Archive for the ‘Acne’ Category

Acne Red Scars: Easy Ways To Diminish The Appearance Of Red Scars

Friday, July 31st, 2009

Those distinctive acne red scars that can become entrenched on your face after bouts with acne breakouts are quite annoying, aren’t they?  The good news is that you can really make them go away with the right treatment methods.  Furthermore, you don’t necessarily have to go through laser treatments or buy over the counter acne scar treatment products in order to get those red scars to disappear.  Instead, you can try some of these home remedies, and you may be surprised at how well they can work for you.

Methods for acne red scars treatment are very wide ranging and can be just as simple as using some regular old ice cubes.  That’s right- you can rub ice cubes across the most highly affected areas for a little while to see gradual improvement.  The best thing is that a method like this is basically free!  For a slightly more expensive method, you can apply cucumber juice to the areas most affected by acne scars.  You’ll only have to do this for about 20 minutes, and you will start to see a diminished appearance of those scars over time with continued treatment.

Other juices, including lemon juice, can also be applied to acne scarred areas of the face with great effects.  One of the better ways to apply juices to your badly affected areas is to use a cotton ball or other similar object to do so.  That way, the juice is applied the right way instead of just dripping down your skin and not really doing anything to help.

Finally, you can also use other ingredients, such as roseship seed oil, for great improvements.  This obscure sounding ingredient can be applied directly to scars for an amazing improvement over time.

Nobody wants a face full of acne red scars, but it is definitely not easy to bid adieu to them once and for all.  However, if you are patient and willing to try some of these methods (and others like them), you may find a number of very good ways to diminish those scars without having to go broke in the process!  No matter what your opinion of these types of home remedies, it is at least worth a shot to try them, because you never know…you may be pleasantly surprised with the final results, after all!

8 Tips for a Healthy and shining Skin

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

Tip 1: Drink Water

Water has long been considered as the most efficient natural treatment or an almost free treatment for any skin condition because of its being alkaline, with pH 7.3.  It prevents dehydration which is capable of producing sebum or oil from the sebaceous glands.  Your skin needs water in order for it to function best, thus doctors and nutritionists suggest that a daily intake of between 6 to 8 glasses of water per day is highly needed.

Tip 2: Watch Your Diet

Nutrition plays a vital role in skin health too.  Specific foods such as those acidic foods and dairy products are said to be effective in causing an allergic reaction in some people.  Also, one of the widely debated topics in the area of nutrition today is chocolates.   Some say that chocolate does affect the condition of the skin, while others say it doesn’t.  Whatever the result may be, the best advice is just to follow a nutritious diet that has a number of fresh fruits and green-leafy veggies, as well as fiber.

Tip 3:  Consider Exfoliants

Many experts say that exfoliating your skin is another great way to attain a beautiful skin.  So, try to invest in a good body exfoliant or “loofah”, as it is commonly called, as it is capable of eliminating the dead skin cells from your body.   Accordingly, this should be done once or twice a week so to free the skin to breathe.   What’s more, exfoliants help to put off ingrown hair from developing.

However, it is essential to avoid using any body exfoliant on the skin on the face.   The main reason for this precaution is that the facial tissue is more sensitive and finer than those tissues of the body.

Tip 4: Consider a Healthy Routine for Facial Care

When it comes to facial skin care, getting into a healthy beauty routine is not bad.  Most of the doctors today greatly suggest that you cleanse, moisturize and tone your skin twice every day.   When cleaning, never fail to remember cleaning the area on the neck, including your face.  Apply a moisturizer or neck cream after.

Before going to bed at night, always bear in mind to remove all make up. Clean your skin before you sleep, no matter how tired you may feel.   It was found out that during the night, the skin goes through a process of elimination and cannot breathe properly if it is clogged with make up.  And, you may also find out that sleeping with your make up on will cause your skin to “break out” with spots on it.

When it comes to shaving for men, some men may experience shaving rashes.  For many, these rashes lower their self-esteem, but this is actually not a big problem to think about.  There are a lot ways to avoid rashes.  Perhaps one of the best is to make sure that when shaving, the razor strokes are following the direction of hair growth.  That’s simply it!

Tip 5: Heal Your Feet

When it comes to skin care, the feet are often neglected.  So, if care you found no time for a professional pedicure, try to fill a football or basin with warm water and add your favorite essential oil. Soak your feet for about fifteen minutes.  Then, dry them and apply a rough skin remover onto them.   Rinse this off and dry you feet well.   And, if you consider pedicure, simply add some body cream to your feet for an easy and quick fix pedicure.

