5 Acne Myths - Facts And Fictions

Myths about acne die hard. Old wives’ tales about its causes continue to persist, in spite of scientific condition to the contrary. This article aims to shed light on some common myths about acne and attempts to separate fact from fiction.

Myth 1 - People who have acne are unclean and maintain poor hygiene
There is absolutely no truth to this statement. Acne is caused by a hormonal imbalance in the body. When the oil glands responsible for keeping our skin waterproof and moist, over react to produce excessive quantities of sebum, they block the associated hair follicle, causing clogged pores, which develops into acne. So hygiene has absolutely nothing to do with it. In fact unnecessary scrubbing of the skin can exacerbate the problem. Do take care of your skin though - wash your face gently and pat dry.

Myth 2 - Eating the wrong foods will lead to acne
The fact is that there is no co-relation between what you eat and acne. The chocolates, the French fries, the cheese pizza, and all those other fatty foods that have been lambasted ever so often, because of their unhealthy consequence have no affect whatsoever on your skin. However, eating a well balanced diet makes sense. So while you don’t have to be concerned as to whether your favorite treat affects your skin (at least directly), do remember that it does affect your overall health.

Myth 3 - Acne is caused by stress
The truth is that the stress that most of us experience as part of our day-to-day existence does not lead to acne. Sometimes, acne can arise as the side-effect of drugs taken to treat severe stress. Talk to your doctor to find out if your stress medication is responsible for your acne. Stress can however make an already existing acne condition worse.

Myth 4 - Acne is a merely a cosmetic disease
Well, acne does affect the way you look and yes, it is considered a threat to your physical well being. However, the fact remains that in some cases acne can lead to permanent scarring which is more than just purely cosmetic. Acne affects people psychologically. It is known to affect their perception of themselves, their self-esteem and confidence and their interaction with others. It can cause feelings of frustration, depression and social embarrassment.

Myth 5 - Acne can not be cured
With the kind of products that are available in the market today, there is no reason why anyone should have to suffer the agony caused by acne. The fact is that acne can be cleared up with the right medication and a regime specific to their needs. Consult your dermatologist if you have acne.



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How To Get Rid Of Blackheads

Blackheads are a bothersome condition that effects lots and lots of people but - it's also one that is very easily treated.

It takes time and patience but the results are worth it.

You do not need to disinfect the skin with blackheads as bacteria are not the issue here - instead focus on exfoliating the skin and more importantly the pore.

Below are a list of BHA products that have the correct pH level to actively work on the problem.

For those with very sensitive skin I've included two products from clinique that contain 0.5% BHA at a pH of 4.5 (ish) ... These will be gentler on the skin than the other options which have lower pH levels and higher 1-2% BHA.

Use a gentle cleanser that doesn't strip the skin and UNLESS you have dry or combination skin you don't need to moisturise.

BUT all skins require sunscreen and these are normally moisturising enough.

Retin-a is a product you should look into as it can regulate how the skin produces new skin cells - making them healthier, smoother and less likely to breakout.

Not everyone can tolerate Retin-a but it's worth trying.

All skins require sunscreen especially when using AHA/BHA and/or Retin-a.

Be kind to your skin.

Low pH BHA products aimed at normal/oily/dry skin types.

Proactive Solution - Clarifying Night Cream Neutrogena - oil-free acne stress control hydrating acne treatment Paula's Choice - 1%-2% beta hydroxy acid gel/lotion/liquid

Higher pH BHA products aimed at very dry/or sensitive skin types.

Clinqiue Turn Around Concentrate Clinique Mild Scruffing Lotion (no alcohol)

www.paulaschoice.co.uk www.paulaschoice.com

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How To Get Rid Of Acne In 10 Easy Natural Ways

Are you looking for acne solutions that really work? The good news is, whether you're a teenager or an adult suffering from acne, you don't have to live with it. Here you can find 10 super easy and effective ways to get rid of acne.

1. Do not pick, press or rub your pimples. These actions actually increase the sebum production and rupture the membranes below your skin. The infection and sebum will spread underneath your skin and cause more pimples. Also, you risk increasing the chances of leaving scars on your face.
 
2. Wash your face twice a day using a mild soup. It is even better if you can buy sulfur-based soap especially for acne. If your skin is too oily, use a soap with benzoyl peroxide. Do not use rough sponges, brushes, or anything similar on your face. You shouldn't, however, over-wash your face because it will actually stimulate your sebaceous glands to produce more sebum which will increase your acne.

3. Check if it is because of the food. For many people, food allergy can cause very serious acne condition. You should avoid eating too much oily and spicy food. Recent studies have shown that acne can also be caused by milk which contains hormones as well as seafood with relatively high levels of iodine. If possible, cut down on those foods.

Other foods you may consider avoiding are: sugar, dairy products, deep-fried food, meat, nut butters, etc. On the other hand, it is believed that green vegetables, vegetable fuices and foods rich in zinc can help alleviate acne condition.
 
4. Drink more water every day. "Eight glasses of water a day can keep acne away." says Jennifer Thoden, a respected acne expert. The reason is that water can carry waste material out of our body and it really helps heal and prevent acne flare-ups.

5. Do not wear makeup if possible. Makeup products can clog your pores, cause more blackheads and pimples. If you have to wear makeup, make sure it is water-based. Be sure to clean your makeup brushes regularly and cleanse your skin before you sleep.
 
