Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Preventing Acne Breakouts is Not about Medicating But about Educating

Are you struggling with facial and body acne? Do you want to get your acne under control? Are you tired of ugly pimples and blemishes? Do you wish for a clearer, healthier complexion, with smooth, shiny looking skin?. Well then definitely keep reading because you don't need prescribed medication to achieve healthy, blemish-free skin. There are a few simple things that you can do that will have you on your way to achieving clean looking skin. In trying to prevent acne it is not just about medicating the symptoms but more about understanding the cause of your acne breakouts and then making a few simple changes.

In most cases, acne is caused by an over-production of oil from the body. Changes in hormones cause the body's production of oil to fluctuate. The dead skin cells and bacteria on the skins surface cause pores to become clogged with oil and debris which create an inviting environment for acne to grow.

Many people don't recognize the importance of washing their face on a daily basis. If you are one of these individuals who has yet to start a daily skincare regime, now is the time. If you are sincere about controlling acne then start by washing your face, once in the morning and once in the evening. Use a gentle soap and a soft wash cloth. Resist the urge to wash your face in hot water as this opens the pores of the skin and leaves them vulnerable to oil and debris. Use lukewarm water and start washing in a gentle circular motion. Do Not Scrub. When you are almost finished, rinse your face with cold water to help close the pores and tighten the surface of the skin. If your skin type tends to be dry and flaky, you may want to use a moisturizer at this point in time.

When you are in the shower, it is recommended that you shampoo and condition your hair, and then move on to washing your face and body. The shampoo and conditioner leave a residue on your skins surface and if you wash your face and body first you are opening up your pores and allowing this residue to penetrate the skins surface, whereas if you wash your face and skin after, you are washing away the residue left behind from the shampoo and conditioner.

When it comes time to purchase a new cosmetic product our suggestion is to look for products that are "non-comedogenic". Non-comedogenic products do not promote the growth of acne and will not irritate the skin like other cosmetics on the market. They do not encourage acne blemishes or future outbreaks and do not contain, greasy oils and other ingredients that tend to do more harm to your skin than good.

If your blemished skins appearance is so bad that no facial cleanser or soap seems to be working, then to prevent future acne breakouts and facial blemishes, you might need to consider other alternatives like a medicated product. There are even organic, hypo-allergenic skincare products for people with sensitive skin. But before you try something new, you'll first need a better understanding of your skin type, the degree of your skin problem and what type of acne treatment will fit with your lifestyle.

To find out more information on acne prevention and acne treatment, or if you just want to learn what skin type you are then visit our site Guidetoclearskin.com today.

Monday, January 22, 2007

Acne Free in Three Days

To be acne free in three days is a large request! But there are definitely steps you can take to significantly reduce your acne in three days and within a week or so be acne free.

Here is some advice and some tips to assist in acne prevention and treatment and general skin care.

- Get lots of fresh air & sunshine for the vitamin D; this vitamin is essential for healthy skin and not only will your skin appreciate this vitamin but your body & mind will receive the oxygen and provided by a regular, daily outdoor activity. Remember to use sun block protection lotion if you are out in the sun as the sun is the single most skin damaging part of nature. Sunburn is simply dead skin cells which will block the skin pores resulting in more acne.

- Stress can trigger internal chemical responses that result in acne so plan ahead to deal with extra stress that can foresee. Plan some extra rest time leading up to the event and use relaxation or meditation aids such as cd's,, dvd's and cassettes to help you relax. Take time off for exercise or to simply have some quiet moments.

- Drink lots of water daily. Too little water can lead to dehydration which can lead to the dead skin cells not being shed properly, leading to more blocked pores and more acne.

- Acne has nothing to do with uncleanliness generally so there is no need to wash and scrub your face excessively as this will simply result in dry skin, and then the body comes to rectify the situation by creating more oil (sebum). It's a cycle!

- Add lots more fruit, vegetables, seeds & nuts to your daily diet. Salads, dried fruits and nuts, juices and other healthy treats need to be including in your daily food intake planning.

