Tuesday 28 April 2009

Medication options for acne sufferers

by: Marc Howlett
Oral Acne Medication Options At the onslaught of puberty, many teens suffer from various radical changes - physical, physiological, emotional.. you name it! Of course, one of the most apparent transformations is that of the physical changes. Aside from the males developing more muscles and moustache and females developing their breasts and hips, there's this one change that commonly annoys an enormous portion of the adolescent population. Acne vulgaris!Acne vulgaris is also known as acne or pimples in more common terms. Overproduction of oil that suddenly happens to teenagers and sensitivity to dirt are the precursor to this menacing skin disorder. But those two or their combination are not the only cause of breakouts. Many other factors could trigger acne. Genes, weather conditions and certain substances from food may set off the invasion or just the presence of acne. Dermatologists and researchers have been trying to discover the best acne medication. Acne, no matter how miniscule a disorder it may seem, needs adequate attention.
These tiny bumps on one's face could elicit major effects on a person. Not only vanity motivates experts to find or formulate the most excellent acne medication. Ridicule for having a pockmarked complexion is often one of the leading causes of low self-esteem among adolescents. What's worse is that this lack of confidence may be brought until one reaches his maturity. The most recent forms of acne medication are the following:Oral Antibiotic Acne Medication. This type of medication should always be mediated by consulting a physician. Various acne medication antibiotics that may be taken by mouth are supported by researches. Assorted antibiotics that act as acne medication are intended for moderate, severe to persistent types of acne. It is very important that a doctor is asked first on which antibiotics for acne medication is right for you.Cortiscosteroids. Very severe acne may be prescribed with this acne medication antibiotic. This potent antibiotic is usually taken in a short span of time only. They have metabolic effects that make them inappropriate for long-term use. Oral Tetracycline. This antibiotic is one of the most popular oral acne medications. Moderate to severe acne may be treated with an initial dose of 500 to 1000 mg per day in a decreasing dosage as skin condition improvement is noted.
This antibiotic is not for the pregnant women since it can cause skeletal defects to fetus. Children with age of under 8 years are also not advised to be given this medication.Oral Minocycline and Doxycycline. These acne medications in the form of antibiotics are only derived from tetracycline. Research evidences tell that these acne medications are more effective than tetracycline. Doxycycline is reported to induce sunlight sensitivity. Both are advised not to be taken by pregnant women.Oral Erythromycin. This antibiotic that serve as an acne medication may be taken as an alternative to tetracycline since it is safer for pregnant women and young children.Isotretinoin. This acne medication antibiotic is said to revolutionize acne treatment due to its potent effect in dealing with severe and treatment-resistant acne. Reports has it that isotretinoin is very effective in treating all forms of acne. But it should be noted that many side affects are also attributed to isotretinoin. This includes severe birth defects to a fetus, dryness of the skin and mucous membranes. Therefore, pregnant women, breastfeeding women or those who are planning to become pregnant must not take isotretinoin as a form of acne medication.
About the Author
Stephen Brown offers advice to acne sufferers from the young to old at hiswebsite: www.acne-support.info

Sunday 26 April 2009

Using Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) as an Acne Treatment

by: Ryan Bauer
How Pantothenic Acid WorksMany people have commented before that I recommend vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) a lot to acne sufferers. There happens to be a reason for that: It is what cleared my acne. Totally. 100% Eliminated. If you haven't tried it before, I strongly urge you to give it a go, it really is amazing stuff.Pantothenic acid, also known as vitamin B5, is commonly supplemented in large doses to reduce oil production and help rid your skin of acne. It works like Accutane, in the sense that it reduces oil production. Pantothenic acid, however, works by helping your body to metabolize the fats in your body that later turn into sebum. Accutane actually shrinks the oil glands to block the oil from coming through to your face. Since pantothenic acid addresses the underlying problem, it is, in fact, the more efficient solution.Let's get into the details of how exactly pantothenic acid works. During your natural metabolism process, your body breaks down fats.
When your body lacks enough coenzyme-A, not all of these fats can be broken down, and your body has to get rid of them some how, so they are ejected through your oil glands on your skin in the form of sebum (oil). By creating more coenzyme-A, these extra fats can be broken down with the rest, and oil production will be greatly reduced.Coenzyme-A is made up of three things: Cysteine, ATP and Pantothenic Acid. Your body takes care of cysteine and ATP by producing it by itself, so vitamin B5 is the only thing that you have to take in through food. By supplementing with pantothenic acid, more coenzyme-A is producted, fats are broken down better, and less oil ends up on your skin. Without too much oil on your face, when a pore gets clogged, the p. acnes bacteria will have nothing to feed upon and can't thrive to cause acne in the first place.Considering that pantothenic acid works for more than 90% of the people who take it, including myself, it's a very effective medication. Since it's all natural and water soluble, it's much safer than Accutane, which only works for 70%-80% of the people who take it. It's also more efficient than Accutane, because it eliminates the problem, instead of covering it up by shrinking the glands and trapping the fats inside the body.Supplementing with Pantothenic AcidAs I've said before, to address a pantothenic acid deficiency, you have to take large amounts of it, up to around 12 grams or so.
Not everyone has to take quite that much though, so the recommended dosage is as follows: Start out with around 4 grams per day. Always divide the doses into 4 times per day, spreading them out as much as possible. To prevent stomach irritation, the only known side effect of pantothenic acid, try to take it with food or at least a glass of water.If the 4 grams doesn't work for you, slowly ramp it up until you start to see results, stopping at around 12 grams. When you find a dose that seems to be working for you, stay with it for about two months straight, continuing to divide the doses so that you are splitting the dose into 4 parts. After those two months or so, you should be able to slack back on it until you start seeing negative results to find out how much you will need to continue to take as a "maintenance dose".The only thing to watch out for is that pantothenic acid can deplete your body of other B vitamins, so a B-50 complex should be taken with it. Some say you should also take Zinc with it, though I only take B-50.Since pantothenic acid has to be taken in large doses to see results, that means you can forget trying to get enough by eating foods high in it, or through a multivitamin or B vitamin complex. You can even forget about taking pantothenic acid pills, since that means you would have to take 20+ pills every day.
There's only really one reasonable way to take the amount of B5 you will need to treat acne, which is pantothenic acid powder.Pantothenic acid pills can't be found in most stores, much less the powder form of it. Some health food stores might have it, but the ones around my area didn't. You might be able to talk to someone at the store and have them order it for you, though it's usually marked up quite a bit. The easiest and cheapest way to get pantothenic acid powder is to just order it online. A Google search will uncover many websites, such as Amazon.com, which sell pantothenic acid powder at a great price.
About the Author
Ryan Bauer is a former acne sufferer from Springfield, MO. He runs an Acne information website located at http://www.AcneElimination.com

Friday 24 April 2009

What's The Real Cause of Acne?

by: Houa Yang
Most acne medications only mask the symptoms of acne and does nothing to stop the real cause of acne. This is why people buy acne products month after month (year after year). And every time they stop using the product acne would come back again and again. What you need to do is find out what the real cause of acne is and stop it. So what's the real cause of acne? Acne occurs when your body contains more toxics than your kidneys and bowels can remove. (Your kidneys and bowels are the two primary channels of elimination that your body expel toxics and waste products through.) These toxics can be the accumulation of fat stored chemicals the liver can not wash out or there may be a problem with fat digestion, fat accumulation, food allergy, or even the accumulation of hormones that your body produces.
Once these toxics build up, your kidneys and bowels can get overloaded and clogged up, causing it to not function properly. When that happens some of the load will be dumped onto your liver. One of your liver's main roles is to metabolize pile up fat into usable energy for your body. This means, your liver will be doing some of your kidney's work. So now, your liver gets overloaded and it too will not work at full capacity. What happens when your bowels, kidneys, and liver gets overloaded? When that happen your body will expel toxins through your lungs and skin (your secondary channels of elimination). And this is when acne occurs. This is when your skin starts to breakout. But whatever the toxic source is that‘s causing this problem, acne is a sign that your bowels and kidneys are overloaded with toxins, waste products, or hormones. It is a sign that your liver is growing weaker in its detoxification abilities (and it will continue to grow weaker if you do not do what it takes to get rid of the toxics in your body). So if you think that acne is your only problem, think again, your liver, kidneys, and bowels are getting weaker every time you breakout.
About the Author
Houa Yang is the author of "The Definite Guide To Acne Free Skin." It reveals how you can get rid of acne in 3 days & stop it from ever coming back! For more information visit: http://www.howtogetridofacne.com

Thursday 23 April 2009

How To Use Fish Oil to Help You Stop Acne

by: Rudy Silva
If you want to control acne breakouts, you need to supplement your diet with fish oils which contain omega-3 and omega-6 oils. These fish oil also contains EPA and DHA fatty acids which are necessary for creating prostaglandins.Normally, enzymes in your body break down omega-6 into DGLA, AA, EPA and DHA fatty acids.Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA)Arachidonic Acid (AA)Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)These four fatty acids eventually change into prostaglandins.What are prostaglandins?Prostaglandins are chemical hormones that come from omega-3 and omega-6 oils and that help,regulate every function in your cells and organs.Postaglandins also keep androgen hormones in control so that excess sebum is not produce in the hair follicle, which results in acne.
This is the reason why Essential Fatty Acids – Omega-3 and Omega-6 – are critical foods to eat.However, eating plenty essential fatty acids may not insure that you produce enough EPA and DHA, which produce the essential prostaglandins.It is critical for acne and more importantly for your health that you get enough EPA and DHA in your cells and organs so they can produce the required prostaglandins.To increase the prostaglandins in your cell walls, it is necessary for you to take a fish supplement, which contains both the EPA and DHA.Of course eating salmon, halibut, and mackerel twice a week will be a plus in providing your body with more EPA and DHA.Here’s what I use daily. Spectrum Essentials puts out an excellent product calledOmega-3 Norwegian Fish OilTwo capsules containsEPA – 360mgDHA – 240mgOmega-3 – 892mgStearic, Lauric, Palmitic Acids - 508mgUsing the Omega-3 Norwegian Fish Oil is critical in getting relief from acne, so take two capsules per meal.
When your body creates prostaglandins, it creates a good prostaglandin and a bad prostaglandin. Here’s how to encourage the production of good prostaglandins.·Maintain a ratio of two times more omega-6 than omega-3 in your diet.·Eating too much omega-6 can lead to producing excess bad prostaglandins.·Take a multi-vitamin and minerals with your meals to provide these nutrients for breaking down theessential fatty acids into prostaglandins·Reduce the amount of meat, saturated fat, dairy, and eggs you eat to reduce the production of AA, which blocks the activities of the good prostaglandins·Eat cold water fish at least twice a week to provide EPA and DHA to your dietInclude at least 20% of your diet calories as good fats – omega oils and fish oil. This is essential for controlling the excess activity of your hormones and reducing the inflammation of your acne.
About the Author
Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural Nutritionist. He is the author of Constipation, Acne, Hemorrhoid, and Fatty Acid ebooks. For more information on acne go to: http://www.acne-remedies.for--you.info

