Lasers Now Used for Eczema Too

Filed under Acne News by Clear Skin Consultant

We’ve known for a while that laser therapy may help with acne scarring, and even certain types of laser therapy or light therapy, also can help you with acne itself, such as blue light therapy (ok, this isn’t really a laser therapy, but rather a colored light therapy, or phototherapy for the skin). Now, laser therapy may also work well for those with another skin condition that is as irritating as it is embarrassing – eczema.

What is eczema, first of all? Well, it is a skin condition where the skin becomes inflamed and there may be patches of red, dry itchy skin. Some forms are more difficult to treat, and they involved little nodules that pop up as well as the redness and irritation, and that is the form of eczema that seems to respond well to a certain type of concentrated beam laser therapy on the affected areas of the skin.

The therapy involves a highly concentrated beam of UV light, the same type that you get naturally form the sun’s rays, on the affected area. It can also be used on those with vitiligo, the skin lightening condition that Michael Jackson was thought to have, and psoriasis. Patients who did not respond well or did not respond at all to the typical treatment of topical steroidal creams for inflammation, responded to this type of laser treatment, so it is very promising news for those with hard to treat eczema that they may actually have other options that work.

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Could Vitamin D Help Your Acne?

Filed under Vitamins for Acne by Clear Skin Consultant

If you’ve been trying, successfully or unsuccessfully, to treat your skin for acne and make it clear again, then you know there is almost never just one single cause that goes into this prevalent yet somewhat complicated skin condition.

Often times there are hormonal issues that are behind acne, sometimes it’s hygienic issues and skin care routines, but I’ve found that mostly just can aggravate it or make it a little better but is not usually the root cause, and then of course there are stress and anxiety factors as well. What it really all boils down to though, in it’s essence, is some sort of hormonal imbalance issue.

Hormones can be thrown into imbalance by many, many things. And not only that, these causes can vary from person to person and from tolerance level to tolerance level. Everyone has their own “trigger” for acne, so it really must be treated as individiually as it is diagnosed in the treatment program that is chosen. That being said, there has been some buzz that taking vitamin D supplements has helped some people’s skin clear up.

Vitamin D is actually a vitamin that can be found in a lot of dairy products such as eggs and fortified milk, but it can also be found in cod liver oil and certain types of fish. You can take a Vitamin D supplement, however, numerous studies point to the fact that sunlight is the best source of this vitamin.

This is because your body best synthesizes the vitamin from the sun, and uses it most efficiently when it is garnered this way, rather than taken in oral form. This is not to say that Vitamin D supplements are useless, but you do process this nutrient much more effectively when you get it from sunlight. There has been evidence that Vitamin D plays an important role in your immunity as well as in protection against cancer because it helps prevent cells from turning into cancerous cells.

Some tips you may want to adhere to in order to maximize your natural sun-gotten vitamin D are as follows. Wear sleeveless shirts and shorts, this way you get as much sun exposure on as much of your body as possible. Try to limit your time in the intense sun to no more than fifteen minutes fully exposed and NEVER get burnt. After being exposed to the sun’s ray’s, try not to shower for several hours afterward.

The reason for this is that your skin continues to process and absorb and actually “make” vitamin D on it’s surface after interacting with UV light several hours after you bathe in the sun. For this reason, not bathing or showering for several hours afterward helps your body to maintain more of the good stuff that’s left on the surface of your skin and process and absorb it.

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FDA Coming Out with New Sunblock Regulations

Filed under Acne News by Clear Skin Consultant

There has long been quite a bit of controversy surrounding sun screen and how much protection it really gives our skin from the sun. There are so many caveats to consider when looking for a sunscreen for your face (which is what we’re most concerned with here, that’s where acne mostly happens of course), that it’s hard to actually know what to look for and what is going to be best for your skin, long term and short term.

For example, one of the things I’m afraid of is all the preservatives and chemicals that can potentially harm the skin over time. For that reason, I recently purchased an all natural sunscreen by Dr. Mercola that provides protection by using only natural minerals.

You can tell by the consistency, which is rather chalky, that he’s not using the massive amounts of toxic cohesive agents and emulsifiers and preservatives that most shelf brands do, and I don’t mind the texture at all, it reminds me that I’m using a really natural product. And yes, I’ve used it on my face, and it was totally fine, didn’t make me break out on iota.

The FDA is now going to regulate what skin product companies can actually call a sun block. These products now have to protect against BOTH UVA and UVB rays to be called a “sun block”. Most products don’t tell you this, but they usually only protect your skin against the sun’s burning rays, which are the UVB rays. This is good of course, but what they don’t tell you is that the UVA rays, which they provide minimal protection against, actually are the ones that cause skin cancer and also cause wrinkles.

Oh, and here’s the kicker. UVB rays, which sun screen blocks quite efficiently now, actually is the type of ray that makes your skin produce the ultra beneficial vitamin D. That’s right, you’re mostly blocking out the very ray that, yes, while it can burn your skin, it also is the one that makes this very important vitamin that more and more is being discovered about every day.

The FDA wants sunscreen makers to be more transparent and explanatory in their labeling. They are also concerned that these SPF numbers are misleading to consumers, in that they lead them to believe the higher the number the more protection they are getting. This is not necessarily always true, and there are many more caveats to the story than just a number that tells you what level you are being protected at by your sunscreen. More to come on this important issue!

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Got a Zit on My Lip! No Scar Though

Filed under Acne Scarring by Clear Skin Consultant

This rarely happens, in fact, I hardly ever really get zits like this any more. I have to be under a lot of stress to get them any more because of my skin care regiment, my diet, and my supplements that I take, as well as, I’m sure, the fact that I am in my mid thirties now and although adult acne can certainly persist for a while I was definitely one of those people who got it the worst when I was a teen and in my early twenties.