So, to be acne free in three days, you need to specifically follow the following pattern and you will see a marked improvement in three days :

First: gently wash your face each morning and each evening using a skin / facial cleanser. This will clear off the dead skin cells and the excess oil the body builds up over a period of hours. If the cleanser is anti-bacterial all the better because this will kill of any bacteria on your face. Pat your face dry and gently apply some hydrogen peroxide to the inflamed area/s which will help dry them out.

Do not touch you face at any time as your hands carry bacteria that you will spread to your susceptible face. Use a tissue when you have an urge to scratch.

Second: Each evening sleep on a clean pillow case and this will ensure none of the dead skin cells are there to block up the pores of your skin, forcing the cycle to start all over again.

Third: eat lots of fruit, vegetables and drink and a lot of fresh water; the water will assist the body to expel the toxins in the your body.

Fourth: Take some exercise in the fresh air each day.

Following the above guidelines you will see a marked improvement very quickly; continue with the treatment and you will be virtually acne free in three days or a few more at the most!

Dr Nathalie Fiset is a family doctor and a certified hypnotherapist. For more information go to: http://www.blastacne.com/Acne-Free-in-3-Day.html, http://www.aperfectharmony.com, or http://www.a-1hypnosis.com

Friday, January 19, 2007

The Emotional Effects of Acne

Many of us know what acne is and maybe we know someone that has acne, unfortunately there’s a lot more that goes on beneath the surface than just a bad case of “spots”. The emotional damage of acne can be disastrous to any person’s confidence no matter how you think that they can handle it.

It appears that one of the major emotional effects of acne is self loathing. It’s not hard to understand how hard it is to cope with acne when we live in an age that is hooked on the way people look, how clear their skin is, how slim they look…we are cosmetically crazy about ourselves.

When you suffer with acne it doesn’t matter where you go, whether it’s a huge social event or just the day to day appearances that you need to make in life, like trips to the shop, even when you try to hide your appearance with your hair or makeup you still know…you still see yourself in the mirror. This is a common situation for acne sufferers the world over. This is the nightmare that acne sufferers suffer from, it’s often dismissed from colleagues or friends as over sensitivity, but its more about how you feel than how you look.

Over time acne treatments have changed and so have some of the techniques to prevent acne appearing, however when people are asked how acne makes them feel there is a set of answers that seem to remain the same no matter what changes, and that is that it makes them feel ugly, depressed, angry, dirty. These answers are the same through the sex’s ages and countries.

Sure there is plenty being done for the cosmetic side of things but compared to the amount that is being done for the trauma of acne it is pathetic in comparison. The worst of the scarring from acne is emotional.

In 1948 there was a statement made that sounded something like this…

There is not any one condition which causes more mental trauma, more maladjustment between parents and children, more insecurity and feelings of inferiority in greater sums of suffering than acne.

The emotional effects that we have discussed should never be dismissed as just vanity, acne vulgaris is a serious problem that hurts in inconceivable proportions. One of the best things that you can do as a friend, parent, colleague or what ever is just to sit and listen quietly and let them know that how they feel is important to you. Lend not a judging ear……

BeatDownAcne.com is a free resource I created after living with acne for 8 years. There's a step by step guide showing exactly how I was able to cure my acne using over the counter treatments. If you want to get in touch with me you can stop by my acne blog and leave a comment.

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Acne-Skin Problems-Break Outs-Puberty-Whiteheads-Blackheads

Acne is one of if not the most common skin problem especially in teenagers and young adults. While people will usually “grow out” of this after their teen years it does affect some people their entire life. When I was in High School there was a male student that had a severe case and still today has scarring from it.

When we lived in Silver City NM back in around 1987 one of our friends there had a young daughter who had acne very bad, but we had found some creams that helped her. They have improved the creams and topical treatments now to far surpass what we had back then.

What is Acne?

