Hormones, oily skin- they are to blame for unsightly acne- right. Not according to a recent study published in the British Journal of Dermatology.

Researchers from Seoul National University examined 46 women without acne and 46 women with acne, all with an average age of 27. The study did not find a link between the oil level of the skin and the number of acne lesions in any given area of the face.

The examiners concluded that increased facial oil secretion in women with acne is not the “primary cause” of acne development, or even the cause of non-inflammatory acne like comedones and blackheads, or inflammatory acne lesions like papules and cysts.

While the study was conducted with Korean women, author of “Acne Messages” Naweko San-Joyz says the study has implications for women worldwide. “Acne can arise as a side-effect of multiple health and environmental factors.” San-Joyz recommends women take a holistic approach to their health when they way to pinpoint the cause of their acne.”

Steps women can take to treat an acne condition include:

Getting proper nutrition
Needless to say, the diet and acne debate remains hotly contested. But, San-Joyz argues that enough medicals studies have linked nutritional deficiencies with acne to justify boosting your nutrient intake to limit the number of acne lesions you have. Consume foods containing vitamins A, B, and C, the mineral zinc and the essential fatty acid omega-3 to help keep acne away.

Managing stress well
Another heated acne topic involves the acne-stress connection. Medical studies have demonstrated that stress can provoke acne lesions. That is because stress can impact a series of biological functions that include food digestion and immune function.

San-Joyz notes, “Most people don’t realize that the skin is not only a vital organ but an environmental barrier. The skin can prevent the formation of zits if it’s capable, but if the skin has to decide between preventing a zit from forming and destroying a viral pathogen, you’ll skin will choose to kill the virus first and handle you zits later.” Constantly managing stress simply limits the number of things that you body can do at one time.

Simple stress reduction tips involve taking deep breaths, taking a brisk walk, or reading for a few minutes to help stress dissipate.

Cleaning with less toxic materials
Dermatologists detest the mythical link between poor hygiene and acne.

Yet, San-Joyz warns that the link between environmental toxins and the growing rates of adult acne cannot be ignored. For example, dioxin is a prevalent environmental toxin that is created by certain household chemicals when exposed to sunlight and garbage incinerators. Dioxin is an oily powder that sticks to the skin and is spread by the wind and rain.

Dioxin exposure can cause the body to produce excess amounts of keratin, the protein found in hair, fingernails and skin. This buildup of keratin clogs the pores and causes pimples and blackheads.

San-Joyz recommends using hydrogen peroxide or vinegar as natural cleansing substitutes when ever possible to avoid creating dioxins.

Find more tips for preventing acne at Noixia.com

Health author and Stanford University graduate Naweko San-Joyz lovingly writes from her home in San Diego. Her works include Acne Messages: Crack the Code of Your Zits and Say Goodbye to Acne (ISBN: 0974912204) and Skinny Fat Chicks, Why We’re Still Not Getting This Dieting Thing (ISBN: 0974912212). Naweko created the Noixia philosophy to help people enhance their lives by connecting with their inner-mysteries and inner-selves. Her works take often over-looked, yet viable research and transforms in into practical tools that people can use to improve their health. Get useful, but too often ignored women’s health news by visiting http://www.Noixia.com, Where Beauty Means Health.

You’re Not Alone. Over 90% of us will have acne at some point in our lives. Many people will continue to have acne as adults. There are likely many factors that play a role in adult acne: genetics, hormones, the environment, stress and using the wrong skin care products. The tips below will help you to effectively manage acne and achieve clear, healthy skin.

1. Use chemical-free, natural skin care products to cleanse your pores and minimize new blemishes from forming. Cleansing your face every day with the right skin care products is the first and most important step to achieve clear, healthy skin.

2. Always use a clean washcloth every time you wash your face. Acne causing bacteria can quickly form on damp washcloths and transfer back to your skin the next time you use it. You must use a clean washcloth ever morning and night.

