The Do’s And Don’ts Of Acne Remedies Part 1
Blemishes, bumps, papules, pustules, spots, whiteheads, zits, goobers, the plague, or whatever you call it, Acne is the most common skin disorder in the world. Almost everyone is liable to get it; acne affects most individuals at some point in their lives, the vast majority of whom are teenagers. In fact, nearly 80 percent of all young people will face at least an occasional breakout of acne. Acne imposes itself on young men and young women about equally, but young men are likelier to have more severe forms of acne.
The events that take place in the sebaceous glands and hair follicles trigger acne. The exact cause is unknown; however, regardless of a person’s age, acne is a condition of clogged hair follicles and the reaction of sebaceous glands, glands that are attached to hair follicles and produce an oily substance called sebum. Mix in some dead skin cells that become “sticky” and block the pores, add a bit of bacteria, and you have the makings of a breakout.
Doctors believe that these events, and acne itself, result from several related factors, including your hormones (which are responsible for increasing oil production) and heredity (the tendency to develop acne is often inherited from parents and other relatives).
Less commonly, acne can occur as a reaction to certain drugs and chemicals, and other physical factors may exacerbate the problem, but I’ll put one myth to bed right now that will come as good news. Pizza, French fries, and other greasy foods don’t cause acne or make it worse. You’re welcome! Before you snidely bring this mistaken notion to your mom’s attention, another one of her common statements is right on the money: “Quit playing with your face.” Picking does make zits worse!
Waking up to zits
In most cases, acne starts between the ages of 10 and 13 and usually lasts for 5 to 10 years. The appearance of teenage acne (acne vulgaris is the technical term that I throw around here and there) is largely the result of your body’s increased production of hormones. The good news is that those embarrassing blemishes usually go away and are often gone for good by the time you reach your early 20s. However, the not-so-good news is that for some unlucky folks, acne vulgaris can persist into their late 20s or 30s or even beyond. But back to the good news: There are many steps you can take to zap the zits and improve the appearance of your skin, as I explain later in this series “Creating Your Acne-Treating Program” section,
Taking it on the chin later in life
Although acne is typically thought of as a condition of youth, an ever-growing number of women (less often men) get acne for the first time as adults. Acne is no longer just a teenage affliction. There’s definitely been a rise in the number of adult women in their 20s and 30s with acne – even those who never had a pimple before! Teenage and adult-onset acne have somewhat different characteristics. For one thing, the appearance is different: Adults have fewer blackheads and whiteheads; for another, adult acne tends to be more often located on the lower part of a woman’s face, Also, the appearance of female adult-onset acne is often closely linked to a woman’s menstrual cycle as well as increased sensitivity to hormones such as those brought about by pregnancy, starting or stopping birth control pills, and other hormonal abnormalities. If you’re really unlucky, you have adult-onset acne and have also brought along some acne vulgaris from your teenage years. I will provide the full story on acne in adult women later on in this series. Until the last couple of decades, there was very little anyone could do to treat acne. But we’ve now come a long way from the “dark ages” of arsenic and puppy blood (see the sidebar “Ye olde pimple remedies”). Now we have excellent methods to treat acne and the future looks even brighter.
There are Over-the-counter topical (applied to the skin) products that contain such tried-and-true medicines as benzoyl peroxide
See later on in the series for a complete list of products, their pros and
cons, and how to use them effectively.
Topical antibiotics and retinoids
Oral antibiotics
Hormones and anti-androgens for females
Oral retinoids, like Accutane
Chemical peels, special lasers, and lights
Some people also claim that various alternative and complementary approaches have helped improve their
I will discuss all these treatments later on in the series and in more depth.
To treat or not to treat yourself that is the question
If you’re just starting to get breakouts or you have really mild acne with a few blemishes here and there, the over-the-counter (OTC), do-it-yourself route that I describe later may be just the ticket for you.