6. Do not use oily products. Avoid products such as hair pomades, intense oil-based facial moisturizers, and oily cleansers.

7. Keep your face clean. Do not rest your chin on your hands or constantly touch your face. Regular shampoo your hair and keep it off your face, especially when you sleep.
 
8. Exercise moderately as it helps in blood circulation and eliminataion of toxins.
 
9. Stay stress-free. Studies have shown that stress not only worsens acne flare-up, it also worsens the overall skin condition. Talk to your friends, listen to your favorite music, or take a walk in the park. There are many things you can do to be stree free.
 
10. Get Sunshine and fresh air. Sunshine stimulates vitamin D in the body, an essential vitamin for healthy skin. Fresh air and sunshine can also reduce stress (tip #9) and increase oxygen to the skin.

Don't get burnt in the sun though. Burnt and heavily tanned skin forms a layer on the skin that doesn't exfoliate quickly enough and can lead to blocked pores.








Photo By Lampeduza

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Best Acne Cure Program - Fast Results Home Remedy

This Program Will Work For MildI To Moderate Acne And Cystic Acne.

Steps you need to do:

1. Use a mild water based cleanser. Cetaphil is the best.

2. Use 2.5% benzoyl Peroxide (BP) and use a lot. The size of your pointer finger. Apply this to all areas that are effected with acne. Do this twice per day. BP cream is available over and under the counter in most chemists and drug stores. Please use 2.5% unless this proves ineffective. Only then should you increase to 5-10%. 90% of all people using 2.5% will find the program works and works fast. Increasing the strength does not mean it will work quicker so please use 2.5% to being with.

3. Moisturise. Your skin will before dry. VERY DRY. It might flake, peel, and become red. An SPF is your best bet as these are naturally very moisturising and will deal with the dryness.

Depending on your skin condition it might take depends on how quickly the program works. I noticed a massive change within 48 hours. How long it takes your skin to heal will depend on the severity of your condition. It will improve. And fast but you will need to make sure you're following the steps outlined above.

It is normal for the skin to become red. This was not a worry to me as anything was better than the acne i was suffering. Once your acne is under control you will be able to lessen the amount of benzoyl peroxide (BP) you're using and this will stop/reduce the redness and peeling (dry skin) that accompanies large amounts of BP cream.

NOTE: This program also works for acne on the back, neck and chest. You need to bare in mind that BP cream can bleach clothes so if you're using it on your back or chest caution is advised.

I am not the only one to come up with this idea. Here is an excellent website that follows the same procedure as the one above. I wish i had found this website when i was dealing with my acne as it would have saved me a lot of pain, heartache and money searching for products that worked. The site also sells products. I am not affiliated with this website but i can vouch for its effectiveness with the products recommend (the benzoyl peroxide cream).



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Acne During Pregnancy - What, why and how?

Acne and pregnancy interact with each other in a variety of different ways. In the majority of women, however, pregnancy has a positive, beneficial effect on the activity, severity and flare-ups of acne, because of the effect of estrogens hormones that are secreted during pregnancy.

However, in few cases, there is a flare-up of acne requiring active therapy and attention, especially if scarring is a threat. Acne may also appear for the first time during pregnancy. There are cases of mothers (especially first time mothers) having the bouts of acne only during pregnancies.　

 

What causes acne flare ups in pregnancy?

During pregnancy, a woman may develop acne due to hormonal changes in her body. In fact, hormonal activity during pregnancy is usually at peak levels. This increase in androgen and progesterone levels can cause women's oil glands to work overtime.　

For many women experiencing acne in pregnancy, the first trimester is worse, when progesterone hormone levels are high.

Mask of pregnancy

Because of the rapid and major hormonal changes during pregnancy, some women actually develop what is popularly known as a "mask of pregnancy." These are brownish pigmented areas around the cheek nose and eyes that collectively look like an “artificial, reddish layer of mask” over the face. In reality, however, it is nothing but the pregnancy-related flare up of acne.

Many times, the acne of pregnancy goes on away on its own

Fortunately, with time, acne problems that develop due to pregnancy will usually go away as the pregnancy progresses. Researchers believe that this is mainly because of an increased amount of estrogen level that by your second or third trimester, your skin starts to look better than it has in a long time.

 



Photo By dizznbonn


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8 Ways To Treat Your Acne

Reports show that over 90 percent of all adolescents and almost 25 percent of all adults suffer from acne at some time. Acne affects males and females worldwide, regardless of nationality.

These most effective methods to combat acne include a combination of prevention and better skincare.

Here are 8 ways you can use to prevent and treat acne:

1. Exercise
Regular exercise can help fight acne by fighting off negative stress levels that can come from negative self-esteem and depression. But avoid wearing tight lycra and nylon exercise outfits. These synthetic fabrics that tend to trap body moisture and heat, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. Stick to loose clothing made of cotton or natural blends, and keep your sports gear and equipment clean.

2. Safe Cosmetics
To avoid pore-clogging and skin irritations that can contribute to acne, use products labeled "noncomedogenic" or "oil-free." Opt for "hypo-allergenic" perfumes and cosmetics to avoid allergic reactions and skin irritation. Coal tar derivatives, carmine and heavy cream in blushes can cause reactions.

Shimmering facial colors can contain a flaky mineral called mica that can cause skin irritations and clog pores. Use a lip gloss with a matte finish for less pore-clogging. The more the shine, the more then comedogenic content and the more your pores can clog.

