Acne Treatment Blog | iNaturalHealth

How Antioxidants Help in Acne Treatment

iNaturalHealth — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:34:00 +0000

Antioxidants are important to our bodies. They maintain our health and prevent radicals or molecules of free oxygen to penetrate our skin, especially in the living dermal layer. Contrary to anti-oxidation, there is a process called oxidation. Oxidation is responsible for aging and rotting. The process starts when the free radicals penetrate our dermal layer. Having no paired electrons, the free radicals try to balance themselves by getting the electrons from our living cells. As a result, we humans lose the elasticity of skin and experience the weakening of muscles, immune system, hearing, eyesight, hair, and skin. Subsequently, wrinkles and degenerative diseases will occur. To prevent these from happening, we need antioxidants to help protect our skin from the free radicals. It is in the epidermis or the outermost skin layer that you?ll find most of the antioxidants. However, the antioxidants decrease as we age. Thus, wrinkles or signs of skin damage can be seen as the years go by. Antioxidants do not directly treat acne, but with enough antioxidants, the skin will remain healthy. For the types of treatments used for acne, you can visit other websites like http://www.sesalon.com and http://www.no-wrinkles.com.

Natural Sources of Antioxidants

To increase the antioxidants in our body, there are a number of natural resources that we can eat. Fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants. Coffee and tea are also great sources of antioxidants.

Antioxidant Vitamins

Aside from natural sources, we can also get enough antioxidants from vitamins. The popular vitamins rich in antioxidants are Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin B, Vitamin A, and minerals like Selenium and Zinc. These are all great sources of antioxidants. Vitamins combined with glycolic acid will give you double the protection from free radicals or the process of oxidation.

Topical Antioxidants

Though antioxidants can be taken orally, there are also topical antioxidants that can greatly benefit your skin. The problem with taking antioxidants orally is that it will spread to the whole body and skin, and the receiving areas will only get about 1% of the ingested antioxidant as its share. Applying topical antioxidants will greatly benefit your body as it will go directly to your skin. It will aid in the balancing of free radicals and prevent the UV destruction of cells. The pulp of fruits and vegetables can be used as topical antioxidants. Keep your skin healthy by applying oils like sesame, coconut, and olive oil. You will benefit from applying these oils in small quantities. You can mix it with water before you apply it to your oily skin. These oils can also be used for your face as all skin types need to be moisturized to keep it supple. Just let it sit for three minutes and then wash it away with a medicated soap. Make sure that you get rid of all the oil on your face.

Hormone Therapy for Acne

iNaturalHealth — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:58:00 +0000

Acne is such a common skin problem that a lot of skin experts and dermatologists continue to develop various treatments for the skin disease. One of the treatments for acne is hormone therapy. This treatment is especially effective for women.

The Hormone Therapy acne treatment has long been used by dermatologists. This treatment is recommended for women no matter how severe the acne is. So why is hormone therapy effective? Hormone is known as a contributing factor for the development of acne, and if there is a way to balance our hormones, it will help reduce or eliminate acne for good.

How hormones affect our skin

Androgens which are the masculine hormones are the ones that contribute to the growth of acne. These hormones increase when we reach puberty, and they affect the production of oil in the oil glands or sebaceous glands. When too much oil or sebum is produced, the pores of our skin will be clogged. If this happens, the dead skin cells get trapped too. Now, when the bacteria from outside factors like dust and dirt come in contact with the clogged pore, they will cause an infection. When the bacteria have not propagated yet, what you see is either a whitehead or a blackhead. Clogged pores that you usually see are whiteheads, and they become blackheads when some pigmentation caused by melanin makes them dark-colored. Now, when bacteria have infected a certain area on our skin, inflammation will develop. That?s what we call a pimple.

Hormonal Therapy

The purpose of hormonal therapy is to disrupt abnormal hormonal activities that cause acne growth. Hormonal therapy is done by taking oral contraceptives such as:

On the other hand, there?s a non-contraceptive anti-androgen medication that can be taken for hormonal therapy. This medicine is called Spironolactone, which comes in the form of estrogen and progestins. As mentioned previously, androgen contributes to acne growth. By keeping androgen production at a minimum level with anti-androgen medication, acne will be reduced, or even eliminated.