Tip 6: Avoid Too Much Exposure to the Sun

One of the most common precautions when it comes to skin care is avoiding too much exposure to the sun.  As you may know, over exposure to sunlight causes sunburn.  So, while current sun blocks only block out the UVB rays and still let in harmful UVA rays, it is still wise to cover up before venturing into the hands of Apollo.   If possible, use a wide brimmed hat while tending your garden to keep the sun from your face.

Tip 7:  Exercise

Aside from considering a healthy diet, exercising your body also helps keep your skin healthy.  Note that a proper exercise does not only keep the body fit by regulating the oxygen; it also improves the glow of the skin as well.

Tip 8:  Take Enough Rest

One common problem that face people is stress; the one which is not normal.   It was found out that when a person is stressed, the adrenal cortex converts adrenal androgens to the hormone testosterone in male and female, which in turn results in overactive sebaceous glands.   These adrenal androgens are released causing a double amount of testosterone, causing the face to be oily, while other areas of the body are still dry from dehydration.  So, taking proper rest that includes 6 to 8 hours of undisturbed sleep daily is the best way to rejuvenate the skin.

7 Ways To Conquer Acne

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

The most effective methods to combat acne include a combination of prevention and better skincare.

Here are some of the ways you can use to prevent and treat acne:
1. Exercise

Regular exercise can help fight acne by fighting off negative stress levels that can come from negative self-esteem and depression. But avoid wearing tight lycra and nylon exercise outfits. These synthetic fabrics that tend to trap body moisture and heat, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. Stick to loose clothing made of cotton or natural blends, and keep your sports gear and equipment clean.
2. Safe Cosmetics

To avoid pore-clogging and skin irritations that can contribute to acne, use products labeled “noncomedogenic” or “oil-free.” Opt for “hypo-allergenic” perfumes and cosmetics to avoid allergic reactions and skin irritation. Coal tar derivatives, carmine and heavy cream in blushes can cause reactions.

Shimmering facial colors can contain a flaky mineral called mica that can cause skin irritations and clog pores. Use a lip gloss with a matte finish for less pore-clogging. The more the shine, the more then comedogenic content and the more your pores can clog.
3. Healthy Diet

Studies show that diet does not play a role in either the cause or the treatment of acne. However, what is best for your body is best for your skin. So make sure you get enough vitamins, minerals and supplements that have been known and recommended to prevent and help conquer acne breakouts. These include

* Vitamin A or Retinol (High doses are toxic)
* Vitamin B Complex
* Vitamin C
* Vitamin E
* L-Carnitine
* Zinc

A good quality brand name multivitamin will probably have the recommended vitamins and minerals that you need to help with acne prevention. Drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day and making good, healthy dietary food choices.
3. Hormonal Treatment

Hormones (or a lack of them) during later years – especially for women – can play a role in acne flare-ups and prevention. One recent study showed that about 50 percent of women have acne, referred to as hormonal acne, problems during the week before their menstruation.

Treatment options include topical retinoids, oral antibiotics and Benzoyl Peroxide for teen years. For adults oral contraceptives or hormonal birth control pills and hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) may be helpful for women, combined with systemic or topical treatments, prescription or over-the-counter products and medications.
4. Healthy Skin Regimen

Avoid harsh scrubbing or over-washing, because this can cause possible skin irritation or possible over production of oil to replace what’s washed off, clogging pores in the process. Use products with gentle exfoliation ingredients and skip products that contain alcohol.
5. Acne Products

Some of the more popular products on the market that can prevent acne include:

* Benzoyl Peroxide
* Proactiv® Solution
* Salicylic Acid
* Retinoids
* Antibiotics
* Oral Contraceptives
* Anti-Androgens
* Isotretinoin (Accutane)

6. Shaving

Shaving is actually an excellent way of exfoliating or removing dead skin to help with the prevention and spreading of acne instead of leaving the remains to clog pores. And for some light acne cases already in process, shaving can help rid whiteheads and blackheads from the face. Do not shave areas taht are sore or infected. Use a shaving cream for sensitive skin.