3. Healthy Diet
Studies show that diet does not play a role in either the cause or the treatment of acne. However, what is best for your body is best for your skin. So make sure you get enough vitamins, minerals and supplements that have been known and recommended to prevent and help conquer acne breakouts.

These include
    * Vitamin A or Retinol (High doses are toxic)
    * Vitamin B Complex
    * Vitamin C
    * Vitamin E
    * L-Carnitine
    * Zinc

A good quality brand name multivitamin will probably have the recommended vitamins and minerals that you need to help with acne prevention. Drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day and making good, healthy dietary food choices.

4. Hormonal Treatment
Hormones (or a lack of them) during later years - especially for women - can play a role in acne flare-ups and prevention. One recent study showed that about 50 percent of women have acne, referred to as hormonal acne, problems during the week before their menstruation.

Treatment options include topical retinoids, oral antibiotics and Benzoyl Peroxide for teen years. For adults oral contraceptives or hormonal birth control pills and hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) may be helpful for women, combined with systemic or topical treatments, prescription or over-the-counter products and medications.

5. Healthy Skin Regimen
Avoid harsh scrubbing or over-washing, because this can cause possible skin irritation or possible over production of oil to replace what's washed off, clogging pores in the process. Use products with gentle exfoliation ingredients and skip products that contain alcohol.

6. Acne Products
Some of the more popular products on the market that can prevent acne include:
    * Benzoyl Peroxide
    * Proactiv® Solution
    * Salicylic Acid
    * Retinoids
    * Antibiotics
    * Oral Contraceptives
    * Anti-Androgens
    * Isotretinoin (Accutane)

7. Shaving
Shaving is actually an excellent way of exfoliating or removing dead skin to help with the prevention and spreading of acne instead of leaving the remains to clog pores. And for some light acne cases already in process, shaving can help rid whiteheads and blackheads from the face. Do not shave areas taht are sore or infected. Use a shaving cream for sensitive skin.

Shave with a sharp blade. Use gentle swipes instead of heavy pressure and go with the flow or "grain." A single-edged blade is better than a twin-blade razor. Electric razors may not shave as close to the skin, but they help with the prevention of acne and other skin breakouts and flare-ups better.

8. Stress
Stress includes external and internal stressors. External Stressors are those that compromise your skin's ability to heal, like oily make-up and too much sun. Internal stressors like anxiety, fear, low self-esteem, depression and a variety of other internalized emotions, can trigger chemical reactions inside your body that can result in acne flare-ups and other skin irritations.

To combat internal stressors and prevent acne problems, get plenty of rest and sleep. Try to maintain regular hours. Keep a check list of "Things that Calm You" handy for stressful times, like reading a book, resting, listening to music, taking a walk, going out for an ice cream cone, etc.



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Acne And What Treatments Are Available - Including Home Remedies

Remedies For A Smoother Skin.
Do you have acne?
Acne maybe the scourge of adolescent years, but it can follow people into middle age and beyond.

Acne is really a catchall term for a variety of symptoms such as pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads. It's a condition where the pores of skin become clogged and the person gets inflamed and non-inflamed lesions.

So what's the cause of all the clogging?......
Heredity - at least for the most part. Acne is genetic - it tends to run in families, it is an inherited defect of your pores. If both your parents had acne, three out of four of your brothers and sisters will get it too.

Factors that can aggravate an acne outbreak are :- Stress, sun exposure, seasonal changes, and climate can all precipitate an acne attack. Certain types of makeup and taking birth control pills can also cause a breakout.

Change Your Make-up
In adult women, make-up is the major factor in acne outbreaks, especially oil based products. It's the oil that causes the problem. The oil is usually a derivative of fatty acids that are more potent than your own fatty acids. Use a non-oil-based make-up if you are prone to acne.

Read The labels.
Cosmetic products that contain lanolins, isopropyl myristate, sodium lauryl sulphate, laureth-4 and D & C red dyes should be avoided. Like oil, these ingredients are too rich for the skin.
 
Wash Properly.
Wash your make-up off thoroughly every night. Use a mild soap twice a day and make sure you rinse the soap entirely off your face. Rinse six or seven times with fresh water.
 
Use Less Make-up.
Whatever make-up you use, try to cut down on the amount you put on.

Leave Well Alone.
Don't squeeze pimples or whiteheads. A pimple is an inflammation, and you could add to the inflammation by squeezing it, which could lead to an infection. A pimple will always go away in one to four weeks if you leave them alone.
 
Know When To Squeeze.
Most pimples are best left alone, but there is one kind that you can squeeze to help get rid of it. If the pimple has a little central yellow pus head in it, then a gentle squeeze will make it pop open very nicely. Once the pus pops out, the pimple will heal more quickly.
 
Attack Blackheads.
You can also get rid of blackheads by squeezing them. A blackhead is a very blocked pore, and a gentle squeeze will help rectifty this.
 
Give Dry Skin Extra Care.
Dry skin can be sensitive to some over the counter skin treatments, so please use these treatments with care. Start with the lower strength products first, and then increase the concentration slowly.
 
Stay Out Of The Sun.
Acne medications may cause adverse reactions to the sun, so minimize you exposure until you know what the reactions going to be.
 
Use One Treatment At A Time.
Don't mix treatments, use only one at a time because they may cause an adverse reaction if mixed together.
 
