Acne Treatment: Ten Facts about Acne

First Acne effects almost 90% of the adolescent population. So you are not alone. Also it is not normally anything you have done, eaten or the way you wash. So you do not need to feel guilty. So let’s look at some facts 1) Junk food causes acne. Wrong! Pizza, chocolate, coke or any other junk food has never been proven to cause this. That does not mean to say you should carry on eating all this junk food. A sensible diet is good for everyone, and helps you feel better. 2) Acne is caused by dirt. Wrong! Actually washing your face more than twice a day or scrubbing your face, with pads or flannels will make it worse. Acne treatment needs mild gentle soap and to rinse thoroughly. 3) Sweat will clear my pores. Wrong! A mixture of body sweat and oils can aggravate certain situations for some acne sufferers. Shower immediately after any sport and wear loose clothing. 4) Women’s Make-up can cause Acne. Wrong! No scientific evidence has been found to verify this. Most products today are mad to stop the clogging of the pores. So this is not the problem. Do not wear make-up though when exercising as this can irritate the problem. 5) Stress Causes Acne. Wrong! To an extent. Stress can trigger off some hormones, which could aggravate the situation. But it is not the cause. 6) You Cannot Cure Acne. But you can treat it! There are a lot of good acne treatments on the market. See your doctor. 7) Sun can help. Wrong! It can in time worsen the situation in time. A tan might give the effect that your skin looks better, but it certainly will do it no good. 8) Spot Acne Treatment Works. Wrong! The whole face has to be treated. Most of the problems are formed under the skin. So treating the top of the spot is not going to do anything. 9) You Will Outgrow It. Wrong! Acne is treatable. Don’t wait see a doctor ASAP. 10) It’s Only Cosmetic. Well Yes. It is not serious. But it can effect you, your self-esteem, and your confidence. So get it treated and become acne free. Just a few words of advice, Don’t pick or squeeze…Keep your hands off your face…Find something and stick with it…Do not over wash…Do not use flannels or hard scrubs…Lastly Good Luck. Howard Burton

Acne Treatment - Prescription Medicines

While it is true that in most cases acne can be safely and effectively treated with over the counter treatments any time you have an unusual skin condition it is advisable to consult a dermatologist. The doctor can provide you with valuable advice on treating the condition even if it is only acne. Severe acne should always be treated by a dermatologist, they can provide prescription medication that is effective at treating the more sever acne outbreaks. Moderate and mild acne can usually be treated without the advice of a doctor but even with moderate acne prescription medications may be able to treat it better and faster then over the counter solutions. Medications for treating acne are given in one of two forms; oral or topical. In many cases the doctor will use a combination of both types to treat the outbreak. Antibiotics are frequently used to treat acne and can be provided in either form. Other topical medications will usually include ingredients such as zinc and retinoids. The most common antibiotic for treating acne is tetracycline. It works with a dual action both killing the acne causing bacteria as well as helping to reduce the inflammation. Antibiotics are not an immediate fix and will usually have to be taken for weeks or even months before the acne clears up, you will also have to continue the antibiotic even after the acne clears up to prevent a re-occurrence. There are some side effect reported with the use of tetracycline, with extreme sensitivity to the sun being the most common one. Any one taking tetracycline needs to be very careful about exposure to sunlight to avoid severe sunburns. Some people may also experience nausea, hives and even dizziness. Women undergoing treatment with tetracycline may notice an increase in vaginal yeast infections. Young children and pregnant women cannot take tetracycline because it can cause discoloration of growing teeth. Ointments that contain antibiotics have a lower rate of reported side effects. These ointments will kill the bacteria and but there can be some cases of the bacteria becoming resistant to the antibiotics. Combining other medications such as; benzoyl peroxide with the antibiotic lotion can greatly reduce the chance of such problems. Retinoids are a derivative of vitamin A and are usually applied directly the skin in the form of a lotion or crème. The use of topical retinoid medications is very effective in treating blackheads and whiteheads. It produces the positive results by cleaning out the pores that cause the acne; the only common side affect is dry skin. If the acne is severe and is not responding to other treatments then an oral retinoid medication may be used. This will cause the top layer of skin to peel off which will also open the pores. The oral retinoids also cause the body to create less sebum, which also reduces the acne issues by reducing the oil on the skin. There can be some rather serious side effects associated with using oral retinoid medications. Since they can cause serious birth defects any woman on oral retinoids should use two forms of birth control to avoid the possibility of pregnancy. They can also cause depression and liver damage so anyone using these medications must be closely monitored by their doctor. There are some other medications that have the side effect of helping with acne. In some women birth control pills help reduce acne by changing the hormone levels and reducing the testosterone levels. Zinc can also be used to treat acne.

