What to Expect from Laser Acne Scar Removal Procedures
by:
Have you decided to invest in a laser procedure to remove acne scarring? What do you expect to get for your cash- a completely new look? You should because these services aren't cheap. No matter what your aims for laser skin corrections are, by using medical reviews of leading laser treatments for acne scarring, you can have a clearer idea of what to expect after your laser treatment.
Most appraisals of the effectiveness of laser skin enhancements are two-sided because both the patients and study-independent physicians typically access the level improvement in acne marks.
While these post-treatment assessments are not standardized, they still offer a glimpse into the potential cosmetic outcomes from using laser treatments. Besides cosmetic changes in the skin, another variable that you'll need to add to your review of laser treatments is the overall number of treatments required to see dramatic changes in the skin.
What follows is a rundown of what to anticipate from four different laser procedures for treating acne scarring along with estimates of how many treatment you will need.
Laser 1
1,064-nm Nd:YAG pulsed light system Marketed names include PhotoSilk Laser
Last year, a study in Dermatologic Surgery tested the efficacy of the 1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser at removing acne scars. Nine patients underwent eight treatments for moderate to severe acne scarring. Three independent physicians assessed the overall improvement level of acne scarring severity for the group at 29.36%.
Treatments: 8 Improvement rating: 29.36%
Laser 2
1,320-nm Nd:YAG Marketed names include CoolTouch Laser
An investigation from the same journal featured eight patients with facial acne scars. The group received eight treatments with the 1,320-nm Nd:YAG laser. After five treatments, independent observes assessed the overall acne scarring improvement rate between 40-60 %.
Treatments: 5 Improvement rating: 40-60%
Laser 3
1,450-nm diode laser Marketed names include Smoothbeam Laser
In a split test comparison between the 1,450-nm laser and 1,320-nm laser at treating mild to moderate atrophic (indented, or lost skin tissue) acne scarring, the 1,450-nm laser demonstrated greater improvement in acne scarring.
Laser 4
1,550-nm erbium-doped fiber laser Marketed names include Fraxel Laser
Just this past March, a study in Dermatologic Surgery tested the 1,550-nm erbium-doped fiber laser on fifty-three patients with mild to moderate atrophic facial acne scars. After three treatments, two independent reviewers judged a 51-75% improvement in the scarring of 90% of the study participants.
Treatments: 3 Improvement rating: 51-75%
Remember, these ratings are based on the improvement levels patients coping with mild to severe acne scarring experienced after various laser treatments. As Dr. Rohrer pointed out that it is difficult to predict what your skin will look like after a laser treatment for acne scarring because many of the patient assessments during the studies were based on opinions of before and after photos.
To reduce the uncertainty surrounding laser correction of acne scars, ask your laser surgeon for before and after images of laser cosmetic procedures she has performed in the past months. Then judge the overall acne scarring improvement level for yourself.
Sources:
Alster, Tina; Elizabeth L Tanzi & Melissa Lazarus. The Use of Fractional Laser Photothermolysis for the Treatment of Atrophic Scars. Dermatologic Surgery; March 2007, vol 33, no 3, pp 295-299.
Lipper, Graeme M & Maritza Perez. Nonablative Acne Scar Reduction after a Series of Treatments with a Short-Pulsed 1,064-nm Neodymium:YAG Laser. Dermatologic Surgery; August 2006, vol 32, no 8, pp 998-1006.
Rohrer, Thomas E. Ethics in Cosmetic Laser Treatments. Skin and Allergy News; May 2007, vol 38, no 5, pp 14-15.
Sadick NS & AK Schecter. A Preliminary Study of Utilization of the 1320-nm Nd:YAG Laser for the Treatment of Acne Scarring. Dermatologic Surgery; July 2004, vol 30, no 7, pp 995-1000.
Tanzi, Elizabeth L & Tina S Alster. Comparison of a 1450-nm Diode Laser and a 1320-nm Nd:YAG Laser in the Treatment of Atrophic Facial Scars: A Prospective Clinical and Histologic Study. Dermatologic Surgery; February 2004, vol 30, no 2, pp 152-157.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Does Toothpaste Help Get Rid of Acne?
Does Toothpaste Help Get Rid of Acne?
by: Home remedies for acne come in all flavors of strange. There's the egg yolk mask, handyman soap scrub, lidocaine rub and even a urine toner. And like any trial therapy, homemade treatments may work sheerly because of the placebo effect. But, does toothpaste posses any properties that support its usage as an acne treatment?
The first place to begin answering this question is to consider the ingredients in common toothpastes and what effect they have on the skin.
Fluoride:
In almost any tube of toothpaste you'll find sodium monoflurorophosphate, or simply put, some chemical variety of fluoride. Fluoride prevents tooth cavities. But in the skin, fluoride typically causes more damage that it corrects. For example, medicals studies have reported that large does of fluoride could cause systemic poisoning. Though the amount of fluoride in tooth paste is less than one percent you may not want predispose yourself to risk.
If toothpaste does help acne prone skin, it's most likely not due to the fluoride because this chemical can irritate or burn the skin and sometimes provoke skin allergies.
Glycerin, sorbitol and alumina:
Skimming down the list of toothpaste ingredients, we arrive at agents with the potential to delete zits like hydrated silica, sorbitol, alumina and glycerin. Silica and types of aluminum are used to treat acne via dermabrasive products. However, in the toothpaste, they are too fine to profoundly exfoliate the skin. Sorbitol is a flavoring agent while glycerin makes the toothpaste feel good in your mouth.
Moving on, we come to sodium lauryl sulfate, or the toothpaste bubble maker. You don't need suds to get rid of zits. Next!
Getting rid of calcium:
Now we encounter sodium pyrophosphate, or some relative of this chemical resting in our toothpaste. Sodium pyrophosphate limits tartar deposits on the teeth by removing calcium and magnesium from saliva. It is with this calcium evicting phosphate that we may find a potential acne curative.
Skin levels of calcium directly influence skin cell growth and differentiation. One of the traits of acne includes improper shedding of the skin or improper skin cell separation. And according to research done by Chia-Ling L. Tu and colleagues, too much calcium in the epidermis skin causes more hair follicles to grow, makes the skin more susceptible to outside attacks and increases cell growth.
None of these activities help contain acne so taking away a little calcium from acne prone skin may eliminate a cluster of zits. So we allot a point to pyrophosphate as a possible acne taming agent.
Try these ingredients in a better product and they will help with acne:
Rounding out the toothpaste ingredients are minimal amounts of titanium dioxide and or baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). As far as the skin is concerned, these two agents are wonderful exfoliators, yet in some toothpastes, their presence may prove too small to positively affect the skin.
These guys may also absorb excess facial oils which will definitely help bumpy skin heal faster. As predominant skin care ingredients, titanium dioxide and baking soda sever as wonderful dermbrasion agents, so you may want to try them in this form.
In short. proving whether or not your toothpaste will get rid of acne would require some costly research and you would still have to face the ominous doubt cast by the placebo effect. Toothpaste does contain agents with the potential to control acne like pyrophosphates that improve skin cell shedding, and skin exfoliators like titanium dioxide and baking soda.
The only problem is, toothpaste is formulated to treat and prevent cavities, not pimples. You really can't fully benefit from toothpaste's zit fighting agents because they are not concentrated enough. Instead, use acne products that contain right proportions of bump fighting ingredients, whether you buy them at the drug store or make them at home.
Sources:
Tu, Chia-Ling L; Oda, Y; Komuves, L & Bikle D. The role of the calcium-sensing receptor in epidermal dierentiation. University of California Postprints; 2004; vol 35, no3, pp 265-273.
by: Home remedies for acne come in all flavors of strange. There's the egg yolk mask, handyman soap scrub, lidocaine rub and even a urine toner. And like any trial therapy, homemade treatments may work sheerly because of the placebo effect. But, does toothpaste posses any properties that support its usage as an acne treatment?
The first place to begin answering this question is to consider the ingredients in common toothpastes and what effect they have on the skin.
Fluoride:
In almost any tube of toothpaste you'll find sodium monoflurorophosphate, or simply put, some chemical variety of fluoride. Fluoride prevents tooth cavities. But in the skin, fluoride typically causes more damage that it corrects. For example, medicals studies have reported that large does of fluoride could cause systemic poisoning. Though the amount of fluoride in tooth paste is less than one percent you may not want predispose yourself to risk.
If toothpaste does help acne prone skin, it's most likely not due to the fluoride because this chemical can irritate or burn the skin and sometimes provoke skin allergies.
Glycerin, sorbitol and alumina:
Skimming down the list of toothpaste ingredients, we arrive at agents with the potential to delete zits like hydrated silica, sorbitol, alumina and glycerin. Silica and types of aluminum are used to treat acne via dermabrasive products. However, in the toothpaste, they are too fine to profoundly exfoliate the skin. Sorbitol is a flavoring agent while glycerin makes the toothpaste feel good in your mouth.
Moving on, we come to sodium lauryl sulfate, or the toothpaste bubble maker. You don't need suds to get rid of zits. Next!
Getting rid of calcium:
Now we encounter sodium pyrophosphate, or some relative of this chemical resting in our toothpaste. Sodium pyrophosphate limits tartar deposits on the teeth by removing calcium and magnesium from saliva. It is with this calcium evicting phosphate that we may find a potential acne curative.
Skin levels of calcium directly influence skin cell growth and differentiation. One of the traits of acne includes improper shedding of the skin or improper skin cell separation. And according to research done by Chia-Ling L. Tu and colleagues, too much calcium in the epidermis skin causes more hair follicles to grow, makes the skin more susceptible to outside attacks and increases cell growth.
None of these activities help contain acne so taking away a little calcium from acne prone skin may eliminate a cluster of zits. So we allot a point to pyrophosphate as a possible acne taming agent.
Try these ingredients in a better product and they will help with acne:
Rounding out the toothpaste ingredients are minimal amounts of titanium dioxide and or baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). As far as the skin is concerned, these two agents are wonderful exfoliators, yet in some toothpastes, their presence may prove too small to positively affect the skin.
These guys may also absorb excess facial oils which will definitely help bumpy skin heal faster. As predominant skin care ingredients, titanium dioxide and baking soda sever as wonderful dermbrasion agents, so you may want to try them in this form.
In short. proving whether or not your toothpaste will get rid of acne would require some costly research and you would still have to face the ominous doubt cast by the placebo effect. Toothpaste does contain agents with the potential to control acne like pyrophosphates that improve skin cell shedding, and skin exfoliators like titanium dioxide and baking soda.
The only problem is, toothpaste is formulated to treat and prevent cavities, not pimples. You really can't fully benefit from toothpaste's zit fighting agents because they are not concentrated enough. Instead, use acne products that contain right proportions of bump fighting ingredients, whether you buy them at the drug store or make them at home.
Sources:
Tu, Chia-Ling L; Oda, Y; Komuves, L & Bikle D. The role of the calcium-sensing receptor in epidermal dierentiation. University of California Postprints; 2004; vol 35, no3, pp 265-273.
The Alternative Way To Cure Acne
The Alternative Way To Cure Acne
by: Do Alternative Remedies for Acne Work? Type of treatment that some people find effective, so it’s worth knowing about. The treatments I’m talking about are called alternative acne treatments.
There are a variety of ways to get rid of acne that are homeopathic or natural and do not require a prescription from a dermatologist. These remedies can be used in conjunction with prescribed methods. For those who are seeking healthy and natural methods for getting rid of acne, homeopathic remedies are a viable option.
There are many treatment methods available to treat this condition, ranging from traditional medicines to acne alternative treatments that have been formulated from natural sources.
