Archive for August, 2006

Butt Acne – How to Keep Your Rear Clear

August 24, 2006

Most people realize that acne is probably the most common skin problem people face. And most people have dealt with acne at some time in their life, usually in adolescence although many adults suffer from acne as well. And while most people deal with acne breakouts on their face, it can actually affect any are of the body, including the neck, the back and even your buttocks. And though it might sound uncommon, butt acne is a serious problem for many people.

Butt acne is much like facial acne or other forms of acne, both in terms of how it forms, the embarrassment it can cause and the variety of ways it can be treated. In general, it is usually caused by glands in the skin producing excess oil. This overproduction of oil can eventually block the follicles causing blemishes. This is similar to what happens with facial and other forms of acne also. In addition, aggressive growth of bacteria on that part of the body can lead to clogged follicles, causing the same result.

The presence of butt acne can actually be a sign of a more serious acne problem so those with severe acne elsewhere should keep an eye out for outbreaks in this region as well. However, you should also consider whether or not the cause of the acne is actually a reaction to your laundry detergent or other products you might use when washing or drying your clothes. In some cases, this is found to be the culprit, leading to an easy solution.

There is definitely hope for people dealing with this sort of problem though. Since the causes of butt acne are similar to other forms of acne, it only makes sense that the treatments would be similar as well. If you already have acne treatments for other forms of acne, it’s worth giving those a shot first since they will hopefully produce the same results on other parts of the body.

If this happens to be your first acne outbreak, you should start trying one of the many acne-fighting remedies available to see what works for you (this might take some trial and error since some people get different results).

Finally, if the legions are too painful or irritated, it’s time to bring in the help of a professional, either going straight to your dermatologist or through a general practitioner first if you have to.

Whatever you do, and as is always the case with any form of acne, try to avoid picking at the acne or squeezing the lesions. This is known to cause acne to spread and cause scarring also. The situation is no different with butt acne.

FACT: Acne affects 90% of people worldwide. Why are some people able to stop acne dead in its tracks while others continue to suffer? Discover how you can quickly and easily treat acne, prevent acne outbreaks and get the clear skin you deserve by visiting RemediesForAcne.com

Tips For Getting Rid Of Blackheads

August 15, 2006

If you are living in an area with pollution hovering around you might want to look at the mirror and see if you have those clogged black pores in your skin…those are blackheads and they do not belong in your face. So how do you prevent having one? Or how do you get rid of blackheads if they are there already? Easy, just know the basic things about blackheads and you are good to go.

1. Wash your face twice a day – this removes all the dirt accumulated in your skin everyday. * washing your face so many times in a day only worsens the condition for oily skin.

2. Drink water – drink a lot of water. Your body needs water in order to allow rejuvenation of the skin. You not only remove toxins from your body you also aid your skin to get rid of dead skin cells more rapidly thus reducing the risk of further breakouts.

3. Avoid constant worrying – stress adds to your skin problems. It triggers your oil glands to be more productive thus giving chances for pores to be clogged. Smile often and act cool.

4. Check your make-up – not all make-ups are created equal. Some are very harsh some are perfect even for the most sensitive skin. If your skin is oily avoid heavy make-up it will only add to your problem.

5. Be one with nature – go for products that have fewer chemicals they are less likely to irritate your skin and welcome breakouts.

6. Avoid polluted areas as much as possible – for city dwellers this is quite difficult to do but if you can stay indoors more often the dusty air slamming in your skin becomes more minimal. This will help your pores be more fresh and unclogged.

7. Exfoliate – aid your skin. Do a manual exfoliation by using soaps with beads or make your own by mixing egg whites and sugar and gently scrub it in your face. (there are a lot of natural ways to exfoliate your skin)

8. Massage your face – help the blood circulation in your face with a good and gentle massage.

Okay so they are there…here are ways to get them out of there safely without causing scars or causing more problems.

1. Clean your hands.

2. Avoid touching your face.

3. Open your pores more – steaming will do it.

4. Use a black head remover not your hands – this is a thin metal tool that has a small hole on one end and for some a short pointed edge at the other. (some removers have another hole instead of the pointed end)

5. Sanitize anything you put near your face – this includes your hands and your blackhead remover. Isopropyl Alcohol works best.

6. Never squeeze using your hands – you are just giving more chances for scarring if you do.

7. Use the blackhead remover gently – don’t ever force it down unless you are after a scarred look. Moderate pressure is the key.