3. Keep hair and hands off your face. Both contain excess dirt and oils that transfer to your face causing pores to clog and bacteria to grow. Keeping your pores clean is critical to your success in fighting acne.

4. Drink lots of water and eat a balanced diet including fruits and vegetables. A healthy diet is important for great skin and water helps to flush away toxins while hydrating your skin.

5. Don’t pick! Picking at or pinching blemishes transfers excess oils and will cause deeper acne lesions which may scar. The best strategy is to get your acne under control fast by using a (non-chemical) natural acne treatment every morning and night.

6. Acne on the back and shoulders can be aggravated by wearing clothing that doesn’t allow the skin to breathe. Always wear "breathable" fabrics like cotton and shower immediately after workouts to remove excess sweat, dirt, and oils.

7. Your skin reflects your overall health and well being. It is important to manage your stress levels by getting enough sleep. Your skin needs rest to rebuild and repair itself. Exercise will help to reduce stress while maximizing oxygen delivery to the skin.

8. Women should not use heavy oil-based lotions and makeup. It is important to only use oil-free makeup that allows your skin to breathe. Oil-based makeup can trap synthetic chemicals and oil in your pores causing bacteria and acne to form.

9. Avoid excess consumption of refined sugar and nutritional supplements that contain iodine. Your body needs to work hard to process these sugars and studies have show a correlation between diets high in refined sugar and acne.

10. Don’t smoke. Not only is it bad for your lungs, it can also affect your skin’s health and ability to heal. Smoking can dry out your skin and also cause wrinkles!

James Day is a freelance writer specializing in skin conditions including acne and rosacea. Visit http://www.AcneResearchLabs.com for more information regarding effective acne treatments and rosacea treatments for sensitive skin.

Acne is the bugbear of the majority of teenagers and a number of adults too. In the U.S.A. alone, 17 million people suffer from acne.

I wish I’d known that comforting statistic when I was a teenager!

It begins when you’re a teenager and your body begins to produce the hormone androgen. This causes the over-stimulation of oil glands which in turn block pores and then, hey presto, a spot appears.

There are many “cures” on the market some are good and work, some work only very temporarily and others just have pretty packaging.

If you had acne, it made you feel miserable and you’ve gotten rid of it, then all credit to you.

But this article goes out to all those people who can’t get rid of their acne and who are destined to suffer it for the majority of their schooldays.

I know how it feels because I was one of them.

Fact is, the majority of damage that acne does is psychological. Cries of “spotty” and “pizza face” at school don’t help and although eradicating the spots on the outside would cure this problem, it won’t cure the problem on the inside.

If you suffer from acne, the best thing to do is realise that it’s up to you whether you get upset about it or not.

When you can get through the day without feelings of paranoia, if you can build up your self-esteem even though you don’t like what you see in the mirror, then you have really conquered acne.

No one can change how you feel on the inside and you and only you control your thoughts and therefore your feelings.

So hold your head up high, realise you are a beautiful (or handsome) person, whether your hormones are playing havoc with you or not, and truly wipe the acne problem from your life!

Rosa Dawson is the writer and owner of http://www.preventingacne.info the complete resource for the acne sufferer

Acne, pimples, sunspots, age spots, wrinkles and other blemishes are skin conditions that plague people the world over. The global beauty industry already makes billions of dollars every year as women everywhere embark on quests to preserve (or achieve) a youthful, glowing appearance. Responding to this need, dermatologists, and other specialists continue to look for the best and safest possible treatments and formulations to combat skin ailments, the most common of which is acne.

