all about ACNE

The Truth About Acne Treatments

2007-01-02T23:00:00.001+07:00

By: Brian Dolezal

Acne is one of the most common skin problems affecting people around the world. At some point in their life, nearly everyone will battle problematic pimples that leave them feeling embarrassed, socially unacceptable or even depressed about their appearance. Acne, however, is only on the surface and a healthier skin is just waiting to be discovered underneath.

Acne treatments are one of the most effective ways to treat breakouts. When combined with a few natural home remedies, your skin can be on its way to a healthier and happier appearance. Cleansing your face at least twice each day, including both morning and night, will help to remove any buildup from your skin. Many acne sufferers may not realize this, but certain soaps may actually irritate the skin and add even more redness. Some commercial soaps have harsh ingredients that are thought to strip the skin of its natural moisture and, in some cases, may even cause mild to moderate itching. A moisturizing soap is a popular alternative and some even enjoy handmade soap products for the ultimate in skin care.

When most people begin to notice regular acne breakouts, they tend to stop by the local retail store in search of an affordable and effective treatment. While over-the-counter acne products can be just as effective as expensive prescription-only acne treatments, your search will be more successful if you focus on your individual problem and less on a product that guarantees immediate results. The truth is that your acne problem did not appear overnight and any product that promises to cure it as quickly is probably more than a little ambitious. Some popular over-the-counter acne treatments, such as Clearpores, DermaCleanse, and ProActiv offer 3-step programs with realistic expectations and do not require a doctor's prescription. Results in any form take time to appear and all acne products should be purchased with that in mind.

If and when acne fails to respond to conventional over-the-counter acne treatments, medical intervention may be needed. This is especially true with severe cases, which sometimes cannot be treated without prescription medication. Accutane is one of the possible acne treatments available to sufferers who have exhausted all other efforts to treat their breakouts. Although it has the potential for dangerous side effects, over two million users have tried Accutane and many have seen results where other acne products had otherwise failed. Because Accutane is available by prescription only, a physician can best explain both the benefits and risks associated with this 4-6 month aggressive treatment.

Whether you have an occasional acne breakout or are suffering with a constant discomfort, never disrupt the problem area by scratching, squeezing or aggravating your acne. Each of these actions may lead to infection or, at the very least, can worsen the redness and discomfort associated with acne. Caring for your skin properly and knowing when to seek medical help will result in healthier skin and a confident smile.

For more information on top performing acne treatments, including descriptions and comparative rankings, you can visit the Acne Treatment section of TopConsumerReviews.com at http://www.topconsumerreviews.com/acne.

The information contained in this article is designed to be used for reference purposes only. It should not be used in place of professional medical advice or recommendations relating to the use of acne products and/or acne treatments. If you believe that you have a problem with acne that requires medical attention, consult a physician or dermatologist for a professional evaluation and recommended treatment program.

Natural Home Acne Remedy

2007-01-02T22:59:00.001+07:00

By: Katie Monroe

Looking for natural home acne remedy? Don't even think about buying another acne product until you read this...

Natural home acne remedy chronic acne sufferer finds a scientifically proven way to permanently clear skin in just three days, and finally reveals the unbelievably easy, step-by-step actions you could already be taking to look better, feel better, and have a renewed sense of self-esteem!

Yes, you have the amazing ability to change the way you look and feel about yourself...right now! A ten-year acne sufferer myself, i will show you how I cured my acne condition in 3 days the natural way, saved myself from further scarring, and stopped wasting my money on expensive medications and over-the-counter products!

Discover the following on natural home acne remedy:

Clear, concise, easy to follow, and step-by-step directions so you can...eliminate most - if not all - of your acne in 3 days! Get back to living your life without fear and anxiety. Do everything you have always wanted to do, but were not confident enough to pursue. Live and dream without the fear and embarrassment caused by acne.

Wait, that's not all!

Discover the only proven, holistic way to heal, restore, and have beautiful, clear skin. You will use the same all natural program that I used to rejuvenate my skin and stay acne free for over 20 years. It is the practical way to repair your self-esteem and increase your confidence. By the time you finish with this program, you will know you look good and you will feel great!

Acne free in 3 days™ is designed to be an easy-to-use program in the privacy of your home. You don't have to worry about making time consuming and expensive doctor visits, explaining the humiliating side effects of the acne treatment you are on, or keeping up with expensive or confusing antibiotic routines. Instead of being a walking billboard for the latest acne treatment, you will be the envy of your friends, family, and colleagues!

Attain long-term, permanent results without any side effects. Acne free in 3 days™ reveals how you can stop acne at it's source. Gain access to the immediate way to stop the accumulation of acne scarring. Unearth the amazingly inexpensive, practical, and natural way to address your skin condition. Suitable for use on all skin types. Your skin has the amazing capability of constant regeneration from within. Acne free in 3 days™ is not just for teenage acne, but for everyone! You will have the ability to look younger, healthier, and more radiant. You can even get that promotion at work or be able to attend that class reunion, as you'll feel more confident.

Acne will no longer be standing in your way! Being acne free means you'll be more attractive and healthy looking. You might just fall in love all over again or you might even be able to attract that person you've had your eye on. Receive unique, important, and pin-pointed scientific research on acne and why the methods in the book will work for you. This is not some 'snake oil method' or 'out-there-formula' that won't work.

Salicyclic Acid and Safe Skin Treatments - Acne During Pregnancy

2007-01-02T22:58:00.003+07:00

By: Nina Romanov

There are several acne treatments that are safe for pregnant women, some of them natural and or homemade. There are others that are manufactured which also have been deemed safe for use during pregnancy.

Of course there are some that are not to be used during pregnancy. Before we discuss any of these products remember that before you use any acne treatment consult with your obstetrician.

Benzoyl peroxide, an ingredient in some over the counter acne treatments, has been tested and deemed safe for use by pregnant women.