8. Go to a dermatologist – professionals still know best. You won’t regret every penny you spend when you have a professional do all the work.

Did you find these tips useful? For more tips on getting rid of blackheads, please visit http://www.clear-up-your-skin.info/

Acne: Fact and Fallacy

August 12, 2006

Many people suffer from acne. While it is generally thought of as a teen malady, it can really strike anyone from young to old.

Acne does most often break out on teenagers because they are at a time when their hormones are operating in overdrive. Because of this the three main causes of acne, increased oil production, excess of dead skin cells and bacteria trapped under the skin, are generally more prevalent within this age group.

Teens are expected to be more responsible for their personal hygiene. But they don’t always know how to care properly for their skin. With the carelessness of youth, they quite often abuse it. They are also usually less likely to eat a proper diet, which can lead to imbalances in their bodies.

Thankfully, you don’t have to just “wait out” acne. There are some very simple things you can do to lessen acne and acne breakouts. The first is to try to eat a balanced and healthy diet. The healthier you are, the less likely it is that you will get the bacteria that causes acne. The second way is to make sure that dead skin cells get sloughed off your face. Washing gently with a mild cleanser once a day and exfoliating once a week should insure that you don’t keep dead skin cells that will trap dirt and bacteria.

Be careful not to wash too often, though. Frequent washing is a fallacy that many people still believe in. In reality, washing more than twice a day will most often result in drier skin, which will actually cause more oil to be produced. And therefore more acne.

While there used to be claims that increased exposure to sunlight would inhibit acne, this claim is no longer widely believed by the medical community. Many doctors think that exposure to sunlight may actually increase the production of oil on the skin as the skin attempts to protect itself from the sun.

Popping and squeezing acne is yet another method that has been believed to work well. Unfortunately, it will usually result in more acne as you spread the bacteria around. It could even result in scarring and pocking of the skin.

And, finally, many people still believe that certain foods cause acne over others. While it is true that some foods seem to trigger outbreaks more often than other foods, it is not the ones generally believed to cause problems. Chocolate, caffeine, oily foods and sugar do not make acne more likely, although it is believed that milk may cause trouble with some people.

However, a balanced and healthy diet will result in a healthier person and less potential for acne-causing bacteria. So, while the above-mentioned foods are not going to guarantee an outbreak, they are more likely to cause your skin to be unhealthy enough for acne to take root.

Eating healthier and basic hygiene are not the only ways to help prevent and clear up acne. There are over the counter and prescription medicines that also achieve results. And then there are more natural, holistic methods.

Whichever you prefer, you will find that acne doesn’t have to be the bane of your existence. For the most part, simple common sense can help control it. And for the small percentage of breakouts that happen anyway, there are ways to combat them and hasten the disappearance of the acne.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Acne

Adult Acne: Why Me?!

August 8, 2006

Acne can been defined as a chronic skin disorder typified by pimples, blackheads, cysts, and infected abscesses…in other words, not very much fun! While once thought of as purely a teenage problem, the number of adults seeking help for their acne has increased substantially in the last few years. This could be due to either an increase in the number of those suffering from acne, or an increase in those now willing to seek treatment. Regardless, acne is no longer something expected to disappear once adulthood is attained.

Experts believe that acne is a condition of the sebaceous glands, which are found nearly everywhere on the human body. These glands secrete a substance called sebum, which is a mixture of fats and debris from dead cells. In healthy skin, sebum is brought to the surface along a hair shaft or through an open pore, where it lubricates and protects the hair and skin. Too much sebum can lead to blocked pores; too little sebum can lead to dry, unhealthy skin. For those who suffer from acne caused by an excess of sebum, this is often a direct result of rising levels of androgenic hormones

Acne is thought to occur when excess sebum production or abnormal retention of skin cells blocks a pore or hair follicle in the skin, trapping sebum and natural skin bacteria inside. A small, newly-blocked pore appears as a whitehead. A larger blocked pore is often called a blackhead. When whiteheads and blackheads form, their may be no initial irritation and they may be visible only upon close inspection. With time, however, the skin bacteria inside the pore reproduce and react with the sebum inside that blocked pore, irritating the surrounding cells. It is this irritation that causes redness and inflammation on the skin’s surface.

Adult acne can be just as problematic as teenage acne, and sometimes even more so. With increasing age, the skin changes: collagen production decreases, and the skin becomes thinner and loses its elasticity, making it less able to adapt and recover from disturbances and irritations. For this reason, persistent adult acne can leave deeper and more visible scars than acne on their younger counterparts.

