Do any of these acne treatments REALLY work?

Severe Acne Treatments – Does any of these works? by BrianL

Acne at its mildest is a constant form of irritation and social embarrassment. Who wouldn’t want to have a clear smooth complexion? I know I do.

Some of us have it tougher than others when we are stricken by severe acne conditions. So what exactly causes acne? A lot of it has to do with a loss of balance in the rate that our skin discards the old skis and regenerates new ones. Some of these old skins get stuck under oily pores (another contributing factor) which lead to an accumulation of oil and bacterial fodder, a nirvana for those nasty bacteria to breed and infect.

So you end up with severe acne which causes extreme irritation, resulting in open wounds, puss-filled pores, and unsightly scarring. Severe acne is nothing to write home about; it’s also not a condition to take lightly and must be brought to the attention of your dermatologist.



We talked earlier about balance which leads to acne in the first place. Balance? In What? We’re talking about environmental as well as genetic factors which contribute to an acne prone skin condition and worse, aggravate it. Prevention and treatment are the best ways to deal with such cases. Seldom does an extreme acne sufferer's skin clear up naturally, but in most instances, it actually worsens.

Prevention is not something which can be taken for granted. We could do our best in influencing the environment surrounding us, making them less acne friendly. Good personal hygiene coupled with a good skin care regiment can increase your odds tremendously. A few popular types of acne prevention regimes commercially available are Murad Acne Comples as well as Pro Active Acne Treatment, however you are advised to consult a qualified dermatologist before commencing on a regime.



Usually a dermatologist will also recommend a combination of both topical cream and oral drugs. Several types available include different antibiotics, benzyl peroxides, Tretinoin, Adapalen and the strong, yet effective Azelaic Acid to tackle the source of inflammation-the bacteria lining the follicle.



A form of vitamin A, Tretinoin, stops the development of comedones, or inflamed hair follicles. Although non-antibacterial, this is a natural way of unplugging clogged pores that cause inflammation and lesions, thereby allowing the use of topical antibiotic cream to work deeply within the skin.



Dermatologist will routinely ask you which form of medication you'd prefer. Creams are good for those with extra sensitive skin, while gels and other solutions tend to make the skin become more dry and irritated. He or she may recommend one or the other based on gender and/or whether you live in a hot and humid climate.



At first, your skin may look and feel worse with the use of such strong medications. If the pain becomes unbearable or if you develop a rash or extreme redness of any kind, be sure to stop using the product and immediately talk to your doctor and dermatologist. Any improvement will take up to 8 weeks to show up.



Discover useful advice and information about the causes and prevention of acne. Website contains useful articles and updated information on this nasty skin condition. http://www.acne-treatment-options.info/


Brian has been writing articles extensively for his own self subject development. He is currently looking closely into natural acne treatment options and is keeping a collection of interesting notes on his site: http://www.acne-treatment-options.info


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Best Defense Against Acne is an Offense: Change your diet

Best Treatment For Removing Acne Is Changing Your Diet by Ann Marier -

No one in their right mind enjoys the awkward years. This is the time that takes place between ages 13 and 17. Okay, maybe I'm being a bit extreme here. I guess I should say no one enjoys the image issues that go along with the awkward years. First of all, we don't know who we're trying to become, and secondly there's the zits. Yeah, a good 80 percent of adolescents know all about this. You pop a zit, and then another three pop up.



It's a pretty depressing routine that keeps many teenagers locked away in their rooms for entire weekends. Clearly a solution is needed. Preferably one that will start removing acne before it rears its ugly white, black or red head. Getting started can be the hardest part.



What is a pimple? That's an easy one. A pimple is basically a clogged pore that has erupted. Since oil, dirt and grime are trapped in there with the hair follicle, an irritating bump appears. This means the trick to removing acne lies in the cleansing and balancing of your face. Always use a gentle cleanser that removes dirt, oil and make-up residue. This way your precious pores are less likely to get clogged. Check out what Neutrogena has to offer.



Secondly you'll want to use a preventative product on your face. The goal is not simply removing acne, but keeping it gone as well. Maybe you should visit a local dermatologist to see if Differin is right for your condition. You can also see what the local drugstore has to offer as far as astringents, creams and moisturizers go.



It's not just about proper grooming. A major aspect of removing acne permanently concerns your diet. What are you consuming on a daily basis? I can tell you right now if it's loaded with sugar, fat or salt, it's going to have an impact on your skin. It's time to think fresh vegetables, low-fat foods and plenty of water.



This is how you tackle the acne issue from the inside-out. Feed your body what it needs to repair and provide you with a clean, zit free complexion. I guarantee you will see a difference in your condition after only a week of healthy dieting. Eat right and look great.


