Acne affects almost everyone — more than 90% of all adolescents, nearly 50% of all adult women and 25% of all adults. Crossing gender lines as well as national borders, it’s one of the most widespread medical conditions in the world. Yet there’s still no cure.

But there is hope. While acne is not curable, it is treatable. We now know more about controlling this condition than ever before. The secret to managing acne is prevention — stopping this condition before it exhibits visual symptoms. Once you have found an acne treatment that helps you accomplish this, it’s important to stick with it. Even after pimples disappear, you may need to continue treatment to keep new blemishes at bay. It’s also crucial to begin treatment as soon as the first signs appear; the sooner you address your acne, the less likely you are to experience permanent damage to your skin. Of course, in order to stop acne, we must first find out how it starts.

What causes acne? One of the most important things you can learn about acne is this:

It’s not your fault. Contrary to popular belief, acne is not caused by anything you’re doing — what you eat, how often you wash your face or work out — but by a combination of factors at work far beneath the surface of your skin.

A healthy follicle
A blemish begins approximately 2–3 weeks before it appears on your skin’s surface. It starts in your sebaceous hair follicles — the tiny holes commonly called pores. Deep within each follicle, your sebaceous glands are working to produce sebum, the oil that keeps your skin moist and pliable. As your skin renews itself, the old cells die, mix with your skin’s natural oils, and are sloughed off. Under normal circumstances, these cells are shed gradually, making room for fresh new skin.

But sloughing is different for everyone. Some people shed cells evenly; some don’t. Uneven shedding causes dead cells to become sticky, clumping together to form a plug — much like a cork in a bottle. This plug, or comedo, traps oil and bacteria inside the follicle.

A plugged follicle
The plug traps oil and bacteria within the follicle, which begins to swell as your skin continues its normal oil production. Your body then attacks the bacteria with a busy swarm of white blood cells. The whole process takes 2–3 weeks, culminating in a pimple.

An inflamed acne lesion
Why me? There is no one simple «cause» of acne — the condition is influenced by many factors, many which are out of your control. The regularity with which you shed skin cells can change throughout your life. The rate at which you produce sebum is affected by your hormone balance, which is often in flux — especially for women. Research has also shown that genetics play a big part in the development and persistence of acne, so your family history is a valuable prediction tool as well when considering the various causes of acne.

One of the best weapons in the fight against acne, however, is knowledge; if you know what causes acne, it’s easier to formulate a good plan of attack. There are five primary culprits contributing to this process. Each of these factors may vary dramatically between individuals. While you don’t have control over these factors, understanding them can help you in your search for the proper acne treatment.

Acne Causes – Culprit #1: Hormones. For the majority of acne sufferers, the trouble begins at puberty, when the body begins to produce hormones called androgens. These hormones cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge, which is a natural part of the body’s development. In acne sufferers, however, the sebaceous glands are overstimulated by androgens, sometimes well into adulthood. Androgens are also responsible for acne flare-ups associated with the menstrual cycle and, on occasion, pregnancy.

Acne Causes – Culprit #2: Extra sebum. When the sebaceous gland is stimulated by androgens, it produces extra sebum. In its journey up the follicle toward the surface, the sebum mixes with common skin bacteria and dead skin cells that have been shed from the lining of the follicle. While this process is normal, the presence of extra sebum in the follicle increases the chances of clogging — and can cause acne.

Acne Causes – Culprit #3: Follicle fallout. Normally, dead cells within the follicle shed gradually and are expelled onto the skin’s surface. But in patients with overactive sebaceous glands — and in nearly everyone during puberty — these cells are shed more rapidly. Mixed with a surplus of sebum, the dead skin cells form a plug in the follicle, preventing the skin from finishing its natural process of renewal.

Acne Causes – Culprit #4: Bacteria. The bacterium Propionibacterium acnes, (P. acnes for short) is a regular resident of all skin types; it’s part of the skin’s natural sebum maintenance system. Once a follicle is plugged, however, P. acnes bacteria multiply rapidly, creating the chemical reaction we know as inflammation in the follicle and surrounding skin.

Acne Causes – Culprit #5: Inflammation. When your body encounters unwanted bacteria, it sends an army of white blood cells to attack the intruders. This process is called chemotaxis; or, simply put, the inflammatory response. This is what causes pimples to become red, swollen and painful. The inflammatory response is different for everyone, but studies have shown that it is especially strong in adult women.

What can I do? Fortunately, you have options! There are many kinds of acne treatments available today. But first, you should try to determine the type and severity of your condition. Acne, like a person, is highly individual — it can take many forms, and have a highly variable response to treatment. The more you know about your specific form of acne, the more likely you are to find a treatment that works for you. Learn more about the types of acne.

As a sufferer of acne, I was finally glad to get my life back after using a simple home remedy for acne that worked and got rid of my acne.

I always hated life, I would awake in the morning and just couldn’t face the mirror in my room, the sight of my own face would turn me off even more, I would just sit there feeling depressed.

No one can imagine the many different acne treatment solutions I tried, one after the other, it seemed as if nothing worked. But, I just never gave up hope that one day I would finally be able to rid myself of acne.

I would face the day asking myself one question:

Is there a acne cure that works for me?

I began to get depressed and tried to avoid my friends and family, my bedroom became my world, just living compound to those four walls. I used to spend hours and come up with very lame excuses, just to not face anyone.

The one day it happened, I saw an online ad, that stated that an overlooked yet simple home remedy for acne can rid you of acne.

I read that page at least one hundred times, and decided to take a chance and see if this would work, and I am glad I did.
Yes, it really worked, that simple home remedy for acne cured my acne. I was finally free.

That is where I also learned that many people believe they have acne, but they are actually only suffering from skin conditions that are related to acne, by simply balancing the skin PH value you can heal that condition.

It is very important to understand what causes your acne, because only then can you discover a cure to rid yourself of that skin disease.

Nothing can change the way I feel now, because I have had many years of hiding and not being able to look anyone in the face, but there is hope for all, take a chance, and see if this simple home remedy for acne can be the answer to your problems.

Another problem I hear people talking about is that adult acne isn’t as serious as teenage acne, well that is a whole load of hog wash.
Acne is horrible no matter at what age, I guess those touting that rumor has never suffered with acne, and they have no clue what they are talking about.

I can only offer you hope and insist you never give up trying to find your acne cure, as each one of us is different, but we seek the same gold and that is to find a simple home remedy for acne that will not cost too much.

My best friend face was constantly red, he thought he had acne, well he didn’t and that is where the problem starts, not because you think it’s acne, that means it is.

Get the facts, and learn the exact steps I took to cure my acne by following this simple home remedy for acne. I know my English isn’t the best and I am no doctor, but I do know what worked for me.

While a mild case of acne isn’t necessarily a serious problem, it’s still a good idea to see a dermatologist. They can give you helpful information about what could be causing your acne as well as the best treatments.

Plus, there is another skin condition called keratosis pilaris that is sometimes mistaken for acne and a dermatologist can tell you if that is what you’re dealing with, saving you the time and hassles of using the wrong treatment.

It’s a good idea to prepare for your visit with the dermatologist by making notes about your acne – as much as possible. They will ask you about your background – things like how long you’ve had acne, how you’ve treated it and what form it has taken (lesions, whiteheads, blackheads, etc.) They might also ask if there is a history of acne problems in your family.

Be sure to tell the doctor if you are allergic to any medications. Females might be asked about their menstrual cycle and males might need to tell the doctor how often they shave.

You might be given a choice of treatments so it helps to know a little about the options before you make your choice.

Antibiotics are one treatment – they’re used to kill the bacteria that leads to acne. They can be taken orally or as a lotion or ointment that gets applied directly to the skin. In severe cases, it may be necessary to use both forms.

Topical treatments include things like benzoyl peroxide and retinoic acid. They usually come in the form of a gel and can sometimes cause redness and dry skin.

In more severe cases of acne, the dermatologist may recommend a physical treatment. This could include removal of whiteheads and blackheads and possibly drainage of cysts.

Whatever type of treatment you end up choosing, it’s critical that you follow the doctor’s directions. Take the recommended dosage – no more or no less. And even if your acne clears up, you need to continue to take the medication for as long as the doctor tells you to or the acne may reappear.

Some of the questions you should keep in mind to ask the doctor include:

– What kind of treatment would work best for my acne?
– How long will it take before I see results?
– What is the best way to care for my skin?
– What can I do to prevent scarring?
– Is it okay for me to use makeup?
– Does this treatment have any side effects?
– How long will I need to take this medication?

As acne treatments can go on for some time, make sure you ask any questions you have each time to see your doctor. Being as informed as possible will make your treatment much easier to deal with.

How do you think these two totally separate entities are related? Well, it’s rather simple actually. Your hormones tend to go a little crazy at times, and this can mean that the oil pumps in your skin do too. They suddenly start pumping out oodles of oil, which then clogs the pores and leads to breakouts. Yikes! That’s never fun. Then you’re spending loads of your time and money struggling to suppress the breakouts. After all, no one wants to show their faces in public with pimples and zits all over it. It’s plain and simply humiliating, and does a horrible number on the self-esteem. Am I right here or what? So, what can one do to squelch this issue?

I’m not going to lie; most of us grapple with hormones and acne. Try about 80 percent of the population. The other 20 percent may never acquire a pimple in their lives. Yeah, you pretty much hate those folks with a passion, don’t you? That’s understandable. I can’t say that I understand the scheme of things myself. Why couldn’t God simply have created mankind without any skin afflictions? Oh well, there’s no use complaining about hormones and acne. It certainly won’t clear up your skin. Anyway, when it comes to the burden of hormones and acne, you can basically expect the bomb to drop on you in your teen years. I recall the first time I ever got a zit. I was 14 years old and it was on my chin. I remember gazing into the mirror and cringing. The war had begun. There was me the hero, and zits were the enemy. Heck, they could make a movie about it. Okay, that may be a boring flick. Regardless, I tried everything in the book to beat blemishes back. First it was rubbing alcohol, and then it was Clearasil and Oxy 10. There was no stopping me. However it wasn’t until age 19 that I really found a product that worked. For me it was just Neutrogena face wash and an acne moisturizer. That did the trick. What acne remedies work best for you and your complexion?

Well, if you’re concerned about hormones and acne, I suggest that you get the scoop on some new products. In addition to all the creams, gels and facial cleansers, there is also something natural. These days you can tackle hormones and acne with natural oral supplements. Get on the web to find out more.

Experts say acne facial treatments should begin with the diet and hygienic habits. Then there are over-the-counter drugs available, which have improved over the years and can bring about immediate results in most cases. But these things are successful in ‘most cases’ and not in all cases. For such exemptions – people who have experienced allergic reactions to medicines or for those the diet adjustments do not work – it is advisable to try out homemade acne treatments. Such acne facial treatments are effective and cheap and one does not need the advice of a doctor to try it out.

