Monday, April 16, 2007
Acne Blemish Control
Strategies For Effective Acne Blemish Control
Let's face it, most teenagers develop acne blemishes at some point and it could be seen as a normal part of growing up. The hormones in our bodies at this time stimulate excess oil and skin cell production which can block pores. These blocked pores are great places for bacteria to thrive, and inflammation and spots are the result.
However, there are a few things that we can do to keep those acne blemishes under control. The following tips will ensure minimum blemishes for most people suffering from mild forms of acne, although those with more severe acne should always consult a dermatologist for specific treatment.
It is a common myth that acne is caused by poor diet, which is not true. Eating fatty foods and chocolate, while they may not be healthy in other ways, will not cause acne. On rare occasions an allergy to certain foods may make your acne worse, so if you notice a pattern between what you eat and outbreaks of acne, you should avoid those foods. You should also make sure you drink plenty of water each day to cleanse your skin from the inside.
Some people associate having acne with being unclean, another myth that we need to discuss. Washing your face twice a day with a mild soap and warm water can help to remove the oil and skin cells that cause acne blemishes. However, using strong alcohol based cleansers, or scrubbing your face to hard or too often can irritate your skin and actually make your acne worse.
Oil from your hands can contribute to the blocked pores that cause acne, so you need to be careful not to touch your face too much. Now you are aware of this you will be surprised how often you do touch your face during the day, and how many of your spots are concentrated in the areas you typically touch. You want to keep your hair off your face as well because this can also transfer oil.
Be careful about the skin products you use on your face. If you are prone to acne and want to use specific products to prevent it, you can buy over the counter treatments containing low concentrations of benzoyl peroxide. This is an effective way to dry out any blemishes and unblock pores so the acne doesn't form in the first place.
If you use moisturizers or face creams make sure they are water based and not oil based. The type of products you should use is described as non-comedogenic. You should avoid heavy foundation make-up, particularly oil based varieties. If you have blemishes it may be tempting to heap on the foundation to cover them up, but you can buy products designed to give good coverage without making your acne worse.
If you use make-up applicators or brushes, you need to wash them regularly in hot soapy water to ensure bacteria don't build up on them and transfer to your face. This also applies to face cloths or anything else you use to wash your face. If they contain oil and bacteria they will be doing more harm than good.
Many people believe that exposure to the sun clears up their acne blemishes. Although the sun may temporarily dry out existing blemishes, it will stimulate extra oil production causing worse acne in the long run. Exposing your skin to the sun also increases your risk of getting ski cancer so can never be recommended.
The final and most important thing to remember when you are trying to control your acne blemishes is not to squeeze them! It is very tempting, but it will push the bacteria deeper into the skin and will make the blemish worse and longer lasting.
By Rebecca Prescott
Let's face it, most teenagers develop acne blemishes at some point and it could be seen as a normal part of growing up. The hormones in our bodies at this time stimulate excess oil and skin cell production which can block pores. These blocked pores are great places for bacteria to thrive, and inflammation and spots are the result.
However, there are a few things that we can do to keep those acne blemishes under control. The following tips will ensure minimum blemishes for most people suffering from mild forms of acne, although those with more severe acne should always consult a dermatologist for specific treatment.
It is a common myth that acne is caused by poor diet, which is not true. Eating fatty foods and chocolate, while they may not be healthy in other ways, will not cause acne. On rare occasions an allergy to certain foods may make your acne worse, so if you notice a pattern between what you eat and outbreaks of acne, you should avoid those foods. You should also make sure you drink plenty of water each day to cleanse your skin from the inside.
Some people associate having acne with being unclean, another myth that we need to discuss. Washing your face twice a day with a mild soap and warm water can help to remove the oil and skin cells that cause acne blemishes. However, using strong alcohol based cleansers, or scrubbing your face to hard or too often can irritate your skin and actually make your acne worse.
Oil from your hands can contribute to the blocked pores that cause acne, so you need to be careful not to touch your face too much. Now you are aware of this you will be surprised how often you do touch your face during the day, and how many of your spots are concentrated in the areas you typically touch. You want to keep your hair off your face as well because this can also transfer oil.
Be careful about the skin products you use on your face. If you are prone to acne and want to use specific products to prevent it, you can buy over the counter treatments containing low concentrations of benzoyl peroxide. This is an effective way to dry out any blemishes and unblock pores so the acne doesn't form in the first place.
