Monday, January 31, 2011

Acne- Use AHAs Regularly To Stop Acne Formation

AHAs- what are they?

AHAs or Alpha Hydroxy Acids are available in many formulations. You get them both as OTC products and as prescription strength formulations. If you are prone to regular outbreak of acne, it is time for you to think using AHAs regularly to prevent them. Let us discuss why I think AHAs may work as preventives.

Acne and pore block-

One of the main reasons of acne formation is blockage of the pore. If the pore remains open, acne would not form because excess sebum will go out on the skin and get washed away. The blocked pore allows sebum accumulation and inflammation.

AHAs and pores-

AHAs are acidic molecules commonly found in milk, sugarcane juice and many other natural products. These acids perform a very important function on the skin. They dissolve the cement that holds the dead skin cells together and remove the dead cells from the skin surface. While doing this, they open the pores. If you use AHAs everyday, your skin gets very little opportunity to get blocked. Please talk to your doctor and find out if you should use them and if yes, what strength. Your skin type will be important to consider. Please consult your doctor about AHAs.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Acne Treatments: The Cheap Option Or The Potent Stuff?

If you scour the shelves of a pharmacy or drug store, you'll most likely find numerous brands of over-the-counter treatment for acne more than you can count with your fingers. among other skin infections,There are likely to be ingredients common to said treatments for skin infections, though none are exactly the same. If the problem is something that your typical medication can handle, it is probably best you consult a skin care professional.

In most cases, these readily available measures achieve the simple goal of alleviating your acne problem without causing any discomfort. Of course, given individual reactions to the chemicals in the skin treatments, that may not always be the case. Prescription medication, which is typically more potent, may also cause the same unwanted side-effects as those that come from over-the-counter products.

Various factors influence the effectiveness of an over-the-counter or prescription acne treatment product. You might be inclined to wonder which of the two would be the best acne medication, with minimal possible side effects. Well, the answer to this is that all medications can potentially cause side effects. Every person's skin will react differently to different drugs or medications.

Let's take a look at this whole thing objectively, shall we? Or at least, with as much objectivity a single person can have. Hopefully, if we do that we can find the best acne medication, or at least something close to it. In theory, there may be no such thing as a “best” medication, as individual skin chemistry can easily get in the way.

First off, over-the-counter medication for your average range of skin infections, let alone acne, is nowhere near as potent as your typical prescription treatment. This may stem from either the differences in the basic chemical composition or how concentrated the key ingredients of the treatments are. A prescription acne treatment may clear up the problem faster, but the potency of the chemicals can cause side effects more readily than the over-the-counter variants. That means that your life can get back to normal a lot faster, seeing as how you've got one less thing to worry about.

However, despite being “less effective” (and that's something that's just this side of being arguable), over-the-counter stuff is significantly cheaper. Unless you've somehow gotten a case of monumentally bad acne, you should go and try an over-the-counter treatment first. They may not be as potent, but they very often can do the job on their own. If they're not helping, you shouldn't hesitate to seek professional help. Medical insurance may or many not entirely cover your costs, as this sort of thing is something that varies depending on the details of your coverage.

The lower potency of the drugs can also be a boon rather than a bane, for some people. You see, every once in a while, the combination of skin, acne, and other factors is going to produce a person with very sensitive skin. The kind of skin that turns red and swells to the size of a grapefruit at the slightest touch of benzoyl peroxide, or something similar. However, lower chemical potency means that you're also less likely to run into a nasty side effect.

There's also the matter of convenience to be considered here. An over-the-counter product is obviously easier to get your hands on. Go to a drug store, find medication for acne that you like or think would work, and pay for it at the counter. Simple, clean, and there's not a whole lot of time involved. In contrast, if you need to get one that's prescription-required, that involves the time to set up the appointment, the consultation, and all that other good stuff.

There's also the matter of an individual's skin. Your skin is unique and how it might react to something is different from how someone else's skin might react. Your skin may be tougher than most, or it can be easier to scar than most. Medications are set to a specific formula when they're made.

Finally, you may want to keep in mind not to mix and match your treatments. Drug interaction is a leading cause of side effects, aside from poor interaction with the patient's skin. Skin infections like acne can be made worse if you mix two treatments together, such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. The warning about drug interaction holds true even when you mix together over-the-counter medication and prescription ones, even if the two have ingredients in common.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Acne Solutions

A great deal of money is spent by people trying to find acne solutions that work. Unfortunately, many never find the right acne solution, and their acne either clears up on it's own, or they learn to live with it. You can, however, find an acne solution that will work for you, without spending hundreds or thousands of dollars looking for the cure, by following these simple steps.

1. Make sure that you are washing your face two or three times each day, with clean water and a pure soap, such as Ivory.

2. 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 Grapeseed oil to avoid irritation. Apply the oil before going to bed, 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 has proven to be effective for many people.

3. If the essential oil doesn't work for you, try a good over the counter product, such as ProActiv. It is expensive, but you will spend less money using a product that has been proven to work, than you will buying creams and acne solutions that do not work. Bypass the junk, and go with what has a better chance of working.

4. If ProActiv doesn't work for you, visit an allergist to see if you have any food allergies. Often food allergies will cause acne, and the best acne solution in this case is to eliminate those foods from your diet completely. If a food allergy is causing the acne, not other acne solution should be needed.

5. If there are no food allergies, or eliminating foods did not work, it is time to see a dermatologist. The doctor may prescribe Accutane, which is also expensive. It is taken orally, and may cause side effects, but it has been proven to be quite beneficial in the treatment of acne.

6. If Accutane does not work, talk to your dermatologist about trying Retin-a. Retin-a is used to treat acne, acne scars, wrinkles, skin discolorations, and other scars and skin problems. It is very effective as an acne solution.

The key is to make sure that you give the acne treatments time to work. Give each step at least one month, and possibly more. Some acne treatments will actually make the acne appear to be worse before it starts clearing up. This is perfectly normal, and in most cases, even to be expected.

Don't waste money on cheap acne treatments that don't work. If it worked - it wouldn't be cheap. The cheapest acne solution that has been proven to work is essential oils. Everything that really works after that is expensive, but well worth the price.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Acne Scar Solutions

Acne is a common skin infection that affects over 80% of youth and 5% of adults. When acne eventually heals, it leaves ugly blemishes called acne scars. These become permanent if they are not treated in time. Acne scars are damaging to the ego and personality of an individual, and a lot of time and money has been invested in research to treat this problem.

Acne scars are classified by size, shape and appearance they are identified as Icepick, Boxcar and Rolling. They are also tagged as early or permanent on the basis of their duration. Early scars respond well to topical medications. Permanent scars require surgical intervention. Presently, scars are treated with combinations of topical skin care medications in tandem with carefully selected surgical and skin resurfacing procedures.

At least a half dozen surgical procedures are also performed to repair acne scars. Each has benefits and pitfalls and a surgeon will closely examine the patient’s age, sex, medical history, skin type and type of scarring before agreeing to perform surgery. Cost is also discussed, as it can be quite expensive.

When dermal fillers are used, a surgeon will inject fillers such as collagen and hyaluronic acid derivatives into the skin. This raises the base of the scar to the level of normal skin. The “punch excision” procedure is used in

icepick and boxcar type scars and relies on making incisions in the skin with a punch biopsy tool and stitching the skin edges together. The new scar heals, leaving a clear skin. Punch excision with skin graft replacement is a variant of the punch excision method. Instead of suturing the skin after excision, surgeons use a skin graft to repair the scar. Punch elevation is used on deep boxcar scars that have sharp edges and normal appearing bases. Here the base of the scar is excised and elevated to the surface of the skin. Sutures and glue are used to join the edges together. Subcutaneous Incision is used for treating rolling scars and centers on the use of a special beveled needle that is inserted under the skin and used to cut the binding tissue in the scar. The resulting bruises fade after about 1 week. Laser resurfacing is used to burn the top layer of the skin and reduce it to the same level as the base of the scars.

Prevention is always better than cure. Simple precautions such as avoiding strong sunlight, using medications like tretinoin and alpha hydroxyl acids, avoiding picking scabs, regular exercising and dietary control go a long way in preventing acne scars and saving a lot of embarrassment and expenses.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Acne Scar Treatments For Acne Free Face

Acne, commonly called pimples, is an inflammatory disease of the skin. It is caused by changes in the pilosebaceous. The most common form of acne is known as "acne vulgaris", which means "common acne". The hair folicles are blocked by the combination of oils and dead skin cells. Comedones, papules, pustules, nodules and inflammatory cysts are the different types of acme lesions. They are mainly caused on the face, chest, back, shoulders and upper arms. These acne lesions are inflamed form of pus-filled reddish bumps that appear mainly during adolescence.

There are various factors causing acne. Some of them are the hormonal activities like the menstrual cycle and increased output of hormones from the adrenal glands. Accumulation of dead skin cells, bacteria in the pores, skin irritation or scratching, use of antibiotic steroids, use of medication containing halogens, lithium, barbiturates or androgens, and exposure to high levels of chlorine compounds can also cause acne.