Ann Merier writes articles about the home and family health. Article topics include mothers day,diabetes,detox diet,yoga,pilates exercise
Skin Care
Removing Acne


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How Can I Know Which Type of Acne I Have?

How Can I Know Which Type of Acne I Have? by Tony Buel

Copyright 2006 Tony Buel



How can you tell which form of acne you have? Is there a different treatment which is more effective against your specific form of acne?



Acne can come in many forms. I will try to describe the various forms of acne as well as explain the distinguishing characteristics of each.



There are forms of acne which are relatively minor and there are also some very serious acne conditions as well. The most minor forms of acne are also the most common.



This most common form of acne is known as 'acne vulgaris'. Acne lesions that are considered acne vulgaris are blackheads, whiteheads, papules and pustules.



- Whiteheads (similar to postules) occur when skin pores becomes clogged due to trapped oil, bacteria and dead skin cells. The surface of the skin becomes white. This type of acne typically has the shortest lifespan.



- Blackheads typically occur when the pores are just partially blocked by oil, dead skin cells and bacteria. Blackheads can linger for a long time and take a quite a while to clear up.



- Papules are red, tender bumps that have become inflamed but do not have the white appearance on the tip. Papules can more easily become infected and therefore should not be squeezed



- Pustules are similar to whiteheads but are inflamed and have a red circle surrounding the affected area.



Cystic acne is in the class of severe vulgaris can appear very similar to a nodule but a cyst is pus filled and usually gets much larger. Cystic acne is very painful and even if left alone can cause scarring. Squeezing acne cysts will most likely cause the area to become infected and cause it to last much longer than if the pimple had been left alone.



Acne that forms into nodules is also severe and shows up as spots that are larger and can be rather painful. Nodules are large, hard bumps under the skin's surface and can last for up to several months. Squeezing nodular acne will result in scarring and will also prolong the life of the pimple.



Acne Rosacea looks very similar to acne vulgaris and affects millions over the age of thirty. Acne Rosacea is a red rash, which is found on the cheeks, nose, forehead and chin. Bumps, pimples, and other skin blemishes accompany it. This form of acne also causes the blood vessels to become more visible on the skin. It is more common in women but more severe for men.



Acne Conglobata is the most severe form of acne. It is characterized by a lot of large lesions and widespread blackheads. Left untreated it ill result in severe damage to the skin and scarring. It is usually found on the face, chest, back, buttocks, upper arms, and thighs.



As with most acne, the cause of this form is also unknown. Treatment usually includes medication and is sometimes resistant to treatment. Strong and persistent treatment will conquer the acne in most cases.



Acne Fulminans is an onset of acne conglobata with symptoms of severe nodule cysts. Extreme scarring is possible and even likely. Symptoms may also include a fever and achy joints. Antibiotics do not typically work with this form of acne and oral steroids are normally the preferred method of treatment.



Although there are many types of acne the most common is the mild acne and is very treatable. Most people outgrow acne by the time they reach their thirties. If scarring occurs there are many treatment options for the acne sufferer.



Prevention of acne is still the best way to avoid any complications. If you suffer from an acne which seems to be more troublesome than average acne, a dermatologist will be able to prescribe a treatment that will lessen the swelling as well as prevent scarring.


Author: Tony Buel
http://www.acnetreatment-101.com
For Full Article:
http://www.acnetreatment-101.com/The-Different-Forms-of-Acne.htm



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A Look At Adult Acne Causes

Acne, which commonly affects teenagers, is often a very real problem for adults as well. Although some cases of acne are the result of one or more direct causes, there are others that are simply hereditary. Luckily for sufferers of both types, there are treatments available for those who continue to suffer from acne well into their adult years. Currently, both over-the-counter and prescription treatments are available to help aid adult acne sufferers. It is important to read and fully understand the use and/or possible side effects of an acne treatment product prior to use.

Despite ongoing research, the exact causes of adult acne remain largely unknown, but many physicians believe that there are a number of factors that may contribute to the occurrence or even aggravate an already present condition. Among them, increasing hormones during pregnancy and/or the use of birth control pills. It’s important to note that many experts believe any type of hormonal change can result in adult acne.

Like other ailments, family genes are often thought to be one of the leading causes of adult acne. In addition, the use of certain cosmetic products and/or medications may result in adult acne. Oily skin, a problem that affects many well beyond their teen years, can result in clogged pores and thereby increase the potential of developing acne. Many people believe that oily skin is a problem that is primarily found in teenagers. While most teens will experience oily skin, the truth is that some adults will continue to battle its presence and possibly even develop acne as a result.

