Beauty Skin Care

DRY SKIN

2010-03-05T19:14:00.000-08:00

Dry Skin

Dehydration is the loss of water in the body, sometimes severe enough to cause shock since the human body is composed of seventy five percent water. To address this problem you first need to know its main cause. Several factors like the environment, weather, health situation, or lifestyle is making the skin dry. Some of them are easily remedied and others will take more time and effort.

Nowadays, you see millions of Americans that have dry skin. There are also numerous products being invented to address this situation concerning the skin. Genetically speaking, there is no such thing as dry skin. You may either have dehydrated skin or an oil skin type which is also hydrated or dehydrated.
Mostly everyone is afflicted by dehydrated skin. When you feel your skin and it is dry and tight, and your skin tone is ashen and dull, you most probably are dehydrated.

Unfortunately, the moisturizers and treatments claiming to alleviate dry skin do nothing to cure it. To be able to correct dehydrated skin, a drastic change in lifestyle and environment is required.

What does a dehydrated skin feel like? It is usually dry to the touch, itchy, with flaky patches and rough spots, and blotchy patches when you look in the mirror. Your skin tone is dull and pale. The skin loses its elasticity wherein when you apply a bit of pressure on the skin, it does not revert back to its original state.

When you leave your skin dehydrated for a long period of time, keratinization occurs. Take for example the feet. The skin on the bottom of your feet is subjected to much heat, friction and dirt. The dead skin cells that build up on the surface of your skin forms a coat covering it, making it nearly impossible for moisturizer to reach your skin. Your skin will further get dehydrated. Then keratinization occurs with breakouts since your skin is badly in need of water.

Fortunately, dehydration is easily treated and is very temporary. The skin just needs to rehydrate and vitamins given to be able to have healthy skin.

Free Radicals

2009-07-08T22:01:00.000-07:00

Free radicals are the main cause of the body's aging process. They are found freely in the body. Basically, free radicals are atoms or group of atoms that have missing electrons, therefore making them unstable. To gain back their stability, they get electrons from nearby atoms, breaking their strong chemical bonds, rendering the other atom incapacitated.

The ultraviolet rays from the sun causes an upsurge of free radicals on the skin's surface, damaging the collagen and elastin molecules found in the skin. This injury distorts the shape of collagen molecules, causing wrinkles and sagging to occur on the skin. Haven't you noticed the people who are usually out in the sun tend to look more mature than the ones who are indoors most of the time. Subsequently, elastin molecules are also damaged by the free radicals. Since elastin is the protein responsible for the skin's flexibility, an injury to its molecules will cause the skin to lose its suppleness and ability to go back to its original form. When this happens, years will be added to your appearance.

The damaged collagen begins to deteriorate and, in essence, becomes deformed. Healthy collagen is smooth and supple. The more free radical damage you have, the more sagging and wrinkles. The weathered skin you see on people who spend a life time in the sun is the result of cross linked collagen.

Elastin is the protein in your skin that gives it elasticity. Free radicals turn elastin into something resembling a dried out rubber band. Your skin loses the ability to spring back. The suppleness diminishes and you look aged.

Melanin, the pigment responsible for your complexion, is also affected by free radicals by disturbing its proliferation, thus giving you uneven spots or age spots as they call them, on your skin, ranging from freckles to the big brown ones. Melanin production is upset and quite disorderly, making your skin look old.

Healthy skin usually have their cells replenished every 21 to 28 days. Sun exposure and free radicals disturb this process by delaying the production of new cells. Since the life span of a cell is about 21 to 28 days, with the production of new cells slowing down, the skin will be composed mostly of old, dying cells, making you age prematurely. Basking in the right amount of sunlight is good for the skin, but prolonged exposure to it, like when you get a tan, will destroy it, making you look older and frail, instead of young and healthy.

The effects of free radicals are shocking. They can make you appear much older than your actual age. And yet many people continue to promote the myth that a tan is youthful and healthy.

Repeated exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays, especially during noon can cause an upsurge in the free radicals in the skin, making the mechanism of normal cell growth malfunction. If this practice will persist, it will eventually lead to skin cancer, and ultimately, disease.

Premature Aging

2009-06-22T05:46:00.000-07:00

It is not impossible to prevent aging prematurely. In cases where it is inherited, then you are predisposed to getting skin that will age before time, no matter what you do. To confirm if you do have this condition in your genes, ask your family and relatives if they too had this problem. Chances are, if they did age early, then you too will age early. But this is no reason to give no attention to your skin. All it needs is regular treatments and good skin care to slow down the effects of aging.

How can you tell if your skin has begun to age prematurely? Normally, until the age of 45, skin is firm, supple and smooth, with just a few wrinkles and sagging. If your skin feels rough and looks older than it should be, then you might have begun to age prematurely. In this condition, wrinkles first show up as fine haphazard lines all over the face and not just in the eye area. Skin will feel dull, and dry, like leather. It sags and has deep discolorations. Poor circulation is also evident, making the skin malnourished.

The types of skin often associated with premature aging are the oily dry skin, having less production of sebum and sensitive skin that may either be overly dry or overly oily. Having oily skin can be a bad thing during puberty, but this is the type of skin that will not age as fast as the other skin types.

Other factors also play a major role in the early aging of the skin like lifestyle, food, and activity. The difference of these factors with genetics is that you can still do something about it. The decision relies on your willingness to change your lifestyle and live a healthy life. If you love to eat sweets, then try to limit your intake. Is smoking playing havoc with your skin? Make the decision to stop. Love getting a tan? Maybe you would think twice if you knew how bad it makes your skin.

Nothing short of totally replacing your skin can give you the soft supple skin of youth. Why would you want to get rid of this wonderful skin so early? Give up the practices that affect your skin and see the wonderful changes that will happen to it.

How Skin Ages

2009-06-07T04:30:00.000-07:00

How Skin Ages

The skin grows older every minute. In fact, it normally takes about four weeks to create new skin to replace the old one. But, there are several factors that may contribute to speeding up the process. These factors are interconnected with each other in that you cannot pinpoint just one factor as the ultimate cause of skin aging. These factors work together to make your skin look old and ultimately make you appear older.

Aging is classified into two types, intrinsic and extrinsic:
Intrinsic aging is inherited aging. Your genes are responsible in causing which wrinkles will occur, where it will be and if you will have sagging skin or not. There is basically nothing you can do about it except of course cosmetic surgery for a full face lift and the proper care of your skin so as to delay these effects from occurring.

Extrinsic aging evolves from different factors concerning your lifestyle. Some factors that may affect your skin are the degree of exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays, your skin care regimen, what mood your face often reflects, levels of stress, underlying medical condition, hormones, food intake, and physical activity. Treatment is according to how you manage your lifestyle.

Factors that contribute to the cause of aging skin:

Sun damage is an extrinsic aging factor. The damage that the sun's ultraviolet rays cause is an extrinsic factor of aging. It creates an upsurge of free radicals in the skin which are responsible for damaging collagen and elastin molecules which leads to wrinkles and sagging.

Pollution is another extrinsic factor that shares the same principle of the production of free radicals with ultraviolet rays, although not as serious.
Smoking is also an extrinsic aging factor and can cause the skin to age faster since it not only damages collagen and elastin through free radicals, it also gets rid of it.

Genetics is an intrinsic aging factor. Your skin cells may be genetically programmed to slow down replenishment at a younger age than other people.

Chronological aging. Every year, your skin produces less sebum and has fewer fat cells to keep it plump. Skin is thinner and looks more transparent as we age.
Inflammation. When you have an infection in the body, caused by more factors, this causes the body to be stressed and age. This inflammation should be controlled and reduced before visible signs of recovery can be seen.

Hormone imbalances. Hormones play a role in predicting your skin type. Imbalances in these hormones, probably due to disorders in the thyroid, pituitary and adrenal glands can cause undue stress to the skin.

Hormonal depletion. Hormones can also get depleted as you age, which is a normal occurrence. To help treat this problem, hormone supplements are given to balance out the hormones in the body as well as replenish those that have been depleted.