Ace 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.

Acne often leaves a scar behind. There are various scar treatments to remove the mark –

·Dermabrasion – A high-speed rotary wire brush or diamond-coated fraise is used to remove the top layer of the skin to make the scar look less pitted. This is done by a cosmetic surgeon.
·Microdermabrasion – It involves blasting tiny crystals at the skin and rubbing the skin with a rough tool.
·Laser resurfacing – The top layer of the skin is burnt off by a laser.
·Punch excision – A punch tool is used, with the help of which the scar is excised, and the edges are sutured together.
·Chemical peels – Glycolic, salicylic, or lactic are applied to the skin to get a smoother layer in an acid peel.
·Subcision – A deep pool of blood is created under the scar by detaching the scar from deeper tissue. This blood helps form a connective tissue under the scar, thus levelling it with the surface.
·Dermal filler – An injectable filler is used to fill up the scar.

Mantaining a good hygeine with proper diet and medications help to reduce the occurance of acme, thus boosting your confidence level and self esteem.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Acne Program - Step 6 Juices You Should Be Drinking

Drinking fruit juices help to bring vitamins and minerals quickly into your blood where they can supply what is necessary for acne free skin. Minerals quickly neutralize skin acids and bring the skin pH back to normal - slightly acidic.

Fresh juices have antibacterial action and contain digestive enzymes that help you digest protein and fat.

Because of the vitamins, minerals, digestive enzymes, pure water, and nutrients that juices have, they have the power to cleanse your body of toxic wastes.

Here are some juices to drink that will keep your face free of acne.

Apple juice

Drink at least 2 glasses of this juice every day. Apple juice has a high level of minerals and vitamins, which makes it ideal for skin health.

Apricot - berry juice

Mix equal parts of apricot and berry juice and add a little honey to taste. Drink one cup in the morning. Place the other two glasses into a thermos and drink one more glass at noon and one at dinner.

Cherry juice

Cherry juice is a powerful drink, because it has so many minerals. It will make your body more alkaline by neutralizing acid waste in the blood, in the lymph liquid and wherever it goes. It will also help keep you regular.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is one of the best juices you can drink for your skin health. It contains many minerals, which will eliminate acid waste. Lemon juice will help constipation, liver disorders, reduce mucus accumulation, improve digestion, reduce infections, and help to clear skin disorders like acne.

One way I use lemon juice is to squeeze the juice of one lemon into 16 oz water and drink it during the day.

Melons

Melon juice is also an excellent drink for acne. It is almost a perfect food in that it has many vitamins and minerals. It is most helpful with constipation, kidney disorders and skin disorders.

Orange and grapefruit

Prepare half and half of orange and grapefruit juice using a hand juicer. The flavor is extremely tasty. The combination of these two fresh fruits will give you a powerful start in the morning. They will give you a vitamin C boost with plenty of flavanoids and minerals.

These combined fruits will cleanse your intestinal tract, help in blood disorders, liver disorders, lung disorders and skin infections.

Orange and lemon juice

Mix 3 parts of orange juice with one part lemon juice. Add a little water and honey and put into a thermos. Drink the juice all day long for glowing skin.

Lemon juice helps the skin to rejuvenate and grow new skin. It helps the skin to flake off old skin and improve the skin's metabolism.

Other juices to drink

There are many other fruit juices to drink. Here are a few more.

* Peach juice
* Pear juice
* Pineapple juice
* Prune juice
* Strawberry juice

Try to use organic fruit when making your juice. It is better to make your own juices since most bottled juice contain no life force or natural live enzymes. Drink the juices soon after you juice them. If you want, put them in a thermos for later in the day. If you can't make your own juice, the buying bottle juices is second best for clearing your acne.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Acne- Is It Contagious?

Acne is one of the most common disorders that trouble us. Many of us get acne even when we grow up. Acne spoils our looks and affects our confidence. The scars are as bad and make us self-conscious. Can acne be contagious? Should we keep away from acne sufferers?

Acne- is it contagious or not?

For any diseases or condition to be contagious, there has be an agent that is passed on from one person to another. Like in ringworm, where one can pass on the fungus and affect another person. Acne causes have nothing that can be passed on from one person to another. There is nothing that we can catch from others and that will cause acne on our skin.

Acne- Causes-

Acne is caused by the excess production of sebum that is hormonal. The gland block that forms and makes the sebum remain inside is only dead skin and is also caused by hormonal and other unknown reasons. The bacteria P.acnes that inflames the acne is found on the skin of all of us. None of these three reasons for causing acne can be passed on. So acne is not contagious.

Acne- what care should I take to keep it away?

Avoid stress. Whenever you take any hormones or are nearing pregnancy, consult your doctor about acne possibility and prevent it. Keep your top layer of the skin healthy by use of AHA's etc. wash your face twice a day and keep it clean of dirt and oils.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Acne- Know How It Forms And Get Clear Skin

Acne forms near the opening of the sebaceous glands that have hair follicle in them. In normal circumstances, the cells that form the wall of the gland should exfoliate from the pore opening. In certain circumstances these cells become dysfunctional and instead of exfoliating normally, block the pore opening.

In the meantime, the glands keep producing sebum and if hormonal disturbance is present the glands produce sebum at a higher rate. This sebum keeps filling the gland sack and the bacteria called Proprionobacterium acnes (P. acnes) thrive in the atmosphere that is full of sebum and no air. As the bacteria flourishes, the gland gets infected.

At this stage when the bacteria are flourishing and causing inflammation, the gland is producing more sebum and the pore is blocked, the gland becomes very infective and full of dead cells, bacteria, pus and dead skin. This is what we call as a papule or a cyst. The acne grows through different stages and this is the last stage after which the gland ruptures.

Thus acne is not a single stage disease but many causes join together to progressively increase the intensity of acne formation. Teenagers get more acne because the hormonal balance of their body changes during that period. The hormone androgen is normally responsible for accelerating the production of sebum.

Doctors try to intervene during the process of formation of acne and its growth and try to prevent formation of cyst that may scar the skin forever. The same hormonal disturbance is responsible for acne outbreak in some women during their menstrual cycles.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Acne at its Worst - Uncommon Forms Which Can Disfigure

Severe acne can cause physical as well as emotional scars. Although most people stress out over the occasional zit, acne can deliver serious blows to an individual's sense of confidence and self-perception. Acne can cause a person to experience consistently blemished skin that may include pimples, papules, abscesses, cysts, blackheads, whiteheads, and other painful inflammations of the skin. Moreover, acne can be a whole body problem. While most people are seriously afflicted primarily in the facial area, many people also experience considerable blemishing across their back, chest, neck, and other areas of the body.

While most people experience the brunt of acne during the difficult adolescent years, imagine the agony of living with acne well into your middle years. With the stress of modern day living and increased exposure to environmental pollutants, adult acne is becoming a fact of life for many adults. Although most people will only have to deal with transient acne, some will experience far worse. Here is a quick run-down of the most serious forms of acne.

Acne Conglobata (AC) This is a very uncommon form of acne that can produce significant disfiguration. Acne conglobata is characterized by the development of burrows in the skin, along with papules, abscesses, keloidal and atrophic facial scars. Individuals with AC often develop blemishes that appear in clusters of two or three. Cysts are often present that are filled with pus. Nodules may also be present, especially in the area of the back and chest.

Who is more susceptible to acne conglobata? In general, males are more likely to experience AC. Onset of AC usually occurs at a young age, between the ages of 18 and 30. Although no one knows the exact cause of AC, some believe it is caused by a mutation in the XXY karyotype chromosomes. A person with AC may experience extensive scarring and subsequent disfigurement. Because the effects of AC can often be dramatic, individuals afflicted with the skin disorder may be at greater risk of suffering from self-esteem issues, depression, anxiety, and they may feel stigmatized.

Acne Fulminans (AF): Acne fulminans, sometimes referred to as acne maligna, was originally thought to be acne conglobata (AC).

The major characteristics of acne fulminans include sudden onset of ulcerating acne, which may be accompanied by fever and symptoms of polyarthritis. Usually, AF does not respond well to conventional acne treatment, such as antibacterial therapy. The most successful treatments appear to be debridement used in conjunction with steroid therapy.

What causes AF? It appears that acne fulminans is caused by a weakened immune system and increased levels of testosterone and certain anabolic steroids. These high levels of hormones cause an increase in the production and excretion of sebum and the acne-inducing bacteria known as propionibacterium acnes (P acnes). Some skin professionals believe that isotretinoin may also precipitate an eruption of AF.

How can you tell the difference between acne conglobata and acne fulminans? Although the physical symptoms may at first appear identical, AF is usually characterized by the presence of more physical pain. Patients with AF may describe feelings of bone or facial pain, migraines, and fever. Acne conglobata and acne fulminans also differ in the way they are treated. While AC may be treated with conventional anti-acne oral and topical agents, AF typically does not respond well to such treatments. AF responds better to steroid treatments.

