Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Adult Acne? – Don’t Feel You’re Alone. It Happens!

By Robert G. Knechtel

While we think of acne as a teenage affliction, adults in
surprising numbers are vulnerable to this skin disorder. Both
teenagers and adults with acne often react by wanting to
isolate. However, as a grown-up you should take some comfort
in the knowledge that you are by no means alone.

Statistics reveal that, at some time in their lives, 25% of
adult men and 50% of adult women will experience an acne
outbreak more serious that an occasional zit or two. So, the
teenage stereotype basically is a myth.

Adult Acne Solutions – Medicine and Other Approaches

Almost always, the first thing that comes to mind for treating
adult acne in its more virulent manifestations is what choices
among the many acne medicines would make sense. Those under
care of a dermatologist likely will be prescribed one or more
of the most commonly indicated acne medications, including
Accutane, Retin-A, Erythromycin, Tetracycline and Doxycycline.

For really severe adult acne, i.e. the kind that can scar, many
physicians are quick to prescribe Accutane. This is a very
powerful medication that attacks the underlying cause of acne
from the inside out by shrinking oil glands. An excess of skin
oil is the underlying cause of acne. A natural oil called
sebum builds to abnormal levels, clogging skin pores, leading
to the growth of microbes which are responsible for acne
flare-ups.

One of Accutane’s huge drawbacks is its well documented
incidence of side effects. First, it can produce severe birth
defects in pregnant women. Secondly, many experience mild to
moderate aches in the joints and muscles as well as dry and
cracked lips, dry skin, dry mouth and dry nose.

There are many who claim, on the other hand, that their adult
acne is especially susceptible to treatment with benzoyl
peroxide, an ingredient found in several of the
over-the-counter creams and ointments. Excellent results are
often obtained when these remedies are combined with good diet
and proper hydration.

Under any circumstances, if you do nothing else, drink plenty
of water! Your skin needs water for hydration i.e.
moisturizing. As an adult acne victim, your skin will suffer
from dehydration. Control of acne is also enhanced by eating a
balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Combining diet and hydration with vitamins is also recommended.

Vitamins A, B, C, and E are believed to have beneficial
effects, especially vitamin A. The latter helps to control
hormonal levels which in turn controls production of sebum. In
addition, vitamin A operates as an antioxidant which strengthens
skin tissue.

Beyond medication, diet and hydration there are more invasive
treatment techniques to which many turn to cope with the
consequences of adult acne.

Microdermabrasion

In cases of mild acne scarring, microdermabrasion is becoming
more of a treatment of choice. However, it is not useful for
severe scarring. Moreover, those of advanced age or with
sensitive skin usually are not candidates for this technique.
One of its advantages is that the treatment is brief and
results become apparent very quickly.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Laser skin resurfacing is a relatively new process to come on
the scene in adult acne treatment. By using a laser light, this
method can reach even deeper skin layers than microdermabrasion.

Chemical Peeling

Improvement in skin discoloration and age spots, as well as
light freckling and scarring also can be brought about by
chemical peeling. It will stimulate growth of new, healthy
skin cells which is quite beneficial for adult acne sufferers.

What is the Price of All This Adult Acne Treatment?

Costs for acne remedies can vary from just a few dollars for a
tube of over-the-counter medication to thousands of dollars for
more proactive approaches. Antibiotics and prescribed topical
creams and lotions can cost upwards of $200 per month. Skin
resurfacing treatments such as microdermabrasion, chemical
peeling, lasers, etc. can cost from less than $100 to
thousands, depending on where treatment is rendered. If you
suffer from adult acne, watch out in Beverly Hills!

Robert G. Knechtel operates a number of websites, some covering skin disorders, including Acnezine Acne Treatment - All-Natural Remedy– AcneChronicle.Com and Treatment for Plaque Psoriasis and More – PsoriasisOne.Com.Read more articles by: Robert G. Knechtel

Monday, March 12, 2007

The Best Diet For Acne - Does It Include Milk?

By Peggy Adamik

From an early age you might have been told to drink milk because it's good for you. It provides calcium and other minerals that keep your bones strong and healthy. But if you have acne, you may be wondering if what you eat is making it worse. Would milk be on a "best diet for acne" list? Or would it maybe be on a "worst diet for acne" list instead?

What's so bad about milk, anyway?
Milk and anything made from it contains the hormones of the animal who produced the milk. And that can be a lot; it's been estimated that milk can contain more than 50 different hormones. Why is this an issue? Well, if you have hormone-related acne, every time you drink milk or eat something made with milk you're taking in all those extra hormones--"extra" because they're in addition to the ones your own body makes. And those extras could affect the severity of your acne.

Of course these are female hormones, and people who know about hormone-related acne may say that it's the male hormones - the androgens, like testosterone - that can make acne worse. That's certainly true. But some female hormones, including progesterone, can be converted into androgenic forms like dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which increases sebum production and can lead to a flareup of acne.

