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.
6/22/2009
6/07/2009
How Skin Ages
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.
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.
6/05/2009
Anti Aging Skin Care Treatment
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.
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.
6/01/2009
Acne Treatment
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.
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.
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