We see whiteheads, blackheads or even red bumps but what actually happens is that the pores of the skin are being plugged. These plugs can be made up of oils, skin and even germs that get stuck in a hair follicle or pore. The blocked pore swells and reddens then becomes what we see as acne.

It is common for most people to have bouts with acne at sometime during puberty usually between the age of 10 and 14, but acne can also strike adults of any age. Acne is not usually a “health” issue or problem. That is people don’t usually get sick with acne. It does cause a great deal of mental stress, embarrassment and frustration. It has been known to cause depression, sometimes even severe depression that can lead to many other health problems.

What Causes Acne?

During puberty special hormones are created by the body, which cause the body to grow and change quite quickly. These hormones are called androgens. The androgens cause two things to happen in the pores of the body. First they cause the oil glands to produce more oil known as sebum. The second thing attributed to androgens is they cause the skin to grow faster and shed quicker.

Theory is that the sebum mixed with the skin flakes form a sticky plug which clogs the pores. This is what we call acne. Certain medications can also lead to acne. Young girls may find their acne worse during and prior to their menstrual period. The propensity for having acne breakouts could be worse if at least one of your parents have had acne.

Acne is not caused by dirty skin or poor hygiene as many people think. Dirt does not cause acne. Even so keeping your skin clean and dry will likely help rid you of any pimples quicker than if you do have poor hygiene. Even though I am sure you have heard it many times Acne is not considered to be caused by the oil on the skin’s surface, food or stress.

What are the signs and symptoms of Acne?

Acne usually breaks out on the face but can also be on the neck, shoulders, chest, arms, and even the buttocks. You may notice different types of acne sores on the face and body. It can be found both on and under the skin surface. A small plug could fill in the pore just below the skins surface and form a “whitehead”. It could also come to the top and open up making it appear dark and we sometimes refer to these as “blackheads”. It could also manifest itself as a large hard painful lump deep below the skin and is usually pus-filled.

What are common treatments?

First do not scrub, pick, squeeze or pop acne lesions. This can increase inflammation and lead to scarring.

Second try to spend some time in the sunlight. Sunlight seems to help, however don’t overdue it. Overexposure to the sun could cause other problems.

Third eat a well balanced healthy diet. Include as much healthy fruits and vegetable as possible.

Medically there is no cure for Acne; however it can usually be controlled with creams, gels, and lotions. Severe cases may need antibiotics. Birth control pills have also been used in the treatment of acne.

There are remedies such as cell growth modifiers that are made from Vitamin A which help decrease follicle plugging. Cell growth modifiers should not be used during pregnancy.

While eating certain foods has not been proven to make acne worse there are some indications that foods such as chocolate may indeed cause flare-ups in certain individuals. You will have to test to find out which food if any that is for you then refrain from eating that particular food. Eating a good healthy diet full of whole grains, fruits, nuts and vegetables will help strengthen the immune system and make you feel better and may also help acne heal faster.

There are certain herbs and supplements that have been used to help relieve acne symptoms successfully. You should check with a professional before using these treatments. Here is just a short list of possible herbs that a caregiver may suggest. Tea tree oil (Melaleaca alternifolia) 5% applied twice daily. Some people may develop dermatitis from the oil so use carefully.

Lecithin applied topically can help decrease acne. Phosphatidycholine applied topically can also help. Vitamin A can be used but is often used in high doses which can be dangerous especially in pregnant women. Zinc taken by mouth may also be helpful.

Acne when not treated can become or lead to serious problems, While some of these problems are just “cosmetic” it can also lead to depression which could lead to other problems, so it is important to not only treat the disease of acne but to also know how the person with acne feels and how they are handling the mental aspect of acne.