One of the effective homemade acne facial treatments is cleansing the facial skin regularly using cotton dipped in alcohol. The alcohol not only cleanses the pores, but it also kills the bacteria causing infection. But take care not to over do it as excessive use of alcohol can cause skin irritation or cause the skin to peel off.

For somebody having a heavily oily skin, using oatmeal mask can bring about substantive results. This acne facial treatment makes use of a paste of oatmeal and water, which the person has to apply to his/her face twice a day. Keep the paste there on the face for 15-20 minutes and as the oatmeal paste dries up, it starts absorbing the excess oil from the skin. After removing the mask, rinse well with cold water.

Another successful homemade acne facial treatment is the facial mask made using honey and apples. In this technique, grated apple is mixed with four teaspoon full of honey and the resulting paste is applied on the face for 10 minutes. After removing the mask, rinse the face with warm water. Repeat the procedure twice or thrice a week.

Tomatoes also work wonders for oily skin. Apply mashed and drained tomato on the facial skin for 10 min and rinse well with warm water. For better results, this acne facial treatment must be done everyday at least once.

Caution – If you have pimples on your face, abstain from pricking it with your finger nails. Such an act could aggravate the conditions further. If any one treatment acne is not working, try out another; but touching and picking at the inflammations will help neither the person nor the medical condition.

Treatments for acne can begin from your kitchen. There are several vegetables and fruits which can be used to cure acne.

Most people are not convinced about the effectiveness of the homemade acne treatments. But if you check the ingredients of popular medicines for acne you will find that most of them consist of substances found in common vegetables and fruits. Acne is the result of the lack of vital vitamins like Vitamin E, Vitamin A and Pantothenic Acid. Deficiency in these vitamins leads to the growth of bacteria that clogs the skin oil. This in turn leads to acne. Most of the medicines try to replenish the essential vitamins, which can be easily got by filling your diet with vegetable and fruits containing those vitamins.

Keeping the skin clean is an important part in the acne treatment. Cleaning the skin with lemon is an effective acne treatment. Lemon is used for several purposes mainly due to the presence of citric acid. The citric acid has several essential properties required to kill the harmful bacteria. Rub lemon on your skin before going to sleep and you will find a clear skin in the morning. Similarly, you can get rid of acne scars by applying tomato slice. Applying garlic on the spots is another effective homemade acne treatment. Mint juice also can remove skin lesions and scars.

Other homemade acne treatments include applying the paste of orange peels. This paste cleans the skin and fights harmful bacteria. Application of raw papayas can also bring relief to acne. Daily application of tea tree oil, coconut oil, lavender oil and jojoba oil before bathing for an hour can reduce acne. Including large amount of fruits and vegetables in the diet and drinking lot of water are part of acne treatment.

The success of homemade acne treatments depends on the dedication shown by the person. Simply rubbing lemon or tomato for a day will not cure acne. All home made acne treatments should be strictly followed for over a period of time.

Fed up from the side effects of the drugs, people are now shifting towards alternative therapies for the cure and treatment of common problems. Home remedies are one of the alternative methods that have been proven inexpensive and can be easily made at home without many efforts. Since ages our ancestors were using these home remedies for the treatment of diseases but the latest inventions and discoveries in the field of medicines darkened the benefits of these home made treatments. In the recent times the people have again shifted towards these home remedies.

Home Remedies for Acne, Arthritis, Asthma, Anaemia, Backache, Common Cold, Constipation, Eczema, Hair Loss, High Blood Pressure, Indigestion, Obesity, Sore Throat, Stress

Home remedies for some of the most common diseases and problems are:

Acne

Application of cucumber leaves or grated pieces of cucumber to the affected areas.

Paste of fenugreek leaves applied overnight on the affected area and washed off next morning is also effective.

Mix one tablespoon of besan flour and one teaspoon of lemon juice till a smooth paste is formed. Apply on neck and face and wash off when it gets dry.

Acidity

Drink a glass of cold milk to get quick relief from acidity.

Drink a glass of water with a teaspoon of baking soda for immediate relief.

Chewing bubble gum will also provide relief from acidity in few minutes.

Arthritis

With an empty stomach take 3-4 walnuts (akhrot) or 1 fresh coconut.

Spread warm mustard oil on a madar leaf and apply to the affected area for a few hours .

Drink some radish juice with sugar added to it.

Asthma

Drink a cup of black coffee, the warmth will break up the flem and the caffeine will help to remove tightness from the chest and throat.

Add 30-40 leaves of tulsi in one liter of water, strain the leaves and drink the water throughout the day.

Anaemia

Eat 2-3 apples daily without peeling to increase the iron stores in the body.

Intake of beet juice is highly beneficial for the anemic person’s.

Backache

Drink some hot milk or water with powdered sonth, meetha soda, and salt.

Massage the back with turpentine oil.

For temporary and quick relief heat can be applied at the back with hot water bottle.

for Natural Home Remedies for Various Ailments, Diet, Lifestyle, Causes and Symptoms and Natural Herbal Remedies and Treatment by Herbs

Common cold

Drink a cup of water with a few drops of garlic oil and a teaspoonful of onion juice.

Rub the chest and throat with camphor water or oil.

Drink honey and lemon juice in hot water to get relief from sore throat.

Constipation

Drink a tablespoon of corn syrup in a cup of water.

Drink a glass of prune juice to facilitate bowel movement.

Drinking a cup of coffee will also provide relief from constipation.

Eczema

Mix one teaspoon of camphor and one teaspoon of sandalwood to form a paste and apply on the affected e areas.

Drinking Aloe Vera juice will help cleanse the system.

Hair loss

Wash hair with peppermint or spearmint tea to prevent hair loss and to promote hair growth .

Wash hair with white vinegar periodically to prevent falling of hair.

High blood pressure

Mix half onion juice and half honey. Take 2 tablespoons once a day for 1-2 weeks.

Eat two cloves of garlic every early morning.

Eat one Papaya on an empty stomach daily for a month.

High blood cholesterol

Drinking onion juice daily for a week will lower the blood cholesterol.

Eat a few garlic cloves every day to reduce blood cholesterol.

Indigestion

Drink aloe vera juice, papaya juice, or chamomile, comfrey, red raspberry, or peppermint tea.

Drinking a glass of water with a tablespoon of baking soda will provide immediate relief.

Obesity

Eat 10 fresh curry leaves in the early morning for three or four months.

Drink a cup of water with 3 teaspoons limejuice, one-fourth teaspoon powdered black pepper, and a teaspoon of honey every day for three months.

Eat freshly sliced tomatoes with onion and lemon juice.

Drink lemon juice with honey and warm water every morning.

Sore throat

Gargle every hour with vinegar water or salt water.

Drink hot milk with honey at bedtime for immediate relief from sore throat.

A teaspoon of honey will provide relief from sore throat.

Stress

Chewing 12 tulsi leaves twice a day, morning and evening is the highly beneficial treatment of stress.

Various seeds such as alfalfa, sunflower and pumpkin are highly beneficial in the treatment of stress.

The use of these home remedies is highly effective and causes no side effects on one’s physical body.

The difference between natural acne treatments products and non-natural acne treatment products is that difference except natural treatment products does not include any side effects. Although natural acne treatment products have been increasing its popularity over the latest few years, another popular type of acne treatment was found, the home made acne treatment products.

Home made acne treatment products may range from natural products to non natural products. The greatest advantage is that one can use different acne treatment products until you find one that they prefer and that works best on them. So this way they do not need to buy many different products to find one that works best but easily make the product at home to try it and then make more when it gives a good result.

Still sometimes these treatment products can be natural, they also give the advantages of natural treatment products, no side effects. They are still acne treatment products but they may take longer to treat the acne, sometimes it may take up to months with a home made acne treatment product to make the acne go away.

Basically home made acne treatments are made with the sources that one has. Since everyone is different, the identical acne treatment product will not give the same results to everyone. So therefore home made acne treatment can quickly find the perfect acne treatment product for you. This type of acne treatment has been gaining popularity for a long time now. This type of acne treatment is also the cheapest kind of acne treatment out there. Some researches have found that other people’s remedies for acne will not work sometimes but then when using a home made acne remedy, it could do the job and get rid of your acne.

There is also one bad point in using home made acne treatments. They might not work and may sometimes add to the problem. If the treatment has not been made correctly it may add to the acne problem with side effects and other skin issues. Most people would just use trail and error because most of the skin issues that is caused by a side effect can be cured. It is best to do some research before making your own home made acne treatment product.

Over the counter and prescription acne treatments often contain chemicals that many people do not wish to use. Instead, these people search for home treatments for acne. There are many home treatments for acne that actually do work. Here are some things you can try.

1. Apply essential oils, such as Tea Tree Oil, Bergamot Oil, Clove Oil, Lavender Oil, and Rosewood Oil. For sensitive skin, dilute the oil with grapeseed oil. Apply the oil before going to bed at night, then wash it away in the morning with a pure soap, such as Ivory, and clean water.

2. If you are not taking any medications that could cause you to be overly sensitive to the sun, try getting some sunshine everyday. The purpose is not to tan to hide the acne. Instead, the sun actually kills the bacteria, and dries up the sebum oil that produces acne. This is a common home treatment for acne that doesn’t cost anything.

3. Acne begins on the inside of the body, not on the surface of the skin. Drink plenty of water – at least eight glasses per day – to help detoxify your body and cure acne. Also eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

4. For home treatment for acne, apply an oatmeal mask at least once or twice a week. Cook oatmeal, and while it is still warm (not scalding hot) apply it to your entire face. Allow the oatmeal to dry, then wash it away. You can also use dried oatmeal, dampened – but not cooked – with warm water as a facial scrub to exfolliate the skin and clean the pores.

5. Avoid eating processed foods, and stick to more natural fruits and vegetables. No food has ever been scientifically proven to cause acne, however, if you have a food allergy, the allergy often results in acne. Many people have food allergies, and go their entire lives without knowing it. Don’t assume that a food allergy will leave you unconscious on the floor – the allergic reaction can appear in many forms, like acne breakouts. You can visit an allergist for a simple blood test to find out if you have any food allergies.

There are many other home treatments for acne, some of which work, and some of which do not work. The important thing is to drink plenty of water, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, get plenty of sleep, wash your face at least twice a day, and take vitamins – especially vitamin A and vitamin E.

Using home treatments for mild cases of acne can easily be done if you follow a few guidelines. First off, though, it is important to keep in mind that for more severe cases like cystic acne, a consultation with a dermatologist is advised before beginning an at home regimen. However, home treatment of mild to moderate acne can dramatically reduce the appearance of acne on your face, giving you clearer skin and more confidence in your appearance.

After you decide that you want to treat your acne at home, it is essential that you are patient for the first couple of weeks. Acne medications do not work in a matter of days, as they need to fight deep below the surface to balance your skin, but after a couple of weeks you should start to see results. The same rule holds for prescription medications, as noticeable results will occur after a couple weeks. One of the first steps to improving your complexion is washing your face thoroughly two to three times a day. Wash your hands with an anti bacterial soap and, using a mild bar soap or acne scrub, thoroughly wash your face for about thirty seconds. Make sure that your bar soap is fragrance and color free as these can clog your pores and irritate your skin, causing inflammation and increased redness of your face.

