Skin Care & Acne Prevention

Let’s take a look at how to combat your acne.

The main strategy to use is prevention where possible and better
skin care. Here are several top issues of focus for each:

exercise,
cosmetics,
diet,
hormones,
hygiene,
medications,
shaving,
stress.

Exercise – Keeping in shape can help fight acne by fighting off
negative stress levels that can come from negative self-esteem
and depression. However, some safeguards need to be in place to
ward off acne that can result from your workout routines. First
watch which products you use on your body because you'll most
likely be sweating. With any sunscreen's for outdoor workout
activities and any make-up or other cosmetics, check for
“noncomedogenic” and “oil-free” on the labels to help prevent
pore clogging. And when your workout is finished, wash the
products off as soon as possible, especially if you'll be going
into a steam room or sauna where your pores will be opening up
more. You don't want these lotions and other cosmetics getting
into your pores and clogging them up, resulting in blemishes.

Watch what you put on your body with regards to clothing, sports
gear and equipment. For example, tight lycra and nylon exercise
outfits might look great in the movies and magazine models, but
if you are susceptible to acne problems, avoid these synthetic
fabrics that tend to trap in body moisture and heat resulting in
a bacteria frenzy. Instead, choose loose clothing made of cotton
or natural blends to allow more air to get to your skin. And when
you’re finished with your workout, get out of clothing wet from
perspiration or water sports. Shower and change into dry, clean
clothing. And keep your sports gear and equipment clean, too.
Dirty headgear, for instance, can irritate forehead areas prone
to acne problems. So toss headbands into the washing machine
after workout sessions.

Tip: when cleaning your body after a workout, no need to scrub
with force and irritate skin. If possible, wash with medicated
soap (check for “exfoliant” on the label) or medicated wipes from
your athletic bag where showers aren't available.

Tip: When drying with a towel, even if it's during your workout
to erase sweat, always blot instead of rub. That way you avoid
grinding excess dead skin, dirt, sweat and other chemicals into
your pores and risking pore-clogging and skin irritation.

Cosmetics – To avoid pore-clogging and skin irritations similar
to acne and can contribute to acne, use products labeled
“noncomedogenic” or “oil-free.” Shimmering facial colors can
contain a flaky mineral called mica that can cause skin
irritations and clog pores. Other additives in coloring that can
cause similar reactions are coal tar derivatives, carmine and
heavy cream in blushes. More preventative measures include using
a lip gloss promoting a matte finish instead of a high gloss for
less pore-clogging; note the more the shine, the more then
comedogenic content and the more the pores can clog.

Beware eye creams can contain heavier concentrations of
moisturizers than regular creams and lotions, meaning they have
greater potential to clog pores in the surrounding facial areas.
Additionally use caution with hair styling products that contain
oils, alcohol and adhesives that should be kept away from skin
and from seeping into pores along with perspiration during
workouts; especially watch hair gels and mousses so they don't
cause clogging around your hairline. Use care when choosing
fragrance and scented cosmetics, and opt for hypo-allergenic or
“fragrance-free” versions where possible to avoid allergic
reactions and skin irritations (a sampling 3-day test behind an
ear is recommended).

Tip: Thoroughly clean your face and any other areas where
cosmetics are applied daily, especially if used when combined
with exercising or other activities that promote sweating, where
there is the opportunity for the chemicals to be absorbed or
soaked up into your pores.

Shaving – Shaving for both genders is 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. A word of
caution: for areas with infection or high inflammatory activity
(redness, sensitive, open acne, sores, etc.), do not shave. Or at
the very least, use a shaving cream for sensitive skin. For best
results with regular shaving, follow these procedures:

Steer away from shaving creams that are oily and choose one for
sensitive skin if available. Then moisten facial or other hair
with warm water, apply the shaving cream and lather well. Shave
with a sharp (not dull) blade. Note when shaving, use gentle
swipes instead of heavy pressure ones that can irritate
acne-prone areas. And go with the flow or “grain;” in other
words, adapt to downward, lateral, angular or upward swipes, for
a smoother shave with less nicks and irritating backward motions.
Experiment with different razors, both electric and disposable,
with single- double- or triple-edged (mach III) heads to see
which works best for you. And try shaving in a warm shower for
better results.

