Sunday, January 11, 2009

Effective Acne Treatment Strategies You Can Use Now!


Changing a thing or two in your diet, lifestyle or treatment methods may significantly improve your skin health, which will help control your acne and related problems. This following information will assist in making educated decisions.

Coffee: Research indicates that coffee stimulates the production of cortisol. Coffee may be a promoter of acne and its consumption should be limited. Choose green tea or white tea as a healthier alternative to coffee. Also, if you are under stress, it may be wise to limit your coffee consumption.

Milk: There is a segment of the population that may have an acne reaction to milk or dairy products. Acne treatment products may or may not help in this case. Limiting your daily intake of bring good results.

Diet: A healthy and well-balanced diet affects the health of your dkin. A good diet is thus an effective tool in controlling acne. Eat food content which is rich in antioxidants such as fruits and vegetables. Foods with high antioxidant content (colorful fruits and vegetables) are very helpful in promoting the healing of acne and related conditions.

Smoking: A recent study showed that an active smoker has a higher probability of an acne condition than a non-smoker. There was also detected a correlatation between degree of smoking and degree of acne. In other words the more you smoke the greater the acne condition.

Stress: There is a strong correlation between stress and acne. When under stress your body produces hormonal steroids. These chemicals wreak havoc on the skin and acne may result from this.

Avoiding all stressful situations is an unreasonable expectation. But you can recognize those times when your stress levels are on the rise. During these times, cleanse very thoroughly and more frequently. Step up your daily skin care regimen to offset the potential of an acne flair-up. When the stressful situation passes, return to your normal skin care regimen.

Wheat: Did you know that there is such a thing as 'wheat-induced' acne? People who have already tried many types of acne treatment products with no results have found this to be the source of their acne. A modification in diet can bring about some good results in this case.

Benzoyl Peroxide Cautions: Using benzoyl peroxide to control acne may have side effects and risks that you should be aware of in making a decision on acne treatment. Because benzoyl peroxide generates free radicals in the skin, a redness of the skin can result as well as premature aging of the skin. There is a correlation between the frequent application and duration of use, and the resulting skin damage.

Sun Exposure: There has been some debate about whether exposure to the sun is beneficial to reducing skin oils and thereby reducing acne. Exposure to the sun has not been found to be beneficial in this case.Exposure to the sun produces free radicals in the skin which promotes acne and reduces the skin's ability to fight off the infection. People with acne should avoid overexposing their skin to the sun.

Skin Cycles: The skin produces its greatest volume of sebum and oil in the early afternoon and its least volume in the middle of the night. A thorough skin care regimen performed in the late afternoon can give the best results for effective acne control

Linens and Headgear: Towels, washcloths, hats, sweatbands, pillowcases, etc. collect bacteria and should be changed regularly. Changing washcloth, towels and pillowcases every two to three days will limit your exposure to acne causing bacteria.

Author Tony Buel Acne Treatment Resources

Effective acne treatment strategies that you can put to use right away.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_Buel

Monday, December 8, 2008

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.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Effective Acne Treatments for Teenagers

Acne affects virtually all teenagers at one point or another, to varying degrees. Teen acne is hereditary and is brought on by hormonal changes related to menstrual periods, pregnancy, birth control pills, or stress; oily hair and skin products; certain drugs such as steroids, testosterone, estrogen, and phenytoin; and high levels of humidity or sweating. While acne attacks boys and girls alike, it is worse in boys because they produce more skin oils. However, girls are more likely to seek out a dermatologist. Either way, fear not: everywhere you look, there is another teen acne treatment to be found.

There are many over-the-counter acne treatments for teenagers to unblock pores, reduce bacteria and dry out pimples. They contain benzoyl peroxide (such as Neutrogena On-The-Spot) or salicylic acid (such as Stri-dex). For more effective yet harsher treatment, there is sulfur or resorcinol (such as Clearasil Adult Care). Acne responds best when treated early.

All acne treatments work by preventing new breakouts, and must be used over a period of weeks or months. Even if you begin to see improvement, continue treatment. Follow the directions on the package or as prescribed by your dermatologist.

Even more numerous than over-the-counter medications are prescription drugs and topicals that curb oil build-up, skin cell shedding and bacteria growth - all while drying and peeling away old acne and stimulating healthy skin growth. In cases of unresponsive or severe acne, isotretinoin (Accutane) may be used. Talk to your dermatologist to find out what is appropriate for your case of acne.

To avoid scarring, you should never pick or squeeze acne, especially inflammatory acne or “pustules”. Squeezing forces infected material deeper into the skin, causing additional inflammation and possible scarring. Also, avoid scrubbing your skin. If you do get scars, acne scar treatment is available in many forms.

Acne Treatment Info provides detailed information on the best acne treatments, including laser acne treatment, and scar treatment, as well as adult, natural, home treatment, and more. Acne Treatment Info is the sister site of Microdermabrasion Web.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Seth_Miller

Combat Acne With Effective Acne Treatment And Acne Products

"Oh no, is that a pimple on my face? Icky, it's so gross! Oh I cannot face anyone ever again -- I look hideous!"