Treatment for mild-to-moderate adult acne focuses on a three-step skin care regimen. The first step is a gentle exfoliant that removes dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, opening up the pores and revealing bacteria trapped within. The second step is a toner that neutralizes the skin’s pH and removes excess oil and bacteria. The final step is a non-comodegenic moisturizer to prevent over-drying. Some skin care regimens also recommend the use of a repairing product after the toner and before moisturizing the skin, and of course, over-the-counter products and prescribed acne medication can also be used in acne treatment.

Whether in one’s teenage or adult years, acne can be a debilitating disease. Statistics suggest that at least 15 million people in the United States alone suffer from acne, and that a considerable percentage of those are adults. Adult acne used to be a source of embarrassment to many people who believed it was only a teenage disorder. Fortunately this misconception has been corrected and there are now several acne treatments that were created solely for adults, so don’t be afraid to go to your doctor and ask for help!

Author C. L. Jackson wishes the topic of acne was simply an academic interest … but unfortunately that’s not the case! You’ll find much more information on this topic at the author’s website http://www.acne-infosource.info/acne-skin-care.php

Does What You Eat Contribute To Acne Development?

August 6, 2006

It’s probably no surprise that acne affects nearly 90% of people worldwide, at least during some part of their life. Dermatologists agree that acne is the most common skin problem and it accounts for most of the medical care they give, with patients including both teenagers and adults.

There’s a lot of evidence as to what causes acne and those causes vary, including hormonal changes, bacteria on the skin and some people may even be genetically predisposed to developing acne. Diet is another factor that may or may not contribute to developing acne, however there is significant debate as to the effects one’s diet truly has in influencing this common skin disorder.

The connection between diet and acne is something that has been studied for several years. Unfortunately, there’s still a great deal of disagreement among doctors and other skin care professionals regarding this debate. Some doctors claim that diet has absolutely nothing to do with the formation of acne while others think your diet can have an impact.

The link between diet and acne isn’t necessarily a direct link though. For instance, in some studies, it was found that eating certain types of foods can cause a rapid increase of insulin in your body. Excess insulin can cause and increase in the production of male hormones which experts agree are one of the most powerful causes of acne. This is because when excess male hormones are present in the body, this causes the pores of the skin to secrete more oil than usual. With more oil present, the bacteria that cause acne have more food to feed upon.

And while experts can’t seem to agree on how much diet impacts the development of acne, the real test is how your diet affects your own condition. So it might be worth the time and discipline it would take to test these theories out on your own situation. You can start by limiting the amount of sugar, soda and other types of foods commonly suspected of contributing to acne.

However, it’s important to realize that whether diet has in impact on acne or not, it is only one of several factors. Therefore, it’s important to continue other acne-preventing measures in addition to adjusting your diet in order to achieve the best results. By combining multiple solutions, you stand a much better chance of stopping acne and reversing its effects.

FACT: Acne affects 90% of people worldwide. Why are some people able to stop acne dead in its tracks while others continue to suffer? Discover how you can quickly and easily treat acne, prevent acne outbreaks and get the clear skin you deserve by visiting RemediesForAcne.com

Coping With Rosacea – Part I

August 3, 2006

Rosacea is a long-term abnormal skin condition that results in redness, pimples and sometimes thickening of the skin. There are many different degrees of rosacea with a range of severity and extent of skin involved. Rarely it affects other parts of the body, but in most cases rosacea is limited to the face. About one in two people with rosacea have eye problems associated with the condition that can include redness, itching and burning. Although many theories are the subject of medical research, no one knows what causes this disease.

There is no cure for rosacea, but there are many rosacea treatments, ranging from prescription medicine to natural remedies. No treatment acts quickly, and usually it takes a few weeks or even months to notice significant improvement in symptoms. Among the prescription drugs used to treat rosacea, the most common are antibiotics, both topically applied such as metronidazole, and oral, such as tetracycline or erythromycin. Eye symptoms can be treated with antibiotics and with steroid eye drops. Laser surgery and electrosurgery can improve the appearance of affected skin in some people suffering from rosacea.

To control the severity of rosacea symptoms, many doctors recommend that rosacea patients regularly use sunscreens to protect against both UVA and UVB ultraviolet radiation. It may be particularly helpful to use sunscreens combined with skin moisturizers, but it is very important to avoid ingredients that can irritate the skin or cause allergic reactions.

