00

Cystic acne can be called as a form of abscess which is shaped when oil ducts get clogged and infected. Generally, cystic acne is commonly seen in the teenage years and mainly affects on the face. Cystic acne which affects in the deeper skin tissue can result in more superficial inflammation when compared with ordinary acne. Cystic acne breakouts are painful and can result in deep scarring. Most dermatologists consider cystic acne as the most severe of its kind.

Cystic acne takes much time to heal as the infection is affected deep under one’s skin. In most cases the treatment for cystic acne is limited to oral medication and hence it is recommended that all cases need to be taken to a dermatologist. But there are several preventive measures and remedies which can be taken against cystic acne. For those looking for holistic remedies for cystic acne can consult an alternative medicine practitioner, while other more common procedures can easily be performed in the convenience of one’s home with no medical supervision.

Isotretinion is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs for cystic acne treatment. The drug taken in pill form helps to treat inflammation, clogged skin pores, and excess oil production.

For females suffering from cystic acne oral contraceptives are used as a cystic acne remedy. This is considered as a safe cystic acne remedy and helps to suppress overactive sebaceous glands (oil producing). Besides an oral contraceptive, physicians also recommend a synthetic steroid to slow down other hormones which boosts the sebaceous glands.

Whatever cystic acne treatment your physician may prescribe, acne patients are required to be take special care of their health, and of course their skin. Acne patients are advised to cleanse their face daily at least two times a day. Keep in mind that bursting of cystic acne can result in producing scars. Hence keep your hands and fingers away from your face. Consulting a dermatologist is recommended as he/she can help you to choose the best cystic acne remedy which allows you to get rid of cystic acne.

B Vitamins And Acne

2008-11-17T22:03:00.000-08:00

How do all the B vitamins (b5, b6, b12, etc.) help acne?

Unlike the other acne fighting vitamins that have been mentioned, the B Vitamins are unique. The B Vitamins include many different vitamins that are all clumped together both in their name and usually in how they are taken. B Vitamin supplements almost always come in a B Complex form due to the fact that each B Vitamin has its own benefits to the body. In fact, those considering using supplements to fight their acne ...

Keywords:
acne, acne vitamins, natural acne treatment, acne cure, acne vitamin, accutane

Article Body:
How do all the B vitamins (b5, b6, b12, etc.) help acne?

Unlike the other acne fighting vitamins that have been mentioned, the B Vitamins are unique. The B Vitamins include many different vitamins that are all clumped together both in their name and usually in how they are taken. B Vitamin supplements almost always come in a B Complex form due to the fact that each B Vitamin has its own benefits to the body. In fact, those considering using supplements to fight their acne should definitely go with B Complex vitamins since not only to they help with acne but also simply due to all the other positive effects they have in maintaining a healthy body. In actuality, the B Vitamins are more like "super-vitamins" due to their many uses.

Since each B Vitamin contributes in a variety of ways to the fight against acne, this article will discuss each different B Vitamin that is involved in helping to maintain clear, healthy skin. Arguably the best aspect of these B Vitamins is that there are so many, they are almost always taken in conjunction, and they have so many uses in the body besides fighting acne and keeping skin nice and clean.

Here is a breakdown of the B Vitamins:

Thiamine (Vitamin B1) -- Thiamine is an antioxidant and it helps to rid the body, and the skin, of toxins and free radicals, therefore helping to keep the skin clear and acne free. It also enhances circulation and helps with digestion.

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) -- Riboflavin is essential for maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails. It helps to strengthen and repair the skin and helps to prevent acne from forming. In addition, Riboflavin also works with Vitamin A to promote a healthy digestive tract.

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) -- Niacinamide is essential for maintaining healthy skin and helps to improve circulation. It helps to prevent acne from forming and spreading. It also helps the metabolism break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) -- Pantothenic acid greatly helps in reducing stress. Stress is a leading cause of acne breakouts and pantothenic acid can help to keep it under control. It is also needed for proper functioning of the adrenal glands.

Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) -- Pyridoxine is extremely important in the functioning of the immune system and of antibody production. It also helps to fight acne.

Cobalamin (Vitamin B12) -- Works in conjunction with other vitamins and enhances their effects and helps them to better maintain healthy, clear skin. On its own, also helps to increase energy and helps to maintain healthy nerve cells.

A vitamin deficiency in many of these alone can lead to breakouts of acne. Thankfully, these vitamins almost always come together in Vitamin B Complex's which can be purchased easily. Making sure that one gets enough B Vitamins is crucial in maintaining healthy skin and fighting acne.

Acne Treatment- Regime For Moderate To Severely Moderate Acne

2008-11-17T22:02:00.000-08:00

In this kind of acne, a large portion of face or other affected areas get affected with whiteheads, blackheads, pustules and papules. A dermatologist should preferably treat this acne and the treatment should begin as soon as you observe the outbreak. If this kind of acne persists it can cause scars. Scars can be of two types- pockmarks or pits or raised thick tissue. To prevent the formation of scares and to prevent progression to sever form, consult your doctor as soon as such acne appears. If you are prone to scar formation, you should consult a dermatologist immediately. For those who are prone to keloid formation, it is more essential. Treating scars can become a trouble some process. Do not let acne grow to severe form so that scars can be prevented.

To treat moderate to severely moderate acne your doctor may adopt many methods. One choice may be physical treatment. Your doctor may remove the comedones physically or give blue light to treat acne. This physical treatment may be combined with topical application or oral medication.

Oral medication for acne treatment may include use of antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, oral isotretinoin or any other medicine your doctor feels suitable. The choice will depend upon the severity of acne and your skin. Your doctor may also prescribe topical medication that may include antimicrobials, retinoids
and OTC medications. Women may be prescribed Oral contraceptives to treat acne.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article

Acne Rosacea Treatment

2008-11-17T22:01:00.001-08:00

Acne rosacea is a chronic disease that affects mainly the facial skin, characterized by flare-ups and remissions. It generally begins over the age of thirty on cheeks, nose, chin or forehead, but sometimes can occur on the chest, neck, scalp or ears too. If untreated, pimples often develop and in most severe cases th nose grows swollen and bumpy due to excess tissue. In many cases, it acne rosacea also affects the eyes, which feel irritated and look watery and bloodshot.

Even though anyone can suffer from it, people with fair skin who flush or blush easily are prone to develop rosacea. It is more common in women than men, but men tend to develop more severe forms. There is no cure for acne rosacea, but medical therapy helps keeping it under control and reversing the symptoms. If you suspect you have rosacea, you should consult a dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment.

What Are The Main Symptoms?

