Saturday, April 14, 2007

Severe Acne Treatments � Does any of these works?


Acne at its mildest is a constant form of irritation and social embarrassment. Who wouldn't want to have a clear smooth complexion? I know I do.
Some of us have it tougher than others when we are stricken by severe acne conditions. So what exactly causes acne? A lot of it has to do with a loss of balance in the rate that our skin discards the old skis and regenerates new ones. Some of these old skins get stuck under oily pores (another contributing factor) which lead to an accumulation of oil and bacterial fodder, a nirvana for those nasty bacteria to breed and infect.
So you end up with severe acne which causes extreme irritation, resulting in open wounds, puss-filled pores, and unsightly scarring. Severe acne is nothing to write home about; it's also not a condition to take lightly and must be brought to the attention of your dermatologist.

We talked earlier about balance which leads to acne in the first place. Balance? In What? We're talking about environmental as well as genetic factors which contribute to an acne prone skin condition and worse, aggravate it. Prevention and treatment are the best ways to deal with such cases. Seldom does an extreme acne sufferer's skin clear up naturally, but in most instances, it actually worsens.
Prevention is not something which can be taken for granted. We could do our best in influencing the environment surrounding us, making them less acne friendly. Good personal hygiene coupled with a good skin care regiment can increase your odds tremendously. A few popular types of acne prevention regimes commercially available are Murad Acne Comples as well as Pro Active Acne Treatment, however you are advised to consult a qualified dermatologist before commencing on a regime.

Usually a dermatologist will also recommend a combination of both topical cream and oral drugs. Several types available include different antibiotics, benzyl peroxides, Tretinoin, Adapalen and the strong, yet effective Azelaic Acid to tackle the source of inflammation-the bacteria lining the follicle.

A form of vitamin A, Tretinoin, stops the development of comedones, or inflamed hair follicles. Although non-antibacterial, this is a natural way of unplugging clogged pores that cause inflammation and lesions, thereby allowing the use of topical antibiotic cream to work deeply within the skin.

Dermatologist will routinely ask you which form of medication you'd prefer. Creams are good for those with extra sensitive skin, while gels and other solutions tend to make the skin become more dry and irritated. He or she may recommend one or the other based on gender and/or whether you live in a hot and humid climate.

At first, your skin may look and feel worse with the use of such strong medications. If the pain becomes unbearable or if you develop a rash or extreme redness of any kind, be sure to stop using the product and immediately talk to your doctor and dermatologist. Any improvement will take up to 8 weeks to show up.

Discover useful advice and information about the causes and prevention of acne. Website contains useful articles and updated information on this nasty skin condition. http://www.acne-treatment-options.info/

Friday, April 13, 2007

Conquering Your Acne - Some Helpful Tips


There are several forms of medication, some preventive and others curative. Preventive medication stresses on keeping the skin squeaky clean to prevent the incidence of clogged pores. Antiseptic liquid cleansers like Cetaphil cleanse the skin without causing any irritation. In fact, these should form an integral part of your daily skin care regime.

The actual cause of acne is still not really understood. Some believe it lies in genetics. Others believe it is a combination of factors such as androgens, allergies, stress, or the use of certain mediations. Natural practitioners tend to believe it is a result of nutritional deficiencies, and toxins in the body that can cause the liver to dysfunction.

Try applying essential oils directly to the acne. Oils to try are Tea Tree Oil, Bergamot Oil, Clove Oil, Lavender Oil, and Rosewood Oil. If you have sensitive skin, you may need to dilute the oil with grape seed oil to avoid irritation. Apply the oil before going to bed and then wash it away, using pure soap and clean water, in the morning. Give it about a month to see if it is working. This is one of the least expensive acne solutions that have proven to be effective for many people.

Should you take birth control pills to relieve your acne? Make your decision very carefully taking into account the risk factors which include heart attack, cancer of the breast, blood clots, fluid retention, dark skin patches, and bleeding in the vagina, just to name a few.

Chances are that many of the same acne treatments that work on your face will work on your back and body, but they may not be quite as potent on the thicker skin of your back. Reading the reviews for some acne skincare products may help you learn which one is right for you. However, if you really want to prevent acne from forming, you need to prevent your oil glands from over-producing. Internalacne treatments are the best choice for this, as they are the only treatments that can really prevent acne, and it's also just easier to take a pill rather than trying to apply a cream in a place such as your back. There are a few vitamin supplements that can help with acne prevention.