You can also check out Acne Guide for more helpful tips about hormone therapy for acne.

Find Out the Side Effects of Acne Treatments

iNaturalHealth — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:13:00 +0000

People have different skin types and react to various acne treatments differently. Therefore, the treatment that you found to be effective on your skin may not be effective for your friend. Reversely, what your friend used to treat his or her acne may cause you side effects. Though some people may not encounter any side effect from a certain treatment, it is best to know the possible side effects that come with acne treatment. Before you take any prescription medication or start a treatment, learn about it and the problems that may occur. Below is a list of side effects from acne treatments:

Allergies
One of the most common problems experienced by patients when treating acne is allergic reaction. Some people do not know that they have an allergy for a drug or cream until they first use it to treat their acne. If you are using a new product and you encounter rashes or difficulty in breathing, immediately stop your medication and call the dermatologist. Let your doctor know what you have experienced and let the expert tell you what you should do.
Flaking, Redness, Inflammation, Itching
Since acne treatment products are mostly made of chemicals, it is most likely that the skin will experience dryness. Most chemicals will drain the moisture from the infected skin and cause dryness. As we all know, itching, flaking, and redness are some of the conditions that result from dryness. When we first use a treatment product, we may not be aware of the problem it may cause, so we tend to scratch the infected area because of the itching. However, it will only get worse as it becomes inflamed.
Yeast Infections
Antibiotics are among the drugs that can trigger yeast infections. This will happen if you have been using antibiotics for a long time. The bacteria will become more resistant to antibiotics if you use them regularly.
Depression, Birth Defects, and other Serious Side Effects
There are some drugs like accutane that can cause depression, birth defects on expecting mothers, and other serious side effects such as suicide tendencies. Though some people may not experience these side effects, it?s best to check the warning text of any medication or treatment you plan to use.

There are other side effects that come with certain medications or treatment products. Make sure you ask your doctor about the side effects before you use any treatment. You can learn more about acne treatment side effects from Ezine Articles, Acne Guide, and Chet Day.

Find Out How Acne Develops

iNaturalHealth — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:46:00 +0000

We know that acne is a very common skin condition. Some people encounter mild acne while others suffer from severe cases of acne. Acne is considered a skin disease that affects us not only physically, but emotionally as well. When you have acne on your face, it is not exactly a pleasant sight and you may feel embarrassed to go out and socialize because of the acne. However, there are ways to get rid of acne so that you can live a normal life with confidence.

What Triggers Acne?

Acne occurs when our pores are clogged by a kind of oil called sebum. Sebum is produced by the sebaceous glands in our bodies. Sometimes, our sebaceous glands function improperly and produce more sebum than our skin or pores can handle. When too much sebum or oil occurs, the pores are clogged, and the dead skin cells cannot be removed. When bacteria come in contact with the clogged pore, they will infect our skin and cause acne.

Pilosebaceous Units

Acne lesions are caused by the pilosebaceous units in our bodies. These units consist of hair follicles and sebaceous glands, and they can be found anywhere within our bodies, excluding the palm and the bottom of the feet. You?ve probably noticed that we never get acne on the palm or at the sole of our feet. Pilosebaceous units can be found on the face, chest, neck, and back. Acne will develop when the pilosebaceous canal gets clogged.

How Pilosebaceous Canal Gets Clogged

As previously mentioned, it is the excess oil called sebum that clogs our pores. This happens when there is an overproduction of sebum, which will cause the pilosebaceous canal to get clogged. Sebum is produced by our sebaceous glands, and it will be produced in excess when the sebaceous glands become hyperactive. The activities of the sebaceous glands are influenced by the hormones in our bodies, particularly the male hormones. Any imbalance or stimulation that occurs in the male hormones will always lead to acne.

Ductal Hypercornification

When the over production of sebum occurs, ductal hypercornification occurs too. Ductal hypercornification refers to the overproduction of the follicle wall?s cell lining, and it will prevent dead cells from being removed. With the pilosebaceous canal already clogged up, sebum or oil and dead cells will clog the pores, and this will lead to the development of acne. Some bacteria called propionibacterium acnes can be found on top of our skin. They will draw white blood cells from our immune system and become inflamed. And the result is acne.