Acne rosacea symptoms vary widely from one individual to another and generally only some of the potential sign appear. Experts claim that it always includes one of the following primary symptoms:

* Flushing
* Persistent Redness
* Bumps and Pimples
* Visible Blood Vessels

Acne Rosacea Treatment

As signs and symptoms vary widely from one sufferer to another, acne rosacea treatment should be tailored by a dermatologist for each particular case. Dermatologists can prescribe various oral and topical treatments to cure pimples and redness associated with the disease. Generally, the initial treatment consists of oral antibiotics combined with topical treatment to bring the condition under control, followed by long-term topical treatment to maintain it. In some cases, laser or intense pulsed light therapy are used for acne rosacea treatment, in order to reduce redness, remove visible blood vessels and correct nose disfigurement. Ocular rosacea is usually treated with antibiotics.

Skin Care

Individuals who suffer from acne rosacea should consult their dermatologist to make sure the skin care treatment they are using is suitable for their condition. Patients are usually advised to use mild and non-abrasive cleaners to wash their face, rinse it with warm water and blot it dry using a soft cotton towel. They should only use non-irritating products and use a sunscreen with an SPF of minimum 15 to protect their skin from sunlight.

If you have acne rosacea, you may use cosmetics to conceal the effects. Green tinted, followed by a skin-tone foundation in natural yellow tones can be used to conceal redness. Makeup with ping or orange hues should be avoided.

Lifestyle

A healthy lifestyle is also part of the whole acne rosacea treatment and it can help you maintain remission and avoid the external factors that cause flare ups or aggravate your skin condition. Here are some of the things you should do:

* Avoid hot drinks, lots of coffee, spicy foods and alcohol. Although most people think acne rosacea is linked to alcoholism, it can also affect someone who doesn't drink at all.
* Practice a good sun protection and avoid extremely high or low temperatures.
* Avoid aggressive behavior against your face, such as rubbing or scrubbing, as it can irritate the reddened skin.
* Work out only in cool environments and do not overheat.
* Avoid cosmetics and skin-care products that irritate your skin and use hair sprays properly.
* Try keeping a diary of all flushing episodes and write down what foods, products, medications ore activities are they associated with.

Even though the causes are still unknown and there is no acne rosacea treatment that can ensure you got rid of it forever, there are a lot of things that do help. Consulting a dermatologist and getting the right treatment, as well as following these lifestyle guidelines, can decrease the risk of pustules and redness and help you keep the situation under control.

Acne- Is It Contagious?

2008-11-17T21:57:00.001-08:00

Acne is one of the most common disorders that trouble us. Many of us get acne even when we grow up. Acne spoils our looks and affects our confidence. The scars are as bad and make us self-conscious. Can acne be contagious? Should we keep away from acne sufferers?

Acne- is it contagious or not?

For any diseases or condition to be contagious, there has be an agent that is passed on from one person to another. Like in ringworm, where one can pass on the fungus and affect another person. Acne causes have nothing that can be passed on from one person to another. There is nothing that we can catch from others and that will cause acne on our skin.

Acne- Causes-

Acne is caused by the excess production of sebum that is hormonal. The gland block that forms and makes the sebum remain inside is only dead skin and is also caused by hormonal and other unknown reasons. The bacteria P.acnes that inflames the acne is found on the skin of all of us. None of these three reasons for causing acne can be passed on. So acne is not contagious.

Acne- what care should I take to keep it away?

Avoid stress. Whenever you take any hormones or are nearing pregnancy, consult your doctor about acne possibility and prevent it. Keep your top layer of the skin healthy by use of AHA's etc. wash your face twice a day and keep it clean of dirt and oils.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Acne And Teenage Girls

2008-11-17T21:55:00.000-08:00

Over 70% of teens say that acne has affected them in a negative way. An estimated 20 million teens suffer from acne, but even the fact that they're not alone doesn't ease the pain they feel. Teens are embarrassed at a time when they are unsure of themselves. They may become depressed and withdrawn. Acne is especially hard on teenage girls. At a time when they're noticing boys, and visa versa, acne can be devastating. They're surrounded by visions of beauty all around them on TV, in movies, in magazines and on line. We live in a society that worships youth and beauty.

Parents can help their teenage girls through this time by offering a supportive and sympathetic ear. Parents should help the child focus on all their positive attributes, which will help to strengthen the child's self esteem. The parents need to be actively involved with helping their child find the best possible cure for their particular form of acne.

Parents should also educate themselves about acne causes and treatments. Thirty years ago it was thought that acne was caused by eating the wrong foods. Chocolate and potatoe chips were culprit. It's now known that this isn't true. Food is not thought to play a large role in acne. It also has nothing to do with cleanliness of the skin.

What is fact is that acne in teenagers is caused by the action of hormones on the skin's oil glands. During puberty both boys and girls have an increase in the hormones called androgens. These hormones cause sebaceous glands under the surface of the skin to enlarge. The sebaceous glands in response produce excess oil. This excess oil mixes with bacteria and dead skin on the skin's surface and blocks pores. Inside these pores the bacteria multiple and cause inflammation.

Most cases of light to moderate acne can be treated by over the counter medications. There are many to choose from. Some find that benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid works well. Benzoyl peroxide is known to readily kill acne bacteria. Benzoyl peroxide can be found in cleansers and in spot treatments. Benzoyl peroxide is very drying and can make your face look even more irritated, especially when you first start washing with it. Many acne suffers use a moisturizer on their face after washing. There are many moisturizers available that are specifically designed to help with acne such as Cetaphil, Eucerin, and Neutrogena.

Severe acne, or acne that has not responded well to over the counter products, can be successfully treated with the knowledge and expertise of a dermatologist. A dermatologist will consider many things before suggesting treatment. He will perform a thorough evaluation of the patient, considering things such as severity of acne, patient age, lifestyle, and co-existing conditions. The dermatologist then may suggest a combination of two or three different therapies for best treatment.

Whatever one of the literally hundreds of treatments you decide to choose, or if you seek the help of a dermatologist, remember that acne takes time to disappear. Overnight or miraculous results don't happen. It takes six to eight weeks to see results from treatment. Unfortunately, in a teenage girl's life six to eight weeks can feel like a lifetime.

Acne- Is It Contagious?

2008-11-17T21:53:00.000-08:00

Acne is one of the most common disorders that trouble us. Many of us get acne even when we grow up. Acne spoils our looks and affects our confidence.

Keywords:
acne,acne care,acne treatment,acne scars,skin,skin care,skin treatment,skin problems,

Article Body:
Acne is one of the most common disorders that trouble us. Many of us get acne even when we grow up. Acne spoils our looks and affects our confidence. The scars are as bad and make us self-conscious. Can acne be contagious? Should we keep away from acne sufferers?

