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Showing posts with label Acne. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Acne. Show all posts

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Antibiotics For Acne

Acne is a condition that has been misunderstood for many years, and in the past it was thought that acne was a resulted from all manner of things, from not washing properly to eating too much chocolate. It was also thought by many that acne affected only adolescents. However, there are many myths about acne, and the truth is that this is a condition that can affect different people of varying ages, at different levels of severity, and for a variety of reasons that are usually beyond the control of the sufferer.

In short, acne is actually caused by excess oils and bacteria that get trapped with the follicles of the skin. Swelling begins when your body tries to fight the build up of oil and bacteria, and this causes the pimple to form. Bouts of acne can be severe or mild, and can affect people for varying periods. The condition can be brought about for a variety of reasons, such as hormonal changes, stress levels, or external factors such as infection and bacteria.

Treating acne

The treatments for acne can vary depending on your circumstances and on the severity of the condition. For instance, a pregnant woman with acne would need a different treatment to a teenager with acne. Likewise, those with milder acne will receive different types of treatment to those with a very severe case. When acne is severe, one of the treatments that may be needed due to increased levels of infection are antibiotics, which will need to be prescribed by a doctor.

There are a number of functions that are performed by antibiotics for acne. Antibiotics can help to reduce the chemicals that are produced by the white blood cells, cause a decrease in the number of bacteria in the follicle, and can reduce the free fatty acids in the sebum. This can all help to reduce the swelling and fight infection. There are a number of antibiotics that can be used for the treatment of acne, and these include:

* Tetracycline
* Minocycline
* Erythromycin
* Doxycycline
* Clindamycin

Each of the antibiotics that are commonly prescribed for the treatment of severe acne have certain contraindications and side effects, and it is important for the patient to ensure that he or she reads up about these. Additionally, it is important to follows the instructions carefully with regards to how and when to take these medications. Take note of the of dosage instructions, and if you're at all unsure, talk with your doctor about what he has suggested.

In order to get antibiotics for acne you will need to visit your doctor or dermatologist ,because they are available on a prescription-only basis. Although there are over the counter medications suitable for the treatment of milder acne, more severe acne that has become infected will most likely require antibiotic treatment.

Body Acne and How To Improve This Condition

One of the most frustrating and irritating skin conditions that can afflict a person is body acne. Indeed, when a person is afflicted with this, that person aches for relief from the condition that causes an itchy sensation in the best case scenario and pain in the worst of all situations.

Left without proper and effective treatment,acne can actually end up festering and causing infection and ultimately permanent damage to the skin in the form of irreversible scarring. Therefore, if you are a person who is experiencing the early stages of this or if you are in the midst of a full blown outbreak, it is imperative that you undertake a proper course of treatment.

Primary Causes
In many instances, there is not a solitary or primary cause for a body acne condition or outbreak. Rather, in many cases, a body acne outbreak is the result of a combination of factors, basically an acne perfect storm, if you will.One significant contributing factor to an outbreak is a lack of effective cleansing. By this it is not meant that a person fails to bathe. Rather, what is meant that in such a circumstance a person fails to utilize the right types of cleansing and body washing products that can work effectively to keep the skin clean as well as free from dead cell and oil buildup.

Choice of fabrics can also be a contributing factor to body acne in some instances. Many people who are experiencing what is in fact outbreak assume that they are having some sort of more routine allergic reaction to a certain type of material. While on some level this is true, an outbreak of body acne due to a reaction to a certain type of fabric requires a different type of treatment regimen than what would normally be associated with caring for a rash that is the result of an allergic reaction.

In some instances a person's diet can contribute to an outbreak.There is a significant amount of dispute as to which types of food items might be a contributing cause. In the final analysis, the best way to avoid having your diet contribute to an outbreak is to make the best possible effort to eat a well balanced diet each and every day.