For more information on the development of acne, you can check out Medical Center of Central Georgia, Hippocrates World Site, Acne.com, and Yale New Haven children?s Hospital.

Do Acne Cleansers Work?

iNaturalHealth — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 22:03:00 +0000

Acne is often conceived due to poor hygiene. However, it is not just the case. It takes more than an unclean skin for acne to rise. Sometimes, over cleansing and scrubbing will even do your skin more harm. That?s why you have to know more about how to take care of your skin. Learn how to take care of your skin to get rid of or prevent acne.

With so many cleansing products out in the market today, people get so confused on what to purchase. Each of these products will promise you clearer and brighter skin. However, you may have already tried a lot of these products but not all have produced good results. Some will work for your friend and won?t do you good. While others have helped your skin problem yet have worsened the acne problem of others. So what should you use and how should you use it?

Trial and Error
It may be a scary thought to try out every single product in the market. However, this is really how you?ll know which one is right for you or not. Imagine there are so many things that may cause breakouts. It can be stress, fluctuating hormones, bacteria and oily skin, plus many others. While the reasons are numerous, we are not a hundred percent sure which factor causes a certain pimple to pop out. That?s why, sometimes, we just have to try out different acne products to see what will work on our skin. By trial and error, you?ll be able to discover what?s causing your pimple. As you try out the products, make sure that you follow as instructed and you take care of your skin at the same time. Sometimes, a product may be right for you. But if you don?t follow the instructions, and you don?t care about your skin, then it won?t do any help at all. The trial and error method will not work. Once you try out the products, notice if it dries out your skin. An effective cleanser will clean your skin without drying it up. Dry skin will lead to irritation and itchiness. That?s not what you expect to replace your acne problem. It?s always best to choose mild soaps to clean your face. After washing, do not rub the towel on your face. Simply pat it dry and make sure your towel is clean. When you choose products, you can narrow down your choices by eliminating those that are alcohol based or has alcohol content. Dry skin also causes more breakouts.

Three-step products
Dermatologists recommend the three-step products you?ll see in the market today. They usually have the exfoliant or the facial cleanser. This will help remove the dead skin cells and expose the bacteria. The second product of the three-step is the toner. This will clean up the exposed skin. When you exfoliate, you are removing the outer layer or the dead skin cells. When you tone, you are cleaning the bare layer. Third of the three-step kit is the product that restores, repairs, or prevents acne. It will kill the bacteria and prevent it from recurring. Sometimes, the repair product will also come like a moisturizer so your skin still gets the moisture it needs to look supple and healthy.

Check out other information about acne, cleansers, and recommended brands of cleansers by visiting the following sites:

Discover the Truth about Acne

iNaturalHealth — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 22:33:00 +0000

Because acne is so widely discussed, facts and fiction about this skin problem have been confused. A lot of hearsays about acne have been going around and passed on from generation to generation. Some may have been eventually proven correct, but there are still quite a number of them that remain questionable. Below are some of the myths and truths about acne. Read on to find out what is true and what is not.

Myth #1: Eating chocolates and nuts will cause break outs!

The Truth: Previously, chocolates and nuts were thought to be the cause of break outs, especially among teens. However, these assumptions were not formulated from scientific evidences. After relevant research was conducted, dermatologists and doctors have confirmed that the consumption of chocolates and nuts do not contribute directly to the development of acne. But recently, new studies show that foods can cause acne indirectly. Consuming dairy products in general may contribute to acne growth. However, if you eat chocolates moderately, there?s no reason for you to worry about acne. It is also proven that nuts do not cause acne. In fact, doctors recommend nuts because they contain zinc, which can boost the immune system and help control acne.

Myth #2: Pizza can worsen acne!

The Truth: To this date, there is no evidence to determine whether this claim is true or false. However, we can break down the ingredients of pizza to know how it may or may not affect acne development. One of the common ingredients or toppings of a pizza is cheese. Cheese is a dairy product, and when it is digested, it releases chemicals that may affect acne growth. Another common pizza topping is meat. Meat contains hormones or hormone-like substances that can cause acne as well. Also, if your pizza is oily, then there is a chance you can get oil on your face, and this will infect the clogged pores and cause acne. Generally, eating pizza moderately will not really cause acne.