Stress, which can affect health in a variety of ways, is also one of the leading causes of adult acne. Believe it or not, your skin is subject to stress breakouts that are known to occur in various places. For some, stress breakouts may occur on the jaw area, neck or forehead. In order to reduce the potential for stress acne, sufferers must reduce their level of anxiety or find a way to remove themselves from situations that may lead to stress.

The information in this article is designed to be used for reference purposes only. It should not be used as, in place of or in conjunction with professional medical advice surrounding the cause, diagnosis or treatment of adult acne. Anyone who suspects that they may be suffering from adult acne should consult a dermatologist and/or physician for a proper diagnosis and/or recommended treatment method.

By: Daphne Succes -

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Daphne Succes Writer, Business Owner, Motivator and Self-Starter Independent Consultant for Passion Parties www.daphnespassion.com

 

Skin Care Acne Advice

You know that your skin is very important to you. It serves many purposes to protect us and it is also the first thing that people see about you. So it's easy to see that good skin is very important. This is why you need skin care acne advice.

Acne can affect anyone at any time in their life. Some people think that only teenagers get acne but this isn't true at all. In fact, it's fairly common for people to get it later on in life around their 30s and 40s. With worries about aging and other skin problems, acne just adds to the mix.

You need to learn all you can about proper acne skin care. There are so many different sources of advice out there that it can be hard sometimes to know what will work for you.

Proper Acne Skin Care

Choosing skin care products is often a difficult task and if you suffer from acne or acne prone skin, you will have to be even more careful of what you choose to use on your skin.

But more important that products that you use is remembering to clean and care for your skin properly, especially the skin on your face. You need to remember to clean it thoroughly but not harshly or with strong chemicals.

You need to be as gentle and smooth as you can on acne prone skin. You should use as few chemicals as possible on your face and be sure to always remove all makeup thoroughly. This may be some of the best skin care acne advice you will ever receive.

By: Clara Armstrong

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Clara Armstrong is a work at home mom who shares her acne cleansing tips over at: www.skincare4acne.com/

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Can Acne Outbreak And Cigarette Smoking Go Hand In Hand?

Acne is a short battle, sometimes long drawn out. Smoking is a long drawn battle, sometimes the never-ending battle!

But with the combo of these two, you are only waging a permanent battle against your own self. You are fighting a war of self-destruction.

Well, acne is a bad condition for the skin. It is the eruption of the inner impurities. It is the expulsion of the unwanted stuff by the body mechanism. When body is already making sincere efforts to throw out the unwanted stuff with in, you are continuing with your damaging exercise by pumping in more nicotine-based impurities into your system.

Not surprisingly, acne and smoking have many common conditions due to which they arrive and thrive.
Now the question arises, is smoking directly responsible for acne conditions? The answer is in the affirmative.

With smoking you introduce certain chemicals into the body. These chemicals have a direct bearing on the blood circulation to skin cells. The skin's ability to heal and regenerate is blocked. The toxins released in cigarette smoke results in pores getting clogged, and this promotes bacterial growth in the pores. All these negative factors contribute to growth of skin eruptions in the form of acne, zits and pimples.

In post pubescent breakouts of acne, stress is considered as one of the major factors. Herein knowing this proven fact, you can say that stress, headache, acne and smoking make a musical chair of diseases. All these diseases are so closely interrelated after all.

Think over. You smoke because you wish to come out of the situation of stress. Does smoking relieve the stress permanently? Does it even do it temporarily? No. Rather it adds one more layer to the load of your stress. And you may even experience severe headache.

When you face a stressful situation the brain alerts the central nervous system which on its part, sends signals to all parts of the body. As part of this fight response, hormonal release from the adrenal glands results. Sebaceous glands release fatty secretions. These two conditions cause clogging of the pores that can contribute acne outbreaks.

Understand this. Acne is a bad condition of your skin and that of your health. Smoking in such a condition, is just like adding fuel to the fire. It will create further stressful conditions and extend a cordial invitation to the headache. All in all, you need to give up smoking when you have the outbreak of acne.

By: Javier Fuller

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To get more information on acne, acne treatments and acne medication visit www.acnetalks.com/pimple/

 

3 Unusual Natural Cures For Acne

I'm not quite sure that these are the natural cures for acne that anyone's grandmother had in mind. And perhaps the term 'cure' should be used very loosely... However, home acne remedies remain very popular - perhaps out of a sense of frustration from those suffering from the dreaded zit. Whether toothpaste, urine therapy, or apple cider vinegar actually work, is debatable. This article will look at the premise behind each of these options, and whether they are truly worth your time.

