Showing posts with label Acne. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Acne. Show all posts

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Acne Vulgaris


Acne vulgaris is the most common form of acne, and is simply what we refer to as common acne. Acne vulgaris can affect anyone, and almost 100% of the population has had acne vulgaris at one time. Over 85% of teens suffer from acne, and although it is caused by an increase in hormone levels which affect and over-stimulate the sebaceous glands, the resulting acne is still called acne vulgaris.

Acne vulgaris is usually found on the face and upper body area including the back, chest, neck and arms. Both facial acne and body acne are considered acne vulgaris. In most cases, acne vulgaris will not cause scarring. Acne that scars is usually much more severe, when several papules or pimples join together causing cysts (known as cystic acne or severe acne). Acne vulgaris affects people of all ages, though it is mostly predominant in teenagers.

Acne vulgaris can be both prevented and eliminated by using a combination of pore-cleansing, anti-bacterial treatment and pore strengthening. ZenMed Derma Cleanse is a product that is able to clean pores effectively, while directly treating the blemishes, naturally using two pronged approach. We recommend the ZenMed acne system for people experiencing any level of acne.
Acne Vulgaris Treatment

Acne vulgaris treatment comes in many forms. Pharmacies and supermarkets are literally inundated with new products for fighting acne. It’s important to remember that acne products work differently for different people. Some topical acne treatments work well for some, but irritate the skin of others. Some ingested treatments work well for some but cause complications in others. Talking to your doctor and choosing the best medication for you is always the best method of choosing your acne solution. Some examples of the types of acne products available are:
Natural Acne Treatments

Within the last decade, natural medicine has made a significant comeback. Naturopaths are available for consultation in every town, as people begin to lose faith in ‘chemical’ products and their outlandish guarantees. Some natural products that have been used for decades to clear acne are rose water, milk of magnesia, lemon juice, tea tree oil and ginger root.

Topical medication

Topical medication is probably the most popular acne vulgaris treatment method. Topical medication can contain natural or synthetic ingredients (or both), and are used to kill the P. Acnes bacteria, clear oil from the skin, and generate healthier skin. Some topical medications are prescription based, and can only be obtained by a physician. Examples include topical steroids and antibiotics, and the chemical compound isotretinoin (retinoids) which is common for sever or chronic acne treatment.

Ingested Acne Vulgaris Treatment

In some cases, a doctor may prescribe an ingested medication for the treatment of severe acne vulgaris, but the practice is becoming rarer. Some examples of ingested or oral medication are antibiotics and retinoids. Antibiotics tend work only when being prescribed, and acne flare-ups can start again days after treatment is stopped. Antibiotics also lose their efficacy over time. Retinoids have also been shown to have side effects and cannot be used by pregnant women.
Laser Acne Therapy

Laser therapy is another acne vulgaris treatment that is gaining in popularity. Although pricey for some, laser treatment requires only a few visits. Lasers are used to burn away either one or more layers of the skin (resurfacing), the underlying layers of skin (fractional laser therapy) or the burning of follicles or sebaceous glands (cauterizing). Laser therapy is relatively painless and its side effects include a few days of redness of the skin and minor irritation.

When to See a Doctor

If you have acne vulgaris, and your pimples are getting worse by the week, it is always a good idea to talk to your doctor regardless. Further, if you notice that some pimples are banding together, forming even larger pimples, you should speak to your doctor or dermatologist as acne scarring may result. Always see your doctor if medication or acne vulgaris treatments are causing unusual side effects.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Types of Acne

There are many variations of acne, ranging in severity from mild to severely disfiguring. The regimen works well to combat moderate to light acne. Severe acne may require more aggressive treatment.

Acne Vulgaris (mild or moderate) is the most common form of acne which includes several types of pimples. These acne lesions include blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, nodules and cysts.

Whiteheads: Whiteheads result when a pore is completely blocked, trapping sebum (oil), bacteria, and dead skin cells, causing a white appearance on the surface. These types of acne lesions sometimes seem to be begging to be popped. Make sure you read about how to pop a pimple before you attempt this. Whiteheads are normally quicker in life cycle than blackheads.

