Monday, September 25, 2006

Tips for getting rid of acne skin

One of the best tips for getting rid of acne skin is to make an appointment with your doctor or dermatologist. In all actuality this simple step is what many people try to avoid. If their acne is not that bad then they seem to think that they can find the cure themselves, but if you don't know what your are looking for it can be very difficult to find the right acne cleanser or solution. A simple visit to the doctor or dermatologist in order to obtain some clear skin treatment advice can be a great help and naturally they can recommend the best treatment for you. This can save you lots of time trying out different things without any real knowledge of what will work best for your particular skin condition.

One of the most useful tips for getting rid of acne skin is also one of the most obvious; you need to keep your skin clean by gentle washing with products that will not make your acne worse. A simple perfume free and uncolored soap might well be the easiest and cheapest way of cleaning your skin.

Best tips for getting rid of acne is to make sure what you eat and drink enough water.
Keep your face clean by washing it regurally and use the acne treatments that are recommended by your doctor or dermatologist. Poor hygiene and cleanliness causes acne skin

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Story of Acne Skin Sufferer

I believe that no one like to have acne skin. I've been suffered ance for several years. I understand the feeling and I can say that I hate that feeling. It happened suddenly and spread until my whole face. I really did not know what went wrong with my skin and started to locked myself from the world out there. From beauty saloon to skin specialist, and also doing some exercises that can help ance cure.

After all the discoveries, lastly I know acne is generally caused by the event of the bacteria on your puss and increased amounts of oils on the dial which make it a gracious place for bacteria to go and hide. The oils that are being secreted at high levels may be due to hormone imbalances and the excess oil lead to the start of bacteria.

Bacteria can feed on the dead skin cells that are not properly exfoliated away, making this a more likely target for growth. All these things are generally the case for most types of acne. But, there are different things that well-spring them to happen.

Friday, September 08, 2006

acne skin : What can you do about acne on your own?

Think back to the 3 basic causes of acne, and you can understand why the focus of both home treatment and prescription therapy is to: (1) unclog pores; (2) kill bacteria; and (3) minimize oil. But first a word about . . . .

Lifestyle: Everyone knows that moderation and regularity are good things, but not everyone can sleep 8 hours, eat three good meals, and drink 8 glasses of water a day. Relax! You can still control your acne if school or work make your routine frantic and unpredictable. Probably the most useful lifestyle change you can make is to apply hot compresses to pustules and cysts, or get facials (see below), and NEVER, EVER PICK, THANK YOU. When you pick or squeeze a pimple, the skin always feels bumpier and stays redder longer than if you leave them alone, however hard that may be to do. The redness, by the way, is not scarring in the permanent sense. It's just a mark that takes months to fade.

Opening Pores

Cleansing and Skin Care: Despite what you read in popular style and fashion magazines, there is no magic product or regimen that is right for every person and situation.

Mild cleansers: Washing once or twice a day with a mild cleansing bar or liquid (for example, Dove, Neutrogena, Basis, Purpose, and Cetaphil are all inexpensive and popular) will keep the skin clean and minimize sensitivity and irritation.
Exfoliating cleansers and masques: A variety of mild scrubs, exfoliants, and masques can be used. These products contain either fine granules or salicylic acid in a concentration that makes it a very mild peeling agent. These products remove the outer layer of the skin, and thus open pores.
Retinol: Not to be confused with the prescription medication, Retin-A, this derivative of Vitamin A can help promote skin peeling.
Killing Bacteria

Antibacterial cleansers: The most popular ingredient in over- the-counter antibacterial cleansers is benzoyl peroxide.
Topical (external) applications: These products come in the form of gels, creams, and lotions, which are applied to the affected area. The active ingredients that kill surface bacteria include benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, and resorcinol.
Benzoyl peroxide causes red and scaly allergic skin in a small number of people, which goes away as soon as you stop using it. Keep in mind that benzoyl peroxide is a BLEACH, so don't let products containing benzoyl peroxide get on your good colored clothes, shirts, or towels!