Myth #3: Avoid fried foods as they can cause breakouts.

The Truth: Again, no studies have been conducted to prove this. However, if you are exposed to the oil when cooking, there?s a higher chance that you will develop acne. It?s not the food you take that causes acne, but the oil that comes in contact with your face.

Myth #4: Dirty skin is the cause of acne.

The Truth: This is not entirely true. We get dirt and dust everyday when we go outdoors. If you live or work in the city, then you will be in contact with pollution. While the dirt can contribute to factors that cause acne, dirt alone will not cause break outs. Acne is caused when a clogged pore is infected by bacteria.

Categorizing Acne According to Age

iNaturalHealth — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 21:55:00 +0000

You may have noticed that most people will first encounter acne during their teenage years. Some people might think that acne will only occur during puberty because of the rapid hormonal changes that take place during this stage of life. However, adults are not exactly free from the threat of acne either.

Over the last decade, it has been reported that the occurrence of acne has increased among adults. This is probably due to bad eating habits, and the pollution or bacteria that we come into contact with. In fact, back in the 20th century, the average age of people suffering from acne was 20.5 years. Come the 21st century, this average is increased to 26.5 years. As such, acne is no longer a puberty-related condition. It is already a common skin disease that a lot of people suffer from.

Babies and Acne

It is common thinking that babies have perfect skin, but do you know that some babies were born with acne? Babies who have acne when they are born will most likely develop acne when they reach puberty, and this may carry on into adulthood. In such cases, acne is usually caused by hereditary factors. It?s dangerous to treat acne in infants because they are very sensitive to medication. If the acne is only mild, it?s better to leave it as it is and wait for it to go away in a few weeks? time. If you insist on treating it, make sure you go to a doctor or dermatologist and get an expert opinion.

Teen Acne

The most common cases of acne start occurring during teenage years. Since we know that acne can be caused by hormonal factors, we can easily understand why teenage years are the most infected stage in a person?s life. The rapid development of acne during teenage is caused by the vigorous hormonal activities that take place as our bodies mature. Teenage boys are more prone to acne because male hormones are the ones that cause our glands to produce excess oil. This is also true with infants as baby boys are more prone to acne than baby girls.

Adulthood & Acne

When we reach adulthood, the females become more prone to acne than males. This is because women experience hormonal imbalance as they approach their menstrual periods and during pregnancy.

Can Diet Affect Acne Growth?

iNaturalHealth — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 21:22:00 +0000

Does diet have any effect on acne? For years, skin experts and doctors have been researching and debating on the subject. Some people will say that you shouldn?t eat fatty foods when you have acne. Others would say that you should stay away from oily stuff when you are nearing or having your period. So the question remains, does your food or liquid intake affect your chances of getting acne? Read on to learn the latest news about your diet?s contribution to acne growth.

The Latest Study

Several studies have been done to determine if our diet really contributes to the development of acne. Recently, it has been proven that the food we eat does not really cause acne directly. However, remember that when we digest our food, certain chemicals are released. Depending on the type of food we consume, some chemicals may influence the growth of acne.

Meat and Testosterone

We know that the excessive production of oil or sebum is initiated by hormonal activities, specifically that of testosterones. Now, experts have found out that some of the food that contains hormones or substances that are hormone-like may contribute to the hormonal imbalance that causes acne. One particular food that contains hormones and steroids is meat. Studies have shown that women who eat meat on a regular basis are more likely to have acne.

Food and Acne

According to recent studies, ninety percent of acne patients developed acne because of the food they consumed. Only ten percent of acne patients had acne due to hormonal imbalance. Diets that have high-fat content as well as diets that contain dairies are more likely to cause acne. Studies also showed that those who consume low fat, high fiber and high starch diets, with a good intake of vegetables and fruits, have little or no acne at all. Aside from these, acne can also be caused by foods that are hard to digest. Such foods will make the digestive system lethargic and weak, and this will lead to skin problems.

More information about diet and acne can be found in http://www.naturalacneremedy.com, http://www.internethealthlibrary.com/Health-problems, and http://www.usanapower.com/Medical/Acne.html.