Many teenagers around the world probably share this sentiment as they discover with horror their first pimple on their freshly scrubbed face. As teenagers enter into puberty, they are faced with new and exciting discoveries and challenges. Puberty though is also fraught with frustrations and changes, including physical changes in their bodies that often leave the teenagers with less than desirable pimples on the face.

Acne commonly occurs during the adolescence period. It is often caused by excessive secretion of oil from the glands. The typical acne lesions that appear on the face and body are comedones, papules, pustules and pimples.

Aside from the physical scar that acne leaves on your skin, it also inflicts an emotional toll, negatively affecting teenagers' self-esteem and confidence. For some, acne can become so severe that they shun social contact, leading to social insecurity and sometimes even depression.

With the advanced acne treatments and acne products available today, acne need no longer have such a crippling impact on the sufferers' life. Once the outward symptom of acne first becomes apparent, that is, inflammation and lesion on the skin, it is important that you treat it right away so as to slow down or stop further inflammation.

It is a good idea to pay the dermatologist a visit and to have the doctor recommend the best acne treatment for you. The treatment recommended will vary on skin type and also your age.

Acne can be treated much more effectively if it is treated along with acne products, be they over the counter or prescribed. There are numerous acne products sold over the counter currently for the prevention and treatment of acne, with many of these products scientifically proven to be effective in the treatment of acne.

In severe cases, it is best that you consult the dermatologist for advice and get a prescription for stronger acne products. These acne treatments and products require a higher degree of monitoring, as they tend to have more side effects.

The acne product recommended depends on the type and severity of the acne. There are acne ointments and acne creams containing benzyl peroxide to treat both mild and moderate acne. For more serious acne, there are topical antibiotics that kill the bacteria in the blocked follicles. For even more serious cases, oral antibiotics are effective. And for extremely severe cases, laser surgery can cut the root of the acne.

Aside from treating acne with products, a proper diet is also very important. Teens should avoid eating foods that are too oily, too spicy or too acidic.

So with all these acne treatment options available, you can rest assured that acne will never be an ugly and permanent fixture on your face. When acne rears its ugly head, do not let it ruin your life. With the right acne treatment and right acne products you can get rid of acne for good!

For a more in-depth look at acne, visit Best Acne Solution and Best Acne Remedy. Susan's articles are available at Sports and Recreation Hub.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Jan

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Banish Those Spots - Effective Acne Treatment!

Acne
is a skin infection that causes spots and in severe cases can cause scarring. Acne normally starts at the onset of puberty which is why acne is normally associated with teenagers, although for some people it may be lifelong. 80% of the population may be affected at some time of their life. Acne spots normally occur on the face, neck,chest, back and upper arm.

It is generally thought that acne is caused by skin over-reacting to hormones, probably the male hormone testosterone. More men suffer from acne than women because of their higher levels of testosterone. Skin is covered with tiny hair follicles each with a gland that produces an oily substance called sebum. In some people the gland becomes over-active producing more oil which mixes with dead skin cells and blocks the follicle. An infection then builds up behind the blockage causing acne. Acne spots develop in several ways. Blackheads and whiteheads form when the follicle is blocked. These can become infected as the oil builds up and the infection then causes the characteristic acne spots to appear.

Acne treatment can either topical, applied to the acne, or oral. Mild acne such as blackheads and whiteheads can be treated with over the counter treatments such as topical creams, lotions, gels or soaps. These treatments normally contain antibacterial agents such as benzoyl peroxide, or retinoids which loosen the dead skin cells that are blocking the hair follicles. Benzoyl peroxide dries the skin and may cause some irritation and redness. Normally this settles down but if it persists you should consult your doctor. Always apply topical medicine carefully, damaging the skin risks spreading the infection.

If the acne is caught early enough by treating blackheads and whiteheads, infection may be prevented. Over the counter treatments take time to work and should continue for six months. If the acne does not improve after several months you may need a prescription medicine.

Prescription medicines for moderate acne may be either topical or oral treatments. Initially, if the acne is not too severe, your doctor may recommend a topical treatment. If this does not work he may prescribe a low dose oral treatment or a combination of topical and oral treatments. Some women find that taking the contraceptive pill helps to clear their acne.

If you are suffering from severe acne your doctor may refer you to a dermatologist and you could be prescribed isotretinoin which is a highly effective oral treatment. It works by reducing the amount of oil produced. However, isotretinoin should never be taken except under strict supervision as it can have side effects . Pregnant women should never take it and women are advised to practise two forms of birth control if they have been prescribed isotretinoin. This protection should be taken for one month before and after using isotretinoin.

Acne can cause scarring and can be treated in a number of ways. These can include laser resurfacing, dermabrasion, collagen injections, and chemical peels. The effectiveness of these acne treatments depends on the individual patient and the extent of the acne scarring.

