Tuesday, May 01, 2007

How To Improve Your Acne With Herbs For Acne

Some herbs for acne can naturally and effectively improve acne condition. First, we must know what causes acne. Then we need to choose the specific herbs for acne to improve the root cause of this disturbing skin problem.

We often treat acne by applying cream to affected area. Some even take drug medications. Usually, these methods only give temporary relieve. It deals with the outer symptoms but neglected the inner root cause for acne.

Before taking any supplements or herbs, you must first change your lifestyles and diet since it directly affects your acne conditions. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) points out excessive body heat, especially liver heat, as one of the main cause for acne. Following are simple guides for reducing your body heat.

1) Reduce sun exposure

Acne problem is more common among people living in tropical country because the weather is hotter. Exposure to sun raises your body heat.

2) Sleep early

Late sleeping time increases your body heat. Our body operates on our biology clock everyday. In TCM, at each two hours interval, energy changes in our body. These energies affect our body functions. Late sleeping disturbs its balances, causing heat build up. So to improve acne, remember to sleep earlier, preferably before 11 pm.

3) Reduce fried, grilled and spicy food

These are foods high in heat that you must control.

4) Drink more water

Water absorbs body heat and passes it out through urine.

5) Control anger and stress

Therefore, the first types of herbs for acne are herbs that effectively reduce body heat.

For fast results, we recommend Five Leaves Ginseng herbs (Rhinacanthus Nasutus) and White Crane Lingzhi herbs (Gynostemma Pentaphyllum). These herbs are high in medicinal values and can quickly reduce your body heat.

The second cause for acne is hormone imbalance especially among teens.

Out of the many herbs and natural supplements, Royal Jelly is the best supplement to regulate body hormones. Besides, Royal Jelly can nourish your liver with its high content of natural nutrients. A healthier liver makes your skin smoother.

The third cause for acne is accumulation of toxics in the body.

If you have constipation, you need to aware that your intestines will absorb toxics from the feces. The toxics will circulate to various body parts through blood circulation. If these toxics arrive to your face, it certainly causes acne. Therefore, you need to cure your constipation before curing your acne.

One of the herbs for acne to detoxify your blood and liver is Ganoderma Lucidum. This herb has strong detoxification ability with its high content of Organic Germanium and other minerals. By neutralizing and discharging accumulated toxic out of body, Ganoderma Lucidum cleanses your blood and liver. This improves acne naturally and effectively.

That is why taking Ganoderma Lucidum herbs for acne make your skin smoother. However, for serious case, be prepare for its temporary negative reaction. The detoxification effect removes excessive toxics through the skin, causing more acne at the beginning. When detoxification completes, acne automatically reduce. This is a very normal process.

In addition, taking Ganoderma Lucidum herbs for acne can improve blood circulation and increase immune system. This further aids the healing of acne.

Find out more about Ganoderma herb at http://www.ganoderma-for-health.com or learn how to choose the best Ganoderma extract to improve your acne at

http://www.ganoderma-for-health.com/ganoderma-extract.html

Monday, April 23, 2007

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.

Sunday, April 15, 2007

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

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

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

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

What Is Acne? Why Am I Affected? How To Treat It?

Acne is a result of the over activity of the sebaceous glands which are the oil producing glands of our body. This over activity results in excess oil production which together with hair follicles and germs create a suitable environment for the acne breakout to take shelter. Acne can appear in various forms like whiteheads , blackheads, pustules and cysts. It can appear virtually anywhere- on your cheeks, nose, back, chest and, in some cases, over the whole body as well.

It is a chronic skin disorder which has troubled around 80% of the people around the world. The small kids- as young as infants, the adults and the old people- all could be attacked with acne. It seems quite amazing as how can an ailment attack so many people- of different ages and races.

What is the exact cause of acne is not known as yet. Still, we have some substantial explanation for the emergence of acne.

Puberty is identified as the main cause of acne breakout. During puberty, tremendous changes to the hormones bring in, which affects the production of sebum in your body. And together with hair follicles and bacteria, they create the requisite shelter for the occurrence of acne. Our bodies are natural shelter to this acne producing bacteria. But only when the growth of these bacteria multiplies and other acne inducing factors home in, we get acne attack.

Genetics are also found related to acne. That is, if your father or mother had this problem in the past you have very good chances of its meeting with it in your life phases like puberty or pregnancy.

Next identified cause of acne is stress. Stress indeed is an additive factor. Your pimple condition can get worse if you also suffer from stress, depression or anxiety.

As exact cause of acne is not known, many myths have taken a natural shelter. Acne is not caused by junk food, chocolates, chips pizza or soda. However you should not indulge in too much of these foods as they may disrupt your digestion process which may induce acne causing factors in you.

Many of us believe that acne condition is associated with teens only. But this is not true. Age is not a defining trait to get or not to get acne. As you see a pimple popping up on your skin, you should strictly take a restrictive step to mollify the attack. Benozyl peroxide is one of the main ingredients to fight acne.

Some people would say acne is a normal part of growing up in a child. This is a false belief and such myths are real culprits for increasing army of acne among the kids. Apart from taking help from your dermatologist, you should also adopt some good habits to cure acne.

To keep acne away, learn to stay clean and healthy. Keep your surroundings and yourself very clean. Wash your face with a mild face wash or soap 2 to 3 times a day.

Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and drink lots and lots of water.

