This medical system uses infinitesimal doses of natural substances to stimulate a person's immune system and body's natural defenses. Homeopathic remedies are named for the plant or animal ingredients they are made from. Homeopathy not only offers relief from temporary disorders but, can provide long term healing of a person due to its individual and "wholistic" approach. This often leads to a complete recovery from the dis-ease, as well as, providing an improved understanding of the patient's situation. This type of healing makes it easier and possible to avoid recurrence or relapses in the future and homeopathy stimulates the body's natural defense system by reestablishing normal immune system and cell functioning.
Acne:
Arnica This is a valuable first-aid remedy to help reduce pain and swelling and prevent the onset of shock after any injury. Another remedy that is more specific to the burn should be considered after Arnica.
Berberis Aquifolium or Oregon Grape, is a remedy for the skin, stimulates all glands and improves nutrition. For acne it can be used topically as an ointment or internally (3x potency) for blotches and pimples. It clears the complexion and helps to relieve scarring.
Pulsatilla can be helpful if acne is worse from eating rich or fatty foods, and aggravated by warmth or heat. It is indicated especially around the time of puberty, or when acne breaks out near menstrual periods. The person often has a fair complexion and is inclined toward soft emotions and moodiness, feeling worse in warm or stuffy rooms and better in fresh air.
Silicea can help a person with deep-seated acne along with a general low immune resistance, swollen lymph nodes, and a tendency toward fatigue and nervousness may benefit from this remedy. Infected spots are slow to come to a head, and also slow to resolve, so may result in scarring. A person who needs this remedy is generally very chilly, but inclined to sweat at night.
Sulphur can help with itching, sore, inflamed eruptions with reddish or dirty-looking skin often indicate a need for Sulphur. Itching may be worse from scratching, and worse from any form of heat—especially bathing or washing. Individuals who need this remedy are often inclined toward convoluted mental notions and tend to give order and neatness a low priority.
Managing Your Acne
*All cosmetics should be water based, do not use oil-based products.
*Blackheads should be removed only with a specially designed instrument.
*Picking or scratching may cause scarring.
*Shampoo hair frequently with plain soap.
*Keep hands clean and avoid touching the face.
*Keep the affected area as free from oil as possible.
*Long-term treatment with Tetracycline and other antibiotics should be avoided.
*Natural hormonal changes for both men and women are some of the primary causes of acne. Changes usually begin at puberty and end in early adulthood. Increased testosterone, which males experience at the beginning of puberty causes the sebaceous (oil) glands to enlarge and produce increased amounts of sebum (oil and waxes), which pass through the hair follicles to the skin. When the pores clog, acne occurs. Women, however, often get a mild case of acne beginning a week before their menstrual period begins, even in adulthood. Birth control pills can also cause acne.
Consider the following regime:
For those over 18, start with a cleansing diet to help your system detoxify. Impurities that cannot be eliminated through the kidneys and bowels fast enough may erupt through the skin. Make sure you eat a low-fat, high-fiber diet.
Clean your skin twice daily, morning and evening. This will keep the pores open and your skin free of bacteria. Discourage new blemishes by using tea tree oil, a natural antiseptic.
Allergic reactions to particular foods, cosmetics, or other products applied to your face, such as sunscreens can all play into your acne. Do the eliminate diet. Your doctor may want to test for allergies, and a blood test is more effective than a skin scratch test.
Begin taking supplements that promote healthy skin.
Exercise
Aerobics is very important for increasing circulation and cleansing the skin by increasing the oxygen intake ridding the body of toxins. Be sure to shower immediately to cleanse the oils and toxins that come to the skin's surface.
Try a cold pack. If you have swelling eruptions, especially after any physical activity, put some ice with a thin towel wrapped around it on the area around the affected eruption. Ice the area for 15 to 20 minutes after exercise to reduce the discomfort and also minimize the amount of swelling. As an alternative to ice packs apply a package of frozen peas to the affected area because they can contort to the shape of the hurting joint. After you’ve used the peas once, you can just toss them back in the freezer, get them iced, and use the same bag again. But since bacteria can quickly multiply in food that has been thawed and refrozen, make sure to clearly label them so that you don’t accidentally try to serve them for dinner.
Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is the oldest, continually practiced, and professionally administered health care system in the world. It is a documented medical system spanning over 2,500 years based on comprehensive philosophies, rational theories, clinically tested and empirically verified by over 100 generations of highly educated practitioners. Chinese Medicine is a total system of internal medicine, which is comprised of a diagnostic procedure based on signs, symptoms and treatment styles including acupuncture, herbal medicine, exercise, diet and meditation. It’s foundation is based on the principles of balance; the interdependent relationship of Yin and Yang. Through this balance, health is achieved and maintained.
Traditional Chinese Medicine classifies acne into three different types:
1). Wind-heat effect in the lung channel. Wind heat in the lung can stimulate the skin and cause acne. Main symptoms & signs: There are red papules and tubercles with inflammatory infiltration around them, accomp-anied by a burning sensation, red tip of the tongue with thin and yellow fur and slippery rapid pulse.
2). Damp-heat in the spleen and stomach. Main symptoms & signs: Acne, indurative acne and cystic acne are mainly characterised by skin lesion, yellow and greasy fur coating on the tongue and soft and rapid pulse.
3). Disharmony of Chong & Ren channels. Main symptoms and signs: This type of acne changes according to the menstruation cycle. It is usually worse before menstruation, accompanied by irregular periods or period pain. The tongue is dark red with yellow coating. Taut, thready and rapid pulse.
Visit Your TCM practitioner for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Healing Touch Therapy:
There are many different approaches to massage and applications of it. "Massage Therapy" is a holistic procedure that affects all systems of the body; digestive, elimination, respiratory, circulatory, lymphatic, endocrine and nervous systems. Many of today's health problems arise from stress. Because stress upsets the delicate integral balance of all your body's functions, regaining this balance requires a holistic approach.
Massage Therapy and Lymphatic Drainage Massage not only treats those parts of you which are a problem, but also affects the whole of your metabolism through normalizing your circulatory, muscular and nervous systems and their interdependent functioning.
Massage on those with acne is good for detoxing the whole system and can be done with soothing acne massage oils or relaxing body lotions in order for the practioner's hands to "glide" over the body with smooth, relaxing strokes.
Learn How to Give a Massage. This step by step method will help you learn just how to make your subject feel great!
The Crystal Facial Massage can help prevent new breakouts from appearing. Massage does this by relaxing the muscles and by stimulating the blood vessels under the skin. This unique type of "facial" helps to draw out impurities and toxins that sit on the subcutaneous layers of skin on your face.
Hot Stone Massage Therapy. is recommended for this conditon. It is an ancient Ayurvedic therapy with river bed stones which draw out stress, tension and impurities from the body.
Emotional Aspect:
There is an emotional aspect to every illness. Often times, it is the emotional thoughts or "excess emotions" that will lead to illness. The following therapies are utilized for calming the mind, help with stress relief and focuses on our mental powers over any situation. The ability to balance your emotional, mental, physical and spiritual self is up to you. Here are some suggestions.
| Are You As Confident As You Want To Be?
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What is your experience with this disorder? Sharing your own experiences often helps others. We'd love to know in the Peacefulmind Community
Color Therapy
When you are balanced, you can more effectively fight dis-ease, rid your system of toxins, as well as, negative patterns. You can achieve balance through the vibrational remedy and application of color. Color inteacts with the human energy system in a unique way to stablize physical, emotional, mental and spiritual conditions.
Acne:
The results of research on color therapy for acne, published in the British Journal of Dermatology, shows a 76% drop in visible spots over 12 weeks with the use of Red and Blue light. Many of those who saw a marked improvement had tried other treatments with poor results. Dr Chu said the blue light killed off the bacteria that causes spots and the red light helped the skin heal.
While it has long been known that exposure to ultraviolet rays, present in sunlight, can help acne, it can also damage the skin and is discouraged as a form of treatment. Dr Chu said the red and blue light treatment involved higher wavelengths than ultraviolet rays and was safer.
All but the most severe acne is at present treated by a course of antibiotics. This can produce varied results and takes several months to work.
"As more people become antibiotic-resistant, this new treatment looks set to help thousands of acne sufferers across the world," Dr Chu said. "The combination of red and blue light attacks the acne and heals the skin, through their anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory actions, and without any significant side effects. Our challenge now lies in extending this finding to other, more severe, cases." Those with severe acne are at present treated with the vitamin A derivative isotretinoin, which can be effective but can also make the skin dry.
