Nov 24 2009

Acne - 9 Common Misconceptions About Acne

The effect of acne to individuals is alarming. However, there are certain truths that should be made clear so as to avoid wrong treatments and worse skin conditions. Since misconceptions about acne can have dire results, it should be straightened out with following truth:1. Dirt is the culprit of acne
No! Dirt does not cause acne. Plugs in the follicle of the skin are the causes of acne. These plugs are formed when in the process of skin shedding, the dead cells mix with sebum and clog the pores of the skin. Extreme consciousness in washing and scrubs will do no help because dirt is not the reason for the presence of acne. These actions even increase the possibility of developing acne because they make the skin drier than usual.2. Direct acne treatment is effective
No! Topical creams applied directly to the acne do not make them disappear. Since visible acne is 2-3 weeks old, they are difficult to treat with direct application of a cream. It is best to avoid the development of acne by preventive treatment of the whole face.3. Only teenagers have acne
No! Usually, acne appears during teenage years because of hormonal changes. However, acne should not be ignored. If not treated properly, the acne may worsen and consequently result to acne scars, which are much more difficult to treat. It is good to treat acne at its early stages, before it can do permanent damage to the skin.4. French fries cause acne
No! Actually, there is no solid evidence that certain foods are involved in the development of acne. Not even nuts or chocolates do harm to the skin. But a healthy diet boosts immune system that fights acne. Keep that in mind.5. Cosmetics can cause acne
Maybe. If the chosen make-up is not “non-comedogenic”, then acne development is more likely. Non-comedogenic products do not result to the clogging of pores. Make-ups should also be hypoallergenic and water-based to prevent any adverse reactions of the skin.6. Sweating prevents acne
No! Too much exercise can stimulate sebaceous glands of the skin to produce more oil, which when mixes with perspiration and heat worsens the already existing acne.7. The sun can help
Not really. Little sun exposure can help acne. But too much exposure under the sun can make the skin dry and shed dead cells faster. More dead cells result to more clogged pores. More clogged pores will result to more acne break-outs.8. Facial scrubs and toners work
No! Scrubs usually tear skin tissue thus resulting to increased probability of bacterial infection and blemishes. Also, toners with contents of alcohol leave the skin dry and stimulate the sebaceous glands to secret more oil that can clog pores and produce acne. Small-grained scrubs and alcohol-free toners are advisable.9. Acne can be cured
Not at the moment. Although it is not curable, acne can be treated. Treatments only improve the conditions but will not totally eliminate the occurrence of Acne. The best treatment is prevention. But if the acne has appeared, treatments given by certified dermatologists should be taken.


Sep 16 2009

A Guide To The Most Popular Acne Treatments

Everyone knows how irritating and embarrassing acne and breakouts can be. While there are a variety of treatments, but it can be hard to find the best acne treatment for you. Some of the most popular treatments include bactericidal, natural acne treatments, and hormonal therapy. Keep reading to learn more about the most common types of acne treatments. The most popular method of treating acne is the use of a topical bactericidal. These are widely available and contain a chemical known as benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide is oxidizer-essentially mild bleach. It works as a keratolytic, dissolving the keratin that causes blocked skin pores. Also, this medicine helps prevent new breakouts from happening. Topical bactericidals are found in either an ointment form or as a wash. Ointments should be applied to the affected area twice daily. Don’t overuse either form, as this could cause dry and irritated skin. If you’re one who wants to try a more natural or homemade acne treatment, you will be pleased to know that there are a variety of natural remedies that can aid in the treatment of acne. Some of the most popular include Tea Tree Oil and Witch Hazel. Tea tree oil is an anti-bacterial oil produced from the leaves of an Australian shrub called Melaleuca Alternifolia. Just put a bit on a cotton swab and dab at the affected areas. It will leave your skin tingling with a cool, fresh sensation. Witch hazel is a great natural astringent to use even if you have sensitive skin. It’s very soft and won’t strip your skin’s moisture. You can also try other natural oils, such as Bergamot and Lavender oils, which are also natural anti-bacterial drying agents. And for those of you who have oily skin, you can use rosewood oil to reduce the amount of sebum (natural oil) your skin produces. For females, hormonal treatment for acne is also an option. Balancing hormone levels can reduce the frequency and intensity of outbreaks. Birth control pills often reduce acne due to the combination of controlled estrogen and progestogen. They are particularly effective when high levels of androgens are detected in the blood. Contraceptives, however, have many side effects. They should not be taken without the guidance of a physician to make sure the type of pill is a good match for you. Out of all the acne treatments available, bactericidals are definitely the most widely used. However, the amount of people who are trying natural acne remedies is increasing all the time. Finding the right acne treatment product is really just a system of trial and error. Just hang in there and you’re sure to find a treatment that works for you!