Stop The Spread Of Acne.
Apply acne medication about half an inch around the affected area, to help keep the acne from spreading. Acne moves across the face from the nose to the ear, so you need to treat beyond the inflamed area. Most people make the mistake of treating only the pimples and not the outlaying areas of skin. This is wrong.
 
If you are an acne sufferer, then I trust this information will be very helpful to you. Thanks for reading my blog post. http://best-acne-removal-reviews.com/


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Best Home Remedy For Acne - Guaranteed! Quickly and Easily!

Despite acne treatments and medications having improved dramatically over the years, acne still seems to take a firm hold on many people.  If your acne has not improved within 4-6 weeks following treatment with such products, you should consult your doctor.  Current understanding of the different presentations of acne allows for individualized treatments and improved outcomes.  Also, treatment must be given constantly to all acne-prone areas, and not just to individual existing pimples.

    Severe Acne: Antibiotics given by mouth, including tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, and erythromycin, are reserved for the treatment of severe acne.  It's essential that teens with acne be given an appropriate treatment regimen.  However, acne scar treatment available today cannot only wipe out the infliction(in many cases), but can also deliver smooth, refreshed skin.  Even if outbreaks of acne cannot be eliminated, conventional treatment can provide relief.  Even dermatologists cannot cure a severe case of acne but can only provide an acne treatment regimen.  We have a growing impressive line of therapeutic quality natural herbal based treatments to keep your acne and oily skin healthy.  Little is known about how personality and emotional traits affect acne and its impact on quality of life and treatment.

    Objectives To evaluate the relationship between TA and acne severity, skin-related quality of life, satisfaction with treatment, and adherence to treatment.  Unfortunately, 60% of these women either do not respond to standard acne treatment or build up a tolerance to frequently used medications.  You can then build up your use gradually.7 No home treatments for acne will work immediately.  Unfortunately, about 60 percent of these women either do not respond to standard acne treatment or build up a tolerance to frequently used medications.  Most people who suffer from acne go out and spend good money on common over-the-counter acne treatment products.  For healthy skin, Americans spend billions of dollars on acne treatment and anti-aging skin care products every year.

    Most people who suffer from acne go out and spend good money on common over-the-counter acne treatment products.  And no matter what a drug ad says, acne treatments alone will not help you win the battle against acne.  CEighty percent of inflammatory acne cases clear up after four weeks of twice-weekly treatments, Leal says.  "Basically if someone with mild acne presents for treatment, your first line of defense will be a topical regimen," says Dr.  Alternative therapies continue to gain new respect in acne treatment.  Even after blemishes disappear, you usually must continue to use an effective acne treatment to keep new blemishes from forming.

   Once you've got your acne cleared up it's important to continue with the treatment that's working so it does not return.  Cryotherapy is another treatment for acne scars, using repeated freezing to gently shrink scar tissue.  Here you will find information about acne scar treatment.  An individual can either use any generic mild facial soap or a soap made especially for acne by major treatment brands.  We are particularly interested in how Alabu soap may have helped with acne treatment and other acne skin conditions.  (17) In the 1800s dermatologists used acne treatment such as sulfur in which this dried out the skin.  Although long used in treatment of acne, it is not known how sulfur acts on the skin to influence the development of acne.  Sulfur is less frequently used by itself as an acne treatment due to its unpleasant odor.  What is known as an anti-inflammatory treatment for acne is embracing a certain lifestyle.

   When choosing a treatment for your acne condition, it is important to know about acne treatment lifestyle changes.  A wide range of (lifestyle) treatments can give you control over your acne.  Objectives To collate and evaluate the evidence on the clinical efficacy of minocycline in the treatment of inflammatory acne vulgaris.  The review found that there was no reliable evidence that minocycline was better than any other acne treatment and that more research is needed.  Objective  To review the best evidence available for individualized treatment of acne.  Shaw JC: Low-dose adjunctive spironolactone in the treatment of acne in women: a retrospective analysis of 85 consecutively treated patients.





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How To Cure Or Alleviate Acne

The processes going on in the skin of a person suffering from acne are explained here. You also find a survey of the factors causing acne and measures you can apply yourself to prevent, cure or alleviate acne.
Acne gives the combination of symptoms like greasy skin, white heads, black heads, pimples, inflammation and scar formation.

Acne mostly affects young people in the age 14 - 25, but also sometimes older persons, like women in their menopause. Most teenagers experience outburst of acne, some only little, but for others acne may develop into a serious skin ailment with great cosmetic impact.

THE SKIN ANATOMY
To understand the acne process, some knowledge about skin anatomy and physiology is essential:

The skin has there layers:

The outer layer called epidermis consists of epithelial cells. Under this lies the dermis consisting of connective tissue. At the bottom there is a layer called the hypodermis consisting mostly of fat cells.

The skin has narrow pores extending from the surface down to the top of the sub-dermis, called hair follicles. A hair extend from a growth zone in the bottom of each hair follicle and out at the skin surface. Around the hair in the dermis, there are small glands called sebaceous glands. These glands produce a fatty substance, sebum, which empty through the follicle opening and lubricates the hair and the skin.

THE ACNE PROCESS
Acne starts by the glands in the hair follicles increasing their sebum production. This will in the beginning only cause greasy skin. Eventually the sebum in the entrance of the follicles mixes with dead epithelial cells. This mix reacts chemically to forms hard props, comedones that close the pore entrances. According to the color of the comedones, they are called black heads or white heads.