What about organic milk? How does it compare to the "regular" kind?
Well, milk from cows raised on organic food won't have the growth hormones given to other cows to increase their milk production. But all the other female hormones will still be there, just because the animal is making milk. So in the case of acne, experts don't feel that it makes a difference whether you use regular or organic milk--both contain lots of hormones.

Don't forget other milk products
Remember that milk is present in many different kinds of foods, including some that might surprise you. All dairy products (like cheese, yogurt, and ice cream), with the exception of eggs, contain milk. But so do most "creamy" sauces and salad dressings. And so does a lot of chocolate. So if you've been noticing that chocolate makes your acne worse, maybe it's not the cocoa that's the problem.

Suggestions
If you're not sure if milk is making your acne worse, you can always try this variation of an elimination diet: Stop eating milk products for as long as possible (at least a week, but preferably longer). See how your acne responds to this change, then add milk back into your diet. If your acne gets better during the elimination period, or worse during the reintroduction, then you'll know it's related to milk products.

It does seem best to avoid milk and milk products as much as possible if you have acne, especially if it's hormone-related. But this can be hard, even for people who don't like the beverage, because of all the other foods it's in. There are some alternatives you can try, though.

Soy is probably at the top of the list. Soy milk comes plain (which is best for cooking) and sweetened, and even in flavors like chocolate. There's also milk made from rice, oats, and almonds. And many of these have been used to make other "dairy-like" products, including yogurt, cheese, and even ice cream.

If you like chocolate, stick with the darker kinds, or check the list of ingredients on the label to see whether there's milk in the chocolate. As a matter of fact, it's probably a good idea to get in the habit of reading labels. The ingredients of some of your favorite foods may surprise you.

Some people really believe that dietary changes are the key to controlling or maybe even curing acne. If you think dairy products make your acne worse, try a few of these suggestions. If they help, you'll not only have more information (about what contributes to your acne), but you'll have clearer skin too. And you'll be on your way to finding the best diet for acne.


Peggy Adamik is a former RN. She writes about many different health topics, but she's especially interested in holistic therapies. Check out her page The Best Diet for Acne for more information about the relationship between acne and food.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peggy_Adamik

Friday, March 09, 2007

Pro Active Doesn't Work - For me

By Shahid Mohammed

Pro Active did not work for me . When i first started using pro active i had moderate acne. During the first week of applying it i developed seriously dry skin. And on top of that when my skin was not dry it became increasingly greasy.

My mum said it has to get worse before it gets better so i continued to follow her advice. But after three months i had, had enough. My skin was the same as before. But the worst thing was on top of the obvious acne my skin became so greasy after i used the product, my face was like a mirror. This gave me even less confidence.

After watching the pro active commercials of it working for all the celebrities i was getting annoyed. And after four months of my acne being the same and looking disgustingly greasy i decided to call it quits with pro active. The thing was, i ate the same diet as i had before i began using it etc. It was just the items itself that were unsuccessful for my acne.

So there it is Pro active is not the solution for everyone. Although it may be the solution for a lot of people. But it was not for me. Please take into account that everyone has different skin that is suitable to certain products and there are some people which their acne is better when they use nothing on there skin. Acne is weird, interesting and depressing all in one. Pro Active did not work for me, i hope it works for you.

More from this article can be found at www.sensibleacneadvice.com
www.sensibleacneadvice.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shahid_Mohammed

Thursday, March 08, 2007

What Foods Are Bad For Acne?

By Stewart Hare

This is a follow up to my ‘what foods are good for acne’ article.

I constantly get asked ‘what foods are good for acne?’ or ‘what foods are bad for acne?’

Now, as stated in the ‘what foods are good for acne’ article, there is no conclusive evidence which proves that poor nutrition causes acne but I do believe that good nutrition can help to reduce acne.

In this article I am going to discuss which foods to exclude or decrease in your diet to reduce your acne.

Teenagers tend to suffer more from acne due to changes in their hormones at this time in their life.

Acne does not just affect teenagers; it is also common in adults too.

Over production of sebum by the sebaceous glands blocks pores within the skin causing infection which results in acne.

Acne typically affects these parts of the body:

The FaceThe BackThe ChestThe GroinThe Buttocks
So, What Foods Are Bad For Acne?

Well, ‘fast’ or ‘junk’ foods tend to be the main culprit when it comes down to acne. Foods such as:

BurgersChocolatesFrench FriesSalted SnacksSoft Drinks
Why Are Fast Foods Bad For Acne?

It is all down to what fast foods tend to have a high content of… saturated fats and sugar.

As stated earlier in this article, there is no evidence that proves that poor nutrition is the cause of acne.

