Archive for December, 2006

Posted on Dec 31st, 2006

Acne can be a terrible nightmare for so many people. Acne does not discriminate, not matter what your age Acne can strike. When you have an outbreak, you want to be certain that the treatment you are using is actually effective.

Sometimes it can appear that you have spent a lot of money buying treatments that don’t work, and you are left terribly disappointed by the lack of results, perhaps it is time for a different approach to your acne treatment.

Typically using commercially available preparations will be sufficient to successfully treat your acne out break, but there are some more difficult types of acne that need medical treatment. Sometimes even cases that might not appear to be serve might require medical treatment, if you are in any doubt the best thing you can do is to go to see your doctor.

Your doctor will be able to tell you whether you should visit to a dermatologist. This way you can be certain that your acne is getting the best treatment from a professional. This referral will also have the added advantage of allowing you to receive the treatment at a reduced cost, because your insurer will subsidize the expense of any medicine or surgery.

Another benefit of going to your doctor is that you will no longer have to examine piles of information, use trial and error to decide what is wrong with you and what treatment works best for you.

Before you consult your doctor there are a few things you should do to make certain you will be able to communicate your problem correctly.

The first step is to record the details of any acne treatment you have used in the past and every product you have used on your skin and what benefits you derived from it. You should also include details of how long each product worked for and how it cleared your face.

If your history reveals that you have not had any long-term success on your own, you should let your doctor know that. You might just be using products that aren’t actually ment for your skin type, but not being a professional yourself, you don’t know if something else is available.

Your dermatologist will be able to advise the acne treatment product you require to achieve long term results given your exact problem and this is just what you want, better results in the long term.

To summarize if you have any concerns about the effectiveness of treatment you are using to help with your acne out break, don’t hesitate go and see your doctor he will be able to help.

For further information and news about Acne treatments pay a visit to http://www.acne-care-review.com

You may reproduce this article provided you maintain an active link back to http://www.acne-care-review.com

Posted on Dec 31st, 2006

The best way to protect your skin from acne-related scarring is to take preventative measures early on. But it is often true that people who suffer from acne are unable to prevent future scarring sufficiently. In fact, it is estimated that more than 10 million Americans end up with scarring caused by acne.

There are many degrees of acne-related scarring. In some cases, the scarring is very minimal and hard to notice. But in other cases, scarring is severe and can cause long-term emotional damage. Many teenagers who have severe scarring caused by acne suffer from depression and a loss of self-confidence. They may become emotionally withdrawn and isolated, unhappy with their appearance.

There are many different factors that contribute to the level of severity of acne-related scarring. Dermatological studies indicate that genetics may play a large role in determining how mild or severe an individual’s scarring may be. It is also evident that adolescents who suffer from particularly problematic acne may be more likely to have severe scarring in adulthood.

Luckily, many therapies and medical procedures have been developed to help ease acne-related scarring. The earlier someone begins appropriate treatment, the better the chance that scarring will be diminished.

Those who are considering undergoing therapy or medical procedures to combat acne-related scarring should discuss the possibilities with their dermatologists.

Laser treatment is one approach to help with acne-related scarring. There are two major kinds of lasers that are used in acne scar laser therapy. They are ablative lasers and non-ablative lasers.

Ablative lasers work by removing the outermost layers of the skin. These lasers burn scar tissue and cause a tightening in the dermal collagen. This reduces the visibility of the scarring. The yellow light laser, a sort of ablative laser, can help to treat keloidal scars by reducing redness and flattening the surface. Yellow light lasers also reduce itching of raised scars.

Laser treatments performed with ablative lasers actually injure the skin and leave it exposed without its outermost protective layers. Those who receive this sort of laser therapy must take extreme care to help wounds heal and prevent possible infection from occurring. The skin may appear reddened for a several months or even a year after the laser treatment. Non-ablative laser treatments affect the dermis directly and do not injure the outermost layers of skin, or the epidermis. Smoothbeam is a non-ablative laser recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Smoothbeam works by heating the sebum-producing sebaceous gland, which helps to reduce acne formation. Smoothbeam also heats the collagen, which causes a tightening in the dermis, making scarring less apparent,

Before non-ablative laser treatment is performed, a topical cream is applied to the skin. In order to prevent epidermal damage, the skin is cooled. The patient receiving this treatment will experience some stinging and some sensations of heat during the procedure, but the topical cream helps ease these sensations. The procedure lasts for about an hour. Three sessions are usually recommended to achieve noticeable improvement in acne-related scarring.