A final common contributing cause in some cases is the bed linen a person uses at night. In this regard, some people are a bit lax when it comes to caring and laundering their bed linens. As a result, bodily oils and dead skin cells can accumulate on bed linens leading to an outbreak across a person's skin in some instances. Once again, you need to keep in mind that in most instances there likely is to be more than one contributing factor.

Treating Your Condition
The best course of action to take in the care and treatment of body acne is to develop and adopt a comprehensive treatment regimen. When it comes to an appropriate, complete care and treatment regimen should include: the elimination or adjustment of the root causes of the body acne condition (for example, diet changes, clothing fabric alterations and a change in body cleansing products), the adoption of whole body cleansing practices with soaps and washes designed to combat and prevent body acne, the adoption of a whole body exfoliation routine,the use of specialised acne treatment and cleansing products. Because body acne can have a number of different sources, launching a full frontal attack on the problem as described in this article will be the best source to resolving the condition in the near future.

In addition, by adopting a comprehensive regimen that includes the use of reliable proven products, you will be in a far better position to prevent future outbreaks.(If you don't completely eliminate future outbreaks, you will at least be able to effectively reduce the severity of the attacks.)

The care and treatment is something that you must take seriously. If you fail to adopt a comprehensive care and treatment regimen, you will fail in your attempts to treat and eliminate acne. On the other hand, if you do adopt a truly comprehensive care and treatment regimen, you not only will be able to deal with a present flare-up but you will be well on your way to preventing future outbreaks of body acne in both the near and long term future.

How To Cure Your Pimples

Pimples are small lesions on the surface of the skin, which sometimes cause great inflammation and irritation and can develop into acne.Pimples are formed when the pores on the skin becomes clogged or infected and pimples are a condition that most people will suffer from unfortunately at some point in their lives.

Basically, this irritating condition is sebaceous glands (oil glands) that are infected with bacteria , they then become inflamed, and fill with pus. Sometimes pimples develop out of no reason and usually go away with the passage of time but in most cases, this is the beginning of the initial phase of acne or other skin problems.

Common over-the-counter medications for pimples are benzoyl peroxide and/or salicylic acid and antibacterial agents such as Triclosan and antibacterial washes or very gentle cleansers should be used morning and night to clean away the bacteria on the skin.

While it is embarrassing to have this condition, and sometimes painful and irritated, pimples are not dangerous. Under-the-skin pimples that develop are also known as cystic acne or acne nodules.Unfortunately, blackheads and pimples are common in people of all ages.Even though acne and pimples are usually more common found among early teens 12-17, they can also be found among adults who are 18 years or older.

Pimples are a bacterial infection and popping them before they heal can spread the infection to other parts of your skin. It is important to be gentle on the skin when you have pimples and acne. If pimples and acne are irritated and red and are causing l a problem, a dermatologist can prescribe stronger medications and discuss other options with you.

Acne vulgaris pimples are common on the face, but the neck, upper chest, upper back and shoulders may also be affected. Rosacea usually occurs on the forehead, cheeks, nose and chin and spares the areas around the eyes and mouth; perioral dermatitis usually occur around the edge of the nose, around the mouth and on the chin;

There are many causes of acne, including bacterial folliculitis, keratosis pilatis and other skin conditions. Most times, when acne is ignored, it can leave visible scars on your skin. You can begin by following a regular skin cleansing regimen to rid your pores of unwanted particles and dirt. The easier it is for your skin to breathe, the fewer problems will occur.

How to cure pimples
Cleansing morning and night is the best place to start. Specialized treatment creams or soap can help to avoid more pimples and avoid oily skin and try and purchase oil-free and antibacterial cleansers made especially to combat pimple outbreaks. Jojoba oil is a good skin oil to reduce scarring and inflammation. Curing pimples is a process of using anti-bacterial products, controlling oil on the skin, using non-irritating products and exfoliating the skin on a regular basis. Rid yourself of pesky pimples by exfoliating the face to remove dead skin, dirt and impurities that block the release of oils at least twice a week.1: Cleanse morning and night 2:.Exfoliate twice a week
3: Remove sugar and white flour from your diet.