Acne- is it contagious or not?

For any diseases or condition to be contagious, there has be an agent that is passed on from one person to another. Like in ringworm, where one can pass on the fungus and affect another person. Acne causes have nothing that can be passed on from one person to another. There is nothing that we can catch from others and that will cause acne on our skin.

Acne- Causes-

Acne is caused by the excess production of sebum that is hormonal. The gland block that forms and makes the sebum remain inside is only dead skin and is also caused by hormonal and other unknown reasons. The bacteria P.acnes that inflames the acne is found on the skin of all of us. None of these three reasons for causing acne can be passed on. So acne is not contagious.

Acne- what care should I take to keep it away?

Avoid stress. Whenever you take any hormones or are nearing pregnancy, consult your doctor about acne possibility and prevent it. Keep your top layer of the skin healthy by use of AHA's etc. wash your face twice a day and keep it clean of dirt and oils.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Top 3 Acne Medications

2008-11-13T04:48:00.004-08:00

Acne is a common disorder in skin that may last for long in an individual. For many people, acne isn’t a problem anymore when they reach the age of 30. But there are also individuals who continually carry the facial burden longer than expected. Treatments are important to avoid complications. When simple treatments are not enough, perhaps it is time to consider medical options for the acnes.

The top three acne medications are the following:

1. Benzoyl peroxide
This anti-bacterial medication takes care of killing the P. Acnes, acne-causing bacteria. It is an antiseptic agent that reduces the amount of barren pores. It will take approximately 3 weeks to see the changes.

This ingredient is also used for bleaching the hair and fabric so make sure to use it right. It is both over-the-counter and prescription drug that comes in gel or cream.

There is an estimated 3% of individuals found to be allergic to such substance so make sure that you don’t belong to that group or else you will experience skin inflammation if you apply it on your skin.

2. Salicylic Acid
Used to treat skin disorders such as dandruff, calluses, and warts, salicylic acid can also be used as an acne medication. It slows down the cells in the follicles from cracking which prevents blockage. It also assists in breaking down the whiteheads and blackheads.

Salicylic acid comes in many forms including cream, gel, lotion, ointment, and many more. Only use the medicine according to the directions on the label recommendations or from the doctor; otherwise, it may result to acid poisoning. Poisoning can be noticed when the person using it experiences dizziness, diarrhea, deep breathing, etc.

3. Sulfur
This ingredient is common among soaps, washes, and creams. It allows the skin to peel and dry enabling the breaking down of the whiteheads and blackheads. It is necessary to check the label directions so as to avoid unnecessary complications.

It is always best to seek professional advice when taking any of the medications. It is better to be sure. These medications, however, only kills bacteria, slows down cell breakdown, and peels off the skin but it will never stop the skin from acquiring bacteria after a certain span of time.

The Whole Truth About Acne Medication

2008-11-13T04:48:00.003-08:00

Most people will suffer from acne at some point in their life. Everyone's skin condition and chemistry are different so there can be no set remedy to prevent or clear existing acne. The good news is that it can be treatable. People make the mistake of letting it run its course, thinking they will outgrow it. Sometimes that is just not good enough.

With so many acne medications available over-the-counter or by prescription, it can be frustrating finding one that works. But something out there will work for you if you just keep trying. If you find that you are getting nowhere with your acne, try finding something more specific to your skin type.

Common over-the-counter (OTC) acne medications available are: Stri-dex, Clearasil, Oxy, Neutrogena On-the-Spot, Cetaphil, and Persa-Gel 10. These can be found in most drug and grocery stores. The prices may vary ($4-$14) but price does not necessarily mean it will work the best on your acne. There is also a variety in the form of the medication, such as: gels, lotions, creams, and medicated pads. The form of the acne medication does not usually effect how well it treats your skin. Do not be discouraged if a product that you try makes your acne worse. Sometimes we must take a step back to make progress. Make a note of the ingredients in what you used and, in the future, only use medicines that do not contain any or much of this. You should always read the labels before purchasing a product. You wouldn't order a dish at a restaurant if you didn't know what was in it, would you? If you skin is oily, then you may choose to purchase something that is especially for treating oily skin.

If your skin is too sensitive for OTC acne medications that you have tried, then perhaps you should consult a Dermatologist. Some forms of acne can not be treated without a prescription. The doctor may prescribe an oral antibiotic instead of a topical acne medication for severe cases. These are commonly used to decrease inflammation that can contribute to acne.

Topical prescription acne medication for severe cases of acne usually contains retinoids. Retinoids prevent blackheads and whiteheads, while un-clogging your pores. The downside to this is that you could have increased sensitivity to the sun or develop an irritation. It is possible for fine lines and wrinkles to be reduces with this treatment, which is a bonus advantage to having younger and healthier looking skin.

In addition to typical acne medication options, there are some home remedies include treating with Hydrogen Peroxide, toothpaste, or diluted alcohol. If you experiment with these, you may end up with a cheap solution to your acne. Peroxide could speed up the healing process of existing acne. It kills germs to drastically reduce inflammation. Toothpaste can be applied lightly on spots that appear before the actual acne has formed. Usually, this is left on overnight and washed off in the morning. It dries up excess oils that can contribute to the formation of acne. Pure alcohol should never be applied to the skin. However, if you dilute it half with water to gently wash your face, you can dry up excess oils without completely drying out your skin.

Acne is a common problem and getting treated is nothing to be ashamed of. No one should have to live with the embarrassment of acne. There is an effective method out there for you, as long as you are willing to take the time to find it.

Stop The Embarrassment - Treat Your Acne Rosacea Now

2008-11-13T04:48:00.001-08:00

Signs and Symptoms of Acne Rosacea

There are certain contrasts between acne rosacea and acne vulgaris. As you probably know, acne vulgaris is the most common form of acne which seems to start with the onset of puberty and is characterized by the formation of whiteheads and blackheads. Acne rosacea, on the other hand, usually makes its first appearance between the ages of 30 and 50, is confined to the face -- mostly the nose, cheeks, chin, forehead and eyelids -- and is not associated with overactive oil glands.

The lesions seen in acne rosacea consist of erythema, minute dilated blood vessels, papules and pustules. The color of the skin in the affected areas varies from bright to dull red, or it can even take on a purplish hue. At first the redness may last for just a few hours, but later as the condition progresses and recurrences continue, the color persists and can become permanent.

The hypertrophy of the sebaceous glands, especially on the nose, leads to thickening of the skin, increased visibility of the expanded follicles and an enlargement of the nose, so often associated with acne rosacea. Although most commonly seen in women, men have the most severe cases and are the ones that usually develop the disfiguring bulbous nose, known as rhinophyma. Oddly, sometimes rhinophyma is the only sign of the condition.