Immune system suppression. Autoimmune diseases, long term stress, the natural aging process, and an unhealthy lifestyle cause these.

Immune system imbalances. Autoimmune diseases, long term stress, the natural aging process, and an unhealthy lifestyle cause these.

Poor diet. A diet heavy on junk food, sugar, starches, and sodas in unhealthy for your whole body. Try to eat more vegetables and a better balanced diet.
Unhealthy lifestyle. Sleep deprivation, too much ongoing stress will show up in your skin.

While you can't do anything about genetics or chronological aging, there's plenty you can do to remedy or reverse most of these aging factors.

Anti Aging Skin Care Treatment

2009-06-05T17:40:00.000-07:00

Baby
A baby's skin is the best example of a perfect organ in a human body. The skin is amazingly resistant. A child's skin derives its shine and smoothness from the abundance of collagen and elastin that exists in the body. A child has a very fertile system in place that creates and recreates the same with unerring frequency. All that the child needs to be assisted with is a simple water wash with a mild soap to wipe off any dirt and he or she still maintains the lovely skin texture.

Because children's skin is so new, the skin cells turn over and renew themselves naturally every 21 to 28 days. The most important aspect of skin care in this decade is sun protection. Apply sun protection whenever your child goes outside. Make applying sunscreen nonnegotiable. It is essential to the health of your child. Avoid serving junk food to your child. Be sure to feed your child vegetables and fruits filled with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Healthy eating habits established early in life will be the good habits in the future.

Teen

Skin starts changing and keeps on changing through the teenage years. There are two changes occur in this period. The first is increased hormone production while moving through puberty. The second is a teenager's is a desire to have perfect skin. Hormonal changes are the beginning of adulthood. While the hormones change, the skin produces more oil due to sebaceous glands being overactive, and this causes breakouts. Acne type skin can develop acne that can range from slight to severe.

1. It is now time to find reliable skin care products and start using them twice a day for cleansing, toning, and moisturizing.

2. Exfoliate in between them one to three times a week, based on the skin type and how often the breakouts occur. Use salyclic acid exfoliants for breakouts and acne type skin. They are known to have antibacterial qualities and go inside the pores to control bacteria.

3. The most important thing to know for the teenage years is no picking. The risks of picking are serious and may cause permanent scarring and spreading to other areas of the body.

4. Be faithful to your routine and be sure not to overdue it. Never go to sleep without washing your face, and never go to bed without removing your makeup. While you sleep your skin renews itself and releases waste products and toxins. This process gets backed up when you don't remove makeup and wash your face before bed.

5. Avoid sunbathing or tanning beds. Tanning ruins the internal structure of your skin.

6. Whenever you are outside use sunscreen or sunblock. Make it a fact of life. be sure to apply enough so you protect your skin and don't burn or tan.

7. Avoid junk foods, heavily processed foods, and foods heavy in sugar. Instead, choose vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, meats, fish, and poultry. Learn all about low glycemic foods and make them the important part of your diet. High glycemic foods create inflammation, which shows up as breakouts and aging on the skin.

8. For unusual skin problems, visit a dermatologist.

Twenties
Hormones begin to balance out by the age of twenty. Normally your skin needs typical care for great results. You may notice a couple of lines around you eyes when you squint, but they are not considered wrinkles. Your skin's oil production has slowed down and your skin is starting to change. The cell renewal cycle of 21 to 28 days is also starting to slow down. If you've had acne breakouts as a teenager, they normally slow down as well. Enjoy your skin now and start adopting a lifestyle that will keep your skin healthy for the rest of your life.

1. During this time, at least by the age of 25, you need to be on a daily skin care ritual of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing twice a day. Never go to sleep in your makeup or without washing your face.

2. Be sure to apply sunscreen every morning immediately after your skin care routine. Reapply often if you are outdoors during the day.

3. To keep your skin healthy, try to get regular exercise into your day. Take a vitamin mineral supplement to assure that you are getting the nutrition you need.

Thirty to Forty
Skin in your 30's can easily look great. Lines and wrinkles in your thirties depend on the amount of sunscreen you used or sun exposure when you were younger. Your level of facial animation can also make a difference. Those with more expressive faces will have more lines. At some point in your 30's, your skin experiences a major turning point. This starts with the time when your metabolism starts to slow down, partially because muscle mass starts to decline. Skin cell turnover is slower, maybe even as slow as every 40 days. Your skin starts to wrinkle, particularly around the eyes. Sun damage from earlier in life starts to show up as sagging and skin discolorations.

1. Continue your daily skin ritual of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing.

2. Now is the time to start using glycolic acid exfoliation products regularly. Start with once a week, and gradually add one more treatment per week, up to two to three times a week, based on need. Glycolic acid has been shown to assist the skin in rebuilding collagen.

3. Consider getting a chemical peel once a month from a professional skin care specialist. At the very least, consider a professional facial and skin treatment at the change of seasons.

4. Get checked for skin cancer by a dermatologist or medical doctor yearly.

5. Get plenty of rest, exercise, and sleep. In your 30's and beyond, dancing into the wee hours in the night shows up the next morning. Your face may swell and bags and dark circles could develop under your eyes.

6. Continual high stress levels result in inflammation, wrinkles, and sagging.

7. When eating, choose foods that keep your skin healthy such as low glycemic carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, and complete protein. Avoid cortisol inducing foods and beverages, such as coffee, caffeine, and alcoholic beverages, which can cause inflammation and irritation.

Forty to Fifty
Great skin in this decade has minimal sun damage and few expression lines, although you can expect to have some lines around your eyes. Many men have a new skin care concern in their 40s, a receding hairline. Care for the balding areas around your face just as you care for the rest of your facial skin. Any serious health challenges, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or autoimmune disorders affect the health of your skin. The skin condition rosacea could begin in this decade. For women, the 40s usually signal the start of perimenopause. At this time, skin oil production slows, leaving skin drier, and may start to become thinner and more translucent.

1. Cleanse, tone and moisturize twice a day.

2. Apply sunscreen faithfully every day.

3. Continue your daily skin care ritual, taking into consideration that you may need to switch products or skin care lines as your skin becomes drier and more sensitive.

4. Start doing chemical peels once a month to encourage more rapid cell turnover.

5. Exfoliate at home two or three times a week with AHA's, scrubs, or enzymes.

6. Use cosmeceuticals, vitamin C, and alpha lipoic acid to help reverse the visible signs of aging.

7. Consider asking your dermatologist for a prescription for Retin A or Renova to assist your skin with rejuvenation.

8. Check your skin regularly for skin cancers and have your dermatologist or medical doctor check as well.

9. You may want to consider such medical procedures as botox or collagen injections to improve your appearance and to temporarily melt away lines and wrinkles. Laser resurfacing can destroy deep brown pigmentation and enlarged or broken capillaries.

10. If you haven't already, become more conscientious about your eating habits. Get plenty of exercise.

Fifties
If you've been good to yourself and your skin, by now you are enjoying the rewards. Your skin has an even tone, with perhaps some slightly darker pigmentation spots. If you've used sun protection regularly, your skin has enough collagen and elastin to remain plump and smooth. You may have some sagging, but not much. By your 50s, expression lines are a fact of life, especially if you have dynamic facial expressions.

Men's skin is more robust than women's because men don't lose their reproductive capacity through menopause. Men's skin sags less because men have more vital collagen and elastin, provided they've stayed out of the sun or used good sun protection.

1. Stick to your daily skin care ritual.

2. Be aggressive with encouraging skin cell turnover by using glycolic peels and frequent exfoliation. If you've spent time in the sun, the damage is showing as sagging skin from collagen and elastin damage. Deep brown pigmentation spots are another result of sun damage. You can reverse some of this damage by the use of cosmeceuiticals, vitamin C, and alpha lipoic acid. Both glycolic peels and Retin A or Renova assist the skin in rebuilding collagen.

3. Eat the foods that nourish your skin, including essential fatty acids (EFAs) and plenty of vegetables and fruits daily. Avoid all junk food, alcoholic beverages, caffeine, and sodas.