The basics for acne alternative treatments and prevention advice are:
1.Herbal Acne Remedies
Alternative medicine has come up with many solutions for acne and most of these are herbal solutions.
It's common knowledge that the liver is the primary internal organ that clears up any troubles we may have with our hormones. If our hormones get out of equilibrium the end result is a bad case of acne.
Why Some Herbal Acne Treatments Actually Work For Acne?
The herbal blend strengthened and improved liver function; there by purifying the blood and helping to balance hormones.
It is your liver that deactivates and clears excess and used hormones from body system. And it's also your liver's that purifies your blood of the congesting toxins that aggravate acne so very much.
Even though they can be effective, one of the problems with herbal remedies is that they are very slow acting. While the results may be worth waiting for, it may take an entire month of consistent use before results are visible. Meanwhile, herbal acne treatments proved to be very powerful for acne sufferers, but for the short-term.
Remember that some herbal remedies have never been studied, and tested for safety and effectiveness as acne alternative treatments.
How Herbs Work in Body System?
All herbs work one of two ways or a combination of these two ways
The herb carries with it vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and a less understood "life force". These aspects support the body nutritionally. Generally, these kinds of herbs are safe to be taken long-term. But should only be taken seasonally.
The herb has chemical components that actually throws the body out of balance. Depending on these chemical components different body systems are thrown out of balance. These herbs work short-term, and are damaging to the body system if taken in long-term. Please understand herbal acne treatments that temporarily throw your body out of balance are not a bad thing. That's why they work. But they should never be taken long-term and will actually stop working very quickly if you do.
2. Homeopathic Remedies
The objects of homeopathic remedies for acne is to improve the skins resistance to infection. Most issues can be solved through a healthy diet and good hygiene.
Homeopathy refers to a system for treating disease based on the administration of minute doses of a drug. In massive doses, the drug is expected to produce symptoms in healthy individuals similar to those of the disease itself. Homeopathic professionals evaluate the individual (their physical, emotional and intellectual makeup) before prescribing a treatment. While homeopathy has not had the benefit of many scientific studies, professional homeopaths have found that certain homeopathic treatments reduce certain symptoms of acne.
Homeopathic remedies for acne can include medicine or nutrients that regulate hormone levels, as changing hormone levels are by far the leading cause of acne. Men and women experience the same results from changing hormonal levels even thought the amounts of each hormone are dramatically different. Homeopathic acne treatment is most often needed in the teenage years. Older people can also develop pimples, but are advised to immediately see a physician if a severe outbreak occurs.
3.Dieting Remedies
There is saying “you are what you eat”
One of the simplest alternative acne treatments is to simply change your diet. Some people have had great success in reducing their acne by eating more fruit and vegetables, and less processed foods. This keeps you much healthier, and will improve your skin.
Food and nutrition is the most important factor in alternative therapy. Fat and chocolates were blamed as the basic reason for the outbreak of acne while fast foods high in grease content as well as chips, chocolate and soft drinks can cause higher episodes of acne even in an adult. Vitamins such as A, E, B, and C are also important for the skin texture and tone, also seem to be important and juice therapists advice to have fresh juice, to a reduce acne problems.
What you eat can affect your acne breakouts. It’s no doubt that good nutrition is an important factor in getting rid of your acne once and for all. Yet many people who suffer from acne don’t actually know how they can improve their diet, which will in turn improve their skin. They don’t know which types of food helps, or doesn’t help.
So eating healthier foods will help keep your skin cleaner. But that isn’t to say you can’t ever eat the fatty foods, or the carbohydrates like rice and pasta. Although these things can take longer for your body to process, which means there are more toxins in your body system, it’s fine in moderation. A few other foods to avoid are foods that contain a lot of sugar or a lot of yeast. Again, these are fine in moderation, but if you eat these foods too often, it can make your nutrition unbalanced
Another help to diets, is the addition of adequate amounts of water consumption to anyone's diet. Why? Because water helps to flush out the poison Substances in your body system which would otherwise seek an outlet through your skin.
By drinking more water, you can keep your body clear of toxin build-up. And this will help keep your skin healthier. Drinking at least 8 to 10 glasses of water a day can be one of the acne natural treatments that can begin to detoxify the pores and skin.
Anyone looking for treatment can look online to find more suggestions and can read testimonials from those who have had success with home remedies. No one acne home treatment will work for everyone, so finding the right combination of ingredients or procedures could take time. Getting a program that fits the person’s routine and helps prevent further problems may take time and experimentation, but the results will be worth the time invested.
Keep in mind that those acne solutions that work for one person will probably not work for the next person. What worked for your mother, brother, or best friend may or may not work for you.
Source
by: Do Alternative Remedies for Acne Work? Type of treatment that some people find effective, so it’s worth knowing about. The treatments I’m talking about are called alternative acne treatments.
There are a variety of ways to get rid of acne that are homeopathic or natural and do not require a prescription from a dermatologist. These remedies can be used in conjunction with prescribed methods. For those who are seeking healthy and natural methods for getting rid of acne, homeopathic remedies are a viable option.
There are many treatment methods available to treat this condition, ranging from traditional medicines to acne alternative treatments that have been formulated from natural sources.
The basics for acne alternative treatments and prevention advice are:
1.Herbal Acne Remedies
Alternative medicine has come up with many solutions for acne and most of these are herbal solutions.
It's common knowledge that the liver is the primary internal organ that clears up any troubles we may have with our hormones. If our hormones get out of equilibrium the end result is a bad case of acne.
Why Some Herbal Acne Treatments Actually Work For Acne?
The herbal blend strengthened and improved liver function; there by purifying the blood and helping to balance hormones.
It is your liver that deactivates and clears excess and used hormones from body system. And it's also your liver's that purifies your blood of the congesting toxins that aggravate acne so very much.
Even though they can be effective, one of the problems with herbal remedies is that they are very slow acting. While the results may be worth waiting for, it may take an entire month of consistent use before results are visible. Meanwhile, herbal acne treatments proved to be very powerful for acne sufferers, but for the short-term.
Remember that some herbal remedies have never been studied, and tested for safety and effectiveness as acne alternative treatments.
How Herbs Work in Body System?
All herbs work one of two ways or a combination of these two ways
The herb carries with it vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and a less understood "life force". These aspects support the body nutritionally. Generally, these kinds of herbs are safe to be taken long-term. But should only be taken seasonally.
The herb has chemical components that actually throws the body out of balance. Depending on these chemical components different body systems are thrown out of balance. These herbs work short-term, and are damaging to the body system if taken in long-term. Please understand herbal acne treatments that temporarily throw your body out of balance are not a bad thing. That's why they work. But they should never be taken long-term and will actually stop working very quickly if you do.
2. Homeopathic Remedies
The objects of homeopathic remedies for acne is to improve the skins resistance to infection. Most issues can be solved through a healthy diet and good hygiene.
Homeopathy refers to a system for treating disease based on the administration of minute doses of a drug. In massive doses, the drug is expected to produce symptoms in healthy individuals similar to those of the disease itself. Homeopathic professionals evaluate the individual (their physical, emotional and intellectual makeup) before prescribing a treatment. While homeopathy has not had the benefit of many scientific studies, professional homeopaths have found that certain homeopathic treatments reduce certain symptoms of acne.
Homeopathic remedies for acne can include medicine or nutrients that regulate hormone levels, as changing hormone levels are by far the leading cause of acne. Men and women experience the same results from changing hormonal levels even thought the amounts of each hormone are dramatically different. Homeopathic acne treatment is most often needed in the teenage years. Older people can also develop pimples, but are advised to immediately see a physician if a severe outbreak occurs.
3.Dieting Remedies
There is saying “you are what you eat”
One of the simplest alternative acne treatments is to simply change your diet. Some people have had great success in reducing their acne by eating more fruit and vegetables, and less processed foods. This keeps you much healthier, and will improve your skin.
Food and nutrition is the most important factor in alternative therapy. Fat and chocolates were blamed as the basic reason for the outbreak of acne while fast foods high in grease content as well as chips, chocolate and soft drinks can cause higher episodes of acne even in an adult. Vitamins such as A, E, B, and C are also important for the skin texture and tone, also seem to be important and juice therapists advice to have fresh juice, to a reduce acne problems.
What you eat can affect your acne breakouts. It’s no doubt that good nutrition is an important factor in getting rid of your acne once and for all. Yet many people who suffer from acne don’t actually know how they can improve their diet, which will in turn improve their skin. They don’t know which types of food helps, or doesn’t help.
So eating healthier foods will help keep your skin cleaner. But that isn’t to say you can’t ever eat the fatty foods, or the carbohydrates like rice and pasta. Although these things can take longer for your body to process, which means there are more toxins in your body system, it’s fine in moderation. A few other foods to avoid are foods that contain a lot of sugar or a lot of yeast. Again, these are fine in moderation, but if you eat these foods too often, it can make your nutrition unbalanced
Another help to diets, is the addition of adequate amounts of water consumption to anyone's diet. Why? Because water helps to flush out the poison Substances in your body system which would otherwise seek an outlet through your skin.
By drinking more water, you can keep your body clear of toxin build-up. And this will help keep your skin healthier. Drinking at least 8 to 10 glasses of water a day can be one of the acne natural treatments that can begin to detoxify the pores and skin.
Anyone looking for treatment can look online to find more suggestions and can read testimonials from those who have had success with home remedies. No one acne home treatment will work for everyone, so finding the right combination of ingredients or procedures could take time. Getting a program that fits the person’s routine and helps prevent further problems may take time and experimentation, but the results will be worth the time invested.
Keep in mind that those acne solutions that work for one person will probably not work for the next person. What worked for your mother, brother, or best friend may or may not work for you.
Source
How Basic Hygiene, Cosmetics, Dark Skin, and Diet Effect Acne
How Basic Hygiene, Cosmetics, Dark Skin, and Diet Effect Acne
by: Acne and Basic Hygiene:
Dirt does not cause acne. That is one of the very basic concepts that most acne sufferers need to accept and understand. Keeping your face clean will greatly help to make acne outbreaks occur less frequently and with less severity. The fact that your face gets dirty is not the cause of acne.
Facial cleansing is particularly important for those who are generally prone to acne, like teenagers. The facial cleansing for the prevention of acne outbreaks and while an outbreak is occurring needs to be a specific and recurring 7 step process as defined below.
1. Wash your hands first. Is that surprising? It shouldn't be. Your hands are about to come in contact with your face. The first thing you need to do is scrub your hands and be sure that your nails are clean as well.
2. The next thing that you need to do is to secure your hair either in a hairnet, a shower cap or a headband. Pull your hair away from your face and firmly secure it.
3. Wet your face with warm (not hot) water and apply the soap or facial cleansing product as directed on the packaging. Never use more or less of the product than is recommended.
4. Using only your fingertips (NOT a washcloth), gently massage the cleanser into your face. Use a circular motion and be sure that you go all the way to the hairline. Pay particular attention to the areas of your face where you most often see pimples. Hard scrubbing is counterproductive. Be very gentle.
5. Rinse your face thoroughly by splashing it with warm water. Don't take a shortcut here. Rinse your face until all traces of the cleanser are gone.
6. Gently pat your face dry with a clean towel. Don't rub your face and never use the same towel more than once.
7. Allow your face to air dry for at least 15 minutes before you apply acne medications or moisturizers.
Acne and Cosmetics:
Acne! The very word strikes fear and thoughts of never having a steady boy friend into every teenage girl across America and the world! Is there a teenage girl who has NOT been affected by acne.....No!