Apart from the services offered at skin clinics, many creams, gels and ointments that claim to treat acne, diminish sun or age spots and enhance skin elasticity are widely available in the market. There are scrubs, cleansers, masks, over-the-counter skin medicine and skin peel formulations, all offered at various price ranges. Most can be bought at department stores or drugstores, but the fact is that very few of these so- called “miracle” products actually work. And the latest medical research has shown that what does work as a proven treatment for acne, are skin peels. Plastic surgeon Dr. Keith Leiberman explains: “Unlike other techniques, TCA skin peels get to the root of the problem with acne, resulting in tremendously effective results - leaving the patient with noticeably fresher, smoother skin and great texture…without the acne! ”

The TCA peel, or trichloroacetic acid skin peel, is recommended by many doctors and skin specialists as it is a medium-strength treatment that is among the safest, most effective, as well as easiest to use. It sloughs off layers of dull dead skin that may cover up the source of acne. It also enhances the blood flow and circulation in the skin, promoting skin cell rejuvenation and the build up of skin-strengthening collagen and elastin.

Conventional skin peel treatments that involve suction-type dermabrasion can cause further damage, as it can bruise the skin and break some small blood vessels. Those who wish to treat their acne and other skin problems with TCA can control the strength of the treatment by starting off with a weak solution and gradually working their way up to more concentrated mixtures as needed.

TCA can be mixed with other previously prepared creams such as Obagi or applied directly. It is important to remember that TCA skin peels should not exceed more than 20 minutes on one’s skin. The time limit generally depends on the strength or concentration of the mixture and the type of skin. Because of the chemical content, doctors recommend applying a neutralizer, such as a simple mixture of baking soda and water, to calm and stabilize the skin after the TCA peel is applied. Users should wait about six months before applying another treatment.

TCA peels are great for treating acne and less expensive than clinic or spa-based treatments. Websites such as www.bestskinpeel.com offer this effective product at a fraction of the price one would normally pay per session or treatment at salons and spas. The set offered by this particular website is priced at under $30.00 and includes one ounce of medical-grade 50%-concentrate TCA skin peel (good enough for about 30 treatments) as easy-to-follow instructions by a licensed practitioner. Why pay hundreds of dollars when you can do this treatment at home? Apart from the 50%-concentrate, many suppliers also offer as low as an 8%-concentrate TCA skin peel for users with more sensitive skin.

David Maillie is a chemist with over 12 years experience in biochemical research and clynical analysis. He is an alumni of Cornell University and specializes in biochemical synthesis for public, private, and governmental interests. He has received numerous patents and awards for his research. He can be reached at M.D. Wholesale: http://www.bestskinpeel.com

One of the most frustrating and embarrassing skin conditions faced by nearly every teen, and many adults, is Acne. This condition is caused by pores in the skin becoming clogged, and the skin’s natural oils becoming trapped. The pores usually clog up due to skin cells shedding too quickly, and then blocking the oils in the skin from draining properly. Then bacteria trapped in the skin begins to grow, and whiteheads, blackheads or other lesions form.

There are quite different levels of severity of acne, the most common being Acne Vulgaris, which is simple pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads. It is a common form of teen acne, and is usually easy to treat.

A more common variety of adult acne is Acne Rosacea, which can cause blood vessels to burst under the skin, as well as whiteheads, but is recognizable by a lack of blackheads. Treatment for this adult form is quite different than treatment for teen acne, so a doctor should be consulted.

Much more severe is Acne Conglobata, which is rare, but usually strikes males under 30. Symptoms include large lesions, and extensive blackheads. It can cause permanent skin damage including infections and scarring, to say nothing of the psychological damage. It needs to be treated by a doctor.

However it happens, acne can be embarrassing and awkward, to say nothing of the potential for scars and permanent damage. So what to do?

There are several commercially available Acne medications available by prescription. Some of these include Adapalene, Benzol Peroxide, and Isotretinoin treatments like Accutane. While Benzol Peroxide is available through many over the counter treatments like Oxy Clear, generally Isotretinoin treatments are considered the most effective.

Accutane, the most popular of these Acne solutions, is a pill taken for 15 to 20 weeks. It is generally prescribed for severe cases of Acne that do not respond to other treatments. Because of the strong likelihood of severe deformities in children born to women taking Accutane while pregnant, many women are asked to take birth control by their doctors when taking this medication. Other side effects may include dry cracked lips and skin, and muscle and joint pain.