For after shaving applications, try toning to stop bacteria dead
in its tracks before it gets into your open follicles. Try
antibiotic gel or lotion, witch hazel, Dalacin T, a mild
alcohol-free toner, Benzoyl Peroxide in gel form and Salicylic
Acid in a gel.

Shaving Tip: Electric razors may not shave as close to the skin;
however, they help with the prevention of acne and other skin
breakout's and flare-ups better.

Shaving Tip: If a non-electric razor is your choice, a
single-edged blade is actually better. Why? Because double- and
triple-edged blades grab hair follicles and pull them out from
below the epidermis. And in the process, your skin “heals itself”
by closing over these holes, making it difficult for future hair
follicles to grow outward – creating inflammation in the tight
areas.

Diet – Studies show diet does not play a role in either the cause
or the treatment of acne. However, what is recommended for acne
preventative care is what is best for your body and best for your
skin, especially since your skin is the largest organ of your
body. So here are healthy vitamins, minerals and other
supplements known and recommended to prevent and help conquer
acne breakout's:

Hormones – Hormones or lack of, during later years and especially
for women, can play a role in acne flare-ups and prevention. One
recent study showed about 50 percent of women have acne, referred
to as hormonal acne, problems during the week before their
menstruation. Treatment options can include topical retinoids,
oral antibiotics and Benzoyl Peroxide for teen years. On into
adult years, some acne aids include oral contraceptives or
hormonal birth control pills and hormonal replacement therapy
(HRT) for women, combined with systemic or topical treatments,
prescription or over-the-counter products and medications, and
antibiotics for both sexes.

Hygiene – A healthy skin regimen should include no 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. Products with gentle
exfoliation ingredients are OK to use; i.e. not scratchy nut or
fruit shell pieces that can tear skin. And skip alcohol products
when possible; these can take off the top layer of your skin and
cause your glands to product more oil, clogging pores in the
process.

If you do spot acne-troubled areas, do NOT mess with them.
Remember these are already weeks in the making, and squeezing or
picking blemishes can force the infected area to regress back
inside, further troubling the region and possibly leave a scar.
If necessary, seek help from a dermatologist for alternative
treatments.


About the Author

Kim Standerline is a registered nurse working for a large hospital Trust in the UK. Her websites include www.nursing-hints.com, www.backpain-free.com and www.acne-and-you.com

Over The Counter Acne Treatments – Do They Work?

Over the counter, sometimes referred to as otc for short, products are starting to become an increasingly popular alternative to prescription medication in the treatment of acne.

These products are readily available as you don't need a prescription from your doctor to buy them and for people with mild to moderate forms of acne the best over the counter treatments will be just as effective as the more expensive prescribed ones.

Besides being cheaper, these products often have little, or no side effects, in comparison to some of the highly publicised prescribed antibiotic drugs used by doctors.

Although there are lots of over the counter acne products on sale, really there are only two kinds of treatments available - either medicated or natural. Both types utilise basically the same technique by using a drying agent to exfoliate the skin and to combat the acne and pimples.

Usually, in the case of a medicated product, this is either benzoyl peroxide, salycic acid or glycolic acid. Natural products tend to use combinations of ingredients and plant extracts like vitamin E, tea tree oil, aloe vera, witch hazel, green tea extract, cucumber etc.

There seems to be a growing number of different treatments but usually over the counter products come in the form of topical cleansers, soaps, washes, lotions, creams, gels or even pads and patches that are applied onto the skin.

When using these kind of preparations it is important, that you cover all of the area where you have acne because then you will also be treating the hidden blemishes that you can’t yet see as well as the acne breakouts that you can.

Expect some trials and errors as you experiment with the different treatments available, it may take you a while before you find the right type or combination of products that work for you. Whatever you do, don’t use more than one treatment at a time, particularly with medicated products, discontinue one before you try out another.

When you are trying a new product give it enough time to start working before discarding it to try something else. Typically you may need to use it for six to eight weeks before you notice any real progress but, of course, this depends upon the severity of your acne and your skin type, some people see improvements after only a few weeks.