Well, I must have had a stressful week, because I started to feel a little lump right on the border of where my lip and my skin meet, on the left side of my face – the upper lip. I actually thought it might be a cold sore at first because of it’s odd location, but I soon figured out by the way it felt and the pressure that was building under the surface, that it was no more than your typical, painful and annoying whitehead and was festering below the surface.

When you get a zit that’s pretty much right on your lip, it’s kind of hard to treat it correctly. This one seemed to be ready to gently extract because it had come to a head and looked really strange there on my lip – my husband even asked if I had a cold sore, and he was shocked because he’d never seen me get one. Even to extract it was very awkward.

I had to sort of grab it from the inside of my mouth and gently squeeze with some tissue and a hot compress, and it still wouldn’t budge so I was stuck with an unsightly whitehead there for a whole day before it came out.

I used a lot of good acne gel on it to encourage it to come to a head, and I also tried the hot compress a few times to get it to come to the surface as well. I even dabbed an acne mask on it at night, which usually works for getting my bad ones to come to a head. It finally worked, and I was able to GENTLY extract the yucky stuff.

However, I was left with a bright red spot that I was afraid would scar. I feared I had extracted it too soon, and you know that means it’s more likely to lead to an acne scar if you do that. But sure enough, it’s been three days later, and I’ve applied my acne scarring stuff to it and it’s pretty much history, red spot and all!

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Eczema and Probiotics

Filed under Skin Care Tips by Clear Skin Consultant

I got an interesting comment from one of our readers last week, and because I had never heard of this natural remedy before, it prompted me to research a little about it and write about the possibilities it offered for those that have the eczema skin condition. Eczema is basically a skin irritation that appears outwardly as scaly, sometimes oozing and usually itchy skin rashes.

Needless to say this condition could be both very bothersome and embarrassing as well. It can appear anywhere on the body but it most commonly appears on the face and scalp, and also shows up a lot on the knees, legs and feet.

Although the exact causes per individual are never truly known, it it suspected that eczema is really nothing more than an over active allergic response from the body’s immune system against some sort of allergen.

Often times, since people who suffer this skin condition may have multiple allergies, it is nearly impossible to tell exactly which one may be causing the eczema. Also, eczema, much like acne, is known to flare up when there is a lot of stress in a person’s life. Funny that most skin conditions react to or are aggravated by stress!

Well, a woman posted on here that she has found out about a possible natural remedy that may help folks with eczema. Specifically, she used this remedy to help her son’s battle with eczema. The remedy is very simple – it’s using high quality probiotics taken orally to help combat it.

There have been studies that suggest that those with healthy intestines and plentiful flora in their intestines that are replenished by these probiotics, may also suffer form less eczema. Also, many folks who have eczema have found that taking a high quality probiotic has helped them to battle and greatly reduce their eczema flare ups, so it seems that there may be something to this.

It is suggested however, that you try it and if it does not work after a few weeks to help you, to try other avenues. One treatment does not usually universally work for everyone when it comes to most health issues, so it is best to try these things out and see if they work, then move on the next idea if that does not work. Everyone’s body is different, and therefore many times different treatments produce different results.

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Why is Society So Obsessed with Perfect Skin?

Filed under Questions by Clear Skin Consultant

Not only do people want to feel good all the time, they want to look good all the time. And sometimes looking good is far more important then feeling good. The obsession over perfect skin is the people need to look great, almost perfect. Reaching the scale of perfect nowadays requires surgical treatment that can be dangerous if not handled properly.

Normally, when people have unwanted healthy issues with the skin, they prefer to have good skin instead of perfect. They will do anything to solve the healthy skin problems which can further endanger health. These procedures are considered easy and not very likely to be cosmetically focused.

Now, focusing on the real reason why society is obsessed with perfect skin is the look. Cosmetic skin treatment is very popular nowadays, almost 95 % being women. Women pay far more attention to their skin then men. They want to have clean, soft skin with a chocolate color.

Having the chocolate color is not an issue for people with dark complexion, that is natural for them. But women with whiter complexion want to have the brown color on their skin because it adds more style and sensuality. They prefer summer holidays on a beach, applying sun-tanning cream on the skin and letting the sun do all the work for a chocolate complexion.

It seems that summer holidays are not enough to maintain darker complexion. So, there are tanning saloons offering the same effect. That way, women don’t have to wait for summer to come. They can easily get a skin treatment any time of the year.

Apart from skin color, women take good care not to have stretch marks on their buttocks. It is a situation that with age, becomes harder to eliminate. There are, however, various skin treatments in beauty saloons for this type of skin problem.

Both women and men have occasional problems with skin spots on the face. They are easy to treat but don’t quite help for a good look. Again, beauty saloons have treatment for treating spots that tend to appear often on the skin.

Beautiful skin is also hair-free skin. Small hairs on the legs and arms are quite natural for the human body. But while it is natural for men to have small hairs on the arms and legs, women do not accept a single hair on their legs or arms. Waxing does the trick, with a small price of pain during the procedure.

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Niacin Causes Acne-Like Bumps

Filed under Acne News by Clear Skin Consultant

I have a funny story to tell you. When I got married in Vegas, I brought along a TON of Five Hour Energy. Five Hour Energy are these little bottles of hyper caffeinated, vitamin B12, otherwise known as Niacin, loaded energy drinks. I figured if I was in Sin City and getting married, I didn’t want a little thing like getting tired getting in my way of partying all night and enjoying the amenities that Vegas had to offer.

I also figured that I didn’t now how I’d sleep in the hotel, because sometimes sleeping in a foreign bed really interferes with my sleep. Five Hour Energy, when I take only a half bottle like I should, doesn’t make me break out with acne like other energy drinks such as Red Bull do. I think it’s because it has more B12 and other energizing ingredients and doesn’t rely on pure stimulants and caffeine like a lot of other energy drinks do.