Gram-Negative Folliculitis: Gram-negative folliculitis refers to an infection of gram-negative rods that usually occurs after an extended period of antibiotic therapy. Scientists use the word "gram" to describe the blue stain that is used in laboratories. This is often used to locate microscopic organisms. The bacteria that cause gram-negative folliculitis does not stain blue, thus the term 'gram-negative.' The most common forms of bacteria that are believed to cause gram-negative folliculitis include E. coli, serratia marcesoens, pseudomonas aeruginosa, and bacteria's from the proteus and klebsiella species.

How does gram-negative folliculitis differ from regular acne vulgaris? Most cases of gram-negative folliculitis produce less papules and comedones than acne vulgaris. Treatment of gram-negative folliculitis is fortunately much easier to treat than other severe types of acne. In most cases, conventional antibiotic therapy will help clear up gram-negative folliculitis. Isotretinoin may also help clear up this condition.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Acne- Can I Treat My Acne By Removing Surface Oils?

Most of us believe that when we get acne, we must be having oily skin. How can dry skin have acne? We believe that acne and oily skin are inseparable. These ideas are wrong. Removing surface oils and trying to dry the skin to make acne disappear will not work. Unless your skin is oily, no drying will help. With oily skin also , one can only keep the skin dry, but can not treat acne by drying the skin. It may hurt you more. You can treat your acne in other easy ways. Here is how?

Acne and Benzoyl peroxide-

If you have only blackheads or whiteheads, there is nothing better than Benzoyl Peroxide. If that is not suitable for you try salicylic Acid formulations. These are OTC products and if you have patience, they will get rid of your acne. Don't squeeze out your acne. That will enlarge your pores and may scar. Let it dry with the formulations slowly and after some time some discoloration may remain that will go away.

Acne and retinoids-

For severe acne, get antibiotics and retinol creams. The antibiotic will stop the bacteria P.acnes from spreading and retinol will dry the skin and remove the block that is causing sebum to accumulate in your pores and causing acne.

Acne and AHAs-

AHA formulations loosen the dead skin cells and remove them. If you regularly use AHA formulations, your acne may never get a chance to form. Acne forms only if the gland is blocked. AHA opens the gland and may work as a good preventive. Please consult your doctor about the above options.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Acne - Some Alternative Therapies

Zits, pimples, blemishes, breakouts-whatever you call it, acne can be a challenging condition that can be difficult to treat. Acne is very common, with an estimated 80% of all people worldwide expected to suffer from some sort of acne in their lifetime. For those who suffer from the occasional zit, acne is a transient annoyance that is not of much concern most of the time. For others, acne is a daily obsession that can make a serious impact on a person's self-esteem and overall psychological health.

Most people who suffer from acne resort to harsh chemicals and conventional antibiotic therapies to heal their blemishes. Fortunately, more options are available now than ever before. If you are considering seeking out alternative therapies, here is a quick run-down of the latest methods for treating acne.

Blue light therapy: Blue light therapy is aimed at acne patients who have had little success with other treatments. Blue light therapy focuses on eradicating the bacteria that causes most forms of acne, propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes). P. Acnes creates the small molecules known as porphyrins that in turn help produce the bacterium that causes most types of acne inflammation. Blue light therapy works by zeroing in on the porphyrins. Porphyrins that are exposed to the blue light are able to produce free radicals that destroy the P. acnes bacteria.

Blue light therapy is rapidly becoming a popular treatment for acne because it is non-invasive and drug-free way to help heal blemishes. Many topical medications contain strong ingredients that damage sensitive skin, resulting in peeling, redness, and increased sun sensitivity. Blue light therapy is widely regarded as an easy and drug-free alternative to most acne medications. Some individuals have expressed concern over the safety of blue light therapy. In the past, light therapy options have not been considered 100% safe. Past light therapy treatments consisted of ultraviolet light that was harmful to the skin. Fortunately, modern blue light therapy has been FDA approved and is free of UV light.

So how does blue light therapy work? Generally, blue light therapy is administered in gradual increments. A common schedule of treatment might consist of eight sessions given over a period of four weeks. Blue light therapy sessions are short, usually lasting about 15 minutes. Visit a skin specialist or dermatologist to receive more information, or to receive a treatment of blue light therapy.

Another form of light therapy that is used to treat acne is known as pulsed light and heat energy (LHE) therapy. LHE therapy uses both light and heat to eradicate the root causes of acne. Like blue light therapy, LHE therapy uses light to destroy acne-causing bacteria. LHE therapy also uses heat to reduce the production of sebum and to help shrink sebaceous glands. LHE therapy is an attractive option for many acne sufferers because it promises fast results. Usually, improvement in the symptoms of acne can be seen in as early as 30 days. LHE therapy is also becoming popular because it is a fast treatment, with most sessions done in just over 10 minutes. The FDA has approved LHE therapy for the treatment of mild to moderate acne.

While different kinds of light therapies may seem attractive, they can also be expensive, and may not be covered by most health insurances. If you are looking for a therapy that is milder and less expensive, consider many the many herbal therapies that available. Many herbs have been signaled as potentially therapeutic. Some acne sufferers swear by certain herbal supplements, including black currant seed oil and evening primrose oil. Both herbs are recommended to acne sufferers. Try taking three 500-milligram capsules each day to control your acne. It may be helpful to create an herbal diary of sorts, where you can track the herbs you are taking and their efficacy.

Beside herbs, certain vitamins and minerals are also highly recommended for acne sufferers. Vitamin A is perhaps the most important vitamin for the production and maintenance of a healthy complexion. Vitamin A helps control the amount of sebum produced by your skin, and it is also a key vitamin in the production of keratin. Vitamin A is very potent, and must only be taking in controlled doses. Consult your doctor about the appropriate amount of Vitamin A for your situation. Other important 'skin' vitamins are Vitamin B-6 and Vitamin E. An important mineral for the maintenance of a healthy complexion is Zinc. Approximately 30-50 mg of Zinc daily is recommended for acne sufferers.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Acne! Did It Have to Happen Now?

Copyright 2006 Tony Buel

The thought of dating is hard enough for the self-conscious teenager. And now - it couldn't have happened at a worse time - Acne!

Acne is the most common concern of almost all teens all over the world. Nearly every otherwise healthy teenager suffers from acne and all of them detest it. In some, the disgust is so strong as to border on the obsessive. And in still others, unresolved acne problems could very well result in low self esteem and consequent depression. But the good news is that almost all acne is a normal and natural process of growing up. With or without the use of acne treatments, all acne will eventually disappear as the teenagers move on to adolescence and beyond. But almost everyone is eternally on the quest to identify and secure the ultimate acne treatment.

In order to determine the ideal acne treatment, it is essential to understand what causes acne in the first place. Acne is usually caused, not as most people believe due to poor hygiene, but due to hormonal changes in the human body. Some people secrete excessive oil due to the hormonal changes brought on by puberty and this traps dirt and moisture, resulting in blackheads and acne. In some others, acne is brought on by infection or by the blockage of the pores. Still others may have acne as a result of poor diet. But acne treatment is available for all kinds of acne. It would however always be a good idea to consult a dermatologist to determine the cause of acne before trying to go in for self treatment.

There is an unimaginable range of acne treatment available in the market. Just go to any pharmacy or drugstore and you will see shelves upon gleaming shelves of products offering acne treatment. Most of them are generalized acne treatment lotions that may or may not eradicate your problem. But in order to find the best acne treatment, suited to your specific acne, your doctor is the best advisor. Acne treatments differ for various acne. And unless you are able to pin down the cause, you may end up spending a fortune on acne treatments that don't ever seem to work. Some of the more common acne treatments include azelaic acid creams, benzoyl peroxide and Accutane. Other treatments include topical antibiotics and lotions. Still other treatments include glycolic and gluconic acids. But as mentioned earlier, each of these acne treatments works for a particular kind of acne. And the more severe the acne, the more strong the treatment.

The best advice anyone can give you regarding acne treatments is that time is the best healer. But for those who are unwilling to let time be the healer, the pharmacy is their playground. While common treatments could work wonders for some, others will have to go in for prescription drugs.

Know this, the key is to understand your particular case of acne. Only then can you begin to solve the problem. And you will be amazed how quickly you can solve your acne problem once you understand the source of your acne and implement the right strategy to attack it!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Accutane: The Acne Killer?

Acne is the most common skin disorder amongst adolescence and adults alike.It has plagued us for generations and continues to affect us today.

There are four main causes of acne, as stated by the American academy of dermatology. These four causes are hormones, increased sebum production, changes inside hair follicles, and bacteria.An oily substance, called sebum, is secreted by the sebaceous glands when the hair follicles and sebaceous glands are inflamed.An excess amount of sebum can clog the follicles (pours) and eventually leads to bacterial formation and inflammation of the follicles.

Accutane is considered to be the ultimate, end-all medication for eliminating acne.Accutane is used to treat severe cases of acne which have not been healed through conventional antibiotics and topical creams.It is used to control all of the underlying causes of acne by normalizing your follicles, decreasing sebum production, reducing inflammation and limiting the growth of bacteria.