However salicylic acid, which is also used in some non-prescription acne fighting products, has not been tested on pregnant women and is not recommended for use by them.

Most acne breakouts in pregnant women occur during the first three months of the pregnancy while hormone levels are increasing, causing increased oil production in you skin which causes acne flare-ups. By the second trimester the acne begins to clear up.

Salicyclic acid, taken orally, has been known to cause complications of pregnancy and birth defects. However again there has been no testing of topical use.

Some "natural" remedies you can try are: keep your skin clean. After washing rinse your skin with luke-warm water to remove any remaining soap. Don't pick at your pimples or pop them, this can cause scarring.

Some products that are safe to use on your skin are tea tree oil, lavender essential oil and Echinacea to name just a few.

There are safe acne treatments, that reportedly work, as close at hand as your kitchen. A mask of lukewarm cooked oatmeal applied once a day for 15-20 minutes, is said to begin clearing your acne in a matter of days.

A halved lemon applied to each blemish is another. Garlic, mashed tomatoes, uncooked natural oatmeal, warm sugar water and olive oil are all natural acne treatments that are safe for use during pregnancy. If you are allergic to any of these items of course don't apply them to your skin.

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables may prevent or reduce many acne outbreaks. Apples and blueberries are said to be particularly good to prevent acne outbreaks.

If you do a web search for natural acne treatments, you will get several links to natural acne skin treatments that can't all be mentioned here.

In addition to the salicylic acid some others that doctors want their patients to stay away from are: retinoid, a form of vitamin A. High doses of vitamin A can be harmful to unborn children and oral retinoid, like Accutane(an acne treatment), have been reported as causing birth defects.

While there is no evidence that retinoid applied to the skin causes damage to an unborn child, there is also no certainty that they are safe. The same is true of salicylic acid, no proof either way. Most physicians prefer to err on the side of caution.

If you are pregnant, whether you are interested in natural or manufactured acne treatments, you should consult with your obstetrician or dermatologist before beginning any acne treatment regimen.

As you can see, according to current information, salicylic acid and safe skin treatments of acne during pregnancy are incompatible.

Acne Proactiv Treatment – Solution for Getting Rid of Acne

2007-01-02T22:58:00.001+07:00

By: Nina Romanov

The acne treatment system was developed by two female dermatologists. They called it Proactiv (sometimes referred to as Proactive) because it not only healed blemishes, but also was formulated to proactively prevent "zits" from forming.

Does Proactiv work? That depends on who you talk to. On several acne message boards, a large majority of those who have used or are using this three step acne treatment agree that the product achieves pretty much what it claims to do.

Some users get panicked when after 2 or 3 days their acne appears to get worse and stop using the product. However according to the Proactiv treatment protocol, this is normal and users should continue the treatment.

However consult a physician if you develop a rash, changes in skin tone (either lightening or darkening). Severe redness, burning, blistering, crusting or swelling can all be signs of a allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment.

People who have used the program successfully report that you should use the program for at least two months before you give up on it. Those new blemishes were probably getting ready to erupt anyway.

Some of the major complaints of dissatisfied users are: despite following the plan religiously for several months there is no improvement in the condition of the skin. If this happens to you the company gives refunds. Even people unhappy with the product do admit it isn't difficult to get your refund.

Another thing users complain about is that the company automatically ships more product and bills your credit card, even though you only signed up for the trial package. A quick call to customer service clear up that problem.

Many customers think the product is overpriced and that the amount of product is too little in comparison to the price.

Others complain because it isn't really available offline, but you can get it at CVS pharmacies and Target stores as well as a number of other places.

Some pediatricians and family doctors suggest Proactive to patients with mild to moderate acne. They do a follow up visit to see if the condition is improving or if a dermatologist consult is in order.

You may want to consult with your doctor before using this treatment, especially is you have sensitive or very dry skin. If your child gets acne at a fairly young age (under 13) it may be wise to consult his pediatrician before allowing him to use Proactive and monitor his use, especially in the beginning.

The three step program begins with the Renewing Cleanser, which exfoliates the dead skin and other impurities. Then the Revitalizing Toner is applied, this also removes dead skin, unplugs the pores and removes excess oil. Finally the Repairing Lotion is used to heal blemishes and blackheads and to help prevent flare-ups.

For complete instructions follow the directions exactly, until you see how your skin reacts. It can take two months to see a significant improvement however some people begin to notice the change in a matter of days.

Also keep in mind that initially you may see a worsening of your acne, but with most people that levels off in a couple of weeks.

Some users have found the toner excessively drying even with the use of a moisturizer, and skip this step. Others only use the repairing lotion once they have the acne under control.

You can get your acne under control with the use of Proactiv 3 step treatment.

I would strongly suggest you to try Proatciv Acne Treatment. There is absolutely nothing to loose!

Homemade Teen and Adult Acne Skin Treatment - Nature Works

2007-01-02T22:55:00.003+07:00

By: Nina Romanov

Acne is every teenager's worst nightmare and almost all of them will have at least one episode before they become adults. Many teens and their parents are turning to homemade, teen and adult, acne skin treatments and remedies. Nature works to lemons, oatmeal, garlic, tomatoes, cucumbers, blueberries and many other fruits and vegetables have been shown to be effective acne treatments for adults as well as teens.

First let's look at some of the myths surrounding acne:
myth: only teens get acne.
reality: pregnant women have been known to suffer from acne and some adults develop acne at around age 40 , women more than men. Studies
point to a hormonal link.

myth: foods like chocolate, pizza and sodas cause acne.
reality: research shows this isn't true, however if your acne flares when you eat a particular food you may have a food allergy so try eliminating that item.

myth: make-up can worsen acne.
reality: wearing make-up doesn't cause or aggravate acne.

These are just some of the most common myths surrounding this condition.

