Acne Treatment and Skin Care

Acne is a skin infection that causes spots and in severe cases can cause scarring. Acne normally starts at the onset of puberty which is why acne is normally associated with teenagers, although for some people it may be lifelong. 80% of the population may be affected at some time of their life. Acne spots normally occur on the face, neck,chest, back and upper arm.

It is generally thought that acne is caused by skin over-reacting to hormones, probably the male hormone testosterone. More men suffer from acne than women because of their higher levels of testosterone. Skin is covered with tiny hair follicles each with a gland that produces an oily substance called sebum. In some people the gland becomes over-active producing more oil which mixes with dead skin cells and blocks the follicle. An infection then builds up behind the blockage causing acne. Acne spots develop in several ways. Blackheads and whiteheads form when the follicle is blocked. These can become infected as the oil builds up and the infection then causes the characteristic acne spots to appear.

Acne treatment can either topical, applied to the acne, or oral. Mild acne such as blackheads and whiteheads can be treated with over the counter treatments such as topical creams, lotions, gels or soaps. These treatments normally contain antibacterial agents such as benzoyl peroxide, or retinoids which loosen the dead skin cells that are blocking the hair follicles. Benzoyl peroxide dries the skin and may cause some irritation and redness. Normally this settles down but if it persists you should consult your doctor. Always apply topical medicine carefully, damaging the skin risks spreading the infection.

If the acne is caught early enough by treating blackheads and whiteheads, infection may be prevented. Over the counter treatments take time to work and should continue for six months. If the acne does not improve after several months you may need a prescription medicine.

Prescription medicines for moderate acne may be either topical or oral treatments. Initially, if the acne is not too severe, your doctor may recommend a topical treatment. If this does not work he may prescribe a low dose oral treatment or a combination of topical and oral treatments. Some women find that taking the contraceptive pill helps to clear their acne.

If you are suffering from severe acne your doctor may refer you to a dermatologist and you could be prescribed isotretinoin which is a highly effective oral treatment. It works by reducing the amount of oil produced. However, isotretinoin should never be taken except under strict supervision as it can have side effects . Pregnant women should never take it and women are advised to practise two forms of birth control if they have been prescribed isotretinoin. This protection should be taken for one month before and after using isotretinoin.

Acne can cause scarring and can be treated in a number of ways. These can include laser resurfacing, dermabrasion, collagen injections, and chemical peels. The effectiveness of these acne treatments depends on the individual patient and the extent of the acne scarring.

As a parent of a teenage you should be particularly sensitive to the psychological effects of acne and watching for warning signs. Many acne sufferers start to withdraw from normal social activity. A teenager is particularly sensitive about their appearance. They may believe they are unattractive, particularly if they have been teased about the acne. They cease to interact with their friends and if you notice that they are dropping activities they have previously enjoyed, for example sport or clubs, preferring instead to spend time in front of a computer or in their rooms, it is probable they are embarrassed. Shutting themselves off from society can lead to depression and other problems such as eating disorders. Makeup to camouflage the acne can help and using medicated concealer is best
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Emotional support is essential. Explaining the causes of acne will help the sufferer to understand the problem has nothing to do with poor hygiene. Although diet is not the primary cause of acne, encouraging a good diet will help lessen the risk of developing an eating disorder.

This article is for information only and no liability is accepted for action taken. Health problems ahould always be discussed with your physician.

Acne is a disease that affects people around the world. It isn’t an American disease and it isn’t a disease that only affects teens. In today’s society almost anyone can be affected by the ravages of acne and the damage to skin it leaves behind. While acne is most commonly found on the face and neck it can also be found on the chest, back, arms, and legs.

There are many treatment options for those who suffer from chronic consistent acne. The available treatments consist of over the counter medications, prescription drugs, laser treatments and other invasive skin therapies. It is wise to begin with over the counter medications. There are four active ingredients for over the counter acne medications you should try at least one product that contains each of the four active ingredients before giving up on over the counter medications and moving along to the prescribed medications.

It is fairly safe to assume that increasing medications also bring increasing price tags. While girls have things a little better than the average guy (they can be prescribed oral contraceptives in order to combat acne) there are many different treatment options available. From birth control to antibiotics, and ointments and creams to stronger chemicals and prescription drugs the options seem fairly limitless and are continuously escalating in severity as well as risk.