Shave with a sharp blade. Use gentle swipes instead of heavy pressure and go with the flow or “grain.” A single-edged blade is better than a twin-blade razor. Electric razors may not shave as close to the skin, but they help with the prevention of acne and other skin breakouts and flare-ups better.
7. Stress

Stress includes external and internal stressors. External Stressors are those that compromise your skin’s ability to heal, like oily make-up and too much sun. Internal stressors like anxiety, fear, low self-esteem, depression and a variety of other internalized emotions, can trigger chemical reactions inside your body that can result in acne flare-ups and other skin irritations.

To combat internal stressors and prevent acne problems, get plenty of rest and sleep. Try to maintain regular hours. Keep a check list of “Things that Calm You” handy for stressful times, like reading a book, resting, listening to music, taking a walk, going out for an ice cream cone, etc.

7 Little Known Acne Skin Care Secrets

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

An acne problem is not a problem, so long as you know wise acne skin care tips. One does need much money to get that healthy glowing skin, with the natural acne skin care methods, acne shouldn’t be treated like monsters under your bed. Here are some acne skin care methods we can practice.

<b>The power of water.</b> Oil, they say is thicker than water. But water is the plainest, most natural substance we can use for acne skin care. In washing your face, do it gently. Rubbing and scrubbing your face does not clean the skin gently. For best acne skin care effects, using a mild cleanser or toner once in the morning, noon and evening, and after doing a heavy work out, will help you achieve a clear skin.

<b>Pick that zit.</b> People who prick pimples and blemishes as if pricking a bubble only aggravates the risk of skin inflammation and acne scars. Avoid hand contact with your face for better acne skin care results.

<b>Shave with care.</b> Choose the best electric shavers and safety razors you can trust for years. They’ll be more comfortable to use. Men need not use a super sharp blade to get rid of that beard. A regular shaver used with soap and water, or shaving cream will help you get that smooth finish. Doctors advised men to shave lightly, and shave only when necessary for acne skin care maintenance .

<b>Sun of the beach!</b> If you love sun tanning or just want the sight of that sophisticated sunburnt look – forget it. This is an acne skin care no-no. The sun’s harmful ultra violet rays redden the skin, making the skin drier. It can make one’s blemishes visible, speed up aging and bring serious damage to the human skin. Also, excessive exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer. You don’t want to ruin that great acne skin care you’ve been starting on with.

<b>Cosmic Cosmetics.</b> Eye shadows, blush on, moisturizer, and other cosmetics we use should be free from oily substances to permit healthy acne skin care maintenance. Even hairstyling products in forms of gels or aerosols that come in close contact with the skin may destroy a healthy acne skin care practice. Choose hairstyling products, which are commercially labeled as non-comedogenic are products which do not provoke the formation and growth of blemishes and other related skin
disorders.

<b>Buttered Face.</b> An African beauty secret reveals the power of shea butter which originated from the Karite Nut Tree (or Mangifolia tree). Hmmm… juicy acne skin care tip! Karite Nut Tree was discovered in the semi-arid savannahs of West Africa and Central Africa. People in Africa, women in particular – rely in shea butter as a vital tool for acne skin care treatment for over centuries now.

<b>Spare me that SPA!</b> You need not visit the most expensive spa parlors to get that destressing facial treatment to aid you in your acne skin care endeavor. Create a home made magical elixir right at the comforts of your own home by purchasing simple spa tools found in beauty stores.

Get only the best and the FRESH. Increase intake of fresh fruit and vegetables. These acne skin care tools are free of toxins which decreases the speed of blood circulation. A salad or a fruit a day will keep an acne away!

There is no perfect cure, medication, treatment or acne skin care methods for acne problems. Thus, as the sole proprietor of our own skin, we must take full charge of what lies to be our first armor against diseases and bodily injuries.

6 Lifestyle Tips for Reducing Acne

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

Would you like to find out what those-in-the-know have to say about Acne? The information in the article below comes straight from well-informed experts with special knowledge about Acne.

Here are some tips that have helped hundreds of people suffering from acne.  Hopefully, these will help you too:

1. Water is Best

Water is by far the most effective treatment for acne.  The main support for this claim is the fact that water is alkaline (pH 7.3) and can be considered as a natural treatment or an almost free acne treatment.  Thus, it is best that you drink at least eight glasses of water per day (10 to 12 is better). This will help your body in getting rid of oil, waste and toxins, and water even helps to moisten your skin as it keeps your pores from clogging.  Perhaps what is most important is that, water helps to relieve stress and relax your body in the end, so you can have a better sleep. Note that water and sleep are factors that help reduce stress. Along with this, try to lessen your coffees, sodas, teas and alcohols intake as much as possible. The reason behind this is that they are partial diuretics that they drive more water out of the cells of the body than they put in.