Because ablative and non-ablative laser treatments for acne-related scarring differ so much in their effects and side effects, those considering laser therapy should discuss the details of these procedures with their dermatologists.

Greg Podsakoff is a former acne sufferer, and currently provides information on treating acne, pimples, and zits, via an objective informational skincare website, http://www.acne-treatments-guide.com

Posted on Dec 30th, 2006

Understanding what cystic acne is can help you to better treat this condition on your own body. For many individuals, it is traumatizing in the way that their outward appearance is flawed by these small but powerful infections. The skin becomes inflamed here and it may even hurt. The irritants are likely to be bacteria as well as a combination of other factors. The bottom line is, though, that people want and need results when it comes to treating cystic acne.

What Causes It?

Cystic acne is caused by when the oil ducts in the skin become clogged. This will lead to the ducts (or pores) becoming infected. The oil ducts are over producing oils that are generally need to help keep the skin moist as well as to help the hair follicle to ease out of the skin. Yet, for many teenagers, hormones are all out of control and this can cause these oil glands to simply produce too much oil. Eventually, bacteria find there way into this area and irritate it enough to cause the infection on the skin. This is what cystic acne is.

Treatments For It

While the causes of cystic acne are important, the treatments for it are just as important to those that are suffering from it. Many individuals, mostly teenagers will deal with this type of acne for at least several years of their life if they do have the right conditions for it. But, the good news is that there are acne treatments that really can work and work well for them. The best acne treatments are those that provide for all aspects of the condition.

1. They should treat the bacteria that are infecting the skin.

2. They should stop or slow down the production of oils through either destroying oil glands or through controlling hormone levels.

3. They should protect the face from new infections forming through methods such as cleansing and exfoliation.

Acne products are available that can do any and all of these things. If you are like most, you’ll want to get started on it right away. Start with natural acne products and then work on the acne treatments that are not working. You will soon see that cystic acne can respond to medication and treatment.

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Posted on Dec 30th, 2006

Because prevention is the best way to protect your skin from the scarring associated with severe acne, many dermatologists recommend that controlling problematic acne through diet, regular cleansing procedures, and herbal remedies, is the most effective way to combat the tendencies of skin that is prone to acne and acne-related scarring.

Treatments that accentuate the regulation of daily habits having to do with diet, physical exercise, mood control, and other activities, are known as holistic treatments. Holistic treatments often include herbal therapies.

Herbalists recommend the following herbal remedies for acne and scarring:

• Black currant seed oil taken in 500-milligram capsules three times a day for three months or until acne is diminished.

• Evening primrose oil taken in 500-milligram capsules three times a day for three months or until acne is diminished.

• Teas made from a combination of echinacea, tea tree oil, goldenseal, nettles, or calendula.

• Teas made from lavender or chamomile, to help reduce acne-causing stress.

• Chinese herbs such as cnidium seed and honeysuckle flower.

• Teas made from cumin, coriander, and fennel, steeped for 10 minutes in hot water and consumed three times a day after meals.

Some alternative medicine practitioners recommend using diet as a way to combat acne and acne-related scarring. These practitioners believe that diets high in beta-carotene help to reduce the factors that contribute to severe acne. Orange and yellow foods such as carrots, pumpkin, and cantaloupe are loaded with beta-carotene and should be a regular part of the diet of anyone suffering from acne and scarring.

Another dietary recommendation for acne-sufferers is to consume many bland foods such as oatmeal, rice, brown grains, and applesauce. These foods should be eaten instead of spicy foods and fried foods, which are believed by some practitioners to stimulate the hormones and glands that aggravate acne conditions.

A daily practice of yoga is commonly recommended as a way to increase the flow of blood to the face. This helps to flush acne-causing toxins and to provide your facial skin with natural nutrients that help to decrease the formation of acne and to heal scar tissue.

People who suffer from acne should also take care to perform some simple daily rituals that can help to reduce the occurrence of acne and scarring.

Dermatologists and alternative medicine practitioners suggest that acne-sufferers should wash the area twice daily with mild soap. Washing should be gentle. Scrubbing or grating the skin will only aggravate the condition and lead to scarring.

Hair should be washed thoroughly and regularly and should be kept away from the face and shoulders.

Acne sufferers should also avoid shaving as much as possible. When shaving, take care not to run the blade over blemishes. Always use a new blade so as not to spread infection.