Tuesday 21 April 2009

Let's Dispel Some Acne Myths

by: Jon Davis
It is the bane of a person’s existence. Everybody gets it; everybody hates it. And once you have it, prepare to be tormented, embarrassed and humiliated. Such a small bump, so much at stake. So what is this little bundle of horror? What else but the dreaded pimple!A pimple, or acne as some people calls it, is a dreaded red, swollen bump in the face. Nobody is spared from having it. Male or female, American, Chinese or Puerto Rican, they all have gotten it at some points of their lives and may even still have it. It is like a universal language; it is like a right of passage in a person’s life. Acne is a result of the hormones action on the skin’s oil glands (the sebaceous gland) which leads to clogged pores and outbreak of lesions like pimples, blemishes or acne. Acne commonly occurs in the neck, face, back, shoulders and chest because the sebaceous glands are most abundant in these locations. But the important question we should be asking to be able to avoid this dreaded “disease” is, “What causes this pain in the neck called acne?”Unfortunately, the causes of acne cannot really be determined (unless your parents or their parents are acne infested too then there’s a big, big chance you’ll be called acne face by your peers and classmates) thus the acne myths are born! These myths claim to be the cause of acne. We shall enumerate them here.Acne Myth Number 1Acne is caused by not washing your face often and not scrubbing it hard enough. Many believed that acne is caused by dirt and dust in the face and by washing your face two-three even four times a day or even by scrubbing your face hard can prevent acne. Wrong, wrong, wrong! It is true that dirt and dust is unsightly to the face and washing the face is the way to eradicate them but washing often can actually irritate the skin more. Washing should not be done more than twice a day. More than twice is enough to strip the face of its natural oils making it dry. Also, scrubbing can cause inflammations. Washing the face should be done as gently as possible with the gentlest facial scrub.Acne Myth Number 2Improper Diet can cause acne. Certain foods that are oily like French fries and junk food can cause acne to erupt in our face. But scientific studies have not discovered any connection between these two. So this means that food does not cause acne. Though a proper and healthy diet is always good for our system, eating like a pig won’t make pimples a permanent resident in your face. So feel free to eat your favorite Lay’s, French fries and chocolates anytime.Acne Myth Number 3When you’re stressed acne tends to pop on your face like popcorn pops from a kernel. Not true. Stress is a part of our daily lives and believe it or not it is not a contributing factor to the acne residing in your face. Only severe stress treated by the doctor MAY cause acne to erupt only as a side effect of the drugs a person may be taking. If this is the case, consult your doctor immediately.
About the Author
Discover all you need to know about acne and what you can do to combat and prevent it from taking over your life. Visit Adult Acne SolutionTotal Health & Fitness Resource at #1 Health Fitness

Monday 20 April 2009

Proactive Facial Cleanser for Acne

Proactive Facial Cleanser For Acne
by: M.D. Stacener
Acne can be a tough problem to fight but it can be done. The question always becomes what is the best acne treatment? The answer is always the same, the product that works for you is the best treatment. One product that many have had success with is the Proactive facial cleanser.
For those that are lucky enough not to have suffered from acne they tend to think it’s just a minor problem, or that it’s just a teenage problem. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Acne can be can cause emotional turmoil and play on the one’s self esteem. Teens are especially hit hard. In no other time in our lives is the way we look so important to us and the comments made by other teens can be really hard on ones self esteem.
For some the acne disappears as they leave the teen years behind only to reappear the occasional zit. For others they continue to suffer sometimes into their 50’s. Acne sufferers will tell you that the problem is not so trivial as some might think.
This is one of the reasons that The Proactive line of skin care products has met with such anticipation. Especially the gentle proactive facial cleanser which has proven to be a real solution for many acne sufferers.
Most acne sufferers have spent years trying one cleanser after another, sometimes having good results, other times failure. But the proactive facial cleanser seems to be something different. It works at attacking the acne at the root of the problem or should we say the follicle of the problem. Several testimonials and reviews seem to indicated that many users have had excellent results with the Proactive facial cleanser.
If you want to hear it from the users, you need only do a quick search online for acne sufferers’ forums and discussion groups. There you can read for yourself how a group of people all had found results from different products yet when this group all tried Proactive Facial Cleanser they all reported good results. Even for those that did not see their acne disappear found their acne reduced to a level they could deal with in no time at all.
For years acne patients have searched the globe to find a product that worked and worked well, while enduring the physical painful and the mental anguish. Acne can be socially debilitating. Finally here is a product that seems to make a real difference in the quality of their skin and as their skin improves so does their self confidence. It appears Proactive might found the magic mix of ingredients.
The main products in the Proactive acne line are the cleanser, the toner, and the repairing lotion. Proactive says this is a unique combination therapy with the ingredients in each element of the acne solution working together to improve the condition of your skin. Not only does it eliminate the acne skin develops a healthy youthful glow. Now that’s magic! This could be a brand new day in acne treatments!
About The Author
MD Stacener from The Acne Cure has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing valuable information to keep you beautiful and healthy. Please visit us at http://www.acnel.com/.

Saturday 18 April 2009

Microdermabrasion Acne Treatments - Harsh of Helpful?

Microdermabrasion Acne Treatments – Harsh or Helpful?
by: Peter Crump
Many people think of microdermabrasion acne treatments as those supplied in salons by professional skincare specialists, but there are actually a multitude of microdermabrasion acne treatments available on your drugstore shelves. Many of the well-known and highly effective acne control products available today include beads or crystals that offer a microdermabrasion effect. But many acne sufferers have been warned off using harsh products on their skin, as these can simply exacerbate the condition rather than helping to control it. Microdermabrasion acne treatments work by scraping away impurities and dead skin cells – surely this is not a treatment suitable for daily use? Won’t this aggravate my skin, leaving it raw and sore? Older products might in fact have had this effect upon the skin – usually exfoliants were recommended as a once or twice a week treatment.
But advances in skincare have produced a wide variety of microdermabrasion acne treatments that combine an exfoliating effect with mild and soothing cleansers, which in combination can clear the skin of debris without aggravating sensitive skin. In fact, using a mild exfoliant, such as those used in microdermabrasion acne treatments, is one of the most effective weapons in acne control. The daily use of these microdermabrasion acne treatments clears the skin of impurities, leaving it refreshed and revitalised, allowing blemishes to heal and preventing new ones from forming. The beads or crystal are complimented by other ingredients, such as salicylic acid, which are established tools in acne control. The combination of two powerful cleansing substances doubles your power in the fight against acne. While this type of dermabrasion acne treatment might not be suitable for those with extremely sensitive skin, these products contain soothing ingredients that make them suitable for daily use in acne control. Home dermabrasion treatments are usually offered with toners and other products, and it is important to use all of these in combination, as the ingredients in each balance the effects of the other. These skincare packages offer a complete routine for your skin that can make a real difference to your acne. Try a microdermabrasion acne treatment, and see what its gentle power can do for you. Microdermabrasion acne treatments may be simpler than you thought.
About the Author
Find out more about Natural Acne Treatments as well as Acne Scar Removal and Adult Acne, Acne Skin Care Products, the Best Acne Treatments and more at Peter’s website, Acne All Gone.

Friday 17 April 2009

Medication options for acne sufferers

Medication options for acne sufferers
by: Marc Howlett
Oral Acne Medication Options At the onslaught of puberty, many teens suffer from various radical changes - physical, physiological, emotional.. you name it! Of course, one of the most apparent transformations is that of the physical changes. Aside from the males developing more muscles and moustache and females developing their breasts and hips, there's this one change that commonly annoys an enormous portion of the adolescent population. Acne vulgaris!Acne vulgaris is also known as acne or pimples in more common terms. Overproduction of oil that suddenly happens to teenagers and sensitivity to dirt are the precursor to this menacing skin disorder. But those two or their combination are not the only cause of breakouts. Many other factors could trigger acne. Genes, weather conditions and certain substances from food may set off the invasion or just the presence of acne. Dermatologists and researchers have been trying to discover the best acne medication. Acne, no matter how miniscule a disorder it may seem, needs adequate attention.
These tiny bumps on one's face could elicit major effects on a person. Not only vanity motivates experts to find or formulate the most excellent acne medication. Ridicule for having a pockmarked complexion is often one of the leading causes of low self-esteem among adolescents. What's worse is that this lack of confidence may be brought until one reaches his maturity. The most recent forms of acne medication are the following:Oral Antibiotic Acne Medication. This type of medication should always be mediated by consulting a physician. Various acne medication antibiotics that may be taken by mouth are supported by researches. Assorted antibiotics that act as acne medication are intended for moderate, severe to persistent types of acne. It is very important that a doctor is asked first on which antibiotics for acne medication is right for you.Cortiscosteroids. Very severe acne may be prescribed with this acne medication antibiotic. This potent antibiotic is usually taken in a short span of time only. They have metabolic effects that make them inappropriate for long-term use. Oral Tetracycline. This antibiotic is one of the most popular oral acne medications. Moderate to severe acne may be treated with an initial dose of 500 to 1000 mg per day in a decreasing dosage as skin condition improvement is noted. This antibiotic is not for the pregnant women since it can cause skeletal defects to fetus. Children with age of under 8 years are also not advised to be given this medication.Oral Minocycline and Doxycycline. These acne medications in the form of antibiotics are only derived from tetracycline. Research evidences tell that these acne medications are more effective than tetracycline. Doxycycline is reported to induce sunlight sensitivity. Both are advised not to be taken by pregnant women.Oral Erythromycin. This antibiotic that serve as an acne medication may be taken as an alternative to tetracycline since it is safer for pregnant women and young children.Isotretinoin. This acne medication antibiotic is said to revolutionize acne treatment due to its potent effect in dealing with severe and treatment-resistant acne. Reports has it that isotretinoin is very effective in treating all forms of acne. But it should be noted that many side affects are also attributed to isotretinoin. This includes severe birth defects to a fetus, dryness of the skin and mucous membranes. Therefore, pregnant women, breastfeeding women or those who are planning to become pregnant must not take isotretinoin as a form of acne medication.
About the Author
Stephen Brown offers advice to acne sufferers from the young to old at hiswebsite: www.acne-support.info