Reducing Oil

Oil is normal. You can't stop your oil glands from producing it, unless you mess with your hormones or metabolism in ways you shouldn't want to. (Even Accutane -- see below -- only slows down oil glands for a while. They come back to life later.) What you can do is to get rid of oil on the surface of the skin, and reduce that embarrassing shine.

Use a gentle astringent/toner to wipe away oil. (There are many brands available in pharmacies, as well as from manufacturers of cosmetic lines.)
Products containing glycolic acid or one of the other alpha-hydroxy acids are also mildly helpful in clearing the skin by causing the superficial layer of the skin to peel (exfoliate).
Masques containing sulfur and other ingredients draw out facial oil.
Antibacterial pads containing benzoyl peroxide have the additional benefit of helping you wipe away oil.

?996-2006 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved.

acne skin : What doesn't cause acne?

What doesn't cause acne?

These factors DON'T cause acne, at least by themselves:

Heredity: Except for very severe acne, most people don't have the problem just the way their parents did. Besides, some degree of acne is almost universal, so you'd expect to have more than one relative that has been affected at some point.
Food: All over the world, parents tell teens to avoid pizza, chocolate, greasy and fried foods, and junk foods. While these foods may not be good for overall health, they don't make acne worse.
Dirt: Oil is a natural secretion of the oil glands, though some people are naturally oilier than others. "Blackheads" are oxidized oil, not dirt. Sweat from exercise, whether washed off promptly or not, also doesn't cause acne. On the other hand, excessive washing can dry and irritate the skin.
Stress: Some people get so upset by their pimples that they pick at them and make them last longer. Stress, however, does not play much of a direct role in causing acne. The good news is that to improve the acne, people would not be required to calm down and reduce stress, unless it is causing them to pick at their skin.
Hormones: Some women break out cyclically, but most women (and all men!) don't. Likewise, hormone tests and treatments aren't much help. (See below.)
When should you start to treat acne?

Since everyone gets acne at some time, there is no "correct" time to treat it. The best advice is to take action when you think it's out of control. This can be when severe acne flares suddenly, mild acne that just won't quit, or even when a single pimple decides to show up the week before your prom or wedding. The decision is yours.

996-2006 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved.

acne skin : What is acne?

What is acne?

Acne can affect people from ages 10 through 40 and up. Acne can show up as any of the following; congested pores, whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, pustules, or cysts (deep pimples). These blemishes occur wherever there are many oil (sebaceous) glands, mainly on the face, chest, and back. Acne is commonly referred to in slang as zits.

You can do a lot for your acne if you understand what brings it on and what really doesn't (despite what people tell you)--and if you know what you can get at a drugstore or cosmetic counter without a prescription. For tougher cases, you should consult a physician.



What causes acne anyway?

No one factor causes acne. As physicians understand it, acne happens when oil (sebaceous) glands come to life around puberty, when these glands are stimulated by male hormones that are produced in the adrenal glands of both boys and girls. The oil glands, which are located just beneath the skin, continuously produce and secrete oil through openings in the skin. The oil lubricates and protects the skin. Under certain circumstances, cells that are close to the openings of the oil glands block the openings. This causes a buildup of oil underneath the skin. Bacteria, which live in everyone's skin but generally mind their own business, feast on this oil, multiply, and cause the surrounding tissues to become inflamed.

If the inflammation is right near the surface, you get a pustule; if it's deeper, a papule (pimple); deeper still and it's a cyst. If the oil breaks though to the surface, the result is a " whitehead." If the oil becomes oxidized (that is, acted on by oxygen in the air), the oil changes from white to black, and the result is a " blackhead."

?996-2006 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved.

