Showing posts with label acne. Show all posts
Showing posts with label acne. Show all posts

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Acne and Exercising

As a matter of fact, reasonable exercising is good for your skin. In addition to this, it also helps keep your body healthy and it is good for controlling your stress level. However, if your regular exercising routine worsens your acne, then you should ask yourself a few questions: What do I wear when exercising? Where do I exercise? How hard do I exercise?

Below are a few hints that will help you keep acne at bay when exercising:

Make-up - It is important that you reduce the amount of make-up to minimum. Actually, the best option is mnot to wear make-up at all while you are working out. Even oil-free cosmetics can block pores during exercise. Therefore, it is highly recommended that during workout you have no make-up whatsoever. If you wear make –up during workout (remember, it should be as little as possible) make sure that you wash your face immediately after exercising.

Sunscreen - If you exercise outdoors, you must never forget to put some sunscreen. Yes, acne can improve a bit when exposed to sunshine however the studies showed that too much exposure worsen acne. Also, prolonged exposure to the sun might damage your skin. Make sure that your sunscreen is oil-free and its protection factor is not less than SPF 15 for UVA and UVB. Again, wash your face immediately after exercising as sunscreen, if left on your skin for too long, might block the pores.

Clothing - If you have problems with body acne, make sure your exercise gear is not made only from lycra or nylon. Those materials will trap the heat and moisture on your skin, which is a great breeding ground for bacteria that cause acne. If your exercising routine is moderate try some loose-fitting cotton, or lycracotton garments. Cotton will allow your skin to breath, and clothes that are loose are less likely to cause friction. For heavy exercising, try some new fabrics that are especially designed to remove moisture from your skin. Just remember, make sure your skin can breathe through the fabric and your clothes are not too tight.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Types of Acne Scars

All of us suffer from acne but it soon or later goes away. The problem is however acne scars which are there to stay. Acne scars are the result of a healing process of acne. There are different types of acne and there are therefore different types of scars they leave behind.

1. Ice pick scars
These scars vary from being shallow or deep and sometimes are hard or soft. They look like wounds from an ice pick and hence are named ice pick scars. Stretching the skin has very little if any affect on these types of scars.
These scars can be deep or shallow as well as soft or hard. They resemble the wound from an ice pick. Stretching the skin has very little effect on these scars.

2. Depressed fibrotic scars
These scars are very little crates or moulds formed on the facial skin. They are of different sizes and are the result of a tissue loss in the face skin. They are usually found on the cheeks of the affected person.

3. Superficial and deep soft scars
Superficial and deep soft scars are of different sizes. They have slopped edges that unite with healthy skin.

4. Atrophic macules
These scars affect not only the face but also other parts of the body. They are quite small on the facials skin and a bit larger on the other parts of the body. They are softer compared to other scars and have a slightly wrinkled base. Due to underlying blood vessels they might have a bluish or violet color.

5. Follicular macula atrophy
These acne appears on the back or chest of an affected person. They are small in size, white and quite soft. They are often barely raised above the surface of the skin and might look like not fully developed whiteheads.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

A Few Acne Tips

An acne problem isn't really a problem, as long as you know good acne skincare hints. One doesn't require a lot of money to acquire that healthy glowing skin, with the natural acne skincare techniques. Below are few acne skincare tips and hints we can use to reduce acne.

The power of water. Water is the most natural substance we may use for acne skincare routine. When washing your face, remember to do it softly. Do not rub and scrub your facial skin. For most effective acne skincare results, applying a toner or mild cleanser one time in the morning, noon and evening, and afterwards a heavy work out, will aid you achieve a clear skin.

Don’t pick that zit. Don't prick pimples and blemishes as pricking a bubble only increases the chance of skin inflammation and acne marks and scars. Avoid often hand contact with your face for better acne skincare effects.

Shave with care. Pick the best electric shavers and razors that you can trust. Men need not use an extremely sharp blade to remove their facial hair. A standard shaver used with soap and water, or shaving cream (soap) will help you obtain that smooth finish. Doctors suggest men to shave gently, and shave only when needed for acne skincare maintenance.