After you have found the perfect skin care products that suit you and are providing good results, you may find that you will need to continue your treatments to keep your acne in check. This is because acne is a chronic (meaning long-term) skin disorder and it is possible that once you stop using your treatments the acne could reoccur.

To get the best out of any over the counter acne products you need to use them consistently and correctly. This may be common sense but do read the labels and make sure you use them in line with the instructions given! If you don’t you risk causing damage to your skin and doing more harm than good, this is especially true if you have sensitive skin.

The over the counter products that are available, whether medicated or natural, do successfully treat most forms of acne. Unfortunately, there are always exceptions to the rule and there are some types of acne that will not respond to these type of treatments. If this happens to you and nothing you try is helping your condition then seek the help of your doctor or dermatologist.


Elaine Clay is the owner of Acne Treatments Online.com :: Get articles and information to help you find proven and effective acne solutions available online to treat and get rid of your condition safely and naturally
- Feel free to use the above article on your web site or ezine. Provided that it is published in it’s entirety, including my resource box above and a “live” clickable link to: http://www.acne-treatments-online.com

Natural smoothie formula to stop constipation and acne

Here is how to build a natural smoothie that can stop constipation, relieve acne, improve your skin and give you more energy. The smoothie base is a liquid slurry that can be used to add more natural ingredients.

The liquid base can be made from various fresh juices or rice, oat, or almond milks. I stay away from milk since milk creates mucus along the gastrointestinal lining. Choose and mix any of the following liquids and pour them into a blender.

Juices – apple, pineapple, orange, tangerine
Milks – rice dream, oat milk, almond milk

I use a combination of 40% rice dream, 40% almond milk, and 20% apple juice. You can use the combinations you like. Sometimes I might just use all rice dream. Other times I will mix 75% almond milk with 25% fresh apple juice.

All of these juices provide liquid to your colon to help your stop constipation.

Sesame Milk

You can also make sesame milk and use this in your smoothies.

In his book, Blending Magic, Bernard Jensen, Nutritionist, has a real nice recipe for sesame milk.

“I believe that sesame seed is one of our best. It is a wonderful drink for gaining weight and for lubricating the intestinal tract. Its nutritional value is beyond compare, as it is high in protein and minerals. This is the seed that is used so much as a basic food in Arabia and East India.

Blend for 1- 1 1/2 minutes to make smooth,

·2 cups of distilled water
·1/4 cup of Sesame Seed
·2 Tablespoons Soy Milk Powder”

In place of 2 cups of distilled water use 1 cup of water and 1 cup of low fat rice dream and leave out the 2 tablespoons of soy milk powder. This will make this drink less fattening. I prefer not to give children soymilk or soy products because of their estrogen mimicking characteristics.
Banana Base

Next I always put in a banana. This gives the liquid a bit more thickness. Also bananas are high in potassium and other minerals. They contain little fiber and yet do not create constipation when used with other fiber fruits. Use bananas that are not spotted since at this point they are quite ripe and are more fattening.

I freeze bananas so when I am out of fresh ones I can use frozen ones.
Main Ingredients

Next I choose a fruit that will be the main ingredient. I use strawberries when they are in season, if you have fresh organic fruit, then this is the best way to create your smoothie. What I do is freeze fruit during its season so I can have some of this fruit a bit long than its seasonal run. If the fruit is organic, use the whole fruit without peeling. Whole fruits contain a lot of fiber that will help you stop constipation.

Choose from fruits that are in season.

·Avocado
·Cantaloupe
·Peach, mango, papaya
·Pineapple, apricots, apples
·Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries
·Figs
·Dried prunes, peaches, apricots, figs


Nutrients to Add to Your Smoothie Base

Once you have your basic smoothie, you can add other nutrients that will provide you with additional fiber, oil, vitamins, minerals and many other nutrients.

Here is a shortlist of some of the ingredients you can add to your smoothies. Add only 2-3 other ingredients so your smoothie taste doesn’t get to complex or unusual. But can experiment with the different nutrients you wish to add.