All About Back Acne

iNaturalHealth — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 22:45:00 +0000

Most people are concerned about acne on their faces, but they are not aware that their backs may have acne too. Back acne may not be so obvious simply because it is not so visible and it can be covered by clothing. However, it can be quite difficult to get rid of back acne.

Blackheads, whiteheads, pustules, pimples, or even cystic acne are some of the different forms of back acne. They are also commonly known as zits. People from ten to forty years old may suffer from such skin disease. If you are among the people suffering from back acne, read on to learn more about the disease and how you can get rid of it.

What Causes Back Acne?

Like any other types of acne, back acne is caused by the excessive oil or sebum produced by the skin?s sebaceous glands. This occurs during puberty for teens and before the menstrual period for adult women. The reason for this is the increased levels of hormones experienced during these stages of life. In short, the sebaceous glands get over stimulated and they produce too much oil that will clog the pores in the skin. When the oil mixes with bacteria that come from dirt or sweat, acne is sure to develop.

Sometimes, when excessive oil or sebum is already clogging the pores at the back and dead skin cells are stuck inside the pores, our skin will get irritated by tight clothing or sweaty shirts from exercise, as well as heavy backpacks. When you already have an oily or sweaty back, make sure you clean and change your shirt properly. If your back has acne, it should be left untouched. Don?t put too much pressure or wear something that will rub itself on the infected area.

How to treat back acne

Since the skin is thicker on the back than the face, it?s alright to use a 10 percent benzoyle peroxide cream to treat acne. A lower percentage can be used for thinner skin such as the face.

Pustule, Papule, Whitehead, Blackhead

When the back acne inflammation is shallow, you can classify the acne as a pustule, but when the acne is deeper, it is called a papule. Now, when the excess oil breaks out through the skin, it is referred to as whitehead. The whitehead is similar to blackhead except that the head you see is darker due to melanin, which is the pigmentation agent for the skin.

More information on back acne can be found at AcneInfo.org, Acne.org and other websites! Check them out and find more tips on how you can reduce back acne today!

Acne When You?re Expecting

iNaturalHealth — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:05:00 +0000

Acne doesn?t choose its next victim. Pregnant women still experience breakouts from time to time. That?s why when you are expecting, be sure to keep your skin clean and healthy. This way, you won?t have to take medicines or apply topical creams. Some prescriptions are not recommended for pregnant women especially some that may affect your unborn baby. Here are some tips and guidelines that will help you handle acne while you?re pregnant. You may also check out helpful sites like Acne Resource, Baby Resource, and American Pregnancy.

During pregnancy, a woman will experience elevated hormonal levels. This is the very reason why pregnant women will encounter acne flare-ups and such. When this happens, you should not be taking any oral or topical medications unless prescribed by your doctor. You may be able to use over the counter drugs or creams but be sure to consult with your doctor first, before using. The best way to handle this is prevention.

A Healthy Regimen

We know that acne is the result of dirt plus bacteria plus oil plus clogged pores. To avoid having break outs, make sure that you follow a healthy lifestyle during your pregnancy. Of course, it?s best if you keep a healthy regimen even if you?re not expecting. Being healthy means keeping clean and well groomed, eating lots of fruits and vegetables, drinking lots of water, and regularly exercising.

Keep your skin oil-free

During pregnancy, maintain an oil-free skin by regular cleansing. It?s best to clean your face or other parts of your body that are prone to acne, at least twice a day. Make use of microfiber cloth that can absorb oil. If you already have acne, use only a mild soap that is not oil-based. On the contrary, washing your skin too frequently can cause it to be dry. You will still need some moisture so make sure that you don?t overdo cleaning. At the same time, if you notice dryness on your face, you have to use some moisturizing agent. Over cleansing can also cause your glands to produce more oil, simply because they will know that you?ve lost too much oil in your pores.

Again, the only things you can do when treating acne during pregnancy is to keep developing healthy habits. Prescriptions are highly discouraged because of the side effects that can harm the baby. Check out the article on risks of prescription medications to find out what side effects you can expect with such.

Acne and the Digestive System

iNaturalHealth — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:01:00 +0000

Most people do not think that the digestive system affects the occurrence of acne, but in fact, one of the main causes of acne is a weak digestive system. It?s the digestive system that fuels up the whole body with energy. It is also responsible for the breaking down of the food we eat into nutrients and minerals needed by various parts of our bodies, including our skin. Thus, the condition of our skin actually reflects the condition of our digestive system.