There is no magical treatment that will clear it up and cure pimples or cure acne in a few minutes, hours, or even a day, but you can take massive steps daily to improve your skin with cleaning and diet.

Demystifying The Main Causes Of Acne

Dealing with acne can be very stressful. Trying to figure out what causes it may be even more confusing. There may be many myths that surround this type of skin condition, and debunking these myths can help you deal with this skin condition better. There are a few major factors that contribute to the cause of irritable skin problems. These factors include: overproduction of oil in the skin, abnormal shedding that occurs with dead skin cells and the build up of bacteria.

Acne is the result of a combination oil and skin cells that are dead. These mix together inside the hair follicle. How? Well, each hair follicle is connected to a gland called a "sebaceous gland". This gland produces oils that work to lubricate the hair and skin.

Once produced the oil moves through the hair shafts and out of the hair follicles, in order to do its lubricating job. The problem occurs when excess oil is produced and then mixes with dead skin cells. This combination forms a clog under the skin's surface. This is how pimples begin to form on the surface of the skin.

The actual pimple you see on your skin is a direct result of this clog. This is because the mix of oil and dead skin cells push against the follicle wall, causing it to expand. You will then see the white head of the pimple. If the clog is exposed to open air and bacteria, a blackhead is formed.

If the clog happens deep in the hair follicle, as opposed to beneath the skin's surface a lump often will form. This lump is known as a cyst. This will show up on the skin often as a red bump, and does not have a white head. If you are wondering how sweat glands impact this skin condition, they typically do not contribute to the acne problem.

The factors which cause the increased production of oil in the body are not yet known. However, there are a few possibilities. These possibilities may include, but are not limited to: hormonal imbalance, genes, bacteria and the side-effects of some medications.

Often, people will wrongly assume that acne is the result of poor hygiene, which is not the case. In reality, too much cleaning of the face with soaps can irritate the skin and cause a batch of other skin problems. Normal washing of the face with gentle soap is helpful for skin maintenance. If you continuously feel stressed about your skin condition, consult a doctor.

Water Is A Natural Acne Remedy

Water is considered as one of the most common natural remedies and why it is preferred among the many other remedies that exist today.You may already know, there are many acne treatment products available. Some of these treatments include over-the-counter cleansers,creams,and medicated pads. Other acne products involve prescribed medications provided by a dermatologist.

However, the increasing popularity of natural remedies has also become prevalent in treating many common conditions,and acne is no exception.
Surprisingly, water is considered as one of the best natural remedies for treating acne.

Water is used to hydrate the body, which, of course, hydrates the skin as well. The skin, being the largest organ in the human body, must be properly hydrated to work correctly and serve its purpose. This is accomplished in two ways, by washing the face, which hydrates the surface of the skin, and by drinking water, which hydrates the entire body, from the inside out.This, of course, includes the skin.

Drinking plenty of water will keep the skin looking and feeling healthy. Healthy skin cells promote a healthy body. Now you've got one more good reason why you should drink lots of water.Doctors tell us we should drink six to eight eight-ounce glasses of water a day. Although this might sound like an overused remedy,and six to eight eight-ounce glasses of water a day seems like a lot of water to drink in one day, think of what it can do for your body. In addition to improving skin tone and texture, it can stimulate cell growth and will help all your organs work correctly.It also helps filter out unwanted substances that can be harmful to your skin.

Water is also a crucial component deep within your skin. It provides the basis for a soft, smooth, and healthy complexion and will help you look more youthful.Though very little water is stored in the outer layers of your skin, this moisture is important and is constantly removed by outside elements such as sun and wind.

Sun and wind can dry your skin, removing moisture and irritating its surface. When this occurs, pre-existing acne can become even more irritated, which in turn prolongs the problem. While irritation won't directly cause more acne to form, it can worsen the problem. It is important to keep proper moisture in the skin.