·Almonds
·Beet Juice powder
·Black strap molasses
·Capra mineral whey
·Distilled water Ice cubes
·Fig Juice syrup
·Flaxseed and flax seed oil
·Honey, rice syrup
·Lecithin granules
·Powder vitamin C
·Raisins
·Rice or oat bran
·Sesame seeds
·Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds
·Wheat germ

Making smoothies is fun and nutritional. Once you create the base slurry, then you can add many other natural ingredients the will give energy, stop constipation, clear acne, and provide many other health benefits.
Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural Nutritionist. He is the author of Constipation, Acne, Hemorrhoid, and Fatty Acid ebooks. He writes a newsletter called “natural-remedies-thatwork.com “ His information can be seen at http://www.remedies-for-constipation.for--you.info

Natural and Dietary Therapies for Acne

The typical modern medicine answer to outbreaks of acne include antibiotics, drying agents, skin peelers and in some cases a very toxic and strong drug Accutane TM. All of these will normally work for a short period of time, but eventually, if the original cause of the acne is not addressed and treated, the acne returns, usually stronger and more widespread than before.

Many of the common theories regarding the possible cause of acne point to the improper release of toxins. As the skin is the largest organ of the body, it helps to eliminate toxins and waste through sweating if the kidneys and liver are overburdened. When a person's diet is unhealthy, their hormones out of balance or their skin clogged, acne is usually one of the red flag symptoms.

In using natural therapies to treat acne, the focal points of treatment are to decrease the amount of toxins that need to be excreted, balance the hormones, and in general, bring the body back into balance. All of the above can be regulated through diet, herbs and other nutritional supplements.

Vitamin and mineral therapy is a good place to start in the quest to clear up a case of acne. Crucial additions to the diet include essential fatty acids, chromium picolinate, and zinc. A variety of vitamins such as Vitamin A, B complex with extra B3, Vitamin C with bioflavonoids, Vitamin D3, and Vitamin E are also helpful in supporting the body while it works to come back into balance.

Herbal therapy includes any herb that works to detoxify the liver and kidneys. Examples include burdock root, dandelion leaves, milk thistle and red clover. Burdock root and red clover also help in cleansing the blood which is another important part of the overall therapy to decrease acne outbreaks. For hormonal balancing many claim that chaste tree berry works very effectively.

Regardless of the type of treatment you decide to use, always check with your doctor first about the natural therapies you would like to try.

About the Author

Rachel Dayer runs and operates MustAsk Network , a health related portal.

Natural Acne Treatments – Helpful Remedies in Your Kitchen

These days we are exposed to so many harsh chemicals, and many people are beginning to wonder if the products that contain these substances are in fact as good for us as the advertising claims. Various skin conditions, such as acne, are increasingly recognized as symptoms of an imbalance in the way we live, leading many people to begin their search for a natural acne treatment that includes healthy eating and regular exercise. But for those of us whose skin requires a little further help – are there any natural acne treatments available that can help us improve our skin?

A well balanced diet, accompanied by some regular light exercise, are the first tools to help us bring our body back into balance, and are thus two of the best natural acne remedies around. While things like poor diet do not directly cause acne, taking care of our general health provides our bodies with the tools it needs to fight back against conditions like these, making general health optimization possibly the best acne cure of all. It makes sense to take steps to free your body from having to deal with the pressures of modern living, such as stress and other toxic factors. Healthy eating and relaxation will lead to a definite improvement in your health, and as a result, in the appearance of your skin.

If your body needs a little extra help in your natural acne treatment, there are various products sitting in your kitchen right now that can help. Some acne sufferers have found that the application of natural lemon juice to their skin has helped, while others have found that oatmeal makes a great natural facial cleanser. If you prefer to treat your skin with a pre-prepared product, look for one that contains natural oils, as these work in harmony with your skin. Tea Tree oil, for example, is a wonderful astringent that can speed the healing process of a pimple, while vitamin E helps in the healing of scars. Some patients have found that ingesting certain of the food in their kitchen aggravates their skin, so it makes sense to make a list of these foods and avoid them when you can. Work in harmony with the natural products around you and you will find that a natural acne treatment can be more gently effective than anything you might buy in a drug store.

About the author:
Find out more about Acne at Peter’s website http://www.acne-all-gone.com/as well as Acne cures and adult acne, acne skin care products, the best acne treatments and more.