Blackheads: Blackheads result when a pore is only partially blocked, allowing some of the trapped sebum (oil), bacteria, and dead skin cells to slowly drain to the surface. The black color is not caused by dirt. Rather, it is a reaction of the skin's own pigment, melanin, reacting with the oxygen in the air. A blackhead tends to be a stable structure, and can often take a long time to clear.
Papules: Papules are inflamed, red, tender bumps with no head. Do not squeeze a papule. It will do no good, and may exacerbate scarring.

Pustules: A pustule is similar to a whitehead, but is inflamed, and appears as a red circle with a white or yellow center. Pustules are your garden variety zit. Before you pop or squeeze such a lesion, be sure to read about how to pop a pimple.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Acne Prevention


What's the best way to get rid of acne? Prevent the pimples from forming up in the first place! Articles below provide information and tips that will help you in preventing acne.

Acne prevention often becomes essential during our teenage years. It can cause great distress and embarrassment at an age when young people are very concerned about how they look. Almost no teenager – and many an adult on drugs like lithium – is spared a prolonged period of acne problems. Pubescent girls need to pay greater attention to acne prevention because of the hormonal upsurges associated with the onset of menstruation.

Increased hormonal activity is the root cause of acne occurrence. This in turn causes excess oil production in the skin’s sebaceous glands. It is a sad fact that the areas most affected by acne are those that are almost constantly visible with today’s youthful fashion trends. Most acne prevention and control compounds contain specific compounds to address the problem. The packaging will indicate the presence of these compounds. One of these is benzoyl peroxide (sometimes in combination with the antibiotic erythromycin). The popular Clearasil contains this agent.

Most affected teenagers address acne prevention with manic scrubbing and dieting. They do this because of a mistaken assumption that the problem is related to poor hygiene or improper nutrition. Avoiding fat-laden junk foods like cheeseburgers is definitely a step in the right direction for other health-related reasons. However, it will do little by ways of acne prevention. Skin hygiene is important, and one can prevent acne to a certain extent by increased and regular cleansing. However, one tends to go overboard and resort to using extreme measures like a face wash of strong toothpaste and other harsh compounds. This will only aggravate the problem by encouraging increased compensatory oil production in the skin.

The belief that astringents discourage excess oil secretion is nothing but a myth. Astringents do take care of superficial oils. However, they are of no use in acne prevention because they cause the skin to contract. This clogs pores and causes long-term aggravation for short-term cosmetic benefits. The best course of action is using a mild cleansing agent to wash town the entire face (not just the fabled T zone or only acne-affected areas) and regular shampooing of hair.

Oily hair causes facial oiliness. This is especially true for those who sport chin/shoulder-length hair. Most importantly, picking at or rubbing of acne blemishes is strictly contraindicated. Doing this can lead to permanent scarring and skin discoloration that will require measures like laser treatment to correct later on. Excessive exposure to sunlight is also a definite no-no - especially if one is using a compound like trenitoin, which increases the skin’s photosensitivity. Tanning lamps can cause the same harmful effect. Females affected with acne must rigorously scan the contents of their cosmetics before using them – only those without an oily base and with the tag ‘noncomedogenic’ (non-obstructing to skin pores) on the label should be used. It is also important to avoid sports headgear such as headbands and cycling helmets. Many fashion accessories that cover part of the facial skin can cause constriction or irritation, too.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Acne Blemish Cure-All - Fact or Fiction?


Everyone gets an occasional acne blemish now and then, but what a person does to treat acne when you get this blemish can have a significant effect on the duration a pimple sticks around, and how visible it is to other people. Normally, you will have to permit an acne blemish to run its course, but you have the ability to rush the process and keep from making the blemish any worse.

Skin Care

Just because you have acquired an acne blemish does not mean your efforts for your skin care have failed or you should discontinue your routine. A good skin care routine help to keep your skin clean without having it irritated. While the right type of skin care will help you to prevent acne breakouts in the future, do not become disheartened when the periodic blemish turns up. They are absolutely normal.