Here are some places to get more information about Acne

AAD: AnceNet website American Academy of Dermatology www.derminfonet.com American Academy of Pediatrics www.medem.com Disclaimer: Nothing in this report should be construed as medical advice. If you are ill or injured see a primary healthcare provider as soon as possible. If the injury or illness is severe go to the nearest Emergency Room

Jerry Goodwin has been certified as a Medical Technologist since 1977. He is also certified as a Personal Trainer, Cardiovascular Trainer and Medical exer-therapist. He is a Veteran of the US Navy having served during the Viet Nam era. Jerry also served in the Army National Guard in Ohio, Texas, Kansas and Georgia as a field medic with Infantry, Armored Cavalry, Artillery and Mechanized Infantry Units. He has earned several medals including the Army Commendation Medal. Jerry is the editor of Body Mind and Goals Ezine and the owner of BMG Services Fitness and Nutrition at http://www.bmgfitness.com

Monday, January 15, 2007

Diet And Vitamins Role In Acne Maintenance

Acne is caused by an sebaceous gland becoming clogged with natural oils creating a build up of bacteria. This a condition that seems to be worsened in adolescense.

Reddened, inflamed and elevated skin areas are possible sites of an acne sore or zit as they are sometimes called.Blackheads that become inflamed shows that better cleansing of the area is needed. Whiteheads on the acne sore is caused by a B1 vitamin deficiency or poor vitamin absorption. The absorption of vitamins is sometimes helped by supplements of acidophilus

Food allergies, soaps, facial cleansers makeup, and dairy products are some of the causes of acne.

What can we do to get rid of acne and have skin that is smooth. An important thing to do is to be sure and get the vitamins and minerals our body needs to have clear skin, such as the B complex vitamins, vitamin A and beta-carotene. Other suggested supplements are zinc and omega-3 fatty acids. What a person should consider is to take a good vitamin/mineral supplement with additional supplements of the above vitamins.

Diet is also very important to sending away acne. One should eat several servings daily of fresh, raw fruits and vegetables. Vegetable fats and saturated fats in your diet should be as low as possible. One should also limit consumption of alcohol, caffeinated foods and drinks, and refined sugars. Your diet should also be higher in fiber. Also good for acne is carrot juice with celery and beet juices.

Cleansing of the area is beneficial to care of the skin. Using a mild soap and water wash the face several times a day. Warm water then should be used to rinse the area.You shouldn't use any makeup that has any kind of oils in it; find a good water based makeup instead. One of the recommended soaps you should use has calendula (a herb) as an ingredient that helps to clean the skin without any irritation.

A few herbal treatments for acne is Oregon grape powder, aloe vera gel and burdock tea taken 3 or 4 times a day. These remedies are not to be considered as medical advice, this information has been researched and is considered accurate. It is hoped that at least one of these suggestions or more will help you to be rid of acne symptoms once and for all. As an adolescent it would have been helpful if I had this information given to me.

William is the webmaster of several websites and blogs. Get the secrets to eliminating acne once and for all here: http://www.acne.uncommonreads.com

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Holistic Acne Medicine

With acne affecting almost one third of the entire global population, it is no wonder that there are new treatments being placed on the market every day. There are literally hundreds of methods of acne treatments out there, and they all work in different ways. Holistic acne medicine is one of the increasingly popular methods of treatment. Unlike treatments that use chemicals, holistic acne medicines claim to get rid of your acne through naturally occuring herbs or plants that would have less or no harmful side effects. Holistic acne medicine tries to address the root cause of acne formation, rather than effects of acne. It may also involve certain changes in one's basic lifestyle.

Holistic acne medicines are based on the principle that skin health is based on good overall health, which is said to literally make your skin glow. The skin is often the best way to judge a person's overall health. Skin problems are often a relfection of internal health and indicated problems with blood toxicity and stomach problems. Once your blood and intestines are clean, that will have a direct impact on the radiance of your skin. This is the reason why skin is often referred to as "the third kidney" - it tends to function as an eliminative organ.

Holistic acne medicines try to correct the imbalances in your body to treat acne. They try to maintain the balance of the skin which could have been disturbed due to poor nutrition. Poor nutrition often results in dryness, excessive oiliness, and inability to protect against infections, all of which result in acne. Holistic acne medicine process, apart from medication, often goes hand in hand with a nutritious diet, drinking plenty of pure water, regular exercise and adequate rest. All of these can contribute to curing your acne.