Now let's take a look at some acne treatments that you can make at home from food products you probably already have in your kitchen.

Oatmeal masks have been used for years as a natural facial. Lukewarm cooked oatmeal applied to the face as a mask and left on for 20 minutes twice a day has been shown to clear up acne breakouts in as little as two weeks.

Another recommended use of oatmeal as an acne remedy is to mix the uncooked oatmeal with water until it is the consistency of mud, apply to your face and leave it on for 20 minutes. Wash gently to remove the "mask".

Mashed tomatoes, crushed garlic, sugar water and olive oil are all home remedies for mild to moderate acne and are reported to work in days to a couple of weeks.

Apply the mashed tomatoes directly to your face and leave on for about 10 minutes, then wash them off gently. You only need to do this once a day and you will begin to see results in one to two weeks.

There are two ways to use garlic, one is to peel the cloves and then apply the garlic directly to the blemishes. Some people favor making a paste with the garlic and applying it to the face for 10 minutes every day.

If you want to try the sugar and olive oil, you might want to try dissolving the sugar in warm water and then adding the olive oil. Sugar has an anti-bacterial action that can speed the clearing of your acne blemishes.

Aloe vera gel helps to heal your acne faster. However since it can be drying you should use a moisturizer after the treatment.

Lemon juice either by itself or in combination with other things like rosewater can also help. It removes oils, kills bacteria that may contribute to acne, and helps to restore and maintain the PH levels of your skin.

Diet also plays a role in the treatment of acne. Many people believe that eating read or orange fruits can be helpful in preventing acne. Apples, cherries and cantaloupes are just a few recommended fruits to promote healthy skin.

We haven't come close to discussing all of the homemade acne treatments that people use. We have focused on treatments that use readily available ingredients so that it will be easier for you to make your own acne treatment supplies.

If you are allergic to any of the ingredients listed don't use that remedy. Also for severe acne you should consult a physician.

Well, nature always works for me and I hope it works for you to! Best of luck with your natural acne treatments

Vitamins and Diets For Acne

2007-01-02T22:55:00.001+07:00

By: Willie Weaver

acne is the inflamation of the skin that is caused by the sebaceous gland getting clogged with oils and causing a build-up of bacteria. This condition may be worse in adolescence but can happen at any age.

Reddened, inflamed and elevated skin areas are possible sites of an acne sore or zit as they are sometimes called. Sometimes there are blackheads that become inflamed suggesting the need for better facial cleansing. Pimples that have whiteheads on them shows that there is possible poor absorption of the B1 vitamin.To increase the absortion of vitamins and minerals, a supplement of acidophilus is recommended.

Acne can be caused by many things such as food allergies, fried foods, facial cleansers and soaps to name a few.

Getting rid of acne and having a smooth, clear skin is what we are after. An important thing to do is to be sure and get the vitamins and minerals our body needs to have clear skin, such as the B complex vitamins, vitamin A and beta-carotene. Supplements of omega-3 fatty acids and zinc is also suggested. Consider also a supplement of a good multi-vitamin/mineral supplement.

Diet is also very important to sending away acne. One should eat several servings daily of fresh, raw fruits and vegetables. Reduce your consumption of saturated fats and vegetable fats. Reduce consumption of refined sugar, alcohol, and foods/drinks containing caffiene. The amount of fiber in your diet should be increased as well. The drinking of carrot juice mixed with celery and beet juices is also good for acne.

Facial cleansing is also beneficial to skin care. Wash the area daily several times with water and a mild soap. After washing, rinse the area with warm water.Don't use makeup that has any kind of oil as an ingredient; use water-based makeup. A soap to use is one with the herb calenula in it, to help clean the skin with little if no irritation.

A few herbal treatments for acne is Oregon grape powder, aloe vera gel and burdock tea taken 3 or 4 times a day. None of these remedies should be considered as medical advice, all of these suggestions have been gathered from research and is accurate as far as the author can tell. Hopefully one or more of these suggestions will help you in your quest for relief of acne and it's symptoms. When I was an adolescent I wish that I had been exposed to some of this information.

A Dash Of Nature For Your Skin

2007-01-02T22:54:00.001+07:00

By: Wain Roy

Can you ever have enough of beauty? The answer, in most cases, would be a 'no'. That is, perhaps, why the human kind has never stopped its eternal search for ways to look better and healthier. Every age had its own share of beauty treatments; but the old has come to rule again, only to get better now. The very ancient organic skin care regime is back with a bang. It's this natural way to treat skin that is all the rage across the globe these days and quite deservedly so.

So you may ask, what is wrong with the earlier or still-there skin care products? May be there is nothing wrong with them, but there is nothing good either. Be it skin problems or real-life troubles, natural solutions always have an edge over the synthetic ones. Hence, the growing demand for organic beauty ranges. To underline the essential goodness of nature, organic skin care products are slowly seeping in deep in the skins and hearts of today's men and women.

The obvious difference between the organic skin care line and the existing synthetic cosmetic range is that the former relies on nature to do the good job, while the latter draws sustenance from the power of chemicals. Given that, wouldn't it be wise to go organic and flaunt a healthier skin? Of course, it does not await an answer.

Natural skin care products are produced from natural ingredients that grow in nutrient-rich soils. Anything and everything natural—ranging from flowers to roots, plant extracts to natural oils (aloe vera, jojoba, rosemary, olive oil, lavender), etc—would go in the making of these products.

It is often found that the regular synthetic products fall short of the corrective influence on skin, while the natural products show significant results in similar situations. And just in case you are wondering, there is an organic skin care product for every skin type and problem. There is organic skin care for acne, pimples, blemishes, pigmentation, dark circles, wrinkles and more. Keeping in mind all age groups, there are even anti aging organic skin care products, which can oxygenate and revitalize the skin to render a fresh look.