Look in the mirror. If you see a few blackheads and whiteheads or a few pimples, you can probably find ways to treat them on your own. You can find many acne products waiting for you at your local pharmacy and cosmetic counters. You can do many things to improve the appearance of your skin yourself if you’re a teenager just starting to get acne. Shelves are also stocked with products specifically geared toward adult women.
You can also follow some of my skin-care tips and further ideas to help you that I bring up throughout the series, like the face-washing, tips for healthy skin in or the list of things you should never do to your skin in.
Dealing with Acne
Although going to a doctor generally costs more time than buying a cream at your local pharmacy, you’ll likely save time in the long run and get better results than you’ll get by running through the gamut of OTC acne products. Acne can be more serious. In fact, by their midteens, more than 40 percent of adolescents have acne severe enough to require some treatment by a physician or a dermatologist who is an authority when it comes to acne. Adult women who are having problems getting their acne to respond to treatment often need to make an appointment with a doctor. But no matter who you are, you should definitely have your acne evaluated by a knowledgeable healthcare provider if:
Your acne didn’t respond to home remedies, diets, herbal medications, facials, special soaps, or non prescription OTC treatments.
Your skin can’t tolerate the OTC preparations.
Your acne is widespread and it involves your chest and back.
Your acne is beginning to scar or has already scarred.
Your acne has become more severe.
You are a female who develops facial hair or has irregular periods I this issue in depth later
You’re not a “do-it-yourselfer” and you want the pros to handle your acne.
You have dark skin, and patches that are darker than your normal skin appear after your acne lesions clear. (For treatment considerations particular to folks with darker skin, see later.)
In addition, you may require help dealing with acne scars, both the physical and emotional:
Preventing and repairing scars
Even very mild or occasional breakouts have the potential to leave permanent scars. There are now exciting innovations in dermatologic surgery using lights, lasers, and chemical peels to help improve the appearance of the skin before and after acne has left its marks.
Healing the other scars:
The emotional effects of acne haven’t always been fully appreciated, but many studies have demonstrated its damaging psychological impact. Nowadays there is a much greater interest in preventing and healing the inner scars of acne. Later on I talk about the psychological and social scars of acne.
Avoiding quickie, cures
Because your acne appears on your face and everyone can see it, you may feel desperate to make it go away. But because it’s not life threatening, you may feel reluctant or embarrassed to go to your healthcare provider about it. Certain people prey on that knowledge. They want to sell you expensive over-the-counter acne “cures” that don’t do you any good, or get you to order them after watching testimonial-filled infomercials. The people giving those acne “testimonials” on TV are almost always professional actors reading a script. And even those stories that are “real” generally mean nothing. You can always find one or two success stories while ignoring 99.9 percent of failures. Even if it’s on TV, on the radio, the Internet, or in magazines, that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily true. The world of acne fighting is filled with snake oils and false promises. There are promises that guarantee “five day cures” for your acne, and there are the real slow pokes that state, “try this all time tested home treatment for acne and have clearer blemish-free skin within 30 days of use.” You can find many similar “cures” if you search the Internet, so check out later on where I give you some roadmaps to some realistic acne advice you can find on the Web. Also, check out quackwatch.com, a non profit organization whose purpose is to combat health-related frauds, myths, fads, and fallacies pertaining to health-related issues. Its primary focus is on quackery-related information.
click below for part 2
http://www.bukisa.com/articles/149401_the-dos-and-donts-of-acne-remedies-part-2
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Tips To Control And Treat Acne Problems
There are a lot of people who have acne problems. According to statistics almost 17 percent sufferers have tried all the treatments and medications to control the breakouts of their acne. Furthermore, acne vulgaris (scientific name of acne) is a skin disease that can outbreak all over your face, chest or back. As a result it can leave you with horrible pimples and scars. People who suffer from acne can also result in low self-esteem and depression if left uncured.