People suffering from acne rosacea come to realize what aggravates their particular outbreaks and avoid them, if possible. The most common stimulants are hot, spicy foods, hot beverages and alcohol. Exposure to the sun and to heat also seems to be aggravating factors.

Acne rosacea is not life-threatening, but it certainly does severely alter a person's appearance.

Complications Associated With Rosacea

There are only a few complications associated with acne rosacea. Sometimes, eye irritations can occur due to inflammation of the eyelashes or outer surface of the eyes. The membrane covering the lens (cornea) can become inflamed leading to impaired vision, but this rarely happens.

Treatment Options for Acne Rosacea

Topical and Oral Medication. There is no proven cure for rosacea since the exact cause of the disease is not known. Successful treatment is based on controlling the acne-like symptoms with the same topical and systemic medications used in treating regular acne.

The most effective treatment to date includes long term use of topical and oral antibiotics such as tetracycline which does seem to control the eruptions. The dosage of the antibiotic is slowly lowered to maintain control. In most cases, it can eventually be discontinued altogether without recurrence of the rosacea pimples. Of course, tetracycline should never be taken during pregnancy since the medication does affect the unborn child.

Laser and Surgery. Laser treatment has been successful in eliminating the enlarged facial blood vessels. This is a treatment that causes very little discomfort. Also, surgery can be used to remove the excess tissue associated with rhinophyma.

Other Treatment. The psychological and stress problems associated with acne rosacea should always be assessed and treated. The symptoms and severity are varied and can, at times, require the attention of a medical specialist.

Over-The-Counter Acne Treatment

2008-11-13T04:47:00.002-08:00

There are many types of over-the-counter treatments for acne. Most people, when first faced with an acne condition, usually go to the local pharmacy and buy an over-the-counter medication on the basis of recommendations from their friends or perhaps even television ads. It's always a good idea, however, to consult with a doctor before using any kind of over-the-counter medication. Even though acne is a fairly benign condition, a doctor can advise on the best course of treatment and also offers suggestions based on your particular kind of acne.

Because of the large number of products available for treating acne, it can be difficult to decide which one to try. Depending on advice from your friends is not too reliable, because what works for one person may not work for another. It's best if you have some background knowledge about the active ingredients in various acne medications, so you can make a better informed choice about which medication to try.

One of the most popular ingredients in acne treatments is benzoyl peroxide. It is found in gels and ointments and works by combating the bacteria which causes pimples. It is also useful for removing dead skin cells that accumulate on the surface of the skin. It is these dead skin cells which combine with sebum to create blackheads and whiteheads.

Benzoyl peroxide has been proven to be safe and effective in combating lesions. It can be used after acne has cleared up to keep the skin free from acne causing bacteria. The only side effect associated with this ingredient is dry skin, and this can be avoided by decreasing the frequency that it is applied on the skin. It can also bleach hair and clothing, so care must be taken when applying it.

Another popular ingredient in acne medications is salicylic acid. This prevents acne by clearing up dead skin cells which are accumulating too quickly and clogging the pores. Products which contain salicylic acid should continue to be used after the skin has cleared up to prevent future outbreaks of acne. The only side effects associated with salicylic acid are dry, irritated skin.

Other ingredients you may see in acne medications include resorcinol and sulphur. Resorcinol causes the top layer of skin to peel -- including the dead skin cells which clog the pores. It is often combined with sulphur. It is not known how sulphur affects acne conditions, but it has been used effectively for more than 50 years. Sulphur is often combined with other ingredients besides resorcinol like salicylate acid and benzoyl peroxide. It is not usually used by itself because of its strong, unpleasant odor.

Of all these ingredients used for combating acne, benzoyl peroxide is probably the most versatile. It can be used in cleansing liquids or bars, as well as lotion, cream, and gels which are applied directly on the skin. The cleansing products are usually used once or twice a day, while the creams and lotions can be used as needed. They should be applied on the skin around the acne as well as the pimples themselves for most effectiveness. You must avoid getting benzoyl peroxide in the eyes, mouth or nose as it will cause irritation or inflammation.

How To Pay For Expensive Acne Treatments

2008-11-13T04:47:00.001-08:00

With all of the doctor visits, possible procedures and medications, acne treatments can be very expensive. For those who have health insurance, it may or may not be covered in your policy. Because acne treatments may be considered as cosmetic, some health insurance companies may not cover the costs associated with it’s treatment. The best way to find out, however, is to review your health insurance policy or call your local agent for more information. Many individuals, for various reasons, do not have health insurance and they are often the ones who are most concerns with the related costs. Whether you do or do not have health insurance, there are ways to pay for expensive acne treatments if you find yourself carrying the full financial responsibility.

An increasing number of hospitals and/or private practice physicians offer a convenient payment plan, which allows their patients to set up a scheduled payment system for their high-cost acne treatments. This doesn’t usually require a credit check and is not a line of credit, but is rather a way of offering patients a convenience of gradually payment for services after they have been rendered. This is a privilege that is not available everywhere, but is rapidly catching on. In order to find out if your physician offers this type of plan for acne treatments, check with the billing office. There will typically be a schedule set up for payments and it is important not to miss it. The reason is because, if payments are missed, the physician or medical care facility may revoke your plan and demand payment in full. In addition, it isn’t likely that you would be granted this same privilege if payments for acne treatments are late or collection efforts must be pursued.

If acne is extreme and neither of the above mentioned financial scenarios are possible, consider selling some of your unwanted items around the house at online auctions, yard sales, flea markets, etc. These are all terrific ways to earn some extra money, which can quickly add up and help you to pay for expensive acne treatments.

This article is to be used for informational purposes only. The information contained herein is not intended to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice regarding the use of acne treatments. Prior to beginning any treatment regimen, the patient must consult a licensed medical doctor or dermatologist for advice and/or to determine the best course of action for his/her individual situation.

How Acne Starts and How yuo Can Stop IT

2008-11-13T04:46:00.003-08:00

Acne affects almost everyone — more than 90% of all adolescents, nearly 50% of all adult women and 25% of all adults. Crossing gender lines as well as national borders, it's one of the most widespread medical conditions in the world. Yet there's still no cure.

But there is hope. While acne is not curable, it is treatable. We now know more about controlling this condition than ever before. The secret to managing acne is prevention — stopping this condition before it exhibits visual symptoms. Once you have found an acne treatment that helps you accomplish this, it's important to stick with it. Even after pimples disappear, you may need to continue treatment to keep new blemishes at bay. It's also crucial to begin treatment as soon as the first signs appear; the sooner you address your acne, the less likely you are to experience permanent damage to your skin. Of course, in order to stop acne, we must first find out how it starts.