Thursday 16 April 2009

Causes and effects of acne - Understnad your acne treatment

Causes and effects of acne – understand your acne treatment
by: MR
There are several acne care treatment methods that work well and are not very time consuming or expensive. Such techniques would be the treatment with alpha hydroxy acid or several forms of chemical peels that can do wonders for zit treatments. These methods of getting rid of acne are proven and effective and many cases of patients suffering from aggravated pimple irritation found these to be the perfect acne treatment. In the following article we will look closely at the above-mentioned acne care treatment methods and help you decide which technique will work best for your pimple problems. Acne Care TreatmentThe causes of acne are tied to the changes that happen when a child passes from infancy to puberty. Many persons still believe that acne is caused by dirty skin. The truth is, instead, is that to only wash the skin does not make acne disappear, nor does it prevent it. Adult acne treatment methods works just like those addressed to other age groups. To wash the skin, however, helps to remove the excess of sebum and the dead cells of the skin, and adults should be aware of this as well. Many persons use every type of product, including alcoholic detergents and exfoliant creams, often irritating the skin more than clearing it! Adult acne treatment approaches should also consider the social and psychological effects of adult acne. To wash the face two times a day, in a delicate way with water and a delicate detergent, is the best choice. However, acne is caused from a complex array of biological factors that cannot be eliminated just by washing. For this reason, it is necessary to begin a serious adult acne treatment focused on the problem of acne.Adult acne treatment – myths and factsIn some cases, acne also persists in the adult age. This type of acne, generally, hits the skin of the face, but also the one of the body, and men are more exposed then women. Adult acne treatment for women takes into account the fact that the appearance of this type of acne is parallel to the menstrual cycle. In other cases, the acne is introduced randomly in the adult age: this type of acne plagues men and women alike. Acne is not caused by food, but some food items do have the potential to irritate the skin. To follow a tight diet will not recover your skin. While some think that their problem of acne is aggravated from the foods they consume (like the chocolate, drinks, fat oysters and foods), there are no scientific tests that demonstrate this being true. However it is not a mistake to avoid the fatter foods, but a focused and well-applied adult acne treatment is also necessary in order to get rid of this annoying condition. There are several ways to eliminate zits in adulthood. The most successful acne treatment methods may include acne blemish laser treatment, acne rosacea treatment, laser acne treatment. Consult with your dermatologist in order to determine which adult acne removal treatment will work best for you. Treatment – Alpha hydroxy acidAlso known in the medical community as ascorbic acid, this technique mainly focuses on improving the levels of oil in the skin. It actually reduces the oil amount produced by the skin, thus diminishing the chances of acne eruptions. Alpha hydroxy acid also reduces the number of dead cells in the skin so your face looks healthier and with less irritation. This particular acne care treatment is effective when used in the early or mid stages of the problem, but it also used in severe acne treatment. The acid is found in several acne treatment drugs and ointments Chemical peels acne treatmentIn most cases, chemical peel treatments are used to remove lines under the eyes and around the mouth, as well as, sun-damaged skin, mild scarring, age spots and other skin problems. Acne treatments may include this method in which the dermatologist applies a certain chemical substance to the skin. The targeted spot blisters and can be peeled off. This method of acne care treatment is effective mostly for removing scars, especially in the facial area. The treatment is accompanies by some heat and stinging sensation, a fact that most patients found acceptable given the efficiency of the acne treatment. Acne care treatment final remarksThere are several other methods for curing acne, such as home remedies or laser treatment. In order to select the best treatment for your pimple and zits you should consult with your doctor or dermatologist. For more information please visit: Acne Blemish Laser Treatment - http://www.acnexpert.com/blemishlaser.htm
About the Author
Body Acne Treatment - http://www.acnexpert.com/bodyacne.htmProactive Acne Treatment - http://www.acnexpert.com/proactive.htmAll acne information - http://www.acnexpert.com/index.htm

Wednesday 15 April 2009

Birth Control Pill for Acne

by: Rodel Garcia
There are quite a few prescription medications used to combat acne, but one of the most frequent choices for women is the use of a birth control pill for acne. This approach can be used with teenagers as well as adult women, but if you're a guy, you are out of luck. Using the birth control pill for acne on a man is a recipe for disaster. The female hormones would wreak havoc on a man's system.
For women though, the birth control pill for acne can be a minor miracle. And if your acne is severe enough to require use of the most dangerous acne drug, birth control is an absolute necessity. You will not be able to take the risky drug without also using the birth control pill for acne.
Why does using the birth control pill for acne work?
Teen girls and women often experience outbreaks of acne just before their menstrual periods. This is especially true with teens because their hormones are often surging out of whack and haven't settled into a more even production yet. The birth control pill for acne works by evening out those hormonal surges. When a woman's hormones are regulated by using the birth control pill for acne, they often find the breakouts lessen in both frequency and severity.
Is taking birth control pills for acne right for you?
The hormones estrogen, progestin and testosterone can be wildly unstable in the first few years after a girl enters puberty. The fluctuating levels of these hormones can really irritate the acne nearly all teens are prone to suffer. For girls experiencing moderate or worse breakouts, and the embarrassment that comes with them, using birth control pills for acne can be a miracle. Not only do their systems calm down, the breakouts become milder. Adult women often appreciate the clearer skin that comes with the pill, even though they weren't using birth control pills for acne in the first place.
If you are suffering severe acne problems, your doctor may choose to put you on very effective medication called isotretinoin. This drug, sold under the name Accutane, is very powerful, highly effective and absolutely not to be used during pregnancy. This is where birth control pills for acne are most often prescribed.
Accutane can cause such damage to a fetus that if a doctor prescribes it for you, he is required by law to make sure you have two negative pregnancy tests no more than a week before you start taking the drug. You have to be using birth control, so most doctors prescribe birth control pills for acne as well, and you must have a negative pregnancy test before each month's refill of Accutane.
These regulations have been in place for some time, but because pregnancies while on isotretinoin are still happening, new federal regulations have been added. If you take the drug, you are required to sign into a national database so doctors, pharmacists and the government can track users of the drug and make sure all the anti-pregnancy precautions are being taken, including birth control pills for acne and a second form of birth control.
What are the side effects to taking birth control pills for acne?
If your doctor prescribes birth control pills for acne and you take the correct dosage, using the medication according to instructions, then the side effects are very minimal.
The standard but generally low risks of birth control pills for acne or other uses include weight gain, nausea, irregular or breakthrough (during the month) bleeding. In very rare cases, this medication can cause problems with blood pressure, blood clots and perhaps even heart attacks or strokes.
One important thing to know about taking birth control pills for acne is that if your doctor also prescribes antibiotics, and you're using the pill for pregnancy protection as well, you'll want to add a backup method of birth control. The birth control pill for acne will still help manage your skin, but can fail to protect you from pregnancy while you're also on antibiotics.About the Author
Rodel Garcia was an acne sufferer one time in my life. WebAuthor of these websites and hoping in my own little way help the acne sufferers cure their acne.. Acne SCAR Products and ReviewsAcne Products and Reviews

Tuesday 14 April 2009

Cure Acne Naturally in 3 days

by: Peter Morgan
Look Better, Feel Better, and Raise Your Self-Esteem by Banishing Your Acne in Only 3 Days. Chris Gibson shows how to cure acne naturally, using a simple natural acne remedy can follow. Scars can be removed with this treatment too. The pain and agony of acne can now be cured in a 3 day treatment using an easy program. Treating, removing and curing acne naturally is possible in three days. Many satisfied customers are stating similar statements to Chris who said "I didn't think I would Ever get rid of the acne that had tormented me for so long. I desperately wanted to feel better about myself. I wanted the acne Gone - so, I gave it a try. After 3 days, I woke up and made the slow walk to my bathroom mirror. I walked in with my eyes closed, and when I opened them, my jaw dropped to the floor!”The skin care method consists of natural ingredients everyone can get a hold of. Many of the ingredients are available right in your home. It is a guaranteed method to reduce and clear acne (blackheads, whiteheads, zits, pimples). Many users have mentioned how they lost their acne overnight. Chris is so sure about this natural acne remedy that he offers a 90 Days Money Back Guarantee.
Learn more http://tinyurl.com/cnb8aChris Gibson states, "You will find that your acne will start to disappear - if not totally be gone - at the end of 3 days. You will spend more time with your family and friends, showing off your clear skin. You will feel better and look better, and your self-confidence and self-esteem will go through the roof! Plus, you will never have to worry about having a serious acne problem again. After trying this simple, natural acne remedy, I have been acne free for over nineteen years! That is why you need something besides a cream. You need to find a system that will cure the problem from the inside out.The cure found in our book can be applied at your house. No need to go to the doctor or spend thousands of dollars on prescription medicines.For additional information on how to cure acne naturally go to: http://tinyurl.com/cnb8a
About the Author
Peter Morgan is a 10+ year veteran in the IT business. He is an active Real Estate Investor and a successful Internet business owner. http://tinyurl.com/cnb8a

Monday 13 April 2009

Create Your Own Acne Cure

by: Naweko San-Joyz
Since 1982 Accutane has been a reliable, if not controversial, drug for treating severe acne. Now with FDA representative David J. Graham’s statement that Accutane should be taken off the market, and pharmaceutical manufacturer La Roche’s defense of Accutane’s safety in a Florida courtroom, access to Accutane faces mounting restrictions.
Author of Acne Messages: Crack the code of your zits and say goodbye to acne, Naweko San-Joyz, understands the concerns facing acne sufferer’s who desire Accutane-like results. San-Joyz conducted research to inexpensively mimic the effects of Accutane. “ Accutane provokes five acne-fighting actions that anyone can replicate using nutrition and self-care”, explains San-Joyz.
Reduce excess oil secretion:Accutane is a derivative of vitamin A and reduces the secretion of oil by the oil glands. Foods that supply the body with Vitamin A and beta-carotene (which is converted to vitamin A by the body) include: Liver, oily fish, whole eggs, carrots, sweet potatoes, and broccoli.