In addition, it can also range from mild to serious acne in most of the teenagers and even adults. The difficult part to control your acne is trying to solve what is the best acne treatment or medications that can help you control the outbreaks of your acne. if you only have mild acne, you can use topical cream like benzoyl peroxide to treat and control your acne.
However, if you are suffering from serious acne, topical cream may not be enough to treat your problem. That is why it is essential that you examine the real cause of your acne and why it is continuing to grow more. Bear in mind that controlling acne problem is a trial and error method that you need to look for a solution. Here are some tips you can use to control your acne.
1.The first thing you need to do is not to jump for any treatments or medications available for controlling acne. The best thing is to visit a dermatologist so that your doctor can examine the real cause of your acne and recommend you the correct way on how you can treat and control them well.
2.Acne comes from within, that is why it is recommendable that you drink more water regularly. If you do not drink adequate amount of water, the toxins inside your body will still remain in there.
3.Look for perfect vitamin supplement for you. If your dermatologist advises you to take vitamin supplement then you need to follow the instruction. Zinc, Vitamin E and Vitamin B Complex are some of the few examples of vitamin supplements that can help you to control your acne.
4.Be aware of topical creams you use. Some creams can only cause you more face problem if you do not ask your doctor first. Be wise enough before treating and controlling your acne. Not all cream can suits your needs.
Acne Control Tips – How Prevent An Acne Outbreak
Article by Rick Lee
It is very hard for people with acne problem on their skin to move here and there. For most of us, acne is also associated with unattractiveness. The most affected are teenagers who feel humiliated and are very conscious about their skin condition.
Teenagers are always concerned about how they look and an acne breakout is certainly a disaster. Fortunately, there are many simple acne control tips that can help prevent an acne outbreak.
Sometimes, the main cause of acne for teenagers is actually their hair particularly for ladies who keep long hair. If you have oily hair and do not wash it often, it can often trigger the acne condition on your face particularly your forehead.
It is also important to know the type of shampoo you are using. Some shampoos such as conditioners do not remove the oil from your hair and could even cause your hair to become more oily.
If you are unsure, it would be best to consult a dermatologist for help.
Another common reason for teenager acne is because of the condition of your skin. Some people have more oily skin and you should choose the correct skin cleanser the removes the oil.
The simplest way to know which acne product is suitable for you is to try it out for a week and see if you have any rashes or skin redness and whether your skin remains oily or not.
For girls who apply makeup, it can also be a cause of acne breakout. Particularly for certain cosmetics which may be oil based in nature.
It would be best to avoid heavy makeup when you are having an outbreak and also to make sure not to sleep with your makeup on.
Your diet also have a direct impact on your skin condition. Avoid eating too much fried food such as French fries and burgers and eat more fruits and vegetables.
Fortunately, most people only have a mild case of acne breakout and only need a facial cleaner or acne cleanser to improve your skin condition. However, for more severe and persistent cases, it would be best to consult a dermatologist for assistance.
Acne Control for Skin that is Smooth
Article by Jerry and Daryl McCoy
Acne control for skin that is smooth is the goal of many boys, girls, men and women of all ages. Millions of people worldwide have to suffer this embarrassing problem that may scar us emotionally and physically from puberty on. You have questions about acne or this article wouldn’t interest you. I’m willing to bet some of your questions asked are:
* What is acne?* What causes acne?* How do I prevent acne?* How can I get rid of acne?
Science has named the blemishes that give so many of us so much grief but they have not been able to state a clear cause. Hormones, genetics, hygiene and the environment are all thought to play a role in the development of this problem.
Since no clear cause has been determined, no clear method of prevention can be stated but oily skin often promotes acne and the use of cosmetics that clog the pores seem to help in the generation of pimples too.
Acne, pimples, zits or whatever name you choose to give these skin blemishes come in different forms with different treatments depending on the severity. The different names for acne are:
* Acne Vulgaris* Whiteheads* Blackheads* Papules* Pustules* Nodules* Cysts
Acne treatment is a multi-billion dollar industry that isn’t consistently providing the remedies we seek. The over-the-counter, prescription medications or treatments and home remedies that work well for one person might not work at all with the next.