There is another option which gets far less press because it is a rather costly process and not 100% effective. However, it bears mention as a treatment option because it is often successful to some degree of removal even if it doesn’t remove all signs of acne and/or acne scarring. Our faces are the first thing most people see when the meet us, it is their first impression and for those who have suffered and continue to suffer with severe acne and have the battle scars to show for their efforts, it can be a humiliating and frightening experience to meet new people. If nothing else these treatments can help restore the self worth of people who haven’t felt that they’ve put their best face forward in a very long time.

Laser treatments are quite expensive and carry with them risks of their own. Every escalating treatment or procedure carries with it a greater risk for disfigurement, infections, and other side effects as a result of the procedure. It is important to remember than when weighing the decision of whether or not to pursue an aggressive course for your acne treatment.

The right acne treatment can not only prevent the formation of new acne, some treatments are also effective at removing the scars left behind from years of severe and often painful acne. If you are having serious to severe acne rather than mild to moderate acne it is very important that you consult your doctor and see what course of treatment he recommends. You should not have to suffer from this disease in silence when it is so very easily treatable. No matter what acne treatment you ultimately decide on be sure that you have read and studied all of the facts and risks involved in your treatment and that you are at the very least making a decision based on current and accurate information and with the advise of your doctor.

Acne, most commonly known as pimples, is the bane of almost every face and the worst nightmare for those too unfortunate to suffer.

It is the most common skin disease today. In United States alone, nearly 60 million people are infected with acne, where 85 per cent of teenagers suffer from it.

Acne is a disorder resulting from the action of hormones on the skin’s oil glands (sebaceous glands), which leads to plugged pores and outbreaks of lesions commonly called pimples or zits. Acne lesions usually occur on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders.

Contrary to the popular belief, acne is not just a teenager’s disease. It is a socially bane and can be upsetting and disfiguring in certain cases. It has a significant economic impact, as people spend a lot of money on non-prescription and prescription treatments and therapies.

Acne cases vary from mild to severely disfiguring. It ranges from comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) to nodules and cysts. Here are several acne terms that can help you better understand acne.

Comedo or Comedones are simply a plugged and enlarged hair follicle. When a comedo is open, it is usually called a blackhead. When it is closed or deep into the skin, it is usually called whitehead. The whitehead differs in color from the blackhead because the opening of the plugged sebaceous follicle to the skin’s surface is closed or very narrow, in contrast to the distended follicular opening of the blackhead. Neither blackheads nor whiteheads should be squeezed or picked open, unless extracted by a dermatologist under sterile conditions. Tissue injured by squeezing or picking can become infected by staphylococci, streptococci and other skin bacteria.

Papules are inflamed lesions that usually appear as small, pink bumps on the skin and can be tender to the touch. A group of very small papules and microcomedones may be almost invisible but have a “sandpaper” feel to the touch. A papule is caused by localized cellular reaction to the process of acne.

Pustules are papules topped by pus-filled lesions that may be red at the base. A pustule that forms over a sebaceous follicle usually has a hair in the center. Acne pustules that heal without progressing to cystic form usually leave no scars.

Nodules are solid, dome-shaped or irregularly-shaped lesions. They are commonly characterized by inflammation, extend into deeper layers of the skin and may cause tissue destruction that results in scarring. A nodule may be very painful. Nodular acne is a severe form of acne that may not respond to therapies other than isotretinoin.

Cysts can appear similar to nodules but are pus-filled, very painful and can cause scarring. They are usually described as having a diameter of 5 mm or more.

Although it cannot be known for sure, there’s good reason to believe that none of the millions of people who have suffered or are suffering from acne has refrained from picking open or squeezing their pimples. In fact it seems to be one of the most common actions among those people whose faces or bodies are covered with unpleasant-looking red spots. It is also one of the worst possible ideas. Pimples should never be squeezed or picked open by you. This is a job for a doctor and to be performed only if he deems it necessary. The main reason is that a pimple that has been squeezed or picked open is practically an invitation to every bacteria around to enter your body and cause an infection through the tiny opening in your skin. If you think the danger is negligible, you’re wrong.



At the very least your action is a sure way of causing future pimples to emerge in the same spot. Most likely, by tampering with your pimples in less than sterile conditions will result in permanent scarring, as the damaged skin closes around the gaping hole formerly known as a pimple. While I may seem to joke about it, let me assure you that this issue is very important. I know that it’s very hard to resist the temptation to squeeze your pimples in an attempt to eliminate at least the worst of them, but you should try as hard as you can to resists.