It doesn't matter much that it affects anywhere from 95 of girls, when it happens to any one of them, you would think that they were the only girl who had ever had a zit.
Teenage boys hate acne just as much as teenage girls hate it. Boys just suffer through it but girls turn to cosmetics to try to hide it.
There is nothing wrong with a teenage girl or a young woman trying to make an acne outbreak appear less noticeable. It is a perfectly natural thing to do.
Girls use cosmetics to enhance their appearances...make their lips redder or fuller, to give their cheeks a healthy glow, and make their eyelashes appear beautiful, so covering up an acne blemish is the next logical step.
The cosmetic industry knows that covering blemishes ranks right up there with rosy cheeks so they have developed products like a concealer that is designed specifically for covering up blemishes.
Concealer's come in many forms. Some of them are in tubes like lipstick while some of them are in bottles like other liquid make up base products. Still others are in cake form like pressed face powder.
The one thing that all teenage girls and young women do need to remember when they use these products is that they need to be thoroughly cleaned off their face before going to bed. If left on the face, these products will contribute to clogging pores and intensify the acne outbreak.
The bottom line here is that using concealer products is just fine. If it makes you feel better about yourself, then go for it but before you go to bed, use your facial wash. Clean your face completely, pat it dry with a clean towel and apply your acne fighting medications.
Acne and Dark Skin:
People of African, Latino or Indian decent have skin pigmentation that is darker than those who are of European decent. The treatment of any skin disease is often based on the color of the skin.
Some cosmetic procedures, for example, cannot be used on skin with dark pigmentation because it will leave light spots.
In actuality, acne is an equal opportunity disease. The color of one's skin has no bearing whatsoever on whether a person will have acne. Treating acne is based upon the type of acne it is and what the most effective treatment options are for the particular type of acne that is present in each patient.
Many acne medications make the skin sensitive to excessive sun exposure. This has nothing to do with the color of the skin. The sensitivity is simply a side effect of the medications.
People with darker skin complexions are not usually as prone to sunburn as those with lighter complexions but these medications make dark skin as susceptible to sun damage as their lighter skin friends.
A sun blocking product with an SPF factor of at least 25 is recommended when there will be prolonged sunlight exposure.
There is one type of acne that often afflicts only those who are of African heritage. This type of acne is called Pomade Acne.
Pomade acne is caused by a hair care product that is designed to straighten very curly hair. The product has a very heavy oil base and should be kept off of the skin as much as is possible.
The pigmentation in very dark skin can get darker after an inflammation is cleared up. This is called 'post-inflammatory hyper pigmentation'....which means increased pigmentation following inflammation.
The spots will gradually return to their normal color over time but a dermatologist can prescribe medication which will hasten the process.
Acne and Diet:
The general medical consensus is that diet does not cause acne; but, there are those who disagree with this assessment and assert that diet has everything to do with acne.
For many years it was generally accepted everywhere by everyone that consumption of chocolate and junk food was what actually caused acne or had a positive effect on the severity of acne.
That theory has been proven to not be true by modern research; but, there are those who claim that the research is faulty and that acne is, in fact, if not caused by diet is at least exacerbated by diet.
Refined sugar is believed to be one of the major contributing factors of how severe a case of acne will become by those who adhere to the belief that food and acne are related.
These sources say that you should reduce your intake of refined sugars and substitute artificial sweeteners or natural sweeteners like honey for all refined sugar in your diet to help reduce the severity of acne out-breaks.
Another dietary culprit is believed to be nuts, or rather the oil that is found in nuts and especially peanuts. Those who have acne, says the proponents of the diet/acne connection should avoid peanuts in all forms including peanut butter.
Another recommendation is that milk should be used only in very small amounts and intake should be greatly restricted. Milk comes from cows, usually pregnant cows and contains large amounts of hormones that are believed to actually be one of the causes of acne.
The anti-acne diet that is recommended is high in salmon, halibut, tuna, sardines, fresh organically grown vegetables, and whole grains. The fish that are recommended are all very high in omega-3 which is known to promote healthy skin. This diet is a very healthy one and whether it actually prevents acne or not, it is a good one.
by: Acne and Basic Hygiene:
Dirt does not cause acne. That is one of the very basic concepts that most acne sufferers need to accept and understand. Keeping your face clean will greatly help to make acne outbreaks occur less frequently and with less severity. The fact that your face gets dirty is not the cause of acne.
Facial cleansing is particularly important for those who are generally prone to acne, like teenagers. The facial cleansing for the prevention of acne outbreaks and while an outbreak is occurring needs to be a specific and recurring 7 step process as defined below.
1. Wash your hands first. Is that surprising? It shouldn't be. Your hands are about to come in contact with your face. The first thing you need to do is scrub your hands and be sure that your nails are clean as well.
2. The next thing that you need to do is to secure your hair either in a hairnet, a shower cap or a headband. Pull your hair away from your face and firmly secure it.
3. Wet your face with warm (not hot) water and apply the soap or facial cleansing product as directed on the packaging. Never use more or less of the product than is recommended.
4. Using only your fingertips (NOT a washcloth), gently massage the cleanser into your face. Use a circular motion and be sure that you go all the way to the hairline. Pay particular attention to the areas of your face where you most often see pimples. Hard scrubbing is counterproductive. Be very gentle.
5. Rinse your face thoroughly by splashing it with warm water. Don't take a shortcut here. Rinse your face until all traces of the cleanser are gone.
6. Gently pat your face dry with a clean towel. Don't rub your face and never use the same towel more than once.
7. Allow your face to air dry for at least 15 minutes before you apply acne medications or moisturizers.
Acne and Cosmetics:
Acne! The very word strikes fear and thoughts of never having a steady boy friend into every teenage girl across America and the world! Is there a teenage girl who has NOT been affected by acne.....No!
It doesn't matter much that it affects anywhere from 95 of girls, when it happens to any one of them, you would think that they were the only girl who had ever had a zit.
Teenage boys hate acne just as much as teenage girls hate it. Boys just suffer through it but girls turn to cosmetics to try to hide it.
There is nothing wrong with a teenage girl or a young woman trying to make an acne outbreak appear less noticeable. It is a perfectly natural thing to do.
Girls use cosmetics to enhance their appearances...make their lips redder or fuller, to give their cheeks a healthy glow, and make their eyelashes appear beautiful, so covering up an acne blemish is the next logical step.
The cosmetic industry knows that covering blemishes ranks right up there with rosy cheeks so they have developed products like a concealer that is designed specifically for covering up blemishes.
Concealer's come in many forms. Some of them are in tubes like lipstick while some of them are in bottles like other liquid make up base products. Still others are in cake form like pressed face powder.
The one thing that all teenage girls and young women do need to remember when they use these products is that they need to be thoroughly cleaned off their face before going to bed. If left on the face, these products will contribute to clogging pores and intensify the acne outbreak.
The bottom line here is that using concealer products is just fine. If it makes you feel better about yourself, then go for it but before you go to bed, use your facial wash. Clean your face completely, pat it dry with a clean towel and apply your acne fighting medications.
Acne and Dark Skin:
People of African, Latino or Indian decent have skin pigmentation that is darker than those who are of European decent. The treatment of any skin disease is often based on the color of the skin.
Some cosmetic procedures, for example, cannot be used on skin with dark pigmentation because it will leave light spots.
In actuality, acne is an equal opportunity disease. The color of one's skin has no bearing whatsoever on whether a person will have acne. Treating acne is based upon the type of acne it is and what the most effective treatment options are for the particular type of acne that is present in each patient.
Many acne medications make the skin sensitive to excessive sun exposure. This has nothing to do with the color of the skin. The sensitivity is simply a side effect of the medications.
People with darker skin complexions are not usually as prone to sunburn as those with lighter complexions but these medications make dark skin as susceptible to sun damage as their lighter skin friends.
A sun blocking product with an SPF factor of at least 25 is recommended when there will be prolonged sunlight exposure.
There is one type of acne that often afflicts only those who are of African heritage. This type of acne is called Pomade Acne.
Pomade acne is caused by a hair care product that is designed to straighten very curly hair. The product has a very heavy oil base and should be kept off of the skin as much as is possible.
The pigmentation in very dark skin can get darker after an inflammation is cleared up. This is called 'post-inflammatory hyper pigmentation'....which means increased pigmentation following inflammation.
The spots will gradually return to their normal color over time but a dermatologist can prescribe medication which will hasten the process.
Acne and Diet:
The general medical consensus is that diet does not cause acne; but, there are those who disagree with this assessment and assert that diet has everything to do with acne.
For many years it was generally accepted everywhere by everyone that consumption of chocolate and junk food was what actually caused acne or had a positive effect on the severity of acne.
That theory has been proven to not be true by modern research; but, there are those who claim that the research is faulty and that acne is, in fact, if not caused by diet is at least exacerbated by diet.
Refined sugar is believed to be one of the major contributing factors of how severe a case of acne will become by those who adhere to the belief that food and acne are related.
These sources say that you should reduce your intake of refined sugars and substitute artificial sweeteners or natural sweeteners like honey for all refined sugar in your diet to help reduce the severity of acne out-breaks.
Another dietary culprit is believed to be nuts, or rather the oil that is found in nuts and especially peanuts. Those who have acne, says the proponents of the diet/acne connection should avoid peanuts in all forms including peanut butter.
Another recommendation is that milk should be used only in very small amounts and intake should be greatly restricted. Milk comes from cows, usually pregnant cows and contains large amounts of hormones that are believed to actually be one of the causes of acne.
The anti-acne diet that is recommended is high in salmon, halibut, tuna, sardines, fresh organically grown vegetables, and whole grains. The fish that are recommended are all very high in omega-3 which is known to promote healthy skin. This diet is a very healthy one and whether it actually prevents acne or not, it is a good one.
Acne Fact and Fiction! Do Stress, Facials and Concealer's Help to Promote or Reduce Acne Breakouts?
Acne Fact and Fiction! Do Stress, Facials and Concealer's Help to Promote or Reduce Acne Breakouts?
by: What is Acne? People have differing opinions as to what acne really is. So, what exactly is acne? Do a couple of occasional but recurring zits qualify as a case of acne or do you have to have a lot of zits?
Believe it or not, the answer is that occasional pimples or zits do not constitute a true case of acne. Although zits do seem to have the ability to appear almost instantaneously and at the most inopportune times like picture day, prom night, spelling bees, sporting events, dates, and special award ceremonies, they are not a true acne outbreak.
The dictionary defines acne as "an inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands, characterized by comedones and pimples, especially on the face, back, chest, and, in severe cases, by cysts and nodules resulting in scarring."
The anatomical definition of sebaceous glands is: "small subcutaneous glands usually connected with hair follicles. The follicles secrete an oily semi-fluid matter, composed in great part of fat, which softens and lubricates the hair and skin."
Real acne outbreaks are actually a disease of the skin. However, the great news is that acne is treatable. Although it can be very embarrassing, cause great emotional distress, and lower your personal self-esteem for a period of time, acne is not fatal.
There are new and effective treatments being sought by researchers and great advances have been made in the treatment of acne in the last few years. Years ago, when a person had acne, they were pretty much stuck with the problem. There were very few treatments available and the medical profession didn't even consider acne a disease.
It was long thought that acne was the direct result of a diet that was too high in fat and/or sweets. That is no longer the case. Acne is most often associated with puberty and the onset of pre-teen and teenage years but it can and does develop in adults as well. When acne does finally heal, there can be permanent scars left (from picking and popping) that are unsightly and cause patients to suffer long term emotional distress and low self- esteem.