You can look for different kinds of treatments once you know in what category your acne falls. Always remember that if a certain treatment didn't work for your acne, you can always try some other treatments. The technology nowadays, has given rise to new treatments. Researchers are now developing some new treatments that might be the one you are waiting for and might give you the clear skin you are longing for. Another treatment which may be more effective is to avoid grain products such as bread, corn, cereals and pastries. But still, these methods may not work for you.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Budget Friendly Acne Home Cures


Acne scars, like any type of scarring, can seldom be permanently removed. Fortunately, there are several acne treatments now available that can help the scarred area return to a more "normal" appearance.

The most common "trigger foods" for acne are milk and all dairy products, wheat and most grain products, and refined sugar. Avoiding these foods is usually not enough to completely remove acne, however. Most people need to eat the most natural diet for humans to completely control and eliminate acne.

There are 2 ways to treat acne, topical (applied to the skin) or systematic (taken by mouth). Both over the counter (OTC) (meaning no prescription is necessary) remedies are available. The goals of treatment are to heal existing lesions, to prevent new lesions forming, stop scarring, minimize psychological stress and embarrassment caused by the disease. Drug treatment is aimed at reducing several problems that play a part in causing acne: abnormal clumping of the cells in the follicles, increased oil production, bacteria, and inflammation.

One popular ingredient in some of the leading acne treatments out there, such as Proactiv� and Neutrogena On-The-Spot�, is the antibacterial agent Benzoyl Peroxide. Benzoyl Peroxide, or BP for short, works by attacking the p. acnes bacteria that build up in your pores, and is very effective for most people at clearing up current acne (note that BP does not prevent acne from forming, and acne products based on BP are not being honest if they make this claim). For most cases of acne, purchasing BP alone and applying it is just as effective as using expensive name brand products.

Acne treatments can be done with the help of benzoyl peroxide, proactive solution, antibiotics, tretinion, isotretinion, contraceptive pills, salicylic acid, adapalene, laser treatment, blue light treatment and herbal remedies. 90% of adolescents have acne. Acne can be treated in various ways. Exfoliating the skin, using topical bactericidals, topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics, hormonal treatment, external retinoids, oral retinoids, and phototherapy are some of the methods of treating acne. The non inflammatory acne can be treated with azelaic, salicytic acid, topical retinoids and benzoyl peroxide. The mild inflammatory acme can be treated with topical antibiotics. Isotretinion and topical retinoids are used to treat moderate inflammatory acne. Contraceptive pills with cyproterone can be used by females with virilization to treat severe inflammatory acne.

Although there are some topical skin care products and medications that can improve mild scarring and acne problems, almost all of them are artificial and invasive methods. For example, acne scars usually are treated with a combination of surgical procedures and skin resurfacing. On the other hand, natural products only have natural ingredients and biological substances. Such is the case with tea tree oil, green tea extract, Vitamin E, rapeseed oil, Aloe vera, and some of the essential oils, which had long been proven to act upon blemishes on the skin.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Best Natural Acne Treatments


The condition of your acne will determine the treatment options. Treatment also depends on the oil balance of your skin, your gender and your existing medications. The most proactive acne treatment is with topical products (gels, creams) containing Salicylic acid, Benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, tetracycline, erythromycin or a retinoid. Many times a combination of these products is recommended.

Instead of using medicine that may have side effects, try using natural methods to cure Acne. For example, a soap made from Echinacea and other herbal ingredients is an effective antibiotic facial cleanser that helps fight acne and restore clear skin. Tea tree oil also has known antibiotic properties and serves as a mild anesthetic that will soothe the irritated skin. There are also other natural skin care products available that have been proven being effective in improving acne.

The most common form of acne is known as "acne vulgaris", which means common acne. Excessive secretion of oils from the glands combines with naturally occurring dead skin cells to block the hair follicles. Oil secretions build up beneath the blocked pore, providing a perfect environment for the skin bacteria Propioni bacterium acne to multiply uncontrolled. In response, the skin inflames, producing the visible lesion. The face, chest, back, shoulders and upper arms are especially affected. The typical acne lesions are comedones,papules, pustules, nodules and inflammatory cysts. These are the more inflamed forms of pus-filled or reddish bumps, even boil-like tender swellings. Non-inflamed 'sebaceous cysts', more properly called epidermoid cysts, occur either in association with acne or alone but are not a constant feature.