What I didn’t count on though, was the side effect of drinking too much vitamin B12 was. I drank a few of the Five Hour Energies in one day, and that’s when I started to notice all these little bumps on my shoulders and my back and my chest. It was sort of like really mild acne bumps, not inflamed, but almost like a rash.

I didn’t put two and two together until long after we got back from Vegas though. I ended up reading about how Niacin, when consumed in too much quantity can actually make your skin flush and also break out in rashes in different areas.

So what I had experienced was a sort of “overdose” of Vitamin B12! Just a word to the wise, Five Hour Eenrgy may not make you break out with acne per se, but it can definitely make you break out in a rash that you may not know what it’s from.

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Exercise and Acne

Filed under Acne Skin Care by Clear Skin Consultant

You may not think that exercising and keeping a fit body can help your acne, but if your diet can help you stay acne free, your exercise regimen can also most definitely be a large part of the equation when it comes to keeping your skin clear and glowing.

Exercise is a key to keeping healthy skin. There are a number of reasons why. Number one, as it related to acne at least in my opinion and experience is the fact that exercise is probably the greatest stress reliever that you can have.

Stress and acne go hand in hand because stress releases hormones that affect your overall balance of testosterone (or androgens, male hormones) and estrogen. Estrogen and androgens, of which we have both even though you are a male or female, can be very delicate to balance.

When they are out of balance, this causes acne. Acne and androgens and too much estrogen or androgens go hand in hand. Exercising helps keep all your hormones in balance. It keeps the stress hormone cortisol in check all the time. Cortisol is the hormone that is released when you are stressed out.

When I exercise, I can almost “feel” the stress flowing out of my body. I also happen to enjoy glowing, healthy looking skin that’s got a healthy color and healthy tone and texture when I’m working out regularly.

When I’m not working out, my skin looks less toned, and takes on a powdery, dry look. I also do tend to break out more because all that stress that I experience builds up in my body. I can literally feel my skin boiling over with potential acne, and I can feel an acne lesion brewing when I’m under a lot of stress.

Exercise banishes those feelings of stress and anxiety. Not only that, it increases circulation, which is necessary to keep your skin healthy and toned. Exercise in itself helps your hormones balanced.

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Is There an Effective Cure For Acne?

       

Acne is common in both males and females and is present in all ethnic backgrounds making it one of the most widespread medical conditions in the world. It is estimated that approximately 17 million people in the United States have some form of the skin disease.

Being much more prevalent in adolescents and young adults, acne affects 85 percent of people between the ages of 12 and 24, usually beginning at the onset of puberty when teenagers begin to produce larger amounts of sex hormones which increase the formation of oils (sebum) from the sebaceous glands of the skin.

Although acne tends to go away as people reach their thirties, nearly 8 percent between the ages of 25 and 34 are affected by the skin problem. Severe acne usually affects more males than females, especially in the 18-28 age groups. However, more females than males are affected by milder forms of acne in the 29-49 age groups.

Although acne is not curable, breakouts can be treated, prevented, and controlled with the use of medicated products and daily tips. Dermatologists, doctors who treat skin disorders, treat acne with a variety of methods including over-the-counter products (OTC) and prescriptions. Topical medicines, such as gels, creams, solutions, and soaps that are applied to the face are sometimes used with the combination of systematic medications that are taken by mouth such as antibiotics. It is also recommended to have balance diet and intake of Vitamin E is very much beneficial for the skin.
Moderate to severe acne is treated with prescription topical and/or oral medications. Antibiotics such as monocycline, doxycycline, tetracycline, erythromycin and clindamycin stop or slow bacteria growth. Prescription topical medications such as adapalene, tretinoin, and benzoyl peroxide, are also commonly used.

In addition to medicated products, preventing acne breakouts can be controlled by in other ways. Washing hands and not touching the face unnecessarily helps. Other tips include washing the face two times a day with a gentle soap, using a different washcloth each time since bacteria can grow on the damp cloth, and washing as soon as possible after exercising. Also, avoid getting sunburned.

 
This entry was posted on Thursday, December 17th, 2009 at 12:19 pmand is filed under Acne Information.You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.     Posted by Bob Hogan in Acne Information December 17th, 2009    Comments are closed. 

Which Acne Remedy is best for you?

       

If you consult dermatologists, they recommend different sorts of oral and topical medicines to cure your acne. These products might help you in getting rid of acne. However, several household remedies have proved to be extremely effective in acne treatment.

If you have acne problem, a major difficulty you usually face is to come to a decision which acne remedy is the most suitable for you with your particular type of skin.
The reality is that everybody’s skin is different and every case of acne is not identical. A lot of remedies are available to cure acne; some of the remedies are more helpful than others. But it’s not an easy job to decide which one is the right choice? Or is it better to use a proper medicine or a home remedy with lots of natural ingredients to cure acne?

In order to decide that, the most important thing is to evaluate the type of skin you actually have. You must find out if it is oily or dry? Your skin colour matters as well. Treatments are different for people with sensitive skin. And hair growth on the affected area needs to be taken into account too.

People with sensitive skin are most likely to get acne problem since the sebaceous glands (i.e. oil producing glands that are present under the skin) are comparatively more active, hence their skin remains greasy most of the times. The most effective natural way to combat with this problem is to use lukewarm water regularly to wash face with soap and then apply some oil-free moisturizer on the face. To use an anti-bacterial cleansing lotion is also recommended by a lot of dermatologists to handle acne on such type of skin.