Avoid wearing make-up and facial cosmetics. If you must, take care to use make-up that is hypoallergenic.

In order to prevent scarring, do not pop or squeeze pimples. Popping and squeezing pimples is tempting, but can easily cause infection and the development of unwanted scar tissue.

While many of these holistic therapies can be easily performed at home, it is a good idea to speak with your dermatologist or alternative medicine practitioner about the best holistic measures to take as a way to help with acne and acne-related scarring.

Greg Podsakoff is a former acne sufferer, and currently provides information on treating acne, pimples, and zits, via an objective informational skincare website, http://www.acne-treatments-guide.com

Posted on Dec 29th, 2006

Though the exact cause of acne is unknown, many doctors believe it is a direct result of a variety of factors. One of these factors is the increase in androgens during puberty. Androgens are hormones, and can cause the enlargement and overstimulation of the sebaceous glands in people with acne.

For both males and females, the increase in androgens during puberty can cause these sebaceous glands to produce more sebum, which is oil. This oil mixes with dead skin cells and bacteria on the skin and blocks pores. Inside of these blocked pores bacteria multiplies and leads to swelling, which then causes spots and pimples.

Some researchers also believe that acne is hereditary, and that people with parents who had acne are likely to inherit acne.

Though stress has not been found to be a direct cause of acne, it can lead to aggravated cases of acne. This happens because when someone is laden with anxiety, their body produces hormones such as cortisol, which exacerbates acne.

Other possible causes of acne include certain medications, drugs, steroids, have or oily make-up, and harsh skin cleansing.

Greasy foods and dirty skin have often been blamed for acne, but there is little evidence supporting these as direct causes of acne. Acne is also not contagious.

http://www.acnejournal.com

Posted on Dec 29th, 2006

Many dermatologists and acne sufferers believe that excessive sugar consumption aggravates acne conditions. Many other dermatologists, however, do not believe that there is enough evidence to link sugar consumption and acne.

Many people who suffer from acne can detect a pattern having to do with their diet and their acne breakouts. These people have noticed over time that particular foods will instigate the appearance of pimples and blemishes. For many people, chocolate and other sugary snacks are obvious irritants to a pre-existing acne condition.

Other acne sufferers, however, do not detect any relationship between sugary foods and their acne condition. And of course there are all those people who seem to be able to eat all the sugar they want without having to worry about ever developing a pimple or a blemish.

The truth is that sugar reacts differently in different bodies. While the consumption of sugar has no ill effects on one person, it can cause all sorts of trouble for another person. The way sugar reacts within a person’s body has to do with that person’s hormonal make up.

When a person consumes sugary foods, the person’s blood sugar rises sharply and rapidly. This spike in blood sugar is directly related to how much sugar is ingested. In response to this spike in the level of blood sugar, the body excretes hormones such as insulin and other hormones. The sugar is then allowed to enter the cells of the liver and the cells that comprise muscular tissue. Any sugar that is left over when this process is complete is stored as fat.

The consumption of sugar triggers a process in which hormones must surge and fat is created quickly. The body then contains an excess of androgenic hormones. It is the job of the liver to rid the body of excess hormones – but the liver’s capacity to do this changes from liver to liver. Some people have very strong livers that can process and deactivate large amounts of excess hormones, while other people have livers that become easily overwhelmed. When the liver is unable to process and deactivate excess hormones, these hormones cause the sebum glands to produce too much oil in the skin. This skin oil, combined with the fat in the blood, can cause aggravation of acne.

It is difficult for some people to envision a diet that does not include sugar. But if you believe that your acne condition is worsened when you ingest large amounts of sugar, then it may be time to start taking measures to correct this problem.

If you do not believe that your acne condition is aggravated by sugar consumption, you may be right. But it may not hurt to experiment with some changes in diet to see if there might be foods that are particular irritants to your acne. If you can detect which foods make your acne worse through trial and error experimentation, then you can avoid those foods in the future.

If you choose to experiment with a diet that is low in sugar, you should avoid candy, chocolate, and any other foods that contain processed sugars. You should also avoid fruit juices except those that are low in sugar. High sugar fruits should be eaten sparingly. Natural sugars such as honey, maple syrup, and molasses, can be used in small quantities.