Martin Stephens writes for Acne-treatment-Steps.com Part 2 of this article discusses natural health alternatives to acne treatment. It can be found at http://www.acne-treatment-steps.com

Acne is commonly a skin condition that is seen as whiteheads, blackheads, pustules or infected and inflamed nodules. Acne often is found on a persons face, chest, neck, and back. While many acne types usually affect the teenagers, various acne conditions are not restricted to a particular age group; even adults in their late 20s or even well into their 40s – have the possibility to also suffer from acne. Though acne is not life threatening, it can cause unwanted permanent scarring and cause emotional distress if it is not treated properly. People with Acne problems often tend to be more self-conscious about their appearances when having outbreaks or blemishes.

Instead of having you dig deeper into your pocket for various types of expensive Acne Treatment remedies, you should attempt to fight acne naturally by avoiding your pores to get clogged. For many people with acne outbreaks, it is about avoiding the common acne outbreak. Just by following some of the simply steps listed below, people that often have outbreaks can dramatically decrease their chance of another acne outbreaks:

• By not touching your face with your hands, including popping the zits.
• By washing your skin with a mild soap, acne cleanser such as Proactiv Solutions
• By avoiding stressful situations
• By allowing your skin to breath; wear loose clothing

Scott Green has extensive experience in the Dermatology field and shares his knowledge openly on his very resourceful site Your Acne Treatment Solution at http://www.youracnetreatment.com

For many years medical science had no idea what caused adult acne. That’s probably because the medical community hadn’t noticed that there was such thing as adult acne. It may be difficult to comprehend, but until 1980s there was no such disease - even if about 25% adults are its victims to some degree. As with its teen version, it is difficult to determine the cause of adult acne.

Teen and adult acne

Teen acne has been researched for many years and certainly some information gained during this research can be used to understand the cause of adult acne. It is probable that whatever causes teen acne will also have something to do with the adult version of this disease.

Stress, dehydration, genetic issues or a simple hormonal imbalance?

The problem is that there are many conflicting theories concerning the causes of adult and teen acne. Almost everything has been blamed: stress, dehydration, having (or not having) sex, improper diet and genetic issues. In the case of teenagers, most of those "causes" seem to have no connection to acne. However in the case of adults, things aren’t that clear.

The immediate cause of adult acne is well-known: hormonal imbalances.

With teenage acne causes are more easily understood. Things are much more complicated with adult acne. Reducing stress, as well as introducing a well balanced diet has little effect on teenagers, but those tactics often work well for grown-ups.

How to heal yourself

The progress of adult acne depends on the immediate cause of the hormonal imbalance. Because it’s hard to determine what is the exact cause of adult acne, it is advised to do everything at once - change your diet, reduce stress and (in the case of women) - start using hormonal pills or Vitamin A.

In many cases the recommended pills are known to reduce the number of skin blemishes. This fact strengthens the theory that the cause of adult acne lies in hormonal problems. More importantly it often reduces the effects of acne, no matter what the reason.

Vitamin A helps to achieve the same effect. However only a synthetic analogue of the vitamin, called retinoic acid, has any effect on acne, "real" Vitamin A is useless.

The problem is that retinoic acid can be obtained only by prescription and hormonal pills are often avoided because of religious or philosophical reasons.

Mark Walters fought acne as a young person and has carried on the battle ever since. He shares his knowledge with others at http://www.AcneRescue.com

You probably won’t believe this, but if you’re serious about getting rid of acne, you need a strategy. Yet most acne sufferers fail to answer four key questions that could save them a ton of time and money when it comes to getting clearer skin.

Save yourself a load of acne agony by answering these four questions before you start any acne treatment:

1. How much will the acne treatment cost and how often do I have to use the treatment?

2. When can I expect to see visible results and will I be patient enough to wait that long?

3. Will my skin stay clear even after I stop the treatment?

4. What are the acne treatment side effects?

1. How much will the acne treatment cost and how often do I have to use the treatment?

Whether you’re filling an acne prescription, buying herbal supplements, or using a skin care regimen, cost is a major consideration before using any acne treatment. Prescriptions for acne like clindamycin phosphate or Accutane (isotretinoin) can range from $10 –$300 per month, and if you insurance company doesn’t cover this fee, you’ll have to pay it all yourself.