Natural Acne Treatment

Natural acne treatments are desirable because they have few side effects, are inexpensive, and are effective for many. There are many natural acne treatments available for purchase. These contain various plant extracts that work to dry up the pimple and sooth the skin

Most of these products contain vitamin E, grapeseed oil, calendula, aloe vera, witch hazel or essential oils. For example, tea tree oil applied to acne has been found to be effective for hundreds of years. An herbal blend that can help with acne consists of equal parts of the herbal extracts of sarsaparilla, yellow dock, burdock, and cleavers. Take half a teaspoon of this blend three times daily.

Maintain a healthy kitchen with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Eat foods containing healthy omega-3 oils such as ground flaxseeds, salmon, and sardines. Drink six to eight large glasses of water a day. Vitamins A, B, C, and E, as well as chromium and zinc, all play a role in reducing and preventing acne. Avoid refined sugar, fried foods, and trans fat (such as milk, milk products, margarine, and any hydrogenated vegetable oils). Some people find that chocolate, caffeine, carbonated beverages, iodized salt, shellfish, wheat and/or milk products aggravate acne.

Stress is popularly thought to be a cause of acne. Yoga, exercise, breathing techniques, biofeedback, massage, and meditation may be beneficial. Chinese, Ayuredic, Tibetan and Japanese herbal medicines can be used to treat acne. Massage is often recommended for people with skin problems. It can help to increase circulation and lymphatic drainage and speed the healing of blemishes.

When shopping for cosmetics and toiletries, look for the phrase "non-comedogenic" on the packaging. Avoid heavy foundation makeup. Most acne patients should select powder blushes and eye shadow over cream products because they are less irritating and non-comedogenic. Never pick, scratch, pop or squeeze acne, especially inflammatory acne or “pustules”.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Acne Treatment provides detailed information on the best acne treatments, including laser acne treatment, and scar treatment, as well as adult, natural, home treatment, and more. For more information go to Acne Treatment and/or visit its sister site at Microdermabrasion Web for related information.

Mineral Makeup a Natural Acne Cure?

Mineral makeup may offer new hope for acne sufferers. Because mineral makeup has several unique qualities not offered in any other makeup product that make it ideal for helping cure acne.

To understand how mineral makeup can cure your acne it is necissary to look at the seven causes of acne:

1. Genetics. Sadly, nothing can change your genetics. If your parents had acne as teenagers there is a good chance that you will too.

2. Hormones. During adolesence, hormones called androgens become active and stimulate oil glands in your skin, increasing oil production. This, in turn, clogs pores, causing pimples and blackheads.

3. Stress. Although stress doesn't actually cause acne, it can add to the problem by affecting hormones.

4. Diet. Many times what you eat has been shown to cause acne. Most of the time acne is an adverse reaction your body has to a food allergy.

5. Washing your face too often. This can irritate the skin making acne worse.

6. Medications. Many medications can cause acne or make an existing condition worse. Read labels or talk to your paharmacist to find out if acne is a side effect.

7. Using greasy skin care products and oily cosmetics. Most makeup falls into this category.

While these are the casuse of acne it is important to remember that acne is ultimately a result of bacteria growing in clogged pores. Bacteria is organic and thus cannot grow or multiply without the presence of water. This is where mineral makeup plays an almost magical role in curing acne.

Mineral makeup is made of natural minerals derived from the earth, these minerals are not only inorganic but they are also extremely resistant to water. They actually act as a shield on your face keeping bacteria feeding moisture away from your pores. Mineral makeup is not soluable in water so even if you put water directly on your face the minerals will not be absorbed and the water cannot pass through.

Mineral makeup does not clog pores either. Because it is so finely milled during production, the granules are much smaller than your pores. This not only prevents acne from forming, but makes the makeup extremely easy to blend into the skin with a very flawless look and conceals problem areas very well. If you suffer from a break out the finely milled minerals are very effective as disguising it.

Because of these and other unique qualities mineral makeup is known througout the world as the skin care makeup and recommended to acne sufferers by dermatologists. Ultimately, it does not matter what the cause of your acne is, without water to feed the bacteria, and something to clog the pores and hold that moisture in acne cannot form or worsen. If you suffer from acne, mineral makeup may end up being your best friend.