On the other side, some people have extremely dry skin. Use of soaps on a dry skin usually results in more dryness. Hence a lanolin based cleansing lotion is recommended for people with such type of skin. Even a homemade paste of almond oil, beeswax and coconut oil can truly help.
However, if your skin problem does not get better or if it worsens, then it is recommended to seek advice from your doctor for more accurate treatment.

 
This entry was posted on Friday, January 8th, 2010 at 11:00 amand is filed under Acne Information.You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.     Posted by Bob Hogan in Acne Information January 8th, 2010    Comments are closed. 

Acne - 5 Important Rules on What Not to Do

       

Don’t touch your face unnecessarily. If you don’t wash hands regularly and touch the face unnecessarily it can make acne worse. You must touch your face only if you really have to. We touch different things around us in our everyday life; these things can have loads of bacteria and dirt particles on them.

When we touch our face after touching those objects around us, these particles and bacteria get trapped in the pores of our fingertips and eventually when we touch our face with fingers, cause acne.

Don’t touch those pimples on your face. It is always tempting to touch whiteheads on your face, but one must keep fingers away from them. When we touch pimples, the pressure that applies on the area may widen and can make pimples bigger. This can even leave scar or a mark on face.  Or it’s recommended to use cotton pads press the whitehead gently, the indication of removal of dead cell is the bleeding that starts when you squeeze whitehead.

You should avoid using too many face products of different brands. If you use cleanser of one company, it’s recommended to use toner and moisturizer of the same brand.  There is a possibility that if you use cosmetic products of several brands, they may not react well with each other and end up in causing acne.

Don’t miss out on the liquids: Water is most important to cleanse your acne. It’s recommended by the doctors to drink at least eight glasses of water each day.  I know it’s unpopular to drink 8 cups of water per day (and it leads to a lot of bathroom breaks) but your body will adjust to the water intake, and soon you’ll have clearer skin and less trips to the lavatory.
Avoid sun exposure, as much as possible through sun screen. In old times people used to say that direct exposure to sun is good for skin. Latest research has proved that Sunlight tightens facial pores. Direct exposure to sunlight also causes damage to follicular walls that will eventually result in the clogging of pores. This will eventually cause formation of acne.

 
This entry was posted on Thursday, January 14th, 2010 at 11:01 amand is filed under News and Research.You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.     Posted by Bob Hogan in News and Research January 14th, 2010     Leave A Comment You must be logged in to post a comment.      

How to Remove Forehead Acne

       

Pimples present on the Forehead are really ugly to look at and they get extremely annoying when someone sweats excessively because the spots usually feel very itchy. As pimples present on the forehead are positioned in the T zone of face, they usually keep on reappearing.

However, like many other bad skin conditions it is also not impossible to treat the problem in T zone area. Following are some tips of how one can get rid of forehead acne.

One must keep hands and hair off from forehead, as they cause in the formation of extra oil and accumulation of dirt that can result in clogging of the pores.Using a good quality astringent on the face, particularly forehead is also effective in removing excess oils from the skin. Although one must not try and pat too hard on the skin, as this may result in popping of forehead pimples, and leave one’s face with horrible looking holes.One must use shampoo on hair while taking a shower in order to eradicate excess oil from them. By doing this, when your hair will touch your forehead it will not carry oil with it.This is highly recommended to use a liquid or soap bar having salicylic acid, AHAS or benzoil peroxide that will reduce the excessive oil from your forehead.Using ointments having benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid on the forehead pimples is very effective to help the situation.If someone prefers to use powder, then they must select a matte-style absorbent powder. That will really help to eradicate excessive oils from the forehead.It’s better to avoid staying in places like kitchen particularly when somebody is frying something in the kitchen. Due to frying, oil may come in contact with your face and this may only make your skin condition even worse.One should never try to pick on pimples. Since they will only aggravate and contaminate already existing pimples with their fingernails.Prior to going to sleep at night it’s recommended to use a drying spot-treatment solution on pimples.Too much exposure to sun is also bad for forehead pimples. Hence one must not forget to apply sunscreen whenever they go out.  
This entry was posted on Friday, January 29th, 2010 at 12:30 pmand is filed under News and Research.You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.     Posted by Bob Hogan in News and Research January 29th, 2010    Comments are closed. 

Remove acne Naturally

       

Following are the tips to avoid a bad skin condition naturally.

It’s a must to wash your face at least two times in a day using a gentle cleanser. One can also make use of a pH-balanced cleanser with no perfumes or a lot of chemicals in it.Avoid touching face as much as possible, and touch only when your hands are dirt-free and clean.You must not try to squeeze pimples. Bacteria that are present on your hands or on different unhygienic equipment can result in causing more blemishes and potential scarring.It’s good for your skin to steam your face at least once every week; it will help to open pores. You can take a pot full of boiling water, remove the pot from stove, cover your head with a towel and hold your face on the pot. After doing this, you must rinse your face using cold water.Usage of some essential oils such as chamomile, lavender calendula and mint directly on your skin is good for skin. You can do that by dissolving 10 drops of any of these oils into 2 tbsp. almond oil, and apply its drops on your dampened skin.You can also use herbs to get rid of acne problem. Chaste tree berry can help balance hormones in girls and Saw palmetto is highly effective for boys. Some other useful herbs are alfalfa, Echinacea, cayenne, chaparral, burdock root and yellow dock root etc.You can also use some topical mixtures. Applying a mixture of oatmeal and honey is very effective for a bad skin condition. Honey leaves a soothing effect on the skin and Oatmeal is good to remove excess oil from the skin. Application of an egg yolk using cotton ball and leave it on the skin for approximately 15 minutes is also good for skin.Taking high fibre diet is also recommended by dermatologists in treating bad skin condition. This includes fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains that keeps your body healthy on the whole and supply nutrients to the skin. Also it is advisable to avoid eating junk and salty foods and caffeine consumption.  
This entry was posted on Friday, January 29th, 2010 at 12:35 pmand is filed under News and Research.You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.     Posted by Bob Hogan in News and Research January 29th, 2010    Comments are closed. 