Then the closed hair follicle gets filled with sebum and swell. The swollen follicle then gets infected by bacteria. The bacteria and the accumulated sebum cause the follicle and the surrounding skin to get inflamed, forming a pimple.  At last the inflamed follicle burst and empties its content.  Eventually the affected area heals. Sometimes the inflammation reaches deep into the skin surrounding the follicle and destroys skin tissue. This will cause more or less distinct scars that may reside permanently. Typically an affected person will have follicles in all these stages of the process at any given time.

THE CAUSES OF ACNE
The increased hormone production in the puberty stimulates to increased sebum production. The male hormone, testosterone, seem to contribute most. Also girls begin to produce more testosterone in the puberty. Also in other periods, altered hormone production may give acne, for example by women in the menopause.
 
Since not all teens get acne in any degree, the increased hormone level cannot be the whole cause of the increased sebum production. The follicles of affected persons must for some reason react stronger upon the higher hormone level.
 
Dietary factors, like eating too much fat, too much sugar or the wrong kind of fat may aggravate acne by some individuals. Lack of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids may also contribute to development of acne.

Poor digestion, lazy colon and constipation aggravate acne in some individuals, probably due to productions of toxins in the intestines. Lazy colon may be caused by dietary faults, like lack of fiber.

Very frequent washing and use of strong soaps aggravate acne, and does not alleviate the condition as many think. Rubbing, scrubbing or squeezing the skin may also aggravate acne.

Here are some other factors that may contribute in causing acne or aggravating the condition.

- Stress
- Some contraceptive agents
- Environmental or domestic pollution.
- Humid environments.
- Some antidepressants.
- Testosterone and anabolic steroids used for treatment or by body-building.
- Use of some types of greasy cosmetic products.
- Some antiperspirant products.
- Exposing the skin for chlorine or other halogens, or medicines containing halogens.
- Women may get aggravated acne 2-7 days before menstruation.

WHAT CAN YOU DO YOURSELF TO AVOID OR TO TREAT ACNE

Sometimes Acne is so severe that special medical treatment is required, and sometimes the causes of acne necessitate medical treatment. But you can do much yourself also. Here are listed things you can do yourself to prevent or treat acne:

1. Some advices about diet that may help prevent and cure acne:

- Do not consume a great amount of fat.
- The fat you add to the food should be natural oils. Olive oil is ideal, but use other types of oils too, like walnut oil, sunflower oil and soy oil. However, do not use only soy oil as many tend to do. Using only soy oil will give you too much of some fatty acids and too less of others.
- Eat much fish, seafood and not so much meat.
- Eat food with a high fiber content to regulate the digestion, like vegetables, whole cereals, full corn bread and fruit.

2. Here are some things you should avoid.

- Do not use greasy or heavy cosmetics that clog your skin and are difficult to wash away.
- Do not use strong irritating antiperspirants.
- Do not wash with strong soap or cleaners that dry up your skin and take away all the natural oily protection in your skin.
- If you perform body-building, do not use anabolic steroids or other hormonal supplements.
- Use clothes that allow air to reach your body surface to avoid collection of humidity and overheating of your skin.

3. Use of rinsing milk or solutions
You can rinse your skin with mild products especially made to dissolve the plugs in your pores, and to make the environment in your skin unfriendly to bacteria causing infection. Some of these products are just products to wash your skin with one ore more times a day; others should be on during night and flushed away in the morning.
 
Salicylic acid is a mild ingredient often used in these products to dissolve the comedones. The products usually also contain ingredients that work antibacterial and stimulate the skin's own cleaning activities, like Tea tree oil or Echinacea extract.
 
4. Use of gels and creams to treat acne and protect your skin
After the rinsing, you should apply some treatment gel, cream or lotion onto your skin to achieve these effects:

- To make your skin soft and elastic.
- To protect your skin against the environment. 
- To acts further to dissolve the clogging of your pores.
- To soothe and alleviate inflammation.
- To kill the bacteria causing infection or make an environment hostile for the bacteria.
- To stimulate the skin to clean itself.
- To stimulate the skin to heal.
- To be used as a isolating layer between the skin itself and cosmetics

In order to protect, make the skin soft and further dissolve the comedones, many products contain natural plant oils that are easily absorbed into the epidermis, like Tea tree oil, Rose hip oil, Lavender oil and Olive oil.
 
Ingredients used in products to reduce inflammation and to stimulate healing may be: Aloe Vera extract, Viola Tricolour extract, Rose hip oil, Vitamin E and Vitamin A.
Tea tree oil and Grapefruit seed extract are natural antibacterial agents used in many of these products. In other products artificial compounds like Benzoyl peroxide are used.

5. Oral supplements to fight the acne process and nourish the skin
Supplements taken by mouth to nourish your skin may be useful. The purpose of these supplements is more or less the same as that of nourishing creams.

- To make the sebum more fluid so it drains more easily.
- To stimulate the substance exchange and cleaning processes in your skin,
- To stimulate your skin to heal,
- To give your skin building nutrients necessary to heal.

Ingredients often used in these supplements to stimulate the cleaning and healing processes in the skin are: Vitamins A, C, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, D, E, Folic acid,  Beta carotene, Bioflavonoids, Magnesium, Copper, Zinc, selenium, anti-oxidants from Green tea, Metylsulfonyl methane.
 