When you find an acne blemish, thinking about squeezing it should not be your first option. Squeezing a pimple at first sight, in the hopes of eradicating it prior to anyone else can seeing it, normally makes the situation worse. If a pimple has formed a head, though, then it should be squeezed and the pressure relieved so that it can heal.

Nevertheless, squeezing acne prior to it being ready is not good for your skin and is a poor method to treat acne. When it will not pop, the majority of people continue to pick and pinch, which bursts the capillaries (tiny blood vessels) just beneath the surface of the skin. This basically forms a small bruise on your face that is probably going to be very visible even after the pimple itself has eventually healed.

Dealing with a Pimple

Once you get an acne blemish, there are still options for you to treat acne, however some of them can be costly. One new type of product, called the Zeno acne-clearing device, asserts it can eliminate the majority of pimples within twenty four hours of use.
It functions by concentrating a specific amount of heat on to the pimple, which in turn destroys the bacteria inducing the blemish.

Some people contend that it works perfectly for them, while other people say it has almost no effect on their acne. As luck would have it, the company makes available a money-back guarantee if you are not happy. The sole disadvantage for people who find Zeno efficacious is that it requires throwaway tips to work, which some people say are fairly pricey depending on how many pimples there are that needs to be treated.

Acne And The Use of Light

Another type of product that is used to treat existing pimples is a pen that applies assorted frequencies of concentrated light. It has been acknowledged for a time that being exposed to sunlight helps your skin to fight acne, but scientists have concluded that the two particular frequency ranges that are most useful appear to us in the form of blue and red light.

The blue light functions to kill the bacterium that is the cause to acne, while the red light induces the healing action of your skin. Dermatologists have employed red and blue light treatment for quite sometime now, but the light pens that are presently available are entirely portable and do not call for any replacement tips. Nevertheless, like Zeno, some people report astonishing results from using a light pen while others see utterly no results at all.

Regardless, fight the desire to pop the acne blemish before it is ready. Incessantly washing or utilizing medication could only irritate the blemish even further, and the result is more of a mess than you began with. The majority of methods, such as Zeno or light pens, only stand a chance of working after the acne blemish has appeared, and even then, these methods might not work for some people. Numerous people decide that it is simply best to let nature run its course.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Remedies for Treating Zits with Kitchen Products


Zits are a common problem and especially so amongst teenagers and adolescents who are going through hormonal changes. Home remedy zit treatments is something that they would benefit from more than adults.

Zits are inflammations of the skin and appear mostly on the face, neck, shoulders and chest. This is a condition that bothers the young more than the adults as it comes on because of hormonal disorders and changes and it is mainly during puberty and adolescence that this happens. At this stage of life the youngsters are very conscious about their looks and are looking for various remedies including home remedies for zits. Fortunately there are many home remedies for zits alongside over the counter drugs and medications.

Home remedies for zits are all available in our own kitchens and there is not need to look any further. Depending on where you live and whether these ingredients are available there would be the only criteria. Some of the home remedies for zits are from oriental and Asian countries while others are available quite easily everywhere. Most of the remedies have healing properties and get rid of the inflammation of the zits and pimples leaving a small scab which dries up and falls off soon.

Some of the home remedies for zits are listed below:

* A paste made with sandal wood and turmeric can be applied to the affected area several times during the day until the zit dries up and leaves a scab. This is a sign that the zit is dry.

* Cucumber paste applied on the face and left for 15 minutes clears the skin. If there are too many zits that are also heavily inflamed, a mixture of turmeric powder and lime juice along with the cucumber juice will have better effects.

* A mixture of lime juice and honey is very effective in healing zits and this can also be applied several times without fear as it they are harmless ingredients with healing properties.

* Orange peel that has been dried can be pounded or ground to a paste and applied on the affected are. Zits and pimples respond to this treatment pretty fast.

* Though the odor of raw garlic is quite oppressive its healing powers are just as strong. Rubbing a piece of raw garlic on a zit heals it. Garlic is also good for inflammations of the skin of any kind and is known as a blood purifier. Acne and boils are also treated with raw garlic and found to be very effective.

* Another home remedy and treatment for zits is either a few teaspoons of mint or coriander juice mixed with turmeric powder and applied on the face after thoroughly cleaning it at night. This clears the skin and leaves it soft and supple.