Encourage extreme shedding of the skin:Using a peel is the easiest method to promote shedding of the skin. Exfoliation releases the build-up of dead skin cells, oils and bacteria trapped in the pores, which could lead to the formation of blemishes.
Extreme peelsPeels come in varying degrees, from mild to harsh. The trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peel is an extreme peel that can cost from $100 to $1000 depending on the degree of the treatment. It is only performed in a doctor’s office. The TCA is not a save all however. The peel can make the skin sensitive to the sun cause hyper-pigmentation.
Home use peels:Several over-the-counter peels contain papaya enzymes or glycolic acid. These peels lightly exfoliate the skin and are safe for weekly use.
Reduce the spread of bacterial infection:Using an astringent such as witch hazel or apple cider vinegar to disinfect the skin significantly reduces the presence of bacteria on the face. This reduction limits skin inflammation and the likelihood of a pimple developing.
Enhance Fat Metabolism:Free fatty acids can irritate the skin and provoke acne eruptions. Reducing intake of foods containing hydrolyzed fats will improve fat metabolism. However, do consume essential fatty acids such as Omega-3 and Omega-6, which are found in foods such as salmon and olive oil. These essential fats aid the gastrointestinal tract eliminate pro-inflammatory substances, which reduces the possibility of experiencing acne lesions.
Reduce inflammation:A strong immune system serves as a buffer against inflammation. Stress reducing activities such as exercising, eating a well-balanced diet and sleeping well boosts the immune system. A diet supplemented with B-Complex, zinc and vitamins C and E likewise enhances the effectiveness of the immune system.
Like Accutane, these five steps will not work overnight. Accutane works via creating a bodily environment that is not conducive to acne. By adhering to the nutritional and aesthetic steps above, anyone can attain clear skin while simultaneously augmenting their health. For more acne self-care tips visit www.Noixia.com or read Acne Messages at www.Amazon.com (ISBN: 0974912204).

Sunday 12 April 2009

Proactive FAcial Cleanser For Acne

by: M.D. Stacener
Acne can be a tough problem to fight but it can be done. The question always becomes what is the best acne treatment? The answer is always the same, the product that works for you is the best treatment. One product that many have had success with is the Proactive facial cleanser.
For those that are lucky enough not to have suffered from acne they tend to think it’s just a minor problem, or that it’s just a teenage problem. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Acne can be can cause emotional turmoil and play on the one’s self esteem. Teens are especially hit hard. In no other time in our lives is the way we look so important to us and the comments made by other teens can be really hard on ones self esteem.
For some the acne disappears as they leave the teen years behind only to reappear the occasional zit. For others they continue to suffer sometimes into their 50’s. Acne sufferers will tell you that the problem is not so trivial as some might think.
This is one of the reasons that The Proactive line of skin care products has met with such anticipation. Especially the gentle proactive facial cleanser which has proven to be a real solution for many acne sufferers.
Most acne sufferers have spent years trying one cleanser after another, sometimes having good results, other times failure. But the proactive facial cleanser seems to be something different. It works at attacking the acne at the root of the problem or should we say the follicle of the problem. Several testimonials and reviews seem to indicated that many users have had excellent results with the Proactive facial cleanser.
If you want to hear it from the users, you need only do a quick search online for acne sufferers’ forums and discussion groups. There you can read for yourself how a group of people all had found results from different products yet when this group all tried Proactive Facial Cleanser they all reported good results. Even for those that did not see their acne disappear found their acne reduced to a level they could deal with in no time at all.
For years acne patients have searched the globe to find a product that worked and worked well, while enduring the physical painful and the mental anguish. Acne can be socially debilitating. Finally here is a product that seems to make a real difference in the quality of their skin and as their skin improves so does their self confidence. It appears Proactive might found the magic mix of ingredients.
The main products in the Proactive acne line are the cleanser, the toner, and the repairing lotion. Proactive says this is a unique combination therapy with the ingredients in each element of the acne solution working together to improve the condition of your skin. Not only does it eliminate the acne skin develops a healthy youthful glow. Now that’s magic! This could be a brand new day in acne treatments!
About The Author
MD Stacener from The Acne Cure has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing valuable information to keep you beautiful and healthy. Please visit us at http://www.acnel.com/.

Clear your Acne and have Perfect Skin - Naturally!


by: Ryan Bauer
Most people who suffer from acne go out and spend good money on common over-the-counter acne treatment products. The truth is, most of these products are full of chemicals that can actually slow down the healing of acne, and irritate your skin, causing farther breakouts.When an acne product has 20 ingredients listed on it, it can be hard to know if one of those ingredients is actually stopping you from having success. It can be even harder when you can't pronounce the ingredient, much less know what it is and how it is going to affect your skin.Most mainstream acne treatments are not only much more expensive than common household items, but they also don't always work as well either.

With that in mind, I will list some basic household items that can work wonders on clearing up your skin. Baking soda – A very cheap cooking ingredient that most people have in their homes already, baking soda can be used as a great scrub. The purpose of a scrub is to exfoliate the skin, removing dead skin that can eventually clog pores and lead to acne spots. To start off, you'll want to mix a small amount of baking soda with some water for form a paste. Baking soda is very effective as a scrub, so you want to be sure to be extra careful when applying it to your face. Gently massage the paste into your skin for ten to fifteen seconds. Then rinse the baking soda off, and pat your face dry with a clean towel.Apple Cider Vinegar – Though most people that use vinegar to treat acne use the apple cider form of vinegar, you can also use plain old regular vinegar.

Regardless of which type you use, vinegar can be very helpful with it comes to clearing up acne. It can kill off acne causing bacteria, balance your skin's pH, and absorb extra oil on your skin.Starting with clean, dry skin, apply diluted vinegar (eight parts water to one part vinegar) directly to your skin with a cotton ball, and leave it on. If you want, you can also use a stronger vinegar solution (say, 2 or 3 parts water to 1 part vinegar), and apply it directly to problem areas, rinsing it off after ten minutes.Lemon or lime juice can also be substituted for vinegar. Both of these juices are rich in citric acid, and can exfoliate your skin very well, halting the growth of acne spots, as well as fading previous, non-active acne quicker.

Egg Whites – Rich in protein, egg whites can be used as a mask to heal and rebuild your skin. It can also help to absorb excess oil from your skin.To start off, crack an egg, removing the yolk so that just the egg whites are left behind. Beat these egg whites, and apply them directly to your face. Let it sit for fifteen minutes, and then rinse the egg off.Oatmeal – As odd as it may seem, oatmeal can absorb unwanted oil and draw out impurities which reside deep in your skin. Cook some plain oatmeal like you would for consumption. Let it cool off, and rub it over your clean skin. Let it sit for a while, like you would a mask, and then rinse off. If you do this on a regular basis, you should begin to start noticing results soon.Tea Tree Oil – TTO is a commonly used all-natural household antiseptic, which you can pick up at most drugstores or supermarkets. You can apply TTO directly to acne spots to kill bacteria, or, if you strongly dilute it with another oil (such as jojoba oil), over your entire face.

Tea tree gel can be easier to apply than the oil, and many are made for applying over large areas of skin, so they aren't quite as strong as straight TTO and do not need to be diluted.Pantothenic Acid (Also known as Vit. B5) – Pantothenic acid can be taken in large quantities for the benefit of acne reduction. B5 works by helping your body to metabolize fats which would otherwise be later turned into sebum (oil) and excreted through the skin. Small amounts of B5 won't help though, and it has to be taken several times a day.To help with acne, you will need to take 2.5 grams of pantothenic acid (the powder form is much easier to take), 4 times per day, for a total of 10 grams per day. Aloe Vera – Aloe Vera has been used for many years in kitchens for topical application to burns. Another benefit of aloe is that it can prevent scaring, fade marks and help heal acne spots.You now have an idea of some basic household items you can use on your skin, that work better than many OTC acne products, and are much cheaper to use. Since we have only really covered basic acne treatments, you can always take this to another level and take all natural, internal acne treatments.

This sums up our basic list of natural alternatives for chemical based acne treatment products. You can take this a step farther by attacking your acne from the inside out. Acne has been shown numerous times to be very closely affected by the digestive system, so keeping your entire digestive system working as smooth as possible can help reduce acne. I will help give you a basic idea of some all natural products you can take to help clear up acne.Cucumber, lemon and carrot juice, brewer's yeast, and active charcoal pills are all capable of helping the digestive system function normally. Since the digestive system is closely related with the health of the skin, they should help reduce acne breakouts. Flax seed can also be wonderful for helping your skin heal faster.


About the Author
Ryan Bauer is a former acne sufferer who writes health articles and runs his acne treatment website, Acne Elimination.