Acne control for skin is a trial and error method you try AFTER you learn all the options that are available and as much as possible about the different types of acne.
Please don’t make the mistake of relying on one option or course of treatment if something isn’t working or doesn’t sound right for you. You know your body and what is happening within it so consult with a medical professional and develop a sensible plan of attack knowing they don’t know the cause any more than you do.
Ask me a question or comment on my blog- www.highonhealth.org Sign up to my free acne cure mini course- http
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Acne Body Wash For Men – Body Acne Treatment And Control
There are many causes of body acne such as stress, unhealthy diet, hormonal imbalance and genetic. It usually appears on the chest, back, shoulders, and buttocks and can be more severe than facial acne. In order to treat body acne, one needs to make a good skin care program. Here are some tips on how to choose and use an acne body wash for men.
Acne Body Wash for Men
In order to treat the body acne effectively it is recommended to use a salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or glycolic acid derivative based body wash Salicylic acid in small percentages (usually two precent) helps in keeping pimples and blackheads away. These ingredients are also beneficial in the treatment of clogged pores. One can also go for a body wash that contain aloe vera and chamomile. These herbs are very effective in the treatment of blemishes caused by the acne.
In order to treat a sensitive skin, one should go for a moisturizer based product to prevent dryness after washing the skin. Try to go for body wash containing vitamins that help in clearing the skin. One can also choose herbal body wash containing neem oil, dandelion root or honeysuckle. These herbs are loaded with antibacterial properties.
Tips to Control Body Acne
Here are some simple tips on how to control body acne:
- In order to control body acne, one need to follow a proper skin care routine.
- Do not forget to take a shower after activities that make you sweat.
- To keep the skin well moisturized, always use a good quality aloe vera and vitamin E based body lotion after the use of acne body wash.
- Simple health and hygiene measures can go a long way in controlling the problem of body acne.
- Wearing loose clothing that allows sweat to evaporate and keeping the skin clean are the most effective ways to prevent body acne. However, the Mayo Clinic recommends that acne-prone areas be washed only twice per day and avoid over cleansing to protect the skin from irritation.
Accoding to the mayoclinic.com, body acne can be controlled by washing the afflicted areas with a medicated body wash. One can also used an over the counter active ingredients containing benzoyl peroxide, lactic acid, resourcinol, salicylic acid or sulfur. In case of moderate or severe acne, a dermatologist may prescribe benzoyl peroxide and antibotics, or benzoyl peroxide and erythromycin. The most severe acne is treated with oral antibiotics or isotretinoin.
Acne Control The Natural Way
Article by Caizechong
The more successful natural acne treatments primarily work by reducing the inflammation associated with breakouts. Want to get rid of those nasty zits in your face but you have a low on budget? How about looking for acne control to avoid the sudden appearance of acne in your skin? So how do we do this?
1. Food and nutrition is the most important factor in alternative therapy. Fat and chocolates were blamed as the basic reason for the outbreak of acne while fast foods high in grease content as well as chips, chocolate and soft drinks can cause higher episodes of acne even in an adult. Vitamins such as A, E, B, and C are also important for the skin texture and tone, also seem to be important and juice therapists advice to have fresh juice, to a reduce acne problems.
2. Vitamin E is excellent for speeding up the healing process, due to its antioxidant capacity. It also helps with the absorption of vitamin A. The suggested amount is 400 IU daily.
3. Include Fruits and Vegetables in your daily Diet. A healthy diet consists of at least four to five servings of fruits and vegetables. Acne control will be a lot easier if you start including this in your daily habit.
4. Eat a diet low in starches, sugars and harmful fats, and be sure to get plenty of omega-3 essential fatty acids in the diet. A fast for three to 10 days that only includes raw fruits and vegetables can improve acne scars and help the skin regenerate.