These natural beauty products are not limited to the face; there are body products as well. You will get organically produced shampoos, body lotions, baby oils, soaps and perfumes, along with naturally fragranced toners, cleansers, moisturizers, shaving creams, face masks, lipsticks, blushers, powder, foundation, nail polishes etc. Therefore, you can do just as fine with this range as you have been doing with those chemical-based commercial products. So, why take chances as long as it is about your health and beauty? Treat your skin to the natural elements right away. And once you have tried these and discovered a new 'you' in you, rest assured you would not go back to your old beauty range.

"Adult Acne- The Forbidden Topic"

2007-01-02T22:52:00.001+07:00

By: Noori Daili

ADULT ACNE- I WANT MY CLEAR SKIN BACK!

Adult Acne- I left my heart on the floor when I awoke this morning, looked in the mirror and saw six nasty pimples on my face. My wedding is in two days. What am I going to do?

I've got a big problem I just don't need right now. I only have two hundred things left to do before the wedding. I can't deal with these pimples right now.

"Don't panic", I said to myself. "Relax, sit down. Now what do I know about this problem and what do they call this mess on my face?"

Then I heard a strange voice. I wrote down what the voice said and it forms the remainder of this article. The voice said the following:

What is it? It's, gasp…, ADULT ACNE!

Relax, all is not lost. There is hope. Dont despair. I'm here to help you kill the pimples, the blackheads and the blemishes.

Adult acne is curable. Let me say that again. Adult acne is curable.

There are now more adult acne treatments than ever before.

Disclaimer: consult your doctor before following or relying on any of the information in this article.

ADULT ACNE- WHAT ARE THE CAUSES?

The most likely cause is hormonal imbalance in the body, irrespective of gender. Other causes may be as follows:

- Skin Heredity
- Environmental allergies
- Stress
- Menstrual cycles
- Drugs
- Candidiasis
- Nutritional deficiencies

Your skin is exposed to pollution like smog or just dirty air. Your skin collects all sorts of bacteria, dirt, dust, grime and debris. When the dirt or bacteria lands on the pore, they eventually get trapped and the pores become clogged, which leads to acne.

ADULT ACNE SYNDROMES

Some adults go into great despair about their acne. Teenagers they assume they'll grow out of it. Acne Dysmorphia is a rare syndrome where the individual gets deeply depressed about their adult acne.

Thank goodness this doesn't happen much.

ADULT ACNE HOPE

Adult acne can be cured. Keep your face clean. I like to clean my face with water and baking soda either before I retire, in the morning or both. It unclogs the pores and removes dead skin. Then apply a good moisturizer. Try it. It works.

Touching is probably one of the most often overlooked reasons for adult acne. Break the habit of putting your hands on your face! Also rubbing or bracing your chin is another common problem while thinking.

Do not rub, touch, or itch your skin with your hands. Your hands contain a lot of bacteria that can cause acne flare-ups.

Doctors say that your face is the dirtiest part of your body. Why? It's because it is the body part most exposed to the elements. Also one that is most touched by our hands.

Therefore, carry a small plastic bottle of waterless hand cleaner or sanitizer. Use it frequently during the day. If you are tempted to touch your face then such hand cleaning will reduce the possibility that adult acne is produced.

ADULT ACNE TREATMENTS

Here are two methods of adult acne treatment.

The first is to cleanse the skin. Next you steam it thoroughly to remove the acne. Cleansing may be done with vinegar, diluted with water. Some recommend a solution of 8 parts water to 1 part vinegar. Experiment with the solution until you find the best formula for your skin. Finally moisturize your skin to prevent dryness.

The next acne treatment method is to use benzyl peroxide. Try the proportion of 5 parts water to 1 part benzyl peroxide daily. At a minimum apply it once or twice a week if your skin will not tolerate the daily application.

Why? It's because this solution kills bacteria, helps reduce oils in the skin and opens the pores. Clogged pores are a primary acne producer. Therefore with open pores it is easier to clean the dirt inside of them.

All methods of acne treatment may be slow in producing results. So who are you goanna call and what are you going to do when the hot date, prom, party or your wedding is looming and you got zits? Do you really, really want the answer? Of course you do.

Go to a licensed esthetician (aesthetician) and ask them to extract those pimples and zits. Like the two estheticians I have at Next Salon in Santa Monica, California, these professionals will leave you zit free with a smooth, younger appearing and radiant face. You'll also be relaxed by the treatment as a limited upper body massage is usually included.

Finally if you have a complicated condition, please see your friendly Dermatologist for adult acne.

Under Eye Puffiness

2007-01-02T22:49:00.003+07:00

Puffiness under your eyes

Common causes of this puffiness are lack of sleep and drinking excessive alcohol.

To reduce the puffiness, you can apply a cold compress until the area returns to it's original state.

If alcohol is the culpret, increase your intake of fluids to rehydrate the skin.

Natural Skin Care

2007-01-02T22:49:00.001+07:00

More Vibrant Skin…Try Juicing!
By Kathryn M. D'Imperio

Did you know that your diet contributes greatly to the clarity and condition of your skin? It's true. Pay attention next time you eat an entire candy bar by yourself, or take notice of your skin's tone and texture if you opt for a better diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, salads, healthier foods, and lots of water. Natural skin care at its best...

Nutritional consultant and author Elaine Wilkes, N.C., M.A. offers a delicious tip to getting radiant, glowing skin. In her book Food Choices Made Easy! Finally A Summary of What All The Health Experts Say!, Wilkes provides helpful tips compiled from hundreds of health advisors on how to get skin that looks and feels healthy and young. Tips she delves into include advice on weight loss, great foods to eat and those to avoid, and money saving tips, to name a few.

So what is the secret to smooth, healthy, youthful skin?

Wilkes points to a fabulous beverage recipe as the answer.