Holistic acne medicines are available aplenty in the market. You can find out from your friends or other family members, who may have used them before. You can consult a good naturopath to find out more about holistic acne medicine.

Acne Medicine provides detailed information on Acne Medicine, Best Acne Medicine, Prescription Acne Medicine, Natural Acne Medicine and more. Acne Medicine is affiliated with Acne Product Reviews.

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Acne Prevention Tips for Everyone

Acne prevention, natural or medicinal, is quite possible for all of us if we're patient and determined enough. These following acne prevention tips are not only easy to do but quite effective as well. Remember that no acne prevention method will be effective if it is not consistently or constantly maintained.

Sleep early. Don't let the demands of school, work and love life ruin your great skin. Acne has been scientifically proven to be an indirect by-product of an unhealthy lifestyle, and lack of sleep is the very definition of an unhealthy way of living. Sleep is one of the best pastimes in the world so take advantage of it and enjoy better looking skin as well.

Oily hair has an effect on your skin, particularly the forehead area. And yes, it is one of the causes of acne appearing in your upper facial area. If you wish for the acne in that particular area to disappear, you need to get rid of the excess oil on your hair first. Most of the time, the wrong choice of shampoo is its primary cause. So for better results, just visit a hair salon and ask for advice.

Eating the wrong food is also one way of encouraging acne to exist permanently on your skin. As mentioned earlier on, the key to demolishing acne troubles is to live a healthy lifestyle, and again, eating the wrong food is definitely not what you would call "healthy."

Wearing too much make up can also be bad for your skin especially if you tend to have regular acne breakouts. It's time to let your inner and natural beauty shine through. Get rid of your acne problems, have better skin and lesser need for make up.

Dirt always has a negative effect on your skin and is one of the leading causes of acne. So wash your face regularly. Use an appropriate facial wash as well as other recommended facial products to keep your skin fully protected against acne-causing bacteria.

Acne provides detailed information on Acne, Acne Treatment, Acne Product, Adult Acne and more. Acne is affiliated with Acne Care Skin Tips.

Sunday, January 07, 2007

Prevent Acne - 4 Simple And Free Tips

Have you ever wondered why it's so hard to prevent acne? I mean, no matter what you do the zits just keep popping up.

I'll tell you why in a minute, but first I'd like you to meet Mr. Jones. Unfortunately Mr. Jones feels miserable, emptied like a collapsed balloon, all the life gone out of him.

See, Mr. Jones dreams about being rich and abundant. He dreams about having a nice house and a big car. Yet, as soon as he gets his small paycheck he spends it all. Never saving anything, his bank account is as empty as a broken bowl. At work he is lazy, doing only the bare minimum and whiling away his time.

It doesn't take a magical crystal ball to see that money, rich and fame aren't going to meet Mr. Jones on his current path. You clearly see that his actions are not aligned with his goals.

What if I would tell you that Mr. Jones is you. Instead of riches you dream of preventing acne, of having a clear skin. This may be hard to swallow, but you have been acting like Mr. Jones when it comes to acne.

Don't believe me? Well, there's another person I'd like you to meet.

Say hi to Jenny. Jenny is determined to prevent acne and systematically does things that help to keep her skin clear.

Jenny has eats foods that prevent acne

As Jenny is determined to prevent acne she says no to these foods:

  • Fast foods
  • Heavily processed foods (like TV-dinners or other ready meals)
  • Sugar (especially soft drinks and candies)
  • Refined flour (white bread, pasta, white rice, cakes, biscuits)
  • Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt)
  • Non-organic red meat

Jenny knows that all of those foods, in various degrees, cause acne and are bad for her health. Instead Jenny eats foods that are healthy and actually prevent acne:

  • Green, leafy vegetables
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Natural, whole foods
  • Raw foods

To prevent acne Jenny stays away from drugs

Jenny uses prescription drugs only as a last resort. She knows that a single prescription of antibiotics can severely hinder her immune system. She also knows that painkillers, like Tylenol, may damage the liver. As healthy immune system and liver are essential in preventing acne Jenny avoids taking drugs as much as possible.