However, there are also many side effects that you should be aware of when choosing to use Accutane as a remedy for acne.Two of the most serious possible side effects associated with taking Accutane include birth defects and serious mental health problems (including suicidal tendencies). There are also many other possible side effects associated with Accutane that you should review with your doctor or health care provider before the use of this medication.

In order to decide whether this treatment is right for you; you should discuss with your doctor how severe your acne is, what other treatments you’ve tried, the possible benefits of accutane, the possible side effects of accutane and any other health related issues that may affect you while taking accutane (i.e. use of antibiotics, depression, etc.)

Take a look at www.acnejournal.com for more information.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Abortion: A Public Health Crisis

Not a few women who have been confronted with the reality of unwanted pregnancy have chosen to resolve their problem through abortion. Abortion is a procedure that makes use of medicine or surgery to remove the embryo or fetus and placenta from the uterus to end a pregnancy. The procedure is usually done by a licensed physician or someone acting under the supervision of a licensed physician.
Research shows that women are just as likely to get an abortion whether it is outlawed or legal. Statistics show that one out of five pregnancies ends in abortion. In a study examining abortion trends from 1995 to 2003, experts also found that abortion rates are virtually equal in rich and poor countries, and that half of all abortions worldwide are done in an unsafe manner.
In spite of the legal status of abortion, it has never dissuaded women who seek to end unwanted pregnancy. Abortion accounts for 13 percent of maternal mortality worldwide. While 70,000 women die every year from unsafe abortions, an additional five million women suffer permanent or temporary injury as a result of this procedure.
Although worldwide, abortion rates have dipped from about 46 million in 1995 to just under 42 million in 2003, the rate of unsafe abortion didn't change at all. In developing countries, the incidence of unsafe abortion continue to rise with nearly half the procedures still performed illegally in potentially dangerous conditions, making it a public health crisis and an assault to human rights.
The increase in contraceptive medication is seen by some sectors as a way to minimize, if not totally eliminate, unsafe abortion. However, while more countries are allowing women to have abortions in a legal way, many women are still receiving medical attention only after a procedure has gone wrong. Women shouldn't have to hurt themselves before they get the necessary medical attention. Unsafe abortion may be defined as a procedure performed by people lacking the required skills or done in an environment that does not conform to the proper medical standards.
The developing world comprised the biggest share of the abortion pie with a figure of about 35 million abortion cases. And nearly 97 percent of all unsafe abortions were in poor countries. In eastern Europe, there are more abortions than live births, or 105 abortions for every 100 live births. In Western Europe, there are 23 abortions for every 100 live births. In North America, there are 33 abortions for every 100 live births, while in Africa, where abortion is illegal in most African states, there are 17 abortions for every 100 live births.
Providing safe abortions depends on a working health-care system. Experts believe that improving access to safe abortion requires improvement on women's health. In the last two decades, there has been little improvement to help women survive pregnancy and childbirth, especially in third world countries due to poverty. While improvement in child health can be done with government support, such as immunization against various diseases, the same cannot be said with improving women's health as funds are restricted from any health services associated with abortion.
Abortion is about making a decision about ending the life of a baby. The debate is still on whether the fetus can be medically considered a human being --- a factor that defines the morality or lack of morality of the choice to undergo an abortion. Indeed, given the very sensitive nature of this procedure , abortion should be considered a very personal decision that requires counseling.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

About Contact Lenses

Working population of today's times have the buying capacity in their hands. They prefer looking good and like to be admired by others. Simplicity itself is no more simple and emerging trends in the fashion world have proved the same. Mixing and matching the eye color with the clothes worn or increasing the face value by changing the tone of eyes in accordance to skin are the latest style statements. Women today are no more afraid to try different shades of eyes like Grey, Blue, Green, Orange and many others. For them different eye colors reflect boldness and carefree attitude that could be easily flaunted.

The most important and probably the most tedious work is that of cleaning the contact lenses. Thanks to manufacturers today cleaning them have become easier with the help of new cleaning solutions flooding the market. But this in any circumstance does not refer to you being careless towards handling of your lenses. Eye is a sensitive region and thus it becomes mandatory to be careful about anything and everything that is associated with them. For women who wear eye makeup the task of cleaning and protecting the lenses becomes even more daunting.

Women who wear eye makeup must be careful about certain things. Here are few tips to make your eyes feel and look good without sticking the makeup in your lenses. Before you put contact lenses in your eyes make sure you have washed your hands thoroughly. This would help you avoid transfer any dirt and germs to the contact lens. You must wear your lenses before applying eye make up this helps avoiding the transfer of any creams, oils and lotions to the lens. Try using non-allergic makeup. There are several brands in market offering eye friendly products. It is better to use cream eye shadow than powder as former would not fall into eyes as compared to latter. However, even creams can be irritating if they make it to your eyes. It is better to make use of water based creams than oil based ones. But if you still have to use powder then close your eyes and brush the excess powder off before opening the eyes. This way you would be able to keep it out of your eyes & protect your lenses. Eye liner must be applied to exterior of eyes than interior while using contact lenses. Avoid mascara however if you wish to apply the same make sure you do it carefully over your eye lashes and not bump the brush in your contact lenses. For removing eye makeup wash your hands throughly and carefully remove the contact lenses without touching any makeup. Now use your eye makeup remover to get rid of it.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

A Whole Body Approach To Fat Loss

Copyright 2006 The Fitness Consulting Group

What’s the Secret to losing bodyfat and keeping it off?

Ask 100 different fitness experts this question, and you’ll probably get 80 or more different answers. That’s one reason why fitness and fat loss gets so darn confusing-everybody seems to have “the answer.”

You’ve got 101 different theories about how to induce fat loss including super-slow training, heart rate training, circuit training, Pilates, yoga principles, high-rep weight training, and aerobics.

When it comes to nutrition, there are even more fad diets than exercise theories. The Atkins Diet, The South Beach Diet, Eat 4 Your Blood Type, Low Fat, Low Carb, Low Calorie, The Zone…even Dr. Phil has a diet book.

Well, I’m going to simplify things for you. Work the whole body each session! No tricky split routines, no bodypart training…just training the body the way it was intended to function, as a whole.

Human movement, stabilization, balance and strength are the results of a whole body approach to strength training. Until recently, the fitness industry had forgotten how to incorporate the entire body in exercise programming.

The human body has over 600 muscles, all intended to work as one complete and complimentary system. Traditional exercise programs have neglected the majority of these muscles by training in a one-dimensional environment. This type of training handicaps the body from performing the way it is designed to function.

Training in a fixed plane environment leads to isolated results, muscle imbalance, and injury. In contrast, the whole body approach to resistance training prepares participants of any fitness level to achieve great improvements in body composition and function better in daily life as well. The three-dimensional environment of training movements, not individual muscles, enables the body to become efficient in both static and dynamic environments. Participants achieve balanced, long lasting, effective results.

This method is fun because it is a whole body approach. The same movement patterns that we used as children (pushing, pulling, twisting, lunging, squatting, stepping and balance in multiple planes) are the core of your approach to fat loss. From beginners to the most advanced exercise fanatic, this approach to fat loss and fitness will provide fun and effective workouts and lasting results.

Full body training is an extremely effective way to loose weight as involves dynamic, whole body movement that increase caloric expenditure. Training movements instead of individual muscles can also help change body composition by increasing muscle mass, increasing growth hormone output, raising metabolism, maximizing caloric output, and ultimately decreasing body fat.

Now, regardless of how great your workout is, food intake is the key factor that will either make you or brake you as far as fat loss goes. The only way that the human body drops body fat is by being in what is called a calorie deficit. This brings us back to LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS. Remember, I’ll say it one more time...this law states that if you eat more calories in a day than you burn you will gain fat, if you burn more calories in a day than you eat you will lose fat, and if you eat the same amount of calories in a day as you burn you will remain constant. This is a law!!!! It is as true as the law of gravity and it is how the body works. Knowing this, it is simple. If you want to lose fat you need to adjust you daily calorie intake so that you are into a calorie deficit. You need to get your calorie count low enough to begin fat loss, but at the same time keeping it high enough to remain healthy. The second step to optimizing you food intake is by spreading your food out evenly throughout the day. Ideally, you want to be on a five meal per day plan. By spreading your calories evenly through five small meals your metabolism works its best for you. When you constantly give your body food with small meals your body does not feel the need to store fat. On the contrary when eating large, infrequent meals your body feels the need to store some food as fat for it is unsure as to when it will be fed again. Get on a scheduled meal plan that your body will respond to. Five meals a day, approximately three hours apart works great. A healthy start point for you protein, carbohydrate, and fat ratio’s is 25% of you food coming from protein, 60% of your food coming from carbohydrate, and 15% of your food intake coming from fats.