"Believe me, I have tried everything," Elaine Wilkes says. "But, doing this tip, I have had strangers come up to me and ask me why my skin looked so healthy. Say goodbye to weary skin with juicing."

Elaine Wilkes is also a Certified Practitioner of Metabolic Typing, which means she matches people's nutrition to their metabolism, taking into account their genetics, personality, blood type, etc. She recommends creating a juicy cocktail for a vivacious skin tone and healthier complexion, and to help anyone achieve glowing skin.

"Combine fresh green vegetable juices such as cucumber, celery, kale, parsley, spinach, and a little bit of apple for a delicious taste, into a juicer," she instructs.

Wilkes also suggests also adding lemon and ginger for a yummy zing.

"Soon, you will notice a glow to your new, plumped-up, radiant skin," she details. "For more added benefits, drink half your weight in ounces of water each day. Beautiful skin is about what is going on inside your body. Nourish your inside with these tasty, healthy juices and your skin cannot help but look terrific. Oh, and you'll feel great, too."

For healthy skin that looks and feels great, make a conscious effort to improve your diet. Also take the time to practice a regular cleansing routine, and engage in a realistic exercise program. These commitments to yourself will give your body and skin the boost they've needed to get on and stay on the right track.

Acne Problems

2007-01-02T22:48:00.001+07:00

Spot The Problem: Acne
By Joanne Elliott

What's Acne?

Acne is a term that's used to describe whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples. (You may well recognize slang terms like spots, or zits). Most teenagers get the type of acne called acne vulgaris, which can show up on the face, neck, shoulders, back, and chest. Skin pores contain oil glands which naturally lubricate your skin and hair. But sometimes if a pore gets clogged beneath the skin with excess oil and bacteria, the dreaded acne is caused...

Whiteheads happen when a pore gets clogged, closes, and then bulges out. If a pore gets clogged but stays open, the top may darken and you've got a blackhead. A pimple happens when dead skin and bacteria work their way under live skin. This leads to a small infection that makes your skin look red.

What Causes Acne?

Although everyone is different, acne is usually caused by the build up of oil and dead skin in a pore. This build up of oil and dead skin is caused because of:

Natural hormones. These are particularly active in your teens.
Plugged skin. Lots of skin cells can close the oil glands or pores, creating blackheads or whiteheads, (as mentioned earlier).
Bacteria. Bacteria can easily infect oil glands and pores and grow very quickly.
Family background. If you have acne, your kids are more likely to have it too.

How To Reduce An Acne Problem

You shouldn't squeeze, pick, scratch, or rub your skin as it makes the problem worse, and it might even cause scarring.
Regularly shampoo your hair, and try to keep it off your face if possible - especially at night.
Keep a food diary to work out if you are one of the few people whose acne gets worse if they eat certain things.
Exercise regularly to get the old blood flowing, and make sure you get a wash as soon after as possible.
Avoid unnecessarily touching your face.
If possible, try to minimize your stress levels.
Avoid getting sunburned.
Change your wash cloth every day, as bacteria can grow on damp cloth.
Wash your face twice a day with a gentle soap like Dove or Lever 2000.
Always rinse really well with lots of water.
Only wear makeup on special occasions, and then make sure you remove it completely.
Granular facial scrub can make acne worse by aggravating the skin.

Medication For Extreme Cases

Oral antibiotics
Oral antibiotics have a high success rate, and can be safely used for up to a year. It can take up to six months to fully take effect, but there should be a noticeable difference within six weeks. Oral Antibiotics include erythromycin, minocycline and tetracycline

Antibacterial cream
Benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria which causes inflammation. It is available over the counter in 2.5%, 5% and 10% creams and lotions. It is available in gels in the same percentages but only by prescription. Clinically, there's not much difference between the effectiveness of the various strengths and types used.
NOTE: Unfortunately, there can be some 'side effects' of the use of Benzyol peroxide, including hypersensitivity, irritation, and contact dermatitis (although these are very rare). Remember to always keep Benzoyl peroxide away from clothing as it has a bleaching effect.

Adult Acne

2007-01-02T22:47:00.001+07:00

About adult acne

You are not a teenager anymore, but a full grown adult yet you still have acne (or pimples)....why?

Research shows that stress and hormone changes can play a factor in the sudden appearance of adult acne.

For a more detailed description and treatment options for acne problems, see our Acne Problems guide.

Beautiful Skin

2007-01-02T22:45:00.003+07:00

Tips for a beautiful skin

Here are a few things you can do to care for the skin that you were born with.

Avoid stress as much as you are can.
Stay out of the sun (or protect your skin with UV blockers).
Don't smoke. This does nasty things to your skin...
Drink lots of water.
Get plenty of sleep.
Be sure to clean your skin properly.
Eat lots of fruit and vegetables.

Benefits Of Exercise on Skin

2007-01-02T22:45:00.001+07:00

The benefits of exercise on your skin

Yet another good thing about exercise...

Exercise brings more oxygen and nutrients to the skin so that it is firmer and better nourished.

It is also thought that exercise slows down aging. So move more, be younger, look better! :-)

The importance of Vitamin C for your skin

2007-01-02T22:43:00.000+07:00

Protect your face from the shampoo

When rinsing shampoo from your hair, keep in mind that shampoos contain detergents that are stronger than the products that you use on your face.

What to do?
Try tipping your head back and letting the water flow down your back instead.

The importance of Vitamin C for your skin

2007-01-02T22:42:00.001+07:00

The importance of Vitamin C for your skin

Have you noticed that Vitamin C is used in many skin care products?

Why? It helps in the formation of collagen (the skin's support fibres).
Does it work? It varies from person to person, but many people report that their skin's texture seems to be improving.

Usually you have to wait so long to see improvement in your skin's texture. Not so apparently with Vitamin C.