One of the most important parts of our body is the digestive system

The digestive system turns our food into glycerin, sugars, fatty and amino acids. These are then distributed to the organs in our bodies through the blood stream. Therefore, the digestive system is a very essential part of the body. Without it, other systems and organs in our bodies will not get the nutrition they need to function properly. That?s why our skin won?t look healthy if the digestive system is weak.

A lethargic digestive system causes most skin problems

A lazy or slow-moving digestive system can cause a lot of problems in various parts of the body, including the skin. Most skin problems come about due to the malfunctioning of the digestive system. These skin problems include acne, psoriasis, eczema, body odor, and boils. When the digestive system is healthy, food is broken down to functional components to keep the body parts in tiptop condition; but when it fails, toxins will be produced. In turn, such toxins will cause problems in various organs throughout the body. As we know, the largest organ of the body is the skin, and it is the organ that is most affected by toxins. The occurrence of acne represents a toxic digestive system and of course, a weak immune system too.

The important substance in your digestive system

A vital substance that helps your digestive system work properly is Hydrochloric acid or HCL. Your digestive system must be able to maintain a certain level of HCL to function effectively. If you eat junk food regularly and your usual diet includes a lot of fat and sugar, the HCL level in your stomach will be reduced. Try asking your doctor about this especially if you experience fatigue or adult acne and other skin problems. Depleted HCL will also result in other problems like muscle cramps, arthritis, and food allergies. Aside from an unhealthy diet, long term use of antibiotics is another cause of HCL depletion. Without sufficient HCL, your immune system will be impaired, and this will cause acne to flare up. For more information about acne and the digestive system, you can visit http://www.answerswithherbs.com/digestive_system.html or http://www.acne-advice.com.

Acne: A Common Skin Disease in America

iNaturalHealth — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:00:00 +0000

Do you know that acne is one of the most common skin diseases in America? In fact, it is a very common skin disease throughout the world. In the US alone, studies show that three out of four people suffer from acne, and the bad news is, acne has no cure. However, it can be treated and controlled. There are various ways to treat acne, and the length and type of treatment will depend on the severity of the acne.

What Causes This Common Skin Disease?

There are many factors that can contribute to the development of acne. They can be hereditary, hormonal, and environmental. Basically, acne occurs because of clogged pores that are infected by bacteria. The skin?s pores become congested with excess oil produced by the skin?s sebaceous glands, and this oil is called sebum. When too much sebum is produced, it clogs the pores and traps the dead skin cells. When bacteria from dust, dirt, and other outside factors touch our faces and come into contact with the clogged pores, the result is infection. This infection is what we call acne.

Then, you may be wondering, what causes the bacteria and the excess oil? It?s easy to determine the occurrence of bacteria since it is common knowledge that they can be found on any dirty object that we get into contact with, or they are just floating in the air. In other words, bacteria are caused by environmental factors or the dirty things that surround us. The other question is, what causes excess oil and how do our sebaceous glands produce too much sebum? That?s when hereditary and hormonal factors come in. Our sebaceous glands may function improperly when hormonal imbalance occurs. Hormonal imbalance happens during puberty and the teenage phase when hormonal activities are more vigorous than normal. For some women, hormonal imbalance takes place when they are nearing their menstrual periods. Whatever causes hormonal imbalance may lead to over production of sebum, and this will result in the occurrence of acne.

Struggling With Acne

Probably most of us have suffered from acne, whether mild or severe. And we probably understand the emotional deal that comes with acne. People who have acne will lose their confidence and self-esteem, which is especially true for teenagers. In fact, most teens may not want to go out when they have acne showing on their faces. Acne can ruin one?s social life and cause embarrassment. Therefore, people with severe cases of acne will experience great emotional struggle.

If you are among the three out of every four Americans suffering from acne, you will want to find an effective treatment for acne. Basically, there are creams and other skin products that will help you get rid of acne. However, if you suffer from a severe case of acne, then it would be best to leave the treatment to a skincare expert or a dermatologist. Meanwhile, you can check out other resources such as ?Acne ? How to Treat It?, ?Treating Your Acne?, and ?Acne Treatment? to get useful tips on how to treat acne.