Do Antibiotics Help or Hinder Bacne?

       

A large number of dermatologists are in enormous pressure to disallow the prescription of antibiotics made by them in order to treat bacne.

A large number of people believe that antibiotics do more harm than cure. Dermatologists do not get something extra to recommend ‘holistic’ or other methods of acne treatment. People are actually willing to ban antibiotics usage for bacne as they believe that such drugs do not destroy the root of the problem but rather cover it for a limited period of time. As, if these drug manufacturers start to prepare a complete 1 stop treatment of bacne they might need to close down their business in just a year time, which of course is not good for their pocket.

Even if Dermatologists prescribe antibiotics for acne treatment, their effect lasts for a limited time period but after some time the bacne, regardless of its position, begins to come back more strongly. A lot of patients of bacne have faced the same kind of experience. After using all sorts of medicines together with antibiotics, which costs really a lot, they still do not see any improvement in their bacne. The dermatologists are satisfied as long as they are getting their fees, also the drug manufacturers are progressing by selling their drugs. But the acne patients are still worried; they spend a lot of money in buying expensive antibiotics but see no improvement in the problem. Not just that, but also feel embarrassed in front of all due to their acne.

This is not all, but due to its consumption for a long duration, the adverse effects of antibiotics remain in the body for a long time too. To consume any form of chemicals for an extended time period is not at all for the body. Humans are mammals and our body is capable of self- healing. All one needs to do, is to change lifestyle a bit and bring positive changes in the diets too.

If someone is not over stressed, have genetic or hormonal problem then their acne may disappear just by making few changes in their diet. By avoiding fatty and un-digestible foods or alcohol and by consuming large quantities of water, fresh fruits and vegetables one can bring an ever-lasting glow on their skin and their acne will also disappear for always.

 
This entry was posted on Friday, February 26th, 2010 at 11:57 amand is filed under Acne Information.You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.     Posted by Bob Hogan in Acne Information February 26th, 2010    Comments are closed. 

Coping With Acne Problems

       

Acne can be an annoying and depressing problem. To deal with acne problem is something that we would never love to do. But regardless of our desires acne problem is something that a majority of population come across at some point of life.

Adolescent years of puberty are the most common years in an individual’s life to suffer from acne. An increased activity of glands and hormonal imbalances can result in acne emergence on an individual’s face, back and chest etc and almost every part of body. However, there are a number of things one can carry out to keep this problem in control.
The first and most important thing would be to understand your skin type. It is extremely vital to know your skin. Mainly there are four different types of skin Normal, Dry, Oily and Combination skin. After you find out about your skin type you can look after your skin accordingly. Washing your face regularly is important regardless of the skin type you have. Usually individuals with oily skin believe that it is essential for their skin to over-wash it. Oily skin over washing can result in extreme drying up and cracking of skin. Then to deal with the dryness, glands overreact, and then appears more acne in order to deal with the situation. Oily skin just needs miniaturization, just like dry skin. A large number of moisturizers and cleansing products are readily available in the market; however, it is crucial to read the directions, so that you will choose something to suit with your skin type the best.
Another vital reason to know type of your skin type is, almost every woman applies make-up every day, and it is essential that the cosmetics you decide to wear, should suit your skin type, and does not trouble or encourage acne. The make-up consultants can also help you to find out what skin type you are.
To touch your face repeatedly is really bad for your skin too. A lot of people do not know that the germs and oil live on your hands. By touching our face again and again we actually make acne even worse!
Stress is another major reason behind acne. If you remain relaxed, you will have fewer chances of acne breakouts.
Last but not the least thing one must not forget to do is exercise. Exercising is not just good for your health and to relieve stress but it helps your body to sweat out all the toxins and impurities that are produced inside pores, which is good for your skin too.

 
This entry was posted on Thursday, June 3rd, 2010 at 9:53 amand is filed under News and Research.You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.     Posted by Bob Hogan in News and Research June 3rd, 2010    Comments are closed. 

Why do Teenagers Get Acne?

Zits are a teenager’s greatest terror. No teenager would like to have an unsightly pimple on any part of his or her face. These red, swollen spots forming on the cheek, nose, or face can really bring one’s confidence down. They can decrease the teenagers’ physical appeal greatly, causing some negative effects on their self esteem.

Statistics show that 8 out of 10 teens suffer from acne. Acnes are bumps forming on the surface of the skin. They are alternatively known as whiteheads, blackheads, cysts, and pimples. While many adults suffer from the same condition, teenagers are the ones most prone to it. This is because acnes have a lot to do with puberty.

The hormonal change that teenagers go through as they enter puberty is the thing that triggers the formation of acne. This is the period when the teen’s oil glands over produce oils that are intended for skin and hair lubrication. Too much oil causes clogged pores. And if they combine with dead skin cells, acne forms. The presence of bacteria inside the layers of dead skin cells leads to redness, swelling, and irritation.

Acnes have different types but they are generally the same. They are all caused by propionibacterium acnes. Whiteheads form when the clogged pore closes and then bulges out of the skin. On the other hand, the acne becomes a blackhead when the clogged pores are opened and the topmost surface darkens. The red acne bumps are called pimples. They form when the pores open and allow the entry of bacteria, dead skin cells, and sebum into the skin. Pimples are the painful, pus-filled type of acne that teenagers detest the most.

There are many other reasons and fallacies as to why teenagers get acnes. There are reports linking acnes to greasy foods, chocolates, and sodas. While this isn’t true to all teenagers, those who have sensitivity to these food items are at risk to skin breakouts. As such, you should be very wary when eating them.

