Dietary Relief for Acne

What Causes Acne?
Common causes of acne include contact with an oily substance such as mineral oil, vegetable oil, or petroleum and the use of certain medication such as steroids or the contraceptive pill. However, acne is most often caused by the secretion of androgens, or sex hormones that are initially secreted at the onset of puberty. Androgens are male hormones but they are secreted by females as well. They stimulate the production of oil from the skin's oil glands. When these oil glands become overactive and the exit from the gland is blocked, oil builds up in the gland and they begin to swell. This is how acne forms. A bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes normally colonizes this swollen gland causing the development of inflammation and pus. In particularly severe cases, the glands may burst into the skin and produce cysts.

• Avoid oily and chemically ridden cosmetics or any facial products that contain sodium lauryl sulphate, socetyl stearate, isopropyl isostearate, isopropyl palmitate, isopropyl myristate, and sodium chloride, parabens as these ingredients can cause acne.

• Give dry skin extra care, being sure to wash and rinse your face thoroughly and using products especially made for dry skin.

Dietary Tips for Acne A recent Australian trial conducted at RMIT University, Melbourne, has shown that a low glycemic index (GI), high protein diet improved symptoms of acne including the number of facial lesions. The diet consisted of 25% of energy from protein and 45% of energy from low GI carbohydrates such as fruit and vegetables, grains and pulses.

Interestingly acne is seen as a condition associated with Western diets that are generally higher in saturated and trans-fats, high in simple carbohydrates and sugars and lower in healthy protein sources. Acne vulgaris is seen in up to 79-95% of the adolescent population in Westernized countries. Non-Western diets, which are traditionally high in low glycaemic foods, do not have the same association.

While there are other factors that influence the incidence of acne vulgaris in adolescents and increasingly, adults, diet is definitely a factor that needs to be taken into consideration.

A low GI diet is a key part of the successful treatment of acne.

Treating Acne With Birth Control Pills?

Some people want to enjoy their intimacy of their life but one of the ways is to consume birth control pills. However, people believe that taking birth control pills will help to control acne. How far is this true? Women sure will think about this statement as if ‘killing two birds with one stone’ and fear of side effects surely comes into the mind.

Back in history, in 1997, Us Food and Drug Administration or FDA approved low dosage of birth control pills to treat acne patients. SO to those teenagers who are more prone to acne, birth control pills are the answer they are seeking. Dermatologist will recommend different kinds of creams, antibiotics and other medication but even birth control pills. Birth control pills can stabilize fluctuating hormone level in the person’s body which causes acne. Thus, the usage of birth control pills is not only what it seems on the surface.

Acne usually develops at the teen period of our life and this is when our hormone levels begin to fluctuate. At this moment, our glands which are located under our skin near the hair follicle will begin to produce oils. Combination of oil and dead skin cells will form acne that is trapped in our skin pores.

Birth control pills are prescribed for mild to severe acne if other medications fail to do its part. Hormone that contained in birth control pills prevents can from forming on our skin. Most of the birth control pills work the same thus any of those pills will work the same way but the effectiveness of these pills will be quite long. It will take from several weeks to months for the effect to be obvious.

The decision making of taking birth control pills is very subjective to personal and also medical point of view. Thus, before making decision, get the facts right of the pro’s and con’s before proceeding. This may be important as some people might develop allergies to the medication or the sight effect of it. The side effects are vaginal bleeding, fluid retention, melasma and depression. However, the pills side effects not only stop at there, it also has some relations to heart attacks, strokes, blood clots and breast cancer. Smokers should stay away from birth control pills as the risk is higher to contract cancer. Some women who stopped taking birth pills after some time find it even worse than before.

Combinations of estrogen and progestin hormones are very common in most birth control pills. For those pills which contain estrogen and progestin hormones with high contain of androgen, which is a male hormone will make our acne worse.

In conclusion, be wise when making decision to take birth control pills as acne treatment and there are other alternatives to enjoy sex instate of taking birth control pills. For more information please see below.