If washing your face is not enough, further measures can be taken for home acne treatment. One of the most common is the use of benzoyl peroxide, which can be found in face wash, bar soap, topical cream or gel. Benzoyl peroxide is typically used once or twice daily, but initially most people should only apply it once a day or every other day to avoid redness and excessive drying. Generally, results will be evident after a few weeks, but if you do not notice a difference by then you should consult your dermatologist for advice.

Another popular home acne treatment is salicylic acid. You can usually find this in medicated facial pads and also in some face washes. Salicylic acid prevents your hair follicles from shedding excess skin and clogging your pores, thereby fighting the cause of most acne and blackheads.

Whichever home treatment you believe to be best for your acne, always keep in mind that the results are gradual and will be noticeable in a couple weeks. Follow the directions for your product and only use it the specified number of times per day. Also, combining treatments at the same time may cause irritation and excessive dryness to your face, so benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid should only be used one at a time. If you do not notice results for your home acne treatment after several weeks, contact your doctor for further advice.

People tend to think of their skin as a covering, like they think of their clothes, something that covers their bodies to make them more attractive and protect what lies beneath it.

Actually, our skin is an organ of the body, the largest organ. One of its purposes is to deliver an oily substance called sebum to the surface of the skin via fine hair follicles, through the openings called pores. This is part of our bodies› cleansing process.

The hair, sebum and the cells that line the follicle can form a plug which prevents sebum from reaching the surface; this is the beginning of acne.

The mixture of oil and cells allows bacteria Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) that normally live on the skin to grow in the plugged follicles. These bacteria produce chemicals and enzymes and attract white blood cells that cause inflammation.

When the wall of the plugged follicle breaks down, it spills everything into the nearby skin – sebum, shed skin cells, and bacteria – leading to lesions or pimples.

What is acne?

Acne is an imbalance believed by doctors to result from an increase of male sex hormones in both males and females, which causes the sebaceous glands to enlarge and make more sebum. Some research indicates genetics can affect the tendency to develop acne, also using certain drugs or greasy cosmetics.

Acne can occur during puberty, pregnancy, or while starting or stopping birth control pills. Acne is most commonly found in teenagers, usually disappears by the 20’s or 30’s, but has been known to extend into the 60’s in some people.

Acne is usually not a serious health threat, but it can be accompanied by both emotional distress and physical discomfort. Permanent scarring can result in severe cases.

How can acne be treated?

Acne, like all chronic health problems, requires a systemic,wholistic approach for its control, and in some cases cure.

The goals of treatment are to heal existing lesions, stop new lesions from forming, prevent scarring, and minimize the psychological stress and embarrassment caused by this disease. Treatment options include drug treatment, skin treatments, diet, and lifestyle changes. Any and all treatment should be conducted under the supervision of a doctor.

Drug treatment is aimed at reducing several problems that play a part in causing acne:

* abnormal clumping of cells in the follicles
* increased oil production
* bacteria
* inflammation.

Be forewarned, all medications can have side effects. Check with your doctor and pharmacist.

Tea tree oil has been proven effective at killing acne bacteria and healing scars, and it won’t clog pores, but many acne sufferers are very sensitive to the oil. So start out with a very mild dose. Add only a drop or two of pure tea tree oil to an ounce of pure aloe vera gel, which is particularly soothing and healing to irritated skin. Increase the amount of tea tree oil as you wish.

Limited research indicates that tea tree oil applied to acne lesions on the skin may work slower and may also cause fewer adverse effects (skin dryness, itching, stinging, or redness) than do other commonly prescribed acne drugs. The speed of action depends on the strength of the tea tree oil application.

Aside from individual experiences of irritation, there are no known side effects from using tea tree oil, but the oil may cause excessive drying of the skin when used with some other drugs that are used to treat acne, such as tretinoin (Retin-A, Renova) or isotretinoin (Accutane).

Dietary and lifestyle changes can help

There’s more to this story; more than can be written in a short article. I will briefly touch on research-based information that supports dietary and lifestyle change to limit or help eliminate acne.

Most importantly, your diet will not cause or prevent acne, but if you are predisposed to getting acne, certain eating habits will encourage flareups, other habits will help your body fight the problem.

Firstly, eating refined carbohydrates and sugar leads to a surge in insulin and an insulin-like growth factor called IGF-1. This in turn leads to an excess of male hormones, which encourage the skin to excrete large amounts of sebum.

Secondly, a diet rich in raw foods and antioxidants means that we consume more nutrients and fewer acne aggravating free radicals.

Lifestyle changes eliminate other factors that may trigger or worsen acne outbreaks. These include avoiding oily skin products and grease in the work environment (don’t work in a kitchen where foods are deep fried, for example!), pressure from sports equipment and helmets, backpacks, tight collars, or tight sports uniforms; and environmental irritants, such as chemicals, pollution, and high humidity; touching your skin excessively or squeezing blemishes; hard scrubbing of the sking; and avoiding stress.

Age is really not a factor especially in a changing environment. Today, more and more adults are being diagnosed with what we call the adult acne but there is nothing to really fear because it is not a dreaded disease, it is just a skin condition almost like a passing phase in life.

There are different types of remedies available for treatment of acne but nothing compares to home treatments. Home treatments for acne constitute natural therapies, vegetable, minerals, fruits, ayurvedic and herbal treatments. You can buy fresh or frozen vegetables as well as herbs from fuzing.com. Some of the herbs available on Fuzing include Achiote Leaf, Almond Oil, Anethole, Aloe Vera, Arnica Flower, Bayberry Bark etc.

Let us take a look at the various home remedies that you can use for Acne.

The Herbal Mix

Herbs play an important role in preventing and treating of acne. Hence you can take herbs even when you are on a diet or after you have completed your diet program.

A good herbal mix should consist of equal parts of herbal extracts from yellow dock, sarsaparilla, cleavers and burdock. These herbs are potent lymph and blood cleansing agents. If you take half a teaspoon at least three times a day apart from a healthy diet then you will not only have a healthy skin but also prevent acne. Some of the most commonly prescribed herbs are tea tree oil, which is applied to acne lesions to kill the acne causing bacteria and Nigella or fennel flower.

HERB#1: TREE TEA OIL
Tea tree oil is can be obtained from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia by using steam distillation. It is the native herb of Australia and effectively fights acne. You can purchase undiluted or pure tea tree oil from health stores.

* Ingredients: Contains terpinen-4-ol, which has antimicrobial properties.
* Use: It kills bacteria hence should be used on acne lesions to kill Propionibacterium acnes, which is a Bacteria that lives on the skin and causes acne.
* Benefits: Few side effects as compared to benzoyl peroxide.
* Avoid: using undiluted tree tea oil as it may cause skin blistering, redness, irritation, itching and over-dryness
* Concentration: 5% concentration gels should be used. You can also make it at home by mixing 5 parts of tea tree oil with 95 parts of water.

HERB#2: NIGELLA OR FENNEL FLOWER
Nigella or fennel flower is an effective herbal cure against Acne. The fennel flower belongs to the genus Nigella of the sativa species. People or civilizations have been cultivating this plant for centuries for its medicinal qualities and also as a spice.

Ingredients: Nigella sativa consists of Proteins, Carbohydrates, Fatty acids, Vitamins and Minerals

Some of the other complex compounds found in the Nigella are:
arginine, Alanine, tryptophan, campesterol, asparagine, carvone, cystine, cymene, dehydroascorbic-acid, glucose, eicosadienoic-acid, glutamic-acid, iron, glycine, isoleucine, linoleic-acid, leucine, d-limonene, linolenic-acid, lysine, lipase, methionine, nigellin, myristic-acid, nigellone, palmitic-acid, oleic-acid, phenylalanine, potassium, phytosterols, beta-sitosterol, stearic-acid, alpha-spinasterol, stigmasterol, threonine, tannin, thymoquinone and thymohydroquinone.

Benefits: Nigella has some magical properties that makes it such a sought after herb for treatment of various skin and body problems. Some of the common properties of Nigella are:

* Antineoplastic
* Antimicrobial
* Analgesic
* Anti-inflammatory
* Antipyretics

Nigella is a potent natural remedy for strengthening the immune system. It is used for treating acne because acne can get aggravated due to a weak immune system and Nigella makes the immune system stronger.

Chemical Compounds

Apart from the natural diets and applying or intake of herbs, you can also use baking soda to effectively fight against acne. Baking soda is also known as sodium bicarbonate. It is normally available in a fine powder form and is used for leavening food like cake. You can buy it from any food store. On reaction with acid, sodium bicarbonate produces water and carbon dioxide.

Sodium bicarbonate works in two different ways, which are:

Exfoliating agent: Acne can flare up anytime and anywhere and the reason it happens is because of clogging of the hair follicles. When your hair follicle gets clogged then the sebaceous glands will start producing sebum continuously, which will cause the hair follicles to rupture. If a bump appears on your skin with the sebum still inside then it is known as a white head but if the bump comes out of the skin then it is known as a blackhead.

Neutralize acidic environment: Fungal or bacterial infections are also one of the primary reasons of acne. Baking soda in the form of sodium bicarbonate will help in damaging the bacterial cells that help bacteria to grow on your skin.

In general, over-the-counter acne treatments and traditional prescription medications have proven effective in the reduction and virtual elimination of acne, there are other less traditional ways to approach the treatment of acne. When delving into non-traditional medicine most are dealing with approaches such as acupuncture, herbal medicines, homeopathic medicine, mind/body medicine, Ayurveda and Kampo as well as dietary and nutritional considerations. The following takes a look at each of these areas as they relate to acne.

Acupuncture: The use of acupuncture in the treatment of acne has not been scientifically evaluated but there have been reports that two acupuncture procedures have reduced the symptoms of acne: auricular acupuncture (acupuncture applied to the ear) and electro-acupuncture (acupuncture using a mild electrical current).

Herbal medicine: Some herbs are known to have anti-inflammatory properties and, for that reason, they may be helpful in the treatment of acne (as well as other skin conditions):

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
German chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) and flaxseed oil
Tea Tree Oil

The herbs that help reduce acne inflammation do so by reducing the amount of the P.acnes bacteria produced by the body as a reaction to clogged pores. Tea Tree oil has been favorably compared to benzoyl peroxide in the reduction of P.acnes and is said to have fewer side effects (stinging, itchiness and dry skin).

Homeopathic remedies: Homeopathic professionals evaluate the individual (their physical, emotional and intellectual makeup) before prescribing a treatment and then tailor the treatment to the individual. While homeopathy has not had the benefit of many scientific studies, professional homeopaths have found that certain homeopathic treatments reduce certain symptoms of acne:

Belladonna works best for people who are experiencing “hot” areas on their face or those who have pus-filled acne blemishes.