Acne Tips

2007-01-02T22:41:00.001+07:00

ACNE (PIMPLES)

Acne is a common problem faced by almost all teen-agers and youth. What is acne and why do we get them. Acne is actually caused because of hormone imbalance. Your skin breaks out because of a hormone called testosterone. Both men and women have testosterone in their systems. In fact, did you know that in order to make testosterone, boys bodies have to make female hormones first? If you have acne, you haven't got abnormal levels of testosterone. You've got skin that reacts abnormally to this hormone. You start producing testosterone around the time you start sprouting body hair. Testosterone tells glands in your skin, called sebaceous glands, to produce oily stuff called sebum. To add to the problem the inside of the tubes that hold each hair become gummy and get partially blocked - giving you blackheads. Put together if sebum blocks the tubes --- you have big acne.
So go to your pharmacist or doctor to get your acne treated. Here are a few tips that will help you know how to treat acne at home.

1. If you have red angry looking acne, don't touch it. If you squeeze now, all you'll do is force the contents deeper into the skin that will make matters worst. And all you'll end up with is redder, angrier acne than you had before. Don't do it.
2. If you have a yellow custard top? Go for it. These beauties CAN be squeezed but there's an art to it. Here's how. Wash your hands thoroughly to avoid trouble and infection. Put a tissue over your finger. Why? Because you want the contents of the spot on the tissue, not splattered all over the mirror. Using the side of your thumb and the end of your finger, very gently start to squeeze. Don't whatever you do, use your nails as this will damage your skin. Stop when you're applying a lot of pressure and nothing is happening and you see clear fluid, rather than yellow grotty stuff and the spot begins to bleed. When you've finished dab it with antiseptic. Once the custard bit is out, the spot will heal more quickly than an unsqueezed yellow top would, providing that you now leave it well alone. Now wash your hands again.
3. Whiteheads and blackheads. If acne is left untreated they may cause this problem. Here the rule is if they're black, squeeze but if they're small, white raised lumps leave them alone. All that stuff about clean hands, tissues and stopping if nothing is happening or you see blood, apply here too.

Tips for acne treatment

1. DON'T TRY TO WASH IT AWAY
Acne isn't caused by dirt. In fact people with oily skin have cleaner skin than average because they wash it more often. But it's a fact that washing too much can make acne worse because it makes the skin dry and sore. So, wash no more than twice a day, using mild soap and water. If you have patches of dry skin, don't worry about putting moisturizer on. It won't make your acne worse. If you're still concerned, use an oil free moisturizer.

2. DON'T NUKE 'EM
There are lots of over the counter creams, gels, lotions and potions. Most contain a powerful bleaching agent called benzoyl peroxide. You'll find the strength written on the label. You might be tempted to go straight for the highest sort, working on the 'let's nuke 'em principle. The likely result is that you'll irritate your skin like mad. It may also go all dry and scaly on you. But if you still are willing to bleach then use the mild one.

3. MAKE A DATE - THE TWO MONTH RULE
If you have been using over the counter remedies for two months and there is no real improvement in your spots, this is the moment to go and make an appointment with your doc.

4. YOUR DOCTOR - THE TWO MONTH RULE
The thing you are most likely to be given by the doctor is a prescription for antibiotics. These will either be topical (which means something you put on your skin) or tablets you have to take every day. Whatever treatment your doctor or pharmacist recommends, follow the instructions carefully and keep using for at least two months. There should be a noticeable improvement by this time. If not, go back to discuss other possible treatments Antibiotics are perfectly safe to take. You should take them for at least two months and then go back to your doc. If they seem to be working, he will probably tell you to keep taking them and give you some more. If they aren't doing their stuff, don't despair - he has loads of other spot busters in his black bag.

5. YOU ARE NOT AN ALIEN - BUT JUST BE PATIENT
Hundreds of thousands of teenagers seek help for acne. You are not alone. You are not an alien. And if people really care about you, they don't even notice your acne, however bad you think they are. But you will need to be patient. Most treatments take time to work. At least two months. And some treatments, like antibiotics will work well but may have to be taken for months, or even years.

6. THE MONTHLY CURSE... OR EXAMS
Acne does tend to get worse just before a period. It's because there is a surge in hormone levels at this time. But boys don't get away lightly either. Being hot and sweaty (particularly after sports like football) makes acne worse. And for everyone, stress - particularly at exam times - is a cue for a mega breakout. This is normal - and of course, even more reason for feeling stressed. Go chill. They'll get better - promise.

7. WATCH WHAT YOU PUT ON YOUR SKIN AND HAIR
Some beauty products are big no-nos. These include pomades and defrizzing agents for hair that tend to cause an outcrop of blackheads along the hairline and some of the heavier cosmetics. And be wary of suntan oils. Not all will make you break out, but some may. Try a friend's first before you buy. By the way, the sun might dry up acne and a tan might hide them, but your skin is still vulnerable in the sun and needs protection.

8. CARRY ON KISSING
You can't catch acne during kissing - go for it!

9. CARRY ON EATING CHOCOLATE
It's a myth that eating chocolate and fried foods causes acne. However, eating a good diet improves your general well-being and this is reflected in your skin.

Common Questions asked about acne problem

Does wearing make up cause acne?
It is not necessary that wearing make up causes acne. Acne is caused because of hormonal imbalance mostly during puberty. But you have to take special care while you apply make up and thereafter if you have acne. Make sure you wash any make up tools, including sponges and brushes as often as possible as these become a breeding ground for bugs which can cause your spots to pop up. Stop wearing make up if you have too many spots and you can resume after you have treated them. Don't forget to clean the make up after you come home and and make sure you cleanse your face properly each night.

Do skin toner and moisturizer cure acne?
One thing that you need to know is acne is not caused by dirt, so no amount of cleaning and toning is going to get rid of them. So for treating acne you must consult your doctor and eat lots of healthy food and drink lots of water. That is the natural way to keep you face spot free.