Now, I’m going to give you an industry secret. A lot of personal trainers out there are gonna be upset with me for it is too valuable to give away, but I’m going do it any way. If you want to lose fat and you are unsure of how many calories you are supposed to eat and are not in a position to hire professional assistance, barring any medical conditions, a simple formula to follow is this. Take your body weight and add a zero on the end. Use that as your general guideline, split the number evenly among five meals per day and your body should be in a calorie deficit. For example if you weigh 180lbs., add a zero, your now at 1800 calories. Divide that over five meals per day, your eating 360 calories per meal. Keeping each meal balanced approximately 60% carbs, 25% proteins, 15% fat, you are eating in a healthy way to lose weight. It works!! Note, if you have any medical conditions always consult with your physician first. How quickly will you see results? Although results will vary with each individual, full body training coupled with a proper nutrition program will help you achieve greater results than most other programs in less time. The results can come quicker and be longer lasting.

Friday, January 14, 2011

A Wealth Of Knowledge In Aromatherapy Books

Albert Camus once said, “The true university of these days is a collection of books”. So true were his words. You may not have visited once the schools or colleges, yet you can gain knowledge of a field if you have made books your friend. So if you want to excel in the practice of aromatherapy, just go through the aromatherapy books. Aromatherapy books are widely available and save you time and money that you would have spent on any course that teaches aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy is being practiced from the ancient days. The roman and Egyptian civilizations were known to make use of essential oils to cure their common illnesses and also used it as a skin and hair care component. In India too, Ayurveda was exercised as a natural method of healing, both mentally and physically. The knowledge of the ages has been compiled in several books.

Earlier, these aromatherapy books remained confined to the place of their birth. However, with the efforts of some scholars, these books, which were earlier in the dark, have come to the notice of people the world over.

And no, you do not have to be conversant with Latin or Sanskrit to read these aromatherapy books; neither do you have to dabble with Arabic to understand the depths of knowledge in these aromatherapy books. Quite a large number of these books have been translated in English and other popular languages.

Many aromatherapy books have been written by contemporary authors as well. New researches and surveys have been included in these books. Some tried and tested aromatherapy exercises, certain myths, and many such information can be easily found in the aromatherapy books.

These are also easily available in all bookstores. So, when coming from your office or during weekends, just get down at a good bookstore. Here you will find such a large collection of books in this segment that you will find it hard to make any buying decision. Alternatively, visit your nearest library. You would surely get your hands on your choice aromatherapy book.

For those of you who find themselves deficient in time, and find that searching for the books in bookstores and libraries is too arduous a task, you have online bookstores for help. With an internet connection in your home or office, you can access all the books that are available on the World Wide Web. If before buying, you want to go through reviews of it then also internet can help. Just browse through the various reviews searched just for you. One can also purchase his choice aromatherapy books through the online shopping facility. You can either pay by your credit card or pay at the time of delivery.

So, what are you waiting for? Peruse through the aromatherapy books and surprise your friends with the knowledge of aromatherapy.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

A Successful Weight Loss Diet Starts from the Inside

If you're like most women, you've been on a million weight loss diets, from Weight Watchers and Atkins to South Beach and celeb diets. You voraciously read magazines for their weight loss tips and gravitate toward the headlines that promise you can lose weight fast. The chances are good that you have, indeed, lost weight on many of these diets, but the chances are even better that you've gained it all back - plus some. Your skinny jeans become your tight jeans, and then they get tucked in the back of your closet, along with your fantasies of becoming a size 0.

Weight Loss Diet Failure

You've probably bought into the propaganda that says you've failed at dieting; a different - and more accurate - way of looking at it is that the weight loss diet has failed you. That's because most diets focus on short-term changes that result in temporary weight loss, but never tackle the underlying factors that make you put on the pounds to begin with. In other words, they focus only on the "outside" problem - your body - and neglect everything below the surface - your emotions, your intellect, and your relationships.

A diet for summer might work for swimsuit season, but if you don't strengthen your foundations before you lose weight, those Diesel skinny jeans won't fit when fall rolls around.

Turning Failure into Success

In order to lose weight and keep it off, you need a guide who will lead you on an exploratory journey to discover the power and control that you possess. Then, you need to be taught how to harness those powers to achieve all that you want in life - including fitting into your skinny jeans.

You may have been told - either verbally or through insidious advertisements - that if you don't have power over your eating, you have no power at all. Nothing could be further from the truth. Every woman is magnificent, and every woman has mental powers, emotional powers, social powers and physical powers just waiting to be tapped. When you heal your past wounds, and recognize and reinforce the power within you, you have laid the foundation for permanent weight loss.

Practical and Fun

If a weight loss diet is a drag, you'll never succeed in reaching your goals. On the other hand, if you have an empowering program to follow that is also practical and fun, you hold the keys to success. In fact, you can even drop a whole size in two weeks.

The "secret" - if you want to call it that - is to adopt a well-tested exercise program that can instantly fit into your lifestyle. Remember, the success lies in simplicity, clarity, and practicality. Then, you need to adopt an eating plan that works synergistically with your exercise plan to build on the foundation of the inner work you have done in order to embrace your personal power.

Remember that, with the right guide, you can do more than go on yet another weight loss diet; you can truly win in all areas of your life and achieve an outer beauty than matches your inner beauty.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

A Step-by-Step Guide to Medicare Part D’s Prescription Drug Plan

By May 15 of this year, if you haven’t signed up for the program, you could end up without drug coverage, or have to pay the penalty for applying after the deadline. The penalty is a 1% increase in your premium for each month after May 2006 in which you don’t enroll.

The following is a step-by-step guide designed to get down to the basics of Medicare Part D, cut through the jargon, and tells you exactly what you need to know.

Step #1: Eligibility. Are you eligible for Medicare’s new prescription drug plan? Simply put, if you are eligible for Medicare Part A or Part B, you are eligible for Part D.

Step #2: Cost. What will Medicare Part D cost you? For drug expenses in the range of $0-$250, you pay 100% of the cost. When and if your costs fall between $250-$2,250, the plan pays for 75%, and you pay for 25%.

At this point, the infamous coverage gap, often referred to as the "donut hole," comes into play. Essentially, if your total drug costs, which include what you and the plan pay for prescriptions, exceed $2,250 per year, you pay 100% of your drug costs after that point until you reach $3,600 in out-of-pocket expenses (total $5,100 in drug costs). But after you escape from the "donut hole," you only have to pay for 5% of your drug costs.

What you pay also includes the usual insurance costs associated with a drug plan. If you do not qualify for extra help, you will pay: monthly premiums, a yearly deductible, and co-pay or co-insurance for each prescription.

If you qualify for extra help due to a limited income, you will pay: low or no monthly premiums, low or no yearly deductible, low or no co-pay or co-insurance for each prescription, and you don’t have to worry about the coverage gap.

Through Medicare’s prescription drug plan, you must choose drug coverage from one of the many private plans made available for the purpose of Medicare Part D. This is usually the point at which people become the most confused. There is a wide range of plans from which to choose, and in the end, the right one for you depends on your unique circumstances. Search for the plan that offers the lowest total costs for the year, including your premiums, deductibles, co-payments or co-insurance for each prescription, and any drug costs you pay during the coverage gap.

To best compare the available plans, visit the http://www.medicare.gov prescription drug plan finder.

Step #3: Drugs Covered. Choosing an insurance plan also requires that you make a selection based on the specific drugs you need. The list of drugs covered is called a formulary. So when determining which plan is best for you, cost is only one consideration - you must also make a choice based on the type of drugs covered. Generic and brand name drugs are included in the formularies, but if a drug you take is not on the list, you will either have to pay for it in full, or switch to a similar drug that is covered by the plan.

Step #4: Joining. Signing up for a plan is, luckily, easier than you may think. You can either sign up through the plan’s website or through Medicare.gov. Another option: call the company offering the plan you desire, or call Medicare directly.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

A Quick Guide to Hypnotherapy

Hypnosis has been around for thousands of years. From ancient Egyptian times even through today, hypnotism has been used in religion, medicine, mental therapy, and even entertainment. Patients often undergo hypnosis to help release stress or to overcome certain challenges in their lives such as smoking habits, obesity, anorexia, bulimia, insomnia, depression, and other conditions.

Hypnotherapy is similar to psychotherapy except it is undertaken when the patient is in a state of hypnosis. Hypnotherapy is meant to help modify the patient's behavior, attitude, and emotional state for positive life changes. Hypnotherapy is usually performed by a professional hypnotherapist. In many cases, the hypnotherapist will train the patient in self-hypnosis so the patient can benefit from hypnotherapy at any time when needed.

What Happens During Hypnosis?

Before the actual hypnosis begins, both the patient and the trained hypnotherapist agree to the process. Hypnosis cannot be forced on the patient. There will usually be an informal talk between the two with questions and answers as well as an explanation of what is about to take place.

Next is the actual hypnosis. The hypnotherapist leads with his or her voice to gently guide the patient into a state of relaxation in mind and body. The patient may appear to be asleep, but is awake enough to be aware of what's going on - especially in the parts of the mind that can effect beneficial changes. The patient is led into comforting, pleasant thoughts and begins to daydream about happy times or hopes for the future.