Calendula is used to treat pus-filled blemishes or blisters.
Hepar sulphur is useful for pus-filled blemishes that are painful.
Kali bromatum is used for deep acne blemishes, especially those on the forehead.
Silicea is used for deep, pus-filled acne blemishes.

Mind and body medicine: Mind and body approaches to the problem of acne are primarily through the practices of biofeedback, cognitive imagery and hypnotherapy.

Biofeedback and Cognitive Imagery: Biofeedback and cognitive imagery are relaxation therapies used because emotional stress can have an aggravating effect on acne. Biofeedback techniques train the individual to control some internal processes such as heart rate and muscle tension. Cognitive imagery (also called guided imagery) involves the use of mental pictures to relax and evoke helpful physical and emotional conditions. Together, when used properly by a person who has mastered the techniques, these methods have been shown to lessen the severity of acne breakouts.

Hypnosis: Hypnosis works pretty much the same way that biofeedback and cognitive imagery work, by relaxing the patient. The obvious difference is, of course, in the case of hypnosis, a professional practitioner is controlling the process.

Ayurveda: Ayurveda is a holistic system of medicine originated in India. Ayurveda focuses primarily on diet and lifestyle. Each person, as we all know, is unique and Ayurveda treatments recognize this by tailoring recommendations to the individual.

The practitioner of Ayurveda observes the individual and applies knowledge he or she has learned through ancient texts that document the ‹energetic forces› (called Tridoshas) that influence everything in nature — including, of course, humans. Ayurvedistic remedies tend to be herbal; for example, the one Ayurvedic preparation that has proven best for acne relief, a preparation called “Sunder Vati” is an herbal remedy that consists of Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Holarrhena antidysenterica and Embelia ribes.

Kampo: Kampo is a Japanese version of traditional, ancient Chinese medicine. A Kampo treatment for acne, the treatment called: Keigai-rengyo-to (TJ-50), has proven effective in some cases. TJ-50 consists of seventeen herbs that have combined anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Among there herbs are: Skullcap root (Scutellaria lateriflora), Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Mint (Mentha arvensis), Angelica root (Angelica archangelica), Peony root (Paeonia lactiflora).

Nutrition and Dietary Supplements: It has been pretty well proven that, at least as a general proposition, diet has no effect on acne but there are certain foods that effect certain people in certain ways. There are many reports from individual acne sufferers that certain drinks or foods (it seems that nuts are particularly suspect) make their acne worse. All that can be said about this is pay attention to what you eat and how it affects you over the next few days.

Although most of the dermatologists disregard the importance of healthy diet for a healthy skin as diet lacking vital supplements is scientifically proven not to affect the skin quality in any way, but there are some diets that tone the skin and make it healthy.

The first step of herbal acne treatment should be making sure that your diet contains enough fatty acid foods and foods that are the source of multi-vitamins.

Features of Herbal Acne Treatment Products:

Herbal acne treatment products are famous for their following features.

 Noticeable improvement in acne condition within one week

 Complete removal of acne within three weeks

 Elimination of acne scars

 Inclusion of herbs that beautify the skin after the disappearance of acne and the scars

 All the above benefits with virtually no side-effects

 Affordability

Herbs in Herbal Acne Treatment Products:

Following herbs are commonly included in herbal acne treatment products.

Rose Hips:

Rose Hips or Rosa Affinis Rubiginosa in herbal acne treatment products provide rejuvenation to dry and aging skin. It is also a proven cure for acne.

Lemongrass:

Lemongrass or Cymbopogon Citratus is the herb many herbal acne treatment products contain due to its capability to calm acne.

Chamomile:

Chamomile or Matricaria Recutita helps soothes sensitive skin and is commonly found in many hot-selling herbal acne treatment products.

Rosemary:

Rosemary or Rosmarinus Officinalis is another herb that is included in the best rated herbal acne treatment products. This herb is known for its capability to stimulate and protect skin. This is also famous for its acne healing effects

Herbal acne home cures can be an effective adjunct to whatever other treatments are being used. It is important to understand that they are not hard and fast ‹cures› in the absolute sense, but will instead support the body’s capacity to metabolize fats and carbohydrates, and encourage elimination through the lymphatic system.

The class of herbs known as alterative herbs are conceptualized traditionally as ‹cleansing› the body’s tissues. They are thought of as detoxifying herbs, but they don’t work in any obvious way on the body’s elimination channels. – Namely, the lungs, kidneys, or colon. As such, they do not easily fit into a Western model of understanding the body. However, they do have a long tradition of use, and are certainly worth trying as an acne home remedy. Because they work on the internal condition of the body, they are not going to replace any of the topical, over the counter acne treatments. But they may provide benefit in an indirect way that these acne products don’t.

Alterative herbs tend to be quite gentle in their effect, so they are best used as a long term treatment. Results won’t be sudden, but they will improve the general health of the body. They tend to be given for chronic inflammatory problems, especially relating to the skin, such as acne.

These herbs include burdock, cleavers, red clover, figwort, poke root, echinacea, and blue flag. A great combination is blue flag, burdock, yellow dock, and echinacea. These can be mixed together and infused with hot water to make a tea. Drink a cup of this 3 times a day. You can put a little honey in it to make it taste better.

Another possible combination is burdock, dandelion, and sarsaparilla (not the cola!). Mix these together when they are dry herbs, and make a tea in the same way. They can be used separately as well.

There are a number of options for topical acne home remedies as well. Tea tree oil can be applied directly to breakouts, though for those with sensitive skin this may need to be diluted. Fresh cabbage juice can also be applied directly to acne blemishes, and this may be a better option for those with sensitive skin.

An anti inflammatory skin wash can be made from calendula and chamomile. Make a tea as above, then let it cool and keep it in the fridge. Spray or dab this onto the affected areas regularly.

Another combination for an acne home cure skin wash is yarrow, elder flowers, and lavender.

Colloidal minerals such as potassium phosphate and magnesium phosphate can help support the skin. Zinc is excellent to help prevent scarring, as well as fortifying the immune system, and help supports the normal functioning of hormones.

Vitamin C is excellent for encouraging the healing of acne lesions, as well as providing antioxidant support to the immune system.

References:
1. Simon Mills, The Essential Book Of Herbal Medicine
2. Judy Jacka, A – Z Of Natural Therapies
3. Paul Bedson, The Complete Family Guide To Natural Healing

As a common skin condition, acne has the power to dramatically impact a teenager’s life. It is estimated that 85% of adolescents have acne. Although we as adults know acne will pass, this is small consolation to the teenager who suffers from embarrassment, worry, waning confidence or even depression as a result. We as parents need to be supportive, but that isn’t enough. Parents need to provide information and direction about how to treat acne. In most cases treatement can radically reduce the affects of acne.

Unfortunately, acne doesn’t have a «one-cure-fits-all» solution. There are many types of acne, treatable by even more types of methods. It is important for you to help determine which type your teenager is experiencing to help make appropriate decisions regarding the direction of treatment. New medications have been developed since we were teenagers. What worked for us may not work for teenagers today. The best news is that most common acne conditions can be brought easily under control even if it can not be completely cured.

Your teenager is undoubtedly trying everything conceivable to control his/her acne. It is important to remember even if your teen isn’t asking for your help, he/she still wants it. Be supportive when approaching your teen, not accusatory. Myths about oily foods, chocolate, or sex causing acne have been proven untrue. Even discussing your personal experiences with acne may help minimize the stressors for your teen, and help «humanize» you so he/she is more comfortable discussing it.

It is also wise to advise your teenager that most teenager suffer from acne-they are not alone. Of the 85% of adolescents inflicted with acne, 40% of the cases are severe enough to need professional treatment by a dermatologist.

Consulting with a dermatologist is prudent toward reassuring your teenager. Although the spots on your teenager’s skin are most likely acne, there is potential the condition could be something else. A dermatologist can give you a definitive diagnosis, with as many treatment options as possible.

If your teenager has tried a few over-the-counter medications with little to no success, encourage him/her to seek the advice of a dermatologist. A dermatologist may recommend an alternate, prescription-only ointment, lotion, or even oral medication to help clear up the condition and offer relief from physical discomfort.

Most importantly, remind your teenager that acne does not last forever. As a teenager nears their early 20s, acne should become a thing of the past.

If you’re seriously interested in knowing about acne, you need to think beyond the basics. This informative article takes a closer look at things you need to know about acne.

This information is simple. Make certain you don’t let important acne information slip by you.

I am sure that every one of you is familiar with acne. Almost all of us got this skin disorder, right? Well, technically known as acne vulgaris, this skin disorder affects millions of people from different walks of life, annually. Studies have found out that most of the adolescents are the usual target of this disease, although infants and adults are also affected. It is even found out that about 80 percent of the teenagers develop acne, particularly for women.

What is acne?

According to certain studies, acne varies from quite mild to tremendously severe. It typically forms when the lining of the skin duct as well as the sebaceous glands start to work overtime. With the onset of acne, the lining of the duct actually shed cells which are then transported away to the shell of the skin by the sebum. Once the duct is blocked, it is when the sebum and cells start to amass, forming a plug known as comedo.

Once the plug stays below the plane of the skin, whiteheads or «closed comedo» occurs. If the plug boosts and pops out of the skin duct, it is called «open comedo» or blackhead since the top is dark. As you may know, this is not absolutely dirt, thus it will not wash away.

There are a lot of factors that contribute to the formation of acne, but in terms of its real cause, no one is actually certain as to what exactly causes acne to develop or why it starts in adolescence. However, factor like hereditary top the list. It has long been deemed as the most important factor that plays a large role in the acne’s development. As what most people believe, if a member of your family had acne, there is a great possibility that you will have acne too.

Although acne is very prevalent among teenagers, acne should not control your life. There are a lot of ways to fight acne, and one of those is maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Healthy Lifestyle Changes

Experts have said that when treating a person for acne, the only way to obtain results from effective treatments is through various healthy lifestyle changes. When I say «healthy lifestyle changes», it includes the way you eat, sleep, work, play, etc. As much as possible, you should try to focus on all areas that need changing. This is very important in order for a sustained effort to be completed. If your goal is to treat your bothering acne, then try to treat your whole self as many ways as possible.

Overcoming Stress

One of the most common dilemmas that face people is stress. Stress that is not normal. So what happens when the body gets too stressed out? Experts have found out that in this case, the adrenal cortex converts adrenal androgens to the hormone testosterone in both men and women, which in turn results in overactive sebaceous glands. As found out, the ovaries of women are capable of producing 25 percent of the testosterone, while 75 percent of the hormone comes from the adrenal androgens.

When the body of both male and female is stressed, more adrenal androgen is released, causing a double amount of testosterone. It is this doubling effect that causes the T zone of the face to be oily, while other areas are still dry from dehydration. Also note that adult acne is sometimes the by-product of stress and dehydration. And, water and estrogen are the factors that calm the body’s stress alarm system.

Now you can be a confident expert on acne. OK, maybe not an expert. But you should have something to bring to the table next time you join a discussion on acne.