Controversies Surrounding Acne: You Don?t Know What to Believe!

iNaturalHealth — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 14:00:00 +0000

Acne is such a common problem, you?d think that the medical community would have it down by now but it doesn?t. In fact, there?s plenty of controversy surrounding everything from causes of to treatments for acne. It seems every dermatologist has his or her own opinion on acne causes and cures. Here are just a few.

Use Birth Control to Cure Acne
Very controversial, in part because birth control itself is controversial. But also, the medical community is split between the benefits and dangers of birth control in the treatment of acne.

The appearance of acne is caused partially by the release of male hormones, like testosterone. The thinking goes that if acne is triggered by the production of male hormones, birth control pills, which contain the female hormone estrogen, will counter- act the increase in testosterone. Problem is, there are known dangers associated with birth control in pill form. Plus, you end up with a hormonal cocktail streaming through your body. That?s why there?s such controversy about using hormone treatments to address what many (even dermatologists) believe is a minor problem for teens.

Stress Causes Acne
A recent study developed in the United Kingdom suggested that stress should be added to the list of known causes of acne breakouts along with environment and heredity. It does seem as though acne flares up when we?re stressed out, but there?s still plenty of controversy among doctors about the effects of stress on skin eruptions.

Accutane, Suicide and Birth Defects
Accutane is a prescription medication designed to treat acne. However, when you read the warning label on the meds, it?s downright frightening. Accutane should not even be handled by women who are pregnant because accutane has been linked to birth defects.

Even more controversial is the relationship between accutane and suicide. Much has been written about increased suicide rates among accutane users. However, medicinally-induced suicide is certainly a subject of controversy within the medical community.The Food-Acne Controversy
Mainstream medical practitioners have long disregarded the relationship between diet and the appearance of acne. The textbooks have been telling dermatologists for years that there is no relationship between the types of food we eat and the development of acne. Even so, acne patients are usually put on a low-fat, no fast-food diet. If there?s no relationship between food intake and acne development, why the change in diet?

Several dermatologists have published papers insisting that as soon as their patients go back to the high fat diet, they experience breakouts of acne. The greasy diet myth was exploded years ago, or so we?ve been told. However, the controversy is far from settled ? even among the experts.

The Sugar-Acne Controversy
Some so-called experts have been pushing the idea that sugar is a main contributor to acne and that by cutting sugar from your diet you?ll eliminate any acne problems. While controversial, there?s no scientific evidence to support the claim that sugar causes acne.

Fish Oil Controversy
In 2005, a natural nutritionist published a paper which set forth the idea that by consuming more natural fish oils you will control acne. He wrote a book on the subject which stirred some controversy within the dermatology department. However, in the end, conventional science has yet to establish a connection between increased consumption of fish and the lessening of an acne problem.

What should you believe about acne?
It seems that every doctor, nutritionist and homeopathic doctor has his or her opinion on the causes and treatment of acne, and many offer the proverbial magic bullet ? the one simple treatment that will eliminate the problem. There is no magic bullet. It?s bunk. The development of acne is a complex process involving internal and external factors and no one treatment will address all of the contributing factors.

Acne isn?t life-threatening but it can be life altering and there are people who will take advantage of others who have a problem with acne. The best advice you?ll ever get is to see a doctor if the problem is serious. If it?s more of an annoyance, there are plenty of safe and healthy things you can do to cut down the number of times you breakout.

In fact, a well-balanced, healthy diet is one of the mainstream recommended treatments for acne. A healthy diet leads to healthy skin which can better fight the bacteria that causes acne in the first place.

You can believe what modern medicine tells you about the causes of acne ? clogged, infected pores. And you can believe that regular, gentle washing will eliminate some acne problems.

You can also believe that there are safe, gentle products that help fight minor acne ? cosmetics, skin treatments, soaps and other products designed specifically to reduce the appearance of blemishes.

What you can?t believe is every crackpot idea or remedy that makes the rounds in school hallways. There are people ready to take advantage of those with serious acne problems. Stick with modern medicine on this one, follow your doctors directions precisely and keep at it. In time, your acne problem will disappear or diminish if you do.