5. Do not wait for your pimples to form. If you see the first sign of them on your face, then act straight away. Acne control is best done early. Pat some ice on the affected area as this will help keep the swelling down.
6. Grate orange and lemon peel and cucumber together, and mix with a little grated garlic and ginger. Add a little honey to the mixture, and apply to the scars. Leave the mixture on the scars for 10 minutes before rinsing it off.
7. Grate orange and lemon peel and cucumber together, and mix with a little grated garlic and ginger. Add a little honey to the mixture, and apply to the scars. Leave the mixture on the scars for 10 minutes before rinsing it off.
Proactive – Skin Care Acne Control Products That Work
Article by Dean Iggo
It can be hard to find skin care acne control products that really work. However, one of the best is Proactive. Several famous people use Proactive with great results including Jessica Simpson and Vanessa Williams. You, too, can use this skincare product that will help you fight your problem acne. This solutions was discovered when two doctors, Katie Rodan and Kathy Fields started trying to find a solution that worked for more than just acne spots. They wanted to make something to cure the problem. They used their research and experience to create a comprehensive skin care acne control product that works for everyone from teenagers to adults.
Proactiv is a three step solution that starts with a renewing cleanser. The smooth grains in the cleanser are so tiny, they are able to fit inside your clogged pores. They unclog the pore and start the long process of removing the dead skin cells that can cause acne. The renewing cleaner contains benzoyl peroxide that attacks the bacteria that causes acne. Once you’ve cleansed your face, you are ready for a revitalizing toner. Most toners contain alcohol, but Proactive skin care acne control products do not contain any alcohol, so they are far more gentle to your face than other products on the market. The toner balances your skin tone and finishes the process of dead skin cell removal. The Proactive process finishes with a repairing lotion. This helps to heal problem blemishes and prevent new ones from forming.
Finding the right skin care acne control product can be very tough. You have to evaluate things carefully. However, Proactiv is one of the best products on the market. Combined with a good diet and a healthy lifestyle, proactive can help stop your acne in its tracks, which can lead to a better self-esteem as well as a better complexion.
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Acne, Puberty And Girlfriends
An inflammatory disease of the skin, acne, comes about due to changes in the skin structure, that consists of hair follicle and their sebaceous glands. Commong during puberty, acne, is the bodies response to changing testosterone hormones. Because of the randomness of the bodies response, acne for most people will come and go, and in most cases will completely disappear over time. This time length is different for every individual, but is usually early twenties. There is now way for medical professionals to predict the acne timeline for an individual. Some individuals will even be affected by acne several users later, in their thirties and forties.
Although acne is not a very pleasant condition to have, due to the large array of people that it affects at some point in their life, it has become somewhat socially acceptable if kept under control. “Common Acne” is the most wide spread form of acne, which is as a result of naturally occurring dead skin cells blocking the hair follicles while an excessive of oil is secreted from the skin glands. Oil that is blocked under the skin builds up, and provides the perfect environment for bacteria to uncontrolably multiply. The Part of the Infection that we are used to seeing is the visible lesion that becomes visible as the skin inflames. Most individuals are only affected with acne on their face, but it should be noted that acne can affect the chest, back, shoulders, among other areas of the body as well.
Generally, acne doesn’t cause any long term medical implications. If Acne lesions are out of control, they can however, leave scars as the skin has been permanently damaged. Acne is more generally associated with social implications such as low self-esteem. Adolescence is a hard stage of life for most individuals, and the persistance of acne with our social agendas doesn’t make it any easier.
Acne Control for Skin Care Products to Aid in Reducing Blemishes
Article by Carlton Leigh
If left untreated acne scars can remain on the skin for a long time. They are dispatched by the growth of new layers of skin. This is where acne control for skin care products comes into force. These products are able to speed up the process of skin renewal and this effectively lightens the blemishes on the skin.