What causes acne? One of the most important things you can learn about acne is this:

It's not your fault. Contrary to popular belief, acne is not caused by anything you're doing — what you eat, how often you wash your face or work out — but by a combination of factors at work far beneath the surface of your skin.

A healthy follicle
A blemish begins approximately 2–3 weeks before it appears on your skin's surface. It starts in your sebaceous hair follicles — the tiny holes commonly called pores. Deep within each follicle, your sebaceous glands are working to produce sebum, the oil that keeps your skin moist and pliable. As your skin renews itself, the old cells die, mix with your skin's natural oils, and are sloughed off. Under normal circumstances, these cells are shed gradually, making room for fresh new skin.

But sloughing is different for everyone. Some people shed cells evenly; some don't. Uneven shedding causes dead cells to become sticky, clumping together to form a plug — much like a cork in a bottle. This plug, or comedo, traps oil and bacteria inside the follicle.

A plugged follicle
The plug traps oil and bacteria within the follicle, which begins to swell as your skin continues its normal oil production. Your body then attacks the bacteria with a busy swarm of white blood cells. The whole process takes 2–3 weeks, culminating in a pimple.

An inflamed acne lesion
Why me? There is no one simple "cause" of acne — the condition is influenced by many factors, many which are out of your control. The regularity with which you shed skin cells can change throughout your life. The rate at which you produce sebum is affected by your hormone balance, which is often in flux — especially for women. Research has also shown that genetics play a big part in the development and persistence of acne, so your family history is a valuable prediction tool as well when considering the various causes of acne.

One of the best weapons in the fight against acne, however, is knowledge; if you know what causes acne, it's easier to formulate a good plan of attack. There are five primary culprits contributing to this process. Each of these factors may vary dramatically between individuals. While you don't have control over these factors, understanding them can help you in your search for the proper acne treatment.

Acne Causes - Culprit #1: Hormones. For the majority of acne sufferers, the trouble begins at puberty, when the body begins to produce hormones called androgens. These hormones cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge, which is a natural part of the body's development. In acne sufferers, however, the sebaceous glands are overstimulated by androgens, sometimes well into adulthood. Androgens are also responsible for acne flare-ups associated with the menstrual cycle and, on occasion, pregnancy.

Acne Causes - Culprit #2: Extra sebum. When the sebaceous gland is stimulated by androgens, it produces extra sebum. In its journey up the follicle toward the surface, the sebum mixes with common skin bacteria and dead skin cells that have been shed from the lining of the follicle. While this process is normal, the presence of extra sebum in the follicle increases the chances of clogging — and can cause acne.

Acne Causes - Culprit #3: Follicle fallout. Normally, dead cells within the follicle shed gradually and are expelled onto the skin’s surface. But in patients with overactive sebaceous glands — and in nearly everyone during puberty — these cells are shed more rapidly. Mixed with a surplus of sebum, the dead skin cells form a plug in the follicle, preventing the skin from finishing its natural process of renewal.

Acne Causes - Culprit #4: Bacteria. The bacterium Propionibacterium acnes, (P. acnes for short) is a regular resident of all skin types; it’s part of the skin’s natural sebum maintenance system. Once a follicle is plugged, however, P. acnes bacteria multiply rapidly, creating the chemical reaction we know as inflammation in the follicle and surrounding skin.

Acne Causes - Culprit #5: Inflammation. When your body encounters unwanted bacteria, it sends an army of white blood cells to attack the intruders. This process is called chemotaxis; or, simply put, the inflammatory response. This is what causes pimples to become red, swollen and painful. The inflammatory response is different for everyone, but studies have shown that it is especially strong in adult women.

What can I do? Fortunately, you have options! There are many kinds of acne treatments available today. But first, you should try to determine the type and severity of your condition. Acne, like a person, is highly individual — it can take many forms, and have a highly variable response to treatment. The more you know about your specific form of acne, the more likely you are to find a treatment that works for you. Learn more about the types of acne.

Find Out What Really Causes Acne

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All of the factors that affect acne are not completely understood. However the main cause of acne is well known. Excess production of an oily substance that helps keep the hair and skin soft is a prime ingredient. This oil is Sebum, during adolescence the amount of sebum produced by your body is greatly increased. This sebum when combined with naturally occurring dead skin cells can block hair follicles which then turn into an acne lesion.

Not only will this mixture block pores it also provides a growing environment for bacteria. It is the growth of bacterial that causes what is commonly called a pimple.

The male hormone testosterone is what causes your body to create excess sebum. Testosterone is produced by both males and females. During puberty the increase of testosterone causes the body to have an abnormal reaction which manifests itself with the excessive production of sebum. This excessive oil is commonly found on the facial skin, as well as back and shoulders. In most people the testosterone levels have normalized by the time they are 20 and any acne issues will clear up.

Recent studies seem to indicate that acne is at least partially hereditary. In many cases though it is not possible to determine why some people are susceptible to it and others are not. Other contributing factors can be; stress, diet, skin irritation, hormonal changes and some medications.

When it comes to diet skim milk seems to be a substantial contributing factor. Many people believe that chocolate, dark soft drinks and greasy foods will cause acne outbreaks. There is not statistical evidence supporting any of those beliefs. Acne can also be induced or aggravated by medications such as; lithium, barbiturates, anabolic steroids and androgens.

Recent studies of acne may have found another cause of acne, narrowing hair follicles. These narrower hair follicles can prevent dead skin cells from being expelled from the pore. These trapped skin cells then mix with sebum and bacteria on the skin to form the acne lesions. The are several different issues that can cause the narrowing of the hair follicle, excessive shedding of cells within the follicle, abnormal cell binding and water retention.

I is commonly believed that you should squeeze a pimple to remove the blocking sebum as well as the bacteria. This can actually make the problem worse by spreading the bacteria to other areas of your skin as well as possibly causing scarring. This scarring if severe enough can be permanent.

In reality touching the area that has acne can actually make it worse as you transfer some of the oil from your hands to an area that already has excessive skin oil. Your hands can also carry bacteria which will aid in the spread of the acne.

Your hair can also exacerbate the acne problem by adding oil to areas it touches. It is important to keep your hair clean so it will not contribute to the problems. You should also try to avoid wearing hats and sweatbands as they will help trap the skin oils and just cause more problems.

Effective Acne Treatments for Teenagers

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Acne affects virtually all teenagers at one point or another, to varying degrees. Teen acne is hereditary and is brought on by hormonal changes related to menstrual periods, pregnancy, birth control pills, or stress; oily hair and skin products; certain drugs such as steroids, testosterone, estrogen, and phenytoin; and high levels of humidity or sweating. While acne attacks boys and girls alike, it is worse in boys because they produce more skin oils. However, girls are more likely to seek out a dermatologist. Either way, fear not: everywhere you look, there is another teen acne treatment to be found.