For more detailed medical information about rosacea, and to find out about advances in rosacea research and rosacea treatment, the websites of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (http://www.niams.nih.gov) and the American Academy of Dermatology (http://www.aad.org) are very good places to start.

What about natural remedies for rosacea? Do herbal rosacea treatments work? The answer is yes, but not for everyone, and not always as well as some of the online advertising about rosacea would lead one to believe. A big problem with supplements and herbs is the lack of oversight to assure high quality products and accurate label descriptions. Even when companies intend to sell only the highest quality products for rosacea treatment with absolutely honest labels, the natural factors in growth or harvesting of plants can create variability. Buying and using natural products to treat rosacea can be very beneficial, but should be done with care.

In some cases, there have been scientific studies conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of herbal remedies for rosacea, but in general the best approach is for each individual to carefully conduct a personal assessment. Some of the herbal treatments to be considered as rosacea remedies in Part II of this article are licorice, green tea, oatmeal and lavender.

For more information on rosacea and treatments for rosacea, visit http://www.mednewsyoucanuse.com and http://www.mednewsyoucanuse.com/rosaceatwo.html.

Things You Need to Know About Acne Prescriptions

August 1, 2006

There are many prescription drugs for acne. However, each drug has its own idiosyncracies so it is important for a patient to work closely with his dermatologist in order to minimize any negative effects.

Adapalene is one acne drug, a gel which is known under the brand name of Differin. This drug reduces the pace at which skin cells build up within the hair follicle, thus minimizing the clogging of pores. However, patients taking Differin must avoid being exposed to sunlight to minimize side effects.

Azelaic acid is another acne prescription drug. This cream is manufactured using the brand name Azelex. Azelaic acid is believed to eliminate the bacteria P. Acnes which causes acne.

It is also perceived to assist in rejuvenating the skin at a faster rate while stopping the buildup of cells which can clog pores. This cuts down on pimple and blackhead formation. Side effects consist of tingling, stinging, burning and itching sensations.

The third acne drug on this list is the anti-bacterial agent Benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide is sold as both over-the-counter and prescription preparations. It is known to eliminate P. acnes while providing a gentle drying and peeling effect that is believed to cut down on breakouts.

However, around 30% of people may show allergic reactions to this product such as skin inflammations or severe crusting.

The fourth prescription drug is the antibiotic Clindamycin. This medication that also destroys P. Acnes can be bought as a lotion, gel or as a solution which is usually applied twice a day. Side effects in around 10% of people showed up as dryness, redness, peeling, itching and burning.

However, some cases of inflammation of the colon, bloody diarrhea, and diarrhea have also been noted.

Another antibiotic is Erythromycin. Consult your dermatologist about using other products on your skin in conjunction with erythromycin applications because this might be too irritating.

Accutane is the brand name of the vitamin A derivative isotretinoin. It is consumed as a pill for 15 to 20 weeks specifically for cases of severe nodular acne which cannot be addressed by other forms of treatment. However, Accutane is contraindicated in pregnant women due to the significantly high risk of infant deformities.

The oral antibiotics doxycycline, minocycline, and tetracycline are also used to treat acne. These drugs help cut down on the growth of the P. Acnes bacteria from the inside out. In addition, Tetracycline is used for its anti-inflammatory effect.

Birth control pills are used to treat acne as well. Ortho Tri-Cyclen, a popular pill, is known to decrease amounts of testosterone in women which in turn cuts down on breakouts. The downside is that there are many side effects experienced with use of birth control pills.

The sulfonamide Sodium Sulfacetamide is employed for its antibacterial effect on the skin. However, deaths have been recorded in reaction to sulfonamide use. Other less severe side effects are burning, stinging, and irritation.

The gel Tazorac contains the vitamin A derivative tazorotene. Research showed 50% less lesion counts after 12 weeks of usage. Like Accutane, it should not be prescribed to pregnant women to avoid fetal deformities.

The drug Tretinoin is actually a combination of vitamin A acid and retinoic acid. It is produced in liquid, gel, and cream form for application on the skin. It is popularly used to treat wrinkles or sun-damaged skin as well as acne.

Dave Poon is an accomplished writer who specializes in the latest in Skin Care. For more information regarding Acne Prescription please drop by at http://www.clearacneworld.com/


Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.