People have been trying for centuries to tame the evils of a bad complexion. The nice thing about the methods of acne cure that are offered at present is that they do not involve monkey feces, or pig blood, etc. However the problem with most of the available cures offered is that they still don’t work. You could spend 8 hours a day for 3 weeks researching and sifting through all of the mumbo-jumbo, namby-pamby claims to secrets for a smooth face and you would still be sitting there with unwanted zits and no real solutions.

So what do you do? Well you look for people who actually have credible success with acne cure and good scientifically based evidence to back it up OR you try all of the things you can find and hope that one day you will stumble upon the truth. I for one recommend the former.

But you still have a problem and that is where do if find a person who really has success with good research to prove it. Well start with your doctor for one. They have access to lots of valuable information and the expertise to help you sift through the evidence. They also can refer you to a skin expert or dermatologist who spends a large part of their life training and then most of their time after that «practicing» helping people in their quest for an acne cure.

They will be able to help you understand the root physiological processes that cause acne including the skin cells and layers involved, hormones, stress, the reason for the inflammation, what inflammation involves and the available anti-inflammatories. They will also be able to offer suggestions on what you can do to prevent exacerbations in the future, as well as how to deal with current eruptions, what medications and products are best for acne cure and which ones are a waste of time.

You can be sure that there is such a thing as an acne cure. After all how many people with perfect complexions do you see in magazines, and on tv, and the big screen. There skin isn’t any different than yours but their lives depend on good complexions and they can pay other people to search for an acne cure for them. This isn’t to scare you off–you don’t need millions to have a pimple free photo! All you need is a little direction and some basic medical principles and medications and you too can be zit free! So don’t waste a second call your doctor and start out running on the road to improved self image and social confidence.

Proper hair transplant information is important before going for a hair transplantation surgery. Hair transplantation is the process of transplanting hair-bearing portion of the scalp onto the bald area. Recent technological advances have made the operation more convenient, affordable and effective.

Some basic hair transplant facts

Hair transplantation operation involves several steps like pre-surgery care, post-operation care.

Pre-surgery care – You are supposed to follow certain pre-operation precautionary measures. For example, you need to follow the list of dos and don’ts provided by the surgeon. These dos and don’ts include abstaining from alcohol and medicines not prescribed by the surgeon.

Post-operative care – You have to take certain precautions after the transplantation. For example, you must not expose the operated area to sunlight for some days. Shampoos and chemicals are also to be shunned.

You may experience falling of displaced hair from the recipient zone. It is a perfectly normal phenomenon.

Hair transplant cost – The hair transplant cost depends mainly on the clinic and the surgeon’s fees. The required number of grafts, that depends on the balding area size, also matters in this regard.

Hair transplantation is the most effective way to deal with pattern baldness. The process entails removal of the scalp’s hair-bearing portion and transplanting it onto the bald patch. Recent technological advances have enhanced the convenience and affordability of the surgery, making it most popular method of medical hair restoration.

Follicular unit transplantation

A discussion offering basic hair transplant information is incomplete without a special discussion on follicular unit transplantation. This process is considered the most effective among the various hair restoration methods. The surgery involves transplanting hair from the permanent zone in the back of the scalp onto the affected areas.

The donor tissue is removed in one piece to ensure that the follicular units being relocated from the scalp back are not damaged. An integral part of follicular unit transplantation is single-strip harvesting. It ensures that no damage is caused to the individual hair follicles.

Many people are wondering if there acne solutions that really work, or if it simply is impossible to completely cure it. If you are plagued by acne this may be a question that you have asked too. There are acne solutions that really work and this article will give you some ideas of what you can try so you will be able to find some acne solutions that really work.

Detoxification is one way to help with acne.

Detoxification is probably the best way to get rid of acne quick for around the 90% of acne sufferers out there. Detoxification removes excessive toxins in the body and improves the immune system, as well as regulates the secretion of oil to your skin. These three are some of the most acne-causing factors and through detoxification you are able to tackle them head on.

Some other good tips on detoxification include:

1. Drink more pure water
2. Exercise more.
3. Fasting
4. Eat more fruits and vegetables with lots of fibers.

Remember that one of the best natural methods is adopting an anti-acne diet. That’s because food is one of the main causes of acne.

There are countless other natural treatments for acne available out there. They are all helpful. Black mud soap is also one of these treatments and has proven to be effective for many people. Thermal treatment for acne has minimal side effects and can be used to cure pimples fast.

Zeno acne clearing device is a thermal device which is very easy to use and brings about fast results. It is most effective for pustules and furuncles in their very early stage. When you see a red bump on your face, immediately treat it by using Zeno and it will not turn into a pus-filled pimple that looks ugly.

There are a variety of factors that influence acne. Women will often experience bouts of it with their menstrual cycle, stress can cause flare ups, and it is much recognized that the heat and subsequent sweating that occur in the summertime can cause a severe case of acne to go wild. All of these factors are addressed, and solutions for them explained so that everyone can enjoy clean, clear skin.

While this may sound like thousands of other products, the clinical trials of the Acne No More system speak for themselves. It had a one hundred percent success rate in its test subjects, and since then has shown continued success in the general public regardless of race, gender, or the location and severity of the acne infection. This is unmatched by any other treatment plan on the market. Visit http://www.acneproductsolution.info/ for a full review of acne no more, and how to cure your acne for good.

Natural remedies have become very popular in recent years. People have stopped looking at the expensive medications and creams to cure various conditions, and have started looking at remedies found closer to home. This is, in part, because they are less expensive, but they are also on hand and easily obtained.

Acne is a common condition in teens and adults alike, and is no exception to the theory that a home remedy can sometimes be better. If it’s worked for many years, why wouldn’t it work now? One such remedy believed to aid in the healing of acne is green tea.

While many teas are fermented, green tea instead, is steamed soon after being picked so as to prevent the oxidation of its leaves. This helps to retain the active substances the leaves contain. Camellia Sinensis, or as we know it, green tea extract, contains a high content of Polyphenol, along with other important antioxidants.

Green tea can serve many purposes, and it is recommended for a number of reasons. It acts as an anti-bacterial substance, decreasing hormonal activity. Since acne is often caused by hormones, which produce excess oil and clog pores, thereby causing blemishes, green tea could be a good remedy for this problem.

The antioxidents contained in green tea have been shown as very beneficial to acne prevention because they help the body fight against free radicals that cause cell and tissue damage. Green tea also has very few potential side effects, especially when compared to other acne products and medications.

Because of its advantages, green tea is also used in various creams and other topical products used to treat acne. When compared with other commonly used acne treatments, it ranked high, because of its natural anti-bacterial properties.

Other products containing green tea extract are also sold and developed, and are available as herbal remedies. It can be purchased as a cream.

Green Tea and honeysuckle is often called «Pimple Tea» in China. It also helps your body rid itself of toxins, which helps prevent acne.

Green tea is also easily available. It can be purchased in most stores that carry various herbal and other natural remedies, and can also be bought through many on-line sources. It comes in the form of tea that you drink, or can be purchased in the form of the cream mentioned above.

Drinking green tea will help cleanse your body from the inside out, while applying the topical cream, which goes directly onto the skin, will help cure and prevent acne at the source. No matter how you choose to use it, it can serve many purposes, and may be a welcome alternative to harsh products or unwanted medications.

Many experts estimate that Acne affects 85% of Americans making it the most common skin disorder in the United States. While it mostly affects teenagers, unfortunately, Acne can carry through to adulthood as well causing self esteem issues for anyone who has this particular affliction. With so many remedies available, what is an Acne sufferer to do?

Dermatologists believe what largely determines whether a person develops acne are genetics and hormonal fluctuations, thus the tendency for it to occur during puberty, pregnancy and menopause. Many folks believe that another contributing factor is chocolate and/or greasy foods, but dermatologists are not quite sure yet. Continued research has now revealed there is one food group that has now been shown to contribute to higher outbreaks. The food group is dairy products. That’s right, got milk?

A study published last year in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology by a team at Harvard suggests that a diet high in dairy products can increase your likelihood of Acne.

The researchers analyzed the habits and diets of nearly 50,000 people, looking especially at what they ate while in high school. Those who drank three or more cups of milk a day, the study found, were 22 percent more likely to experience severe acne compared with those who drank one serving a week or less.

Skim milk had the greatest effect. Cream cheese and cottage cheese were also associated with outbreaks, while chocolate and greasy foods were not. The researchers attributed the effect to hormones in milk; other studies have had similar findings.

It is interesting to note the wide range of intake of dairy products for this study. Students who drank three cups of milk a day vs. those who drank one serving a week were the ones who were 22% more likely to experience severe acne. That is a huge difference in daily intake. Those in that group suffered “severe” acne.

As you know, each person reacts to a specific food or medication differently. Taking this study into consideration, it proves that diet can have an impact on your acne breakouts.

While dermatologists are in disagreement about chocolate and greasy foods, my own personal experience suggested that they did indeed impact my outbreaks. As an Acne sufferer, you need to monitor your diet to test if certain foods are contributing to your outbreaks. Our diets and the foods we eat are significantly different that what we ate 25, 50 or 100 years ago. It is very likely that these changes have contributed to such a high percentage of the population suffering from Acne at some point in their life.

So how can you tell which foods are causing your Acne outbreaks? Start keeping a log of the foods you eat and when Acne outbreaks occur. While this may sound simple enough, it will require some diligence on your part to truly keep an accurate log. Pay special attention to foods that are not natural. For example, it is unlikely carrot sticks will cause an outbreak, but that big bag of Sour Cream and Onion Ruffles might. I know from my own experience, it seemed like anytime I ate a chocolate bar, I had an outbreak within 1-2 days. When keeping your logs, pay close attention to these patterns. If you are a heavy consumer of dairy products, you may want to pay special attention to your intake in this area and modify your diet accordingly. Make sure to pay special attention to what nutrients you might be losing if you cut back on milk, such as calcium and vitamin D. As always, consult your doctor and/or dermatologist if your problem persists.

If some one has acne, they have a lot of spots on their face, neck and body. Acne is very common among teenagers. It is the most unfortunate situation for the youth to have stubborn case of acne on their face. For, that is the stage of life, when they like to be not only healthy but much more attractive and presentable!

Common skin problems related to acne include skin rashes; popping of blackheads, whiteheads and nodules in the form of pimples and acne; and formation of dry, oily areas and reddish-brown blotches on skin. Greasy and spicy foods can also cause acne prone skin.

Healing of the acne lesion is not the end of the problem. It is the beginning of a new series of problems, to solve which a lot of patience and understanding is required. Repeated trips to the clinic of the dermatologist are necessary thus.

The post inflammatory effects caused by acne are part of the skin’s natural healing process. Medication and practices in vogue can only help facilitate this healing process. Laser therapy, in the treatment of acne, is still at the kindergarten level. Researchers and scientists in this area are themselves confused a lot, and so far, unable to arrive at definite conclusions. Their problem is also the same as faced by the specialists of acne treatment in other branches of science.