Believe me, you don’t want to spend the rest of your life with the scars of past acne flare-ups crisscrossing your face. This is why it’s very important to deal with acne in a decisive manner and prevent the emergence of pimples. The best way of taking care of your problem is to use an acne treatment that can really help your body put an end to basic cause of acne: widespread clogging of pores. The best acne solution around is the ClearPores Skin Cleansing System, the three-part system that takes care of acne both from the inside and the outside and prevents future flare-ups. Try it and you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

There’s a rather worn-out saying, which goes like this: you are what you eat. Not surprisingly, the cheap soundbite appearance serves as a mask for a deeper truth, since any skin care professional would tell you that diet is crucial for maintaining a healthy skin. Many skin conditions are caused by diets that actually starve the body instead of bringing in the much-needed vitamins and minerals.

Your skin cannot function properly without the daily supply of vitamins, among which the most important are Vitamin A, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B7, Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Vitamin E.

Vitamin A is one of the building blocks of the body’s immune system. It plays a key role in the formation of intact epithelial tissues, which are the first barrier to infections, and also in keeping white cells healthy to fight bacteria. An insufficient supply of Vitamin A can lead to xerosis, which means “dry skin”. The best sources of Vitamin A are milk, eggs, carrots and spinach.

Vitamin B2 is involved in the regulation of human growth, including the health of skin, hair and nails. It can be found in milk, cheese, leafy vegetables and almonds. According to studies conducted by Doctor Hung Leung, deficiency of Vitamin B5 can cause acne. Doctor Leung has actually managed to prove through his studies that regular doses of Vitamin B5 have a positive impact on acne, with milder cases being solved in matter of weeks. This vitamin is common in whole grain cereals, legumes, eggs and meat. Vitamin B7 is used by the cosmetics and health industries in many skin and hair care products. It is also recommended by doctors for strengthening hair and nails. Common sources of B7 are liver and kidney, dairy products and some seafood.

The well-known Vitamin C is not used solely for preventing the loss of teeth, but also to keep skin flexible and strong at the same time. The vitamin is required for the production of collagen in the connective tissues. Collagen is responsible for keeping the connective tissue flexible, yet strong. The best sources of Vitamin C are fruits and vegetables, with the Billygoat Plum (also known as Gubinge or Kakadu Plum) being the undisputed leader of Vitamin C sources (60 times more Vitamin C than oranges).

The body synthesizes large quantities of Vitamin D through exposure to sunlight, which makes this vitamin one of the easiest to get. However, the end of summer means an end to large-scale Vitamin D synthesis and the body has to rely on reserves to get through the autumn and winter. Lack of Vitamin D is one of the causes behind skin cancer. Other sources of Vitamin D are fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines) fish and beef liver and eggs.

Vitamin E is used in many skin creams and lotions. It is believed to play a role in promoting skin healing and reducing scarring after certain injuries. It can be found in vegetable oils, nuts, wheat and leafy vegetables.

To get a personal look at this matter of difficult and long acne suffering, take a look this website called My Acne Solution. The site describes in detail the journey of one lady by the name of Elizabeth Stanton. She suffered with Acne for years, and tried all kinds of acne treatments and medicines. Some of the ones she used are also reviewed, but the emphasis is on the product Clearpores Acne System.

Clearpores Acne Care System

Acne Treatment System Information

 

How african american skin care products work is surprisingly just like about any other skin care product.  Skin is basically skin.  The only real difference is the pigment or tone.  Of course, skin problems can vary among ethnic groups.  But the bottom line is that good skin care works for all skin tones IF the product has the right ingredients. So for african american, black skin, white skin or tan let’s see what is safe and effective.

Avoid These  3 Ingredients in Skin Care Products

1. Sodium methyl paraben (any type paraben)2. Petroleum-based products3. Chemical bleaching agents

1. Sodium methyl paraben can be found in many skin care products.  It can affect the pigmentation of skin. Also parabens have been discovered in patients with breast cancer. So it is best to avoid these ingredients. Parabens, and there are many different kinds, basically are in a product as a preservative. Parabens have been found in breast cancer patients.  There are safer ways to preserve a skin care product.  I’ll come to that in a minute.