These home remedies for zits are harmless and yet very effective. However, there is no permanent cure for zits and this condition disappears on maturity.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

How Do I Get Rid of Old Acne Scars?


Having acne isn't something anyone is happy with. What is even worse though is that for some individuals the signs of it linger long after it has gone away. This is in the form of acne scars. They can be very minimal or they can be very evident which will make a person self conscious most of the time.

How do Acne Scars Form?

Acne scars form after the breakouts have cleared up. Some individuals worry that they have scars right away. This is because they redness and indentions from acne can last for up to six months before they go away on their own. If the area remains that way for more than six months it should then be classified as a scar.

Sometimes too much new tissue forms around the area though and that too can result in scarring. So there has to be a balance because too much or too little of the tissue can increase your chances of scars remaining.

Types of Acne Scars

Acne scars are classified according to which category that your recovery fell into. Those that are caused by too much tissue are known as hypertrophic. Generally there is too much collagen being produced. Those caused by a loss of tissue are often smaller in both diameter and depth. They are often called ice pick scars due to the small indentations that they leave on the face .

Avoiding the Development of Acne Scars

It is important to remember that your face consists of live tissue. So when it is damaged due to the acne outbreaks it may not recover fully. Doing all you can to make sure it heals well is important. For example you need white blood cells for the live tissue to recover. Eating right will help you to continue to have enough of them in your body to avoid acne scars.


It is best to keep the skin clean and to pat it dry after washing it. Excessive rubbing can result in the skin becoming irritated. That can lead to the development of acne scarring as can squeezing and touching the inflamed area of skin. Do your best to treat the acne as soon as you can. The less severe that the outbreak is, the less likely you will end up with scars from it.

Tips to Remove Acne Scars

Should you find that acne scars do develop though they don't have to be permanent. There are some ways in which you can reduce the look of them or complete remove them. It will depend on your skin type, the severity of the acne scars, and how long you have had them.

Avoid the various over the counter products that tell you they will eliminate them though. Instead you will need to look towards technology to help you. The use of a laser to stimulate the skin that has been scarred seems to be very effective. However, it is also expensive and it can take many sessions before you see results.

Injections of collagen into the skin as well as microabrasion work well for ice pick scars. These methods also require several treatments over the course of time before you will see results. For more severe types of acne scars skin surgery or grafting may be necessary.

How do I Know Which Treatment is Right for Me?

Since there are many issues that have to be addressed, you should have a professional decide which treatment options will work best for you. A dermatologist who specializes in skin can do this for you. In most instances you should be able to get a free consultation about the remove of old acne scars. Make sure you get at least two different opinions though before you make a final decision.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

A Guide to Acne Causes, Treatment and Prevention


Almost everyone experiences acne at some point in his or her life. Although there is no exact cause, cure or prevention, there are plenty of resources available for people to be able to choose the best treatment and prevention for themselves.

What exactly is acne?

Acne vlugaris, known by most as just plain acne, is a skin disease that happens when follicles, or pores, become blocked with oil. This causes bacteria to grow, and can result in what everyone calls zits or pimples.

According to acne.org, there are two main types of acne: Inflammatory and non-inflammatory. Non-inflammatory acne is usually in the form of whiteheads and blackheads. Inflammatory acne is more visible, and is the type of acne referred to as zits or pimples.

Acne usually occurs on the face, but can also affect other areas of the body such as the shoulders, back and chest.

What causes acne?

There is no exact cause of acne. There are many different factors that can cause acne, although it is not known why some people experience more acne than others.

One factor in causing acne is overactive oil glands, or sebaceous glands, which are located beneath the skin surface. Sebaceous glands produce oil when stimulated by hormones. This is one of the reasons why teenagers are more susceptible to acne: their hormone activity is high during this stage of life.

Other causes of acne include genetics, stress, the use of anabolic steroids and certain medications.

How is acne treated?

There are many products and medications available for the treatment and prevention of acne. Some common treatments are topical, antibiotics and hormonal. The best treatment is usually a combination of different types of treatment.