No single treatment is right for everyone. Type of skin varies from person to person. The topography and skin texture of each person is different. Therefore, the person who opts for and the person who gives treatment, both have to be realistic about the results, while tasking up the option of laser treatment.

Two types of acne patients are likely to opt for laser therapy. One, those who are interested in getting rid of the scars, pimples or whatever it may be, on emergency basis and secondly those who are willing to wait but wanting to have a permanent cure. The typical side effects that go with other systems of acne treatment are applicable to laser therapy as well. The damage is likely to be caused by the laser system that is still in the stage of research and development. Well, no one should be in a hurry to own it.

Laser treatment specialists are also fully aware of their own limitations about the present status of this system. Proper skin care will still remain a problem even after you get rid of the unwanted part of the skin. Improved tissue metabolism that will boost the blood flow to pores, causing them to open, is the only answer. e researchers are not themselves convinced about the efficacy of laser treatment, how can your dermatologist advise you to go fort it? Even if he does, you please be guided by what you have decided for you!

This factsheet is for people who have acne.

Acne is a skin condition that causes spots. Most people affected by acne are aged between 12 and 25.1 However, men and women in their 30s and 40s can also suffer. There are many treatments available to help deal with the condition.
What is acne?

Acne is a skin condition that typically causes one or more of the following:

* blackheads (comedones)
* whiteheads
* red or yellow spots
* greasy skin
* scars

Acne typically affects the skin of the face, back, neck, chest and arms and the severity of the condition can vary.

Acne affects people of all skin colours. The processes that cause acne are exactly the same in people with black or brown skin but the impact is altered by the skin pigmentation.

Acne is very common and affects about 80 in 100 people aged 11-30 at some time.

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Acne

This factsheet is for people who have acne.

Acne is a skin condition that causes spots. Most people affected by acne are aged between 12 and 25.1 However, men and women in their 30s and 40s can also suffer. There are many treatments available to help deal with the condition.
What is acne?

Acne is a skin condition that typically causes one or more of the following:

* blackheads (comedones) 2,3
* whiteheads2,3
* red or yellow spots2,3
* greasy skin2,3
* scars2,3

Acne typically affects the skin of the face, back, neck, chest and arms and the severity of the condition can vary.1,4

Acne affects people of all skin colours. The processes that cause acne are exactly the same in people with black or brown skin but the impact is altered by the skin pigmentation.

Acne is very common and affects about 80 in 100 people aged 11-30 at some time.4
The skin

The surface of the skin has lots of small sebaceous glands just below the surface. These glands make an oily substance called sebum that keeps the skin smooth and supple.

Tiny pores (holes in the skin) allow the sebum to come to the skin surface. Hairs also grow through these pores.

IIllustration showing the structure of skin
Illustration showing the structure of skin
What causes acne?

Acne is caused by the overactivity of the sebaceous glands that secrete oily substances onto the skin.

The sebaceous glands of people with acne are especially sensitive to normal blood levels of a hormone called testosterone, found naturally in both men and women.

Testosterone in people prone to acne triggers the sebaceous glands to produce an excess of sebum. At the same time, the dead skin cells lining the openings of the hair follicles (the tubes that hold the hair) are not shed properly and clog up the follicles.

These two effects combined cause a build-up of oil in the hair follicles. This causes blackheads and whiteheads to form.

For some people, their acne does not progress beyond this stage.

However in other people, the build-up of oil in the hair follicles creates an ideal environment for a bacterium called Propionibacterium acnes to grow.

These bacteria normally live harmlessly on your skin but when this ideal environment is created, they grow. They feed off the sebum and produce substances that cause a response from your body’s immune system. This inflames the skin and creates the redness associated with spots.

In more severe ‹inflammatory acne›, cysts develop beneath the skin’s surface. These acne cysts can rupture, spreading the infection into nearby skin tissue. This can result in scarring.

What makes acne worse?

There are a number of things that can make your acne worse. These include the following:

* picking and squeezing the spots may cause further inflammation and scarring1
* stress can make acne worse in some people, although it is not clear why1,
* in women, outbreaks may be affected by the hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle1,
* excessive production of male hormones such as testosterone from conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome may be another cause.5 For more information, please see the separate BUPA factsheet Polycystic ovary syndrome
* some contraceptive pills may make acne worse. This is due to the type of progestogen hormone in some pills whereas some other types of contraceptive pills can improve acne – see Treatments section below. Your GP will advise you which contraceptive pill to take
* some medicines can make acne worse. For example, some medicines taken for epilepsy, and steroid creams and ointments that are used for eczema. Do not stop a prescribed medicine if you suspect it is making your acne worse, but tell your GP. An alternative may be an option
* steroids can cause acne as a side-effect

Treatment

Acne may cause you considerable emotional distress but there is a range of treatment options to help you tackle the problem. No treatment will completely ‹cure› your acne. The aims of treatment are to prevent new spots forming, to improve those already present, and to prevent scarring.3
Home treatment

It is important to keep spot-prone areas clean, so wash the affected area twice a day with an unperfumed cleanser.1,6 The skin needs a certain amount of oil to maintain its natural condition, so avoid aggressive washing with strong soaps.

There are a number of over-the-counter remedies available from pharmacies to treat mild acne. These usually contain antibacterial agents such as benzoyl peroxide (eg Oxy and Clearasil Max).

As well as its antibacterial effects, benzoyl peroxide can dry out the skin and encourage it to shed the surface layer of dead skin. Together, these effects make it harder for pores to become blocked and for infection to develop.

Benzoyl peroxide can cause redness and peeling, especially to start with. This tends to settle down if you reduce the number of times you use it. You can then build up your use gradually.

No home treatments for acne will work immediately. It can take weeks, if not months, for significant effects to be noticeable. If home treatments have not worked after two months, or you have severe acne, you should visit your GP.
Prescription medicines

Your GP may start your treatment by prescribing a preparation containing benzoyl peroxide. If this does not work, or if you have more severe acne, there are a range of other treatment options that you can either rub onto your skin (topical) or take in tablet form (oral).
Topical treatments

There are several topical treatments you may be prescribed including those listed below:

* azelaic acid (Skinoren) is an alternative to benzoyl peroxide and may not make your skin as sore as benzoyl peroxide
* topical retinoids (eg Adapalene) are medicines based on vitamin A, which are rubbed into the skin once or twice a day.7 They work by encouraging the outer layer of skin to flake off
* a topical antibiotic lotion applied to the skin can be used to control the P. acnes bacteria (eg Dalacin T). Treatment needs to continue for at least six months. Preparations that combine an antibiotic with other acne medication are available (eg Benzamycin which combines an antibiotic with benzoyl peroxide)

Oral treatments

There are several oral treatments you may be prescribed including those listed below:

* oral antibiotics (tablets), such as tetracycline, can be prescribed for inflammatory acne. They should be taken daily for around three months, although it might take four to six months for the benefits to be seen.7 The success of this treatment can be limited because the strains of bacteria are often resistant to the common antibiotics. Antibiotics do not prevent pores from becoming blocked so treatment to prevent blackheads, such as benzoyl peroxide, is often also prescribed at the same time
* some types of oral contraceptive tablets help women who have acne. A combination of the usual pill hormone called ethinylestradiol with cyproterone acetate (eg Dianette) suppresses male hormone activity so is often used in women with acne
* isotretinoin (eg Roaccutane) is a medicine known as an oral retinoid, which also exists in a topical form (see above). Isotretinoin works by drying up oily secretions. It tends to be prescribed to people with severe forms of acne that have proved resistant to other treatments. There a number of serious side-effects of this drug, such as liver disorders and depresssion. You should not take isotretinoin if you are pregnant, as it is very dangerous to an unborn baby. For safety reasons, isotretinoin is only prescribed under the supervision of dermatology specialists.

Some people have acne so intense that it is necessary for them to seek professional help. For some people, they must see a dermatologist to help with this annoying problem. When they go to the dermatologist for help, they will sometimes recommend a prescribe acne medication to help with the problem.

There are many prescription medications that are used today to help treat acne. Most of them are applied to the skin and are used for mild to severe acne. There are however, other methods of treating acne from the inside out and those require an oral method of taking the acne medications. This is important for people that have extensive acne problems that keep getting worse instead of better.

There are some dermatologists that use therapy to help control an acne problem for some of their patients. For this to occur, the acne has to be so severe and intense that there are no other methods of treatment working or if the patient and the acne is not responding to any other form of treatment.

There are also acne medications that are taken by mouth. These are antibiotics that a patient has to take on a regular basis to help control the acne. The dosage will usually start out high and then lessen as it is becoming effective.

There are also injections that can be a form of acne medication. This is used to treat severe acne and it will help to prevent scarring. Again this method is used for the people that have acne so severe and no other method of treatment is working to their benefit.

A lot of women will use oral contraceptives to help control their acne. This form or acne medication will affect the hormones in a women’s body and will lessen the chance of them having acne. This is a great idea for women who have an acne problem and want to take a contraceptive at the same time. There are some women however, that it has the reverse effect on.

There are a variety of different creams and ointments to use for acne medication as well. These are found both in the store and sold as prescriptions. The more intense creams and ointments are prescribed and do cost more. When you have a complex form of acne that is hard to treat, this is when the prescription medications have to be used.

It is all up to the person with acne if they think that they should seek professional help for their acne medication or not. They will know when they can no longer take care of the problem and need to have help.

Acne is the almost popular scenario being encountered by our rind especially the teenagers and A good amount of adults. It can be seen normally in our cheek, neck, some on our shoulders, support, weaponry and still in our thighs. These are clogged sebum in our pores or these are what we normally ask whiteheads and blackheads, nodules, pimples, or cysts. Although we are conversant with the usually known acne, we must too be mindful of the new forms or kinds of acne.

Here are some of Visible Signs Of Acne:

Comedones:
– These are areas of the skin that are affected by acne, the external form of comedones.

Papules and pustules:
– As the early blemishes get bigger and inflamed, papules and pustules will occur.

Nodules:
– These are solid lesions that extend into deeper lumps that destroy tissues.

Oily skin:
– The sebum production increases so that your skin looks and feels oily.

Cysts:
– Capsules shaped lesions that contain liquid or semi-liquid pus similar to that substance contained in pustules and can be infected.

WE MUST TOO BE MINDFUL OF THE NEW FORMS OR KINDS OF ACNE!

Annemarie Colbin, in her book «Food and Healing», makes the interesting point that diets themselves, even healing diets, are not a cure per se. They do often work, but their route to health is actually a product of supporting the body’s own healing processes.

Her view on skin conditions like acne is interesting. She sees acne as a result of the regular organs of elimination, the kidneys and lungs, being unable to eliminate all the toxic waster matter that we ingest into our bodies. She sees certain foods, like those that make up what she calls the Standard American Diet, as placing too great a stress on our body’s ability to process them, at least if symptoms of ill health are appearing like acne. She has found from her own observations that a change in diet often clears up even the large, purplish types of acne. She found this with her own experiences with acne. Annemarie says it takes about ten days to three months to work.