Acne Treatment, Best Acne Treatments

Acne treatment has many varieties. Acne is a broad term which includes blemishes, blackheads, and whiteheads. See acne information for more. Acne can strike at any age. Effective acne treatment is sometimes difficult to find, and understanding acne and prevention can be frustrating. Below are some acne treatment tips that have worked for many. Understanding acne treatment is a very important step to take before undergoing the treatment itself. Although acne isn't life threatening it can be uncomfortable and hard on your ego. There has always been a debate about the actual cause of acne. The actual cause isn't as important as finding a cure. There's acne treatment for teenagers that has been specifically configured for the teenage age group. Adult acne is also common and adults can experience acne problems well into their 40's. So is there a cure for acne? Well yes and no. There are many products available and for some they are a cure, for others they do not help. A cure is only a cure when you find a product that works for you. Most acne treatments will take time to work. It usually takes around 8 weeks before you see any significant improvement so you are going to have to be patient. Once your acne's cleared up it's important to continue with the acne treatment that's working so it does not return. If you have serious acne it is best to consult a dermatologist. However in milder cases you will often be able to get it under control by yourself just by preservering. Try these acne treatment tips to conquer your acne. Acne control through exercise Regular exercise helps keep your whole body in shape. It builds your immune system and helps eliminate toxins from the body. It's a great start to fighting acne. Diet can act as acne medicine You need to eat at least 5 servings of fresh fruit and vegetables each day. Fresh fruit and vegetables are full of nutrients that your body needs. They boost the immune system and are good antioxidants. They can work towards helping you get rid of the acne. Try to avoid refined sugars and fatty foods which have are not good for you or your skin. You also need to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to flush your system of toxins. Cosmetics can help acne treatment Choose cosmetics that are water based and hypo-allergenic. Avoid oil free products, coal tar derivatives, and heavy creams. Make sure you wash your skin thoroughly every night to remove makeup residue. Hormones and acne Hormones can play a role in acne flare ups and they can be used to reduce outbreaks. Your doctor may decide to use HRT to eliminate or reduce your acne outbreaks. Clean skin for acne treatment You need to avoid harsh scrubbing of your face but you also need to thoroughly clean your skin nightly. Use a mild cleaning regime every night. Once or twice a week you should also use an exfoliator to gently remove damaged skin and unplug pores. Also see acne skin care tips that work. Shaving and acne Is actually a great exfoliating treatment the removes dead skin. However you should never shave an area that is infected or inflamed. Always use a shaving cream if your skin is sensitive. Stress and acne control Can be a contributing factor to acne so try to relax and unwind. Emotions trigger chemical reactions in the body which can cause an outbreak. You can help control your acne outbreaks by following these simple steps. What are you waiting for?

Acne Medicine

Most of you with acne are on the lookout for the best medicines to win your war on acne. Usually, you get excited about the medicines heavily marketed these days on different mediums. For many, it becomes difficult to choose the right medicine. This article intends to provide you with the information about buying the acne curing medicines that have worked for many. However, you should always consult your dermatologist for exactly the right medicine for your acne. There are two ways you can get your hands on acne medicines. 1. Through Prescription There are medicines in drug stores that can’t be attained without a doctor’s prescription. Many acne medicines are required to be prescribed by a doctor first and then be given. In this case you are to consult your dermatologist about the medicine available only through prescription. If the doctor feels the acne medicine is good for you, he will provide you with a prescription. 2. Over the Counter Over the counter products are those which can be acquired without the need of any prescription. Many acne medicines that you see the advertisements of come under this category of obtaining medicines. Top performing acne curing medicines Presented below is the ranking of best performing acne removing medicines that have done wonders for many. These ratings of medicines have been generated after interviewing the respectable customers of various reputable online drug stores. 1) Astara Blue Flame Purification Mask 2) PhytoMe Acne Gel 3) Neutrogena Cooling Gel Mask 4) Acne Dry Spot 5) pHisoderm 4-Way Daily Acne Cleanser 6) DDF BP Gel 5% with Tea Tree Oil 7) DermaClear 8) Clinique Acne Solutions Emergency Gel Lotion DDF Pumice Acne Scrub