There are many over-the-counter acne treatments for teenagers to unblock pores, reduce bacteria and dry out pimples. They contain benzoyl peroxide (such as Neutrogena On-The-Spot) or salicylic acid (such as Stri-dex). For more effective yet harsher treatment, there is sulfur or resorcinol (such as Clearasil Adult Care). Acne responds best when treated early.

All acne treatments work by preventing new breakouts, and must be used over a period of weeks or months. Even if you begin to see improvement, continue treatment. Follow the directions on the package or as prescribed by your dermatologist.

Even more numerous than over-the-counter medications are prescription drugs and topicals that curb oil build-up, skin cell shedding and bacteria growth - all while drying and peeling away old acne and stimulating healthy skin growth. In cases of unresponsive or severe acne, isotretinoin (Accutane) may be used. Talk to your dermatologist to find out what is appropriate for your case of acne.

To avoid scarring, you should never pick or squeeze acne, especially inflammatory acne or “pustules”. Squeezing forces infected material deeper into the skin, causing additional inflammation and possible scarring. Also, avoid scrubbing your skin. If you do get scars, acne scar treatment is available in many forms.

Blue Light Acne Treatment - A New Remedy?

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Some experts claim that laser and light therapy is this century's alternative to traditional treatments. These technologies have been successfully applied to treating acne and other skin diseases. Many acne sufferers who were disappointed with all other methods have found a solution for their problem in blue light acne treatment.

Benefits of Blue Light Acne Treatment

Blue light acne treatment focuses on eliminating P. acnes, the bacteria that causes to acne eruptions. This bacteria pumps out some molecules called porphyrins. When these molecules are exposed to blue light, they release free radicals that kill the bacteria.

Blue light acne treatment has several benefits in comparison to other therapies:

* It is a totally natural and has no side effects.
* It is safe to use daily and for all ages.
* Unlike other light therapies, it doesn't contain UV light that can hurt your skin.
* It is painless and you can do it in your own home.

Research Data

Data from clinical trials on blue light therapy has revealed that is a promising acne treatment. Patients involved in the studies have received the blue light acne treatment in several session, each lasting about 15 minutes. Many of them, but not all, have registered significant improvement after the treatment, with approximately 55% clearance. Side effects were only mild and included short-term pigment changes, dryness and swelling of the treated area.

Taiwan: Thirty-one patients with facial acne on both sides have received blue light acne treatment only on one side, while the other has received no treatment at all. The therapy was given twice a week for four weeks. In the end, it was concluded that blue light acne treatment is effective unless the patient suffers from cystic acne, which often worsens when treated with blue light.

United States: Twenty-five patients suffering from inflammatory acne were treated with blue light therapy on one side (8 sessions in 4 weeks) and with clindamycin on the other (twice a day for 4 weeks). In the end, researchers compared the results for the two treatments. The side treated with clindamycin showed an approximately 22% improvement, while the one treated with blue light therapy showed around 40% improvement. However, after 8 weeks of no treatment, the clindamycin side had maintained the results better.

Israel: Three separate studies on 10, 13 and 25 patients suffering form inflammatory acne were conducted in order to measure the effects of blue light acne treatment. In all of the three studies, over 80% of all patients responded well to the treatment, showing between 59% and 67% improvement.

Japan: 30 patients suffering from mild to moderate acne received a blue light acne treatment twice a week for up to five weeks. For 80% of all patients, the lesions decreased by approximately 64%. The rest of them experienced negative or no effects.

Unfortunately, the number of individuals involved in these research studies is too small. Generally, clinical trials aimed to test new treatments enroll hundreds or even thousands of patients. Considering the small numbers involved in the blue light acne treatment studies, no statistically valid conclusion can be drawn. However, these studies do reveal that blue light therapy has positive effects on some individuals suffering from acne. It gives best results for inflammatory acne and may not be safe to use on patients with cystic acne lesions.

Best Acne Treatments for Teenagers

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There are several criteria for acne treatments for teenagers. Number one - they must have a high rate of success. Two, they should be simple to use. And number three, they must be safe for your skin, preferably good for sensitive skin.

Preferably, they should also be fast acting. And low cost. Teens and parents should not have to spend hundreds on dermatologists and facial peels.

There are two systems that I think qualify for serious consideration for those seeking acne treatments for teenagers.

The first was created by a Board Cerified Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon, Dr Beckman. He has a background in chemistry as well as 24 years of experience in plastic surgery, where he developed expertise in the principles of skin restoration. He has developed a two step system, which is by its nature simple to follow.

The first step is an antimicrobial wash that gets rid of 99.9% of all bacteria on the skin's surface for up to 12 hours. This reduces the chance for infection to occur, and many people using his system have found that even if they were on oral antibiotics or accutane that this alone was able to help prevent future acne outbreaks. This cleanser is also excellent for removing dirt and oily deposits on the skin.

The next step is a topical medication designed to encourage the skin's natural process of exfoliation. This treatment contains salicylic acid and lactic acid, which remove dead skin cells and oily plugs from the sebaceous glands to prevent acne by unclogging pores. Lactic acid encourages the growth of new collagen and elastin, whilst restoring the skin's natural PH balance.

This acne treatments for teenagers system has been used by people with all types of acne - from mild to severe cystic acne. It is 100% effecive on people with Grades 1 & 2 acne, 80-90% successful with Grades 3 acne, and very effective in controlling new breakouts with Grade 4 acne sufferers. Users on prescription medications like accutane were able to cut back on their dosage or stop using it altogether.

In a study of high school and college students over 12 weeks, all participants had some degree of improvement, and most improvements were within a two week period. So the Reversion system is fast acting. Grades 1 & 2 acne sufferers achieved total control of their acne, and Grades 3 & 4 achieved dramatic improvements.

Click Here to Buy or Find out more about Reversion's acne treatments for teenagers

The next system of acne treatments for teenagers that I recommend is by Zen Med. Theirs is a 3 step system, with a little bit of a different approach to Reversion. They have two topical applications like Reversion, a cleanser and an acne treatment medication. But they also have herbal acne supplements included in the package.

This is an important part of the treatment, and one of the reasons they have such a high success rate with many people's acne clearing up for good. The Zen Med system was developed using the 3000 year plus expertise of Traditional Chinese Medicine, combined with modern therapeutics. Theirs is an all natural, all herbal preparation that works on mild to severe acne. It does not contain drugs and there are no side effects.