Jenny exercises to prevent acne

Jenny treats her body with respect and exercises regularly. She knows that healthy body creates healthy, glowing skin. Slowly and surely inactivity weakens the immune system, depletes the cells from oxygen and allows the body to wither away.

Do you belong to the 'Mr. Jones club'?

OK, let's leave Jenny and Mr. Jones behind and talk about you. Take an honest look at your life. Have you been doing the same things Jenny does? Or are you more like miserable Mr. Jones?

I used to be almost a life-member at the 'Mr. Jones club'. And I have a feeling that you also know your way around there.

If that's the case I have excellent news for you. Did you happen to look at the notice board at the 'club's' entrance? It says: "Membership is Voluntary". It means that you can leave, that you can stop acting like Mr. Jones and being more like Jenny.

And if you didn't notice, Jenny has much better skin than Mr. Jones does.

How come my friends have clear skin?

I can almost hear you asking why your friends won't get acne. After all they all we all eat the same stuff and they aren't anymore active than I am.

Everybody reacts differently. Due to genetic differences our bodies respond differently to stress. You get acne, but your friends may, for example, get food allergies, head aches, gain weight. Nobody is immune to unhealthy habits. The only thing that differs is how and when they show up.

What are you going to do about it?

If I've done my job properly your hopes should have flared up like a match. Perhaps for the first time you understand that you can control and prevent acne. That you, through your actions, are actually in charge. No more putting your hopes on creams and pills that have always failed you.

The question remains, what are you going to do about it?

Seppo Puusa is the author of Natural Acne Solution.com. On his website he shows how to cure and prevent acne with cheap (often FREE), but effective natural treatments. Click here for specific steps on how to prevent acne.

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Acne Guide - Helpful Hints On How To Prevent Acne

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions. Almost all people experience acne, especially during their adolescence. In certain exceptional cases acne can even affect the adults. Though acne does not cause any serious health complications it surely gives insightful (unpleasant) appearance. There are number of factors, like bacteria and hormonal imbalances that are considered as main causes behind development of acne condition. Unfortunately, till date, there is no known cure for acne. Certain medications and home made remedies can help you in preventing or lessening the acne.

Early treatment, change in life style, adequate intake of nutritious diet and using right home made remedies are the primary steps towards prevention or treatment of acne.

It is assumed that following factors play a greater role in development of acne.

  • Improper diet or diet that lacks nutritional values.
  • Mental stress
  • Sexual activity
  • Skin infections caused due to bacteria

However, researches have proved that first three are nothing to do with the development of acne. Skin infections can attribute towards occurrence or aggravation of acne condition up to certain extent.

Though there is no permanent cure for acne, certain remedies can provide relief from acne condition. Colloidal Silver products are one of such remedies. Colloidal silver is available in the stores as a supplement. Though, the properties of colloidal silver, which can help in treatment of acne, have not been established yet, till its usefulness in enhancing chances of killing bacteria can not be ruled out. Acne is considered to be result of clogging of pores. It is assumed that such clogging is a resulted from accumulation of dead cells. Some types of bacteria are considered responsible for death of cells. Colloidal silver is known for its property of killing bacteria. When the bacteria in affected area come in contact with the silver particles of the colloidal silver products, these bacteria being toxic to silver gets suffocated and dies. Colloidal silver products are natural supplements and are safe for use. Colloidal silver products will surely help you in obtaining faster relief from acne if combined with other acne treatments. It will be surely helpful in preventing aggravation, if not treating acne condition.

Peter Salazar's source for quality supplements is http://www.utopiasilver.com

To go directly to this product go here: http://utopiasilver.com/products/silver