When under hypnosis, the patient often feels very relaxed. It's similar to the warm comfort of a bed when one is very sleepy. The patient can terminate the session at any time if he or she begins to feel uncomfortable. When the session ends, the patient is able to ask questions and discuss the experience of hypnosis.

Hypnosis Today

Today, there are many different ways people can enjoy the benefits of hypnotherapy. They don't even have to leave their homes to take advantage of hypnosis. There are Internet sites that offer guides and tips on hypnosis, along with hypnosis training for those who want to become a trained hypnotist.

For self-hypnosis, there are great products available online, such as hypnosis MP3s and hypnosis CDs. With these tools, a person is able to enjoy the long-term benefits of hypnosis without paying high costs to visit a trained hypnotherapist.

These products are very helpful when times of stress arise or when you just needs a boost of self-confidence. They are fast, easy, safe and effective tools to help you tackle common life situations. On hypnosis MP3s and hypnosis CDs, the messages are positive and subliminal, offering exact trance-inducing frequencies. The hypnosis MP3 files are downloadable onto an iPod or MP3 player so you can take it with you wherever they go.

Hypnosis and hypnotherapy are not cure-all solutions, but they can be helpful in renewing your positive outlook on life and learning to overcome obstacles.

Monday, January 10, 2011

A New Way to Battle Fatigue

About 20% of adults experience excessive fatigue that impairs their ability to function well at work and at home. Some are able to bounce back after taking a short respite from work or by taking some medication. But there is a significant number of people whose stressful experiences last longer that usual. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) affects at least 800,000 people in the United States. This disabling fatigue usually persists for as long as six months or even longer. The eight common CFS symptoms include muscle pain, joint pain, memory gaps or loss of concentration, sleeplessness, headaches, sore throat, and unusual fatigue after exercise.

Many people deal with fatigue and everyday stress by taking vitamin and mineral supplements. Vitamins and minerals are necessary to maintain the many biological processes that take place inside our bodies. Mental alertness, proper digestion, and resistance to bacterial and viral infections are dependent on the proper working of internal organs which are, in turn, dependent on nutrients that come from the food and beverages we consume.

Our bodies need carbohydrates, fats, and proteins to speed up chemical reactions and allow our internal organs to function. Like a machine, nutrients from food serve as fuel. These nutrients are the very foundations of good health. However, due to our polluted environment and the toxins found in the food we eat, sickness and muscle fatigue can no longer be totally eradicated. All human beings eventually get sick and require medical treatment as well as supplements during the recuperation stage.

In this day and age, it has become necessary to supplement our daily meals with vitamins, minerals, and even herbal preparations in order to have optimum health and nutrition. These are only some of the vitamins and minerals that should be consumed daily in order to sustain health:

l Vitamin E – This vitamin can be found in plain yogurt, rice milk, calcium-fortified soy, kale, nonfat milk, cheddar cheese, turnip greens, cottage cheese and spinach. Vitamin E is an anti-oxidant that helps prevent cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure. It also promotes good skin complexion; enhances sexual performance; and helps alleviate fatigue.

l Vitamin A – This vitamin helps prevent cancer, heart disease, and eye problems. It also helps repair skin cells and promotes the formation of bones and teeth. It plays a big part in the functioning of the entire immune system. This vitamin can be found in cheddar cheese, steamed or raw carrots, fortified skimmed milk, cantaloupe, spinach, mangoes, and peaches.

l Vitamin K - This vitamin is vital in bone mineralization, cellular growth, and the prevention of hardening of the arteries. This can be found in broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, beef and sprouts.

l Vitamin D - This vitamin is needed to absorb calcium and phosphorus, which, in turn, are needed for the normal development of the bones and teeth. Getting enough of this particular vitamin helps protect women against osteoporosis. Vitamin D-rich foods include salmon and fortified milk. Sunlight is also a good source of Vitamin D.

l MAGNESIUM – This mineral is needed for protein and bone formation. Magnesium gives us energy and helps prevent muscle spasms. Dark green and leafy vegetables such as spinach, grains,legumes and black-eyed peas are rich sources of magnesium.

l CALCIUM - This mineral is vital for proper bone and teeth development.

l POTASSIUM – It is a mineral that maintains fluid balance, sends nerve impulses, and releases energy. You can get this from potatoes, fish, yogurt, carrot juice, dried potatoes, citrus juices, and bananas.

There are other nutrients that should be included as part of our daily food intake. Vitamin C, iodine, dietary fiber must be consumed every day. Filling these nutritional gaps is easy if you practice good eating habits and eat the right types of food. Indeed, taking multivitamins will go a long, long way in boosting your energy levels and over-all health.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

A Low Carb Diet Worked For Me

There has been a lot of talk in recent years about the important of cutting out carbohydrates, or carbs, from a normal diet. I cannot tell you how many articles I have read and how many news clips I have watched about the benefits of a low-carb eating plan. Frankly, I'm a little tired of hearing all the reasons that I should alter what I eat. I'm sick of hearing about all of the consequences if I don't make these changes. I do not, therefore, want to attempt to convince anyone reading to make the change to a low-carb diet. I simply want to share that changing to a low-carb diet completely worked for me and my lifestyle.

I cannot remember exactly what it was that led me to taking the plunge into the world of low-carb for myself. I think perhaps I was just tired of being overweight and of feeling lethargic all the time. I guess it is true that life has to get really bad and that we have to want to make changes before we actually will. My physical health got bad enough that I really desired to make changes. So I spent a few afternoons at my local bookstore and came away with a few books that seemed the most reasonable and the most helpful at the end of my search. One of them was all about going low-carb.

I was leery of going low-carb for one main reason: I liked carbs and most foods that were carb-filled a lot. I liked eating breads, pastries, sandwiches, cookies and many other carb-friendly things. I knew that if I attempted to cut back on carbs it would really alter my diet. It took me a few days of debating before I came to realize that yes, I did want to try the low-carb plan and see if it worked.

I began my trial of low-carb eating by going through my pantry and refrigerator and tossing out everything that went against what the low-carb book said I should be eating. I was amazed at how little was left. Only at that moment did I truly see how unbalanced my diet had been. I went to the store and replaced the carbs with fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean protein foods. I picked up a couple of whole-grain items to fulfill the small amount of carbs I was supposed to be eating.

This marked the beginning of a sixty day trial eating a low-carb diet. Within days I was shocked by how different I felt and by how much my cravings had changed. Sixty days after I started my low-carb diet I was many pounds lighter, full of more energy, and I looked better than I had in a decade. So, take this for what it's worth. I'm not saying you should do a low-carb eating plan. I'm simply saying that doing a low-carb plan radically changed my life.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Acne Program - Step 9 Protein and 0ther Food to Eat

Title:
Acne Program - Step 9 Protein and 0ther Food to Eat

Word Count:
561

Summary:
Eating the right kind of food is what can give you a strong immune system and help you prevent sickness and all kinds of skin blemishes including acne.

Here are some of the foods that can help you overcome the acne on your face or throughout your body.


Keywords:
acne, skin, protein


Article Body:
Eating the right kind of food is what can give you a strong immune system and help you prevent sickness and all kinds of skin blemishes including acne.

Here are some of the foods that can help you overcome the acne on your face or throughout your body.

Protein

Eating excess meat is harmful to your health. Eating too much meat, more than 2-4 ounces per day, has been found to contribute to narrowing of the arteries.

If you do physical labor and are involved in a lot of movement in your work, then you should eat more than 2-4 ounces of protein per day. Just make sure that the meat has a minimum of additives and preservatives.

Remember, meat is high in saturated fat, which blocks the activity of EPA and DHA, which produce prostaglandin and control the activity of your hormones.

Meat and bread is a big contributor to creating constipation. Meat is difficult to digest and many times it will get into the colon partial digested. This condition benefits the bad bacteria and allows them to dominate the colon and create constipation.

Because meat and bread have little fiber, they move slowly in the colon, which leads to constipation and eventually to some type of colon inflammation.

Bad bacteria, decaying meat and other undigested food contribute to the build up of toxic matter in the colon. This is the type of condition you should try to avoid, if you have acne. You need fecal matter in the colon to move regularly and out the rectum, otherwise, toxic matter will build up and end up in your blood stream

Here are the grains you should be eating:

* Brown rice – contain many amino acids that help rebuild skin tissue

* Whole grains – contain folic acid, magnesium, and vitamin E, B vitamins, minerals, and fiber

* Oats – use them in the morning with honey or raisins. Oats have an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin and help to keep you regular.

Seeds and nuts

* Almonds - Almonds contain protein, the B vitamins, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Use them as a snack. These small nuts help to build muscles and tissue.

* Flax seeds – These seeds are known for containing plenty of omega 3 oil, an essential oil for life. They also contain fiber when used ground up and put into smoothies. Omega 3 is also an anti-inflammatory oil, which is good for acne.

* Pecans – This is one of the good nuts to eat. It contains Vitamin A, B’s, C, calcium, iron, phosphorus, and potassium. Use them as a snack.

* Pine nuts – these nuts also one of the best to eat. They contain vitamin A, C, B’s, protein and iron.