There are also some who say that acne is triggered by stress. However, stress alone doesn’t cause acne, although it can worsen the situation. When one is stressed or tired, the oil glands produce more sebum. The sebum, in turn, would block the pores and unite with bacteria. That’s when acne forms.

If you have acne, it is best that you follow proper hygiene. Wash your face regularly with warm water and mild soap. There are anti-acne soaps available today. However, some may not work with your skin type. To be sure, consult a dermatologist about it first.

Makeup for Acne Scars

there’s a huge variety of foundations & powders accessible for sensitive skins, & plenty of 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  self-conscious then there is a lovely selection of speciaity make up for acne scars accessible that can also be used to cover other types of scars & birthmarks. If you would like some first hand tips on minimising the appearance of your scars, then treat yourself to a makeover at two of your local drug stores make up counters. The professionals will show you how to use their products to best compliment your own skin.

Acne is a pernicious & upsetting condition, & most sufferers long for the day when their skin is clear of it. But plenty of acne patients achieve clear skin only to find themselves left with a disappointing aftermath

Controlling Your Acne Effectively

 

Acne apparently has physical effects but it also have mental effects, mainly in youths. Most teenagers for certain feel awkward and mismatched, add acne to the equation and they are prominently errant. Almost all teenagers with acne tend to possess weaker confidence, than their peers having acne scars. In this article I am going to explain the significance of few acne treatments in accordance with your skin condition. I will also shed some light upon the impact that your diet and vitamins have on your skin disorder.
Some of the famous contemporary acne treatments include over the counter (OTC) acne treatment products, homemade remedies for acne and laser acne treatments. You are probably aware of a lot of OTC acne treatments. Skin specialists and dermatologists believe that among OTC acne treatments, products with benzoyl peroxide are the most effective acne treatment products, so what lead dermatologists to believe this?, Well, it is the fact that benzoyl peroxide is effective in controlling excess oil that clog the pores of your skin which in turn causes acne, benzoyl peroxide also fights the bacteria that causes acne. For a lenient skin condition an OTC acne treatment product with 2.5% concentration of bezoyl peroxide is good, though it shall also work for severe acne but would take a relatively longer time to show some progress. It is also a good idea to use an over the counter chemical exfoliant such as salicylic acid or glycolic acid to regularly remove dead skin cells by exfoliating. If you do not find benzoyl peroxide effective enough you can try other products that have sulfur or resorcinol.

Sometime you want to control your expenses or avoid chemicals because they irritate your skin or there might be other reasons that you do not want to use OTC and prescription medications for acne, in that case there are several homemade acne remedies that you can try, but it is always better to ask for your dermatologists opinion. One of the popular homemade acne treatment is the paste of cinnamon powder and honey that you can apply on effected area. Another such remedy is the paste of sandalwood and rose water which you have to apply on your skin for 20

Acne Articles

Gaining from the Use of CaptioningA child who is trying his skills at reading, a person who is trying to learn English as a second language, someone who is trying to become a viewer in the midst of a hearing impairment, or even someone who is working extremely hard in the gym while trying to get his hands on the latest bit of news have all been exposed one way or another to captioned television shows (read more)

Quick Post About Eating Your Way To Clear Skin

Want to start eating your way to healthy skin? Eat a low-fat, high carbohydrate diet based on fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid foods that are high in sugar such as cakes, soft drinks, and jams as well as foods containing white flour like bread and pasta. We’re used to quick fix these days: taking a pill or using a magic formula. But you’re body will thank you if you tackle your acne from the inside out.
Many different factors cause acne, but it would seem that supporting your overall health with a low-sugar diet will also support healthy, clear skin.
You should try to avoid foods with a high glycemic index and enjoy foods on the lower end like sprouted wheat bread, apples, berries, poultry and fish. However, some foods on the high side aren’t easily avoided. Don’t fret. When eating foods with a high glycemic index, work to pair them with foods with a low glycemic index to strike a balance between the two. In doing so, your blood sugar levels will be more consistent, giving you more energy, stabilizing your weight, and helping you live a healthier, longer life.
Topics: Diet and Acne

Weight Loss Leads To Clear Skin

July 18, 2009

 A reader left a very interesting comment that I though you all might find helpful…

The only real fool proof way to get rid of acne and stay free is exercising, eating the right foods, and intake of omega 3,6, and 9 fatty oil. I was actually looking for a way to lower my body fat and bought a book called burned the fat feed the muscle not only is it a book on how to lower your body fat but when you follow the book you’ll notice your acne disappearing as well. As I was saying I was only looking for a book on how to lower my body fat percentage but I also suffer from acne ever since i was a freshmen in HS to my 20’s after following the book not only did I lower my body fat percentage but I also got rid of my acne. A double whammy. Just google it find the book and follow through and take action and you’ll see what I mean.

Topics: cure acne

Inflammation and Acne

July 21, 2009

Acne is known as an inflammatory condition that is usually caused by blocked pores. The appearance of acne is usually red, irritable looking pimples and they can be inflamed at any time for a number of reasons. It is the inflammation which characterizes acne, so what exactly is it and how can it be prevented?

Understanding Inflammation

Inflammation is a response which is provided by the immune system, in an attempt to defend the body against infection. It causes pain, swelling and redness, though in acne it is usually the redness which mainly affects people who are suffering with it.

The main problem which acne sufferers face with inflammation is the fact that it can leave scarring. In many people with sever acne, the inflammation is so severe that it does leave quite a lot of scarring and that can have a really bad impact on the person suffering from acne. So if you do have bad acne inflammation, what exactly can you do about it?