About the Author

Find more Mineral Makeup information at http://www.bare-mineral-makeup.info. Get the facts, ingredients, and benefits as well as advice about which brands are the best.

Middle Age Women - Acne Be Gone!

For women who have suffered with acne since their teens and they continue to suffer through adulthood. Middle age women take heart! Acne be gone! It will be your time to finally ditch the acne. But in the meantime what causes women to deal with acne for so many years?

Hormonal imbalances are mostly responsible for acne in adult women, and God knows us women have a lot of hormone imbalances! Premenstrual, menses, pregnancy, and child birth all affect our hormones. We spend half our life on the hormone rollercoaster. And with that rollercoaster ride comes the dreaded acne.

If that’s not enough oestrogen and testosterone imbalances can easily occur from stress or medication. Something as simple as having an IUD device or taking Depo Provera, both methods of birth control, can lead to acne.

When the hormones are out of balance your body produces extra sebum which is any oily secretion of the skin. This clogs the pores and causes those dreaded zits.

Some women never have a pimple until they hit their thirties. Talk about a real shock. This usually occurs when they decide it’s time to go off the pill. Birth control helps balance hormones and for many it keeps acne at bay. So it may not be that they were ever immune to acne just that it’s been so long they never realized they would have pimples.

Some vitamins can also cause acne. Vitamin B supplements and Vitamin E creams are known to cause acne break outs. On the other hand taking zinc orally has shown positive effects to eliminate acne in studies.

There are other conditions that are often mistaken for acne. Conditions such as acne rosacea, keratosis, or perioral dermatitis are often confused as acne. If you are unsure what you are dealing with make an appointment to see your dermatologist.

There are three major reasons why adult women suffer from acne: the pill; antibiotics; and vitamin A.

Long term antibiotic use causes us to develop a yeast infection which lowers the body’s immune system and defences which can result in acne.

Vitamin A treatments such as Retinol-A are double edge sword. Initially they can cause outbreaks, but over time they will effectively remove damaged layers of skin including acne scars, as well as get the skin to form collagen which give you younger looking skin.

Interesting by the time women reach their mid 40’s they can almost be guaranteed to become acne free. It’s believed that our female hormones have mellowed some by then, and we aren’t on the hormone rollercoaster anymore. This is a welcome change for many women!

If you’re younger you’ll just have to find an acne medicine that works and wait for your mid 40s to arrive. See there’s something good about being over 40.

The main thing is not to let your acne control your life. There are plenty of treatment options to try and just persist until you find the one that works!


About the Author

M.D. Stracener from The Acne Cure has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing valuable information to keep you beautiful and healthy. Please visit us at The Acne Cure

Microdermabrasion Acne Treatments – Harsh or Helpful?

Many people think of microdermabrasion acne treatments as those supplied in salons by professional skincare specialists, but there are actually a multitude of microdermabrasion acne treatments available on your drugstore shelves. Many of the well-known and highly effective acne control products available today include beads or crystals that offer a microdermabrasion effect.

But many acne sufferers have been warned off using harsh products on their skin, as these can simply exacerbate the condition rather than helping to control it. Microdermabrasion acne treatments work by scraping away impurities and dead skin cells – surely this is not a treatment suitable for daily use? Won’t this aggravate my skin, leaving it raw and sore?

Older products might in fact have had this effect upon the skin – usually exfoliants were recommended as a once or twice a week treatment. But advances in skincare have produced a wide variety of microdermabrasion acne treatments that combine an exfoliating effect with mild and soothing cleansers, which in combination can clear the skin of debris without aggravating sensitive skin.

In fact, using a mild exfoliant, such as those used in microdermabrasion acne treatments, is one of the most effective weapons in acne control. The daily use of these microdermabrasion acne treatments clears the skin of impurities, leaving it refreshed and revitalised, allowing blemishes to heal and preventing new ones from forming. The beads or crystal are complimented by other ingredients, such as salicylic acid, which are established tools in acne control. The combination of two powerful cleansing substances doubles your power in the fight against acne.