Sun of the beach! If you enjoy sun tanning or simply desire the sight of that sophisticated sunburned look - forget it. This is an acne skincare NO-NO. The sun's harmful UV rays redden the skin, making it drier. It can cause one’s blemishes visible, accelerate aging and bring severe harm to the individual's skin. In addition, immoderate exposure to the Sun may cause skin cancer. You do not want to ruin that great acne skincare you have been starting on with.
If you do out, always apply sunscreen, even in winter! Yes, sun’s rays are dangerous throughout a year, so never leave your home without sunscreen.

Cosmetics. Eye shadows, blush on, moisturizer, and other cosmetics we apply ought to be without any oily substances to allow healthy acne skincare maintenance. Also hairstyling articles in forms of gels or aerosols that get into close contact with the skin can ruin a healthy acne skincare practice. Select hairstyling articles, which are commercially labelled as non-comedogenic. These are products which don't stimulate the formation and growth of blemishes and some other associated skin disorders.

Buttered Face. An African beauty secret discloses the great power of shea butter which originates from the Karite Nut Tree (or Mangifolia tree). Hmmm... juicy acne skincare hint! Karite Nut Tree is found in the semi-arid savannahs of West and Central Africa. People in Africa, particularly females - have relied on shea butter as a vital tool for acne skincare treatment for years.

Spare that SPA! You do not have to go to the most costly spa parlors to acquire that great facial treatment to help you in your acne skincare endeavor. Make a homemade magic elixir right at the comforts of your own home by buying simple spa products sold in beauty shops.

Get only the best and FRESH. Increase consumption of fresh fruit and veggies. These acne skincare foods are free of toxins which decrease the speed of blood circulation. A salad or a fruit a day will keep acne away!

There's no ideal remedy, medicine, treatment or acne skincare techniques for acne problems. But there are some techniques and methods that can help us maintain our skin acne free or at least reduce acne.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Acne - More Great Tips

Tip 5 – Do not touch your facial skin too often! The bacteria that causes acne (Propionibacterium acnes) is a normal resident of your skin. It does not however lead to acne until it is trapped inside the hair follicle. You should therefore avoid tpuching your face extensively, including resting your chin in your hands! It can drive the bacteria into pores where it can begin its dirty work and cause acne.

Tip 6 – Remember to take a shower after working out. Your skin generates heat when you exercise. The heat and the moisture are trapped against your skin until you shower off. Therefore remember to take a shower as soon as you can as the heat and moisture are the perfect breeding ground for acne bacteria.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Acne - 4 Great Tips

Many people wrongly think that acne is caused by dirt, and really, it is not! It is caused by lots of factors, and the problem is that you can’t control them. The factors include your hormone balance and the natural pace of your skin’s renewal system. Luckily, there are quite a few things you can do to keep your acne in check. Please follow the below tips to keep your acne skin free.

Tip 1 – As I have already mentioned, acne is not caused by dirt, so washing your face over and over won’t make it go away. Therefore, do not over-wash for face. Try to limit yourself to two washings a day. Washing your face too often will leave your skin dry and acne-prone areas irritated. Moreover, over-washing might also cause extensive oil production which than can result in more breakouts.

Tip 2 – Do not use harsh scrubs. Exfoliation is good, but make sure that you use a gentle formula with small and smooth grains. Do not use products that consist of apricot or almond shell fragments. They will most probably irritate your skin and cause more acne.

Tip 3 – Avoid products with alcohol. Avoid toners with isopropyl alcohol or common rubbing alcohol. Alcohol dries your skin which causes extra oil production.

Tip 4 – Don’t squeeze or pick your blemishes with pins, fingernail and anything else. It will force bacteria deeper into your skin and therefore causing greater inflammation and infection. Moreover, you will also damage the surrounding skin which might cause scaring.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Acne and How to Heal it


Nowadays a good appearance is what makes a good first impression and everyone desires of flaunting a flawless skin. Unlike the popular idiom, “Never judge a book by its cover”, people these days judge you by your looks. Acne is one of the most frequent skin problems that teenagers and adults face during their lifetime. Acne affects people regardless of their gender, color or gender and almost 75% of the people face this condition once in their life span.

What is acne?