Herbal supplements may not prove any more economical choice since some vitamins that boast anti-acne properties can cost as much as $40 per month. Then again acne facial treatments, which usually arrive in tiny bottles, can cost in excess of $60 a month.

At first, most acne sufferers wait anxiously for clear skin and abandon treatments before the acne disappears. This wastes time and money. Yet dermatologist Hilary E. Baldwin sees this behavior often enough to get vexed with patients who reappear every 6-9 months “back to square one” because they did not consistently use their acne prescriptions.

Even if you can afford your acne treatment, you must ask yourself if you’re willing to follow the guidelines and use the product daily, or several times a day as recommended.

2. When can you expect to see visible results and will you be patient enough to wait that long?

If you have acne now, patience with your skin probably isn’t only your list of virtues. But with most acne treatments, the skin will not improve for the first 4 weeks of therapy, and dramatic improvements appear after 8-12 weeks.

Typically, topical treatments for acne, like benzoyl peroxide, tazarotene and retinol, can provide faster visible results that most internal acne treatments like azithromycin, or other antibiotics.

3. Will my skin stay clear even after I stop the treatment?

Topical acne treatments do not permanently limit the excess oil secretion by the pores or increase the cell turnover rate of the skin- two actions that help prevent the development of acne. So, unless you use drugs or alter your internal chemistry via natural methods, you would need to use topical agents for an indefinite amount of time to control your acne.

4. What are the acne treatment side effects?

The manufacturer of prescription drugs and acne herbal supplement or vitamin provides a detailed list of possible side effects. Users of acne drugs like isotretinoin and antibiotics have sited depression and nausea as side effects. Potential side effects from herbal supplements also include indigestion and stomach irritation. If you’re a women using oral contraceptives to combat acne, you may experience bloating and nausea.

In short, whether your get your acne treatment from Tibetan healer or your dermatologist, be upfront about your financial situation, your patience level and willingness to change your daily habits. Otherwise, you could spend years from acne treatment to acne treatment and never see any visible results.

Are you still wondering how to get rid of acne? Get your “Acne Messages” natural acne cure at http://www.Noixia.com ISBN: 0974912204. Get Your Natural Acne Cure Today

Improper hygiene, poor diet, stress and sexual behavior were thought to be causes of acne, but in reality the causes are unclear. What is clear is the cascade of events that form acne. Hair follicles, or pores, become blocked by oil, which normally drains to the surface of the skin. This blockage occurs way below the skin surface, and causes the pores to collapse. At this point bacteria begin to overgrow, resulting in the formation of a white head. If this trapped oil, and bacteria partially reaches the surface, a black head is formed. Acne affects most teenagers, however this condition is not restricted to any age group; adults get acne as well. In addition, acne can occur on the face, neck, back, chest, shoulders, and upper arms. While not life threatening, acne has a profound social effect, and if severe enough, can lead to permanent scarring. Avoiding acne is a difficult task; treating acne has become more manageable.

Contrary to popular belief, face scrubbing with an abrasive washcloth will cause skin irritation, and worsen the problem. A gentle cleanser twice per day, that does not over dry the skin, would be the better alternative. Avoid using any bar soaps, which can irritate the area. Research has been done on the efficacy of different antibacterial alternatives. Several studies have shown that a 2.5% benzoyl peroxide solution has a very high acne bacteria kill rate, and is not subject to bacteria tolerance. Applying Benzoyl Peroxide liberally to the infected area should improve the acne within 10 days. It is important that a moisturizer be used in conjunction, since Benzoyl Peroxide does dry the skin. Further, it is important to check to see if any allergies to Benzoyl Peroxide exist by applying a small amount to the skin, and observe any reactions. Most cases of acne can be easily managed, however there are cases that are extreme, and result in scarring.