Acne Risk Factors: Facing Facts

iNaturalHealth — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 01:00:00 +0000

Did you know that some of the acne treatments you use actually do more harm than good? Did you know that where you live has an effect on the condition of your skin? Did you know that playing some sports can contribute to the development of acne? All true.

More than 90% of people between the ages of 12 and 25 years old report experiencing acne, so you?re far from alone. Some report the occasional blemish; others severe acne that causes permanent scarring. Most people fall somewhere in between with flare-ups just a part of life. But there are certain conditions that increase your risk of acne problems and the severity and duration of those problems.

The fact is, there are lifestyle changes that can cut down on the number of blemishes you experience. Coupled with the appropriate medications, changes in your lifestyle can eliminate at least some of the problem ? even in severe cases. Then, there are those things about you that can?t be changed.

What You Can?t Do About Acne

You can?t choose your parents. Or grandparents. Though there?s still some debate among dermatologists, the evidence seems clear that the likelihood of developing an acne problem is partially hereditary. If your parents had acne problems, if your brothers and sisters have acne, you?re at higher risk of developing blemishes.

The other thing you can?t control is hormone levels. Hormones regulate body activities ? everything from stress to sex drive. In teen-agers, sex hormones such as testosterone and androsterone, increase significantly. The effect, of course, is a strong sex drive. One of the unwanted consequences of increased hormonal levels is wider pores. Pores are the small openings in your skin, some of which contain hair follicles. When a pore is clogged with grime or make-up, bacteria gets trapped within the pore and a pimple is the result.

What You Can Do About Acne

Believe it or not, many dermatologists believe that people who live in areas of high humidity are more prone to skin eruptions. So what do you do? Move to a drier climate? Not very practical. However, you can stay out of the heat and avoid exerting yourself on humid days.

Anti-Acne Cosmetics

Most cosmetics will also increase your risk for developing acne. Many cosmetics contain various oily substances. Avoid using make-up that contains: oleic acid, lanolin, lauryl alcohol, petrolatum, vegetable oils or butyl stearate. These ingredients are found in many cosmetics. They?re also found in skin moisturizers, suntan lotions and even over-the-counter acne treatments! That?s right. The very ingredients that can make an acne problem worse are contained in many of the products designed to improve skin health.

Before you buy any oil or alcohol-based skin care product, read the ingredients label to make sure you?re buying products that will actually help and not hurt an acne problem.

Another Acne Risk Factor: Fats and Oils

No, not in the food you eat.

There?s an old myth that eating greasy foods will contribute to the development of acne. Not true. It doesn?t, though there are plenty of good reasons to avoid French fries and other greasy foods to improve your overall good health.

However, fats and oils in the air definitely have a negative impact on an existing skin problem. People who work in fast food restaurants, auto repair shops and even people who live in crowded cities where grime is a part of the daily routine ? all of these individuals are more likely to develop acne. If you fall into one of these groups, it?s essential that you gently cleanse your skin throughout the day to prevent clogged pores that can lead to a flare-up.

Acne and Skin Irritation

If you wear a head band while playing tennis, or a helmet that requires a chin strap, you?ve upped your chances for developing acne.

Football players, wrestlers, lacrosse players ? any athlete who wears a helmet irritates the skin, chafing it with the chin strap. Same thing with a headband. It may keep the sweat out of your eyes but it irritates the skin. And irritated skin is weakened, making it more susceptible to the development of acne.

What Can I Do About These Acne Risk Factors?

No one wants to change his or her life because of acne so, if you enjoy football play football, even if the chin strap irritates your skin. In this case, just take better care of your chin.

If you live in New York City where you can see the air you breathe, wash your face often but avoid doing more skin damage with harsh abrasives. Be nice to your skin. Don?t irritate it even more.

Take breaks during the day to cleanse your face. Warm water and a gentle soap will clean out pores before blemishes can appear. Avoid most of the over-the-counter acne treatments which contain ingredients that actually irritate the skin ? ingredients like alcohol, which cleans pores but is pretty rough on sensitive skin.

Finally, don?t worry about it. You?re part of that 90% majority of teens and young adults who experience acne. It?s no fun, but do your best at keeping the problem under control and live your life.

No that?s good advice.