Annemarie describes acne as falling into two main causes in her approach. The first is associated with fat, protein and excess sugar. Here she recommends eliminating foods like milk, cheese, ice cream, fatty meats, nuts and peanut butter. The second category is associated with what she calls mineral-water excess, which is s term she uses to describe all substances taken out of their natural context. She mentions iodized salt, or even multi vitamins or supplements like kelp. This is very much a personal relationship as what negatively affects one person may not do so for another.

The link between excess minerals or vitamin supplements relates to Colbin’s idea of balance, which is that a living system always seeks to return to balance. Anatomy and physiology textbooks even define the processes of the body that way, and it is certainly a common idea in natural health systems, especially traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Colbin writes that excess minerals and vitamin supplements lead to an increased need for the macro nutrients protein, fat and carbohydrates. Salt is also in this category. The idea is that these vitamins and minerals, taken out of the context of the food itself, will lead to the body craving actual food to create a sense of balance. If we have a multi vitamin at mealtimes, within the RDA, I don’t believe this is going to present a problem. Especially given that our foods are often depleted of the range of essential nutrients that they would normally have if they were grown organically and in nutrient dense soils. But it is certainly an argument in favor of approaching nutritional supplements in a balanced way also. Some people mistakenly think more is better. This clearly illustrates it is not.

References: Annemarie Colbin, Food As Healing (Ballantine Books, New York)
Simon Mills, The Essential Book Of Herbal Medicine (Penguin Arkana)

Many people in the world think acne is something that is really negative. Although acne does not really affect anything else but the physical look of a person, but to some this may affect them very negatively. There are many different ways to get rid of acne, one might try different acne treatment products. Because acne affects all age group, there are products made for many different age groups to help getting rid of acne.

Some acne treatment products include Zyporex and ClearPores. Usually these products should not give any side effects but in some cases they do give some side effects. Usually products like this usually get rid of your acne within a week and sometimes in a few days. Some of these products are very costly but sometimes they are very cheap, also sometimes they are even given out to you for free just so you can try it. Most of these products are simple to use and may also help you reduce any more acne appearing on your skin.

The second type of acne treatment is using natural remedies. This is getting more and more popular over the past few years and many are using it. This is because of two main reasons; it is cheaper and it does not give side effects. Some think that if they do not give side effects it will take longer for them to get rid of the acne. That is not true because natural acne treatment products, such as Green tea extract and Licorice Root Extract, still get rid of the acne before a week but most of the time within a few days. They give no side effect and these natural remedies have been used for sometimes thousands of years and most of these remedies are being used to cure other medical things.

The third popular way to get rid of acne is using home made acne treatments. This treatment is quite popular because one can use different remedies until they locate one they like and that functions best for them. So this way they can change around remedies a lot and usually these remedies are natural so it has the benefits of natural acne treatments.

Acne is a very common disease. People who have it tend to have similar kinds of questions about it and its treatment. This section addresses some of the common questions asked by people with acne. Please remember that your dermatologist is always the best source of specific information about your individual health issues, including acne.

Questions and Answer does follows:

1. What causes acne?

The causes of acne are linked to the changes that take place as young people mature from childhood to adolescence (puberty). The hormones that cause physical maturation also cause the sebaceous (oil) glands of the skin to produce more sebum (oil). The hormones with the greatest effect on sebaceous glands are androgens (male hormones), which are present in females as well as males, but in higher amounts in males.

Sebaceous glands are found together with a hair shaft in a unit called a sebaceous follicle. During puberty, the cells of the skin that line the follicle begin to shed more rapidly. In people who develop acne, cells shed and stick together more so than in people who do not develop acne. When cells mix with the increased amount of sebum being produced, they can plug the opening of the follicle. Meanwhile, the sebaceous glands continue to produce sebum, and the follicle swells up with sebum.

In addition, a normal skin bacteria called P. acnes, begins to multiply rapidly in the clogged hair follicle. In the process, these bacteria produce irritating substances that can cause inflammation. Sometimes, the wall of the follicle bursts, spreading inflammation to the surrounding skin. This is the process by which acne lesions, from blackheads to pimples to nodules, are formed.

2. I wash my face several times a day. Why do I still get acne?

Many people still believe that acne is caused by dirty skin. The truth is, washing alone will not clear up or prevent acne. Washing does, however, help remove excess surface oils and dead skin cells. Many people use all kinds of products, including alcohol-based cleansers, and scrub vigorously, only to irritate the skin further and worsen their acne. Washing the skin twice a day gently with water and a mild soap is usually all that is required. However, acne is actually caused by a variety of biologic factors that are beyond the control of washing. For that reason, you should use appropriate acne treatments for the acne.

3. Does stress cause acne?

Stress is commonly blamed for the development of acne. Stress can have many physiologic effects on the body, including changes in hormones that may theoretically lead to acne. In some cases the stress may actually be caused by the acne lesions, not the other way around! If the acne is being treated effectively, stress is not likely to have much impact on the majority of people.

4. I never had acne as a teenager. Why am I now getting acne as an adult?

Usually, acne begins at puberty and is gone by the early 20s. In some cases, acne may persist into adulthood. Such types of acne include severe forms that affect the body as well as the face (which afflict males more than females) and acne associated with the menstrual cycle in women. In other cases, acne may not present itself until adulthood. Such acne is more likely to affect females than males.

There are several reasons for this. As females get older, the pattern of changes in hormones may itself change, disposing sebaceous glands to develop acne. Ovarian cysts and pregnancy may also cause hormonal changes that lead to acne. Some women get acne when they discontinue birth control pills that have been keeping acne at bay. Sometimes young women may wear cosmetics that are comedogenic-that is, they can set up conditions that cause comedones to form.

5. What role does diet play in acne?

Acne is not caused by food. Following a strict diet will not, clear your skin. While some people feel that their acne is aggravated by certain foods, particularly chocolate, colas, peanuts, shellfish and some fatty foods, there is no scientific evidence that suggests food causes or influences acne. Avoid any foods which seem to worsen your acne and, for your overall health, eat a balanced diet–but diet shouldn’t really matter if the acne is being appropriately treated.

6. Does the sun help acne?

Many patients feel that sunlight improves their acne lesions and go to great lengths to find sources of ultraviolet light. There is no proven effect of sunlight on acne. In addition, ultraviolet light in sunlight increases the risk of skin cancer and early aging of the skin. It is, therefore, not a recommended technique of acne management, especially since there are many other proven forms of treatment for acne. Moreover, many acne treatments increase the skin’s sensitivity to ultraviolet light, making the risk of ultraviolet light exposure all the worse.

7. What is the best way to treat acne?

Everyone’s acne must be treated individually. If you have not gotten good results from the acne products you have tried, consider seeing a dermatologist. Your dermatologist will decide which treatments are best for you. For more information about the types of acne treatments that are available, and for basic acne treatment guidelines, please see Acne Treatments in the main part of AcneNet.

8. What kind of cosmetics and cleansers can an acne patient use?

Look for «noncomedogenic» cosmetics and toiletries. These products have been formulated so that they will not cause acne.

Some acne medications cause irritation or pronounced dryness particularly during the early weeks of therapy, and some cosmetics and cleansers can actually worsen this effect. The choice of cosmetics and cleansers should be made with your dermatologist or pharmacist.

Heavy foundation makeup should be avoided. Most acne patients should select powder blushes and eye shadow over cream products because they are less irritating and noncomedogenic. Camouflaging techniques can be used effectively by applying a green undercover cosmetic over red acne lesions to promote color blending.

9. Is it harmful to squeeze my blemishes?

Yes. In general, acne lesions should not be picked or squeezed by the patient. In particular, inflammatory acne lesions should never be squeezed. Squeezing forces infected material deeper into the skin, causing additional inflammation and possible scarring.

10. Can anything be done about scarring caused by acne?

Scarring is best prevented by getting rid of the acne. Dermatologists can use various methods to improve the scarring caused by acne. The treatment must always be individualized for the specific patient. Chemical peels may be used in some patients, while dermabrasion or laser abrasion may benefit others. It is important that the acne be well controlled before any procedure is used to alleviate scarring.

11. How long before I see a visible result from using my acne medication?

The time for improvement depends upon the product being used, but in almost all cases it is more a matter of weeks or months instead of days. Most dermatologists would recommend the use of a medication or combination of medications daily for 4 to 8 weeks before they would change the treatment. It is very important for patients to be aware of this time frame so they do not become discouraged and discontinue their medications. Conversely, if you see no change whatsoever, you might want to check with your dermatologist regarding the need to change treatments.

12. Would using my medication more frequently than prescribed speed up the clearing of my acne?

No–always use your medication exactly as your dermatologist instructed. Using topical medications more often than prescribed may actually induce more irritation of the skin, redness and follicular plugging, which can delay clearing time. If oral medications are taken more frequently than prescribed, they won’t work any better, but there is a greater chance of side effects.

13. My topical treatment seems to work on the spots I treat, but I keep getting new acne blemishes. What should I do?

Topical acne medications are made to be used on all acne-prone areas, not just individual lesions. Part of the goal is to treat the skin before lesions can form and to prevent formation, not just to treat existing lesions. Patients are generally advised to treat all of the areas (forehead, cheeks, chin and nose) that tend to break out rather than just individual lesions.

14. My face is clear! Can I stop taking my medication now?

If your dermatologist says you can stop, then stop–but follow your dermatologist’s instructions. Many times patients will stop their medication suddenly only to have their acne flare up several weeks later. If you are using multiple products, it may be advisable to discontinue one medication at a time and judge results before discontinuing them all at once. Ask your dermatologist before you stop using any of your medications.

15. Does it matter what time I use my medication?

Check with your dermatologist or pharmacist. If you were taking one dose a day of an antibiotic, you could probably take it in the morning, at midday or in the evening, although you should pick one time of day and stay with it throughout your treatment. With oral medications prescribed twice a day or three times a day, you should try your best to spread out the doses evenly. Some antibiotics should be taken on an empty or nearly empty stomach. For optimal results with topical treatments, you should strictly follow your dermatologist’s recommendations. For example, if instructed to apply benzoyl peroxide in the morning and a topical retinoid at bedtime, it is important to follow these directions strictly. If the two were applied together at bedtime, for example, you could decrease the efficacy of the treatment because of chemical reactions that make them less effective.

16. I have trouble remembering to take my oral medication every day. What’s a good way to remember? What should I do if I forget a dose?

This is a common problem. Many patients try to associate taking their medication with a routine daily event such as brushing teeth or applying makeup. It also helps to keep the medication close to the area where the reminder activity is carried out.

In most cases, if you miss a day of your oral treatment, do not double up the next day; rather, get back to your daily regimen as soon as possible–but there may be different instructions for different oral medications. Ask your dermatologist or pharmacist about what to do if you miss a dose of your particular medication.