New and very effective skin resurfacing treatments have been developed over the last several years that have, if not completely removed acne scars, at least diminished their appearance and severity.
Acne Fact or Fiction:
You can hear a lot of tall tales about acne today, so let's take a look at the fact or fiction of acne. It is always better to be well armed with factual information so that you don't get fooled by the fictional facts that surround acne.
Fictional Fact #1: Acne is caused by a lack of sexual activity.
Factual Fact: Acne and sexual activity are two entirely separate issues. One has no bearing on the other. Hormones secreted during puberty and young adulthood does have a bearing on acne. They also have a bearing on sexual arousal and activity. However, acne has no bearing on sexual activity nor does sexual activity have any bearing on acne.
Fictional Fact #2: People have acne because they are dirty.
Factual Fact: Dirt has no part in acne. Dirt is dirt. Acne is acne. One has nothing to do with the other. Acne is a build up of oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. Dirt isn't involved. Keeping the face clean can and will help to prevent clogged pores but dirt does not cause acne.
Fictional Fact #3: Dermatologists can cure acne.
Factual Fact: Dermatologists can TREAT acne. They can help to alleviate the symptoms and help to clear up the pimples, black-heads, and white heads. They can prescribe antibiotics and topical ointments, lotions, and creams that will help but there is no cure at this time for acne.
Fictional Fact #4: Acne is simply a skin problem.
Factual Fact: It's true that acne affects the skin but it can also affect the way a person sees himself or herself. Acne and the scarring it can leave behind may cause a sufferer to become depressed and develop low self-esteem, both of which can lead to larger and more complex life socialization problems. Acne sufferers need the loving support and reassurance from their family and friends.
Acne and Stress:
Can stress actually cause acne? There is ample evidence available to suggest that stress can most assuredly cause an acne breakout or make an existing breakout worse. Our bodies are highly developed chemical laboratories that produce all sorts of stuff.
At puberty, our body begins to produce an abundance of male hormones and this happens in both boys and girls. This overproduction of male hormones can happen at other times in life besides puberty; for example, when a girl or woman starting or stops taking birth control pills.
These male hormones cause the bodies sebaceous glands to shift into overdrive and begin producing sebum. The sebum then travels up hair follicles, clogs the pores and begins the acne development cycle. However, male hormones are not the only cause for the sebaceous glands to begin producing an overabundance of sebum. When we become extremely stressed or overly emotional, our bodies react by causing the adrenal glands to produce a substance known as Cortisol, which is released directly into the bloodstream. Then the chemical chain reaction continues as the sebaceous glands release sebum, the sebum travels up the same hair follicles, clogs the pores and acne develops.
The physical changes in the body can cause exactly the same chemical chain reaction as the emotional changes in the mind. The mind/body connection is very real. Maybe some of it really IS in your head. If that's the case, there is help available to help people deal with the acne that is caused by stress. Reducing stress will just naturally reduce sebum production by the sebaceous glands and reducing sebum production will help to alleviate an acne breakout. Therefore, when you learn to reduce and control you stress levels, this part of the chemical chain reaction is minimized.
It really it isn't any different than restoring a hormonal balance to your body that reduces sebum production. So, in the final analysis, both factors that cause excessive sebum production should be addressed. Solving one problem might help; however, solving both problems could eliminate acne altogether.
Acne Facials:
If you are part of the 95 of the population who suffer from acne, you have more than likely seen TV or print media advertisements for acne facials. Have you ever wondered if there is anything to the claims that their manufacturers make?
In general, the answer is yes! Most acne facials are very effective, pretty much worth the price, and can be used in conjunction with your usual acne fighting regime. They won't necessarily replace any part of what you are already doing; but, rather enhance the overall effects.
You can find acne facials in most health stores, at many cosmetic counters, and online. As a matter of fact, you can probably complete a better comparison of available products online than you can anywhere else.
Most of these acne facial products provide for a three-step program. The first step is a complete facial cleansing. The next step is a steam massage. The final step is a facial mask. The first two steps are designed to prepare the face. The steam massage softens the black heads and the white heads to remove toxins from your skin. The facial mask serves to remove the dead skin cells from the face and to moisturize it as well. The overall effect of the acne facial is a very relaxing, calming, and cleansing experience. It just plain feels good. Anything that helps to calm and sooth your stress can't be bad because we all know that acne is aggravated by high stress levels. Acne facial masks can be used in addition to other parts of your acne prevention and treatment regime or you may find that the facial can, in fact, actually replace some things that you are currently doing.
Acne Concealer's:
One of Newton's laws of physics laws says that, "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." That law of physics spills over into a lot of our life situations. For example: A young woman gets a zit and wants to cover it up. The cosmetics industry has a multitude of products designed to do just that. Okay, that's a little far out there but you get my point.
The acne pimples, whether they are white heads or black heads should never be picked at or popped. If they are popped or picked, it can and normally does result is a scar that is much harder to get rid of than the actual pimple, black head or white head. Popping a pimple is not going to make it go away. In fact, popping a pimple is only going to make the acne worse.
Still when you get a zit, you have to go out and face the world so you are looking for ways to make your skin look clear. You want to disguise the zit and make it as unnoticeable as possible. Here is where the cosmetic industry can help. There are a multitude of products designed to make a zit less noticeable. You don't want to use a product that just adds to the problem by adding additional oil to already oily skin. So, you do need to remember, that when you use a cover product to make the zit less noticeable, you need to totally clean the product from your skin immediately when you return home.
Some of the better known as well as more effective cosmetic concealer's on the market today are:
1. Dermablend Smooth Indulgence Concealer: This product produces a smooth matte appearance and was designed specifically for covering acne blemishes as well as for covering Rosacea and dark circles under the eyes.
2. Flawless Skin by Prescriptives: This product will not aggravate acne but will supply a medium to full coverage and it contains SPF 25 for protection from the sun.
Don't let acne control you; but rather, become smart and learn how to control the negative influences in your life that create a positive situation for acne to develop!
by: What is Acne? People have differing opinions as to what acne really is. So, what exactly is acne? Do a couple of occasional but recurring zits qualify as a case of acne or do you have to have a lot of zits?
Believe it or not, the answer is that occasional pimples or zits do not constitute a true case of acne. Although zits do seem to have the ability to appear almost instantaneously and at the most inopportune times like picture day, prom night, spelling bees, sporting events, dates, and special award ceremonies, they are not a true acne outbreak.
The dictionary defines acne as "an inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands, characterized by comedones and pimples, especially on the face, back, chest, and, in severe cases, by cysts and nodules resulting in scarring."
The anatomical definition of sebaceous glands is: "small subcutaneous glands usually connected with hair follicles. The follicles secrete an oily semi-fluid matter, composed in great part of fat, which softens and lubricates the hair and skin."
Real acne outbreaks are actually a disease of the skin. However, the great news is that acne is treatable. Although it can be very embarrassing, cause great emotional distress, and lower your personal self-esteem for a period of time, acne is not fatal.
There are new and effective treatments being sought by researchers and great advances have been made in the treatment of acne in the last few years. Years ago, when a person had acne, they were pretty much stuck with the problem. There were very few treatments available and the medical profession didn't even consider acne a disease.
It was long thought that acne was the direct result of a diet that was too high in fat and/or sweets. That is no longer the case. Acne is most often associated with puberty and the onset of pre-teen and teenage years but it can and does develop in adults as well. When acne does finally heal, there can be permanent scars left (from picking and popping) that are unsightly and cause patients to suffer long term emotional distress and low self- esteem.
New and very effective skin resurfacing treatments have been developed over the last several years that have, if not completely removed acne scars, at least diminished their appearance and severity.
Acne Fact or Fiction:
You can hear a lot of tall tales about acne today, so let's take a look at the fact or fiction of acne. It is always better to be well armed with factual information so that you don't get fooled by the fictional facts that surround acne.
Fictional Fact #1: Acne is caused by a lack of sexual activity.
Factual Fact: Acne and sexual activity are two entirely separate issues. One has no bearing on the other. Hormones secreted during puberty and young adulthood does have a bearing on acne. They also have a bearing on sexual arousal and activity. However, acne has no bearing on sexual activity nor does sexual activity have any bearing on acne.
Fictional Fact #2: People have acne because they are dirty.
Factual Fact: Dirt has no part in acne. Dirt is dirt. Acne is acne. One has nothing to do with the other. Acne is a build up of oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. Dirt isn't involved. Keeping the face clean can and will help to prevent clogged pores but dirt does not cause acne.
Fictional Fact #3: Dermatologists can cure acne.
Factual Fact: Dermatologists can TREAT acne. They can help to alleviate the symptoms and help to clear up the pimples, black-heads, and white heads. They can prescribe antibiotics and topical ointments, lotions, and creams that will help but there is no cure at this time for acne.
Fictional Fact #4: Acne is simply a skin problem.
Factual Fact: It's true that acne affects the skin but it can also affect the way a person sees himself or herself. Acne and the scarring it can leave behind may cause a sufferer to become depressed and develop low self-esteem, both of which can lead to larger and more complex life socialization problems. Acne sufferers need the loving support and reassurance from their family and friends.
Acne and Stress:
Can stress actually cause acne? There is ample evidence available to suggest that stress can most assuredly cause an acne breakout or make an existing breakout worse. Our bodies are highly developed chemical laboratories that produce all sorts of stuff.
At puberty, our body begins to produce an abundance of male hormones and this happens in both boys and girls. This overproduction of male hormones can happen at other times in life besides puberty; for example, when a girl or woman starting or stops taking birth control pills.
These male hormones cause the bodies sebaceous glands to shift into overdrive and begin producing sebum. The sebum then travels up hair follicles, clogs the pores and begins the acne development cycle. However, male hormones are not the only cause for the sebaceous glands to begin producing an overabundance of sebum. When we become extremely stressed or overly emotional, our bodies react by causing the adrenal glands to produce a substance known as Cortisol, which is released directly into the bloodstream. Then the chemical chain reaction continues as the sebaceous glands release sebum, the sebum travels up the same hair follicles, clogs the pores and acne develops.
The physical changes in the body can cause exactly the same chemical chain reaction as the emotional changes in the mind. The mind/body connection is very real. Maybe some of it really IS in your head. If that's the case, there is help available to help people deal with the acne that is caused by stress. Reducing stress will just naturally reduce sebum production by the sebaceous glands and reducing sebum production will help to alleviate an acne breakout. Therefore, when you learn to reduce and control you stress levels, this part of the chemical chain reaction is minimized.
It really it isn't any different than restoring a hormonal balance to your body that reduces sebum production. So, in the final analysis, both factors that cause excessive sebum production should be addressed. Solving one problem might help; however, solving both problems could eliminate acne altogether.
Acne Facials:
If you are part of the 95 of the population who suffer from acne, you have more than likely seen TV or print media advertisements for acne facials. Have you ever wondered if there is anything to the claims that their manufacturers make?
In general, the answer is yes! Most acne facials are very effective, pretty much worth the price, and can be used in conjunction with your usual acne fighting regime. They won't necessarily replace any part of what you are already doing; but, rather enhance the overall effects.
You can find acne facials in most health stores, at many cosmetic counters, and online. As a matter of fact, you can probably complete a better comparison of available products online than you can anywhere else.