2. Avoid Astringents

If your goal is to have a beautiful skin, then you should try to avoid astringent natural soaps and any astringent agents that shrink your skin’s pores, such as oatmeal, witch hazel, very cold water and rubbing alcohol.  It was found out actually that when your skin pores shrink, more oils are clogged in the pores of the skin, causing the onset of acne.

3. Avoid Stimulants

Coffee, tea, cigarettes, as well as excessive sugar from sweets and soda should be avoided.  It is often said that anything potential for affecting the entire body, brain and nervous system can easily stimulate the sebaceous glands to release more oil.  This oil has to leave the body through the pores, worsening your acne in the end. Stimulants even trigger stress.

4. Watch Your Diet

Note that diet affects acne.  So be careful with what you eat. As much as possible, try to eat foods that are low in fat, as fats produce more oils in the body that are capable of producing acne.

5. Avoid Alcohol

A number of people think that alcohol is one of the best ways to relax and relieve stress.  Well, alcohol may do this, but studies have found out that alcohol causes the formation of acne.  It is considered capable for producing acne knowing that it is an astringent, thus it shrinks the skin pores, making them more prone to clogging.  Aside from that, alcohol inhibits sleep, therefore causing more fatigue and stress, leading to worse acne.

6. Hot and Very Cold Count

When considering baths, you should avoid hot and very cold water on areas of the skin affected by acne. Use warm water instead; perhaps well below 98.5 degrees on your skin.

5 Tips Which Will Guarantee You Get the Best From Your Doctor in Relation to Your Acne Treatment

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

Doctors are extremely busy people that are often overworked, underpaid and sometimes harassed by patients that have little to complain about. However I believe they genuinely want to help their patients, and will take your acne condition seriously. There are a number of simple steps you can take to ensure you maximise the chance of getting the right help from your doctor in treating your acne

1. A key skill in getting the best out of any situation is clear communication. Your doctor can only act on the information you give him about your condition. Not providing the ‘full story’ is the primary reason for misdiagnosis or a lack of urgent attention. Make sure you tell your doctor, how long you’ve had the acne, what treatments you’ve tried, where does the acne occur and is it worsened by reaction to stress of sunlight.

2. Ask questions about any aspect of your acne that you want to clarify. A good tip is to write down the questions you want to ask, before you speak to your doctor, to ensure you cover everything. Don’t feel embarrassed by asking certain questions, remember there are ‘no dumb questions’

3. Understand that there are no miracle cures for acne, and that you may have to try a number of different treatments before you find one, which is effective, against your particular type.

4. Make sure you mention the emotional side of how your acne makes you feel, if this is of particular concern to you. This is a vital area that is often overlooked, and is clearly important particularly if your acne is resulting in depression, or resulting in a reduction in your social interactions with others.

5. If your doctor prescribes any medication, make sure you fully understand

1) how to apply the treatment,

2)how long will it be before you see any improvement,

3)any side-effects that you may experience,

4)when do you need to return for a follow up, and

5)how long the treatment will last. These key questions will ensure you are fully informed about the treatment programme you are embarking on.

Remember your doctor is there to help you overcome both the physical and emotional side of acne. If you don’t feel you can easily approach your doctor, find an alternative medical professional, such as a dermatologist. What ever you decide to do, ensure you seek help, and don’t let acne get the better of you.

Facial Cleansers For Acne

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

What’s the worst four letter word you can think of? For some people, that would be A-C-N-E. Whether it is one pimple or many, when faced with acne, people would rather hide than show their faces.

Don’t let acne ruin your life. By following some basic, simple skin care, such as using an acne facial cleanser and acne-medicated products, you can help control acne and make your skin look a lot better.

People make the mistake of scrubbing their faces too hard when they have acne. Perhaps they think they can scrub off their acne. Instead, this can exacerbate your complexion and lead to permanent scarring. The truth is, acne forms below the skin. For whatever reason, excess dirt or sebum clogs your pores. The sebum, which normally moves to the surface, gets trapped. That “gunk” inside acne is a mixture of the bacteria, pus, dead cells, and white blood cells that have come to clear out the infection. So as you see, acne is not like a spec of dirt you can wipe off your face. You need a different game plan that starts with washing your face properly.