Wednesday 25 March 2009

Your Ultimate Guide For Acne Home Remedy

by: Kirsten Hawkins
Acne is a skin problem widely known and experienced by almost all of our people especially teenagers and young adults. When not given enough attention and care, acne can actually give you serious problems. Nowadays, doctors and advertisements offer us different products that might help solve our worries about acne. However, it is still better if you can actually cure it before seeing or consulting your doctor. There are actually acne home remedies that you can find and use inside your home or in your garden. All you have to do is to know how you can use that acne home remedy to finally say goodbye to your acne worries.It's not just for your teeth!There is still no scientific basis nor findings yet that discusses how the toothpaste can actually lessen, if not cure, the spread of acne. In fact, it is one of the most widely used acne home remedy by people! It might be a result of trial and discovery that made the toothpaste serve not only to clean the teeth but also as an unusual acne home remedy! To use it, just apply it directly to your zits before sleeping. This is believed to help control the swelling overnight. Just make sure that it is not the gel but the paste.The salty-sour way to get rid of AcneIt is actually previously proven that salt can be used as an acne home remedy. Just prepare a salt solution (salt added to warm water) and wash your face with it twice everyday. This will remove the excess oil in your face, the main cause of pimples. You actually have an option to add vinegar to it. Apply it directly on the affected area and leave for 15-20 minutes.Fruity ProceduresFruits are definitely not just for food! They are not only good for inner nutrition but can also be used as cure for outer health problems. You can actually use some of them to be your acne home remedy! One thing you can do is to place strawberry leaves just directly on the affected part. Another is by applying fresh lemon juice mixed with rose water in your face, leaving it there for 15 minutes. A continuous application of this for 15 days is believed to give you amazing results! On the other hand, ground orange peel added with water to make a paste and applied to the acne can also make your face free of acne again. Lime combined with rose water is also a recommended acne home remedy! Just apply it on your face and leave it for 15-20 minutes then rinse with warm water. Juice made of Papaya apllied on the affected area is another great option. In addition, a paste made of ripe tomatoes is also an effective solution! That’s so many great acne home remedies to choose from!The power of the plant species against acneLike the fruits mentioned above, there are herbs and other plants that also proved to serve as a good acne home remedy. You can try methi (fenugreek) leaves made to a paste and applied to stay in your face for 10-15 minutes. Two cloves of crushed garlic applied twice a day is another choice, just bear with the strong smell of this acne home remedy! A combination of witch hazel, tea tree and sweet fennel essential oils put into water can also give satisfactory results. Just always stir or shake it before applying to the swellings twice or thrice a day. Use cotton wool everytime you put it on.Aloe vera is also proven to be great as an acne home remedy! Just make a juice out of it and apply it twice a day for the fast healing of your lesions. Cucumber will never be out of the list for beauty regimen. Apply a paste of it as a mask and leave it for 30 minutes. A paste of ground radish, as well as ground sesame seeds are also very good options when curing your acne.Take it in!Paste or mask applied to the face is not only the way of curing acne.
About the Author: Kirsten Hawkins is a freelance writer specializing in skin conditions such as acne and rosacea. Visit http://www.acnesolution411.com/ for more information on acne and acne treatments.

Tuesday 24 March 2009

Spironolactone in the treatment of acne

by: Michal R. Pijak
In his article on acne published recently in the New England Journal of Medicine James (1) mentions that androgen antagonist spironolacton is often useful in women with hyperandrogenism. However, it would be important to point out, that the effectiveness of this treatment cannot be determined due to the small sample populations involved in the trials, as has been shown in recent metaanalysis. (2) It should be also emphasized that although the long-term use of spironolactone in the treatment of acne in women appears to be safe, its side-effects seem to be high. (3) On the other hand, it is worth mentioning that spironolactone in addition to its antiandrogenic effects might also have antiinflammatory potential. (4) This emphasizes the need for further properly designed trials with relevant outcomes to provide robust estimates of the size and mechanism of any treatment effects. Because of its long half-life spironolactone should be given once daily and not in divided doses as recommended by James. This might increase the compliance which is important in prolonged therapy to achieve maximal benefits. (5) 1. James WD. Clinical practice. Acne. N Engl J Med 2005;352:1463-72.2. Farquhar C, Lee O, Toomath R, Jepson R. Spironolactone versus placebo or in combination with steroids for hirsutism and/or acne. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2003;(4):CD000194. 3. Shaw JC, White LE. Long-term safety of spironolactone in acne: results of an 8-year followup study. J Cutan Med Surg 2002;6:541-5. 4. Hansen PR, Rieneck K, Bendtzen K. Spironolactone inhibits production of proinflammatory cytokines by human mononuclear cells. Immunol Lett 2004;91:87-91.5. McEvoy B, Nydegger R, Williams G. Factors related to patient compliance in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Int J Dermatol 2003;42:274-80.About the author:Dr. Michal R. Pijak is a consultant in rheumatology, allergy and clinical immunology at the University Hospital in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Monday 23 March 2009

The Best Acne Treatments

by: Tim Gorman
The best acne treatments may be the ones that help you avoid the acne in the first place. The best acne treatments can be prescribed by your doctor. You will have to decide the best acne treatments for you.One of the best acne treatments has to do with keeping your skin clean. There are many products on the market that can be considered some of the best acne treatments available.Changes in your diet can be another one of the best acne treatments. Some people insist that one of the best acne treatments is to eat a high-fiber diet. The best acne treatments involving diet also mean cutting down on junk foods, chocolate, tea, coffee, fried foods, sugar, sodas and artificial sweeteners. These dietary changes are considered by many to be some of the best acne treatments.The best acne treatments may be the ones that involve adding supplements to your diet. Acidophilus can be taken in capsule or liquid form and is usually taken 2 or 3 times a day. The best acne treatments that involve using supplements may also include some of the following: brewer’s yeast, chromium, Vitamin B6, Zinc, Vitamin C and E, Vitamin A and B-5, selenium, essential fatty acids and Vitamin B-complex.The best acne treatments may be those suggested by your physician. Your family doctor may recommend a dermatologist who may know of the best acne treatments. There are medications that can be used to help with acne and your doctor will be able to prescribe them for you.The best acne treatments may vary depending on the individual and the type of acne.
About the Author
Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Clear-Skin-Solutions.com. He provides more acne clearing solutions, remedies and acne treatment information that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

Sunday 22 March 2009

Remedying the Silly Ways Women Get Acne When Applying Makeup

by: Naweko San-Joyz
Women spend thousands of dollars to create a flawless face. Yet faulty or uninformed uses of moisturizers and makeup can lead to inexplicable breakouts for women.The two key symbols to remember when applying makeup and moisturizers are cotton and the feather. Cotton symbolizes the need to use clean applicators when applying makeup. The feather represents light application of makeup and moisturizers.Here are the four biggest mistakes women make in their beauty regime that can lead to acne and ways to remedy them.1.Re-using a consealer applicatorYou have a zit and you want to hide it. So what do you do? Dip your consealer applicator in the bottle and apply the liquid cover directly to the inflamed zit, right. No. Reapplying consealer to your face with the applicator provided by the manufacturer does one thing only, spread more bacteria. Once you apply the consealer to your face with the applicator wand, you simply return it to the bottle where the bacteria have a whole container in which to flourish. Giving bacteria a breeding ground is what causes acne in the first place, so don’t give them new real estate in which to reproduce.Solution: To avoid this, apply your consealer with a cotton swab and never, ever use the applicator stick provided by the consealer manufacturer. This will ensure that your consealer applications are always fresh and free of as much bacteria as possible.2. Re-using a foundation spongeThe reasons for not re-using a foundation sponge are the same as the reason for not re-using a consearler applicator, you want to limit the spread of bacteria. Solution:Never use the foundation sponge provided by the manufacturer of the cosmetic. Instead, use a cotton ball to apply your foundation. This way, each of your foundation applications will be clean. 3. Applying moisturizers and makeup with a heavy hand.Do you have the habit of piling layers of makeup onto your face? Caking on your makeup clogs your pores. Clogged pores are an ideal breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria. Solution:Always lightly apply your makeup and moisturizer. One easy trick for assuring that you are applying your makeup and moisturizer lightly is that you feel a tickling sensation as you apply your cosmetics. The added benefit of light facial handling is that you reduce stretching and irritating your skin, a combination that can help limit the onset of wrinkles and acne breakouts.4. Not evenly applying cosmeticsIf you notice a collection of pimples surrounding your temple or hairline, this could be because you start applying the makeup or moisturizer at the bottom of your face and work your way upward. However, if the makeup or moisturizer collects on your temples or at the hairline, the cosmetic excess may clog the pores and cause zits. Solution:When applying makeup or a moisturizer, spread it evenly across the entire face. Keep in mind that hair styling agents may have spread to your hairline and this increases the chances of the pores getting congested and zits arising. Also, while cleansing your face, apply a warm cloth onto your hairline area to help remove the waxy build-up that comes from hair styling agents, moisturizers and makeup. So next time you are applying makeup or your moisturizer, call to mind the feather and cotton, your metaphor for staying “light” and “clean” with your skin.
About the Author
Health author and Stanford University graduate Naweko San-Joyz lovingly writes from her home in San Diego. Her works include “Acne Messages: Crack the code of your zits and say goodbye to acne” (ISBN: 0974912204) and the upcoming work “Skinny Fat Chicks, Why we’re still not getting this dieting thing” (ISBN: 0974912212) for release in June of 2005. For useful acne self-help articles visit http://www.Noixia.com

Friday 20 March 2009

NATURAL FOODS THAT INDUCE ACNE!

by: Janice Johnson
Hearing that some natural foods actually induce and promote acne is not something we commonly hear. Some say, “that’s impossible!” But it’s true.There are some natural foods that actually lead to blemishes and acne – regardless of whether you are a teenager or an adult. Acne can be prevalent in adults as well as teenagers and there are ways we can avoid it – although the pharmaceutical and drug companies will tell you otherwise. The drug companies occupy a billion dollar industry and there’s a lot of money to be made. What the public doesn’t know is advantageous for these companies because it keeps us coming back for more treatments - that continue to feed this huge industry.But what many people with acne also don’t realize is that what we eat can actually have a huge impact on our skin. What does this mean for us? It means less money spent on medicines and treatments and more time spent on enjoying life.The Close Relationship between Food and Acne:Did you know that mangos, bagels, potatoes, popcorn, papaya, and many other “natural” foods (which I won’t tell you about here) actually cause acne? It’s true. These foods are inflammation-inducing foods which cause problems such as a rapid rise in blood sugar levels. This leads to a burst of inflammation on a cellular level. Basically, as our insulin rises, this leads to increased inflammation throughout our bodies.It is essential that we stick to eating anti-inflammatory foods like apples, oatmeal, yogurt, fish and celery (to name a few). There are tons more but you’ll only learn that by visiting www.acne-secrets.com. There I’ll share with you the secret foods that actually do induce acne. I’ll also share with you recipes and natural foods that actually stop acne dead! No more expensive drugs... You will find the secret is right in your very own kitchen! Really… it’s all in what you eat. I’ll give you the acne-secrets that will treat your acne. You’ll be amazed! Remember, your health and well-being is your responsibility. Take care of your skin. It will love you for it!
About the Author
Janice Johnson is the founder of www.Acne-Secrets.com which offers all-natural tips, information and recipes to help treat acne naturally in both teenagers and adults.