Thursday, September 07, 2006

acne skin : Not Just a Physical Problem pt2

These misleading ideas can make acne a very traumatic experience. Feeling that they are being judged in social situations, acne sufferers may withdraw from events and gatherings, becoming shy and avoiding social contact. Others may respond with anger, acting rebellious to draw attention to their behaviour and away from acne-prone skin. Adults often feel particularly ashamed of their acne, since it is generally perceived to be an adolescent disease that should have disappeared by adulthood. A common complaint of many acne sufferers is that their quality of life has been compromised; the emotional and psychological stigma of acne can really take a toll on a person's self-confidence.

Fortunately, in these modern times, there is an abundance of help for acne sufferers. There are more skin care tips than ever before, and there are hundreds of products on the market, either over-the-counter topical acne treatments or prescribed acne medications. Even better, the knowledge base about acne has grown significantly, and dermatologists have identified a basic acne skin care regime that has proven helpful for many thousands of people suffering from acne. The first step is a good skin cleanser, often one containing or a gentle exfoliant to help remove dead skin cells. The second step is a toner, which neutralizes the pH of the skin and eliminates bacteria. The final step is a moisturizer, to keep the skin soft and supple. Some acne skin care regimes also add a medicated cream after the toner and before the moisturizer, to help existing acne heal more quickly. With so many acne treatment options, most people don't have to suffer from acne, and once treated, the psychological effects of the disease can also heal.

By C. L. Jackson

acne skin : Not Just a Physical Problem pt1

Current statistics on acne are astounding; there are millions of people, world-wide, that suffer from this disease. While many might question why a simple skin disease could be so terrible, you need only to have experienced an acne outbreak yourself to understand how traumatic it can be. Acne patients have been known to suffer from a variety of psychological problems stemming from their acne, including clinical depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and social phobias. One study even suggests that acne patients suffer from more anxiety disorders and depression than many others who have more physically debilitating medical problems.

One reason for this may be the importance that many feel a society places on their physical appearance. This focus can skew an individual's feeling of self-worth if they don't match up. Media is often blamed for setting an unrealistic ideal for a person's physical appearance by showing, for instance, only those people with completely flawless skin or by using digital editing methods to make that person's skin appear perfect. This places an enormous amount of pressure on individuals to meet the perceived ideal of beauty, or sometimes even to come close to their own personal expectations for themselves. A focus on one's looks makes it much easier to become self-critical. In many cases, we can be our own harshest judge, seeing our flaws as much more noticeable than they actually are. Imperfections such as acne may become an acute source of embarrassment, especially since outbreaks may be hard to control.

Myths and misconceptions can also contribute to the psychological problems associated with acne. One such myth maintains that the cause of acne is poor hygiene. On the contrary, many people with acne wash their faces several times a day in order to minimize acne-causing oil. Another acne myth is that people suffer from acne get it from eating junk food. Obviously healthy eating is better for your body and your skin, however, except in cases of food allergies or nutrient deficiencies, there is no widely accepted and direct link between the food a person eats and the presence of acne. Both these myths suggest that if you have acne skin, it is your own fault, and this is simply not true.

By C. L. Jackson

acne skin : Acne Skin Care Products

It is indeed a major inconvenience to suffer from acne - and sometimes people are willing to pay for expensive skin care items and surgical treatments just to make the acne go away. But what about those of us who suffer just as much, and don't have the money or the superstar lifestyle to sustain that sort of acne relief? You don't always have to buy signature skin care brands to experience relief from acne - there are some acne skin care products available over the counter that fall well within a reasonable budget.

A lot of acne skin care products use all-natural components so as not to further irritate the skin. Among these components is aloe - an extract of the "wonder plant," so called for its myriad healing properties. But this doesn't mean any lotion with aloe can help relieve acne! Make it a point to use only facial lotions on acne-prone areas. Aloe is also often used in tandem with other chemicals, which may irritate facial skin especially. Pure aloe gels are usually best.