Most of these acne facial products provide for a three-step program. The first step is a complete facial cleansing. The next step is a steam massage. The final step is a facial mask. The first two steps are designed to prepare the face. The steam massage softens the black heads and the white heads to remove toxins from your skin. The facial mask serves to remove the dead skin cells from the face and to moisturize it as well. The overall effect of the acne facial is a very relaxing, calming, and cleansing experience. It just plain feels good. Anything that helps to calm and sooth your stress can't be bad because we all know that acne is aggravated by high stress levels. Acne facial masks can be used in addition to other parts of your acne prevention and treatment regime or you may find that the facial can, in fact, actually replace some things that you are currently doing.
Acne Concealer's:
One of Newton's laws of physics laws says that, "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." That law of physics spills over into a lot of our life situations. For example: A young woman gets a zit and wants to cover it up. The cosmetics industry has a multitude of products designed to do just that. Okay, that's a little far out there but you get my point.
The acne pimples, whether they are white heads or black heads should never be picked at or popped. If they are popped or picked, it can and normally does result is a scar that is much harder to get rid of than the actual pimple, black head or white head. Popping a pimple is not going to make it go away. In fact, popping a pimple is only going to make the acne worse.
Still when you get a zit, you have to go out and face the world so you are looking for ways to make your skin look clear. You want to disguise the zit and make it as unnoticeable as possible. Here is where the cosmetic industry can help. There are a multitude of products designed to make a zit less noticeable. You don't want to use a product that just adds to the problem by adding additional oil to already oily skin. So, you do need to remember, that when you use a cover product to make the zit less noticeable, you need to totally clean the product from your skin immediately when you return home.
Some of the better known as well as more effective cosmetic concealer's on the market today are:
1. Dermablend Smooth Indulgence Concealer: This product produces a smooth matte appearance and was designed specifically for covering acne blemishes as well as for covering Rosacea and dark circles under the eyes.
2. Flawless Skin by Prescriptives: This product will not aggravate acne but will supply a medium to full coverage and it contains SPF 25 for protection from the sun.
Don't let acne control you; but rather, become smart and learn how to control the negative influences in your life that create a positive situation for acne to develop!
Can the Best Acne Skin Care Products be Found Online?
Can the Best Acne Skin Care Products be Found Online? by Milos Pesic
If you are suffering from acne problems, you may be wondering where you can find the best acne skin care products. Can these products be found online or are the best acne skin care products only found in drugstores, doctors' clinics or from exclusive dealers? There are actually quite a large number of acne skin care products in the market today, and finding the best acne skin care products that will work for you is all a matter of finding the one that suits you best.
The best acne skin care product that is good for you may not be as good for somebody else. What is good for Jack may not be good for Jane; therefore, finding the best acne skin care product and routine is a matter of finding what suits your particular skin type, acne situation and budget. Most skin care products that are geared towards acne sufferers can be found on the internet, and products that promise results in a week, a month or a few months are all dependent on how the users respond to the effects of the substances used in the products.
One way you can find the best possible acne product for yourself is to do a little research on the products you feel may benefit you the most. There are a lot of acne product makers that state that they are the best acne skin care manufacturers around and that they can prove this with the celebrity endorsements and customer testimonials that they have. While their claims may be true, you cannot be too sure whether your skin type or your particular acne problem is going to be solved with these products that they call the "best acne skin care products" ever to be made.
The only surefire way for you to get the best acne skin care products for your particular situation is to check with a doctor who knows how to assess your skin type, the severity of your acne problem, and what products are best for you. Dermatologists and plastic surgeons can do this for you and they usually carry different brands of acne medications and acne care products in their clinics to sell to their patients for the purpose of helping them get rid of acne problems and maintain healthy skin. They may sometimes prescribe certain acne skin care products that they feel will benefit you more than other products. If you want, you can even bring a list of the acne products you find online and ask your dermatologist if any of these will work for you and your acne concerns.
Source
The Best Acne Care Product Doctors Might Recommend
The Best Acne Care Product Doctors Might Recommend by Milos Pesic
With the great number of acne care products and programs you see online and in television advertisements, you may sometimes find yourself a little confused trying to find the perfect solution for your skin problems. One way you can try to make sure whether or not the product you are thinking of buying is going to work for you is to try and find an acne care product skin treatment that is highly recommended by doctors. A lot of these products that are considered effective in the treatment of acne are being endorsed by celebrities, and while they may show you rather convincing before and after pictures or give heart warming testimonials about what happened to their skin after they were treated with such and such products, nothing is more effective than an acne care product skin doctors say can truly work to help you with your acne problems.
Approaching a skin doctor to find out whether or not a particularly popular acne product is going to work for you is probably a wise recourse since such a doctor will know what medicinal components can work for your particular type of skin, acne problem and age. A skin doctor has studied extensively about the human skin and he or she is well qualified to tell you whether or not an acne care treatment will work on you. There may be an acne care product skin doctors recommend online that may not work for you since there are certain cases that do need the personal attention of your local skin doctors. These special cases require the special care of a dermatologist, and they are usually those that are not just simple acne problems brought about by puberty or excess oil and dirt on a person's skin.
You should treat your acne problems with a careful scrutiny of the products and procedures involved, and you should do proper research to find out what acne can do to your skin, what some acne treatments can do for you and what a lot of skin doctors consider the best acne care products you can use on your skin. With an acne care product skin doctors recommend, you can be fairly certain that your acne problems will soon be solved.
An example of an acne care product skin doctors are most likely to endorse is one that does not have harsh chemicals that will do more harm than good to your skin. Another quality that you should look out for when choosing an acne care product is the protection it provides against the sun and other harmful elements. You should also consider if the ingredients used for the product are suitable for your skin type. These are just a few of the things you will have to take into account when choosing an acne care product, and you should listen to the advice of skin doctors about these to get the best possible results for your skin.
SourceBest Homemade Facial recipes
Best Homemade Facial recipes by Sander Bel
Regular facial treatments can improve skin texture, tone and overall appearance. A facial is a cosmetic treatment of the face, commonly involving a variety of skin treatments, grooming steps and deep cleansing of the face by various means including: steam, exfoliation, extraction, creams, lotions, masks, peels, and massage. As we age facial muscles weaken, and skin begins to sag. But just as gym workouts can promote the body's youthful strength and suppleness, facial exercise - based on the same principles of dynamic resistance - can strengthen facial muscles.
Facials are designed to eliminate clogged pores, blackheads, and other impurities affecting the appearance and overall health of the skin. Facial treatments incorporate a variety of grooming steps that can include the use of creams, masks, peels, steam, exfoliation, extraction, lotions, and massage.
The facial nerve is mixed nerve containing both sensory and motor components. The nerve emanates from the brain stem at the ventral part of the pontomedullary junction. The nerve enters the internal auditory meatus where the sensory part of the nerve forms the geniculate ganglion. Plastic surgeons use facial implants to improve and enhance facial contours. Frequently, these implants will help provide a more harmonious balance to your face and features so that you feel better about the way you look.
Microderm is an amazing way to exfoliate the dull top layer of skin to reveal smoother, more radiant and beautiful skin beneath. Microderm has many benefits which include; improving the texture of skin by smoothing the surface, diminishing fine lines, improving the appearance of acne scars, and encouraging breakouts to heal. It improves the skin's tone and texture by increasing your skin cell's ability to renew at the cellular level while also stimulating collagen production for firmer skin. Microderm removes dull skin and surface debris allowing the nutrients of the facial to penetrate and perform more effectively.
A facial is given by a licensed esthetician with special training in skin care. A facial usually starts around $75 at a day spa in a smaller city. Prices will be higher at destination spas, resort and hotel spas. Special masks and serums also make the price go higher.
Cucumber Facial Peel the cucumber and run it through a blender or a food processor. Pour the cucumber pulp into a colander or strainer and force it through, catching the liquid that comes out in a bowl underneath. Combine the cucumber liquid with the lemon juice and the witch hazel. Stir it and add the beaten egg white gently. Put it on your face and leave it on for 15 to 25 minutes, then rinse off.
For oily skin, use a clay-based face mask. For dry skin, go for a hydrating gel or cream mask. Apply the mask, avoiding the areas around the eyes. Keep it on for 10-20 minutes. Rinse completely.
You can purchase a mask or make your own at home. Honey and egg whites are very good and effective standbys. For dry skin, try using a mashed banana or avocado. The herbs that work for you will depend on your specific skin qualities. Experiment with a variety of herbs until you find the ones that work best.
Foods that can enhance your appearance need to feature as many of the following as possible: antioxidants, antibacterials, fibre to clear toxins, essential fats to support skin and reduced levels of saturated fat and sugar. The sorts of foods where you'll get this kind of combination are: fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, fish, pulses, nuts and seeds.
Scientific truth about Anti Aging
Scientific truth about Anti Aging by Sander Bel
If you want a younger look in your gray days, anti aging tips are useful for this. It helps us to know the effective ways to slow down the process of aging. All of us wants to look younger and feel energetic all the time. No one likes graying and reducing hair line, wrinkled face.The anti-aging marketplace includes nutrition, physical fitness, skin care, hormone replacements, vitamins, supplements, and herbs. The anti-aging marketplace includes nutrition, physical fitness, skin care, hormone replacements, vitamins, supplements, and herbs. Following are some methods which are anti-aging treatment.
Caloric restriction: It is only known method which might be able to delay human aging.Simply it means a diet with fewer calories. The result of experiment is longevity increases of more than 50% in certain mammals. But most people find it hard to stick to such a diet.
Nutritional supplements: Consumption of a high-quality multivitamin is recommended. The result of study is anti-oxidants do not slow aging.It increases longitivity. Anti-oxidants are probably healthy. There is no proof that anti-oxidants delay aging but, optimistically, they might make you live a little longer.
Hormonal therapies: hormone level goes down with age. Such kind of changes are important in aging.Growth hormone has been used as an anti-aging treatment. HGH supplements has several benefits. They increase muscle mass, appetite, and benefits to skin. Minor side effects such as acne have also been reported.
Presentation of aging For long life healthy diet, daily exercise, stress management, and control on lifestyle habits like smoking and drinking are useful. It improves quality of life as per people age. Exercises are helpful for improving appetite, the health of the bone, the emotional and mental look, and digestion and circulation. Drinking many water helps to maintain healthy skin, good digestion and proper elimination of waste. If any one have chewing problem then use protein drink,freshly juiced fruits.older people always increases the quantity of salt in their food but it causes for blood pressure.
Source
Diet for Acne Natural Supplements for Acne by Peter Hutch
Diet for Acne Natural Supplements for Acne by Peter Hutch
The skin is one of the most important components of an individual's physical appearance. Your skin is under almost constant scrutiny during normal day-to-day life. It is very important for ones self-esteem for your skin to look as good as possible. On this site we will discuss common skin disorders, the causes of these disorders, and the various treatments that are available. With our many years of experience, the experts at healthy skin guide will show you how to look your best.
An acne treatment with vitamins has proven to be a safe and healthy way to combat the problems associated with various skin conditions that many people face. Different areas of the body can be affected but is predominately found on the areas of the face, neck, shoulders and back. Most problems affect teens who are in the various stages of puberty as the sebaceous glands in the hair follicles are enlarged during this period of life. Dermatologists generally attribute severe acne to heredity. There are, however, some natural remedies for skin difficulties which include an acne treatment with vitamin A.
Nourish your skin by eating the proper foods. This means healthy and balanced diet. Healthy and balanced diet promotes our general well being and optimizes our body to function at its best. To have a healthy skin, eat plenty of seed food i.e. fruits that contain seeds, vegetables - organic vegetables are better as it contains additional nutrients.
Avoid fast food. Oils that are heated and re-used to make French fries and fried chicken contain particularly harmful toxins.