* Sesame seeds – They are high in calcium, phosphorus, and potassium. They are helpful in relieving various skin diseases such as acne by reducing the swelling.

* Sunflower seeds – These seeds should be used as a snack. They are high in protein, calcium and vitamin A. They provide nutrients for building the whole body and are good for dry skin.

All of these nuts and seeds should be eaten raw. Heating and other processing will kill the life force of the nut or seed and also reduce the quantity of the vitamins and minerals.

Eat these nuts and seeds as snacks. Sesame seeds, sunflower, and flax seeds can be put directly into your blender as you make your smoothies.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Acne Program - Step 5: Foods to Stop Eating

Even though many dermatologist and doctors don't see the connection between your diet, constipation, a toxic colon, and a toxic liver with the acne that you are suffering from, it does not mean the food you eat is not important in clearing your acne.

If the doctors were right about food and the colon, then they would easily be able to help you clear your acne with their drugs. Drugs can give you temporary relief, it they work at all, but as you use them they can also give you some unpleasant side effects.

In her book, Food And Healing, 1986, Annemarie Colbin, points out,

"In a systems view of the body, input of all kinds relates to output of all kinds. Food, therefore, would have a definite relationship to matter pushed out through the skin. I am continually amazed that dermatologists persist in viewing the skin as merely a protective envelope for the body, ascribing its eruptions to 'viruses' and imprecise malfunctions and supporting the myth that 'diet has nothing to do with acne.'

In my experience, diet has everything to do with acne. Not only did I fix my own bad skin through correct eating but I have seen among my students a number of severe cases - the large purplish kind of acne on cheeks and chins - completely cured within three months by a change of diet."

Foods to Stop Eating

If you smoke, drink alcohol or drink coffee, then this program will not work too well for you. When you have these addictions, your body's minerals and vitamins will be out of balance and it will be difficult for you to achieve any state of good health.

So, here are they foods that you need to stop eating. You don't need to stop eating these foods instantly. Not many people can do this. You need to do this gradually. I know it will be hard to stop eating some of these foods that you have enjoyed, over the years, but you have to ask yourself the question,

"Which do I want to be …Acne free or a junk food addict?"

The choice is yours and I know you will make the right decision so here is the list,

* White Bread - This is considered junk food since it is void of any vitality for your body. It is hard to digest and causes constipation
* Chocolate - some chocolates are better than others. Those that have saturated fats such milk, butter and sugars are not good for your health and definitely not good for your skin.
* Fried Fatty foods - fried foods, butter, chesses, beef,
* Foods in packages - All foods in packages or boxes are junk food. They are considered dead food and provide no life force to your body. They take from you because they use up minerals, vitamins, and digestive enzymes during digestion. They contain no fiber so they cause constipation.
* Foods with artificial flavors and preservatives - These are non-foods that are super toxic. Your body does not know what to do with them so it stores them in your body as toxic waste.
* Milk, ice cream, hard chesses - these foods cause allergies and cause mucus to form. This mucus coats the colon and other internal surfaces and interferes with the function of that area. Bacteria and other pathogens enjoy living in the mucus film. This mucus also tries to escape through the face when you have too much of it in the body. If you cannot digest dairy products, this can cause you to have acne.
* Sodas are the worst drink you can take. They contain plenty of sugar and phosphoric acid.
* Sugar is considered a white poison. It creates so many health problems in the body that the FDA should outlaw it.
* Salt - avoid salt only because it has iodine. Iodine has been shown to cause acne.
* Excess Vitamin B12 - can aggravate or produce acne.

There you have it. It takes a lot of will power and desire to change your diet. It can be done but do it slowly. Start changing your diet and see where you're at in 6 months.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Acne Laser Treatment Program

The advancement of laser treatment and technology has brought therapy into the new century and is the suggested treatment for acne and acne scarring. In most cases this laser therapy is not covered by insurance and also the acne can come back even after treatment. - Additional research is needed before laser therapy can be recommended as a treatment for acne, according to a study. Other treatments Recent advances in acne treatment include light and laser therapy, and chemical peels.

Laser therapy is an appealing treatment for acne: no messy creams, no drugs and minimal risk of side effects. Although approved to treat acne scarring, Pulsed dye laser therapy is also being used for the treatment of active inflammatory acne vulgaris. More research is needed before this laser therapy may be recommended as an acne treatment." Pulsed-dye laser treatment for inflammatory acne vulgarisOctober 2003. Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of pulsed dye laser therapy in the treatment of acne. More research is needed before this laser therapy may be recommended as an acne treatment. The study authors concluded, "More research is needed before this laser therapy may be recommended as an acne treatment".

Previous studies have indicated that light therapy and laser treatment can actually improve acne. Successful removal by ruby laser of darkened ink after ruby laser treatment of mismatched tattoos for acne scars. The laser treatment program for acne scar removal is somewhat different than acne laser treatment. produces advanced pulsed light and laser systems for treatment of hair removal, leg veins, acne, and pigmented and vascular lesion removal. Excellent waxing services (using a very high-grade, mint oil-infused stripless wax), top-notch laser hair removal, acne laser treatments and skin rejuvenation. skin resurfacing, laser wrinkle removal, vein treatment, acne removal, birth mark removal ...

With laser acne scar treatment, the focus is on developing new collagen in the lower layer of skin. When an acne patient faces pitting, or deep holes, in the skin as a result of acne, there is a treatment called laser resurfacing. This assists in better evaluation of your skin and for more effective acne laser spectrum light treatments. The CO2 laser vaporizes thin layers of the skin and tightens collagen fibers, which makes it an appropriate treatment for depressed acne scars.

Most acne blemish laser treatment methods are painless and effective, but they also come at a noticeable price. A successful acne blemish laser treatment may include various types of laser exposure such as carbon dioxide lasers or nonablative lasers. The Carbon Dioxide laser is also known to produce higher levels of pigmentation during the acne blemish laser treatment . one of the best methods for acne blemish laser treatment. The Carbon Dioxide laser is also known to produce higher levels of pigmentation during the acne blemish laser treatment. Patients of acne blemish laser treatment use creams to numb the area where the laser will be applied, so the process is virtually painless.

V-Beam (Pulsed Dye Laser) is commonly used for the treatment of red acne scars, stretch marks and keloids, which are thickened scar tissue. Here you will find information about acne laser scar treatment. The Er:YAG laser should be reserved for sculpting of individual scar edges and treatment of mild acne scars. Scar Treatment Another option for the use of acne laser treatment is that in which the acne scars can be removed.

Pulsed-dye laser treatment for inflammatory acne vulgaris: randomised controlled trial. Pulsed-dye laser treatment for inflammatory acne vulgaris: Randomised controlled trial. Pulsed-dye laser treatment for inflammatory acne vulgaris: randomized controlled trial. However, few randomized, controlled clinical trials have examined the value of lasers for treating acne and none show conclusively whether the treatments actually work.
http://www.acne-proactive-treatment.com/acne-laser-treatment/

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Acne Cysts And Their Treatment

Deep cysts, inflammation, extensive damage to the skin and scarring characterize severe acne. It often requires an aggressive treatment regimen and should be treated by a dermatologist. Severe forms of acne can require years of treatment and may experience one or more treatment failures. However, almost every case of acne can be successfully treated. There are five popular treatments for acne cysts. There are many effective treatments that are available currently. Drainage and surgical excision, inner lesion corticosteroid injection, isotretinoin (a potent drug for treating severe cystic acne), oral antibiotics, and oral contraceptives are the most popular treatments. Some people may choose a more natural treatment for severe acne, which will also be covered briefly in this article.

Drainage and extraction, or acne surgery as it is also called, should not be performed by patients and is used on some large cysts that do not respond to medication and require drainage and extraction. Dermatologists are trained in the proper technique and perform acne surgery under sterile conditions. Patient attempts to drain and extract acne cysts, by squeezing or picking, can lead to infection, worsening of the acne and scarring. When an acne cyst becomes severely inflamed, there is a good chance it will rupture and scarring will occur. To treat these severely inflamed cysts and prevent scarring, dermatologists may inject such cysts with a diluted corticosteroid. This lessens the inflammation and promotes healing of the acne cyst. An inner lesion corticosteroid injection works by melting the cyst over the course of a few days.

Isotretinoin is the most effective treatment known today for severe acne and acne that is resistant to other medications and treatments. Isotretinoin is a form of vitamin A, a synthetic creation, which comes in a pill form. It is administered once or twice a day for anywhere from sixteen to twenty weeks total. There are many possible side effects that may occur while undergoing this therapy. Possible side effects include severe pain in the chest or abdomen, trouble swallowing or painful swallowing, severe headache, blurred vision or dizziness, bone and joint pain, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea or rectal bleeding, depression, dryness of the skin, eyes and nose, and thinning hair. While taking isotretinoin patients are monitored closely by their healthcare provider through follow up appointments.