Acne is a common skin disease that occurs when the oil and dead skin block the pores. The blockage results in oil accumulating on the inside of the pores. Although it is a common condition, it needs proper treatment. In case of neglecting, the problem can aggravate and lead to permanent scarring of skin. According to a recent study, more than 50% of women and 25% of men suffer from adult acne.
It is known that most of these skin problems are related to hormonal changes in the body and acne too is a one of them. Besides hormones, dead skin, oil and bacteria (p. acne) magnify the problems.

How to heal acne?

Proper care and treatment is indispensible in case of acne. Squeezing the bump worsens the inflammation problems as p. acne thrives on the same. The bacteria and infections spread upon squeezing and thus it is not at all a great idea to use your hands to pick them. Many products available can stop the growth of infection caused by p. acne.
Some of them are:
Antibiotics: Antibiotics are largely effective if a doctor prescribes the right medicine in the right quantity. However, they do have some visible side effects like dehydration of the skin and killing some desirable bacteria. Prolong use of these antibiotics makes them ineffective as our body builds resistance against their effectiveness.
Sulfur: Sulfur is a great remedy to ward off acne bacteria as well as beneficial for all kinds of skin infections. Most over the counter medication include sulfur. It also helps in unclogging the pores and removing the dirt.
Tea Tree Oil and Benzoyl peroxide: Both these products are effective in killing the p. acne bacteria. Tea tree oil soothes the redness and inflammation caused due to acne but takes a longer time than Benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide is present in most of the over the counter medication available.
Most of the aforementioned products cannot eliminate the bacteria for forever and there are chances of the acne problem re-appearing again if it is not treated completely. Nevertheless, a proper lifestyle, healthy diet and proper skin care can keep the acne problem at bay.

 

Friday, August 7, 2009

Get Rid Of and Prevent Acne


It is a proven fact that acne is one of the most common skin problems prevalent in the population today. Almost everyone at some stage or the other in their lives, face acne problems, and for the ones who are lucky, Touchwood! Acne is usually caused on a skin that is little more sensitive than normal. It can also be caused because of lack of any skin care. Acne is nothing but a result of the pore of the skin getting blocked by dirt. Here are a few tips that can help you stay away from this menace:

WASH YOUR FACE AT LEAST TWICE

There is a lot of microscopic waste that gets deposited on your face. This dirt needs to be washed off regularly or else there stands a risk of this seeping deeper. You must thoroughly cleanse your face at least twice in a day. Do not use the harsh bathing soap for this process as that can damage the skin for good. Get hold of a mild skin cleanser that suits you. A cleanser works to clean the dirt and also rejuvenates the skin cells.

SHAVING AND MAKE-UP

There are a few activities that must be monitored in case of an acne prone skin. Your skin might be extra sensitive to shaving cream or the blade might cause allergy. Also for females, if makeup is a cause, then you should make sure you use hypoallergenic or a fragrance free makeup kit.

If the problem still persists, you must take the expert advice of a dermatologist.

 

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Your Diet and Acne

The old saying “you are what you eat” is especially true when we talk about the causes of acne. It has been proved that people whose diet is not healthy or lacks some mineral and vitamins often experience problems with their skin.

Skin is the largest organ, and it shows the condition of our body. Healthy body means healthy skin, so proper diet is crucial. If you want to be healthy eat well and be active. Your body will be healthy and your skin beautiful.
If you are having skin problems, before you start using medications and chemical, look at what you eat. Improve your skin condition, fight and prevent acne by following these simple steps.

Say no to Fats, Oils, and Sugars

Diets high in fats, oils, and sugars have been shown to cause acne and other skin problems.
Avoid junk and fast food – it is usually high in fats, oil, sugar and carbohydrates and will probably cause break out of acne. Eating this unhealthy food is not good for you and it will show on your skin. You should replace it with foods that are natural and therefore healthy.

Try Organic Foods

When improving your diet, make sure to include fresh, nutritious food. You could try organic foods, as they have no added chemicals, preservatives and toxins which are dangerous to your health and therefore skin.
Remember to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. They contain vitamins and minerals that your body needs, and will surely affect your body in a positive way. While increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables in your diet, try to reduce meat products. They usually have a high amount of fat and stay in your system for a long time affecting your skin.