Vitamins B5 and B6 and B3 have been shown to have an amazing effect on acne outbreaks. Vitamin B5 was studied with people taking 10mg per day plus a 20% topical lotion of B5. Those with minor acne cleared up quickly and those with severe acne cleared up within 6 months. The safety of such high doses has not been determined, though.
Add omega-3 fats to your diet found in salmon and flax seeds. Avoid the omega-6 fats of vegetable oils because they can cause inflammation.
Vitamin A is very essential for preventing and clearing skin infections. Vitamin A counteracts dry skin, dandruff and wrinkle formation. It is necessary for healthy blood circulation that gives a glow to the skin. Vitamin A deficiency often leads to eruptions or dry, coarse, wrinkled skin; dull and dry hair or dandruff; ridging or peeling fingernails; pimples or acne and visual fatigue.
It is also important to eat enough of protein and proper quantity of carbohydrates in order to prevent inflammation. Do not consume baked foods made with wheat flour and any foods containing large amounts of sugar.
Pranayamas for acne The principle of Yoga is that, in order to alter a situation you must make changes in the energy that governs it. This is done through a set of exercises that entail synchronized breathing called Pranayamas. They are used to purify the system by controlling, regulating, and channelizing the Prana (Life Force) in the body. Prana is taken in through the air we breathe, and since the breathing exercises increase the amount of air we inhale, they also increase our intake of Prana. The essential Pranayamas are: • Kapalabhati • Anuloma Viloma • Shitali
The Many Ways To Effectively Fight Cellulite
The Many Ways To Effectively Fight Cellulite
By Janet MartinLooking for a product that is effective in banishing the appearance of cellulite can be quite difficult. Although there are many procedures and products that claim to be useful in making the cottage-cheese appearance in many areas of the skin disappear, most of them are just hype and rarely provide significant results.
It is important to note that effective topical creams or procedures for cellulite reduction and elimination should target the improvement of blood circulation, restoration of cell membranes, reduction of damage caused by free radicals, enhancement of elastin and collagen production, and lessening of inflammation. Here are some popular treatments that can help minimize the appearance of orange peel skin:
Body Spa Treatments
Since almost all spas in the country are claiming to provide anti-cellulite treatment, choose those that provide exfoliation (which encourages better blood circulation) and deep tissue massage. These spa treatments are also helpful not only in preventing formation of cellulite underneath your skin, but also in providing ways to moisturize your skin and clear up skin blemishes, such as acne.
Body Wraps
The main goal of body wraps is to make you sweat. In most cases, immediately after the treatment using body wraps, you will find that you lost a couple of inches or pounds. Unfortunately, sweating profusely will not help get rid of cellulite. However, if the body wrap includes massaging natural ingredients that are rich in Vitamin C, antioxidants and other substances that are helpful in improving your circulation, then go ahead and indulge yourself because you can be assured that this kind of body wrap treatment somewhat eases your cellulite woes.
In order to have a tremendous improvement in the appearance of your skin, you usually need to undergo several body wrap sessions. By the way, if you are dehydrated or you love to drink alcohol and caffeine-rich food, you better not get a body wrap because you might end up losing much more water than you are willing to.
Deep Tissue Massages
The main benefit from getting a deep tissue massage is actually getting a relaxed and more stressed-free body. However, one additional benefit of a deep tissue massage is helping reduce cellulite appearance by improving the texture and look of the skin. If done properly, such a massage can improve blood flow to every part of your body. However, if the massage is too hard, blood vessels might be adversely affected. For people who already have cellulite, you have to understand that the areas where cellulite deposits are located are very sensitive. Make sure to remind your masseuse to be gentle when handling such areas so as not to cause further damage.
Iontophoresis
This device is actually used primarily to help diagnose the presence of cystic fibrosis. However, in some spas, they use this device to reduce the appearance of dimpled skin by utilizing electric currents and supplying mineral salts to the body directly. This procedure can actually be effective if used with the right amount of nutrients.
Skin Brushing
One of the simplest techniques to help prevent the formation of cellulite is dry skin brushing. You can do this in the comfort of your own home or enjoy it in a spa together with body scrubbing and exfoliation. Dry skin brushing is known to improve the function of your lymphatic system, removing dead cells on the surface of your skin, and also stimulate growth of new skin cells. You can make use of a loofah or a body brush to do it. When passing through areas that are prone to developing cellulite, such as your tummy, thighs, arms and hips, make sure to make small circular movements to accelerate the flow of blood in those areas.
SourceMonday, May 5, 2008
Why Drinking Enough Water Can Help Keep Acne Away
Why Drinking Enough Water Can Help Keep Acne Away
By Houa Yang
You probably don’t know this yet but product wastes and toxic build up in your system is one of the main reasons why you have acne or why your skin breaks out.
You see, your body has 4 channels of elimination...your bowels, kidneys, lungs, and your skin. Your bowels and kidneys are the primary channels that your body expels product wastes and toxics through.
The only time that your body expels product wastes through your lungs and skin is when your bowels and kidneys are overloaded with product wastes and toxics.
This can happen when you’re not drinking enough water. You see, water is the main carrier of nutrients throughout your body and is quite possibly the single most important contributor to healing and preventing acne flare-ups.
Drinking enough water will dissolve waste products in your system so it can be easily remove and flush out. Without enough water, there won’t be much to dissolve these product wastes and toxics...causing it to build up in your system and causing your body to expel these product wastes and toxics through your lungs and skin.
And this can and will result in acne breakout.
How much water should you be drinking each day to dissolve product waste and flush out toxins from your body?
Although some would say you drink at least 8 glasses of water a day and some would say 3 liters a day or half of your bodyweight in ounces a day.
I say, you should drink only enough to see that your urine is mostly clear, which is probably much more than what you’re drinking now.
But I wouldn’t recommend you going overboard because drinking too much water will also flush out electrolyte minerals out of your system (which is not good).
So how do you know how much water you should be drinking each day?
Test!
Start by drinking 7 glasses of water a day for the next 2 to 3 days. If you see that your urine is clear then 7 glasses of water a day is what you should be drinking.
But remember, you don’t want to go overboard so you may want to try drinking 6 glasses of water a day. If you see that your urine is kind of yellow drinking 6 glasses of water a day then you should stick to 7 glasses of water a day. If not then you should stick with 6 glasses of water a day.
But if you find that 7 glasses of water a day is not enough. Then you should try drinking more glasses of water a day and see the results.
What you’re trying to do here is make sure you’re drinking enough water each day. Not too much or too little. Another important thing you should know...
You can’t just drink any type of water. There are certain types of water that’s full of toxins (such as tap water). The 2 types of water I recommend you drink is distilled water and purified water. Distilled water has no minerals, which means if you drink it, it will leach out any unwanted non-organic minerals from your system.
But since distilled water has no minerals (it’s just dead water), you will need to drink some purified water to oxygenate your system. However, you do need to drink them separately and drink it on an empty stomach for it to be effective.
While water alone will not eliminate your acne it will greatly assist your skin in remaining healthy and that will be one portion of the pie in fighting acne.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Houa_Yang
Teenage Acne Revisited
Teenage Acne Revisited
By Ansie Earle
A lot has been written about the causes of teenage acne and still there does not appear to be consensus on this topic. However, it is becoming clear that it is a problem that needs to be treated from the inside as well as on the outside It is therefore necessary for the teenager to find products that treat the condition both internally and externally,
- Rooibos tea has received a lot of attention from scientists over the last 15 years and Japanese scientists in particular have done a lot of research on the Tea and its beneficial properties. Thanks to Rooibos Tea’s natural age fighting properties it is excellent for use in skin and healthcare products. Rooibos Extract, derived from the Rooibos plant Aspalathus linearis is not only full of antioxidants, it is also has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties. Aspalathin the anti-allergic property occurs only in the Rooibos plant.
- Products containing Rooibos extract are well suited for the particular needs of the teenage years. Rooibos skincare products will clean the skin without disturbing the pH-balance of the skin or dehydrating the skin. It will cleanse the pores, get rid of impurities, and help to keep the pores from blocking up again. The advantage of the antibacterial property is that it promotes the healing of problem skin in a natural way. It helps to reduce the incidence and spreading of bacterial infections.
- It is even helpful to add cooled Rooibos tea to the rinsing water when washing the face. Applied topically it has a soothing effect on the skin.
- Modern foods are often over-refined and full of additives and teenagers frequently choose to snack on poor quality food. This can lead to nutritional deficiencies, which could have a major impact on the physical condition of the skin. It is therefore important that teenagers take a balanced supplement of vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids geared to their specific needs.
A new train of thought is that it is essential for teenagers to use a health supplement that contains Vitamin B5. Vitamin B5 is one of the new Buzzwords in the fight against acne. Vitamin B5 supplementation strengthens the immune system, helps the body to deal with stress, and increases stamina.
- Green Rooibos tea is The New drink for the New Generation.
- Green Rooibos tea is unfermented Rooibos tea and it contains 100 times more anti-oxidants than normal Rooibos tea and 10 times more aspalathin – the anti-allergic flavonoid.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ansie_Earle
Are You Sure Your Diet Doesn't Affect Your Acne?
Are You Sure Your Diet Doesn't Affect Your Acne?
By Melissa King
For those of you who have met me, you know I am often mistaken for being an 18 year old when in actuality I'm 27. I'm currently teaching after-school cooking classes in Brooklyn to middle school kids and I was mistaken for one of the students by an employee. I almost got in trouble for being in the hallway!
All I can say is that the organic food and vegetables must be working!
...and I use Oil of Olay (with SPF) everyday although I am searching for a more natural product that I will like.
Developing Acne
Around the age of 18 I started developing a mild case of adult acne. It actually wasn't too bad, but I noticed it because my face had always been very clear. I was stumped as to why this was happening.
I solved the problem, and I thought it would be great to share my discovery with you. Not only to show how food does affect our skin, but also because maybe it will work for you too!
Caffeine
Around the same time I developed the acne I was also becoming a social coffee drinker. It took me awhile to put two and two together, but I eventually experimented with eliminating the coffee. Guess what! The pimples went away.
Hmmm... So what could it have been? I then figured out that my skin would break out if I had soda, chocolate, or tea. The common factor was caffeine. In fact, I was so sensitive that even decaf caused me to have blemishes. (Decaf still contains a small amount of caffeine leftover from the process.) I also later discovered that alcohol would have the same effect.
I'm not a dermatologist, and many of them will tell you that what you eat does not affect whether you have acne or not, but I will tell you from first hand experience that it does. What seemed to be happening was that caffeine or alcohol would stimulate oil production in my skin (probably because of increased hormone levels). The oil was probably being produced at a faster rate than my skin was able to naturally slough off dead skin cells, therefore my pores would get clogged.
This is my non-technical version of what I think must've been happening
My Skin Is CLEAR!
I've eliminated all forms of caffeine and alcohol and my skin is clear. Of course I get the occasional zit, but not often. I also find that I need to wash my face with a washcloth or exfoliater in the evening and that will keep the occasional pimple to a minimum.
If you need help eliminating caffeine and developing a healthier diet, call me for an initial consultation. You will also receive life coaching along with your nutritional counseling...because it all goes together. It's never just about food!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Melissa_King |
About Acne, itsTypes & Symptoms
About Acne, itsTypes & Symptoms
By Balaji B
By Balaji B
What is Acne?
Acne is a chronic disorder of the hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Some of the characteristics of acne include black heads, pimples, cysts, infected abscesses, and rarely scarring. Acne usually occurs during adolescence in both men and women. To be more specific, acne starts during puberty and tends to get worse for people with oily skin. Acne badly affects teenage boys. Only mild to moderate forms of acne occur in middle-aged women. Acne can be seen most commonly on the face. The other places where it can occur include the neck, chest, back, shoulders, scalp, and upper arms and legs. Most forms of acne are the result of heredity and hormonal problems and has nothing to do with a harmful diet or poor hygiene.