4. Get outside more and often using plenty of sunscreen. Regular massage and lymph drainage will help perk up your skin.

5. Now is a good time to consider a surgical face lift. This proves to be a good investment because the results can last up to 10 years.

Sixties and Beyond
Your skin in thinner, with heavier wrinkling. Lifestyle and genetic diseases and disorders, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease can affect the radiance of your skin. This is when lifestyle makes the biggest difference in the quality of your skin skin.

Acne Treatment

2009-06-01T05:48:00.000-07:00

Now that you know that it is bacteria that causes acne, it simply doesn't make sense to pick or squeeze a bump. When you squeeze, you create more inflammation and p. acne lives on inflammation. Also, when you squeeze, you can encourage the p. acne to spread under the skin to new areas. One squeeze can trigger lots of new bumps close by. Some products are excellent at killing off the p. acne bacteria. Here is a list:

Sulfur. Sulfur unclogs pores and removes p. acne bacteria. Also used to reduce inflammation. Over the counter acne medications contain sulfur.

Tea Tree Oil. Tea tree oil kills p. acne and is an ingredient in many acne skin care formulations-cleansers, toners, and moisturizers. Tea tree oil is considered as effective as benzoyl peroxide for killing p. acne bacteria, but it takes longer. However, tea tree oil doesn't cause the redness, irritation, and inflammation that's common with benzoyl peroxide.

Benzoyl Peroxide. P. acne can't live in the pressence of oxygen. Benzoyl peroxide forms oxygen deep in the pore and the p. acne dies off. Benzoyl peroxide is drying to the skin and can make it peel. Benzoyl peroxide is an active ingredient in many over the counter acne products.

Antibiotics. Antibiotics are available only by prescription from your doctor and include tetracycline and erythromycin. It's not advised to use these for an extended period of time because antibiotics have undesirable side effects, such as dehydration of the skin and killing off beneficial intestinal bacteria, which results in yeast overgrowth infections. You can also build up resistance to the effectiveness of these antibiotics, such as birth control pills.

Retin A. This prescription medication is applied topically. It's derived from vitamin A, and it helps prevent the formation of microcomedomes in which the p. acne live and multiply. Retin A removes the top layers of the skin so no oil can be trapped in the pores. Retin A can be used for longer periods of time. Think of Retin A as a super exfoliator. Because Retin A thins the skin, you need nitense sun protection every day because your face is far more susceptible to burning than normal. Also, avoid waxing your upper lip or anywhere on your face when using this product. Wear a hat that shades your face when using this product

Accutane. Accutane is a prescription only medication that's taken internally. Accutane is vitamin A at a very high dose. Use only with severe acne eruptions. Accutane severely dries up mucous membranes and has serious side effects including birth defects and mental disorders. You must sign a consent form before taking the medication. If a women decides to take Accutane, she needs to provide two negative pregnancy tests and must use two seperate effective forms of birth control for the month before starting Accutane. You receive a 30 day supply at a time and will be required to have a monthly blood test to make sure you stay healthy. A national registry is being proposed to track persons who have used this powerful medication for long term safety studies. Because of the serious nature of Accutane's side effects, make sure you have tried everything else before using this medication.

Differin. Differin is a topical prescription medication that's a Vitamin A derivative. It clears clogged pores but is gentle to the skin, and not as drying as Retin A. Use as you would Retin A, being sure to always wear a high level of sun protection.

All of these products can ease of eliminate an acne flare up. Because none of them can kill off the p. acne for the rest of your life. The best thing you can do to eliminate future outbreaks is to make lifestyle changes.

The Truth About Acne Skin Care

2009-05-30T08:31:00.000-07:00

Let's face it, you are engaged in an ongoing battle when you are afflicted with acne. While acne treatments for a mild case of acne are usually successful, moderate acne is a greater problem. Even dermatologists cannot cure a severe case of acne but can only provide an acne treatment regimen.
However, you can support your acne treatment efforts with proper acne skin care in order to reduce the recurrence of acne flare-ups and not aggravate existing acne.

Knowing What You're DoingOne of the first pieces of advice is to make sure that you understand and follow the directions for any acne remedy that you are using. If you are taking a prescription acne medicine, read the patient leaflet that accompanies the medication carefully. Typically for moderate to severe acne a dermatologist may prescribe several acne medicines, each with its own treatment protocol and directions.

In order to achieve the acne free skin that you desire, it is important to use all the acne treatments properly and in the correct order. Consider bringing a tablet of paper, a pen, and a friend or relative with you to your appointment with your dermatologist. Simply jot down some notes about the order and time of day for applying each acne medicine and what its purpose is.

Remember, just because the acne clears with the use of your acne medicines doesn't necessarily mean that you have succeeded in curing acne. Most people with moderate to severe acne must continue to use their acne medicine long-term to prevent any recurrence of their acne problem. Using the acne treatments properly should translate to clear skin and freedom from acne scars.

What About Over-the-Counter Remedies?Besides using medications prescribed by a doctor, there are a large number of products on the market labeled as skin cleansers, facial cleansers, pore cleansers, and facial pore cleaners that can be used in curing acne.

When cleansing skin that is afflicted with acne, an important point to remember is not to scrub the skin; never scrub your face with a washcloth. It is a misconception that acne is caused by dirt clogging the pores of the skin. You dont scrub away the offending dirt; you cant scrub away the offensive acne and achieve acne free skin.

Over-washing or scrubbing skin afflicted with acne only serves to aggravate the condition. Rather use only a gentle skin cleanser, lukewarm water, and a gentle motion with your fingertips as your primary acne skin care regime. When you wash your face with your hands, be sure to first thoroughly wash your hands.

Do Natural Treatments Really Work?
Look for gentle cleansers that are sold as acne solutions. When you're evaluating skin cleansers for acne, include natural acne treatments in your search as well. For example, a soap made from Echinacea and other herbal ingredients is an effective antibiotic facial cleanser that helps fight acne and restore clear skin. Tea tree oil also has known antibiotic properties and serves as a mild anesthetic that will soothe the irritated skin.

Oily skin is implicated as a one of the causes of acne. It doesnt necessarily make sense to use a moisturizer on oily skin as a means of achieving clear skin. But many of the acne treatments, whether they are prescribed or available as over-the-counter products, have a tendency to irritate the skin while curing acne.
A moisturizer is a boost to irritated skin and keeps skin from becoming overly dry due to the acne treatments that have been applied. Look for a moisturizer with the following properties:

Oil-free
Wont clog pores (non-comodogenic)
Containing a sun-screen.

Besides a great desire to just scrub away the acne, many people try to remove the acne pimples by hand as a way to get clear skin. People who are afflicted with acne should avoid touching their face except to gently wash it with mild cleanser as already discussed.

By trying to remove pimples by hand you run the risk of creating acne scars that will last for a lifetime. Instead, have patience and rely on your prescription or over-the-counter acne treatment to work. Acne remedies usually take 6 to 8 weeks before curing acne.

For male acne sufferers, the daily ritual of shaving can be a problem. One acne sufferer has recommended the Gillette Sensor Excel as a gentle and effective razor to use. Other males prefer to try an electric razor. The advice is to shave delicately to avoid nicking the skin and to shave only as often as necessary. Finding a moisturizing shave gel may be one way to enhance your acne skin care program.

Female acne sufferers have their unique problems too, in finding the right cosmetic products to use. Females who are accustomed to using a foundation product may find that the foundation is difficult to apply smoothly if the facial skin becomes irritated due to the acne treatments being applied.

You may have to abandon the use of some cosmetics during the acne treatment period. Be sure to select only oil-free cosmetics and ones that are labeled as non-comodogenic (wont clog pores) to use on your road to clear skin.

Proper acne skin care is a necessary addition to your arsenal for fighting your battle with acne and achieving clear skin once again.

Acne Laser Treatment

2009-05-30T05:04:00.000-07:00

There is no doubt for anyone who has suffered from acne. It is the single most embarrassing skin condition that exists today. It affects millions of people around the world. It can turn an otherwise normal life into one of seclusion.