Is it ok to do facial?
It can be a real treat to have the facial done, as they can be very relaxing and make you feel properly pampered. However, you should be aware that they should not be used to help 'treat' spots, as this can be quite dangerous if the beauty therapist is not trained. Sometimes a beauty therapist will also squeeze out any spots and blackheads that if it's not done properly, may cause a bigger problem than before.

What is the best way to cover up spots?
Foundation is okay to use and may give you more confidence if you've got a hot date, but remember to look for oil-free one. Whatever you use to put on your skin, wash your hands or sponge before applying foundation.

Acne---Definition

2007-01-02T22:24:00.001+07:00

Acne

Definition

Acne is a common skin disease characterized by pimples on the face, chest, and back. It occurs when the pores of the skin become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria.

Description

Acne vulgaris, the medical term for common acne, is the most common skin disease. It affects nearly 17 million people in the United States. While acne can arise at any age, it usually begins at puberty and worsens during adolescence. Nearly 85% of people develop acne at some time between the ages of 12-25 years. Up to 20% of women develop mild acne. It is also found in some newborns.

The sebaceous glands lie just beneath the skin's surface. They produce an oil called sebum, the skin's natural moisturizer. These glands and the hair follicles within which they are found are called sebaceous follicles. These follicles open onto the skin through pores. At puberty, increased levels of androgens (male hormones) cause the glands to produce too much sebum. When excess sebum combines with dead, sticky skin cells, a hard plug, or comedo, forms that blocks the pore. Mild noninflammatory acne consists of the two types of comedones, whiteheads and blackheads.

Moderate and severe inflammatory types of acne result after the plugged follicle is invaded by Propioni-bacterium acnes, a bacteria that normally lives on the skin. A pimple forms when the damaged follicle weakens and bursts open, releasing sebum, bacteria, and skin and white blood cells into the surrounding tissues. Inflamed pimples near the skin's surface are called papules; when deeper, they are called pustules. The most severe type of acne consists of cysts (closed sacs) and nodules (hard swellings). Scarring occurs when new skin cells are laid down to replace damaged cells.

The most common sites of acne are the face, chest, shoulders, and back since these are the parts of the body where the most sebaceous follicles are found.

Causes and symptoms

The exact cause of acne is unknown. Several risk factors have been identified:

Age. Due to the hormonal changes they experience, teenagers are more likely to develop acne.
Gender. Boys have more severe acne and develop it more often than girls.
Disease. Hormonal disorders can complicate acne in girls.
Heredity. Individuals with a family history of acne have greater susceptibility to the disease.
Hormonal changes. Acne can flare up before menstruation, during pregnancy, and menopause.
Diet. No foods cause acne, but certain foods may cause flare-ups.
Drugs. Acne can be a side effect of drugs including tranquilizers, antidepressants, antibiotics, oral contraceptives, and anabolic steroids.
Personal hygiene. Abrasive soaps, hard scrubbing, or picking at pimples will make them worse.
Cosmetics. Oil-based makeup and hair sprays worsen acne.
Environment. Exposure to oils and greases, polluted air, and sweating in hot weather aggravate acne.
Stress. Emotional stress may contribute to acne.

Acne is usually not conspicuous, although inflamed lesions may cause pain, tenderness, itching, or swelling. The most troubling aspects of these lesions are the negative cosmetic effects and potential for scarring. Some people, especially teenagers, become emotionally upset about their condition, and have problems forming relationships or keeping jobs.

Diagnosis

Acne patients are often treated by family doctors. Complicated cases are referred to a dermatologist, a skin disease specialist, or an endocrinologist, a specialist who treats diseases of the body's endocrine (hormones and glands) system.

Acne has a characteristic appearance and is not difficult to diagnose. The doctor takes a complete medical history, including questions about skin care, diet, factors causing flare-ups, medication use, and prior treatment. Physical examination includes the face, upper neck, chest, shoulders, back, and other affected areas. Under good lighting, the doctor determines what types and how many blemishes are present, whether they are inflamed, whether they are deep or superficial, and whether there is scarring or skin discoloration.

In teenagers, acne is often found on the forehead, nose, and chin. As people get older, acne tends to appear towards the outer part of the face. Adult women may have acne on their chins and around their mouths. The elderly may develop whiteheads and blackheads on the upper cheeks and skin around the eyes.

Laboratory tests are not done unless the patient appears to have a hormonal disorder or other medical problem. In this case, blood analyses or other tests may be ordered. Most insurance plans cover the costs of diagnosing and treating acne.

Treatment

Acne treatment consists of reducing sebum production, removing dead skin cells, and killing bacteria with topical drugs and oral medications. Treatment choice depends upon whether the acne is mild, moderate, or severe.

Drugs

TOPICAL DRUGS. Treatment for mild noninflammatory acne consists of reducing the formation of new comedones with topical tretinoin, benzoyl peroxide, adapalene, or salicylic acid. Tretinoin is especially effective because it increases turnover (death and replacement) of skin cells. When complicated by inflammation, topical antibiotics may be added to the treatment regimen. Improvement is usually seen in two to four weeks.

Topical medications are available as cream, gel, lotion, or pad preparations of varying strengths. They include antibiotics (agents that kill bacteria), such as erythromycin, clindamycin (Cleocin-T), and meclocycline (Meclan); comedolytics (agents that loosen hard plugs and open pores) such as the vitamin A acid tretinoin (Retin-A), salicylic acid, adapalene (Differin), resorcinol, and sulfur. Drugs that act as both comedolytics and antibiotics, such as benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid (Azelex), or benzoyl peroxide plus erythromycin (Benza-mycin),

are also used. These drugs may be used for months to years to achieve disease control.