Sep 15 2009

Looking To Naturally Treat Your Acne? Look At These Tips!

Sometimes it’s difficult to remember that acne is a common condition that almost everyone has to deal with at some point in their life. Teenagers and young adults have a particular struggle with acne, as hormones and stress are especially common during those ages, which produces acne breakouts. So, are you currently dealing with acne? If so, you may have tried several popular (and expensive!) store-bought treatments, but you might find that you can get great results from natural acne treatments. This article is going to talk about some effective all-natural remedies you can try. Of course, acne always pops up at the worst times, although we’re not so sure there ever is a good time to have acne! But for those last-minute, emergency treatments, there are a few things you can try without having to run to the store and shell out for an expensive name-brand product. The first all natural acne treatment is found in almost every bathroom, but the thought of putting toothpaste on your face could seem a bit…odd. That’s right—toothpaste! Put a generous amount of toothpaste on each pimple right before bed. The toothpaste will help dry up the excess oil and greatly reduce redness while you sleep. Of course you can put toothpaste on your acne in the day time, just make sure you’re able to leave it on for a while so that it has plenty of time to soak up the excess moisture from the pimple. A good tip for those red pimples is to apply a bit of Visine eye drops. It won’t treat the pimple, but it will get rid of the redness. Did you know that Neosporin could help you? Neosporin is an antibiotic that will kill the bacteria in the area you apply it to. Before bedtime, you should apply it to the acne in order to cause it to have a short life span. Honey is something that has natural antibacterial properties in it and it is perfect to use in the homemade acne treatment. In the end, some of the other types of homemade acne remedies you could use consists of baking soda, garlic, ice cubes, crushed aspirin (our favorite to use), potatoes and much more.