Over-the-counter topical treatment can work well for mild acne.
Some topical products fight acne by drying up oil, killing bacteria, and getting rid of dead skin cells. Stronger topical treatments are available by prescription, which work by aiding in cell turnover or preventing hair follicles from plugging.

Antibiotics can be used to treat acne by killing bacteria and fighting the inflammation, but the results can take months.

Females with acne can sometimes benefit from hormonal prescriptions. Oral contraceptives containing estrogen and progestogen have been known to clear up acne.

Cortisone is another hormonal method, which can be used to treat severe acne. If a zit is large and does not respond to other treatments, a shot can be injected into the affected area. The results are usually immediate.

Can acne be prevented?

Just like there is no exact cure, there is not surefire way to prevent acne. However, there are certain things that people can do to aid in prevention.

Because acne is caused by oil clogging the pores, there are a few ways to reduce the amount of oil on the skin.

These methods include using an astringent to remove oil, applying oil-free moisturizers to the skin and washing your face daily with sulfur-based soap. Also, it is advisable to avoid oil based skin products and oil based makeup.

Certain vitamins, such as Vitamin A, can also prevent acne and reduce oil production on the skin.

Also, just taking care of your body can help prevent acne. Exercising regularly to rid the body of toxins, drinking eight glasses of water daily, taking a multi-vitamin and practicing proper hygiene can all contribute to the prevention of acne.

People can keep acne under control by being aware of the causes and treatment methods of acne, combined with doing what they can to prevent it. There are countless resources, treatment and prevention methods out there, and finding the right combination is the key to stopping acne.

Does a Cure For Acne Exist?


Treatment methods have been around for hundreds of years, and people have always been trying to find a cure for acne. Some treatments have been more effective than others, and now with the advent of technology and medicine, more possibilities in treating acne have arisen.

A common question that an acne sufferer must answer, is whether or not they want to try and cure their acne by natural remedies, creams, or through laser therapy. Indeed, laser therapy is advisable for those who have acne that is unmanageable, but just how effective are natural remedies and those creams that we see on TV that supposedly do wonderful and miraculous things?

The answer is, most so called 'acne cure creams', do little to actually get rid of acne. Whilst cleaning ones face and applying moisturizer is important for getting rid of excess dirt and filth that can lead to further acne, cleaning oneself too much or applying too many skin-care cream can actually create a reverse effect by over irritating the skin. It's important to do everything in moderation. Whilst creams and the like do offer some minimal relief of acne, don't rely on them too much.

A common thing that people overlook are some of the natural remedies that are available for treating acne. A number of naturally growing plants and herbs can offer great relief for acne, and have been used by acne sufferers for hundreds of years.

Newer isn't necessarily better, and with acne treatment companies trying to make as much money as possible by advertising products that are a 'cure for acne', a lot of natural remedies are being overshadowed. Just because an acne product is advertised every day on TV, doesn't necessarily mean it works. Look into some of the natural remedies that nature has to offer you, you may be quite surprised how effective some of them are.

If your acne is so severe that your entire face is clothed in pimples, then you may consider booking an appointment with a dermatologist and looking at some more advanced treatment methods. Laser light therapy is an excellent treatment option for those who are serious about getting rid of their acne once and for all.

There are many other treatment options out there, much too many to list here. Face peeling masks, medication, special moisturizers, the list is endless. Finding a treatment method that suits you may be difficult, but the most important thing to remember is not to over treat yourself. Whatever treatment method you decide to use, make sure to use it in moderation, and clean your face regularly, but not excessively. Twice a day is normally enough.

There is no single cure for acne, but there are a lot of treatments out there that will help you alleviate the annoying outbreaks. Find which treatment work best for you, and use it appropriately.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Acne Facts


Acne affects people of all ages and all races. Here are a few quick facts about Acne

:: Acne abrasions are usually found on the face but can also occur on the neck, shoulders, chest, scalp, back, inner ear, arms and legs.

:: Close to 100% of those aged 12-17 have had at least an occasional breakout of blackheads, whiteheads or pimples.

:: Acne affects both young men and women although the percentage of young men with acne is higher.