You've probably heard that oily skin does not need moisture. This is one of the most common myths. Just because skin is oily, it doesn't mean it is moisturized. By cleansing the skin, you are wiping away excess oil, and my moisturizing it, you are helping it remain smooth and decreasing your chances for irritation. As the best natural remedy for treating acne, water helps to properly hydrate the skin. This not only promotes and stimulates cell growth, but also helps the other organs of the bodywork together.

If properly hydrated, the skin will not wrinkle or sag as easily, and will appear youthful for a longer period of time. Even though water is not the only natural remedy that you can use for treating your skin, it is the most important. Without it, the skin could not do its job in keeping the rest of the body in the best possible condition. So, don't forget about the many benefits that water provides for your skin, especially if you suffer of any type of acne.

Try to give your skin a little bit more help - a little bit more water.It is natures greatest tonic for good health.

Water and Sunlight Helps to Clear Acne

If you want to help clear your acne,you need to drink more water with natural nutrients added to it.Water helps you get rid of toxins in the blood, which come out through the skin if you do not drink enough water.Here's a list of things you can do to water to make it more enjoyable to drink.

Drink More Water
The skin stores around 12% water.It is important to maintain this amount with the correct amount of good fat to keep your skin from getting acne. You need to drink around 2 quarts of distilled water every day.If you are not drinking this amount,just start increasing the amount that you do drink.Drinking water helps you get rid of toxins in the blood and around your cells.By drinking water, you will urinate more and more toxins will be eliminated.You will sweat more and toxins will be eliminated.

The cleaner your blood the healthier your skin will be and your will not have a problem with acne.Use glass containers when buying distilled or reverse osmosis water.Try to avoid using plastic containers for water since plastic containers contain chemicals,left in the container walls during manufacturing, which leaches out into the water.

If you are drinking fresh juices, you will also be getting water from these juices.Drinking sodas is not drinking water.If you are eating fresh vegetables you are getting distilled water.So the more fruits and vegetables you eat the less water you need to drink.

Here's a few things you do to help you drink more water or to make the water healthier. Find a 16 or 32 oz glass container and add distilled water. Then add one of the following nutrients,A few drops of Alkalife. This solution changes the pH of the water from 7 to 8 and also activates the water with its electrolytes - sodium and potassium. Squeeze the juice of one lemon into the water. Do not add sugar. A few drops of honey may be ok.Squeeze the juice of one lemon into the water and add up to one teaspoon of powdered MSM. MSM is excellent for the skin disorders such as acne.

It makes the skin cells more flexible, allowing more nutrients to go into and out of the cells, and its anti-inflammatory. MSM is also excellent in activating peristaltic action and will prevent constipation. Put 2 oz of mangosteen into the water.Mangosteen is an over all body tonic. It works on all parts of the body and will help keep you regular.

You can also choose to add your favorite nutritional flavor to give water an additional value.Choose one of these natural additives for your water and drink this water little by little all day long. This is one more thing you can do to get rid of acne, improve your skin texture or to keep the nice skin you already have.

Get Some Sunshine
One more thing you can do for your skin is to get more natural light.
Expose your face to plenty of sun and air.This helps your skin to heal faster. But don't purposely place your face in the sun, but remaining in the shade and open outdoors gives you plenty of sun and air.Get at least 20 - 40 minutes a day in the outdoors is necessary for you to get sufficient vitamin D for you daily needs.

Acne Laser Treatments

Acne can be a teenager's nightmare: difficult to hide, time-consuming to treat, and never truly curable. Worse yet, though, even adults can be subject to its onset. Acne can bring more than its fair share of shame and stress to your life, but modern laser treatments can help you deal with the condition more easily and completely than what was once possible. Several types of laser acne removal exist, and most all of them are more beneficial than simple topical cream or antibiotics.