Vitamin and Mineral Supplements

It is difficult to provide your body with daily recommended doses of minerals and vitamins. Hence, it is a good idea to include vitamin and mineral supplements in your diet. Look for a vitamin supplement that is suitable for your age, gender and activity level. Also check them for Vitamin E, as this vitamin is necessary to have a healthy and acne free skin.

Stay Hydrated

You need to drink at least eight glasses of water to properly hydrate your body. Many people do not do it, and it shows on their skin. If your skin is dry, itchy or dull, you are not providing your body with enough water and you should immediately change it!

Well hydrated skin is fresh, smooth and glowing. Also remember that water not only hydrates your body, but also cleans it from toxins and other dangerous substances. So drinking the right amount of water will benefit not only your skin but your overall health. Also, do not try to substitute water with other liquids such as sodas or other sweet drinks – because of the sodium and sugar they are unhealthy and do not hydrate your skin is the same way water does.

Following the above steps will help you reduce and eventually get rid of acne. Your body will be healthier and your skin will reflect it. Remember, if you suffer from skin problems, you should look first at what you eat and your lifestyle in general. Do not start with taking medications and creams or lotions. They can be dangerous and will not help you much if your diet and lifestyle are unhealthy. Healthy body means beautiful and fresh skin free of acne and other problems!

 

Monday, July 13, 2009

Acne and How to Treat It

A spotless skin attracts attention and does give a slight edge to the people who have an immaculate look over those who are messy in appearance. People are quick to form their opinions just by looking at someone hence; a gleaming face instantly forms a good impression. Most of the teenagers and some adults too suffer from one of the most prevalent skin condition- ACNE VULGARIS more commonly known as acne.

ACNE VULGARIS is an inflammatory skin condition that arises due to clogging of pores and follicles usually on face, neck, shoulders, chest and back. Dermatologists claim that they appear due to hormonal changes that mostly occur during puberty. Oil, dead skin and bacteria (p. acme) are responsible for acne.

Acne is one of the most dreaded and widespread skin diseases. More than 75% of people go through this ordeal once in their life span. Almost 25 % of these suffer from active acne. Majority of the sufferers are the teenagers (aged 12 to 24) and the disease is dreaded because it leaves permanent visible scars that are the most undesirable aspect. Nonetheless, acne can be treated with proper skin care and living a healthy lifestyle. A safe and effectual treatment can avoid scars and save you from mental agony.

There are fundamentally three categories of acne treatment available:

• General and preventive skin care products
• Over the counter medication and skin care products
• Medication available on prescription

General and preventive skincare products include various skin peels and skin exfoliates that are a part of daily cleansing and skin care. They limit the production of excess oil and prevent dirt from settling into the pores. Hence, they reduce the pore clogging and bacteria emergence.

Over the counter acne medication, include creams and solutions that are mostly based on Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. Both the products are harsh on p. acne and destroy it on regular application of cream and solution. These remove the excess oil from skin and help maintain blockage free skin.

Prescription based acne medication is prescribed only by qualified dermatologists, usually for severe cases. Choosing the right product that suits your skin is utmost essential. These creams can be orally applied and they mostly bring in the desired results.

It is important to remember that all types of acne can be effectively treated through natural or medicated skin care products. Proper awareness and choosing the right treatment can put you straight on the road to recovery.

 

Friday, June 19, 2009

How to Cure Acne

Please enjoy this article on how to cure acne. I am sure you will find it useful.

Everyone is affected by acne at some point in their life. Some suffer from more severe acne breakouts then others. Some have a low self esteem because of their acne. No matter who you are you are not immune to acne and when you do get it, and you will, it’s important you know what you can do to get rid of it.

Skin Care Products

There are many “miracle” cures available which make astonishing claims to be able to get rid of acne in only days. Some of these skin care products can even minimize the acne spots to the point where they are almost unnoticed temporarily but it isn’t a permanent solution. Billions of dollars is wasted on attempting to cure acne but the real solution shouldn’t cost anything.