While this type of dermabrasion acne treatment might not be suitable for those with extremely sensitive skin, these products contain soothing ingredients that make them suitable for daily use in acne control. Home dermabrasion treatments are usually offered with toners and other products, and it is important to use all of these in combination, as the ingredients in each balance the effects of the other.

These skincare packages offer a complete routine for your skin that can make a real difference to your acne. Try a microdermabrasion acne treatment, and see what its gentle power can do for you.

Microdermabrasion acne treatments may be simpler than you thought.


About the Author

Find out more about Natural Acne Treatments as well as Acne Scar Removal and Adult Acne, Acne Skin Care Products, the Best Acne Treatments and more at Peter’s website, Acne All Gone.

Medication options for acne sufferers

Oral Acne Medication Options

At the onslaught of puberty, many teens suffer from various radical changes - physical, physiological, emotional.. you name it! Of course, one of the most apparent transformations is that of the physical changes. Aside from the males developing more muscles and moustache and females developing their breasts and hips, there's this one change that commonly annoys an enormous portion of the adolescent population. Acne vulgaris!

Acne vulgaris is also known as acne or pimples in more common terms. Overproduction of oil that suddenly happens to teenagers and sensitivity to dirt are the precursor to this menacing skin disorder. But those two or their combination are not the only cause of breakouts. Many other factors could trigger acne. Genes, weather conditions and certain substances from food may set off the invasion or just the presence of acne.

Dermatologists and researchers have been trying to discover the best acne medication. Acne, no matter how miniscule a disorder it may seem, needs adequate attention. These tiny bumps on one's face could elicit major effects on a person. Not only vanity motivates experts to find or formulate the most excellent acne medication. Ridicule for having a pockmarked complexion is often one of the leading causes of low self-esteem among adolescents. What's worse is that this lack of confidence may be brought until one reaches his maturity.

The most recent forms of acne medication are the following:

Oral Antibiotic Acne Medication. This type of medication should always be mediated by consulting a physician. Various acne medication antibiotics that may be taken by mouth are supported by researches. Assorted antibiotics that act as acne medication are intended for moderate, severe to persistent types of acne. It is very important that a doctor is asked first on which antibiotics for acne medication is right for you.

Cortiscosteroids. Very severe acne may be prescribed with this acne medication antibiotic. This potent antibiotic is usually taken in a short span of time only. They have metabolic effects that make them inappropriate for long-term use.

Oral Tetracycline. This antibiotic is one of the most popular oral acne medications. Moderate to severe acne may be treated with an initial dose of 500 to 1000 mg per day in a decreasing dosage as skin condition improvement is noted. This antibiotic is not for the pregnant women since it can cause skeletal defects to fetus. Children with age of under 8 years are also not advised to be given this medication.

Oral Minocycline and Doxycycline. These acne medications in the form of antibiotics are only derived from tetracycline. Research evidences tell that these acne medications are more effective than tetracycline. Doxycycline is reported to induce sunlight sensitivity. Both are advised not to be taken by pregnant women.

Oral Erythromycin. This antibiotic that serve as an acne medication may be taken as an alternative to tetracycline since it is safer for pregnant women and young children.

Isotretinoin. This acne medication antibiotic is said to revolutionize acne treatment due to its potent effect in dealing with severe and treatment-resistant acne. Reports has it that isotretinoin is very effective in treating all forms of acne. But it should be noted that many side affects are also attributed to isotretinoin. This includes severe birth defects to a fetus, dryness of the skin and mucous membranes. Therefore, pregnant women, breastfeeding women or those who are planning to become pregnant must not take isotretinoin as a form of acne medication.

About the Author

Stephen Brown offers advice to acne
sufferers from the young to old at his
website: www.acne-support.info

Makeup for Acne Scars – Hiding as You Heal

Acne is a pernicious and upsetting condition, and most sufferers long for the day when their skin is clear of it. But many acne patients achieve clear skin only to find themselves left with a disappointing aftermath – acne scars. While many scars will fade significantly with time, most patients will want to begin enjoying their improved skin immediately. Thankfully, there is great makeup for acne scars available that can balance the appearance of your skin, giving you the bright and clear complexion that you have waited so long to achieve. There is a wide variety of specialist makeup for acne scars available, but many people will find that ordinary makeup, applied correctly, will do the job just as well.