For those who suffer from acne, it is welcome news that it can be managed successfully. Even in doing so, it can still lead to terrible scarring. It can leave indentations in your skin, giving it the appearance of being older.

For those who live with the emotional and physical pain of acne and the scars that it can produce, the news is not all that bad.

There have been breakthroughs in the treatment of acne. There are creams and lotions, cleansers and pills. These were all developed to help maintain the skin of acne sufferers in a non-invasive way.

There are those who have used the creams and lotions and have found relief, but for those who have severe scarring, there is one treatment that has had tremendous results.

Laser light treatments were originally designed for laser hair removal. Approved by the FDA, the laser treatment is a pulsed light that is very effective in treating acne at any level. The treatment takes less than one hour, and the results are instantaneous. The light is delivered in quick pulses to the affected areas.

The laser light treatment is performed by simultaneously reducing the production of oil and bacteria. Laser light treatment also treats the scarring that acne causes. It focuses the light on the acne-affected area and it penetrates the top layer of skin and burns the scar tissue off and also destroys the bacterial that is a major cause of acne. This stimulates the growth of new skin. Although it is a painless treatment that can reduce the appearance of acne considerably, some people have reported feeling an intense flicking feeling.

It is important to remember that although the results of the laser treatments are almost immediate, it will require at least four or five treatments to be completely effective. This type of laser light treatment is not recommended for African Americans or people with dark skin. The laser can discolor their skin.

When dealing with acne scarring medical research has made it is possible to combine microdermabrasion and collagen treatments with laser therapy to find an alternative treatment for scarring that is caused by acne.

Treatment for Acne

2009-05-12T06:11:00.000-07:00

Today, millions of people worldwide are affected by acne. Acne does not only affect the appearance of a person, it also affects them emotionally.

Studies have shown that people with acne have self-esteem issues. Sometimes it is so severe that they will not leave their homes.

To have an effective treatment for acne, you need to understand what treatments are available and how they work. Experts also recommend that you set goals for yourself in acne treatment.

The main goal of any acne treatment is to stop new acne from developing. You should try to understand that there are different types of acne and need to identify what type you have in order to have an effective treatment.

Another goal in the treatment of acne is to prevent and treat the scars that are associated with acne. These scars can sometimes run deep into the skin, making surgery necessary to remove them. There are many options available today that were not available a decade ago. The treatment of acne and acne related scarring has come a long way.

Dermatologists have been using hormonal treatments for acne for years. Treatments such as oral contraceptive had been showing results as an acne treatment no matter how severe the acne is. This type of treatment can only be used for girls and women who suffer from acne.

There are procedures that have been developed such as laser treatments that have proven to be quite effective in removing scar tissue for acne sufferers. This type of procedure is relatively fast and the recovery time is usually within two weeks. The results are incredible, but the cost is extreme.

Medical researchers are making strides everyday to develop and initiate new acne treatment options that work faster than the older methods. The methods that they are testing today can be the cure for acne in the future.
There are some acne treatments that are non invasive, but they can take months even up to a year to be effective. There are different levels of acne; therefore it would stand to reason that there are different levels of treatment.

There are also other things to take into consideration when choosing an acne treatment.

Believe it or not, the gender of the person makes a very big difference in choosing the correct acne treatment.

Acne and Your Skin

2009-05-09T07:15:00.000-07:00

Acne is a horrible skin disorder that is commonly identified by large pimples that usually cover the face of the person affected. Acne affects more than half the population of the world.

There is a common misconception that acne affects teenagers. It has been associated as a teenage disorder because it is predominant among teenagers. The fact is, that acne affects adults up to eighty years old. Acne is caused by over active oil glands found in the skin.

The oils that are produced often mix with bacteria and skin debris forming white and black head pimples and red lumps. Acne is a cluster of these pimples or lumps that spread across the face and neck. Although these are the most common area for acne, it can occur over the entire body.
If acne is not treated in the early stages, it can create scars. These scars can go so deep that they could last a lifetime.

For years, experts have debated whether stress and different emotions can lead to an outbreak of acne. It has been proven however that cosmetics such as foundation can cause an outbreak of acne. For this reason, hypoallergenic cosmetics have been created.

For skin this sensitive, chemical creams and cleansers are not recommended. The skin could become more irritated. In this instance, a prescription would be needed.

For people with acne, there are special techniques and precautions that need to be taken to keep outbreaks to a minimum. Experts advise that if you have acne prone skin, let a professional dermatologist recommend the proper course of treatment and skin care. They are specially trained in this area.

Important things to remember is that if you have an outbreak of acne is do not pop the pimples. This could lead to infection, spreading the acne across your face and cause permanent scarring to your face.

When you are purchasing cosmetics, make sure that nothing is oil based. If your skin is oily to begin with, it is a certainty that you will have an outbreak. You can purchase hypoallergenic cosmetics at the cosmetic counters of all major stores.

Water based cosmetics are not only better for your skin; it is also easier to wash off at the end of the day. It is also important to remember not to leave make up on overnight. This could lead to clogged pores, which in turn will lead to an outbreak of acne.

Skin Care for Acne

2008-12-05T03:40:00.000-08:00

When you think about it, our skin takes serious damage on a daily basis. It is exposed to sun, wind, and rain, and every other kind of environmental pollutant in the world today.

Keep out skin protected is not difficult, creams and lotions, and sun protections do most of the work. For the person with acne it is not that easy. Lotions creams and sunblock and even make up that is great for healthy skin can severely aggravate acne and even cause serious infection.
Special care is needed when dealing with acne-infected skin. Keeping it clean is especially important.

There are a lot of different cleansers on the market today for acne. Most of them contain harsh cleaner that will clean acne infected skin, but can also irritate it and make it worse. Acne infected skin should be washed at least two times a day with a mild fragrance free. There are several very good products that are mild enough to use more than once a day.

There are different skin types, and even though you have acne, you fall into a specific skin type category. A dermatologist can tell you what your skin type is and what cleanser is right for your skin type.

It is important to keep your skin clean and protected from everyday environmental hazards. When you are using any type of cleanser, it is important to remember not to put it directly on the skin. This holds true for healthy skin as well as acne.

The cleanser should be put on a soft cloth, preferably mircofiber, and small circular motion should be used. A microfiber cloth should be used because it traps the oils and does not allow them to spread across the skin as you are washing as cotton and polyester cloth do.

For the person with acne, it is important to wash often, especially after a strenuous exercise routine or when you are perspiring. If you have oily skin, it can be difficult to treat your acne. It is recommended that you consult a dermatologist.

He or she may prescribe an astringent cleanser, with the instruction of using very little per wash. He or she will probably also prescribe creams and lotions that are not milk based.

Milk based products can increase the oils in the skin aggravating acne.
Acne affects millions of people worldwide. For those affected, special care needs to taken when it comes to their skin care routine.
It may be a little more difficult, but there are ways to nourish your skin and protect it from everyday hazards.

Acne and the Immune System

2008-12-01T04:39:00.000-08:00

Our bodies are very complex. Everything works together to keep us healthy. The immune system is the body's army, if fights what attack it on the inside. When our bodies become sick, and the immune system is compromised because of the illness or infection, it often it triggers other occurrences such as acne.

This occurs because the bodies immune system is fighting the illness or infection and it are overwhelmed and cannot fight the infection and maintain the body properly.

There are several products on the market today that can assist the body's immune system when it is overwhelmed. Vitamin and mineral supplements are available in pharmacies and health and nutrition stores across the country. One such product is zinc. This is a mineral that is critical to the immune system. When you take a zinc supplement when you are ill, the immune system get an incredible boost giving it the power that it needs to fight infection and prevent acne from forming.

Zinc also increases the white blood cell count that usually decreases in levels when the body is ill. White blood cells what controls the bacteria in the skin, and are fight the infections. When white blood cell levels are too low, then it is likely that acne will appear.

Other vitamins that are beneficial in assisting the immune system in fight acne are vitamins A, B complex, C, and D. Studies conducted on vitamins B1, and B3 have concluded that these vitamins work with the body to specifically reduce acne.