Laser Acne Treatment (LAT) employs a single, continuous wavelength of light which focuses on deeper layers of skin. There are two general types. The first are ablative or resurfacing lasers, which remove dead skin cells from the outer layer of skin. This opens pores and stimulates collagen, which in turn increases blood circulation, tightens the skin and minimizes scarring. The second type are non-ablative lasers, which stimulate collagen growth in order to raise and fill in "valleys" caused by acne scars. This type also destroys much of the Propionibacterium acne (or "P. Acne") bacteria which causes acne formation. Since the laser affects the deeper levels of skin, LAT generally requires multiple treatment sessions and shedding of outer skin layers before results become apparent.

Intense Pulse Light (IPL) differs from LAT in that it uses several different wavelengths of light to hit all levels of skin at once. In doing so, IPL can simultaneously treat all three stages of acne: it fights current inflammation by encouraging collagen growth, removes scars from previous inflammation, and destroys bacteria which would otherwise cause future inflammation. IPL may cause discomfort or minor pain depending on the sensitivity of the patient, but these cases are infrequent.

Light-Emitting Diodes (LED), or Blue Light/Red Light Therapy, are low-intensity and painless processes. Blue light kills P. acne bacteria, while red light stimulates collagen growth. Because of its low intensity, LED treatments must be scheduled more regularly than other types. However, LED also helps skin to grow up to 200% faster, and can also help remove skin wrinkles and sun damage.
Certainly, other methods of acne treatment exist beyond laser treatment, although they include their own significant downsides. Chemical peels may cause skin blisters, scarring and even infection. Steroid injections can flatten severe areas of inflammation, but the resulting skin atrophy and decreased blood flow make them temporary measures at best. Antibiotics often have a laundry list of major side-effects such as liver damage, depression and even birth defects. Prescription creams, meanwhile, must be reapplied so often that maintenance can get extremely time-consuming.

Laser treatments, on the other hand, are quick procedures whose effects can last up to two years. And the process is non-invasive, causing no major side-effects and very little pain. Though it can get expensive, laser acne removal more than makes up its worth in time saved and stress avoided. Consult with the certified professionals at your local laser spa, who will help determine the best procedure to keep your acne from growing into another nightmare.

Tips For Clear Skin

Many of us suffer from acne and blemishes and no matter what age we are, we all strive for healthier, clearer skin. Many of us are skin conscious despite us admitting it.We often want our skin to look young and healthy and we really do need to take action and do something just to protect our skin from whatever possible harms there may be in our environment.This article explains you the top tips for healthy skin.

Tip 1: Drink Water.Water has long been considered as the most efficient natural treatment or an almost free treatment for any skin condition because of its being alkaline, with pH 7.3.It prevents dehydration which is capable of producing sebum or oil from the sebaceous glands.Your skin needs water in order for it to function best, thus doctors and nutritionists suggest that a daily intake of between 6 to 8 glasses of water per day is highly needed.It is natures beauty tonic and it is free!

Tip 2: Watch Your Diet.Nutrition plays a vital role in skin health too. Specific foods such as those acidic foods and dairy products are said to be effective in causing an allergic reaction in some people.Also, one of the widely debated topics in the area of nutrition today is chocolates. Some say that chocolate does affect the condition of the skin, while others say it doesn't.Whatever the result may be, the best advice is just to follow a nutritious diet that has a number of fresh fruits and green-leafy veggies, as well as fiber.Try and also remove white rice, white pasta and white bread.

Tip 3:Consider Exfoliants.Many experts say that exfoliating your skin is another great way to attain a beautiful skin.So,try to invest in a good body exfoliant or "loofah", as it is commonly called, as it is capable of eliminating the dead skin cells from your body.Accordingly, this should be done once or twice a week so to free the skin to breathe.What's more, exfoliants help to put off ingrown hair from developing.However,it is essential to avoid using any body exfoliant on the skin on the face.The main reason for this precaution is that the facial tissue is more sensitive and finer than those tissues of the body.

Tip 4: Consider a Healthy Routine for Facial Care.When it comes to facial skin care, getting into a healthy beauty routine is not bad. Most of the doctors today greatly suggest that you cleanse, moisturize and tone your skin twice every day.When cleaning, never fail to remember cleaning the area on the neck, including your face.Apply a moisturizer or neck cream after.