You should avoid squeezing or pricking a pimple as it can lead to infection which may worsen your condition.

People with long hair should not allow hair to fall on their face. Hair sprays, gels should be kept at a bay from the face.

To know more about how to treat acne and what is best acne medication visit http://www.acnetalks.com/pimple/magazine/edition/Acne-Skincare.htm

Friday, March 23, 2007

Are You Using Anti-Freeze To Treat Your Acne?

If your reading this I will assume that your life has some how been impacted my the highly irritating disease called acne. It is not surprising that you have been affected by it in some way seeing as though it is the most common of the skin diseases and affects close to 17 million people in the United States. It is most common among young adults ranging from 12-14, nearly 85 percent have acne; however acne still occurs among people who are below and above this age group. Acne will seize to exist for some by age 30, however for many it lasts until they are in their fifties.

Many people use products on their faces and other areas of their body that prevent acne. What many people neglect to investigate is exactly what they are putting on their skin. The answer is harmful chemicals. Your acne products may contain chemicals that, in high doses, are banned because they are so lethal. Some of these chemicals include Propylene Glycol which is a cosmetic form of mineral oil that is found in automatic brake fluid, hydraulic fluid and industrial antifreeze. According to the Material Safety Data Sheet users are warned to avoid skin contact as it is a strong skin irritant and can cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage. Alcohol is commonly used in acne products as well. Take note that it is not the same as the alcohol that is found in alcoholic drinks, it is much more dangerous. Alcohol can make your bodies tissue more vulnerable to carcinogens, an agent directly involved in the promotion of caner. Glycerine, which is a syrupy liquid chemically produced by combining water and fats, is also very commonly used in acne products. Most products with glycerine in their ingredients claim to be "replenishing" or "moisturizing" when in fact using glycerine on your skin only makes your skin progressively worse by drying your skin from the inside out. Other products this chemical is found in are insect repellent, car glaze and paint cleaner.

After reading these facts I hope you are as disgusted and, above all, worried as I am. You may be cleaning your skin with the same chemicals you use in your cars engine. you may be putting a chemical on your skin that you can also use to polish your floors.

The best method for curing acne is naturally whether it is a home remedy or a natural face washing product. Also, to prevent the cause of acne it is best to use natural cosmetics and lotions/moisturizers on your skin.

For More Information Visit My Blog: http://acnefree3days.blogspot.com

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Many Treatments For Acne Go From Mild To Severe

The treatments for acne will be varying according to the stage. Acne is a skin condition when blackheads and even painful red nodules are noticed on your skin, especially on your face, chest, back and arms. Acne can be basically divided into three categories - mild, moderate and severe. Each category requires different treatments.

Treatment for Mild Acne

Mild acne is generally treated by washing the acne affected area with warm water and soap twice everyday. Proper skin care is very important. You have to keep in mind that acne takes time to heal and that significant changes cannot be detected overnight.

Treatment for Moderate Acne

When pimples cover almost half of your face, then you are suffering from moderate acne. In such a situation, it will be best for you to consult a dermatologist. Combination therapies are used for the treatment of moderate acne, which includes physical treatment and prescription treatment. Oral contraceptives and oral acne treatments have also proved effective in some cases. Most acne problems, according to doctors are completely treatable.

Treatment for Severe Acne

When acne is severe, the pimples and the zits become inflamed, deep and like cysts. In this case, a lot of scars and damage to the skin occurs. This may arouse feelings of depression among the affected people. Dermatologists use aggressive treatment for stopping further growth of acne and simultaneously try to prevent the permanent scarring due to the acne. The treatment can be with injection of corticosteroid, medications such as accutane and even a surgical incision may be required depending upon the severity of one’s condition.

Acne treatments require your patience, as it is a time consuming process. You should be well-informed regarding the various treatments available. Any mistake on your part can make your acne stay longer.

Adult acne care will be quite different to the acne care for adolescents, because the hormones going through the bodies of adults are different from the adolescents. In most cases, the acne that appears during one’s puberty, seem to disappear after some time automatically with the body being gradually accustomed to the hormonal changes.

Various other treatments

Benzoyl Peroxide is the most common of all the acne treatments. It diminishes the activity of the sebaceous glands and helps to unplug the blocked pores of the skin.

Vitamin A derivatives, retinoids are effective in the cure of white heads, black heads ad comedonal acne. They remove the clogged material in the hair follicle and increase the turn over of the skin cells causing the disappearance of the spots.

There are also acne treatments available, which are prescribed by doctors.

Some over the counter acne treatments can be bought from pharmacies without a doctor’s prescription. However, if you have severe acne, then this should not be your choice for treating your acne.

Natural acne treatment requires you to maintain a clean diet and exercise regularly. There is indeed a reduction in acne breakouts if the intake of fatty and oily foods is considerably lowered or avoided altogether. You should actually treat the causes of acne for treating your acne.

Acne can also be treated by a chemical peel procedure which removes the top layer of the skin to get rid of the acne spots.

Laser acne treatment is a successful one. Though it is mainly used for the treatment of acne scars. Lasers are effective for treating superficial acne. In this case, high-energy light is used to vaporize the skin’s topmost layer, thus removing the scars caused by acne.

Robert Sheehan is a freelance writer and co-owner of http://www.myacneskintreatments.com Visit Robert and read more about treating acne at http://www.myacneskintreatments.com/Acne-Treatments.html