But, it is also generally agreed, that ‘fast’ foods tend to be consumed instead of more healthier alternatives such as:

Brewer’s YeastDairy ProductsDried BeansEggsGarlicGreen leafy VegetablesMustardNutsOily FishOnionsPulses Pumpkin SeedsRed MeatSeafood SeedsTofuWhole Grain Cereal
The lack of the consumption of these healthier foods, which tend to promote good skin health, for the consumption of ‘fast’ foods, will natural result in poor skin health and acne.

So, to sum up…

To help to reduce acne, eat healthier foods which tend to promote healthy skin and refrain from eating ‘fast’ or ‘junk’ foods such as:

BurgersChocolatesFrench FriesSalted SnacksSoft Drinks


Stewart Hare C.H.Ed Dip NutTh
Download 'How To Beat Acne naturally' E-book FREE NOW
Website: NewBeingNutrition.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stewart_Hare

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Natural and Herbal Home Remedies for Acne

By Jason Hunter

Acne is a phrase for a variety of symptoms, including pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, and skin cysts. It is a condition where the pores of the skin become clogged; therefore, you develop inflamed and non-inflamed legions.

Dissimilar to popular belief, chocolate and dirty skin does not cause acne outbreaks. For the most part, it is hereditary. If you have parents that have acne, chances are you too would have it. Other factors that can cause acne outbreaks are stress, sun exposure, seasonal changes, and climate. Certain types of makeup can also cause breakouts.

Acne is more common among teenagers – about 80 percent of young boys and girls develop acne. Teenagers get acne because hormones called androgens, which increase the amount of oil the skin produces, circulate at higher levels in their blood.

Here are a few things you can do to stay acne free.

1. Change your makeup: Oil-based makeup is a problem, because the oil is usually a derivative of fatty acids that are more potent than your own fatty acids. If you suffer from acne, you should use a non-oil-based makeup.

2. Cosmetic products containing lanolin’s, isopropyl myristate, sodium lauryl sulfate, laureth-4, and D & C red dyes should be avoided because these ingredients are too rich for the skin.

3. Tea tree oil used externally acts against the bacteria associated with acne. Studies show that a 5 percent tea tree oil preparation worked as well as 5 percent benzoyl peroxide in treating acne, but with fewer to no side effects.

4. Keep lavender oil around the house. This essential oil is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and astringent. You can also use this oil for skin irritations and minor burns.

5. Use aloe vera. The gel is soothing and helps heal wounds of all kinds, it is also anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial. Buy only the pure gel and use topically as needed.

6. Use natural face products that contain fruit acids. Fruit acids help get rid of excess amounts of the protein keratin and those dead skin cells that may otherwise clog pores. They act like commercial salicylic acid formulas without the side effects.

7. Place fruits like grapes and strawberries or pineapple husks, into a blender. Apply the concoction like a mask; leave on for 10 to 15 minutes, and wash off.

Because most people think acne is caused by dirty skin, they become extreme face washers. Forceful face washing only aggravates the situation. Washing the skin’s surface does not get rid of the follicles of bacteria and excess oils. It is better to wash gently with a mild cleanser. Morning and evening is better.


Jason Hunter is a natural health advocate. He is webmaster of a natural health web site called Home Health and Natural Remedies. He gives advise and alternative treatment options for treating acne naturally. You can visit his website at: http://www.hhesonline.com/natural_remedies/acne.htm
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Hunter

Friday, March 02, 2007

Your Acne Can Be Treated With Vitamins

By Jameson Simpson

These days acne is a very treatable disorder. A dermatologist can prescribe antibiotics or chemicals that reduce or get rid of your acne completely. But, dermatologists and prescription medications can be very expensive and not the best option for your long term health. The good news is that acne can often be treated with dietary supplements available at your local health food store.

Long term prescription antibiotics can kill off beneficial bacteria in your digestive system. These good bacteria enhance your immune systems and are important for digestive function. If you are on or have been taking long term antibiotics, you should definitely be taking probiotic supplements to replace the good bacteria that you may have lost.

Certain natural antibiotics like grape seed and grapefruit seed extract can be used to treat acne. Tee tree oil is another natural antibiotic that is effective. While natural antibiotics are still antibiotics, they can have less of a toxic effect on the body and often can be used externally. You can find these supplements in most health food stores and they can be a good alternative to drugs prescribed by a doctor.

Another supplement that is important for the treatment of acne is vitamin b5. Vitamin b5 is an inexpensive b vitamin that can help to control stress hormones in the body. Stress can bring on breakouts and b5 can effectively reduce the levels of the stress hormone cortisol that can bring on these breakouts. It does this by lowering the amount of oil produced in the sebaceous glands. This oil is what clogs the pores and starts the process of acne formation on the skin's surface.

These acne vitamins can be taken with prescription drugs to more effectively treat acne or be taken on their own for their own benefits. Supplements for acne are not as expensive as prescription drugs and can have the same benefits.
James Simpson is a Chronic Fatigue Syndrome researcher. He owns several educational healt websites a
ChronicFatigueTreatments.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jameson_Simpson