Before going to bed at night, always bear in mind to remove all make up. Clean your skin before you sleep, no matter how tired you may feel.It was found out that during the night, the skin goes through a process of elimination and cannot breathe properly if it is clogged with make up.And, you may also find out that sleeping with your make up on will cause your skin to "break out" with spots on it.

When it comes to shaving for men, some men may experience shaving rashes.For many, these rashes lower their self-esteem, but this is actually not a big problem to think about.There are a lot ways to avoid rashes.Perhaps one of the best is to make sure that when shaving, the razor strokes are following the direction of hair growth. That's simply it!

Tip 5: Heal Your Feet.When it comes to skin care, the feet are often neglected.So, if care you found no time for a professional pedicure, try to fill a football or basin with warm water and add your favorite essential oil.Soak your feet for about fifteen minutes.Then, dry them and apply a rough skin remover onto them.Rinse this off and dry you feet well.And, if you consider pedicure, simply add some body cream to your feet for an easy and quick fix pedicure.

Tip 6: Avoid Too Much Exposure to the Sun.One of the most common precautions when it comes to skin care is avoiding too much exposure to the sun.As you may know, over exposure to sunlight causes sunburn.So, while current sun blocks only block out the UVB rays and still let in harmful UVA rays, it is still wise to cover up before venturing into the hands of Apollo.If possible, use a wide brimmed hat while tending your garden to keep the sun from your face.

Tip 7:Exercise.Aside from considering a healthy diet, exercising your body also helps keep your skin healthy.Note that a proper exercise does not only keep the body fit by regulating the oxygen,it also improves the glow of the skin as well.

Tip 8:Take Enough Rest.One common problem that face people is stress,the one which is not normal.It was found out that when a person is stressed,the adrenal cortex converts adrenal androgens to the hormone testosterone in male and female, which in turn results in overactive sebaceous glands.These adrenal androgens are released causing a double amount of testosterone, causing the face to be oily, while other areas of the body are still dry from dehydration.So,taking proper rest that includes 6 to 8 hours of undisturbed sleep daily is the best way to rejuvenate the skin.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Healthy Tips To Improve Your Acne Condition

An acne problem is not a problem,so long as you take on board some good skin care tips. One does not need much money to get that healthy glowing skin,with the natural acne skin care methods available today.

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

People who pick pimples and blemishes aggravates the risk of skin inflammation and acne scars. Avoid hand contact with your face for better acne skin care results.

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

If you love sun tanning or just want the sight of that sophisticated sunburnt look ,forget it. This is an acne skin care no-no. The sun's harmful ultra violet rays redden the skin, making the skin drier.It can make one's blemishes visible, speed up aging and bring serious damage to the human skin. Also, excessive exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer.

Eye shadows, blush on, moisturizer, and other cosmetics we use should be free from oily substances to permit healthy skin. Even hairstyling products in forms of gels or aerosols that come in close contact with the skin may destroy a healthy skin practice. Choose hairstyling products, which are commercially labeled as non-comedogenic are products which do not provoke the formation and growth of blemishes and other related skin disorders.

An African beauty secret reveals the power of shea butter which originated from the Karite Nut Tree (or Mangifolia tree).Karite Nut Tree was discovered in the semi-arid savannahs of West Africa and Central Africa.People in Africa,women in particular rely in shea butter as a vital tool as a treatment for over centuries now.

You need not visit the most expensive beauty therapists to get that destressing facial treatment to aid you in your acne.Create a home made magical elixir right at the comforts of your own home by purchasing simple spa tools found in beauty stores.

Get only the best and the FRESH when it comes to healthy eating.Increase intake of fresh fruit and vegetables. These tools are free of toxins which decreases the speed of blood circulation. A salad or a fruit a day will keep an acne away!

There is no perfect cure, medication, treatment or method for a complete cure when it comes to acne. There are many positive steps you can take to improve your skin with a good cleaning regime and healthy eating.