Sep 12 2009

Acne And Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) Deficiency

Acne Specialist believes there is a correlation between Vitamin B5 deficiency and acne (the most common skin disease), due to modern food processing.
Vitamin B5, aka pantothenic acid, serves the body in many ways. It is a member of the nutritionally elite group of eight vitamins lovingly called the Vitamin B complex. This powerful group of vitamins has a role in nearly every major body system and process. The Vitamin B complex keeps both body and mind functioning and in good health.
Vitamin B5, like all of the vitamins in the B complex, is essential to the body for a number of reasons (also see other sections of acne-specialist.com for more information):
-Pantothenic acid as coenzyme A is closely involved in adrenal cortex function and has come to be known as the “antistress” vitamin. It supports the adrenal glands to increase production of cortisone and other adrenal hormones to help counteract stress. Coenzyme A is vital in the synthesis of fatty acids, cholesterol, steroids, sphingosines, and phospholipids. It also helps synthesize porphyrin, which is connected to hemoglobin.
-Through the above mechanism, Vitamin B5 is also thought to help prevent aging and wrinkles and is important for hair and healthy skin. As you can imagine, it is used in a variety of cosmetic products.
-It has the ability to utilize the food it takes in as fuel for its myriad of processes, great and small. As the coenzyme, Vitamin B5 is important in cellular metabolism of carbohydrates and fats to release energy.
-It works in the regular maintenance and repair of all bodily tissues, from the cellular level on up. This makes it a critical part of the body’s efforts to fight the physical damage to which excessive stress contributes.
-Vitamin B5 serves many important functions in the nervous system — for example, Vitamin B5 contributes to the production of neurotransmitters, which are important to the ability of the nerves to communicate.
-Through its adrenal support, Vitamin B5 may reduce potentially toxic effects of antibiotics and radiation.
-Vitamin B5, acting as a cofactor or partner to other members of the Vitamin B complex as well as other nutrients, has a great role in the functioning of the adrenal glands and also promotes normal growth of the body. This is due to its role in hormone production throughout the body.
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B5 is stable to moist heat and oxidation or reduction (adding or subtracting an electron), though it is easily destroyed by acids (such as vinegar) or alkalis (such as baking soda) and by dry heat. Over half of the pantothenic acid in wheat is lost during milling, and about one-third is degraded in meat during cooking. In many whole foods, Vitamin B5 is readily available.
Only recently the general public is becoming more aware of the importance of whole foods. Yet, diets of the majority of the population are still made up of mostly heavily processed foods (available Vitamin B5 activity is lost during refinement of foods) due to our fast pace, time poor lifestyle of the modern world.
“NO WONDER THE SERIOUS GLOBAL ACNE PROBLEM, PARTICULARLY AMONGST DEVELOPED NATIONS!!!”
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Vitamin B5 / pantothenic acid is found in yeasts, molds, bacteria, and plant and animal cells, as well as in human blood plasma and lymph fluid.
Good sources of pantothenic acid include the organ meats, brewer’s yeast, egg yolks, fish, chicken, whole grain cereals, cheese, peanuts, dried beans, and a variety of vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, green peas, cauliflower, and avocados. Vitamin B5 is also made by the bacterial flora of human intestines, another source for this important metabolic assistant or coenzyme.
Fatigue is probably the earliest and most common symptom of pantothenic acid deficiency. A diet high in refined and processed foods or a reduction or destruction of intestinal flora, most commonly by antibiotic use, can lead to a vitamin B5 deficiency.
Teenagers are more likely to experience a deficiency, because their diets often include high amounts of “fast foods” sugars, and refined flours (all low in B vitamins). And the problem may be compounded because the acne often associated with this type of diet is commonly treated with tetracycline antibiotics, which reduce the intestinal bacteria and thereby the production of pantothenic acid in the colon.
Studies of pantothenic acid deficiency in rats showed increased graying of the fur, decreased growth, and, in the extreme, hemorrhage and destruction of the adrenal glands. In humans, the decreased adrenal function caused by B5 deficiency can lead to a variety of metabolic problems. Fatigue is most likely; there may also be physical and mental depression, a decrease in hydrochloric acid production and other digestive symptoms, some loss of nerve function, and problems in blood sugar metabolism, with symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) being the most common. Pantothenic acid affects the function of cells in all systems, and a deficiency may reduce immunity, both cellular and antibody responses. Other symptoms of B5 deficiency include vomiting, abdominal cramps, skin problems, tachycardia, insomnia, tingling of the hands and feet, muscle cramps, recurrent upper respiratory infections, and worsening of allergy symptoms.
Therapeutic ranges are more like 250-500 mg daily and even higher, taken, of course, along with the other B complex vitamins. Individual needs vary according to food intake, degree of stress, and whether one is pregnant or lactating. Those people who eat a diet of processed foods, have a stressful lifestyle, or have allergies require higher amounts of pantothenic acid.
As with other B vitamins, there are no specific toxic effects from high doses of pantothenic acid. Over 1,000 mg daily has been taken for over six months with no side effects; when 1,500 mg or more is taken daily for several weeks, some people experience a superficial sensitivity in their teeth. However, it is possible that if B5 is taken without other B vitamins, it may create metabolic imbalance.