The only time your body expels product wastes through your lungs and skin is when your bowels and kidneys are overloaded with product wastes and toxins. This can happen when you're not drinking enough water. Water is the main carrier of nutrients throughout your body and is quite possibly the single most important contributor to healing and preventing acne flare-ups. Drinking enough water will dissolve waste products in your system so it can be easily remove and flush out. Without enough water, there won't be much to dissolve these product wastes and toxins...causing it to build up in your system and causing your body to expel these product wastes and toxics through your lungs and skin.

Acne treatments can be done with the help of benzoyl peroxide, proactive solution, antibiotics, tretinion, isotretinion, contraceptive pills, salicylic acid, adapalene, laser treatment, blue light treatment and herbal remedies. 90% of adolescents have acne. Acne can be treated in various ways. Exfoliating the skin, using topical bactericidals, topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics, hormonal treatment, external retinoids, oral retinoids, and phototherapy are some of the methods of treating acne. The non inflammatory acne can be treated with azelaic, salicytic acid, topical retinoids and benzoyl peroxide. The mild inflammatory acme can be treated with topical antibiotics. Isotretinion and topical retinoids are used to treat moderate inflammatory acne. Contraceptive pills with cyproterone can be used by females with virilization to treat severe inflammatory acne.

The first step an Acne sufferer must take is to come to terms with his or her condition. It will have a negative impact on your life because our society judges us by our appearance. The trick is that an acne sufferer does not need to face this alone. Think about the numbers mentioned in the home page "Acne affects about 80% of all adolescents". That means that eight out of every ten people around you is or has had to battle with acne and its negative social impacts. So don't be shy to inform and involve people you come into contact with to prevent the psychological scarring from becoming permanent.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Acne Prevention � Fight Acne Before It Happens!


There are several forms of medication, some preventive and others curative. Preventive medication stresses on keeping the skin squeaky clean to prevent the incidence of clogged pores. Antiseptic liquid cleansers like Cetaphil cleanse the skin without causing any irritation. In fact, these should form an integral part of your daily skin care regime.

Always remember that all acne products bought over the counter contain chemicals and can have disastrous results if used on the wrong skin types. Before embarking upon any treatment using these products it is important to read the label carefully and understand the risks involved. Your complexion is very delicate and any harmful results from inappropriate medications will decidedly show up. Certainly facial scarring is something to be avoided at all costs.

Do not pick, press or rub your pimples. These actions actually increase the sebum production and rupture the membranes below your skin. The infection and sebum will spread underneath your skin and cause more pimples. Also, you risk increasing the chances of leaving scars on your face.

Antibiotics were designed to fight bacteria. These are used to control acne mainly from the inside. Some topical antibiotics (clindamycin) are applied directly to the skin. Other antibiotics (tetracycline) are in pill form.

Though acne is a common problem, it is also one skin disease that is very easy to treat and prevent. There are many products that a person could consider as the best acne treatment. The best acne treatment for a person could be not the best acne treatment for another. This is because the best acne treatment is determined by the type of skin a person has and the skin reaction on that treatment. The best acne treatment could also range from the medical ones which are proven best acne treatments that modern medicine has to offer up to herbal medicines that are also accepted as the best acne treatment to some people.

Antibiotics work for getting rid of an infection, like strep throat. When it comes to treating acne, all topical and oral drugs are doing is temporarily killing the bacteria, which eventually become resistant to the antibiotic. A common practice is to prescribe the topical ointment, Retin-A� in conjunction with antibiotics. Unfortunately, many people experience redness and irritation which actually cause more pimples and blackheads to form. Because Retin-A and antibiotics make your skin very sun-sensitive they are not practical for many acne sufferers. Another drug often prescribed for acne is Accutane. This is just a temporary solution to your acne, but it's not a long term and safe alternative to controlling your breakouts. And if not helping acne isn't enough, some antibiotics also reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. Check with your doctor.

Monday, April 9, 2007

Want To Know What Causes Acne?


People in various age groups can develop acne, but the reasons may vary in each case. Most people can't be bothered to find out the most important thing that can help cure acne: their very own skin type.

One of the reasons that most people failed to treat themselves from acne is that they have been unable to find the true cause of their acne. Without proper skin care, like most things it will cause unending problems down the road. Acne problem is just the tip of the iceberg.