Acne Sensitive Skin Treatment - Some Things To Remember

If you have a child who has very sensitive skin then you will certainly want to pick a product that will not cause damage, but at the same time will be good for them. The first thing that you might want to do in order to get some advice on acne sensitive skin treatment would be to go to your local doctor. They will be in the best position to prescribe you with certain lotions or creams that will be effective against your child's skin problems.

The reason that it is important to go to the doctor is because it can be very difficult to trust any of the products that you might get over-the-counter in the pharmacy or in your local beauty store. While most of these products will work well to some extent, you will find that any prescribed treatment options you get will be a lot more effective. In addition, certain products you might get in the shops may end up causing more harm than good.

Of course, you will want your child to be as confident and happy as possible, and acne is something that can cause serious harm to someone's confidence and self-esteem. As such, you can also consider the idea of looking into products that will help to cover up the blemishes that appear. As long as these cover up products that you get do not do any more harm, they are certainly a good way of hiding the problem while a better solution is sought.

Of course, acne is something that is caused by hormones rushing around the body, and as such many young people will suffer from this problem as they go through puberty. Commonly, it is more common in boys than girls simply due to the fact that they really small hormones that will actually cause the problem to appear.

Essentially, acne is when your skin is shedding dry skin cells. One school of thought says that using alcohol on the skin is a great way of preventing spots from appearing, and while this might work for many, it certainly does not work for everyone. If you have dry skin already, then using alcohol to dry the skin out even more can often have negative effects.

Of course, there are a few things that you can simply try that should always be part of your daily routine anyway. Firstly having good hygiene and washing your face frequently is very important.

In addition to this, having a healthy diet is crucial as well and you should always be avoiding greasy and oily foods such as hamburgers and other junk food.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Hiding, Cleaning, and Remedying - The Acne Trifecta

Acne is thought of as the teenage dilemma, but while that is the case in many instances, teens are not the only people that suffer from this difficult condition. Clogged pores, which result in blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and cysts can occur at any age, but because hormone surges cause greater sebum (natural body oil) production, people will typically see an increase in acne during high hormonal periods (i.e. puberty, pre-menopause).

Why So Different?

The differences in how acne appears are based on how the pore reacts to being clogged. Those that remain open at the surface will appear black (blackhead), whereas whiteheads are caused by a closing of the poor. Pimples are the result of excess oil that allows bacteria to multiply and results in the inflammation associated with pimples. If that inflammation continues downward into the skin, an acne cyst can form. These can cause a great deal of discomfort to sufferers and will often result in permanent scarring.

Treatment Success

Many people have studied acne in an attempt to find a cure and thanks to their efforts most sufferers are finding the condition easier to control. Two ingredients- Benzoyl and salicylic acid, which are found in many over the counter treatments, are highly effective for those who have light acne. More severe cases will likely require medical attention. Dermatologists are able to assist in the most severe cases and there are even laser and light therapies that can significantly reduce breakouts and repair damaged skin.

At Home Care

If you have acne, there are several ways that you can reduce the number of breakouts and control the condition from your own home. Avoid astringents, exfoliates, masks, and toners that can further aggravate the affected skin. Greasy products for your hair can drip onto the skin, clog pores, and increase the bacteria growth. The same is true of oily skin care products.

Popping or squeezing acne is not wise, either. Though this is mistakenly thought of as the right action to take, the result can be prolonged healing times, and worse breakouts in the future. It can also lead to severe scaring, which is permanent. Tanning beds and sun exposure are highly damaging to the skin and worse for those that are using retinoid, because these medications cause increased UV sensitivity.

Cleaning the Skin

As stated before, cleaning skin with acne should not be done with rough, exfoliating surfaces. Instead, use your fingers, warm water, and a mild soap to reduce skin irritation. Limit the washing to twice a day or when you have been perspiring. Don't scrub the skin, even with your fingers. Apply the soap gently and rinse in the same manner.