:: Young men are less likely to visit a dermatologist for their acne.

:: Young and old women alike can have acne flair-ups due to hormonal changes such as their menstrual cycle.

:: 35% of teenagers have had acne severe enough to require some form of treatment from a medical professional.

:: In some cases Acne can persist into people's thirties and forties.

:: One's diet does not effect their Acne. Greasy foods such as hamburgers and French fries and sugary foods such as soda, candy and chocolate do not play a role in Acne. Although a healthy diet is still recommended for general health.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Symptoms Of Acne And Types Of Acne


Acne is a chronic disorder of the hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Some of the characteristics of acne include black heads, pimples, cysts, infected abscesses, and rarely scarring. Acne usually occurs during adolescence in both men and women. To be more specific, acne starts during puberty and tends to get worse for people with oily skin.

There are two main types of acne and they are inflammatory and non-inflammatory.

Non-inflammatory acne is the usual whiteheads and the blackheads that most people develop on the face. This is a mild form of acne that can be treated with over the counter medicines.

Inflammatory acne is the more serious ones where the whiteheads develop pus, become inflamed, and eventually red. Inflammatory acne can result in cysts or scars on the face, chest, neck and shoulders. You need to get prescription drugs and may be even surgery in most extreme cases.

Acne appears as whiteheads and/or blackheads on the face, shoulders, neck and chest. Acne can range from mild to severe and can last a few weeks, months, years or can come and go throughout life. If a blemish becomes infected, a pimple can result. Severe acne can be painful and can cause serious scars if not treated.

The symptoms of acne are found in both men and women including teenagers. The most common symptoms of acne are recurrent and persistent red spots and swelling on the skin which is known as acne. Acne can be found anywhere on the body. Acne occurs due to the high concentration of sebaceous glands in the areas which includes upper back, chest, face, neck and shoulders.

Possible complications of acne include cysts, permanent facial scars, changes in skin color and damage to self-esteem, confidence, personality and social life.

Comedones (kom-uh-DO-neze) are created when the openings of hair follicles become clogged and blocked with oil secretions, dead skin cells and sometimes bacteria. When comedones are open at the skin surface they’re called blackheads because of the dark appearance of the plugs in the hair follicles.

The biggest problem a person faces with these signs and symptoms of acne is that if any are allowed to rupture they can actually lead to the infection and inflammation spreading to other areas of skin surrounding them. Therefore it is important that a person suffering from any of the acne signs and symptoms above should seek medical advice from their doctor as soon as possible. Simply because they may actually find that they have some other underlying medical condition.

5 MYTHS ABOUT ACNE


Acne is a nasty little problem that millions of people face every single day. However, many people who are trying with all of their might to fight acne have to also deal with myths surrounding the skin condition. Dealing with myths can greatly hinder your fight against acne. While acne is not a serious or deadly skin condition, it is a condition that can ruin a persons self esteem or even their quality of life.

We will discuss the five most common myths about acne, putting to rest some of the tales that you might have heard and giving you the clear path to finally having and loving clear skin. Here are the top 5 myths about acne :

1. Only Teens Get Acne
There could be nothing further from the truth than this myth. While teens generally get more acne during their puberty years, they are not the only age group that gets acne. Many people especially women have acne from puberty on through adulthood and even into their elderly years. Acne is not bias to a specific age. In fact, though many teens will suffer from some degree of acne, some people do not see any acne at all until they hit their adult years.

2. Dirt Causes Acne
Dirt does not cause acne. Even dirty skin does not cause acne, however it should be said that healthy skin comes from proper hygiene. Even if you rolled in dirt, you are not going to get acne simply by having dirt on your skin. In fact, those who wash their face too often could cause some irritation, which then makes the skin more susceptible to the chance of infection.

3. Acne Can Be Caused By Stress
Stress is not a direct cause of acne. However, stress can and will worsen acne on the skin. Therefore, it is really important, particularly if you already have acne that you find ways to reduce the stress in your life, control it, and manage it to help in improving your skin and health overall.