These scars are categorized by their shape, size and appearance. They are also cited as either permanent or early scars dependent on the length of time they have been formed. The fresher scars are likely to respond to a topical medication much better than a long established scar. It is possible to treat the permanent scars with a combination of surgical procedures and topical solutions that will aid in enhanced skin resurfacing.
There are many acne controls for skin care products in the marketplace today. Here are a few of the topical medications on offer:
Mederma – a mixture of botanical extracts and is able to assist in making scars appear softer and smoother, such as acne scars, burn scars, surgical scars and stretch marks. Heal Scars is one more topical treatment that offers a powerful regenerative property to aid in the renewal of skin layers.
Bioskincare is not simply an acne scar remover but also assists in reducing the visual aspect of other scars making for a blemish free complexion. Miracle Cure Duo is a combo of skin protection and acne treatment that offers a complete and powerful acne blemish cure.
The natural methods of acne control for skin repair can take longer to display any noticeable signs than most of the surgical procedures and topical medications but you are assured that it will not irritate the sensitive skin as it only applies natural elements.
The natural techniques comprise of drinking at least eight glasses of water per day, eating vegetables such as spinach, cucumber, carrots, and an assortment of fresh fruit. The minerals and vitamins in these rations can assist in maintaining overall skin health. They are utilized to remove dead skin layers and clean the skin making it more effective for acne control for skin care.
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Natural Acne Control – 9 Homemade Ways
Article by Charles Zoe
Pimples. Acne. Zits. Blackheads. Whatever we call them, there is a great chance that we have been afflicted with it at one point in our lives. All we know is that several factors may contribute to the development of acne. Among these are heredity or genetics, oily skin and the increased production of the male hormone androgen as a boy or girl reaches puberty. Don’t feel so sad about your acne because there’s lots of things you can do. This acne control tips will help you say bye-bye to those zits.
1. You should load up your diet with lots of fresh fruits and raw vegetables! While it may be true that there is no conclusive evidence that connects acne with one’s diet, it will be of great help to include these foods in your diet. Fresh fruits and vegetables contain much of the essential vitamins and minerals that you need to maintain good health. So, go ahead and indulge yourself in these healthy foods and it’s almost guaranteed that you will see the marked improvement in your skin after some time!
2. Don’t wait for your pimples to form. If you see a bit of itin your face, do something. Acne control is best done early. Pat some ice on the affected area for this will make it less swollen.
3. Most of us keep oatmeal at home. It is easy to make a mask out of the oatmeal and to put that on the face. This is for people with oily skin. The mask works as a perfect peeler and takes away the excessive amount of skin on the face, without making it too dry. Rinse with cold water once you have removed the mask, and the pores contract.
4. Ice is said to be helpful in treating acne. Use an ice pack every half an hour on the acne. Leave the ice pack on the skin for about 2 to 3 minutes every time. This makes the pimple less noticeable, however it may not get rid of acne totally.
5. Rose water can be used as a facial cleanser. Dipped in a cotton, clean your face using this everyday for at least two tothree times each day.
6. If you mix honey with mashed apple and use this for a mask, the acne might become easier to handle. The mix of honey and apple is to be left on the face for just over twenty minutes. The effect is immediate. Don?t forget to rinse the face with cold water afterwards. A mix of honey and cinnamon has an effect as well.
7. Use of lavender oil, olive oil will prove to be beneficial. Poultice made from dried lavender, dandelion and yellow dock root, mixed with warm water will make a thick paste. Spread the paste on a gauze and place it on the face. Leave the poultice on the skin for an hour, before you remove it. You may have to repeat this a few times to get rid of the scars completely.
8. Acne control is easier when accompanied with multivitamins. Start taking vitamins that contains zinc supplement. Zinc helps in making your skin stronger and acne resistant.
9. This might be the easiest treatment. However it smells pretty bad if you don?t like garlic. Just rub the fresh garlic on the pimples, and you will see the effect within hours.
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