Thursday 19 March 2009

Prevention Is Time-Tested Prescription For Acne

by: Mildred Donato Villapando
The American Academy of Dermatology has revealed that taking pains to have a clear, blemish-free complexion should no longer be considered vanity. Rather, people should see it as a preventive measure for the most common skin disorder affecting some 20 million people worldwide---- acne.Acne vulgaris is predominantly a genetic disease that involves the skin’s sebaceous (the oil-producing) glands. It is characterized by both non-inflammatory lesions (blackheads and whiteheads) and inflammatory lesions (papules, pustules and nodules). It usually appears on the face but it also occurs on the neck, upper arms, back and legs. Acne generally begins at puberty and may continue throughout one’s adult life due to higher levels of sebum or oil that is produced by the body as one matures.Those who have oily skin are more prone to pimple or acne which is why proper care must be exercised. Acne, when mishandled or mistreated, will develop to more serious problems like embarrassing scars that are oftentimes difficult to treat.But pimples or acne can be prevented. All it takes is a professionally-prescribed or traditionally-approved beauty regimen that is religiously followed.Caring for the skinAcne can be controlled by developing a good skin regimen. Washing the face with clean warm water and mild soap or facial wash will cleanse the skin, but dermatologists usually recommend products that are “non-comedogenic” as these do not clog the pores that may cause irritation to the skin.For dry skin, apply a moisturizer to retain the skin’s moisture. This will also ensure a smoother feel and easier glide when applying make-up.Eat a hefty amount of Vitamin A and E-rich foods. These vitamin food groups are the skin’s best friend. Drink lots of water, too.Lead a healthy lifestyle. Give your skin the chance to rest especially at night when cell renewal is at its highest level.Get professional adviceAvoid self-medication when dealing with skin problems. Consult a dermatologist and follow their advice. Remember that a dermatologist has less of a vested reason to guide your skin care program unlike the woman working behind a cosmetics counter.Caring for the skin is a must since when the skin is given little attention, it shows.
About the Author: Mildred Donato Villapando earned her bachelor's degree in Broadcast Communication at Centro Escolar University Manila. She was a media practitioner for 5 years, covering mostly political beats. She now works as a copywriter for a topnotch PR firm in the Philippines.

Wednesday 18 March 2009

Medication options for acne sufferers

by: Marc Howlett
Oral Acne Medication Options At the onslaught of puberty, many teens suffer from various radical changes - physical, physiological, emotional.. you name it! Of course, one of the most apparent transformations is that of the physical changes. Aside from the males developing more muscles and moustache and females developing their breasts and hips, there's this one change that commonly annoys an enormous portion of the adolescent population. Acne vulgaris!Acne vulgaris is also known as acne or pimples in more common terms. Overproduction of oil that suddenly happens to teenagers and sensitivity to dirt are the precursor to this menacing skin disorder. But those two or their combination are not the only cause of breakouts. Many other factors could trigger acne. Genes, weather conditions and certain substances from food may set off the invasion or just the presence of acne. Dermatologists and researchers have been trying to discover the best acne medication. Acne, no matter how miniscule a disorder it may seem, needs adequate attention. These tiny bumps on one's face could elicit major effects on a person. Not only vanity motivates experts to find or formulate the most excellent acne medication. Ridicule for having a pockmarked complexion is often one of the leading causes of low self-esteem among adolescents. What's worse is that this lack of confidence may be brought until one reaches his maturity. The most recent forms of acne medication are the following:Oral Antibiotic Acne Medication. This type of medication should always be mediated by consulting a physician. Various acne medication antibiotics that may be taken by mouth are supported by researches. Assorted antibiotics that act as acne medication are intended for moderate, severe to persistent types of acne. It is very important that a doctor is asked first on which antibiotics for acne medication is right for you.Cortiscosteroids. Very severe acne may be prescribed with this acne medication antibiotic. This potent antibiotic is usually taken in a short span of time only. They have metabolic effects that make them inappropriate for long-term use. Oral Tetracycline. This antibiotic is one of the most popular oral acne medications. Moderate to severe acne may be treated with an initial dose of 500 to 1000 mg per day in a decreasing dosage as skin condition improvement is noted. This antibiotic is not for the pregnant women since it can cause skeletal defects to fetus. Children with age of under 8 years are also not advised to be given this medication.Oral Minocycline and Doxycycline. These acne medications in the form of antibiotics are only derived from tetracycline. Research evidences tell that these acne medications are more effective than tetracycline. Doxycycline is reported to induce sunlight sensitivity. Both are advised not to be taken by pregnant women.Oral Erythromycin. This antibiotic that serve as an acne medication may be taken as an alternative to tetracycline since it is safer for pregnant women and young children.Isotretinoin. This acne medication antibiotic is said to revolutionize acne treatment due to its potent effect in dealing with severe and treatment-resistant acne. Reports has it that isotretinoin is very effective in treating all forms of acne. But it should be noted that many side affects are also attributed to isotretinoin. This includes severe birth defects to a fetus, dryness of the skin and mucous membranes. Therefore, pregnant women, breastfeeding women or those who are planning to become pregnant must not take isotretinoin as a form of acne medication.
About the Author
Stephen Brown offers advice to acne sufferers from the young to old at hiswebsite: www.acne-support.info

Tuesday 17 March 2009

Laser: The Ultimate Acne Terminator?

by: Kirsten Hawkins
Acne is really a big deal to anyone that suffers from it! It is major problem for almost all the teenagers, not only in this country, but also in all parts of the globe. Everyone wants to get rid of it! In fact, there is a wide variety of things that can actually help you cure it. You can make a paste or mask from different kinds of plants and herbs or just buy non-prescription products on the nearest store. However,You should know that these are just meant to handle mild to moderate acne problems. So, when these products and procedures are not working well for you, it is advisable to see and consult a doctor for advise.There are really extreme cases when acne can't be treated just by self medication. Your doctors can offer you a more potent drug, or he/she can suggest another good option - acne laser treatment. In our present day, technology is changing our world faster than we think! Through the advance of science, we can now take advantage of LASER technology further in medical operations. Medical specialists say that undergoing acne LASER treatment is one of the most advance and, probably, the most effective treatment you can have to totally get rid of acne today. This amazing procedure will surely give hope to people who are greatly suffering with their acne. We have already used LASER treatment on acne scarring successfully for years, but it is truly a breakthrough to be used in treating existing acne. The question now is how can acne LASER treatment actually cure acne? Is it safe and effective?How can that be?Acne LASER Treatment is done by applying extreme thermal or heat effect on the sebaceous glands in order to damage it. Studies prove that the laser equipment used in the operation can actually do four treatments in one-month intervals. Statistics shows that 16 out of 17 patients got a 100% success on clearing the face. Test through skin biopsy immediately afterwards the operations revealed that the sebaceous glands showed alterations caused by the induced heat, decreasing the production of oil. Immediate proofs that acne LASER treatment is taking a postive effect!Two Types of LASERIn performing acne LASER treatments, doctors are actually using two types of LASERs. One type deal with the inhibition of the bacterial growth that causes skin problems, while the other is made to work with the sebaceous glands in order to reduce the production of oil in particular parts of the body especially the face.Still Under investigationEven if it already proved to be a success on totally eradicating your acne, doctors admitted that acne LASER Treatment is still under research to further study its short and long-time effects. Thus, it is still not available yet for widely use to everyone. The patients should also know that insurance is not covered in the acne LASER treatment and that not all states can distinguish who are and who are not allowed to perform operations using LASER. Medical specialists also warn that procedures that require the use of LASER should be done by qualified physicians only. It is also suggested that you should ask for the qualification of the one that will do the operation before undergoing acne LASER treatment.How many? for how long?Your doctor might suggest that you undergo acne LASER Treatment for about 5 months, one treatment every month, in order to get satisfying results. However, if acne reappears, additional acne LASER treatment done periodically will be required.How does it feel?You might wonder how it feels undergoing the procedure. Well, most patients say that acne LASER treatment will give you a rubberband-like sensation during the operation. If ever you find this uncomfortable, you are given the choice to have topical anesthetic cream applied directly on your skin.
About the Author: Kirsten Hawkins is a freelance writer specializing in skin conditions such as acne and rosacea. Visit http://www.acnesolution411.com/ for more information on acne and acne treatments.