There are several variations to the toothpaste acne remedy. Some people swear that it alone, dabbed onto the offending zits, will clear them up. Others prefer mixing toothpaste in with several other ingredients, forming mixtures that range from simple to complex. For example, one teenager washed her face with salty water, left it on, added more salt to her face until it was entirely covered, then washed all of that off. Finally, toothpaste was applied to the pimples, and left on for a few hours, but preferably overnight.

Most of these remedies were multi-step processes, and even when other ingredients were used, they were not mixed in with the toothpaste. Like in the example above, the other steps often cleansed the face, perhaps rinsed with cold water to close the pores. Then toothpaste was added as a final step.

There were even instructions on which types of toothpaste to use. According to some, gels don't work as well, and whitening toothpastes were either unnecessary, or should be avoided. Given that baking soda also features in some other remedies, perhaps a toothpaste containing that could be used?

Will it work? Well, some of the reports from satisfied acne sufferers seem to indicate it may be worth a try, provided it isn't too harsh and irritating to your skin. It certainly isn't expensive. Some people saw results overnight, some took a few days, others longer. So, it may not be a once-off solution. One thing to be aware of is that any type of hard scrubbing of the skin can make acne worse.

Urine therapy is one that can elicit such revulsion (in me!), that it is almost hard to write about it. The theory is that one's own urine is packed with antibodies, hormones, and other goodies that are beneficial for our health. This includes vitamins and minerals that the body has excreted, because it didn't need. One article I read made the very good point that if they weren't needed the first time, they will likely be excreted again the second time. That same article points out that just because urine is not toxic, does not mean it is beneficial.

Urine therapy had its' origins amongst some Indian mystics, and seems to be particularly associated with the tantric philosophy. As an acne remedy, it is suggested that one massages one's urine over the affected areas. Some people leave it on overnight, assuming their partners and family can stand the smell.

The problem with urine therapy is that a lot of the justification is very unscientific and poorly supported. It is bolstered by conspiracy theories as to why this supposedly wonderful substance is ignored by the medical profession, except where scientists have extracted and tested certain elements of urine for therapeutic purposes. This does not mean, however, that therapeutic concentrations are to be found in one's own urine.

Bottom line for urine therapy with acne? There are a lot of other good alternatives out there, that don't smell, and don't have waste products mixed in with them. And people on any medications should not try urine therapy.

Apple cider vinegar is usually diluted with water, and sometimes mixed with other things, including honey and jojoba oil. There are very mixed reviews about it. Some people love it, others say that at first it seemed to make their acne worse, but then it really helped to turn it around. And others, quite a few others, say it made their skin, dry, very irritated, painful, and flakey. Those with sensitive skin seem to fare the worst, so if you do have sensitive skin, avoid apple cider vinegar at all costs.

One important point is that apple cider vinegar should be diluted. And be prepared for a rather off smell. It's probably not as noxious as urine however!

One feature of acne home remedies is that they do not work for everyone. This is true of medicine and over the counter treatments as well though. Those with sensitive skin should be the most careful, as many of these home-made treatments can be very harsh. This includes both toothpaste and apple cider vinegar. Urine therapy may work best with those who have a strong belief in it, although there are many other effective options to explore. It's worth keeping in mind that although some people report success with certain things, those successes have not been compared to other treatments in a controlled trial. It may be that other remedies may have been more effective after all.

References:
1. Nexus Online
2. Skepdic

By: Rebecca Prescott

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Discover more about why some natural acne treatments work, and which ones are more effective. Rebecca writes on pimples, pustules, and zits here.

 

Treating Scars On Sensitive Skin

Improving the appearance of scars may be an easier proposition than you might think-especially when it comes to facial scars. Try these tips:

Cleanse Often

Wash any cut or skin abrasion regularly with warm water and a gentle cleanser. This will help keep cuts on the skin from becoming infected, which can lead to scarring.

Cover Up

Avoid spending too much time in the sun. Its ultraviolet rays can damage your skin's pigment and sometimes worsen the appearance of scars. Overexposure to the sun's rays can also lead to skin diseases.

Treat Your Scars

Use a topical scar gel like new and improved Mederma® Skin Care for Scars™, which provides the proven effectiveness of the original in a new formula with an irritant-free fragrance safe for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Now, consumers can treat their scars without the worry of sensitivity-and enjoy the formula's fresh new scent.

Mederma® reduces the appearance of old and new scars from surgery, injuries, burns, acne and stretch marks.

By: Stacey Moore

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For more information, visit www.mederma.com.

Acne Scars In Adults

The medical industry is awakening to the fact that looking good is not about self esteem or self image. Today, acne scars can limit every aspect of life from social acceptability to professional success in your job. Many of today's new acne treatments correct damage by taking advantage of the skin's regenerative properties, healing by using the epidermis's ability to renew, grow, and stretch.