In cases of extreme acne that cause pain, and scarring it is necessary to see a Dermatologist. Today, virtually every case of acne can be resolved, and future out breaks can be avoided with the appropriate Dermatological care. Several options are available if scarring does occur. Dermabrasion is a surgical procedure whereby the physician attempts to make scars less noticeable by sanding them using a small hand held tool. This procedure is ideal for shallow imperfections. Laser Resurfacing works the same as dermabrasion, utilizing a laser rather than a hand held tool. Skin augmentation is a nonsurgical way to remove small skin depressions caused by acne scars. Various materials are injected into or under the skin to raise the surface and make the scar look smooth.

Not only is acne a physical condition, a psychological component is present as well. Acne sufferers can experience, behavioral problems, academic decline, social isolation, substance abuse, depression, even suicide. Teenagers are more vulnerable in this respect because both acne and depressive disorder have a peak incidence during adolescence. Although acne is not a life-threatening disease, appropriate management is vital to its successful resolution.

Jay B Stockman is a contributing editor for Acne Remedies Visit http://newacne-control.com/ for more information.

Treating acne depends on the type and severity of your acne. Treatment also depends on how dry or oily your skin is, if you are male or female, if you are taking any medications, if you are pregnant or might be soon. These various factors affect your treatment options and can make any one size fits all acne treatment method ineffective.

Lucky their are numerous acne treatment options, so while you might not find one that works the first time, do not give up just try another. Do to the numerous acne treatments available today doctors can control most acne outbreaks; with greater success the earlier treatments are started. Hopping your acne will go away will not work, your local pharmacy is filled with many over the counter medications you can try, or visit your doctor who can prescribe more powerful treatments if needed.

The most popular way to treat mild to moderate acne is by using a topical treatment. These treatments can be in the form of a gel, cream, lotion or on a pad. They are applied to the surface of your skin, hence the name topical. The two main over the counter topic treatments are Salicylic acid and Benzoyl peroxide. Prescription Salicylic acid and Benzoyl peroxide are also available in stronger doses if required. Doctors my also prescribe ointments containing sulfur, tetracycline, erythromycin or a retinoid. Many times you will need to use a combination of the above treatments for best results.

Salicylic acid and retinoids are used to treat the clogged hair follicles that are causing the acne lesions. They penetrate the pores and help the dead skin cells dissolve. Benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, tetracycline and erythromycin are antibacterial ointments used to treat the inflammation and kill the bacteria in the blocked follicles.

For people with moderate to server acne, in addition to topical treatments they my also require some type of oral medication to treat their acne. The three types of oral medications are antibiotics, hormones, and isotretinoins. All three require a prescription.

Tetracycline, erythromycin, clindamycin, and doxycycline are the most common prescribed antibiotics. They work by being absorbed through the digestive system, then into the blood, and then into the hair follicles where they kill bacteria and reduce inflammation. This option would be used when topical antibiotic treatments were unsuccessful.

Hormones are an option available to treat teenage girls and women with acne. They are usually taken in the form of a birth control pill. They work by increasing the level of female hormones in the bloodstream. This helps reduce the production of androgen, which will then reduce the production of sebum.

For severe acne, isotretinoin is often used. It is a powerful drug that treats acne by stopping all of the changes in the skin that causes acne. It kills bacteria, reduces sebum production, and slows the growth of skin cells.

All of the above acne treatment options should be reviewed carefully prior to use. As with any type of medication they all present some type of risk or side effect. For the over the counter treatments read the product labels and warnings to see if the product is right for you. For prescription acne treatments discuss with your doctor all of the potential sides effects you may experience.

Mark MacKay is a researcher, marketer, and former Acne sufferer. For more information on Acne Myths, Causes, Types of Acne, Acne Treatments, Skin Care, Adult Acne, Teen Acne, Acne Discussion forum, latest research articles and much more visit Mark’s Acne Treatments Explained web site now.