Monday 16 March 2009

How mental attitude and digestion affect acne

by: rudy silva
Mental attitudeAcne is an expression of toxins in the body that are not being released through normal channels of elimination, so they come out through the skin. Since mental attitude and thoughts cannot be separate from the body, thoughts and feelings are also being expressed as acne. Negative thoughts and feelings produce chemicals that are toxic acids. Just like toxic acids created in the colon, the toxic thoughts need to be eliminated through the 5 elimination channelsAcne can be an expression suppressed past traumatic experiences. As a child, when you were exposed to experiences that overwhelm you – constant mental, physical, or sexually abuse, you suppress them. So now as an adult, as your defense system weakens, you’re not able to completely suppress this information, so it becomes expressed as acne or other skin disorders. Of course, these suppressed experiences can be expressed as other diseases.Acne can also be related to the emotion of fear or anxiety. It can also be an expression of holding onto old junkie or unpleasant memories. It’s a way of holding on to and burying the junkie or toxic memory into your face. It is these memories that are trying to surface and, in an usual way, asking you to face them. Many times, you and other people may not want to remember them or deal with them.To deal with them requires a lot of strength and help from a psychotherapist.Stomach AcidYour stomach uses Hydrochloric acid (HCl) to break down protein. It also has many other functions,* Kills pathogens and microbes and prevents them from getting into the colon and blood* Controls the adsorption of B12* Controls the adsorption of iron calcium zinc, copper, magnesium and most B-complex vitamins* Controls the adsorption of vitamin C* Created indigestion* Prevents constipationWhen you have low levels of HCl chances are that you will be susceptible to getting acne. HCl can be increased by using a digestive enzyme that contains HCl.Pancreatic Digestive EnzymesWhen the food you eat passes the stomach and enters the small intestine, the pancreas releases digestive enzymes and bicarbonate to help complete the digestive process.The bicarbonate helps to reduce the acid strength in the food coming from the stomach. The digestive enzymes digest carbohydrates, fats, and protein.When the pancreas loses its efficiency and starts to release less digestive enzymes, less food is properly digested. This results in more undigested food reaching the colon. When this happens, the undigested food, if it stays to long in the colon, becomes a source for rotting matter and toxic material. This toxic material can get into your blood and cause skin disruption such as acne.A healthy pancreas, which provides the necessary digestive juices to digest the food you eat, is needed for healthy skin and for eliminating acne and other skin sores and eruptions.When you have acne or other skin diseases, they are created when there is an in-balance in your body and that includes many different organs and body processes and systems – your thoughts, digestion, liver, kidney, lymphatic system, lungs, and pancreas.Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural Nutritionist. He is the author of Constipation, Acne, Hemorrhoid, and Fatty Acid ebooks. He writes a newsletter call “natural-remedies-thatwork.com” More natural remedy hints and information can be found at: http://www.natural-remedies-thatwork.com/archive.html

Sunday 15 March 2009

How Common Is Adult Acne?

by: Bob Hett
For a long time, acne was considered a problem for teenagers to deal with. It seems that acne and teens go hand in hand. It is almost a cliché of the teenage years. In fact, adult acne is also a very common problem. Many adults suffer from a variety of skin problems. Pimples are not just a problem of the young. People over the age of 25 have issues with acne, too. While adult acne occurs in both men and women, it tends to be more prevalent in women. The statistics suggest that 50% of all adult women have acne, as compared to only about 25% of adult men. Adult acne affects people from every ethnicity and background. There are many causes of adult acne. Since the main cause of pimples is hormones, which is probably why women tend to have more zits and skin problems than men. Other things also cause acne. These can be things like overactive sebaceous glands that allow an excess of oil to be secreted onto the face, clogged pores, etc. For many people, genetics plays a role in whether or not they have acne. Other things that can trigger breakouts are stress and environmental issues like weather and allergies. While there are many acne products available to treat breakouts and blemishes, some of the ones that work for teens can be too harsh for adults. It is important to have a good daily cleansing regimen. This alone can help many adults clear up their acne prone skin. Others find that topical treatments can help with their blemishes. For moderate to severe acne problems, some adults may find that a trip to their dermatologist is necessary. A dermatologist can prescribe antibiotics or other ant-acne medications.As we age, our skin becomes less able to repair itself due to a loss of collagen. The skin of adults is not as resilient as that of younger people. So adult acne can be a much more serious problem because it can cause easily cause scarring in adult skin. It is a good idea to treat breakouts and not give in to the temptation to squeeze or pop whiteheads or blackheads that appear on the skin. Doing this type of thing can lead to permanent scarring of the skin.For both adult men and women, adult acne can have the same effects on them that it does on teenagers. Emotional distress, embarrassment, and low self-esteem due to acne breakouts can be just as big of a problem for an adult as for a teen. Everyone wants his or her skin to look good. How we look contributes greatly to how we feel about ourselves, so having skin issues can be just as serious a problem as other things.About the author:Bob Hett offers simple and concise advice on the causes and treatment of acne. Get the answers to all of your questions at http://www.acnereview.info

Saturday 7 March 2009

How To Alleviate Your Acne Problem

by: Charlene J. Nuble
Acne brings huge problems to teenagers. Teenagers who have acne feel isolated, ugly, and insecure. Who wouldn't when everywhere you look, only clear skinned people are put on the pedestal.
You tried every acne product out in the market but nothing seems to work. At this point, you feel that your social life is doomed but fret not because acne won't stay forever if you take the proper actions early.
First step to take is to understand what acne really is and from there you can take the necessary actions in curing or at least reducing your acne problem.
Acne is the term for plugged pores (whiteheads and blackheads), pimples, and deeper lumps (nodules) that happens in the face, neck, chest, back and upper arms. Acne is caused by build up of excess oil and dead skin in a pore. The causes of this are natural hormones, clogged skin and bacteria.
The onset of acne happens between the ages of twelve to seventeen. Almost all teenagers had acne. Many of them used non-prescription treatments to alleviate acne but more than 40% of teenagers in their mid-teens have severe acne cases. Normally, it goes away in the early twenties. Then again, there are many cases wherein acne starts or continues into adulthood.
It is interesting to note though that young men who are more likely to have severe acne, don't consult dermatologists as much as young women do. But then again, young women are more likely to have irregular acne due to hormonal changes during menstrual cycle or due to the cosmetic products they use. This kind of acne may afflict women even into adulthood.
The ultimate question now is how do you reduce acne?
Knowing the facts that debunk the myths and misconceptions about acne may help you alleviate your acne problem.
Myth 1: Acne is caused by poor hygiene.
This may be true if you don't wash your face at all. But if you resort to frequent and vigorous washing, it will definitely cause scarring which will worsen acne. The best approach is to gently wash face twice a day with mild soap and use appropriate acne treatment after.
Myth 2: Acne is caused by diet.
Scientific studies debunked this having found that there is no connection between food and acne.
Myth 3: Acne is caused by stress.
Stressors are not important factors in acne. Only severe stress that needs medication can cause acne as side effects.
Myth 4: Acne is just a cosmetic disease.
Acne does affect how people look but there's no serious threat to physical health. However, acne can result to serious scarring which can affect how these people live their lives.
Myth 5: You just have to let acne run its course.
The truth is, acne can be cleared up using acne products available in the market today. If they don't work for you, then try seeing a dermatologist.
According to Thiboutot (2000), cure of acne lies in knowing three things:
* That resolution to cure acne takes time;* That what works for one may not work for another;* and that a dermatologist's help may be needed if all actions you take to cure your acne fail.
Remember that acne responds well to early treatment. So to prevent scarring have your acne treated as soon as acne starts showing up on your face.

Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about acne, please go to: http://acne.besthealthlink.net/ or for updated links and information on all health related topics, go to: http://www.besthealthlink.net/

Friday 6 March 2009

Hormones and Adult Acne

by: Tim Gorman
Are you experiencing problems with hormones and adult acne? Hormones and adult acne can be an annoyance but there are things you can do to alleviate the situation.Acne is a hormonal problem. Hormones and adult acne have to do with the maturation of our oil glands. Hormones and adult acne make sense in that way which is why children don’t usually have acne.Hormones and adult acne occur at different times as we mature and there are things that can make the acne even worse. Often we experience hormones and adult acne working against us because of puberty or the use of certain birth control pills. Other things that can set off cases of hormones and adult acne are pregnancy or menopause.Hormones and adult acne problems are not limited to women.
Males can also be affected by hormones and adult acne. This is because acne can be caused by the androgens that are male hormones everyone has. Hormones and adult acne act up together when the oil surplus created by the androgens clog up our hair follicles. This is where the bacteria grow and we then see acne flourish.You can work through hormones and adult acne by keeping your skin clean and watching what you eat. Sometimes hormones and adult acne are even worse when we eat things high in fat and sugar. Putting a limit on caffeine may also help deal with the problems caused by hormones and adult acne.There are many products on the market that may assist you when you are trying to cope with hormones and adult acne. You could also talk to your doctor or dermatologist if hormones and adult acne are problematic for you.
About the Author
Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Clear-Skin-Solutions.com. He provides more acne clearing solutions, remedies and acne skin care products that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

Acne Scars – Getting Rid of Bad Memories!

By: Peter Crump
Acne scars can often be the final reminder of a bad time in the life of a person’s skin. Though acne is one of the most common skin disorders, most former patients feel no need to display their scars like war wounds from a hard won battle, and once sufferers have achieved the clear skin they have longed for so long, they move swiftly into a new fight – how to remove, or at least lessen, their acne scars. Just as there are different types of acne, there are also different types of acne scar. While the painful cyst type acne usually leaves scarring of some kind, some former patients find themselves with minimal damage after suffering with this type of the condition, while others who have had more superficial blemishes find that they scar badly.

Scars are caused by both the build-up of excess tissue and by the loss of tissue due to acne, and the type of treatment that is appropriate will vary from patient to patient. But medical advances have led to a number of new developments, which means that there is even an effective treatment for deep acne scars available.Most types of the skin condition leave indented acne scars, which are difficult to conceal using makeup. Thankfully, there are available treatments for these deep acne scars, which can even out the appearance of the skin.