A lot of people feel that they should constantly wash their face to get rid of acne. While it is true that people with oily skin might need to wash their face more often than someone with dry skin, that does not mean you need to wash your face each and every hour of the day. In fact, constant face washing might make acne problems appear worse. Instead, wash 2-3 times a day with a facial cleanser specially formulated for acne.

Some common ingredients in acne facial cleansers are salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. Salicylic acid is effective because it helps get rid of the dead skin cells that are clogging the surface. This process is called exfoliation. It is important to clear off the surface because for one thing, dead skin cells might be one of the components clogging pores and causing breakouts; for another thing, exfoliating the top layer of skin might help acne clear faster. However, as you may have guessed, salicylic acid can cause excessive skin dryness. Over the counter facial cleansers contain 1-2% salicylic acid, but even those concentrations are known to dry out skin.

The other key ingredient in acne facial cleansers, benzoyl peroxide, is said to be less irritating than salicylic acid. It works differently in that it enters pores and kills the bacteria that causes acne. It does not help exfoliate surface cells, though. Products can contain anywhere from 2.5 to 10% benzoyl peroxide. Experts recommend you start at the lowest concentration and slowly work up to higher concentrations in case you experience irritation.

For some people, the “less is more” approach works best. I personally know of several people who switched to using a gentle facial cleanser that was soap-free and fragrance-free. The cleanser was non-drying and helped acne clear up on its own. The use of gentle cleansers for acne-prone skin has been recommended by dermatologists for years.

Beware of products that contain alcohol, menthol, peppermint, or anything that promotes a “tingling experience.” These so-called acne facial cleansers might give you a cool-feeling, but that is just the alcohol evaporating off your skin. As you might guess, the alcohol can cause excessive dryness of your skin, so try to avoid these products.

The cure for acne lies in a combination of things. Try incorporating an acne facial cleanser in your skincare routine, but take it slowly. Sometimes less is more. But if you have serious acne concerns, consult a dermatologist. Some forms of acne are cystic and require special attention. But for everyday acne, follow the above steps, keep your hands away from your face (don’t pick at acne!), and follow a healthy lifestyle. Good luck on your acne-free journey.

6 Steps To Clearer Skin

Monday, June 23rd, 2008

Well, I’m writing this because I know there are millions of people out there with an acne problem that seems to not go away. Yes, if you’re like me you have tried all of the popular products. But, what if I told you that in order to have clear skin you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars every month. Actually, you may not have to spend any money.

So, with all that said here is my simple 6 Steps To Clearer Skin (Yes, this is what I am doing to help my skin clear):

1. Drink lots of purified water. Look, many of us with acne problems continue to drinks all of these sodas that have a lot of acid, colors, etc. Soda can really mess up the face. Leave all sodas and other drinks on the market alone and stick to only purified water. Try these waters – Poland Springs, Volvic, Penta (expensive), Smart Water, or Dasani. Water does wonders to the body!

2. Drink lots of Green Tea (at least 1 to 2 times a day). Green Tea has many antioxidants that will help in decreasing your acne problems. Try purchasing the Celestial Seasonings Green Tea.

3. Eliminate any and all fried foods or greasy foods from your diet. Yes, I know many dermatologists will disagree with this. What I have found is that when I stopped eating fried or greasy foods my face automatically started clearing and improving to the point where I was receiving compliments almost everyday. Fried food carries too much grease that can cause big pimples to form in your face. Also many fast food places use old grease over and over again. Old or reused grease is one big block in your way if you’re trying to get clear skin. Not Good!

4. Eat a lot of vegetables (raw organic baby spinach is wonderful) and fruits everyday. Yeah I know you heard this before, but some of you are still not doing it. Vegetables and fruits alone. Many vegetables and fruits have antioxidants and vitamins that can help in healing and clearing the skin.

5. Use pure vitamin E oil (use the Nature’s Gate Brand) for your face. I am telling you, it will make your look good in about two to three months. Vitamin E oil has all the healing and antioxidant properties to help in clearing your skin. Apply to your face every night before going to bed.

6. Eliminate all stress. I know for some, stress can result in many breakouts on the face. Some individuals are not good at dealing with stress.  You know what, let the stress go!

Enjoy these steps and take your time. Give yourself  3 to 6 months to see actual improvements in your skin. For these steps to work properly, please add each step to your daily routine. Each step must be performed on a daily basis. Consult your local dermatologist if you have any worries.