For more information on Birth Control Pills and Acne or visit http://www.myacnetreatments.com/treating-acne-with-birth-control-pills/, a popular website that offers information on Acne Treatments, Acne Solutions, and Acne Medications. Please leave the links intact if you wish to reprint this article. Thanks

Coconut Oil - Best Natural Acne Treatment

Consider cheaper, alternative, natural, effective treatment methods to get the best care for and clear up your acne, zit, pimple or blackhead problem; and coconut oil is the best treatment I've found. Yes, you can do it -- look better, feel better, and raise your self-esteem by getting rid of your acne cheaply, naturally and for good. While most forms of acne are merely troublesome or embarrassing, there are some forms of acne that can lead to scarring and pitting of the skin.

People of all races and ages have acne. Acne is one of most common skin conditions in the world, affecting more than 40 million people. Nearly 80 percent of people from ages 11 to 30 years have acne, most often on the face, chest and back. For most people, acne goes away by age 30, but people in their forties and fifties still suffer from acne.

Experts just can't agree on what causes acne. Acne, zits, pimples, blackheads, whiteheads and many other skin disorders are usually, but not always, the result of a bad diet. I think the cause of acne is related to our acidic, inflammatory 'standard American diet' (SAD) and that would also influence all of our hormones including stress hormones.

Since the latest research indicates a connection between stress and acne, make an effort to cut down on stress any way you can. One treatment method some people have used is applying cornstarch, egg whites or milk of magnesia as a facial mask. When you wash your face use a soft touch, taking care not to rub or scrub your skin.

There are many natural acne home remedies; you may have to try several to find one that works best for your skin type. Shave carefully and try both electric and safety razors to see which works best for you. For the best acne treatment, which has worked for many, apply virgin coconut oil to the area daily; try it on a small test area for a day or two first.

It's always best to seek non-invasive and natural treatment for any skin condition. Treatment with raw apple cider vinegar will work better on your skin if it isn't already noticeably irritated from acne medicines, acne products or other failed treatment. No over-the-counter creams can help your acne from the inside out; they can only kill some of the bacteria on your face and help reduce the redness.

Besides acne, if you also have eczema or dry skin, coconut oil will treat those skin conditions too. Most commercial cleansers are harsh on the face and trying to find the right one for you could cost a fortune. You want to avoid squeezing, pinching, picking or popping your pimples because it can cause scars or leave dark spots on your skin.

Coconut oil is very inexpensive; it's a good, cheap, natural home remedy. Coconut oil is one of the best, if not the best, treatments I've found for acne. Apply it daily, throughout the day if possible and at bedtime. Get the unrefined, unbleached type found at health-oriented food stores like Whole Foods or Wild Oats or order it online.

In any case, no matter what skin or acne treatment you choose, whether it's chemical, drugs, alternative, or natural methods, changing your diet alone will be the best treatment you can do for your acne and you'll achieve overall good health in the process. Drink lots and lots of pure, filtered water every day. Besides external acne treatment it's even more important to work from the inside out too.

Some alternative doctors recommend eating a raw clove of garlic daily for acne; you can chop one up and add it to your daily salad! Whether you eat a natural diet of living fruits and vegetables or eat dead junk food, what you eat may have a direct or indirect affect on the male hormones which may or may not play some part in acne.

Eating fruits that are red or orange in color will help improve you skin health and help to prevent acne. Eat high-fiber snacks like raw nuts, raw seeds, fresh or dried fruit, such as dates, and figs. Use olive oil with a little very fresh flaxseed oil in your salads.

Drink plenty of pure, filtered water, a minimum of a quart a day. Eating foods with essential fatty acids are particularly important to people with dry skin or acne.

Now you don't have to be one of the unlucky ones left behind because of a lack of knowledge. And you should be able to get rid of your acne, zits and pimples and their symptoms so it doesn't reoccur. There are many acne products on the market today, some are good, some are cheap and some are not good or cheap; no one knows but you what will work for you.

For more information on natural treatments for acne and acne light therapy, go to http://www.Best-Skin-Solutions.com Helen Hecker R.N.'s website specializing in acne, pimples and skin disorders with tips, advice and resources for adults, teens, and babies, including information on acne scar treatments