Nutrient found in these products used as material to rebuild damaged skin and to give a sebum with better consistency are: Evening primrose oil, Olive oil, Flax seed oil, Borage oil, Soy oil, Wheat germ oil and Lecithin.

Gum guggul extract used in oral products has an anti-biotic effect, and helps against spreading of the acne infection and thus helps against scar formation.






Photo and illustrations by courtesy of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

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How to Remove Pimples Overnight 5 Ways

Many people have pimples and they constantly irritate them. But there are some simple home remedies you can use to remove them overnight or a day or two. These 5 tips will help you have beautiful skin again.

Here are the 5 ways to remove your pimples:

1. The first thing you that you should do before you sleep at night is to wash your face.

Once you are done washing it, slowly pat it dry. Be sure not to scratch your face too hard because the skin on your face is very sensitive. If your face is now completely dry, get some plain white toothpaste and place a small amount on your pimples and let it stay overnight.

When you wake up the next day that is the time for you to wash it off.

2. Another effective method of removing the pimples on your face is by applying fresh lemon juice to them.

It is highly suggested that you do this before you tuck yourself to bed each night. This is to give the treatment some time to dry those pimples.

3. Have you ever heard of the good effects of lavender oil? This is one of the pimple remedies that you shouldn’t miss out.

This type of oil is said to be effective for some people only but still, there’s no harm in trying so why don’t you try it for yourself? Same as the other methods, you must apply this oil to your pimples before going to bed and let it stay overnight.

4. Many skin experts reveal that a cinnamon-honey mixture can help eliminate pimples.

For you to know if it really works, make your own by mixing cinnamon and honey together to form a paste. But before you can apply it to your face, make sure you wash it thoroughly first. After that, start applying the mixture to the areas on your face that have pimples on them. Do not remove what you had just applied on your face until you wake up the next morning. To prevent the mixture from creating a mess on your pillow, place a towel on your pillow before laying on it.



5. One good way on how to get rid of pimples is by applying egg white to your face.

To do this, get an egg and remove the egg yolk. Apply the egg white to infected areas and leave it there until morning comes.

The 5 tips listed above are just some of the easiest and most effective ways on how to remove pimples overnight.

However, there are also some things that you need to keep in mind before treating yourself with these remedies.

Here are just some of them.
Never squeeze your pimples because they will become worse.
 
Before you apply any form of treatment to your face, wash your face first and don’t forget to pat it dry. Wash your hands thoroughly before you touch your face to avoid irritations. Try other treatments or remedies if the first one you’ve tried doesn’t work for you. If after trying all these methods and none of them worked, set an appointment with your dermatologist and seek professional help.


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What is Acne And Its Types And Symptoms

What is Acne?
Acne is a chronic disorder of the hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Some of the characteristics of acne include black heads, pimples, cysts, infected abscesses, and rarely scarring. Acne usually occurs during adolescence in both men and women. To be more specific, acne starts during puberty and tends to get worse for people with oily skin.

Acne badly affects teenage boys. Only mild to moderate forms of acne occur in middle-aged women. Acne can be seen most commonly on the face. The other places where it can occur include the neck, chest, back, shoulders, scalp, and upper arms and legs. Most forms of acne are the result of heredity and hormonal problems and has nothing to do with a harmful diet or poor hygiene.

Types of acne
Acne starts in a similar way for all but can take different forms and can react in a unique way according to the body conditions of the individual. A basic lesion called the comedo is the begining of acne. The comedo is an enlarged hair follicle plugged with oil and bacteria residing under the surface of your skin, that waits for the right conditions to grow into an inflamed lesion.

Whenever the skin produces more oil, the bacteria grows within the swollen follicle. The surrounding skin becomes increasingly inflamed as your white blood cells fight against the intruders. Two main types of acne include non-inflammatory acne and inflammatory acne.

Non-inflammatory acne
Closed comedo:
If the plugged follicle stays below the surface of the skin, the lesion is called a closed comedo. This usually appears on the skin as small, whitish bumps. This condition is otherwise called as whitehead.

Open comedo :
If the plug enlarges and pushes through the surface of the skin, the lesion is called an open comedo. The dark appearance of the plug is not due to dirt, but due to the buildup of melanin, the pigmentation element of the skin. This condition is otherwise called as blackhead.

Inflammatory acne
Papule:
This appears on the skin as a small, firm pink bump. The papules are tender in nature and are often considered an intermediary step between non-inflammatory and clearly inflammatory lesions.

Pustule:
These are small round lesions that are inflamed and contain visible pus, which appear red at the base with a yellowish or whitish center. Pustules do not contain a large amount of bacteria. The inflammation is caused by chemical irritation from sebum components such as fatty free acids.

Cyst:
These are large pus-filled lesions that are usually present deep within the skin. The cysts are very painful lesions, as they are inflamed. Cysts form as a result of the contents of a comedo spilling over the surrounding skin and due to the response of the local immune system in producing pus. The cysts often leave deep scars.

Acne conglobata:
This is a rare but serious form of inflammatory acne that develops primarily on the back, buttocks, and chest. In addition, to the presence of pustules and cysts, there may be severe bacterial infection.

Symptoms
The common symptoms of acne include persistent, recurrent red spots or swellings on the skin known as pimples. The pimples become inflamed and get filled with pus. The pimples usually occur on the face, chest, shoulders, neck, or upper portion of the back.