Many people who tried traditional prescription medication but did not achieve satisfactory results on these were very happy with what the Zen Med system did for their skin. One of the big pluses in this acne treatments for teenagers is that most people using it stopped their acne at the source within 1 to 3 months - this is not a treatment that you will have to be using for the rest of your life.

Adult Acne Solved!

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Acne has always been a dreaded occurrence in our life. Most of us have carried this burden in our teenage years and after almost seven teenage years we think we are finally home free. Then one morning in your twenty sixth, twenty seventh or even twenty eighth year of your existence you wake up with a huge zit on you face. And even worst, sometimes it is not just one but two or even three or even four! And they just keep on sprouting like weeds in an inhibited garden! So you wonder, I’m already an adult so why, why, WHY?

Adult acne is more common than we thought. Almost five percent of adults have adult acne mostly in their twenties, thirties and even forties and beyond. Adult acne can be found in the face and sometimes even on the neck and on the chest and back area. There are many reasons for the occurrence of these devils incarnates and we will enumerate them here plus ways on how to outsmart them.

Adult Acne Source Number 1: those pesky hormones

And we all thought we are done with having problems caused by them! Apparently, they still have a last attack. Experts still can’t pinpoint the main reason why our oil glands are more prone to breakouts because of hormonal shifts in this age line. Unfortunately, these up and down hormonal shifts are the main culprit in adult acne. But fortunately, there’s an easy cure for these shifts and that is the common birth control pill. But take note that this is not applicable to you if you are pregnant. For stubborn and hard to kill zits, you may also use medication that has the ingredient retinoids that can help unclog those pores. If still doesn’t work then it’s high time to up your ammunition. Use antibiotics (may be topical or even oral) to reduce the swelling.

Adult Acne Source Number 2: stress

Stress is also a major source of adult acne. But we can’t help it, can we? Our world is full of stress inducing situation and things that it is already a part of our daily lives. We have bills to pay, kids to feed and a house to clean. So much stress we endure in a day that it results to the dreaded adult acne. This happens because stress triggers the body to secrete cortisol that results in the secretion of more hormones thus resulting to zits. So what do we do when the bump pops? Relax! Do some de-stressing. Go on a vacation or just spend a day doing nothing. Eat right, sleep right and do your exercise routine regularly. If your darn acne are still there after doing these things for a month or two then it is high time to see your dermatologist for some treatment and prescription.

Adult Acne Source Number 3: Daily Grooming Products

It is a fact that as we grow older we tend to become more vain especially in our twenties to thirties when we are still finding our ideal mate. We tend to use a lot of products to make ourselves more attractive to the opposite sex. Unfortunately, this only results to adult acne as these products tend to block pores which can result to zits erupting like crazy in our pretty little faces. How ironic, isn’t it? We bought and used these products to make ourselves more pretty only to have these little craters embed in our face. So what to do? Simplify! You don’t need all these products to make yourself pretty. Just use basics like moisturizer, cleanser and sun block. Purchase cosmetics that are noncomedogenic and make sure that they are oil free especially your moisturizer. And always remember your acne 101: do not touch your face or rest your pretty little chin in your grubby little hands!

Acne Treatment - How To Squeeze A Spot, Zit Or Pimple

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First of all, and you probably know this, you shouldn't squeeze acne, spots or pimples. Let's face it, you're going to do it anyway right? If you must there's a way to do it safely.

Thoroughly clean your face and then apply a wet, warm facecloth over your entire face for around 10 minutes. Next, pat your face and hands dry with a soft, clean towel, try not to rub with the towel as this can spread infection. Next, cover your fingers with dry tissue and apply gentle, even pressure to the sides of the blemish. Gently press downward first and then upwards, toward the pimple or spot. Try it once or twice and then leave it. If it's not ready, forcing the issue will only make matters worse and might even lead to scarring. If the blemish does squeeze out, remove the head and oil with the tissue to avoid spreading bacteria. Finally, immediately apply a treatment product., zit or pimple.

Your path to clear skin is based on 3 basic methods. Each area can have a profound impact on your skin so make sure to pay careful attention to all of these methods.

1. Topical Regimen - What you put on your skin This section consists of scientific and natural ingredients that have been shown to combat acne or have skin beneficial effects. Topical creams can have the most immediate impact on the look and feel of your skin.

2. Lifestyle - Everyday mistakes are too frequent Proper exercise is an important aspect of anyones life. To keep your body, and your skin, in proper health, you must exercise on a regular basis. Your body must be efficient at eliminating waste in order to help curb your acne problem. Sweating is one of those mechanisms and a healthy heart and circulatory system also make a big difference.

1. Exercise at least 2 times per week for 30-60 minutes. This should include cardiovascular and resistance training. Note: Wash your face (and body) within 30 minutes of finishing your workout to minimize the chance the bacteria buildup.

3. Diet - You are what you eat Whether or not what you eat affects your skin is a matter of some debate. We feel that what you eat affects your body in many ways, including your skin. Our diet section includes a list of foods that may cause acne flare ups and also a list that can have benefits for your skin.

Acne Treatment- Isotretinoin

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What Is Isotretinoin

Isotretinoin is a retinoid. That means that it is derived from Vitamin A. The chemical name of Isotretinoin is 13-cis retinoic acid. Isotretinoin is a very effective drug for acne. It is normally prescribed for severe acne when other therapies fail. Isotretinoin should be taken very carefully because it can produce birth defects in fetus. While taking Isotretinoin, you should be always in contact with your doctor and report any side effect. You should also discuss about any possible pregnancy with your doctor if you are sexually active. Isotretinoin generally gives relief in severe acne and is a drug of choice for acne patients who may have lost hope about cure of their acne.

Prescription

Isotretinoin is prescribed for acne treatment. Isotretinoin works in treating acne by shrinking the sebaceous glands and reducing sebum production. Isotretinoin is anti-inflammatory and removes comedones. The treated skin is dry and inhibits the growth of acne bacteria. Isotretinoin is prescribed in case of severe acne, scarring acne, moderate acne that is not responding to other medication and every case of acne where doctor feels that Isotretinoin should be prescribed to get rid of acne. Isotretinoin may also be used for some other conditions that include- folliculitis, seborrhoea, chloracne and other diseases that look like acne.

The dosage of Isotretinoin will depend upon the severity of acne, body weight, other treatments being used at the same time etc. Your doctor is the best person to decide about the dose. Normally the treatment begins with small dose and as body adjusts to Isotretinoin the does is increased. Doctors also monitor the cure during this period and if they find that patient is not responding, they may stop the therapy. As Isotretinoin needs fat to help its absorption in body, it is taken after food. Please follow your doctors advise about these.