Salicylic acid is another popular anti-acne chemical. A small amount of salicylic acid would help in the elimination of a lot of skin problems, including acne. A skin care solution that is made up of diluted salicylic acid - around two percent of acid only - ought to do wonders for your skin. Benzoyl peroxide is a vital component in some signature skin care products, such as Clearasil, Benzac and Benoxyl. What it does is to unplug pores, releasing the toxins that cause acne.

Alphahydroxy acid does its work by drying up blemishes and causing the top layer of the skin to peel. The peeling may seem awkward if you are especially conscious about your looks, but it's still an effective cleanser and exfoliant. Many brands of sunscreens, eye creams, cleansers and moisturizers use alphahydroxy acid.

Of course, when using these acne skin care products, you should speed up the healing process by keeping a steady eye on your habits and diet. Avoid fatty foods, processed foods, nuts, and foods packed with iodine. Opt for sea salt rather than the more commercially available iodized salt. Remember to get plenty of sleep and to reduce your caffeine intake. You might be surprised how well a healthy diet and enough regular sleeping hours can do wonders for your skin - even without the use of over-the-counter remedies!

By Trevor Mulholland

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

TCA Skin Peel: Cost-Effective Way to Treat Acne

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. By David Maillie

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Ance Skin: Your Skin can Speak Volumes

Everyone dreams of having skin that is healthy, smooth and radiant. This state of skin perfection would have to derive from proper and attentive care. Your skin could convey its wishes, its needs for nutrition and concern. Listen to its voice, pamper it with timely care, and your skin will maintain its very best condition always. Balance: The First Criterion for Perfect Skin

At the crux of the latest global beauty concepts, lies the need for skin balance, which is the first criterion for perfect skin. Here, “balance” refers to the natural physiological functions of the skin, such as regulation of moisture, oil secretion, sensitive reactions and organisational structures. Only when these four areas are regulated and balanced, can the skin present its very best. Conversely, if there is an imbalance in the four factors, the skin will develop problems accordingly.

Warning Signal 1:Dryness, lack of moisture, slight peeling, dry wrinkles
Skin’s Revelation: Functional imbalance in regulation of moisture

The Best Solution: Emergency replenishment of moisture
Suggested Method: Give skin the ample moisturising nutrition it needs. Choose special moisturising skincare products that contain natural minerals, effective moisture-replenishing factors, natural compound vitamins, collagen, etc.

Warning Signal 2: Insufficient or excessive oil, whiteheads, blackheads, acne 
Skin’s Revelation: Functional imbalance in oil secretion

The Best Solution: Balance oil secretion
Suggested Method: Choose skincare products that have oil-absorption, inflammation-reduction and germ-elimination properties. For skin that secretes excessive oil, take care of cleanliness and inflammation reduction.

Warning Signal 3: Sagging, signs of aging such as wrinkles
Skin’s Revelation: Functional imbalance in organisational structure

The Best Solution: Emergency replenishment of nutrients
Suggested Method: Focus on the replenishment of effective anti-wrinkle and skin-firming ingredients, such as amino acids, various vitamins, protein essences, etc, so as to enhance skin metabolism and restore its natural vitality within the shortest time.

Warning Signal 4: Weakness, itch, red spots 
Skin’s Revelation: Functional imbalance in sensitive reactions

The Best Strategy: Emergency desensitisation
Suggested Method: Conduct a self-diagnosis first. If the condition is mild, nurse it using Bel’Air’s prescription. If the condition is severe, involving burns or abnormal swelling, consult a doctor or specialist.
Listen to Your Skin

These are some of the warning signals that will be sounded when a problem in skin balance occurs. Usually, the prologue will take the form of itch. When your skin gives the signal for help, it is time to give it the nutrition and moisture it needs. In this way, you can effectively maintain your skin at a state of healthy and optimum balance. So, when your skin sounds the warning signal for imbalance, don’t ever neglect it. Putting the balance back into your skin will ensure its radiance and beauty! By Nur Syahid, a Natural Aromatherapist