If you use moisturizers or face creams make sure they are water based and not oil based. The type of products you should use is described as non-comedogenic. You should avoid heavy foundation make-up, particularly oil based varieties. If you have blemishes it may be tempting to heap on the foundation to cover them up, but you can buy products designed to give good coverage without making your acne worse.
If you use make-up applicators or brushes, you need to wash them regularly in hot soapy water to ensure bacteria don't build up on them and transfer to your face. This also applies to face cloths or anything else you use to wash your face. If they contain oil and bacteria they will be doing more harm than good.
Many people believe that exposure to the sun clears up their acne blemishes. Although the sun may temporarily dry out existing blemishes, it will stimulate extra oil production causing worse acne in the long run. Exposing your skin to the sun also increases your risk of getting ski cancer so can never be recommended.
The final and most important thing to remember when you are trying to control your acne blemishes is not to squeeze them! It is very tempting, but it will push the bacteria deeper into the skin and will make the blemish worse and longer lasting.
By Rebecca Prescott
Labels: acne blemish control, acne care
Monday, March 05, 2007
Natural Cures For Acne Your Grandma Would Not Suggest
3 Unusual Natural Cures For Acne
I'm not quite sure that these are the natural cures for acne that anyone's grandmother had in mind. And perhaps the term 'cure' should be used very loosely... However, home acne remedies remain very popular - perhaps out of a sense of frustration from those suffering from the dreaded zit. Whether toothpaste, urine therapy, or apple cider vinegar actually work, is debatable. This article will look at the premise behind each of these options, and whether they are truly worth your time.
There are several variations to the toothpaste acne remedy. Some people swear that it alone, dabbed onto the offending zits, will clear them up. Others prefer mixing toothpaste in with several other ingredients, forming mixtures that range from simple to complex. For example, one teenager washed her face with salty water, left it on, added more salt to her face until it was entirely covered, then washed all of that off. Finally, toothpaste was applied to the pimples, and left on for a few hours, but preferably overnight.
Most of these remedies were multi-step processes, and even when other ingredients were used, they were not mixed in with the toothpaste. Like in the example above, the other steps often cleansed the face, perhaps rinsed with cold water to close the pores. Then toothpaste was added as a final step.
There were even instructions on which types of toothpaste to use. According to some, gels don't work as well, and whitening toothpastes were either unnecessary, or should be avoided. Given that baking soda also features in some other remedies, perhaps a toothpaste containing that could be used?
Will it work? Well, some of the reports from satisfied acne sufferers seem to indicate it may be worth a try, provided it isn't too harsh and irritating to your skin. It certainly isn't expensive. Some people saw results overnight, some took a few days, others longer. So, it may not be a once-off solution. One thing to be aware of is that any type of hard scrubbing of the skin can make acne worse.
Urine therapy is one that can elicit such revulsion (in me!), that it is almost hard to write about it. The theory is that one's own urine is packed with antibodies, hormones, and other goodies that are beneficial for our health. This includes vitamins and minerals that the body has excreted, because it didn't need. One article I read made the very good point that if they weren't needed the first time, they will likely be excreted again the second time. That same article points out that just because urine is not toxic, does not mean it is beneficial.
Urine therapy had its' origins amongst some Indian mystics, and seems to be particularly associated with the tantric philosophy. As an acne remedy, it is suggested that one massages one's urine over the affected areas. Some people leave it on overnight, assuming their partners and family can stand the smell.
The problem with urine therapy is that a lot of the justification is very unscientific and poorly supported. It is bolstered by conspiracy theories as to why this supposedly wonderful substance is ignored by the medical profession, except where scientists have extracted and tested certain elements of urine for therapeutic purposes. This does not mean, however, that therapeutic concentrations are to be found in one's own urine.
Bottom line for urine therapy with acne? There are a lot of other good alternatives out there, that don't smell, and don't have waste products mixed in with them. And people on any medications should not try urine therapy.
Apple cider vinegar is usually diluted with water, and sometimes mixed with other things, including honey and jojoba oil. There are very mixed reviews about it. Some people love it, others say that at first it seemed to make their acne worse, but then it really helped to turn it around. And others, quite a few others, say it made their skin, dry, very irritated, painful, and flakey. Those with sensitive skin seem to fare the worst, so if you do have sensitive skin, avoid apple cider vinegar at all costs.
One important point is that apple cider vinegar should be diluted. And be prepared for a rather off smell. It's probably not as noxious as urine however!