Types of acne
Acne starts in a similar way for all but can take different forms and can react in a unique way according to the body conditions of the individual. A basic lesion called the comedo is the begining of acne. The comedo is an enlarged hair follicle plugged with oil and bacteria residing under the surface of your skin, that waits for the right conditions to grow into an inflamed lesion. Whenever the skin produces more oil, the bacteria grows within the swollen follicle. The surrounding skin becomes increasingly inflamed as your white blood cells fight against the intruders. Two main types of acne include non-inflammatory acne and inflammatory acne.
Non-inflammatory acne
Closed comedo:
If the plugged follicle stays below the surface of the skin, the lesion is called a closed comedo. This usually appears on the skin as small, whitish bumps. This condition is otherwise called as whitehead.
Open comedo :
If the plug enlarges and pushes through the surface of the skin, the lesion is called an open comedo. The dark appearance of the plug is not due to dirt, but due to the buildup of melanin, the pigmentation element of the skin. This condition is otherwise called as blackhead.
Inflammatory acne
Papule:
This appears on the skin as a small, firm pink bump. The papules are tender in nature and are often considered an intermediary step between non-inflammatory and clearly inflammatory lesions.
Pustule:
These are small round lesions that are inflamed and contain visible pus, which appear red at the base with a yellowish or whitish center. Pustules do not contain a large amount of bacteria. The inflammation is caused by chemical irritation from sebum components such as fatty free acids.
Cyst:
These are large pus-filled lesions that are usually present deep within the skin. The cysts are very painful lesions, as they are inflamed. Cysts form as a result of the contents of a comedo spilling over the surrounding skin and due to the response of the local immune system in producing pus. The cysts often leave deep scars.
Acne conglobata:
This is a rare but serious form of inflammatory acne that develops primarily on the back, buttocks, and chest. In addition, to the presence of pustules and cysts, there may be severe bacterial infection.
Symptoms
The common symptoms of acne include persistent, recurrent red spots or swellings on the skin known as pimples. The pimples become inflamed and get filled with pus. The pimples usually occur on the face, chest, shoulders, neck, or upper portion of the back. Some of the other symptoms include dark spots with open pores at the center, which are known as blackheads, bulged spots under the skin without openings, which are known as whiteheads, and red swellings or lumps filled with pus, which are known as pustules. The pustules can develop from blackheads or whiteheads. Inflamed fluid-filled lumps under the skin known as cysts are also a symptom of acne. These cysts can become as large as an inch across.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Balaji_B
The "Kill the Bacterial and Cure the Acne" Myth
The Kill the Bacterial and Cure the Acne Myth
By Naweko San-Joyz
By Naweko San-Joyz
All life forms strategize to survive and procreate. Weeds, worms, birds, fungi and bacteria all work to sustain their own lives on this planet. In fact, we humans survive because of the biological games constantly unfolding in our mist.
Propionibacterium acnes, or p acne bacteria, are no different. They want and need to survive. Skin bacteria perform an important function. Bacteria use the secretions of our sweat and sebaceous glands (sebum is the oil that makes our skin look shiny) as nutrients. P acnes that are in balance with your body prevent colonization by more harmful bacteria.
P acne bacteria only encourage acne formations if the production of oil on the face is excessive. This surplus of oil of prompted by hormonal, nutritional, environmental and/or psychological changes in the body. So to prevent acne, you do not what to kill bacteria per se, but keep the amount of bacteria on your skin at an optimal balance. You optimize your oil secretion by understanding and controlling your response to hormonal, nutritional, environmental and/or psychological changes.
If we upset the balance of bacteria in our bodies by taking antibiotics, our resident flora is upset and this enables harmful bacteria (such as Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii) to colonize our skin. What’s more, antibiotics can destroy the balance of intestinal flora and cause constipation.
In short, using antibiotics on bacteria is a battle amongst intelligent parties involving the bacteria, the body, and the human mind. If we fail to appreciate the bacteria as bodily maintenance workers and continue dousing them with antibiotics, the bacteria just become more resistant to our antibiotics. The bacteria are practiced at playing dead as a tactic for survival. Even people who have used the strongest acne drug on the market, Accutane, have witnessed the cunning behavior of bacteria as zits reappear some months after using this course of acne treatment. These people have discovered that bacteria do not die; they silently and strategically multiply. If you do not want your bacteria out of balance, do not provide them an environment conducive to acne
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Naweko_San-Joyz
Herbal Acne Treatments That Works
Herbal Acne Treatments That Work
By Greg Podsakoff
In the United States alone, there are over 40 Million people who struggle with acne. Many of these people treat acne using chemicals such as antibiotics, prescription drugs, benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid.
However, there is a growing number of people who choose herbal acne treatments over traditional medications. Usually, herbal medications have far fewer side effects, and are not as dangerous as some of the prescription drugs.
The problem however, is that the United States does very little to regulate the herbal supplement industry. Unlike traditional chemical medications, herbal medications are not required to be clinically proven to work, or even to be safe. An example of this lack of regulation recently came to light with ephedra related deaths, and ephedras subsequent ban.
This lack of regulation results in many different acne products on the market. All of which claim to heal, prevent, or even cure acne with few, if any, side effects.
The truth is, there are very few herbal acne treatments that are scientifically proven to work. Traditional chemical treatments are still the most effective in stopping acne.
There are only 2 herbal treatments that have been clinically proven to help stop acne, tea tree oil and green tea cream.
Tea tree oil is a natural oil, derived from the Melaleuca alternifolia, a particular type of tea tree found exclusively in Australia. While it has been used from hundreds of years by the native aboriginals as a treatment for just about anything, it has only recently been accepted by modern medicine as being a viable anti-bacterial agent.
Even though tea tree oil has been suspected as an anti-bacterial agent for some time, A groundbreakings study was conducted in 1990 by I.B. Bassett, which compared tea tree oil to benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne. It was found that tea tree oil is as effective as a 5% benzoyl peroxide solution. It takes longer (6 weeks) for the tea tree oil to be as effective, but participants in the study reported none of the side effects associated with benzoyl peroxide, such as redness, skin irritation, or dry skin.
This study has helped tea tree oil become a recognized and legitimate herbal acne treatment. However, there is no need to purchase an expensive cream that contains tea tree oil. Just applying several drops of the oil directly on the acne has shown to be the most effective way to apply tea tree oil.
This was the only herbal acne treatment that had been proven to work until recently, when Dr. Jennifer Gan-Wong conducted a study that shows green tea can also effectively fight acne.
Dr. Gan-Wong compared a green tea cream with 3% green tea, to a 4% benzoyl peroxide solution, and found that the results in treating acne where the same for both the tea and the peroxide. These results were recently presented at the 2003 annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.
These findings are relatively recent, and are not yet corroborated by additional independent studies. However, this evidence does demonstrate that the natural anti-bacterial properties of green tea can be effective to treat acne.
For those of you who are confused by the plethora of herbal acne treatments available, there really are only 2 that have been proven to be effective in fighting acne. Green tea cream, and tea tree oil. While many other herbal acne treatments may be good to moisturize the skin, or reduce oils, these are the only two that should be considered truly effective acne treatments.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_Podsakoff
Proven Acne Medications
Proven Acne Medications
By Greg Podsakoff
There are a plethora of acne medications currently on the market. Some of these are prescription medications, such as accutane. Others are over the counter chemical compounds, such as benzoyl peroxide. There are even herbal based acne medications, such as tea tree oil. However, many of them are not as effective as advertised.
Part of the problem with finding the right acne medication is that there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to acne. Different people respond differently to the various medications and treatments. However, there are several acne medications that have been clinically proven to be effective in treating acne, and these are the medications that will stop acne for most people.
Prescription Acne Treatments
Of the prescription medications, Accutane is one of the best. It is a chemical derivative of vitamin A, and is often referred to as the “miracle drug” for acne. Accutane is most effective in the treatment of severe cystic acne, and not to be taken lightly. For some people, the many side effects can be worse than the acne itself. However, this is one treatment that works.
Retin A and Renova are also prescription medications. These are topical derivatives of vitamin A, and are also good at clearing up fine lines, wrinkles, and slight skin discolorations. One of the biggest downsides is sunlight and other topical acne treatments must be avoided while using either of them. However, they are proven to reduce acne.
Birth control pills and antibiotics round out the acne medications most commonly prescribed. Birth control pills are used exclusively by women to help regulate hormones, and therefore lessen the hormonally related acne that many women experience. Antibiotics work by attacking the acne causing p.bateria as it grows deep in skin pores.
Over the Counter Acne Treatments
There are some over the counter acne treatments that work well. The two best are benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid.
Benzoyl peroxide works by penetrating the skin pores, and eliminating the acne causing bacteria that grows deep in the skin. Benzoyl peroxide is the most commonly used acne treatment because it is affordable, easily available, and nearly as effective as most prescription medication.
Salicylic acid works by removing the top layers of dead skin cells. This helps the skin renew itself faster, and decreases the chance for pore blockage and a subsequent acne breakout.
Herbal Acne Treatments
The vast majority of acne treatments fall under the heading of “herbal” acne treatments. The reason is because of the lack or regulation for herbal products. This can be very frustrating to the general consumer, because it is impossible to tell which herbal treatment will work to stop acne, and which ones will do very little at all.
Of every herbal treatment available, there are only 2 that are currently proven to stop acne. Tea tree oil will help get rid of acne, and so will green tea cream.
Tea tree oil is an oil derived from one tea tree plant that is unique to Australia. For several hundred years it was touted as a cure all, until penicillin was introduced to fight bacteria. However, tea tree oil has seen a recent revival due in part to study conducted in 1990 that proved it is as effective in treating acne as 5% benzoyl peroxide. Furthermore, it had none of the side effects that benzoyl peroxide does.
Green tea cream has been validated more recently, at the 2003 American Academy of Dermatology conference. It was proven that green tea is as effective in treating acne as a 4% benzoyl peroxide solution. Though the study has not been corroborated yet, it demonstrated that there is another herbal treatment besides tea tree oil.
These are some of the acne medications proven to work. For those who are experiencing acne, any of the aforementioned treatments would be well worth trying.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_Podsakoff
What's The Real Cause Of Acne?
Most acne medications only mask the symptoms of acne and does nothing to stop the real cause of acne. This is why people buy acne products month after month (year after year). And every time they stop using the product acne would come back again and again.
What you need to do is find out what the real cause of acne is and stop it.
So what's the real cause of acne?
Acne occurs when your body contains more toxics than your kidneys and bowels can remove. (Your kidneys and bowels are the two primary channels of elimination that your body expel toxics and waste products through.)
These toxics can be the accumulation of fat stored chemicals the liver can not wash out or there may be a problem with fat digestion, fat accumulation, food allergy, or even the accumulation of hormones that your body produces.
Once these toxics build up, your kidneys and bowels can get overloaded and clogged up, causing it to not function properly. When that happens some of the load will be dumped onto your liver. One of your liver's main roles is to metabolize pile up fat into usable energy for your body.
This means, your liver will be doing some of your kidney's work. So now, your liver gets overloaded and it too will not work at full capacity.
What happens when your bowels, kidneys, and liver gets overloaded?
When that happen your body will expel toxins through your lungs and skin (your secondary channels of elimination). And this is when acne occurs. This is when your skin starts to breakout.