In the past acne scars were a pre-adult concern. Now, making use of information learned from the cosmetic industry, dermatologists are learning to use the skin's ability to remain supple and wrinkle free. The same discoveries that enable adults to remain wrinkle free into their forties is used to prevent acnes and reduce scars.

Cosmetics and healthy living enable skin to remained healthy into the forties, it also remains susceptible to acne and acne scars. Now adults suffer from acne into their forties when aging skin looses its elasticity and regenerative powers, increasing the risk of acne scars.

To combat acne and scaring adults must understand acne and its causes.

Acne starts with one lesion: the comedo. This is an enlarged hair follicle plugged with oil, dead skin cells and bacteria.

The original pimple is invisible to the eye. The Comedones remains beneath the skin's surface until the right conditions enable it to grow into the second level: an inflamed lesion.

As the skin produces more oil, bacteria growth accelerates. The surrounding skin becomes inflamed as the white blood cells fight against the infection.

The most important thing to understand is that there is no cure for acne. The best defense is a good preventative program, especially if acne has caused scares in the past, or in adults over twenty five years old.

Adults must also understand how their daily cleansing rituals and eating habits can aggravate acne. The most damaging product is facial soap. Most soap products contain ingredients that agitate the skin, perfumes that block pores, and abrasives that promote instead of prevent acne scars.

If acne scars exist, do not loose hope. There are several successful treatments. Each one deals with a specific type of acne scar.

There are three types of acne scars:

1.Ice-pick scars average 1-2 mm in diameter.

2.Rolling scars are caused by abnormal fibrous bands that distort the surface of the skin.

3.Boxcar scars measure appears similar to post chicken pox scars.

The type of acne scar defines the treatment. Any reputable program starts by preventing the formation of new pimples. A good program will work to improve photodamage in the skin, improving the skin's ability to prevent scars.

Many new plastic surgery techniques battle acne scars. One notable technique is called Collagen Induction Therapy. This technique promises to help people even when other measures fail.
This treatment even offers hope to adults who carry pock-marks on their faces, or have severely scared faces from a serious case of acne.

By: Ethan Miller -

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Author: Ethan Miller advises on acne and health issues from his web site at www.acnescarsmagic.com He invites you to receive his FREE acne information guide here www.acnerescue.com

How Do I Get Rid Of Acne Fast?

The notion of having acne for me as a kid was very disturbing. I tried to play it cool. Meaning I did not want anyone to know how much I hated having acne. I wanted to get rid of acne fast was an understatement. So I was open to trying different ways to accomplish my goal.

Gently rubbing Calamine Lotion on my face was a remedy I anticipated would help to get rid of my acne real fast. What was I thinking? My acne stayed with me for three or four years. During my mid to late teen years was when the acne was most painful. I felt disgusted about the way I looked. I would always bechecking myself out in the mirror to see if some ointment I put on my face was aiding me get rid of my acne faster than some other ointment or cream I had used in the past. I silently was suffering during this time in my life. If there was something I could have taken to get rid of my acne fast I would used it in my despair. I would have jumped at a cure. If you were thinking did he try Clearisil? Yes I did.

Acne is a disorder of the skin's oil glands (sebaceous glands) that results in plugged pores and outbreaks of lesions commonly called pimples or zits. Acne lesions usually occur on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. Nearly 17 million people in the United States have acne, making it the most common skin disease. Although acne is not a serious health threat, severe acne can lead to disfiguring, permanent scarring, which can be upsetting for people who suffer from the disorder.

If there was a way to get rid of Acne fast some of my buddies and certainly a lot of teenagers I knew would have been very happy. Teenage angst and acne seem to go together. Something’s never change.

Avoid eating histamine rich foods such as fish, shellfish, dairy products, milk and cheeses. These foods have caused the skin to be irritated for some people. Monitor this for a week or two. This may be a great way to getting rid of acne fast.

Resources
Acne.com
Oliver Turner
About.com

Please pass this on to anyone you think would benefit.

By: awallad

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Aron Wallad created better health in his life using natural herbs... He has dramatically decreased his blood sugar level by more than 35% using a 47 year old remedy that consists of over 250 natural herbs. His skin has improved using the same alternative natural product. He also stopped smoking cigarettes using some Chinese herbs 12 years ago. Thank goodness he sought and found a better way to taking care of himself. You can do the same. See for yourself. Go here right now to see his story. www.herbalhealth123.com Or write to him here aron@herbalhealth123.com

 

How To Help Your Teenager Deal With Acne