One feature of acne home remedies is that they do not work for everyone. This is true of medicine and over the counter treatments as well though. Those with sensitive skin should be the most careful, as many of these home-made treatments can be very harsh. This includes both toothpaste and apple cider vinegar. Urine therapy may work best with those who have a strong belief in it, although there are many other effective options to explore. It's worth keeping in mind that although some people report success with certain things, those successes have not been compared to other treatments in a controlled trial. It may be that other remedies may have been more effective after all.
by Rebecca Prescott
OTHER RELATED TOPICS :
Acne Blemish Control
I'm not quite sure that these are the natural cures for acne that anyone's grandmother had in mind. And perhaps the term 'cure' should be used very loosely... However, home acne remedies remain very popular - perhaps out of a sense of frustration from those suffering from the dreaded zit. Whether toothpaste, urine therapy, or apple cider vinegar actually work, is debatable. This article will look at the premise behind each of these options, and whether they are truly worth your time.
There are several variations to the toothpaste acne remedy. Some people swear that it alone, dabbed onto the offending zits, will clear them up. Others prefer mixing toothpaste in with several other ingredients, forming mixtures that range from simple to complex. For example, one teenager washed her face with salty water, left it on, added more salt to her face until it was entirely covered, then washed all of that off. Finally, toothpaste was applied to the pimples, and left on for a few hours, but preferably overnight.
Most of these remedies were multi-step processes, and even when other ingredients were used, they were not mixed in with the toothpaste. Like in the example above, the other steps often cleansed the face, perhaps rinsed with cold water to close the pores. Then toothpaste was added as a final step.
There were even instructions on which types of toothpaste to use. According to some, gels don't work as well, and whitening toothpastes were either unnecessary, or should be avoided. Given that baking soda also features in some other remedies, perhaps a toothpaste containing that could be used?
Will it work? Well, some of the reports from satisfied acne sufferers seem to indicate it may be worth a try, provided it isn't too harsh and irritating to your skin. It certainly isn't expensive. Some people saw results overnight, some took a few days, others longer. So, it may not be a once-off solution. One thing to be aware of is that any type of hard scrubbing of the skin can make acne worse.
Urine therapy is one that can elicit such revulsion (in me!), that it is almost hard to write about it. The theory is that one's own urine is packed with antibodies, hormones, and other goodies that are beneficial for our health. This includes vitamins and minerals that the body has excreted, because it didn't need. One article I read made the very good point that if they weren't needed the first time, they will likely be excreted again the second time. That same article points out that just because urine is not toxic, does not mean it is beneficial.
Urine therapy had its' origins amongst some Indian mystics, and seems to be particularly associated with the tantric philosophy. As an acne remedy, it is suggested that one massages one's urine over the affected areas. Some people leave it on overnight, assuming their partners and family can stand the smell.
The problem with urine therapy is that a lot of the justification is very unscientific and poorly supported. It is bolstered by conspiracy theories as to why this supposedly wonderful substance is ignored by the medical profession, except where scientists have extracted and tested certain elements of urine for therapeutic purposes. This does not mean, however, that therapeutic concentrations are to be found in one's own urine.
Bottom line for urine therapy with acne? There are a lot of other good alternatives out there, that don't smell, and don't have waste products mixed in with them. And people on any medications should not try urine therapy.
Apple cider vinegar is usually diluted with water, and sometimes mixed with other things, including honey and jojoba oil. There are very mixed reviews about it. Some people love it, others say that at first it seemed to make their acne worse, but then it really helped to turn it around. And others, quite a few others, say it made their skin, dry, very irritated, painful, and flakey. Those with sensitive skin seem to fare the worst, so if you do have sensitive skin, avoid apple cider vinegar at all costs.
One important point is that apple cider vinegar should be diluted. And be prepared for a rather off smell. It's probably not as noxious as urine however!
One feature of acne home remedies is that they do not work for everyone. This is true of medicine and over the counter treatments as well though. Those with sensitive skin should be the most careful, as many of these home-made treatments can be very harsh. This includes both toothpaste and apple cider vinegar. Urine therapy may work best with those who have a strong belief in it, although there are many other effective options to explore. It's worth keeping in mind that although some people report success with certain things, those successes have not been compared to other treatments in a controlled trial. It may be that other remedies may have been more effective after all.
by Rebecca Prescott
OTHER RELATED TOPICS :
Acne Blemish Control
Labels: acne care, acne scars, acne treatment, acne treatments, how to get rid of acne