If the body is in poor health regardless of it is due to diet or illness, acne is more likely to appear. It is important to incorporate a healthy diet especially is you suffer from acne. It is important that you discuss with a doctor or dermatologist anything that you are taking or planning on taking.

There are some medications that have interactions with others, and a professional can tell you which products not to take. It is up to each person who is afflicted with acne to do everything that they can to attain clean fresh acne free skin, if they should want it.

There are many methods by which clear skin can be achieved. If you are not sure where to start, try researching the subject of acne.

Acne and Chocolate

2008-11-25T04:43:00.000-08:00

Millions of people enjoy chocolate everyday. It is a tasty delight that billions of people cannot live without. There are special clubs that are dedicated especially to chocolate, there are chocolate cook off contests. For some, just a bite of chocolate cake can satisfy a chocolate craving.

The scientific community has conducted research, studies, and tests, and it has been determined that the myth that chocolate causes acne is false. In fact, scientific studies have shown that there is no one particular food that causes acne. The key word is moderation. When food is consumed in moderation, and includes healthy foods, it cannot induce acne. It is when food is consumed in abundance, that a problem is created.

There are millions of chocolate lovers who consume chocolate on a daily basis, and have perfectly clear skin. Experts believe it is because these people do not over indulge themselves and they also have otherwise healthy diets.

Your body will crave what it needs, and it is necessary to keep it healthy or you can have adverse affects such as acne. Acne is considered a teenage skin disorder because of their dietary habits. In reality, just as many adults are afflicted with acne as teenagers.

Recently, studies performed by scientists have determined that it is possible to control acne in teenagers by controlling the amount of hormones that are released into the body. These studies also indicated that teenage boys are more susceptible to acne because their hormones are stronger than girls.

These studies have also indicated that chocolate has an affect on the seratonin level, which is what calms people. They have theorized that if chocolate can raise the seratonin level in the brain, it can also be a preventive treatment for acne. There are a lot of causes for acne.

Heredity, poor hygiene habits, unhealthy dietary choices and environmental hazards are just a few. In order to control acne, you have to know what the facts are and what the causes may be.

There are many ways to get information regarding acne. Other ways to research acne is to go to your local library and research past editions of medical journals.

Consulting a dermatologist is by far the best way to get information regarding acne. They know what the different types of acne are, skin type, and updated information regarding treatments and procedures.

Acne Scarring Treatments

2008-11-24T04:27:00.000-08:00

There are numerous proposals on how to remove the scars caused by acne. Unfortunately, not all of them actually work. And the best way to lose money is to invest it in something that does not do the job it was intended for. Sometimes, instead of removing the scars, it even makes it worse. And the most vulnerable person to this kind of scam is the one suffering from those scars caused by acne.

Luckily, most skin disfigurations usually fade during a certain period of time. Surgery is not an option for these types of scars. For faster effects, hydroquinone or other topical formulation used to whiten skin with licorice can be used. Retin A or Renova, a topical derivative of vitamin A, can be used for light scarring. Its generic name is Retinol. Unfortunately, there are also scars that are resistant to any medication and cannot be removed. Consult a dermatologist or any skin care expert as to what can be done to remove or minimize those scars.

Types of Acne Scars

When there is an increase in tissue formulation, a keloid is formed. Formation of keloids may be inherited. When a wound or a pimple does not heal well, excess collagen forms fibrous lumps, red brown in color over the healing lesion. People with increased melanin in their skin are the ones usually affected by keloids, although it can occur on everybody. Treatment of keloids can be a challenge since cutting them creates other keloids to form. Cortisone is the drug of choice since it flattens them and reduces its inflammation. This type of scar due to acne is caused by the loss of tissue.

Some scars look like shallow indentations with even edges, which may make the skin appear rippled or wavy. These are called dell scars. There are also dell scars that have rough or ragged edges. Initial treatment for these kinds of scars is to soften it by microdermabrasion. Thermage and laser resurfacing may also assist in clearing these kinds of scar. An injection with restylane, a skin filler, can treat the depression in the skin by filling it out and smoothing it, although it is a just a temporary solution which may last from six months to one year. Allergic reactions should also be avoided since this will just add to the scar formation.

There are also scars that resemble the injury made by an ice pick: small but deep depressions with jagged edges. If left untreated, it will form a bigger depression due to the formation of fibrotic scars. To remove them is to undergo surgery to cover the scar with skin tissue, usually from behind the ears.

There are scars that arise from the sinus tracts under the skin. Since they are interconnected to sebaceous glands, when surgery is used as treatment, these scars lead to more scars and acne formation.
Macular atrophy of the follicles looks like whiteheads and are usually seen on the chest and back. Scars on the body due to acne are harder to treat as compared to those on the face. Treatment includes pulse dye laser to relieve the inflammation, hydroquinone to lighten the area, and restylane for filling the depressions.

Always consult your dermatologist or a skin care expert on what is best to use on your facial scars. It may sometimes be a tedious and long process owing to the fact that there are different types of acne scars that might have surfaced on the skin. You have to accept that there will still be scars that will remain resistant to any form of treatment, even surgery. Some scars will be harder to remove as compared to others. It is vital that you speak to your dermatologist on what options will be available for you and if she is qualified to do such procedure.

Knowing that there might be a treatment out there that can rid you of all your scars can boost one's hope and self confidence. But beware of fast talking scammers. Most products that boast of medications that will just take several days to see an effect is probably not real. Frequently, these products contain bogus materials, packaged in such a way that naive people will be tempted to buy them, even at a very high price. When doubts creep in when you are purchasing something, the best way to go is not to buy it. Some sales personnel try to hard sell their product in order for them to receive commission. If there is too much pressure on you to get the item, then don't because you may already be scammed.

Before you have any scar removal work done, make sure that you are taking good daily care of your skin, that you are exfoliating regularly. Give your skin time to normalize to see how much healing it can do on its own.

Before undertaking any removal of scars, your skin should first be healthy since it might aggravate the problem instead of solving it. Usually, the skin just takes time before it heals completely. The body has the most complex system of healing scars. Rely on it first before undergoing dermabrasion, microdermabrasion and laser resurfacing. If it does not work, then there are still options available like medical make up which may have the better formulation in covering up your scars.

Acne Myths and Facts

2008-11-23T03:07:00.000-08:00

Of the millions of people who are afflicted with acne, thousands are afflicted with acne not only on their face, but on their bodies too. There are many products that boast that they clean the pores to prevent acne outbreaks.

Caution is advised when using these products because they contain strong chemicals that can strip the skin of important nutrients and that too can lead to an acne outbreak. Acne is a painful disorder, both physically and emotionally. For severe acne suffers, it is difficult to face the world on a daily basis.

There are a lot of myths about acne. Some are true, and some are not. The truth is, medical researcher have concluded that if you eat a diet that is high in grease and fat, you are more likely to get acne.

Eating foods like greasy burgers and fries, potato chips, and drinking gallons of soda will cause an outbreak of acne very quickly. This is the diet of three fourths of all teenagers.

Research has shown that teenagers frequent fast food restaurants at least three times a week. This is why when we think of acne, we think of teenagers and their pimply-faced friends. The fact is acne affects just as many adults as it does children. It is a non-discriminate skin disorder. People as old as sixty and seventy have been reported to have acne.

It affects men and women, girls and boys equally. At one time, it was believed that acne afflicted girls more than boy. This was because they had long hair. It was thought that the oils that were in hair that was not kept clean triggered an acne outbreak. This has been proven false.

Some people believe that stress is a factor when it comes to acne. The only correlation that medical research could determine is that when a person is in a stressful situation, their body produces a hormone that can aggravate existing acne.

There are many many myths regarding acne. A lot of these have been passed down through the generations. Almost none of them are correct. If you want to find out the truth about acne, you can research it yourself by using one of the many search engines that the Internet has to offer.

Consulting a dermatologist is a good way to have all of your questions answered immediately. They are easy to find and always more than willing to assist their patients.

Acne Information

2008-09-17T07:47:00.000-07:00

Acne affects millions of people around the world. It is an indiscriminate skin disorder, choosing its victims at random. At one time, acne was considered a teenagers skin disorder. This has been proven to be false. Adults as old as eighty have acne.