Acne and Teenaged Psychology

When you look good you feel good is a fact without a doubt. No matter how people look at you & perceive your image, but all the grooming stuff you do is to look good. Everyone wants to portray him or herself as if no one was handsome or smarter ever. Especially people in showbiz and media in general are more conscious about their looks which builds up the self-regard in them is important than life. Similarly, for teenagers looks are even more important than the person inside. This twisted sense of self-image can backfire and lead to some truly horrible results. More and more teens are suffering from depression. Young girls seeking perfection can become anorexic or bulimic. Some kids even isolate themselves and are extremely uncomfortable in social situations. So when acne strikes, how are teens equipped to deal with the prospect of looking “abnormal” or “ugly”? Teenagers can be cruel to each other, and to themselves. The American Academy of Dermatology has reported that a staggering 95% of American teenagers will suffer acne breakouts at some point during adolescence. Some kids can hide milder cases with makeup or flesh-colored over-the-counter treatments. Some even use their hair or clothing – longer styles, hats, etc. However, sufferers of severe acne must stand exposed, with all their imperfections, for the world to see. Since acne occurs so frequently in adolescence, blemished skin makes teens fear how their peers view them. Self-esteem and self-worth can be affected when kids are afraid of being judged by their contemporaries. Teens put up with so many anatomical changes that can make them feel “dirty.” It is particularly vulnerable time when kids worry about being accepted, and about the way, they look. Unfortunately, some parents can trivialize the teen’s fears. Attitudes like “I went through it…you’ll go through it” and it will go away. However, when that first serious breakout happens…acne typically gets worse before it gets better…the teen may rationally agree that it is probably a passing phase. However, while it is “going away,” the teenager remains afraid of being judged by his peers, and serious self-esteem issues can result. These unsettling feelings about self-image can sabotage a young person already confused by this gateway to adulthood. This is a time in a teen’s life when he/she should get out and be involved in peer activities – but fear of being “different” is strong. Parental support can be vital at a time like this. Even when teen’s appear to “not need” your help, playing a gentle supportive role can help a budding adult’s transition.

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.

Acne - What Causes Acne?

Though acne may not be a serious problem, it can sometimes lead to psychological and mental stress. Many people lose their self esteem because of this problem. So what causes acne? Acne is caused by hormonal disorder. Excessive secretion of the skin oil glands combine with naturally occurring dead skin cells and block the hair follicles. This oil secretion beneath the blocked pore provides a perfect environment for the skin bacteria Propionibacterium acnes to multiply, and thus the skin inflames producing the visible lesion. Acne commonly occurs in adolescents and young adults. Almost 85 percent of people between the ages of 11 and 30 have acne outbreaks at some point. Acne tends to go away by the time you reach your thirties, but for some people it may even go up to their forties and fifties. Causes of Acne: Several other factors that cause Acne are: • Hormonal changes during menstrual cycles and puberty. • Stress, as it causes an increase in output of hormones from the adrenal glands. • Hyperactive sebaceous glands, secondary to the three hormone sources above. • Build-up of dead skin cells. • Bacteria in the pores. • Skin irritation or scratching of any sort will activate inflammation. • Use of anabolic steroids. • Medicines that contain halogens (iodides, chlorides, bromides), lithium, barbiturates, or androgens. • Sudden exposure to high levels of chlorine compounds, particularly chlorinated dioxins. Adult acne: 25% of adult men and 50% of adult women get affected by adult acne at some time in their adult lives. It can cause depression and social anxiety the same way it can in a teenager. Adult acne is more common than people may think. The causes of adult acne are unknown; however it is believed to occur because of these reasons: • Recurrence of acne that cleared up after adolescence • Flare-up of acne after a period of relative quiet, especially during pregnancy It is best to consult a dermatologist for the proper treatment. You would have to use Clear Skin Regimen using benzoyl peroxide. Treatment for adult acne is the same as treatment for teen acne. Body acne: Body acne is a common problem which occurs mostly on the chest, back and buttocks. Like facial acne, stress and hormones are the cause. Other factors like perspiration and wearing tight fitting clothing also causes body acne. Tight-fitting clothing traps perspiration against the skin and mixes with surface oils, thus clogging the pores and causing blemishes. Treatments: The treatment is aimed at healing the existing lesions, stopping new lesions from forming, and preventing scarring. The dermatologist would prescribe several over-the-counter (OTC) medicines depending on the extent of the problem. Some of the medicines would be topical to apply on the skin and others may be oral. Some of the common OTC topical medicines are: • Benzoyl peroxide – This helps to destroy acne and also reduces oil production. • Resorcinol – This helps in breaking down blackheads and whiteheads. • Salicylic acid – This helps in breaking down blackheads and whiteheads. It also cuts down the shedding of cells lining the hair follicles. • Sulfur - This helps in breaking down blackheads and whiteheads. The prescription topical medicines include: • Antibiotics - They help slow or stop the growth of bacteria and reduce inflammation. • Vitamin A derivatives – They help in unplugging the existing comedones, thus allowing other topical medicines to enter the follicles. • Others - Benzoyl peroxide, sodium sulfacetamide/sulfur or Azelaic acid help to reduce oil production or help stop or slow the growth of bacteria and reduce inflammation. Following these treatments would cure your acne, and the psychological stress and embarrassment caused by this disease will also go away.