Chemical peels can be used for shallower acne scars, while dermabrasion can penetrate the skin at a deeper level. One of the most recent developments in this field is the use of laser treatment for acne scars, which uses the energy of a laser to penetrate the skin and improve its appearance. Different types of laser have different healing properties – a consultation with a dermatologist will help determine which laser treatment for acne scars will have the best effects on your skin. Scars, particularly acne facial scars, can be a daily reminder of a time you are very glad to see the back of, but thankfully there are treatments available to help you achieve the skin you deserve. Make an appointment with a dermatologist and find out how you can say good bye to those acne scars for good.
About the Author
Find out more about Acne Scar Removal as well as

Thursday 5 March 2009

B Vitamin Hype: With Ambitions of Fighting Acne and Rosacea

by: Naweko San-Joyz
Vitamin B is no small time player in the high stakes game of the beauty. Just take the case of pellagra for example. Pellagra is a life threatening skin disease characterized by dementia, diarrhea, and dermatitis that results from a niacin (B vitamin) deficiency. In the early 20th century in the United States pellagra plagued thousands of people in the South and Midwest. The condition was thought to be contagious until investigators discovered the underlying nutritional deficiency.
Even today, the importance of vitamin B is cultivating new roles in the world of beauty. Dermatologist Leslie Baumann, MD forecasts topical vitamin B and its multiple derivatives as key ingredients in future anti-aging products. For example, one derivative of the B vitamin niacin, nicotinamide, has been shown to improve the ability of the epidermis, the upper-most layer of the skin, to retain moisture. One study reports that topical nicotinamide, when applied to the skin for six days reveals softer, smoother skin with less dryness and flakiness, and a reduction of fine lines. Even more promising is its anti-cancer influences. For instance, when applied to mouse skin, topical nicotinamide produced a 70 percent decrease in ultraviolet-induced skin cancer.
Niacinamide, another byproduct of vitamin B, serves as an effective skin-lightening agent. In one clinical investigation, patients with hyperpigmentation applied a moisturizer containing five percent niacinamide. Four weeks later, computer analysis of the hyperpigmentation and skin color revealed a decrease in hyperpigmentation along with an increase in skin lightness. Topical niacinamide also exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it a potential treatment for acne, rosacea and any blistering-type disease.
Dermatologist Zoe Diana Draelos, MD, clinical associate professor of dermatology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, N.C. is confident that praise for the therapeutic effects of niacinamide will continue to rise. Dr. Draelos hails, "Already, topical 4% niacinamide has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of papular and pustular acne in a 4% gel, as well as the improvement of skin cancer and its anti-tumor characteristics".
Dr. Baumann cautions that the many versions of one vitamin can be confusing and recommends speaking with your dermatologist to ensure you are selecting the right vitamin product for your skin care needs.
While it’s comforting to place a host of cosmetic aspirations in the latest beauty craze, Mother Nature’s wisdom will never lead you astray. If you can’t wait to get the benefits of B vitamins in your beauty cream, just go to your local market and help yourself to some chicken, tuna, potatoes, spinach, asparagus, black beans and watermelon. These are just of few of the foods providing bountiful servings of vitamin B. Remember, these scores of medical insights and promises started with a nutritional deficiency.
Naweko San-Joyz writes health and beauty articles from her home in San Diego. She recently published “Acne Messages: Crack the code of your zits and say goodbye to acne”. To challenge and verify her research, San-Joyz trains for figure competitions.
http://www.noixia.com

Are You Still Blaming Acne on Bacteria?

By: Naweko San-Joyz
All life forms strategize to survive and procreate. Weeds, worms, birds, fungi and bacteria all work to sustain their own lives on this planet. In fact, we humans survive because of the biological games constantly unfolding in our mist.
Propionibacterium acnes, or p acne bacteria, are no different. They want and need to survive. Skin bacteria perform an important function. Bacteria use the secretions of our sweat and sebaceous glands (sebum is the oil that makes our skin look shiny) as nutrients. P acnes that are in balance with your body prevent colonization by more harmful bacteria.
P acne bacteria only encourage acne formations if the production of oil on the face is excessive. This surplus of oil of prompted by hormonal, nutritional, environmental and/or psychological changes in the body. So to prevent acne, you do not what to kill bacteria per se, but keep the amount of bacteria on your skin at an optimal balance. You optimize your oil secretion by understanding and controlling your response to hormonal, nutritional, environmental and/or psychological changes.
If we upset the balance of bacteria in our bodies by taking antibiotics, our resident flora is upset and this enables harmful bacteria (such as Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii) to colonize our skin. What’s more, antibiotics can destroy the balance of intestinal flora and cause constipation.
In short, using antibiotics on bacteria is a battle amongst intelligent parties involving the bacteria, the body, and the human mind. If we fail to appreciate the bacteria as bodily maintenance workers and continue dousing them with antibiotics, the bacteria just become more resistant to our antibiotics. The bacteria are practiced at playing dead as a tactic for survival. Even people who have used the strongest acne drug on the market, Accutane, have witnessed the cunning behavior of bacteria as zits reappear some months after using this course of acne treatment. These people have discovered that bacteria do not die; they silently and strategically multiply. If you do not want your bacteria out of balance, do not provide them an environment conducive to acne.

Wednesday 4 March 2009

Acne Rosacea - A Blush You Can Do Without

By: Alicia Caldelas
What do former presidents Bill Clinton and Boris Yeltsin have in common? A condition called acne rosacea, a chronic inflammation of the blood vessels in the skin, which causes a ruddy complexion and small acne-like eruptions on the cheeks, forehead and nose.
In men it can often cause the skin on the nose to thicken and swell, leading toa condition called rhinophyma.
Nobody know what causes it but the list of potential triggers is endless. The main culprits are alcohol and rich, spicy foods.
Because its roots are unknown, there's no permanent cure either, so management is the key. This is partly achieved by identifying what makes the rosacea worse through a process of exclusion and by the use of topical antibiotics - usually metronidazole. A GP's diagnosis is vital since the symptoms can be similar to more serious conditions such as lupus. Rosacea can last a lifetime, especially in men, but often clears up on its own.
About the Author
Alicia Caldelas for ultimate-cosmetics.comFind more info about rosacea symptoms, triggers etc. on http://www.ultimate-cosmetics.com/beauty/skin_disorders/rosacea-treatment.htmalicia@ultimate-cosmetics.com

Tuesday 3 March 2009

Acne and Green Tea

Green tea is used by the Chinese as a traditional medicine to treat many ailments including acne and to improve general well-being. But does it provide an effective herbal alternative to modern medication?
The answer seems to be ‘Yes’. There are only two herbal treatments that are known to be effective in treating acne and green tea is one of them.
In a recent study by Jennifer Gan-Wong, M.D. a green tea cream was trailed against a 4% benzoyl peroxide solution on people suffering with moderate to severe acne. The results from this research study showed that green tea was just as good in treating acne as the benzoyl peroxide.
But benzoyl peroxide dries out skin causing itching or allergic reactions. Unlike green tea that has the added advantages of natural anti-bacterial properties and antioxidants, particularly epigallocatechin gallate which is 200 times more powerful than vitamin E at fighting free radicals.
Green tea also helps to reduce inflammation, hormonal activity and aids in detoxification - which is all good news for acne sufferers.
Green tea extract is an extremely versatile herbal supplement - it can be administered topically, often being used in creams, taken as a in the form of a pill or incorporated into your diet and drunk as a tea.
This last method is very popular (Green Tea with Honeysuckle is often known as ‘Pimple Tea’ in many Chinatowns) when drunk after a meal it aids digestion and helps to detoxify your system, getting rid of the toxins that can cause acne. Tip: don’t drink it with sugar, this will neutralize the worthwhile effects of the tea.
It seems that taking green tea for acne is a win-win situation… It has many beneficial properties which promote good all-round health with little or no known side effects and for the price, green tea it’s definitely a herbal treatment that’s worth trying.======================================
Elaine Clay is the owner of Acne Treatments Online.com :: Get articles and information to help you find proven and effective acne solutions available online to treat and get rid of your condition safely and naturally- Feel free to use the above article on your web site or ezine. Provided that it is published in it’s entirety, including my resource box above and a “live” clickable link to: http://www.acne-treatments-online.com

Sunday 1 March 2009

A Natural Approach to Managing Acne

by: Dr. Rita Louise
Almost everyone has suffered from acne at one time or another in his or her lives. It is primarily a disorder of the sebaceous gland (glands in the skin that secrete an oily substance) of the face, the neck and back. When the sebaceous glands become clogged with the oily substance they create, the accumulation results in pimples. There are several forms of acne, but the most common is acne vulgaris, found primarily in adolescents.


The exact cause of acne is not known, but factors that contribute to this condition include heredity, oily skin and androgens. Additional factors include allergies, stress, the use of certain drugs, nutritional deficiencies, liver dysfunction, exposure to industrial pollutants, cosmetics and the monthly menstrual cycle.


In addition, the skin functions to eliminate a portion of the body’s toxic waste by sweating. If the body contains more toxins than the kidneys or liver can effectively discharge, the skin takes over. In fact, some doctors call the skin the 3rd kidney. As toxins escape through the skin, they can disrupt the health and integrity of the skin, creating issues.
Recommendations for Wellness
Note: Some of these recommendations may take 2-4 weeks before any results or improvements are experienced.


Apply distilled white vinegar (can be diluted if too strong) to the face and affected areas. Allow this to sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing off with cool water.
Lemon or any citric fruit works great as a natural exfoliate, removing dead skin cells that may clog the pours. As with the white vinegar, apply the juice of a lemon (or desired citric juice) to the face. Allow it to dry for about 10 minutes, then rinse with cool water. You may feel a mild sting or burn when the lemon juice is applied. If so, diluting the juice is acceptable.
Increase water consumption. Water helps flush toxin out and help transport nutrients in the body.


Eat a properly balanced diet to ensure proper nutrition.
Take a high quality multiple vitamin and mineral supplement to make up for nutrients missing in today’s foods.
Echinacea or Oregon grape can be used to boost the immune system and fight acne-causing bacteria.


Dandelion, Burdock or red clover can help to keep the liver clear of toxic overload.
Herbal combinations such as Natures Sunshine's Ayurvedic Skin Detox and BP-X can also be used to cleanse and detoxify the liver and reduce acne.
Historically, large quantities of vitamin A have been successfully used to treat severe acne. Large amounts, however, can be toxic and should be used when working with your health care provider.


Consider adding additional zinc to your diet. Zinc aids in the healing of tissues and assists in preventing scarring. It is also important for the body in resisting infection and inflammation.
To clear and heal the skin, try a homeopathic Acne remedy. It can help to dry up pimples & prevent future outbreaks
Do you suffer from a chronic medical condition that defies diagnosis? Do you feel “stuck” or dissatisfied with life? Whether it is a physical problem, an emotional issue, a problem at work or a problem in a relationship, medical intuitive, Dr. Rita Louise, Ph.D. can help you bring health, healing and wholeness back into your life. You can find Dr. Louise at http://www.soulhealer.com/