2. Petroleum-based products can be very harmful to the skin. Instead of de-pigmentation it can result in hyper pigmentation (hyper or excessive) of the skin. Uneven skin spots can materialize.  If combined with the above paraben could result in a harmful condition.  Also wood based alcohols, propylene glycol, mineral oil and other petroleum based ingredients can bring out a bad skin look.  Avoid petrolatum in any product, just to be safe.

3. Chemical bleaching agents are often promoted to those who want to lighten their skin tone.  There are safe skin lightening products.  I’ll cover that also in a moment.  Chemical bleaching ingredients can bring much harm to your skin. Avoid them especially if you have black skin or darker tones of skin.

Ingredients that are Safe to Use

*Extra Pone Nut Grass*Vitamin E (If truly natural vitamin E)

Extra Pone Nut Grass will even out the skin tone especially on the face and neck.  You won’t need very much of it to get good results.  This is a safe and effective skin tone lightener.

Natural vitamin E fights free radicals that damage skin cells.  Vitamin E is an antioxidant that will assist in helping to remove hyper pigmentation or skin spots.

Sebum Balancing With Moisturizers

Sebum is our natural skin oil.  The amount can vary from one person to the next.  The skin in some people is very dry to very oily and/or a combination of the two.  So skin conditions can be different.  But remember skin is still skin.  Usually the problem with skin is much of the time in the skin care products one uses.  For example, as stated above, many accept that petroleum in their skin products is okay when in fact it may be causing the problem you are perplexed with.  Using a quality moisturizer with the ingredients I recommend will give you amazing skin problem relief.  You will have no bad effects.

As mentioned sebum comes from the sebaceous glands.  All skin tones, black, white, tan and any other skin have these glands.  Sebum is there for the purpose of being the natural moisturizer for the skin.  Two more ingredients to look for are jojoba and passion fruit extract.  If you have dry skin, these two will help tremendously.

AntiAging Ingredients

It is a shame but much of the skin products being sold today with the promise of younger looking skin is a scam.  Most don’t work.  And at the best give very poor, if any, results.  Many even cause great harm.  For african american skin or black skin, you DO NOT need any special anti-aging skin care product.  Here is what you need.  Pay close attention because very few people know about this -miracle.

In all my searching and examinations, the best, most effective anti aging skin care ingredient that I have ever discovered that works for all skin types and tones is: Functional Keratin.  When combined with Wakame seaweed, CoQ10 and Natural Vitamin E, new skin fibers and skin cells are produced.   The result is that the skin is more firm and younger looking.

What causes harm to skin cells and other body cells is what is called free radicals.  They basically go on a rampage and hurt other cells.  The antidote is antioxidants found in compounds like vitamin E.  Remember this please, avoid any ingredient ending in paraben, (for black skin especially Sodium methyl paraben).  Avoid all skin care and other products that list petrolatum as an ingredient.  Don’t even think about using a chemical bleaching agent.  Use the ones I recommend.  See my website for my personally tested skin cream. – Margaret Bell

Human skin is the most sensitive thing â?? delicate and sensual. A lot of care has to be taken care of. A single wrong application of a skin care product can be quite damaging to the skin. So, when one buys a skin care product one has to be extra careful, whether it is hair, hands, face or feet â?? the product has to be one which suits your skin type. Generally, skin is categorized into three categories â?? normal, dry and oily. As per the skin kind, the skin products found in the market too are classified in these three categories. The first step in determining how to choose a skin care products is to determine the kind of skin type you have. For this you can either self test at home or take a test in one of your near one clinic. If your skin is too oily, you can take a simple test â?? wash your face in the night before you go sleep with a mild soap. Then the first thing next morning you do is â?? take a tissue paper and place it on your forehead for 5 minutes. If the tissue paper turns oily, then your skin is oily, if its not oily, then your skin type is dry and if the tissue is slightly oily, then your skin type is normal. Once your skin type is determined, you can buy the skin care product accordingly. There are different categories of skin care products like hair care, hands care, feet care, body care, face care. One has to choose from these categories. The best sold products are face and hair care products. Whichever product you choose, take care that the skin care product you are choosing is branded one. You can also consult a skin specialist before buying a skin care product. Buy these products either from a Beauty Store or buy it from a online shopping store. Buying from an online shopping store gives you the advantage of choosing a product from the wide range available onsite, by simply sitting at one place. You can easily determine which brand you want and that too without leaving your home. This way, you can be sure that you can take care of your skin even with your daily busy schedule. For the best deals, log on to an online shopping store, todayâ?¦.