Preventing Inflammation

Now whilst the body causes inflammation in an attempt to protect itself, it does not unfortunately look good. Also, whilst inflammation will not necessarily leave you with acne scarring, there is a chance that it will and so preventing it from occurring in the first place is often a good idea.

One of the main ways in which you can decrease inflammation, is through taking in more anti oxidants into the body. Antioxidants are found in various foods and they help to protect the body against all kinds of health problems. The acne vitamins which you should mainly focus on increasing are Vitamin A, C and E as they help to reduce free radical damage and also reduce the appearance of inflammation.

Another main cause of inflammation around acne pimples is through you touching them. Most people are brought up to believe that squeezing spots will help to get rid of them, but in fact it can make the problem a whole lot worse. By squeezing or touching acne lesions, it often irritates them even more and causes inflammation. So even if the sight of your pimples is really annoying you, avoid touching them at all costs, otherwise you could end up making the problem worse.

Ensure that all excess oil is removed from your skin. If your pores stay clogged then the inflammation will continue to be a problem, so it is better to cleanse your skin and stop any excess oils from building up. You can get clay masks which are really good at soaking up excess oils, or using a mild cleanser twice daily will also really help.

Overall inflammation can be caused by a number of factors but it can be prevented if you take certain precautions. Increasing antioxidants, not picking or touching your spots and removing excess oil from the skin will all help to reduce the amount of inflammation that your acne causes. So, if you were wondering why inflammation occurs when you have acne, hopefully now you will have a better idea of how to recognize it and how to prevent it too.

Topics: Diet and Acne

Common sense advice for getting rid of acne

May 1, 2010

A reader of this blog posted this comment about for getting rid of acne and I thought I share it with everyone…

I had really bad acne for quite some time. Changed my diet to limit processed foods and sugars, gentle cleansing regime, drink lots of water, get a little bit of sun every day and exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. If you are a female, try Brenda or Juliet contraceptive pill perhaps? As sometimes breakouts are due to hormones and not your gut. Before you get duped by Chris Gibson and his

Quick Post About Eating Your Way To Clear Skin

Want to start eating your way to healthy skin? Eat a low-fat, high carbohydrate diet based on fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid foods that are high in sugar such as cakes, soft drinks, and jams as well as foods containing white flour like bread and pasta. We’re used to quick fix these days: taking a pill or using a magic formula. But you’re body will thank you if you tackle your acne from the inside out.

Many different factors cause acne, but it would seem that supporting your overall health with a low-sugar diet will also support healthy, clear skin.

You should try to avoid foods with a high glycemic index and enjoy foods on the lower end like sprouted wheat bread, apples, berries, poultry and fish. However, some foods on the high side aren’t easily avoided. Don’t fret. When eating foods with a high glycemic index, work to pair them with foods with a low glycemic index to strike a balance between the two. In doing so, your blood sugar levels will be more consistent, giving you more energy, stabilizing your weight, and helping you live a healthier, longer life.

How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar For Acne

For effective use in the treatment of acne vulgaris, apple cider vinegar should be diluted with water to a concentration of 50% and applied topically. The chemical constituents of cider vinegar make it a powerful astringent that is very effective in reducing inflammation, bruising and swelling in no time at all. For a clear and attractive skin, continued usage of apple cider vinegar is necessary as it clears the skin of acne lesions and prevents the formation of new lesions.

Weight Loss Leads To Clear Skin

The only real fool proof way to get rid of acne and stay free is exercising, eating the right foods, and intake of omega 3,6, and 9 fatty oil. I was actually looking for a way to lower my body fat and bought a book called burned the fat feed the muscle not only is it a book on how to lower your body fat but when you follow the book you’ll notice your acne disappearing as well. As I was saying I was only looking for a book on how to lower my body fat percentage but I also suffer from acne ever since i was a freshmen in HS to my 20’s after following the book not only did I lower my body fat percentage but I also got rid of my acne. A double whammy. Just google it find the book and follow through and take action and you’ll see what I mean.

Good Acne Moisturizer

Here’s some advice on a good acne moisturizer from a reader of this blog

I tried many types of moisturizers (including oil-free type) but my face is somewhat oily, and they make me break out. I kept looking because my forehead and the sides of my face get dry (especially during winter), and I absolutely have to use a moisturizer.

I was pretty happy when I found the Made from Earth Rosehip & Hibiscus Face Serum and I have continued to use it for at least two years now. It really works, and I love it! I do not break out from using it, plus it is a perfect moisturizer. The best thing about its also is that it is chemical free and organic.

Inflammation and Acne

Acne is known as an inflammatory condition that is usually caused by blocked pores. The appearance of acne is usually red, irritable looking pimples and they can be inflamed at any time for a number of reasons. It is the inflammation which characterizes acne, so what exactly is it and how can it be prevented?

Understanding Inflammation

Inflammation is a response which is provided by the immune system, in an attempt to defend the body against infection. It causes pain, swelling and redness, though in acne it is usually the redness which mainly affects people who are suffering with it.

The main problem which acne sufferers face with inflammation is the fact that it can leave scarring. In many people with sever acne, the inflammation is so severe that it does leave quite a lot of scarring and that can have a really bad impact on the person suffering from acne. So if you do have bad acne inflammation, what exactly can you do about it?

Preventing Inflammation

Now whilst the body causes inflammation in an attempt to protect itself, it does not unfortunately look good. Also, whilst inflammation will not necessarily leave you with acne scarring, there is a chance that it will and so preventing it from occurring in the first place is often a good idea.

One of the main ways in which you can decrease inflammation, is through taking in more anti oxidants into the body. Antioxidants are found in various foods and they help to protect the body against all kinds of health problems. The acne vitamins which you should mainly focus on increasing are Vitamin A, C and E as they help to reduce free radical damage and also reduce the appearance of inflammation.