4. A Poor Diet of Fatty Foods Will Cause Acne
We are sure that you have heard that a poor diet will cause or hurt acne. However, the real truth is that there is no scientific evidence that directly links any particular foods to the cause of acne. Acne has a wide range of causes, pinpointing just one cause is impossible. Therefore, it is important to watch and understand your own skin. If after eating some foods your skin has a negative reaction, then it is generally a good idea to choose to avoid it. However, remember things such as what you drink or sugar, fried foods, candy, or chocolate do not cause acne.

5. Acne Is Contagious
This is a huge myth. Acne is not contagious in any way, shape, or form. It is a bacterium, which is found in most contagious elements, but the bacteria sits tucked away in the skin and hair follicles. Therefore, it is impossible to transmit acne from one person to another by contact, either kissing or touching. Therefore, even if someone has acne, you can kiss and touch them without any fear.

There you have the top five myths about acne that are still in existence today. Learning the real truth about acne is the best defense you have in fighting, prevention, and treatment.

The Truth About Acne


Acne is actually an inflammatory skin disease that causes pimples primarily on the face. They cause embarrassment and are stressful in both teenagers and adults.

This article addresses some of the issues that most acne sufferers want to know:
- Find out the causes of acne
- Discover how easy it is to rid yourself of the acne blues
- Find out what it takes to keep acne breakouts away

Some of the causes of acne come from poor diet, incorrect usage of beauty products and poor quality skin care products that do nothing more than aggravate your acne.

If you wear foundation and don’t use products to properly remove it on a daily basis at night before you go to sleep, you will aggravate your acne symptoms and cause more pimples to appear.

Using improper or poor quality skin care products will also make your acne worse and result in skin that is pocked and pimpled, and a complexion that is embarrassing.

Diet is another factor in the cause of acne, and stress will also cause acne. Beautiful skin comes from a steady, good supply of nutrients, oxygen and removal of metabolic wastes. If any of these are lacking due to stressful conditions or poor eating habits, acne will only get worse.

Getting rid of acne can happen from both the outside in but it is more lasting if it comes from the inside out. Diet is often overlooked in favor of topical ointments that only address the symptoms. Some examples of things that you can add to your diet which will help eliminate acne include organic green tea which contains an anti-inflammatory chemical called catechins. It combats free radicals, reduces fine lines and works to lessen breakouts.

Olive oil is also a good acne reducer with monosaturated fats like olive and sesame oil. It contains fatty acids which also are an integral part of nourishing the skin and giving it that inner glow.

Walnuts and berries can also help.
Walnuts are rich in omega-3 oils which are a powerful antixoident that helps with skin plumpness and flexibility. Blueberries, cranberries and other berries are rich in phytochemicals that protect skin cells.
Lemon juice and watermelon are natural acne fighters.

Lemon juice will bleach the skin and fade sunspots and freckles. Watermelon is believed to be good if you rub the watermelon rind on your face. It is said that this will give you a clear complexion because the pulp of the fruit is a good exfoliant which will get rid of dead skin cells.

Keeping acne at bay is not as hard as you might think. Some simple additions to your diet will make all the difference. Add water, rosewater and vitamin E and you will begin to see a lessening of acne breakouts.

Water is great for keeping your skin hydrated and it also aids in sloughing off the dead skin cells that build up. You will want to add as much water as you can stand to your diet. Drink enough so that you aren’t hungry or thirsty. The average person should drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, something few people ever achieve. Hydration is an important part at lessening acne symptoms.

Vitamin E will also help, but you don’t eat it. You apply it to your acne scar and the results will amaze you. Just put it on and leave it on and watch what happens. It’s not instantaneous, but it does work quite well.

Eating right is extremely important to the lessening and elimination of acne. Healthy fruits and vegetables should be the first thing you add to your diet. Drink lots of water to remain hydrated and wash your face with good skin cleansers that are designed to work with your skin type.

Now that you know what acne is, what causes it and how to get rid of it, you will want to change your eating habits and lifestyle to gain the best results. Acne doesn’t have to ruin your day, embarrass you or upset your life. It is very simple to control if you are willing to make some minor changes in your living habits and buying choices. Just start today to put some of these simple measures into practice.