But whatever the toxic source is that‘s causing this problem, acne is a sign that your bowels and kidneys are overloaded with toxins, waste products, or hormones.
It is a sign that your liver is growing weaker in its detoxification abilities (and it will continue to grow weaker if you do not do what it takes to get rid of the toxics in your body).
So if you think that acne is your only problem, think again, your liver, kidneys, and bowels are getting weaker every time you breakout.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Houa_Yang
Acne & Wrinkles at My Age?
Acne & Wrinkles at My Age?
By Naweko San-Joyz
By Naweko San-Joyz
Puberty brought bouts of acne. In your 20s, finding Mr. or Mrs. Right was of chief consequence. When the 30s hit, you worked to raise little Johnnie or Suzie to be a model kid. Now that your hitting the fabulous 40s, you should be coasting through life, right. Well, why are you suddenly dealing with the cosmetic double whammy of acne and wrinkles? Even your insurance company figures that you should have gotten rid of acne by the age of 25.
The number people over 30 needing acne treatments has climbed to the extent that a report published in Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology recommends raising the age for insurance coverage of the acne drug tretinoin to at least 40. The authors of the report, Drs. Steven Feldman and Alan Fleischer, add that many insurance companies refuse to pay for tretinoin prescriptions for patients older than 25.
Cosmetic Catch 22 Even if your insurance company leaves you to fend for yourself, you still have options for freeing yourself from acne and wrinkles. At first, coping with acne and wrinkles may seem like a cosmetic catch 22. Do you dry your skin with acne cleansers containing benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, and worsen your wrinkles? Or, do you smear on the moisturizer to smooth the wrinkles, but cope with the zits brought on by the extra oil or sensitivity to a new product?
There’s a smarter way to handle acne and wrinkles.
1. Interpret the acne
2. Allow your skin to improve as you use self-awareness to remove zits.
Interpret the acne
While dealing with acne and wrinkles, target the acne first because acne is an autoimmune disease. Having an autoimmune disease means that your thoughts, emotions, and/or environment are affecting you in an adverse way and require immediate attention. Thus, acne may reveal that you need to relax more, change your eating habits, reframe your interpersonal dialogue, stop dating that jerk from the office and/or make another beneficial alteration to your lifestyle.
Zits arrive on your face to report on some unpleasant activities within your body and life. Once you get feedback from these zits, you can take action to send the zits away while augmenting your health in the process.
Acne is usually an indication various hidden or overlooked health problems. Here’s a sample of the questions you should ask yourself when dealing with acne so that you can unravel the mystery behind your zits. Are you:
Regular?
About 70% of your immune system is located in your intestines. If this area is blocked with waste, your immuno-defenses are down. So, instead of waste leaving your body via the rectum, it chooses to leave through the skin. Waste leaving the skin can cause an infection that presents itself as acne.
Tense?
Tension likewise reduces the vigor of the immune system. Take a few deep breaths throughout the day to calm your body. Take a long walk in the fresh air to wind down.
Eating nutritionally?
Cases of acne have been improved with consuming foods containing zinc, essential fatty acids, vitamin A and a host of other nutrients. All of these vital nutrients are available in leafy green vegetables, fruits and olive oil.
Worried about unresolved issues?
Not resolving personal issues creates conflict and tension in the body. Again, these issues most be addressed to avoid undue stress within the body.
Exercising daily?
Exercise reduces stress and gives you an opportunity to subconsciously contemplate challenges that you may be facing. Physical activity also keeps your muscles and intestines toned, which keeps encourages regularity.
Changing pillowcase frequently?
Using a dirty pillowcase aggravates an acne condition. Your face naturally secretes oils during the night. These oils are sticky. So if you pillowcase if dirty, you are allowing your face to collect extra waste during the night, which could further clog your pores.
Moving or changing your job/career?
New demands or feelings of lose can sometimes accompany change. Transfer these emotions into something constructive by writing in a journal or envisioning how these changes are going to benefit you. Find comfort in these changes and opportunities for new beginnings.
Experiencing excessive facial hair growth and erratic periods?
Conditions such as acne, excessive facial hair, and erratic periods could indicate an androgen disorder or other underlying hormonal imbalances. Your doctor can provide you with a series of endocrine tests to ascertain your hormone levels and what corrective actions you should take. Ricardo Azziz, M.D, who serves as Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Director of the Center for Androgen-Related Disorders at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, estimates that 80 percent of women with excessive androgen levels suffer from an endocrine disorder called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Dr. Azziz adds that women with PCOS often have insulin resistance and are at increased risk for developing Type II diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.
Once the acne is under control you can move on to the wrinkles. Another reason for treating the zits first is because if you alter your lifestyle in such as way as to free yourself from acne, and you doing this in a healthy and patient fashion, you will actually lessen the number of wrinkles you have.
Health is wholeness and beauty is a reflection of robust health. You’ll never buy robust health in a jar. It is a mind, body, spirit and environmental support system that garners full-bodied health. Lets look at want you actually need from a “beauty cream”.
Face Cream Education There are five basic ingredients in any given anti-aging or anti-wrinkling cream.
1. The oil or moisturizer
2. The preservatives to keep the cream from spoiling.
3. A scent or flavor
4. A color
5. The active ingredient.
Only one of these components is essential, the oil. The preservative is only needed to keep the cream useful. Your face does not need preservation because the skin is alive. Since some people have allergies to scents and colors in cosmetics, the body says that these two ingredients are not necessary. The active ingredient is usually the latest cosmetic drug or multivitamin that is supposed to lift or dramatically reverse your age by 5-20 years.
Researchers S. Jay Olshansky, Leonard Hayflick and Bruce A. Carnes bluntly comment on the antics of cosmetic companies in their report No Truth to the Fountain of Youth, published in the June 2002 edition of Scientific American. The authors warn everyone aiming to reverse the signs of times on their face that, “… anyone purporting to offer an anti-aging product today is either mistaken or lying”.
I bet you are thinking, “Won’t that oil make acne worse?” The answer is not if you are using the right oil. Some essential oils such as bergamont, lavender, lemon, neroli, sandalwood, tea tree and ylang ylang have cleansing and antibacterial properties which help combat acne infections. Other essential oil like geranium, clary sage and orange regulate the production of oil on the face. When mixed with a carrier oil such as jojoba or camellia, these essential oils are ideal moisturizers.
Nothing that you put on your face will truly change your appearance. Creams are useful, but they are only one instrument in an orchestra of anti-aging concerts. Health starts on the inside. If you want to improve your beauty start with how you treat yourself and feed yourself. I mean not only what foods you eat but what thoughts you eat.
You may eat thoughts of the sort, “I can’t…”, “I had a stressful day”, “I’m tired of…”, “I can’t wait until…”, “I’m getting old”, “My body isn’t as healthy as it used to be”. The menu is endless. If you want to look young and healthy, you have to think young and healthy thoughts. Here’s steps to jumpstart your quest:
Start by changing your thinking. Develop your own youth model, i.e. with steps you’ll take to maintain your vitality and stick to it.
Enjoy nutritious foods. A study in the Journal of American College of Nutrition found that eating a variety of fruits and vegetables and using olive oil every day could help keep wrinkles away. The researchers found that people who ate a diet rich in green leafy vegetables, beans, olive oil, nuts and multigrain breads, while avoiding butter, red meat and sugary goodies, were less predisposed to wrinkling. Researchers believe that antioxidant vitamins, such as A, C and E, which are found in fruits and vegetables, may help protect the skin from environmental damage.
Use a gentle cleanser each day.
Steam your face everyday for 5-15 minutes, especially if your have acne. The steam removes waxy build-up on the skin while it stimulates circulation. This combo of benefits cleans to pores to reduce the possibility of acne while firming up the skin and facial muscles.
Exfoliate your skin daily.
Moisturize your face in the morning and evening with natural oils. In addition to the acne fighting oils listed above, you can mix essential oils such as frankinsense, myrrh, neroli and rose to help encourage the growth of new skin cells. You can create a moisturizer by diluting 1-3 of your favorite essential oils in a carrier oil such as jojoba or camellia oil in a ration of 1 part essential oil to 3 parts carrier oil.
Massage your face daily when you apply your facial oil.
Lie down on an incline bench for 5-20 minutes each day to let the blood flow to your head.
Wear a sunhat in the sun.
Give yourself a light skin peel once a month.
Finally, forty can still be fabulous and your beauty-plan a lot less enigmatic. Just remember the basics, interpret the messages of your zits, and educate yourself about wrinkle creams- you don’t need them.
Acne Free In Just 3 Days - Don't Suffer Like I Did!
Finding an acne cure can be such a time consuming process. There seem to be so many claims out there and what works for one person may not work for another due to so many factors.
I had a problem growing up. An acne problem. It was very bad. How bad?
My acne covered my back and the doctor diagnosed it as cystic acne. It was so bad that if I wore a white t-shirt to class and sat back in the chair, my shirt would have blood on it. I couldn't enjoy the swimming pool in the summer, because the water would cause my acne to get soft and rubbing it with a towel to dry off would really irritate it.
It made it tough for me to have confidence with girls. I was worried that if I was dating a girl and she finally found out how bad my acne was, she would leave me right then. It made me so self-conscious.
Back then, there weren't the amount of acne cures and methods to relieve it. I went on Accutane to get my back to dry up, but I would not suggest that for anyone as it causes harm to your liver. It dried up my skin so bad that my lips were constantly chapped and my hands were bone dry. It worked in the long run, but I would highly suggest looking into another method to cure your acne because of the overall damage that this prescription drug can cause your system.
I recommend that you look into other methods of curing your acne before you go the route that I did using Accutane. I don't think the method I used was very safe and I wished that there had been as many choices as there are now.
Now whenever I have acne, I only use Tianshi's sea buckhorn's essence pimple cream. All you have to do is zap it, and you'll notice the difference in just 24 hours.
Acne - What It Is And How To Treat It
What is acne?
Acne is a skin problem that occurs when dead skin cells and oil clogs up your pores. Some people call it whiteheads, blackheads, zits, blemishes, or pimples. The mild form of acne is when you have just a few red spots. Severe acne can mean tens or even hundreds of pimples that can cover not only the face, but also the neck, chest, and back. It could also be large, solid, painful lumps (cystic).
What causes acne?
As stated above, acne is caused by oil and dead skin cells clogging up your pores. If germs find their way into the pores, swelling, redness, and pus are the result. Usually acne starts during person's teen years due to hormonal changes which make the persons skin oilier. It is a common misbelief that eating chocolate or greasy foods cause acne, however, greasy and oily foods can make acne worse IF your pores become clogged. It is more typical to see acne run in families. Chances are if one or both of your parents have acne, you will end up with it too.
What are some treatments?
The main thing to do is keep your skin clean and avoid skin products that clog your pores. Look for products that say "noncomedogenic" on the label. Washing your skin once or twice a day with an acne wash or gentle soap will help greatly. Scrubbing hard or picking your acne should be avoided as this can leave scars.
For treating just a small amount of acne, you can get an acne cream without a prescription. Look for one that has benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Follow the label and these creams should work fine.
When trying to treat your acne, you may notice that it gets worse before it gets better - don't worry, just stick to your plan as it can take time to get acne under control. If your acne is not under control after 6 to 8 weeks, you should try another product or consult a physician.
If you are serious about treating your acne, you must be almost religious about following your chosen treatment for at least 6 weeks. You cannot expect to get rid of your acne in a day or two, and then go back to old habits and expect to be acne free. After your teen years, acne doesn't seem to be as prevalent.
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