You could have anything from mild acne to intense acne. Here are the grades used by skin care technicians. Dermatologists and medical skin care experts use only three categories, but we want you to be familiar with all of them:

Grade one: Inactive acne.
You have no inflammation and your skin feels normal-no points of hurt or pain. You are taking care of your skin, cleansing, toning, moisturizing, and exfoliating with salicylic acid regularly. No one can tell by looking that you have acne type skin.

Grade Two: Whiteheads and blackheads.
Whiteheads are closed comedones; blackheads are open comedones. You may have some small early stage red bumps under the surface of your skin.

Grade Three: mild eruptions.
Your skin is not severely inflamed. Under the surface are closed comedomes with fewer blackheads.

Grade Four: Pustules or raised bumps.
You have many closed comedones with inflamed pores. They are starting to be both red and white with pus underneath the surface of the skin.

Grade Five: Hard Nodules.
You have cysts under the surface of your skin. They're tender to the touch. They may even hurt. You have both closed and open comedomes.

Grade Six: Totally inactive acne.
Everything seems to be happening to your skin at the same time-whiteheads, blackheads, pustules, papules, cysts. It's painful and hurts to touch your face, which is highly inflamed. Go straight to the doctor.

The one region of the body that acne attacks is the face and neck. For adults, it can be embarrassing, but for teenagers, who are so self-conscience to begin with, acne can be devastating. This can lead to poor development of social skills depression and anxiety

Acne is caused by overactive oil glands under the skin. The pores of the skin open up, allowing more dirt and debris to enter the pores and clog them. This results in white heads and black heads. There are effective treatments for acne are available. Both over the counter and by prescriptions. There are both invasive and non-invasive methods of acne treatment.
For people who have never had acne, it is easy for them to say; "It is only a pimple" it is so much more than that. It is a devastating disorder that can ruin a persons life.

There are treatments that target acne according upon the severity. There are many different treatments, whether it is topical creams or laser surgery, or something in between there is no reason for anyone to suffer from acne in today's society.

In order to treat the skin disorder correctly, it is necessary to get a diagnosis of acne. There are several other skin disorders that resemble acne that have different treatments.

A hair follicle infection called Folliculitis is often mistaken for acne. It is a bacterial infection caused by a fungus. It is treated with anti fungal medication. A common facial rash that consists of small inflamed bumps called Perioral Dermatitis is another skin condition that is mistaken for acne.

Keratosis Pilaris is another skin condition that is commonly mistaken for acne. It is a disorder where bumps occur in the pores accompanied by redness. Again, this is treated by medication that is not intended for acne.

Rosacea is perhaps mistaken for acne more than any other skin disorder. It is a rash like condition that covers the face. It is not easy to cure and takes up to ten years to treat. Unlike acne, Rosacea does not scar in any way.

Acne

2008-09-17T07:41:00.000-07:00

Acne is the leading skin disorder in the world today. It affects over ninety percent of the population of the world to some degree.

It is difficult to determine why acne affects one person slightly, and attacks the next person with a vengeance. Scientists and medical research has determined that acne is caused by poor dietary habits and also the environment.

For the ten percent who have never had the problem of acne, they will never know the suffering both physically and emotionally that a person suffering from acne goes through on a daily basis. There are hundreds of acne treatment products today that line the shelves of pharmacies as well as grocery and department stores.

Acne is defined as a skin eruption caused by the bacteria propionibacterium acne, or p. acne. P. acne only grows in the skin, not inside the body. If the eruption doesn't have these bacteria present, it isn't acne. As much as those with acne type skin may not want to hear this, getting acne is part of one's genetic makeup. Even f you have acne type skin, it's possible that you'll never have an eruption. It's also possible that your skin won't erupt until you experience a highly stressful time in your life. This can happen at any age, but if it happens when you're an adult, your condition is known as adult onset acne.

Each one claims to better than the rest but the results are usually disappointingly the same. The acne may seem like it is clearing up, but as soon as you stop using the product the acne shows up within a day.

This may be the reason so many different acne treatments are available. Each product shows different results for a different amount of time. You cannot be sure if the treatment is going to work for you, so you end up trying as many products as you can find. For the person who has chronic acne, it is compared to fighting a battle every day to get it under control.

A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in disorders of the skin; he or she can effectively treat acne outbreaks with prescription medications and antibiotics. There are many different treatments a dermatologist can offer that are not available on the open market.

There are special procedures that can be done to alleviate the causes of acne. There are also procedures that can eliminate the painful scarring that acne causes. If you are not satisfied with the results that you are getting from over the counter and prescription medications, there are alternative treatments available.

Medical research is being conducted on the healing properties of green tea. It has many properties that are attributed to overall good health, and studies indicate that it may benefit acne suffers as well.

Whether the treatment you seek is medical, herbal, natural or a home remedy, everyone agrees that in order to control acne outbreaks it is necessary to make lifestyle changes including changing your eating habits. You will see a major difference when you cut out greasy oily foods and soda. All parents know that you cannot tell a teenager anything that they will believe. Experts advise them to try it for one month and see if he or she notices a difference.

Acne Prevention

2008-09-09T06:17:00.000-07:00

The initial step to be able to manage this skin condition is to first understand the situations that may cause acne eruptions. There are skin types that are prone to acne especially in certain conditions. Treatment is to be able to avoid those circumstances or adapt to those situations to prevent acne outbreaks.

Elevated stress levels can definitely cause acne to flare up. Stress management is the only way to treat acne that will arise. Examples of such are exercise, meditation, hobbies, and yoga.

Women often experience acne eruptions due to hormonal changes during their menstrual cycle. They are usually seen during the week before their menstrual period starts. During teenage puberty, acne erupts because of the imbalance of hormones in their body.

Health providers always tell you not to poke your acne lesions. This will trigger the growth of more acne in the area.

Strong illegal stimulants such as methamphetamines and cocaine can bring about acne breakouts and prolong their lifespan. Do not even try to use these substances since it is not only the skin that gets affected but your health and your life.

Caffeine, in any form, as seen in coffee, sodas, and regular tea can initiate a small breakout which can be unmanageable since it can act on increasing the size, scope, and intensity of the breakout. Sugar and other carbohydrates also have the same effect.

Alcohol and smoking make your skin prone to acne eruptions and make it remain more active. The best cure is to stop drinking alcoholic drinks and smoking.

Acne can also arise when your work environment is hot, dusty and humid since the dust particles can get trapped in the skin, causing the acne to appear. Examples of places like this are a restaurant kitchen, the dry cleaners, or a factory.

Certain clothing worn that may inadvertently cause friction may also bring about acne eruptions in that specific area. Examples of these type of clothing are the face mask of a doctor during surgery, the tie of an executive, a heavy backpack on the shoulders.

A change in scenery can also create havoc to your skin, permitting acne eruptions to occur, especially if the place is warm and tropical. It is always best to bring the right moisturizer and exfoliants.

Junk food has always been a major cause of acne especially in teenagers since it promotes poor nutrition. Having poor nutrition renders your skin to become sensitive to acne eruptions.

Sometimes, the cause for the acne outbreak cannot be determined. Fortunately, in cases like this, the acne will also go away by itself since all other precautions are being practiced.

Avoiding these situations and substances that may trigger an outbreak of acne is the first step to treating and taking care of your skin.

Adult Acne

2008-09-09T06:13:00.000-07:00

Acne that is contracted during adulthood, specifically after eighteen years old is considered adult acne. It commonly appears during the early twenties to even late forties and fifties. Women are the ones frequently affected by adult acne, also known as post-adolescent acne. Hormones are the obvious cause of adult acne since there is no definite pattern to its occurrence as compared to the teenage variety of acne vulgaris. Adolescent girls are often conscious of the growth of this skin condition, especially during their menstrual cycle, although the acne that forms during adulthood comes and goes more easily than the ones contracted during the teenage years.

The appearance of post-adolescent acne differs from that of teenage acne:Blackheads and whiteheads (comedones) are less commonly seen.Breakouts are usually mild to moderate.Significant scarring is unusual.