Side Effects- The common side effects of Isotretinoin are dry mouth, dry nose, thinning of hair, fatigue, dry skin, red itchy eyes, sore lips etc. If you experience any other side effects such as muscle aches, difficult walking, depression vomiting etc. please talk to your doctor immediately. Please discuss about side effects with your doctor before beginning of the treatment with Isotretinoin and report any expected or unexpected side effect immediately. Please note that you may not be able to wear your contact lenses for some time in the beginning of treatment with Isotretinoin. You are also not supposed to donate any blood while you are taking Isotretinoin and for one month after you stop taking it. Please talk about dos and do not with your doctor. You also must tell your doctor about any medicine or Vitamins that you are taking. You are not supposed to take any medicines without consulting your doctor while taking Isotretinoin.

Isotretinoin and Pregnancy

Isotretinoin can cause serious defects in the fetus. Therefore you should inform your doctor if you are pregnant. You should also tell your doctor if you plant to become pregnant or breast-feeding. You have to test yourself for pregnancy before you begin Isotretinoin and continue getting tested while taking Isotretinoin. Your doctor will explain the details to you. If you get pregnant while taking Isotretinoin you should stop taking it and call your doctor immediately. You must adopt two reliable methods of birth control for one month before taking Isotretinoin, continue while taking Isotretinoin and till after one month of stopping Isotretinoin. You should talk to your gynecologist and dermatologist in detail before taking Isotretinoin.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Acne Scar Treatments

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There are many ways to treat acne scars. Determining your treatment depends on the type of scar and quantity of scarring. Before you consider a scar treatment you should have an in depth conversation with your doctor. It is very important you only use this information as an introduction to scar treatments and not a final guide. Your dermatologist and you can discuss the proper treatment after you have basic knowledge.

For very mild acne, a chemical peel might be all that you need. Different types of acid are used in this procedure. It is recommended that you choose another method of treatment, if you have very noticeable or deep scarring. The chemical peel procedure takes about fifteen minutes. The resultant facial redness may last up to a few weeks.

There are a few choices available to treat moderate acne scarring. The most popular are dermabrasion and laser resurfacing. Dermabrasion is a scar treatment in which a diamond plated wheel is used to “sand” your face. This technique has been around for a long time and sandpaper was once used instead of the new machines that utilize the diamond plated tool. Generally, this procedure takes around an hour to perform. You should expect some scabbing and redness for a few weeks. This method is most effective for individual with very pale or very dark complexions.

The other treatment for mild acne scars is laser resurfacing. This treatment involves removing old skin with a carbon dioxide (CO2) or erbium laser. Depending on the size and frequency of the scars, the treatment may last only several minutes or in excess of an hour. This treatment is not advised for people with darker skin pigment, because it may result in uneven skin color. After treatment, redness should be expected for a few weeks and a mild pinkish tone may be evident even longer.

For very deep, pitted scars, physicians utilize a "punch technique." There are several "punch" treatments available depending on your doctor, type of acne and other factors. The first type is a punch replacement in which a tool is used to remove the scar. Then a skin graft from another part of your body is transplanted over the site. Another technique is the punch excision where the scar is surgically removed and the area allowed to recover. Finally, there is a technique where the physician removes the scar at the bottom. The skin at the treated area is allowed to rise and fills the cratered area. Usually a punch technique is combined with dermabrasion or laser resurfacing for optimal results. Healing may take up to several weeks.

Another type of acne scar treatment is subcision. With subcision the scar is detached from the lower tissue, which allows a blood clot to form under the skin. The clot forces the scar up to the surface of the skin. Similar to the punch techniques, combining subcision with dermabrasion or laser resurfacing yields the best results. This type of treatment can be effective for all types of scarring, but is best for deeper and more prominent scars.

The last type of treatment is augmentation. Augmentation uses a material similar to collagen which is injected under the skin to bring the scar to the surface. Recovery is immediate and no time off work is necessary. The drawback, however, is that results are temporary and only last up to six months.

Whatever acne scar treatment you decide upon, keep in mind that some may require more than one session with a doctor. Always consult your dermatologist to decide which treatment is best for you. There is a wide variation with the costs associated with the various treatments. Make sure you consider the financial ramifications with your treatment plan before you proceed. Remember, more than one treatment plan may be effective in your particular situation. Each plan has benefits and drawbacks so make sure you discuss all your concerns with your doctor.

Acne Prevention Tips and Home Remedies

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Any skin disorder that is very apparent can prove extremely embarrassing and a trying experience for the sufferer. Everyone who is prone to develop acne would love to know a dozen effective ways to prevent it in the first place. Who wouldn’t want to save face and another month or longer worth of painful self-consciousness? I have listed a number of practical ways to prevent another acne breakout from embarrassing you, and if despite your honest efforts acne still rears its ugly head, I also suggested a few effective steps for treating acne, naturally.

Acne Prevention Tips

Use a honey mask on a weekly basis. Honey is considered as a disinfectant and a great way for healing pimples. It can also kill bacteria found in your skin.

Cut your hair short if it’s long. Hair has oil. When you are moving, dust particles often culminate in your hair, and as your hair touches your face, neck, or forehead, it can provoke acne or worsen an affected area.

Take a powerful multi-vitamin twice every day; the biggest organ—your skin
—requires proper nutrients to stay healthy.

Take vitamin A daily. It both protects your skin and prevents acne. Plus, vitamin A reduces sebum production.

Avoid over washing and rubbing or scrubbing your skin excessively. Acne is not caused by not washing or by having dirty skin.

Some people, especially students, have claimed that their acne grows worse when experiencing stressful situations. Advise: if it’s in your power, cut down on stress.

Drink 8 glasses of water everyday. Water helps to clean and hydrate the skin.

Avoid alcohol-based creams and lotions.

Either change or wash your pillowcase everyday.

Eat food rich in zinc. A deficiency in zinc may cause acne breakouts.

Add a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables to your daily diet.

When you are undergoing much stress, breathe deeply. It has been discovered that there exists a direct connection between acne and stress.

Exercise regularly, for it helps your blood to circulate and to remove toxins.

Eat a well-balanced diet to reduce the reoccurrence of acne.

Choose your cosmetics very carefully. Sometimes what you wear to disguise acne can actually turn out to be the root cause of a skin disorder.

Acne Home Remedy Tips

Put ripe tomato pulp on your pimples, and keep them there for as long as one hour. Next, wash the treated areas.

Apply the juice of raw papaya on your swelling pimples.

On and around your pimples apply fresh garlic. Pimples will fade away when this treatment is used regularly, not leaving a mark.

Drink wheatgrass juice; it can remove acne.

Create a paste from orange peel by grinding the peel in water. Then, apply this paste on and around your pimples.