Oral antibiotics have been a basis of therapy for severe acne for many years. Like topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics work to reduce the "P. acnes". "P. Acnes" are normal residents on the skin, which decreases inflammation. Treatment with oral antibiotics usually begins with a high dosage, which is eventually reduced as the acne resolves. Over time, the "P. acnes" bacteria can become resistant to the treatment. When resistance occurs, another antibiotic can be prescribed or other treatment options may need to be explored.

Oral contraceptives have been shown to effectively clear acne in women by suppressing the overactive sebaceous glands. Oral contraceptives can be used as long-term acne therapy; however, this medication should not be prescribed to women who smoke, have a blood clotting disorder, are older than thirty-five or have a history of migraine headaches, without the advice of a gynecologist. Spironolactone, a synthetic steroid, may be used in combination with oral contraceptives to treat acne in adult females. Spironolactone inhibits androgen, hormones that stimulate oil glands in addition to other effects on the body, production. There are possible side effects that may accompany Spironolactone treatment. A few side affects include irregular menstruation, breast tenderness, headache and fatigue.

Some people choose more natural ways to combat cystic acne. Some natural treatments are eating a whole foods diet that consists of only natural foods that have not been chemically or mechanically processed. Yoga or deep relaxation techniques may be used to reduce the amount of stress that is put on the body and the mind. Essential oils are another natural treatment that may be added to the diet of sufferers of severe acne. These are just a few of the natural methods of treatment for cystic acne. No matter what method of treatment you decide to try you should always consult a professional, whether it is your dermatologist or an herbalist. Your doctor should be able to refer you to a board certified dermatologist if needed.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Acne Cure For Sure!

If you are already tired of your acne, you may resort to finding expensive acne treatments or you may try some surgical procedures. But these things are so expensive and you don’t know if both will be successful.

Here are some easy tips for acne cure and avoidance:

1. Regular Exercise

Regular exercise can help in acne cure by fighting off negative stress intensity that can come from negative confidence and depression. But avoid wearing tight 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. Using Safe Cosmetics

To avoid the clogging of pore and skin irritations that can contribute to acne, use products labeled "oil-free". Select "hypo-allergenic" perfumes and cosmetics to avoid allergic reactions and skin irritation. This may be the best acne cure for women.

3. Have a Healthy Diet

What is best for your body is best for your skin. Don’t forget to eat the right kind of foods that are less in oil and carbohydrates Make sure you get enough vitamins and minerals that have been recommended to prevent and help acne cure. Some of these vitamins and minerals are Vitamin A or Retinol (High doses are toxic), Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, L-Carnitine, and Zinc.

Don’t forget to eat the right kind of foods that are less in oil and carbohydrates.

4. Drinking plenty of fluids

Drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day helps cleanse our body internally. We know that acne cure can start from within. Fluids, especially water, can wash away the dirt inside our body.

5. Hormonal Treatments and Healthy Skin Regimen
Hormones during later years, especially for women, can play a role in acne cure and prevention for teen years. For adults oral contraceptives or hormonal birth control pills may be helpful for women, combined with systemic or current treatments, prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Avoiding harsh scrubbing or over-washing is a good acne cure, 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.

6. Shaving

Shaving is actually an excellent way of exfoliating or removing dead skin to help acne cure and prevention instead of leaving the remains to clog pores. Shaving can help remove whiteheads and blackheads from the face. Do not shave areas that are sore or infected. Use a shaving cream for sensitive skin. Gentle swipes instead of heavy pressure and go with the flow or "grain" will be good for the skin. A single-edged blade is better than a twin-blade razor.

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 worry, fear, low self-esteem, depression and a variety of other emotions, can trigger chemical reactions inside your body that can result in acne outbreak and other skin irritations. To combat internal stressors and prevent acne problems, get plenty of rest and sleep. Try to maintain regular hours.

These are just some ways of acne cure that can help prevent acne outbreak in teens and adults. Always remember that healthy living is the key for a healthy skin.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Acne and Solutions

Acne

Acne is a common inflammatory skin disease that mainly affects the face, neck, chest and upper back. It is caused by an interaction between Hormones, bacteria and sebum produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin. Symptoms show as comedones (pimples), pustiles (lessions filled with pus) and occasionally Cysts. Acne is traditionally thought to developat Puberty but many women have acne throughtout life or it may develop in adulthood. It can develop premenstrually or may be associated with the talking or stoping of Oral Contraceptive Pills. This is possible caused by changing hormone levels.

Treatment for acne depends on severity. Mild cases may be eased by washing the face with a gental toilet soap or by drying agents such as benzoyl peroxide. Severe acne may need oral treatment with antibiotics such as tetracycline or hormone therapy such as dianette, which also act as a contraceptive.

Acne is the term for plugged pores, pimples, and even deeper lumps that occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and even the upper arms. No one factor causes acne. As physicians understand it, acne happens when oil (sebaceous) glands come to life around puberty, when these glands are stimulated by male hormones that are produced in the adrenal glands of both boys and girls.
Welcome to Acne Treatment Care.com

We have compiled and consolidated latest information on Acne, acne causes, acne treatment, acne symptoms with lots of home remedies for acne cure.
Some Important Facts about acne

* Anything that stimulates the growth of skin cells, such as scrubbing, can block ducts. You should simply wash the affected area with mild, un medicated soap once or twice a day, and dry gently.
* Hot, humid weather causes skin cells to swell and thus increases the chance of blocked ducts. This is why face-steaming treatments are useless or even harmful.
* Acne is definitely stress-related, so you are more likely to have a flare-up when you are under physical or emotional strain.
* Some women notice an outbreak before periods, probably due to female hormones being converted in the body to male hormones.
* You must avoid picking or squeezing, which may force more sebum into deep skin layers and increase inflammation. Fingers may also intro-duce infection.
* Fresh air and a little exposure to the sun may help some acne, but too much sun causes skin inflammation, which worsens it. Sun should be totally avoided during some treatments: your doctor, pharmacist or instructions with the medication will warn you about this.
* Disguising an unsightly spot with a water-based cover cream will not aggravate the condition and is good for your morale.
* Oily applications to affected skin usually worsen things.

Very severe acne can be treated using a derivation of VITAMIN A, called tretimoin or Retin-A. This cream is applied each night and takes about 3 weeks to be effective. An oral version called Roaccutane is very good against severe acne but carries serious risks of foetal abnormality during PREGNANCY. This drug is carefully monitored for any side-effects in the patient but can be of considereable benefit, and the effects of treatment can last for a long time.

Acne Treatment Care

All acne can be improved, and sometimes it can be completely cleared up. Mild to moderate acne is usually remedied by over the counter pharmaceutical products that help to prevent
blockage of sebaceous ducts. The manufacturer's instructions should be followed carefully. For more marked and persistent acne see your doctor, who may prescribe medication. Severe acne may need to be assessed by a dermatologist. You will not see the benefit of any treatment for about 6 weeks, so persevere and be patient. If there is no improvement after consistent use for 2 months, see your doctor again.

Kerwin Chang writes for http://www.acnestuff.net where you can find out more about acne and other skin care topics.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Acne and its treatment

Acne is a menace. However, it’s not something that cannot be tackled. There are loads of acne skin care products around. We can classify acne skin care products into 3 broad categories –

1. Preventive or general acne skin care products
2. Over-the-counter, specialised acne skin care products
3. On-prescription acne skin care products.

The general acne skin care products are the ones that are used as acne-prevention measure. These include cleansers, make-up removers and similar products that help prevent acne. In the real sense, these acne skin care products are just those that should anyway be part of your daily routine. However, some of these are more oriented to act like an acne skin care product. These acne skin care products act against the causes of acne e.g. limiting the production of sebum/oil and preventing clogging of skin pores. Basically, these acne skin care products prevent the oil from getting trapped in pores and hence hamper the growth of bacteria that lead to acne. The general acne skin care products also include exfoliation products like skin peels. These work towards removing dead skin cells, hence reducing the possibility of pore-clogging and bacteria development.

Then there are specialised acne skin care products that are available over-the-counter i.e. without the need of a prescription. These include products like vanishing creams which extract the extra oil from the skin. Most of these acne skin care products are based on benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, both of which are the enemies of bacteria (and hence acne). You should start with a product that has lower concentration of benzoyl peroxide (e.g. 5%) and see how your skin responds to it. Alpha-hydroxy-acid based moisturizers are also popular as acne skin care products. You might have to try a few, before you zero-in on the acne skin care product that is effective for you. If nothing seems to work, you should contact a dermatologist.

On-prescription acne skin care products are the ones that are prescribed by a dermatologist. This can include ointments that can be applied on the affected area or oral antibiotics or just any topical treatment. Dermatologist could also suggest a minor surgical procedure to remove the contents of pustules. However, never try to squeeze or do this by yourself, it can lead to permanent damage of your skin. Your doctor could also prescribe a hormone-based treatment (since hormonal changes are also known to cause acne). Such acne skin care products are known to be very effective in some cases.
So, with all those acne skin care products, tackling acne is not that difficult.

Learn how to cure acne, pimples naturally - with many home remedies.