Some of the other symptoms include dark spots with open pores at the center, which are known as blackheads, bulged spots under the skin without openings, which are known as whiteheads, and red swellings or lumps filled with pus, which are known as pustules. The pustules can develop from blackheads or whiteheads. Inflamed fluid-filled lumps under the skin known as cysts are also a symptom of acne. These cysts can become as large as an inch across.



 

Photos courtesy of the National Institutes of Health


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Home Remedies How To Remove Acne Scars

Just getting regular lemons and squeezing some juice out and putting it on a cotton ball works well for acne.

Out of all of remedies in this video, I find personally that the lemon juice works the best. ^.^

If you are going to use the egg whites, just separate the yolk from the white, and then take the white on your fingers and apply to you face (it does feels weird!) ^.^ But it works!

I also recommend BioOil for any type of scars :)

Hope these tips in the video has helped.

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A Brief Overview Of Baby Acne

Small babies may develop acne because of the lingering maternal hormones after delivery, which may cause stimulation to the baby's sebaceous glands. Your baby receives these hormones from the placenta, after the delivery.

Don't worry if your baby has pimples. About 20% of the newborn babies are affected by baby acne, also known as acne-neonatorum.

Let’ know the various aspects of this peculiar type of acne. First things first, the treatment for infantile acne is not the same as that of acne treatment for any other age group.

Infantile acne is gender-biased. Male babies are more affected than their female counterparts. Normally babies have the acne attack at the age of 3 weeks. Some babies have it from the time of delivery. Generally the types of acne you find in infants are papules and pustules. Papules are red bumps and pustules are whiteheads. They have a collection of pus.

Some babies also have acne on the scalp. Acne in babies does not require treatment as such. The lesions will take care of themselves within a period of four months. But do take the normal care of the baby as you would take care of its other body parts.

Use mild baby soap and gently clean the face once in a day with water. Do not try harsher methods by using oil and other lotions which you think are good. They may at times, worsen the condition. Know for certain that infantile acne will disappear when it has to.

In your anxiety to photograph the baby, don't stuff his/her cheeks with cosmetics and if at all you need to have the touch-ups, do it in an imaginative way.

If you or your family doctor feel that the baby has severe acne, treat it with benzoyl peroxide, keratolytic agents or topical creams like retinoids.

The ways of acne are indeed mysterious. If you have a family history of acne, that doesn't mean that your baby will have acne. And just because the baby has acne, it doesn't mean that, it will suffer from the attack of acne, when it grows up. Acne has its own working style and attacking strategy.

Infantile acne, which normally appears after the age of three months in a baby, quietly disappears after the age of 12 months. No special efforts of treatment are required. In some babies, the condition may last up to three years. It is due to the genetic makeup of your baby. You have something to contribute to it, as the hereditary part.

You have nothing to do with the infantile acne, relating to the treatment part. Just observe its arrival and departure. Well, arrival with anxiety and departure with pleasure!





Photo By CodyR

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7 Things You Should Never Do To Your skin When You Have Acne (And Even If You Don’t)

You skin is the largest organ in your body. Besides helping the body in the process of toxic elimination (One of the main acne contributing factors), it also protects your body against temperature changes, and from harmful invaders.

By working with your skin and not against it you pave the way to an enhanced healing of the skin. Your skin will look and feel better; it will become more even toned and vibrant.

On the other hand, by constantly doing the following, you are weakening the natural protecting capabilities of your skin, you are slowing the healing process of your skin, and are making your skin look bad and making your acne worse:

1.Smoking
Besides lung cancer, heart disease and early aging of your skin (e.g. wrinkles), smoking causes the contraction of the small capillaries and blood vessels of the skin, thus depriving your skin from the essential oxygen I needs for the creation and maintenance of healthy cells.

2. Using Topical Steroids

Over the counter or prescription cortisone based creams, especially the potent types, can eventually thin your skin and worsen your acne condition in the long run in addition to the irritation, redness and other side effects steroid creams can cause. Moreover, topicals by definition address the symptoms of acne (inflammation, itching, puss), they do not treat the root cause of the disease. Nevertheless, taking care of your skin externally is highly recommended but should be performed gently using pure natural ingredients such as diluted tea tree oil.

3. Taking Antibiotics

Antibiotic treatments like tetracycline aggravate your acne in the long run and also severely damage your internal system in the process. Antibiotics destroy all the bacteria in your system including the good, probiotic bacteria like acidophilus that have many essential qualities that promote clear skin. One of these qualities is the ability to protect your digestive tract from parasites and fungus (that constantly stress and damage your liver, one of the most important organs responsible for the healing process of your skin).

4. Shaving with Four-In-One Razor blades

Never use these four-in-one razor blades when shaving especially if you have large bumps and painful cysts. The reason is that blades that guarantee the “closest shave” will cause severe irritation and will damage your skin. Always use a single blade when having “live” acne.

5. Picking Your Skin (popping and squeezing included)

Never, never and ever touch, pick or squeeze your blemishes, regardless of how temping and “safe” it may seem. By doing this unprofessionally, you make your acne worse by aggravating your existing inflammation and pushing the puss deeper and wider into the skin. There are in fact very effective and safe ways of dealing with small whiteheads or blackheads but I would strongly recommend leaving that to the professionals if you care for your skin and wish to prevent further scarring.