Acne - Questions and Answers


Acne is a common place skin problem for the majority of adolescents and also afflicts a portion of the adult population. People of all different age groups and backgrounds have had to deal with acne at one point or another. Thus, there has long been a long standing desire to prevent it or even cure it.

We will take a look at some of the various causes of acne in addition to some of the various ways in which people are treated. Our hope with this article is that you will gain a better understanding as to the reasons why people get acne and what they can do for prevention and treatment.

What is acne?

For many thousands of years, people have wrestled with acne. Acknowledged in some cultures as a kind of curse from the gods for immoral behavior, acne has mostly been misunderstood. Only within roughly the past century has the medical field been able to distinguish the true causes of acne. As some might expect, this has permitted those who are afflicted with blemishes to gain a certain sense of relief.

An inflammatory disease of the skin, acne is the consequence of serious changes in the skin's structure. Acne is considered to be the body's unique response to a relatively natural production of testosterone, a male hormone.

Instead of a sign that one's skin is not clean, acne is more closely related with the hormonal and bacterial activity underneath the skin, which finally leads to the irritation of the skin. The end result is the red swelling that we know as acne.

What is The Most Common Type of Acne?

One may think that all acne is the alike, but in fact it is not. As with all irritations of the skin, there are several forms involved. Some are believed more serious and harder to eliminate than others. The most usual kind is acne vulgaris, which only means "common acne," ordinarily signified by a red swelling of the skin. Soon after the initial signs, the white or yellow pus that people associate with acne becomes evident.

This is the type of acne that the majority of teenagers get, caused when excessive amounts of oil from the sebaceous gland combine with dead skin cells to end up clogging the pores of the skin. Since the skin's pores are blocked, oil continues to build up, hence permitting bacteria and yeast to spread. This surplus of bacteria and yeast is what finally does tons of damage to a persons skin.

What Are The Mental Effects of Acne?

Acne might show a body's failure to properly deal with hormonal changes. Acne can suggest that a person is not handling stress in an effective manner. It might be an indication of a potentially serious allergic reaction to a medication or other type of element.
It is not these effects of acne that tend to do the most damage, though.

Acne is more than a health issue, acne is known to cause people (mainly teens) a sense of shame as well as embarrassment. Acne is incorrectly associated with being unclean. Clear, healthy skin is associated with cleanliness, while severe forms of acne are frequently thought to be the effect of sanitary neglect.

Not just that, acne can be ugly and turn people away. The majority of people who experience severe acne are emotionally scarred by the social rejection, contributing to adolescent emotional insecurity and a sense of self-doubt. Because of this, acne should be treated as rapidly and as thoroughly as possible.

Isn't it True That Staying Clean Helps Prevent Acne?

It is always a healthier alternative to rid your skin of toxins as well as dirt that accumulate throughout your normal daily routine. So yes, to some extent, it is true that washing your skin can help prevent or decrease acne.

Acne is a chemical element, and it is something that occurs beneath the surface of the skin to a greater degree than on the skin itself. Both cleansing on a daily basis as well as care of one's skin will help in reducing the bacteria that resides on the surface of the skin, but these actions cannot decrease the testosterone levels below the surface of the skin that help to create acne.

Recognizing this underlying fact should help to reduce some of the stigma that is accompanied with acne. It should also allow people who are enduring their acne to take some degree of comfort in understanding that they are not necessarily less clean than other people. The truth is that they have very little actual control over what is going on beneath their skin.

What Are Some of The Other Elements Involved That Increase the Probability of Getting Acne?

That is a good question, and one that is likely on everyone's mind. The tough part about acne is that there is not one single element that can prompt it. Several factors help cause acne. Some of them can be circumvented, while others cannot. For instance, one cannot change their family history, but this is one very important factor in influencing the development of some form of acne.

Hormonal activity is another. Women who are pregnant or who are menstruating have been known to abruptly acquire bad cases of acne. Other elements, such as stress and certain medications, can also bring about acne.

Bear in mind, acne is based on the hormonal changes that occur within the body. Any life-changing or stress-inducing occurrence is likely to alter a person's chemical makeup. Lastly, the accumulation of dead skin cells often contributes to increased acne.