After washing with mild soap, the drugs are applied alone or in combination, once or twice a day over the entire affected area of skin. Possible side effects include mild redness, peeling, irritation, dryness, and an increased sensitivity to sunlight that requires use of a sunscreen.

ORAL DRUGS. Oral antibiotics are taken daily for two to four months. The drugs used include tetracycline, erythromycin, minocycline (Minocin), doxycycline, clindamycin (Cleocin), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra). Possible side effects include allergic reactions, stomach upset, vaginal yeast infections, dizziness, and tooth discoloration.

The goal of treating moderate acne is to decrease inflammation and prevent new comedone formation. One effective treatment is topical tretinoin along with a topical or oral antibiotic. A combination of topical benzoyl peroxide and erythromycin is also very effective. Improvement is normally seen within four to six weeks, but treatment is maintained for at least two to four months.

A drug reserved for the treatment of severe acne, oral isotretinoin (Accutane), reduces sebum production and cell stickiness. It is the treatment of choice for severe acne with cysts and nodules, and is used with or without topical or oral antibiotics. Taken for four to five months, it provides long-term disease control in up to 60% of patients. If the acne reappears, another course of isotretinoin may be needed by about 20% of patients, while another 20% may do well with topical drugs or oral antibiotics. Side effects include temporary worsening of the acne, dry skin, nosebleeds, vision disorders, and elevated liver enzymes, blood fats and cholesterol. This drug must not be taken during pregnancy since it causes birth defects.

Anti-androgens, drugs that inhibit androgen production, are used to treat women who are unresponsive to other therapies. Certain types of oral contraceptives (for example, Ortho-Tri-Cyclen) and female sex hormones (estrogens) reduce hormone activity in the ovaries. Other drugs, for example, spironolactone and corticosteroids, reduce hormone activity in the adrenal glands. Improvement may take up to four months.

Oral corticosteroids, or anti-inflammatory drugs, are the treatment of choice for an extremely severe, but rare type of destructive inflammatory acne called acne fulminans, found mostly in adolescent males. Acne conglobata, a more common form of severe inflammation, is characterized by numerous, deep, inflammatory nodules that heal with scarring. It is treated with oral isotretinoin and corticosteroids.

Other treatments

Several surgical or medical treatments are available to alleviate acne or the resulting scars:

Comedone extraction. The comedo is removed from the pore with a special tool.
Chemical peels. Glycolic acid is applied to peel off the top layer of skin to reduce scarring.
Dermabrasion. The affected skin is frozen with a chemical spray, and removed by brushing or planing.
Punch grafting. Deep scars are excised and the area repaired with small skin grafts.
Intralesional injection. Corticosteroids are injected directly into inflamed pimples.
Collagen injection. Shallow scars are elevated by collagen (protein) injections.

Alternative treatment

Alternative treatments for acne focus on proper cleansing to keep the skin oil-free; eating a well-balanced diet high in fiber, zinc, and raw foods; and avoiding alcohol, dairy products, smoking, caffeine, sugar, processed foods, and foods high in iodine, such as salt. Supplementation with herbs such as burdock root ( Arctium lappa), red clover (Trifolium pratense), and milk thistle (Silybum marianum), and with nutrients such as essential fatty acids, vitamin B complex, zinc, vitamin A, and chromium is also recommended. Chinese herbal remedies used for acne include cnidium seed ( Cnidium monnieri) and honeysuckle flower (Lonicera japonica). Wholistic physicians or nutritionists can recommend the proper amounts of these herbs.

Prognosis

Acne is not curable, although long-term control is achieved in up to 60% of patients treated with isotretinoin. It can be controlled by proper treatment, with improvement taking two or more months. Acne tends to reappear when treatment stops, but spontaneously improves over time. Inflammatory acne may leave scars that require further treatment.

Prevention

There are no sure ways to prevent acne, but the following steps may be taken to minimize flare-ups:

gentle washing of affected areas once or twice every day
avoid abrasive cleansers
use noncomedogenic makeup and moisturizers
shampoo often and wear hair off face
eat a well-balanced diet, avoiding foods that trigger flare-ups
unless told otherwise, give dry pimples a limited amount of sun exposur
do not pick or squeeze blemishes
reduce stress

having_acne_problems_stop_drinking_milk

2007-01-02T21:58:00.001+07:00

Filed in archive Beauty , Diet and Nutrition , News by Ivy on December 25, 2006

I must admit I have never been a milk or dairy lover. I take my coffee black, rarely eat cheese or dairy spreads, for the simple fact that it disgusts me to eat something that came out of a cow. Maybe that's why I never had any real acne problem.

You see, there were many researches done to correlate milk with acne. And although French fries potato chips and chocolate can't break out your face, it seems milk can:

"We found a positive association with acne for intake of total milk and skim milk. We
hypothesize that the association with milk may be because of the presence of hormones and bioactive molecules in milk."

says a report after a study which included almost 4500 women.

Which might those hormones and bioactive molecules be? According to MilkSucks website and some additional studies:

"Dr. Jerome K. Fisher conducted a clinical study of 1,088 teen-age patients over 10 years and reported to the American Dermatological Association that milk was a principal contributor to some patients' acne. Dr. Fisher found that their acne tapered off as their milk consumption did.
Dr. Fisher noted that dairy products often contain large amounts of butterfat and milk sugar, both of which, he believed, aggravate acne. He also suspected that the high volume of hormones produced naturally in the milk of pregnant cows may break down into androgen when consumed, which in turn stimulates the production of sebum, the waxy substance secreted by the sebaceous glands that clogs pores and creates acne when the pores become infected."

To conclude, if you want to have perfect skin, pass the dairy, and leave milk to calves - who it was initially intended for. I you want to read what else milk is bad for, surf over to Milk Sucks PeTA website, I was surprised to find out that by drinking milk and eating dairy you risk having osteoporosis, cancer, gas and other scary disease.

And we thought that milk was healthy!