As a parent of a teenage you should be particularly sensitive to the psychological effects of acne and watching for warning signs. Many acne sufferers start to withdraw from normal social activity. A teenager is particularly sensitive about their appearance. They may believe they are unattractive, particularly if they have been teased about the acne. They cease to interact with their friends and if you notice that they are dropping activities they have previously enjoyed, for example sport or clubs, preferring instead to spend time in front of a computer or in their rooms, it is probable they are embarrassed. Shutting themselves off from society can lead to depression and other problems such as eating disorders. Makeup to camouflage the acne can help and using medicated concealer is best
.
Emotional support is essential. Explaining the causes of acne will help the sufferer to understand the problem has nothing to do with poor hygiene. Although diet is not the primary cause of acne, encouraging a good diet will help lessen the risk of developing an eating disorder.
Curing acne takes time and anyone, regardless of their age, suffering from what they see as a disfigurement, needs support. If necessary their doctor may suggest counselling.

This article is for information only and no liability is accepted for action taken. Health problems ahould always be discussed with your physician.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/banish-those-spots-effective-acne-treatment-65956.html

Dermatologist Acne Treatments for a Guaranteed Flawless Complexion

Lead a blemish-free life and that includes your face too. Banish the bane termed as acne forever. However, acne treatment is not a quick fix solution. Go in for an acne treatment that guarantees not only relief for the time being but also deters a relapse.

Acne is caused by accumulation of dead skin cells, overactive oil glands or an attack by the P. acnes bacteria. Acne treatment involves striking at any one-root cause or taking a multi-pronged approach. However, the best acne treatment is to be decided only by the dermatologist and it may be that the nature and severity of the acne problem, the patient's age, lifestyle and medication routine may merit an individualized treatment.

Generally, acne treatment is categorized into three broad spectrums. The most common, however, an instant but temporary cure is by killing the bacteria that are caused by the blocked follicles. This is done either by the intake of antibiotics like tetracycline, or by treating the affected areas externally with bactericidal substances like benzoyl peroxide. As one can guess, it does nothing to control the oil secretion that is the root of all blocked follicles and henceforth, acnes, return successfully after the treatment is successfully over.

The second method is by reducing the secretion of oils from the glands. This is done by a daily intake of Vitamin A derivates like isotretinoin over a period of a few months. The drug has a much longer effect than anti-bacterial treatments and often cures acne for good. The treatment requires close medical examination by a dermatologist since the drug has many known side effects.

The third, popular, acne treatment involves exfoliating the skin. This process encourages the peeling of the top layer of skin to prevent a build-up of dead skin cells which combine with skin oil to block pores. It also helps to unblock clogged pores.

Severely sore cysts require the injection of interlesional corticosteroid, which acts by melting the cyst within 3-5 days and prevents scars. Isotretinoin is an effective acne scar treatment. It works by reducing the activity of the oil glands and is widely regarded as the most effective drug to fight cystic acne. However, this pill has serious side-effects on liver and the nervous system and as such should not be used during pregnancy.

Oral contraceptives like norgestimate, ethynodiol and norethindrone acetate work against acne by decreasing the activity of the oil glands.

For people sensitive to some acne drugs, sodium sulfacetamide is an effective alternative treatment.

Laser therapy, which scrapes away the top layer of the skin, thereby removing the dead cells, is an effective acne treatment with enduring effects. This peeling of the skin is also achieved by the increasingly popular TCA peels. Easy to use, these peels reach deep into the skin coming up with results that last up to a year. Not only do they remove the acne, but also prevent its recurrence. They are now available for home use (see the link below). TCA peels are the most cost effective acne treatment and should be a part of any acne or skin care regimen.

The acne treatment may sound easy but you should never indulge in self-medication. Some acne drugs are quite powerful and any misuse may trigger irreversible side effects. Nor should acne be treated by pricking the pimples. This causes scarring that even an extensive acne scar treatment cannot reverse. Catch them young is the motto of every dermatologist treating acne. So do not neglect even the tiniest blackhead.

Acne treatment is safe as long as you are in the right hands.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/dermatologist-acne-treatments-for-a-guaranteed-flawless-complexion-16460.html

A Highly Effective Acne Treatment Option

During laser resurfacing, a doctor holds a laser pen above the acne and waves the concentrated beam of light back and forth. This vaporizes the unwanted tissue and creates a new surface for skin cell growth. New collagen forms within a few weeks after laser treatment.

Although laser resurfacing is considered safe and painless, there is still some bruising and swelling around the operated areas. In most cases, these side effects will remain from eight to ten days.

Currently, there are no federal restrictions on anyone who is able to perform laser resurfacing. Regulations only affect the laser manufacturers themselves. There are a wide range of lasers for many different purposes. Be sure to use a dermatologist or certified plastic surgeon. Always ask where your doctor was trained to use laser equipment and whether they rents or own their laser equipment. Ask to see before and after pictures of the doctor's cases, and find out how many different types of lasers the doctor owns.

Many doctors feel that laser resurfacing is not meant for dark skin because it alters the color much too dramatically. Others believe that when a highly skilled surgeon uses the laser on a person with a darker skin tone, they will in fact not see any altercation for their skin.

Lasers acne treatment is much more invasive than other lasers. They remove by erosion, melting, evaporation, and vaporization. Ablative lasers are never recommended for use on darker skin colors.

This particular acne treatment method costs between $2,500 - $3,000. It is best to consult with an experienced dermatologist to determine what it best for you.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/a-highly-effective-acne-treatment-option-209441.html