Another main cause of inflammation around acne pimples is through you touching them. Most people are brought up to believe that squeezing spots will help to get rid of them, but in fact it can make the problem a whole lot worse. By squeezing or touching acne lesions, it often irritates them even more and causes inflammation. So even if the sight of your pimples is really annoying you, avoid touching them at all costs, otherwise you could end up making the problem worse.

Ensure that all excess oil is removed from your skin. If your pores stay clogged then the inflammation will continue to be a problem, so it is better to cleanse your skin and stop any excess oils from building up. You can get clay masks which are really good at soaking up excess oils, or using a mild cleanser twice daily will also really help.

Overall inflammation can be caused by a number of factors but it can be prevented if you take certain precautions. Increasing antioxidants, not picking or touching your spots and removing excess oil from the skin will all help to reduce the amount of inflammation that your acne causes. So, if you were wondering why inflammation occurs when you have acne, hopefully now you will have a better idea of how to recognize it and how to prevent it too.

Common sense advice for getting rid of acne

May 1, 2010

A reader of this blog posted this comment about for getting rid of acne and I thought I share it with everyone…

I had really bad acne for quite some time. Changed my diet to limit processed foods and sugars, gentle cleansing regime, drink lots of water, get a little bit of sun every day and exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. If you are a female, try Brenda or Juliet contraceptive pill perhaps? As sometimes breakouts are due to hormones and not your gut. Before you get duped by Chris Gibson and his

Communication gap between teens with acne and their parents

I recently came across an August, 2004 survey sponsored by Galderma Laboratories which presented some interesting findings regarding how parents view their son or daughter’s acne. It turns out their concern does not sometimes translate, and does not always reflect their teenager’s reality. Researchers surveyed 504 teenagers with acne along with 500 parents of teens with acne.

— 69% of parents claimed they were “supportive and understanding” about acne, but only 48% of the teens thought the same.

— 15% of parents said their teen experienced body image issues because of acne. 36% of the teens claimed they experienced body image issues.

— Only 1% of parents said acne caused problems with other family members. 18% of teens claimed problems, however.

— 9% of parents said their teens were “angry” as a result of acne. 25% of the teens said they were angry.

Do parents care? Yes, it appears that they really do, even more than we might think.

Do parents understand? While parents do seem to care, they may not understand the full ramifications of acne. From this survey, it appears that parents underestimate the negative emotional effects of acne. This could be because teenagers are not forthcoming with their feelings, or because our modern hectic lifestyles leave little time for engagement.

Ingrown hairs

What is an ingrown hair?: occur when a hair grows sideways, staying below the skin surface instead of properly exisitng the skin surface. They are common in areas that are shaven, and tend to affect men in their in their 30s and beyond to a higher degree. commonly occur on the chin, jawline, or sideburn area. These can easily masquerade as zits because they are inflamed mounds that hurt. However, they tend to come out of nowhere, seemingly overnight at times, and tend to be painful as well. If you get a sudden, painful “zit” out of the blue, consider the fact that it may be an ingrown hair.

Proper treatment: For many people, are a seemingly unsolvable conundrum. However, it turns out they can be successfully treated in much the same way as a severe acne lesion. respond to benzoyl peroxide and alpha hydroxy acid extremely well, as long as you catch them early. At the first sign of a reddish or painful lump, gently cleanse the skin, wait for your skin to dry, apply 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, wait for the benzoyl peroxide to dry, and then apply 10% alpha hydroxy acid on top. In other words, apply a Regimen with the addition of AHA

This just in: Olay Complete Classic Gentle Formula spotted in a North Florida Walmart :-)

I called Olay again today to bug them about when the Classic Gentle Formula SPF15 with zinc was going to reach store shelves, if ever. The representative with whom I spoke let me know the product is now officially available for all retailers to purchase across the United States and it is shipping to those who have ordered it. She also said she herself just saw it last night at her North Florida Walmart while shopping for her family.

Any of you guys spot it yet?

She also said if you do not see it at your local pharmacy or retailer to request it from the manager. The more people who ask for it to be stocked, the more likely the manager will order it for that particular location.

I’m thinkin’ we should get this available on drugstore.com again too. I think we can make it happen if we all join in. I called and spoke to the Drugstore.com marketing department and they are taking it under consideration, but they communicated that the more of us they hear from the better. You can use this link to request that they start selling this product. Tips on how to fill out the form:

Name of product: Olay Complete Classic Gentle Formula
Category: Personal Care
What makes this product so great:

New, improved non-SPF moisturizer coming in early September

We’re getting ready to fill the new, improved moisturizer. It should be for sale sometime in mid September if all goes well.

Overview: I tell people if it’s not the best moisturizer they’ve ever tried, I’m not happy. Usually it does end up being the best they’ve tried. I have seldom felt so confident about any product release. I have been using it for about six months very diligently every evening and have not found any issues in the short term or long term. I have also sent out about 100 samples and received lots of responses. Feedback is almost entirely positive, with some people begging me for more. I think you guys are going to be completely in love. I’m bursting at the seams waiting to get it out to you guys.

What’s different about it: It has a completely new ingredient list, carefully chosen for non-comedogenicity as well as effectiveness and gentleness. I chose to rebuild it from the ground up in order to completely resolve the old issue of stinging that some people experienced. This issue should be completely resolved with this new formula. It also has none of the “tack” that people sometimes experienced with the old moisturizer. In other words, it will not leave an afterfeel. Your skin should just feel great.

It just goes on smoothly and absorbs quickly. The new formula is slightly thicker than the old formula due to the new ingredients. This thicker feel takes a little getting used to and requires a bit of extra care during application to avoid irritation.

It contains licochalcone, the licorice root extract we use in the AHA