Lesions more often appear on the lower cheek, the chin, and along and below the jaw line. Although some women may have breakouts on the chest and back, most have blemishes exclusively on the face.

Papules, also known as pimples, zits, bumps, pustules, and small nodules are the most common composition of breakouts. Papules are skin inflammatory elevations that are not suppurative while the pustules are also inflammatory elevations, but are filled with pus. The pustules and papules can be classified as deep or superficial. Superficial papules are those located on the skin surface. The deep papules are described to be palpable, and come from under the skin, since these are probably inflammations that are trapped underneath the skin's surface.

Nodules are described as large papules or cysts. They are firm tender lumps that stay on for several weeks or even months. The largest growth that they can be is about an inch and when healed can leave a noticeable scar. Luckily, nodules are rarely develop in women with adult acne.

There is no exact diagnosis for adult-onset acne since it can be easily confused by a health care provider with other acne-like disorders like rosacea, pseudofolliculitis barbae, keratosis pilaris, and endocrinopathy:Rosacea: Symptoms of rosacea include facial lesions that consist of acnelike red papules and pustules. Moreover, both rosacea and acne can appear together.Endocrinopathy: Sometimes what appears to be a simple case of acne vulgaris or adult-onset acne can be due to an underlying hormonal abnormality, called endocrinopathy. At times like this, acne may be difficult to get under control, and other measures such as blood tests to look for higher or lower than normal hormone levels should be evaluated by your doctor.

Women with adult acne do not have levels of androgen that are elevated but may have a amplified response to androgen in its normal levels and to progesterone, a female hormone, although to a much lower degree. On the other hand, estrogen, another main hormone of females, produces an opposite effect on acne production by depressing its release.

Other than the major hormones of women, adult acne may be caused and enhanced by the intake of pills containing hormones and drugs that have hormonal effects like those seen in oral contraceptive medications, food products, steroids and allergy medications.

Home Remedy for Acne

2008-09-09T06:06:00.000-07:00

These are some alternatives to topical and internal prescription acne medications.

Internal Treatments

Vitamin A.
Like accutane, has been shown to reduce the sebum production and other factors that contribute to the formation of pimples. Vitamin A has proven effective in treating acne, but only in very high doses. Doses that are potentially toxic. Just like accutane, the use of vitamin A does pose a risk. Vitamin A in these doses should not be used without the supervision of a doctor or other medical professional.
A safe effective dose for vitamin A is less than 25,000 IU's per day.

Vitamin E.
Antioxidants like vitamin E also are important for the treatment of acne. Vitamin E has shown to be effective in men and women. The improvement is most likely due to the formation of toxic fatty acids in the sebum.

Zinc.
Zinc is important to the health of your skin. It is involved in the local hormone activation, the formation of vitamin A, healing wounds, activity in the immune system, controlling inflammation, and the regeneration of tissue. With acne, low levels of zinc increase the changing of testosterone to its more active form (DHT), while high concentrations of zinc inhibit this. The changing of testosterone to DHT is the underlying factor in the formation of acne. Several studies have shown the effectiveness of zinc in the treatment of acne. In fact, these studies have shown zinc to yield similar results to the very popular tetracycline in superficial acne and better results in deeper acne. Although some people show dramatic improvement immediately, the majority usually required twelve weeks before good results were achieved.
A safe effective dose for zinc is 30 to 45 milligrams a day.

Topical Treatments

Tea Tree Oil.
Tea tree oil contains significant antiseptic properties, and is thought of by many as the ideal skin cleanser. It has excellent penetration and very rarely irritates the skin. It has excellent antiseptic and antifungal properties. Many studies have shown that tea tree oil is exceptionally safe for use a a topical antiseptic. For moderate to severe acne solutions of up to 15% should be used. A 5% solution should be used for mild acne.

Sulfur.
Sulfur has been used in treating skin disorders for many years. Sulfur has been shown to have the same topical antiseptic properties as benzoyl peroxide, but without the irritation. 3 to 10 percent sulfur has produced results good enough for the FDA to approve sulfur as an effective treatment for acne. Products containing sulfur can be bought in most health food stores and drug stores.

Herbs for Reducing Acne Inflammation

Witch Hazel
German Chamomile
Goldenseal
Echinacea
Licorice Root
Flaxseed and Flaxseed Oil
Black Currant Seed Oil
Evening Primrose Oil

Remember to be careful and start slowly when using any home remedy. If used incorrectly or in to great a dose it can be dangerous. Some of these may not be safe to use during pregnancy.

Blackheads

2008-09-09T06:01:00.000-07:00

Millions of Americans are affected each day by blackheads. These unsightly blemishes can cause embarrassment, pain, and even infection if left untreated. Fortunately, information is abundant on how to fight the good fight when it comes to the health of your skin. By following these tips, you'll not only find the right battle plan to get rid of nasty blackheads, but you'll be able to prevent them from coming back.

Before developing a strategy to wipe out the scourge of blackheads, we must first understand the enemy. Blackheads are caused by oil in the skin collecting and hardening in the pores. This oil combines with toxins to form a gluey mixture, creating what we know as blackheads. Why the name? Well, when this mixture forms in the pores, it leaves an exposed tip which turns black, causing a blemish that does little to enhance your natural beauty. If your skin is naturally oily, you may find yourself at higher risk for these prickly pests.

Blackhead Treatment

Now that we have a basic grasp of the enemy's tactics and chemical make up, it?s time to go into battle. Thankfully, this battle won't require millions of dollars and a volunteer army. In fact, it won't require much money at all as long as you are persistent and you follow these tips for successful treatment.

The first thing you must do is clean your facial area with a high quality cleanser specifically made for oily skin. Your best bet will be to utilize a cleanser with a salicylic acid base. This helps to dry the skin while it cleanses, creating an uninhabitable environment for the toxins and oil that make up blackheads. If you are susceptible to cleansing products, try to find a cleanser that is formulated for sensitive skin. Some people find salicylic acid dries their skin too much, causing itching and flaking, which can be just as irritating as blackheads. It won't do to replace one problem with another, so be cautious when deciding on the right cleanser for you.

The second step toward eliminating those blackheads is the use of an astringent. This will also help to withdraw oil from your skin, and eliminate the favorable blackhead breeding grounds.

Finally, use the medicated cream of your choice to finish the battle and claim victory once and for all. This cream should contain resorcinol, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or some combination of the three. This step is the crucial one in getting rid of the existing blackheads and peeling away their black, unsightly tips.

Once you've won the war on the blackheads that once populated your face, it is time to think about prevention. Obviously, keeping your face clean and free of exterior oils in a good first step. If you find you are particularly prone to blackheads, you might think about adding an exfoliator and scrub into your facial regimen. These creams can reduce the natural oils in your skin and get rid of dead skin and other toxins that like to mix up and clog the pores. It is also a good idea to wear your hair back away from your face as much as possible, as hair tends to be a bit greasier than you might think, and can lead to further outbreaks. Finally, avoid overwashing. Soaps can dry out your skin, and cause the production of more oil to compensate. Alternate full face washings with plain water rinses.

Whitehead

2008-09-05T05:40:00.000-07:00

It's a popular misconception that spots only affect adolescents. So it can come as a bit of a shock to realize that, although the teenage years are well and truly in the past, spots, and particularly whiteheads, are not.

Whiteheads can continue to be a problem well into a person's thirties, maybe even beyond that, but if a skin care routine is established early on then these little break outs are less likely to cause distress and result in the sufferer wanting to hide their face away until the offending little eruption has disappeared.

It's worth remembering that whiteheads are actually the body's way of dealing with bacteria. When sebum, the fatty matter which lubricates hair and skin, builds up in a blocked oil duct, bacteria attacks and the area becomes red, swollen and sometimes quite sore. The body's natural reaction is to send millions of white blood cells to fight this minor infection. The result, unfortunately, is a whitehead.