If you have had a history of bad skin, it is always wise to select light, non-greasy make up products – there are a huge variety of foundations and powders available for sensitive skins, and many medicated varieties, should you feel your skin still needs a little extra help in keeping clear. Remember that your scars will lighten as time passes, but if dark scars are making you feel particularly self-conscious then there is a good selection of speciality make up for acne scars available that can also be used to cover other types of scars and birthmarks. If you would like some first hand tips on minimising the appearance of your scars, then treat yourself to a makeover at one of your local drug stores make up counters. The professionals will show you how to use their products to best compliment your own skin.

If you feel that using makeup for your acne scars is simply not enough, then there are ways of getting rid of acne scars. Dermabrasion is a popular treatment among former acne sufferers, and can help reduce the appearance of pitted scars significantly. The procedure involves the light scraping of the top most layer of skin, and while it can be effective, the process will initially result in skin that appears very raw. Skin needs especially delicate treatment after this procedure and most doctors will advise against even the use of camouflage makeup after dermabrasion. This can be upsetting for many patients who have already spent too much time with bad skin, so before signing up for the procedure be sure that is worth the possibility of getting rid of your acne scars. Make up for acne scars can be just as effective.


About the author:
Find out more about Acne at Peter’s website http://www.acne-all-gone.com/as well as Acne cures and adult acne, acne skin care products, the best acne treatments and more.

Let's Dispel Some Acne Myths

It is the bane of a person’s existence. Everybody gets it; everybody hates it. And once you have it, prepare to be tormented, embarrassed and humiliated. Such a small bump, so much at stake. So what is this little bundle of horror? What else but the dreaded pimple!

A pimple, or acne as some people calls it, is a dreaded red, swollen bump in the face. Nobody is spared from having it. Male or female, American, Chinese or Puerto Rican, they all have gotten it at some points of their lives and may even still have it. It is like a universal language; it is like a right of passage in a person’s life. Acne is a result of the hormones action on the skin’s oil glands (the sebaceous gland) which leads to clogged pores and outbreak of lesions like pimples, blemishes or acne. Acne commonly occurs in the neck, face, back, shoulders and chest because the sebaceous glands are most abundant in these locations. But the important question we should be asking to be able to avoid this dreaded “disease” is, “What causes this pain in the neck called acne?”

Unfortunately, the causes of acne cannot really be determined (unless your parents or their parents are acne infested too then there’s a big, big chance you’ll be called acne face by your peers and classmates) thus the acne myths are born! These myths claim to be the cause of acne. We shall enumerate them here.

Acne Myth Number 1

Acne is caused by not washing your face often and not scrubbing it hard enough. Many believed that acne is caused by dirt and dust in the face and by washing your face two-three even four times a day or even by scrubbing your face hard can prevent acne. Wrong, wrong, wrong! It is true that dirt and dust is unsightly to the face and washing the face is the way to eradicate them but washing often can actually irritate the skin more. Washing should not be done more than twice a day. More than twice is enough to strip the face of its natural oils making it dry. Also, scrubbing can cause inflammations. Washing the face should be done as gently as possible with the gentlest facial scrub.

Acne Myth Number 2

Improper Diet can cause acne. Certain foods that are oily like French fries and junk food can cause acne to erupt in our face. But scientific studies have not discovered any connection between these two. So this means that food does not cause acne. Though a proper and healthy diet is always good for our system, eating like a pig won’t make pimples a permanent resident in your face. So feel free to eat your favorite Lay’s, French fries and chocolates anytime.

Acne Myth Number 3

When you’re stressed acne tends to pop on your face like popcorn pops from a kernel. Not true. Stress is a part of our daily lives and believe it or not it is not a contributing factor to the acne residing in your face. Only severe stress treated by the doctor MAY cause acne to erupt only as a side effect of the drugs a person may be taking. If this is the case, consult your doctor immediately.

About the Author

Discover all you need to know about acne and what you can do to combat and prevent it from taking over your life. Visit Adult Acne Solution
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