Greg Podsakoff is a former acne sufferer, and currently provides information on treating acne, pimples, and zits, via an objective informational skincare website, http://www.acne-treatments-guide.com

Posted on Dec 28th, 2006

Although most natural acne treatments that work come in the form of internal vitamin supplements, tea tree oil is an all-natural treatment that can produce great results with just a topical application. Mainly used as a spot treatment, tea tree oil has gained a reputation as the natural alternative to benzoyl peroxide, giving many of the same clear skin benefits with generally milder side effects.

Tea tree oil originates from the leaves of the Australian Melaleuca Alternafolia Tree. For years it has been used as a natural disinfectant, killing harmful bacteria in cuts and scrapes without the stinging that accompanies alcohol. It’s also been known to help sooth pain and speed the healing of small wounds. More recently, its antibacterial properties have been found to be a potent weapon against acne.

As an acne treatment, tea tree oil is usually used either as a concentrated spot treatment, or a diluted face wash. In my experience, using 100% tea tree oil as a spot treatment is the most effective route. Applying a few drops of tea tree oil directly to acne spots can kill the underlying bacteria and dry up the inflamed region, sometimes as quickly as overnight. Most users find that the drying is not as severe as with other acne products that use benzoyl peroxide, and tea tree oil will not bleach your clothing either (plus it’s less expensive, and a small amount will last much longer).

Tea tree oil is most effective in high concentrations, so you’re better off using a small amount directly on trouble spots, rather than diluting the concentration and using it all over, although users with highly sensitive skin may find dilution necessary. As with any topical treatment, you don’t want to over-dry and irritate your face, or clear skin will be even harder to maintain.

As effective as tea tree oil is at eliminating current acne blemishes, like all topical treatments it cannot really help with preventing new acne from forming under your skin. Tea tree oil also has a rather strong alcohol-like smell, so it may be best to use it only at night before bed. These factors aside, tea tree oil is an excellent alternative if you’re looking for a natural spot treatment that is more gentle on your skin than benzoyl peroxide. Combined with internal natural acne products (for acne prevention), you will have a natural regimen that eliminates spots quickly and maintains clear skin in the future.

Don Amodeo is the webmaster of Acne-Vitamins.com, where you can find vitamin B5 acne products and a free guide to vitamins for clear skin. This article may be republished provided that the author’s information and all active links are left intact.

Posted on Dec 28th, 2006

Many doctors and alternative medicine practitioners believe that one essential component of achieving overall bodily health is having a colon that is clean and free of the toxins that can build up over time. Many of these same doctors and alternative medicine practitioners believe that one of the benefits of colon cleansing is the improvement of acne conditions.

One process of colon cleansing is called colon hydrotherapy. This cleansing process involves the gentle bathing of the large intestine, or colon. The purified warm water that is used during colon hydrotherapy helps to remove the poisons, toxic materials, and build-up of waste from the body.

Unlike an enema, which only cleans the first two feet of the large intestine with only a relatively small amount of water, a colon hydrotherapy treatment cleans the colon with between fifteen and twenty-five gallons of water. This water cleans the entire colon and reaches difficult areas and areas where fecal matter tends to gather and build up.

Colon hydrotherapists often recommend that hydrotherapy treatments be received in conjunction with appropriate herbal remedies.

Effective colon hydrotherapy treatments remove not only fecal material, but also excess mucus, bacteria, and parasites. Therapy treatments help to restore the colon to its original shape, which can get distorted over years of accommodating the build up of waste.

The restoration of the colon to its original shape helps it to move out waste materials more effectively. Hydrotherapy treatments can also help the body to have regular bowel movements without the disturbance of constipation and diarrhea.

Those who practice colon hydrotherapy truly believe that this practice rejuvenates the body as a whole. The removal of toxins and poisons helps the body to alleviate many health problems like fatigue, frequent headaches or stomachaches, weight problems, allergies, and various skin conditions such as psoriasis and acne.

Colon hydrotherapy treatments also help the colon to be able to do its job better in the future, excreting wastes more efficiently and keeping polluting toxins out of the body. A colon that is working more efficiently is one that is helping to maintain overall body and skin health.

We don’t often think about it, but the skin is actually the body’s largest excretory organ. When the colon is clogged with fecal matter, bacteria, and other toxins and waste material, the skin begins to act as an excretory substitute.

Because problematic skin is so often an indication of unhealthy colon in need of cleansing, antibiotics, skin medications, and topical creams may not work well to correct the problem.