There are many different causes of whiteheads and nobody should be under the impression that these spots are simply a by product of people not washing properly, although, of course, in some cases that might be true. The causes of whiteheads are much more likely to be things like diet and hormones. Many women suffer break outs of sore spots during the middle to end of their monthly cycle when the body experiences a rush of hormones. As well as maintaining a good skin care regime, such women can also try taking a dietary supplement like oil of evening primrose, which helps to balance the hormones in the body.

A common cause of whiteheads is a bad, fatty or sugary based diet. Although there is no proven link, it's fair to say that anyone who eats more than their share of fatty, sugary foods will experience skin problems in one way or another. If whiteheads are a recurring problem, try cutting out the bad foods in your diet and replacing them with more fresh fruit and vegetables, you're likely to see a much clearer complexion emerge.

Whitehead Treatment

But the bottom line when it comes to fighting whiteheads is by far that of a good skin care routine. Always remove make-up before going to bed. Use a gentle cleanser to wash, never use soap on the face. Follow this up with a toner and moisturizer, so that the skin is deep cleaned and kept soft. On the areas which are affected by whiteheads, usually the chin, forehead and around the nose, use a drying, antiseptic gel, but only when a spot is present or is felt to be forming. Over use of such products will cause unnecessary dryness to the skin, which in turn brings its own problems.

Try to find a product which contains witch hazel, as this is a natural and very affective ingredient for treating whiteheads. Above all, do not be tempted to squeeze a whitehead. Continued squeezing and even picking of spots will most likely leave a person with scarring to the skin. If it is absolutely unavoidable to squeeze a whitehead, then slight pressure, never using fingernails as they dent the skin harshly and contribute to scarring, with tissue paper held between the fingers and the skin is just about acceptable.

Cystic Acne

2008-09-03T17:10:00.000-07:00

Often arising from common acne, cystic acne is a more serious condition in which persistent infections result in large cysts or pustules that are swollen, inflamed, and painful. Left untreated, they can lead to deep and permanent scarring.

The result of infections developing deep in clogged pores and hair follicles, cystic acne can be resistant to standard acne treatments. Although there is still some debate, there are hormonal as well as genetic components that affect one's likelihood of developing cystic acne. Other contributing factors are stress and good skin habits like regular cleaning.
For mild to moderate outbreaks, treatment often consists of the topical application of drugs designed to reduce oil on the skin and speed up the development of skin cells. Often working in conjunction with these ointments are antibacterial medications designed to combat infection and reduce inflammation.

There are other more powerful methods of dealing with cystic acne that has been resistant to standard treatment. Aggressive methods using vitamin A derivatives, isotretinoin, hormone treatment, and lasers have had very successful results, but these methods often have side effects and require a visit to a dermatologist.

Cystic Acne Treatments

The Do it Yourself Approach: Over-the-counter medications containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, sulfur, or lactic acid as active ingredients are generally effective in treating milder forms of acne. Used in conjunction with natural remedies, they can have positive results without a trip to the doctor.

Skin Peels: Skin peels can be effective too. Designed to remove dead or infected skin cells using heat and steam, peels increase blood circulation and naturally open and unclog pores.
Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera is a safe natural remedy that helps heal skin and reduce inflammation. Used with a good cleanser as part of a regular cleaning program, aloe vera cream speeds up the healing process and reduces the look of red puffy skin.

Birth Control Pills: For women, oral contraceptives have proven very effective in the treatment of many acne conditions. There are side effects, so discuss this option with your doctor.

Lasers:
Light-based therapies are successful in limiting oil production in the skin by reducing the effectiveness of sebaceous glands (oil glands in the skin). Acne laser treatment can also be effective in destroying active bacteria cultures, and in reducing the appearance of existing scars.

Vitamin A: For more resistant cystic acne, dermatologists will often recommend vitamin A derivatives like Retin-A that work by accelerating cell turnover, which helps to keep pores and hair follicles open and healthy. Often working in concert with vitamin A derivatives are either oral or topical antibiotics designed to control bacteria and treat existing infections.

Isotretinoin: For the most resistant forms of cystic acne, Isotretinoin, often sold under the brand name Accutane, is employed. Taken orally, isotretinoin works to reduce oil production and is a very effective treatment for acne related conditions. Sold by prescription only, isotretinoin has potentially serious side effects, including birth defects.
You don't have to live with the pain and embarrassment of cystic acne. Innovations in the treatment of acne have made it easier to control flair ups and avoid scarring. There are a number of over the counter as well as doctor prescribed medications that can help to reduce or eliminate outbreaks, and keep your skin free of infection.

Acne Skin Care

2008-08-31T06:26:00.000-07:00

Of all of the skin conditions acne is the most dreaded is acne. Acne can be socially embarrassing and cause you to lose faith in your ability to maintain healthy and clear skin. The good news is that you can control acne. You can manage acne so that it becomes inactive and eruptions virtually never occur. With some work, your skin can stay calm and smoothed and be free of blemishes.

Acne Control
Often the result of hormonal changes in the body, acne is common condition ranging in severity from occasional pimples to serious cystic acne that requires the intervention of the dermatologist. If you suffer from acne, you may experience pimples around your forehead, nose, and chin, blackheads, whiteheads, and to a lesser degree, occasional more serious infections.

Because the symptoms vary widely, there are a number of treatments for acne ranging from topical over-the-counter ointments to more serious prescription drugs and laser treatments.

The root cause of acne is a blockage in skin pores and hair follicles that leads to infection. Hormonal imbalances that result in the overproduction of oil by the sebaceous glands in the skin worsens the problem, as does the presence of any bacteria on the skin's surface. The most effective acne treatments work to reduce the amount of oil on the skin, keep pores and hair follicles open and clear, and keep affected areas free of bacteria.

Natural Remedies:

Scrubs
Natural methods of treatment include mild scrubs with oatmeal or other abrasives designed to open clogged pores. They are often combined with cleansing creams that work to kill bacteria.

Antibacterial Agents
Many ointments, balms, and lotions sold to treat acne are mild antibacterial agents designed to kill bacterial colonies and keep them from reforming. Tea tree oil, salicylic acid, and sulfur have excellent antibacterial properties and have been used effectively alone and in combination with other acne treatments.

Skin Repair
Aloe Vera, vitamin A, and vitamin E are useful in healing blemishes, repairing skin cells, and reducing inflammation. They are also used in combination with antibacterial agents to heal skin after an acne outbreak.

Treat Oily Skin
Preparations used to reduce the amount of oil on the skin often contain benzoyl peroxide, an antibacterial and drying agent. There are also non-prescription masks and peels designed to remove excess oil from the skin.

Mild scrubs, antibacterials, drying agents, and skin conditioners work together to open clogged pores and keep skin healthy and clear of infection. For minor skin problems they are very effective, and regular treatment using these products will reduce acne flare-ups.

Resistant Acne:

Cosmetic Procedures
More resistant acne often responds to chemical peels and abrasive techniques like micro-dermabrasion. These techniques are administered by a dermatologist in his office and can also be effective in reducing the acne scarring that may result from prolonged acne conditions.

Vitamin A Derivatives (Retin-A)
Therapies using concentrated vitamin A derivatives like Retin-A have had success in treating whiteheads, blackheads, and cystic acne. Used topically over a period of weeks, vitamin A derivatives increase skin production and help in keeping skin pores clear.

Oral Contraceptives
For women, often oral contraceptives have the side benefit of having a positive impact on problem skin.

Laser Treatment
Light therapy is a very effective treatment for acne. Reaching deep into the skin, lasers kill bacteria, help improve the skin's texture, and are effective at helping to reduce oil production.

Isotretinoin
Isotretinoin(Accutane) is reserved for the most serious skin conditions. Usually administered in pill form, it works internally to help reduce the skin's oil production and combat infection. Available only through prescription, it can have serious side effects, so discuss any treatment plan carefully with your doctor.

Acne can be a complicated condition, and it may require some trial and error to determine what type of treatment is going to work best for you. Even the most severe forms of acne respond to treatment, and with some experimentation you will discover a method that will provide the results that you are looking for. In the meantime, keep your skin as clean as you can, and never be tempted to squeeze blemishes. Although satisfying, damaging your skin invariably prolongs the healing process and can lead to deep and permanent scars.