Facial cleanser with high oil content is definitely not for those with oily skin. Common misconception among the majority is that you do not need to moisturize your face if you have oily skin. For every type of skin, moisture is a must and it prevents dryness on your facial skin.

Sometimes, medications are applied directly on the problem spot. These types of product are known as topical treatment. Over the counter product are the most commonly consist of topical product. This is acne treatment product which is applied directly onto your acne. Acne are commonly caused by dirt build up and excess oil on the skin and not to mention the bacteria. Acne treatment are not limited to topical treatment To help you treat acne, you must understand what is causing your acne.

When you see a teen with acne problems it comes as no surprise to associate acne problems with hormones production. Acne breakouts in adolescent are primarily caused by hormonal change in their body. Two of the most commonly know hormonal trigger for female are the menstrual cycle and the menopause periods which can trigger an acne episode. Excess testosterone hormone is known to have trigger acne breakout in typically male adult. Testosterone is another well known hormone that cause acne problems

It is a well known fact that people with oily skin are prone to acne attacks The formation of excessive oil in your skin cause blocked pores and trapped bacteria on your skin. People with oily skin can eliminate their skin problems by applying product that can either control or eliminate oil formation in their skin.

Are you stressed? If you are, then you are likely to develop acne problem. A stressed body releases chemicals and hormones that cause toxicities to rise and in turn cause acne to either develop or aggravated. Learn to be able to control yourself and prevent yourself from feeling stress. There are no one way to cure stress.

These foods are often advised to acne sufferer to be avoid at all cost. Three sources of food are said to be the main cause of acne breakout: chocolate, oily food and food with high sugar content such as soft drinks. There are no clear yes or no in acne problems. While some claim this to be the truths others seems to be actively disputing these notions.

Apart from the physiology causes, environment may also play a role in your acne problems. The use of certain perfumed soap can sometime aggravate your acne problems. Be sure to check the labels and conduct some sort of research to find out if the product can cause acne problems. It is extremely improtant that you keep your skin moisturized as previous mentioned. Regardless of your skin type.

Sunday, April 8, 2007

Seeing A Dermatologist For Acne Treatment


Do not think that you should not see a dermatologist even if you suffer from a mild case of acne. A dermatologist can provide you with valuable information about what causes acne and they will give you ideas for treatment options. The other reason you want to see a dermatologist for a mild form of acne is because there is another condition called deratosis pilaris which is confused with acne. A dermatologist will properly diagnose you so you can proceed with the proper treatment.

Over-the-counter medicine for mild cases of acne are often effective. However, more severe acne should be treated by a doctor. Or if your mild case of acne is not responding to over-the-counter medications, you should see your doctor.

Before you go to the doctor for you first visit regarding acne, write down all you know about your acne. For example, the doctor will want to know how log you have had acne and what you have done as far as a treatment. Other things your doctor will need to know is if the affected area gets blackheads, whiteheads or lesions. Find out from your parents if they also had acne and of course, you will already know if one of your brothers or sisters has had acne. You need to know if you are allergic to any medications in the event the doctor wants to prescribe a medication that needs to be taken orally.

It is entirely possible that you dermatologist will offer a variety of treatment options. Therefore it is a good idea to read up on the treatment options available so when they start to discuss these options at your office visit, it will not be so overwhelming and you will basically know what they are talking about. This will help you to make an informed decision. Some things to know are the antibiotics are used to kill the bacteria that cause acne and may be prescribed as an oral medication or as a lotion or both.

Benzoyl peroxide and retinoic acid are other treatments that typically come in a gel form. These cause dryness and reddening of the skin if applied to areas other than the affected acne are. So please use care when applying them so you do not cause other skin problems. Severe cases of acne may require a type of physical treatments including laser treatment or comedone extraction.

Whichever treatment you choose, it is most important to follow directions given by the doctor. Continue to use the correct dosage and if your acne clears up, continue treatment until advised otherwise, otherwise it may come back.

It is a good rule of thumb to be informed about this or any condition you may have. Seek and get the information you require, continue to make a note of any questions as you think of them so that you can ask your doctor at your next visit. Here are some questions you may want to ask your doctor.

� How are acne scars preventable?
� What kind of treatment is best for me?
� What are the side effects?
� How soon will I start to see results?
� How long will the treatment last?
� What is a good skin care regimen for me?
� Can I use makeup?


Your acne treatment may continue for awhile depending on how severe a case you have. Whenever you visit your doctor be sure to ask any questions you have thought of.