Vitamin A is of vital importance to overall skin health, and to maintaining skin that is free of acne and other conditions. Dietary Vitamin A enters the body largely through absorption through the walls of the large intestine, or colon. The colon, in a state of ill health, has a difficult time absorbing adequate amounts of Vitamin A. A healthy colon that has received cleansing hydrotherapy will more effectively absorb Vitamin A, helping the skin to maintain clarity and good health.

Many people who suffer from various skin problems, such as acne, psoriasis, and eczema, find that their skin conditions improve after colon hydrotherapy treatments.

Greg Podsakoff is a former acne sufferer, and currently provides information on treating acne, pimples, and zits, via an objective informational skincare website, http://www.acne-treatments-guide.com

Posted on Dec 27th, 2006

Acne can be a very upsetting condition that causes spots and can also lead to cysts and scarring. There are many different products on the market and if you don’t have any experience it can be very confusing, but before buying it is a good idea to look at some product reviews for acne scar treatment. This can help you to decide not only whether a product is good but also if it is suitable for you.

It is very easy to just accept the views of the drugstore owner and take whatever he offers, but by doing a little research you can decide for yourself what is best for you. Although product reviews for acne scar treatment can tell you about the products that are available and what the reviewer thought of them, it is always a good idea to consult a health care professional before embarking on any course of treatment.

Although it can be expensive to get referred to a specialist if your healthcare does not cover this, your doctor should be able to advise you on the products that he has had success with. After all a doctor that regularly treats patients with this condition is in a much better position to make an educated suggestion than a friend that has only tried one type of treatment.

Just because a particular brand or product worked well for one person does not mean that it is the right treatment for you. Scarring can be very upsetting and it is easy to believe the wild claims made by some advertisers (and also occasionally some reviewers). So it is always a good idea to look at a few different product reviews for acne scar treatment before you decide on one.

Price may also be a factor in your decision. Although we all want the best treatment, you have to make sure that you can afford to pay for it on an ongoing basis. There is little point in buying the most expensive (and probably best publicized) treatment, only to find that after you supply is exhausted that you cannot afford to replace it and have to start your search of the product reviews for acne scar treatment again.

A little research can bring great benefits in helping decide which is the best treatment for you and together with the advice of your health care professional, you should be able to make a well informed decision on which is the best product to try.

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Clear-Skin-Solutions.com. He provides more acne clearing solutions, remedies and more product reviews for acne scar treatment that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

Posted on Dec 27th, 2006

Are you one of the millions of adults who have acne? Many adults are dealing with acne, the first signs of wrinkles and grey hair all at the same time – talk about physical and emotional tolls. Life just seems too unfair at times. Fortunately, there are some simple solutions for treating acne. Really. You don’t have to live with it.

To properly treat acne, one must first understand what causes it. When hair follicles and sebaceous glands become inflamed acne follows soon after. Sebum is an oily substance made by the sebaceous glands. Bacterial growth and inflammation result when too much sebum is produced. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the four basic mechanisms contributing to acne are hormones, increased sebum production, changes inside hair follicles, and bacteria.

These simple solutions require persistence and consistency.

First things first, talk to a Dermatologist. A Dermatologist can provide you with the best solutions for you based on your medical history, age, skin type etc. Depending on the severity of your acne and your individual circumstances, your Dermatologist may want to prescribe an antibiotic, a vitamin A derivative like Isotretinoin, or one of the other acne drugs now available.

Use non-comedogenic products. Non-comedogenic basically means - not likely to block the pores of the skin, or cause blackheads or acne. There are many non-comedogenic products available today, including, makeup, foundation, moisturizers, sunscreen, lip stick, etc. If it’s something that you apply to your skin you should be able to find a non-comedogenic version. In fact, you can also find non-comedogenic and medicated makeup with acne fighting ingredients like, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and sulfur. These products shouldn’t clog your pores and should help treat acne.

Proper skin care is also very important. Gently washing with a facial cleanser that contains benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or sulfur will also kill the bacteria that causes acne. Proactiv Solution is one such product that is used my millions of people – with great results. Whatever product you decide to use, do not scrub your face as this can irritate your skin and make your acne worse.

Even though there is no cure for acne, there are several effective methods available today to treat it. By discussing your acne with a Dermatologist you can determine the best course of action for you. In the mean time, keep your chin up – there are treatments available that will help you with your acne situation. Imagine waking up one morning and noticing how clear your face is becoming. It really is a great feeling!

Kay Smith is the webmaster of BestAcneSolutions.com which provides information, product reviews and news on acne and acne related products.

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