6. Taking excessive amounts of Vitamin A

Vitamin A from natural sources (green leafy vegetables and beta carotene fruit and veggies) and in small quantities can significantly enhance the healing process of your skin but when taken excessively it can seriously damage your liver and cause severe health problems and side effects.

7. Use over the counters for your Rosacea

That one is a no-brainer. Taking over the counters that by definition make your skin red and irritating is definitely not something you want to do when surfeiting from rosacea. If you suffer from rosacea, always consult your dermatologist prior to applying over the counters on your already inflamed and highly sensitive skin.

Mike Walden is a certified nutritionist, independent medical researcher, natural health consultant and author of the #1 best-selling e-book, "Acne No More- Open The Door To An Acne Free Life." Mike has written dozens of holistic health articles and has been featured in ezines and print magazines, as well as on hundreds of websites worldwide. For information on Mike's Holistic Clear Skin program, visit: Acne No More

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6 Lifestyle Tips for Reducing Acne

Would you like to find out what those-in-the-know have to say about Acne?

The information in the post below comes straight from well-informed experts with special knowledge about Acne.
 
Here are 6 tips that have helped hundreds of people suffering from acne. 

Hopefully, these will help you too:

1. Water is Best
Water is by far the most effective treatment for acne.  The main support for this claim is the fact that water is alkaline (pH 7.3) and can be considered as a natural treatment or an almost free acne treatment.  Thus, it is best that you drink at least eight glasses of water per day (10 to 12 is better). This will help your body in getting rid of oil, waste and toxins, and water even helps to moisten your skin as it keeps your pores from clogging. 

Perhaps what is most important is that, water helps to relieve stress and relax your body in the end, so you can have a better sleep. Note that water and sleep are factors that help reduce stress. Along with this, try to lessen your coffees, sodas, teas and alcohols intake as much as possible. The reason behind this is that they are partial diuretics that they drive more water out of the cells of the body than they put in.

2. Avoid Astringents
If your goal is to have a beautiful skin, then you should try to avoid astringent natural soaps and any astringent agents that shrink your skin's pores, such as oatmeal, witch hazel, very cold water and rubbing alcohol.  It was found out actually that when your skin pores shrink, more oils are clogged in the pores of the skin, causing the onset of acne.

3. Avoid Stimulants
Coffee, tea, cigarettes, as well as excessive sugar from sweets and soda should be avoided.  It is often said that anything potential for affecting the entire body, brain and nervous system can easily stimulate the sebaceous glands to release more oil.  This oil has to leave the body through the pores, worsening your acne in the end. Stimulants even trigger stress.

4. Watch Your Diet
Note that diet affects acne.  So be careful with what you eat. As much as possible, try to eat foods that are low in fat, as fats produce more oils in the body that are capable of producing acne.

5. Avoid Alcohol
A number of people think that alcohol is one of the best ways to relax and relieve stress.  Well, alcohol may do this, but studies have found out that alcohol causes the formation of acne.  It is considered capable for producing acne knowing that it is an astringent, thus it shrinks the skin pores, making them more prone to clogging.  Aside from that, alcohol inhibits sleep, therefore causing more fatigue and stress, leading to worse acne.

6. Hot and Very Cold Count
When considering baths, you should avoid hot and very cold water on areas of the skin affected by acne. Use warm water instead; perhaps well below 98.5 degrees on your skin.



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Quick Home Tips For Curing Acne

Using home treatments for mild cases of acne can easily be done if you follow a few guidelines. First off, though, it is important to keep in mind that for more severe cases like cystic acne, a consultation with a dermatologist is advised before beginning an at home regimen.

However, home treatment of mild to moderate acne can dramatically reduce the appearance of acne on your face, giving you clearer skin and more confidence in your appearance.

After you decide that you want to treat your acne at home, it is essential that you are patient for the first couple of weeks. Acne medications do not work in a matter of days, as they need to fight deep below the surface to balance your skin, but after a couple of weeks you should start to see results. The same rule holds for prescription medications, as noticeable results will occur after a couple weeks.

One of the first steps to improving your complexion is washing your face thoroughly two to three times a day. Wash your hands with an anti bacterial soap and, using a mild bar soap or acne scrub, thoroughly wash your face for about thirty seconds. Make sure that your bar soap is fragrance and color free as these can clog your pores and irritate your skin, causing inflammation and increased redness of your face.

If washing your face is not enough, further measures can be taken for home acne treatment. One of the most common is the use of benzoyl peroxide, which can be found in face wash, bar soap, topical cream or gel. Benzoyl peroxide is typically used once or twice daily, but initially most people should only apply it once a day or every other day to avoid redness and excessive drying.

Generally, results will be evident after a few weeks, but if you do not notice a difference by then you should consult your dermatologist for advice.

Another popular home acne treatment is salicylic acid. You can usually find this in medicated facial pads and also in some face washes. Salicylic acid prevents your hair follicles from shedding excess skin and clogging your pores, thereby fighting the cause of most acne and blackheads.

Whichever home treatment you believe to be best for your acne, always keep in mind that the results are gradual and will be noticeable in a couple weeks. Follow the directions for your product and only use it the specified number of times per day.

Also, combining treatments at the same time may cause irritation and excessive dryness to your face, so benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid should only be used one at a time. If you do not notice results for your home acne treatment after several weeks, contact your doctor for further advice.



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