Medication

Some people may choose to go to their doctor and get prescribed to medication which will help cure their acne. The most common and effective drug available which works to get rid of acne would be Accutane. This can be prescribed by your doctor but is not for everyone especially with the strong side effects.

Natural Remedies

The best way to cure acne is to do it naturally. By doing this you may even cancel out what you were accidentally doing on a regular basis that caused your acne in the first place. There are many things you can do to treat acne naturally such as:
- Use acne soap to wash your face at least twice per day (in the morning and at night)
- Keep your body well hydrated by drinking at least eight glasses of water per day
- Don’t irritate or pick at your acne spots as this will infect the spots and cause acne scars
- Stay away from makeup but if that’s impossible then only use water based makeup
- Use a honey mask up two times per week as it can work for a disinfectant
- If you have long hair don’t let it rest on your face as your hair is oily; the same for hands
- Wash your pillow case every second day since it absorbs oil from your skin

Just by following the advice given in this article you should easily be able to see a noticeable decrease in acne spots within four weeks of following these tips. There are many other natural or home remedies for acne that can easily be found as well.
The list of things you can do to help prevent your acne from worsening is endless. Just remember the acne breakouts you suffer from now will go away eventually but the most important thing is to prevent future breakouts.


Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Acne and you!

Acne can be a painful and embarrassing condition for a person to be afflicted with. Often, a person who has acne cannot control its occurrence. But, by following a few acne skin care practices, acne can be controlled and even gotten rid of.

Acne is an inflammatory skin disease that affects millions of individuals. The most universal type of acne is known as “common acne”. Acne is caused when too many oils are secreted from the glands and those oils mix with dead skin cells, blocking the hair follicles. More oil secretions increase underneath the already blocked follicles (or pores), and skin bacteria begin to grow rapidly. This leads to red and irritated skin that most often appears as bumps on the skin’s surface. Any skin surface of the body is susceptible to acne, but it most commonly (and heavily) appears on the face, chest, back, and upper arm region.

Acne commonly begins to occur during puberty due to an irregular response by the body to regular levels of testosterone, a male hormone. Often, acne begins to subside or disappear altogether by the mid 20’s. However, some individuals do suffer with it throughout adulthood. And some adults do not even see the onset of acne until well into the adult years. This is known as adult onset acne.

Acne can leave scarring on the skin, as well as have a scarring effect on a person’s self-esteem, and even lead to depression. Because society can be so unforgiving about appearances, there are various medically prescribed treatments available, as well as acne skin care regimens that can be utilized in order to minimize the symptoms of acne.

Different things cause acne for different sufferers. A few of the recognized causes of acne include heredity, hormonal activity (puberty, menstruation, pregnancy), stress, certain medications, and skin irritation. All of these things have the potential to cause acne, as well as exacerbate it. There are a few myths regarding acne. For instance we’ve all heard of a mom telling her child not to eat too many greasy foods like French fries, or eat too many sweets, because it will give him or her pimples. That is simply an old wives’ tale. Diet does not cause acne, and does not affect it. Also, poor hygiene has no bearing on the occurrence of acne. Acne is not caused by dirt, and having poor hygiene habits will not aggravate the condition.

There are many treatments for acne available, both through prescription, and over the counter. There are antibiotics in the form of pills, as well as topical creams that are designed to treat the condition. Exfoliation can be used as a treatment to remove and prevent the build up of dead skin cells. And light therapy is being used more and more to treat acne. It is important to consult a dermatologist in order to determine the best course of treatment and learn the best regimen of acne skin care to carry out.

Dealing with the occurrence of acne requires knowing how to properly care for the skin. Acne skin care can help keep the problem from getting worse, and even alleviate it. It is important to gently wash the skin at least twice a day with a gentle skin cleanser. Do not scrub with a rough pad or use a rough soap. This will make the acne problem worse. And always completely rinse the skin after cleansing.

As part of an acne skin care routine, it is important to remember not to touch the afflicted skin areas. Do not try to squeeze acne. An infection could occur, compounding the problem, and scarring could result. Also, avoid the sun when possible. Wear protective clothing to avoid tanning or burning. The skin will age faster, and any fading effect of the acne is temporary and will become visible again when the burn or tan fades.

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