17. I have been using topical benzoyl peroxide and an oral antibiotic for my acne and have noticed blue-black and brown marks developing on my face and some discoloration on my body. The marks are especially noticeable around acne scars and recently healed lesions. Is this a side effect of medication and is it permanent?

It is not possible to make general statements about side effects of medications that apply to individual cases. A dermatologist should be consulted. The facial marks and body discoloration described by the patient in this case do fall within the range of side effects of some antibiotics.

Unique patterns of pigmentation are sometimes seen in acne patients treated with certain oral antibiotics—particularly minocycline. The pigmentation patterns that appear may include:

* Localized blue-black or brown marks in and around acne scars and in areas of previous acne inflammation

* A «muddy skin» appearance that may cover much of the body

* Diffuse brownish pigmentation of the feet and lower legs.

The pigmentation side effect gradually disappears after the therapy is discontinued.

Any side effect of a medication should be noted by the patient and brought to the attention of the physician. While most side effects are temporary they should be discussed with the physician and monitored.

18. My doctor is prescribing a topical retinoid for my acne. He said a retinoid is a substance related to vitamin A. If the drug is related to vitamin A, shouldn’t vitamin A dietary supplements be helpful in getting rid of acne?

Dietary vitamin A is essential to good health, especially vision. It has healthful effects in the skin. Large doses of vitamin A for the treatment of acne is not recommended on grounds of safety. The retinoids and retinoid-like substances used as topical treatments for acne are prepared especially for their potent effect on the shedding of cell lining in the sebaceous follicle. Their use should be monitored by a dermatologist.

Dietary vitamin A has multiple health effects in the human body. Vitamin A is essential for good vision. Extreme vitamin A deficiency can result in blindness, usually accompanied by dry, scaly skin. Vitamin A overdose that far exceeds the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of 5,000 IU can have effects nearly as catastrophic. Extreme vitamin A overdose can cause the skin to blister and peel—an effect first seen in early North Pole explorers who nearly died after eating polar bear liver that has an extraordinarily high vitamin A content.

Topical retinoids are usually prescribed as a treatment for moderate to severe acne. Side effects are chiefly dermatologic, including redness, scaling and dryness of the skin, itching and burning. These side effects can usually be managed by adjustment of the amount and timing of retinoid applied to the skin. Dose adjustment must be discussed with the dermatologist who prescribed the treatment.

19. Are there any acne treatments specifically for people with dark skin? Are there any treatments specifically harmful to dark skin?

There are no acne treatments specifically for use on dark skin. Acne treatments are generally as safe and effective on dark skin as on light skin. Some treatments for acne scars may cause temporary lightening of dark skin.

Acne is a common skin disease that has the same causes and follows the same course in all colors of skin.

Very dark or black skin may be less well-moisturized than lighter skin. Topical anti-acne agents such as benzoyl peroxide that have a drying effect on the skin should be used under the supervision of a dermatologist. Benzoyl peroxide also is a strong bleach and therefore must be applied carefully to avoid inadvertent decolorization of a patch of hair, towels or clothing.

Darker skin has a tendency to develop post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (excessive skin darkening at places where the skin was inflamed). Severe inflammatory acne may result in dark spots. The spots resolve over time; a dermatologist may be able to recommend cosmetic measures to make the spots less apparent until they resolve. Some acne treatments, such as topical retinoids and azelaic acid, may also help fade the discoloration.

Removal of acne scars by dermabrasion or chemical peeling may cause temporary lightening or darkening of dark skin in the areas of treatment. Scar treatment should be discussed with a dermatologist or dermatologic surgeon before it is undertaken.

Alterations of melanin (dark pigments that give the skin its color) pigmentation such as vitiligo and melasma are not related to acne, but they may be present simultaneously with acne. The diagnosis and treatment of melanin pigmentation disorders such as vitiligo requires a dermatologist with knowledge and experience in treating these conditions.

20. Is acne that appears for the first time in adulthood different from acne that appears in adolescence?

Acne has a specific definition as a disease of sebaceous follicles. This definition applies to acne that occurs at any age. However, it may be important to look for an underlying cause of acne that occurs for the first time in adulthood.

Current understanding of the causes of acne vulgaris is described in the Main Text section Why and how acne happens. In brief summary, acne vulgaris develops when excessive sebum production and abnormal growth and death of cells in the sebaceous follicle result in plugging of follicles with a mixture of sebum and cellular debris and formation of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads). Bacteria in the follicles—chiefly Propionibacterium acnes, the most common bacterial colonist of sebaceous follicles—may contribute to the inflammation of acne by release of metabolic products that cause inflammatory reaction. The pathogenic events, which cause disease, in the sebaceous follicle are believed to be due in large degree to changes in levels of androgenic (male) hormones in the body—a circumstance usually associated with growth and development between ages 12 and
21. Some acne investigators believe that although this understanding is generally correct, there is more yet to be learned about the causes of acne vulgaris.

Acne that appears after the age of 25-30 years is (1) a recurrence of acne that cleared up after adolescence, (2) a flare-up of acne after a period of relative quiet—for example, during pregnancy, or (3) acne that occurs for the first time in a person who had never previously had acne.

Acne that occurs in adulthood may be difficult to treat if there are multiple recurrences. Some patients with severe recurrent acne have undergone repeated courses of treatment with the potent systemic drug isotretinoin.

Acne flares in association with pregnancy or menstruation are due to changes in hormonal patterns.

Acne that appears for the first time in adulthood should be investigated for any underlying cause. Drugs that can induce acne include anabolic steroids (sometimes used illegally by athletes to “bulk up”), some anti-epileptic drugs, the anti-tuberculosis drugs isoniazid and rifampin, lithium, and iodine-containing drugs. Chlorinated industrial chemicals may induce the occupational skin disorder known as chloracne. Chronic physical pressure on the skin—for example, by a backpack and its straps, or a violin tucked against the angle of the jaw and chin—may induce so-called acne mechanica. Some metabolic conditions may cause changes in hormonal balance that can induce acne.

Some lesions that appear to be acne may be another skin disorder such as folliculitis—infection and inflammation of hair follicles—that require different treatment than acne. Acne that appears for the first time in adulthood should be examined and treated by a dermatologist.

22. My 15-year-old daughter has what I would describe as a very mild case of acne. She has made it much worse by constant picking and squeezing. She looks in the mirror for hours, looking for some blackhead or blemish she can pick or squeeze. Does she need psychological counseling?

Excessive picking and squeezing of otherwise mild acne is a condition called excoriated acne, seen most often in young women. A dermatologist may provide effective counseling.

The typical person with excoriated acne is a person—often a young women—who is so distressed with her appearance due to acne that she literally tries to «squeeze the acne out of existence.» The acne is often very mild, but the person’s face may constantly be covered with red marks from squeezing, and open sores where lesions have been picked open.

The word excoriate means to scratch or abrade the skin. Excoriated acne is a medically recognized condition that should be discussed with a dermatologist. Occasionally giving in to a temptation to squeeze a blackhead is not defined as excoriated acne. Hours in front of a mirror, squeezing and picking every blemish, is a definition of excoriated acne. A dermatologist may be able to counsel the patient regarding a course of treatment in which the patient can participate, but keep «hands off.»

23. Can the rate of secretion or the composition of sebum be altered by diet? If it can, shouldn’t alteration of diet be considered a treatment for acne?

Diet has never been proven to have a role in the cause or treatment of acne. Dietary manipulation may have a role in the treatment of some scaling diseases of the skin, but not in the treatment of acne.

Dietary cause is one of the most persistent myths about acne. Foods, such as chocolate or greasy foods, do not cause acne, but certain foods seem to make some people’s acne worse. The following can bring on or worsen it:

* Hereditary factors

* An increase in male hormones found in both males and females

* Menstruation

* Emotional stress

* Oil and grease from cosmetics, work environment

No food has been shown to be effective in preventing or treating acne. A healthy diet is, of course, necessary for good general health.

24. Shouldn’t I just try to eliminate sebum from my body?

No. When it isn’t blocked in your pores, sebum helps keep your skin healthy.

25. Why does acne usually start at puberty?

No one knows for certain. What is known is that the sebaceous glands that produce sebum get much larger at puberty than they were before.

26. Why does the skin around a pimple turn red?

This redness is caused by the body’s inflammatory response. Inflammation is a sign that your immune system is working to fight an infection. However, the inflammatory response doesn’t always work perfectly, and can even be the cause of scarring.

27. If my skin turns red, does that mean that I’m going to have scars?

Usually, no. Even when there will be no permanent scar, the aftereffects of the inflammatory response can leave the skin red for months, sometimes for more than a year.

28. What are free radicals?

Free radicals are byproducts of oxidation in your body. We all need oxidation to occur as part of our life process, but there is concern that the buildup of unrecycled free radicals contributes to many conditions, including skin damage. Antioxidants, including several of the active ingredients in Acuzine, help prevent the buildup of free radicals.

The basic fallacy about acne skin care that most of the people commit, is to understand the role played by the skin in the human system in isolation. God has created a total, complete and perfect machine in the form of human body and he has covered it with skin for valid reasons. When something is wrong with the parts (organs) inside, the complaint regarding their malfunctioning is reported through the skin.

The digestive organs only react to what we have given to them. Their reporting system is fair and without any blemishes. The combination of rich carbohydrates and protein in great number forces the toxins to the surface of the skin and form acne and pimples. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that if you apply some lotion or balm and in the process some pimples disappear, do not think that you have achieved something.

A host of other pimples are readying themselves for the attack on the surface of the skin, they may however change the strategy and appear on other parts of the body. Because, the royal battle is going on within, on the part of the affected body.

As a natural healing process of skin, the post inflammatory acne changes start surfacing. By adopting some medical and herbal practices you can speed up this healing process. The understanding and knowledge about the type of acne is important in the treatment of acne. Also, constant exposure to the sun can cause severe skin damage and delay the healing of your acne. Thus wear a good sunscreen and be protective to heal your acne.

Common skin problems include rashes, acne, blackheads, whiteheads, dry and oily areas, reddish-brown blotches. In acne conditions, skin care is not only its external medication, but we have to clearly understand and be conscious about the food intake– foods that aggravate the condition and foods that benefit. The former are acid producing foods. In the later category come minerals, especially iron-rich foods.

To say something about one of the ancient remedies prevalent in most of the Indian households— the juice of raw papaya, being an irritant is useful in several skin disorders, including acne. It is applied with beneficial results to swellings to prevent pus or warts and pimples formation. The juice as cosmetic, removes freckles and brown spots due to exposure to sunlight.

It is worth mentioning certain simple aspects and instructions to understand and follow a good acne treatment regime.

1. Avoid tight clothes, they are known to cause body acne by trapping sweat.
2. Use a sun-blocker by wearing a hat.
3. Dab the face dry, carefully. Do not apply pressure.
4. Use make up that do not clog the pores.
5.Think well before buying any over the counter products. Be even more careful, if they are introduced recently in the market.

Let your skin not be the experimenting ground for the product. It is better to go by the advice of the dermatologists in these matters.