Music/Sound Therapy:
Vibrational medicine, which validates that everything in the universe is in a state of vibration and the frequency at which an object or person most naturally vibrates is called resonance. The chakras, bones, and organs in the body all possess a different resonant frequency. When an organ or part of the body is vibrating out of tune or nonharmoniously, it is called "dis ease" or disease. A body is in a healthy state of being when each cell, each organ creates a resonance that is in harmony with the whole being.
Music is a powerful tool that can be used in so many ways. It has been proven that the type of music that makes a person relax or become receptive is not any one kind. It all depends on the individual and their affinity with it.
Healing Music is recommended for stress reduction by soothing the sympathetic nervous system.
Metaphysical Remedies:
The power of your mind and your belief system has everything to do with the condition, the speed and the way that you heal.
* Our Belief System is one of the major factors that can get us through situations or can cause our life to crumble around us! I do believe that there is a lot of innate goodness and balancing our minds do subconsciously to get us through hard times. The other portion of this is how we "program" ourselves to deal with any given situation.
* Our self-confidence and self-love are often the key to opening and strengthening this portion of our thoughts which in turn emanates from ourselves!
* Energy follows thought. Program thought to be positive and your energy will reflect it!
* Really appreciating what we DO have as opposed to what we would like to have, sometimes makes a signifcant difference. This is always an important element in healing that is often neglected.
Crystal Remedy Reference
Crystals have both piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties. This means that the polarities of the crystal will change when subjected to pressure or heat (even body heat from the hands). This will radiate energy from the crystal due to this reversal of polarities. It provides the transfer, storage and transformation of energy.
Offering a balanced energy field, energy modification, amplifies both energy and thought, clarity in thinking, and harmony and alignment with the chakra energy areas.
The Complete Chakra Kit stimulates the seven main energy sources which govern all the major organs and psychologically alters and clears the body's energy in order to allow healing to take place.
Crystal Medicine Pouches are based on the Native American Medicine Pouches, each suede pouch comes with several crystals, sage for cleansing negativity and the best way to use, cleanse and energize them in order to get what you want out of life!!
Crystal Empowerment Pouches are individually filled with several crystals to strengthen and enhance the best energy for each situation. Each suede pouch comes with several crystals and best way to use, cleanse and energize them in order to get what you want out of life!!
Crystal Elixirs® are wonderfully scented oils come in .05 ounce roll-on bottles and contain genuine crystals in vibrationally compatible essential oil blends. They are fantastic for Chakra work, energy healing, as an Aura Balancer, as a balancing perfume oil or simply as a "refresher" for your Gem Potpourri. Crystal Elixir oil blends are used externally.
Gem Essence are the infusion of crystals, spring water and the power of the sun/moon in a bottle! These essence work in harmony with the body by interacting with our bio-sheath and are natural and self-adjusting. When crystals are activated by natural sunlight, they transfer their vibrational signature into water, creating a remedy that is safe, effective and used in conjunction with all modalities of healing. Gem Essence waters can be used internally.
Acne
Amethyst - is recommended for acne.
Book An Appointment with Andrew
Andrew Pacholyk has an extensive background in biomedical science and clinical training. Andrew has done massage, yoga and music therapy for over 15 years and brings his experience as an Acupuncturist and Herbalist to such health facilities as diverse as St. Vincent’s Hospital, The Body Center, New York Health Club, The Grand Meridian and his private practice, ProAcuMed Inc. in New York City. Andrew offers a safe and effective method with his diverse knowledge of the healing arts. Andrew is licensed in the State of New York and is accredited and certified by the National Boards in both Acupuncture and Herbology.
The Misson/Vision:
Andrew offers a unique and personal path in developing, understanding and incorporating the power of our belief system and your own inner wisdom in the healing process. Andrew works with:
Acne Has Nothing to Do with Diet – Wrong
Standard dogma from your medical doctor is that your oily skin and acne have nothing to do with the foods you eat. Next time you hear this message, ask for the evidence. You will find this learned professional speechless and almost empty-handed , because this incorrect information dates back to a single article published by Dr. James Fulton in the Journal of the American Medical Association almost 35 years ago (in 1969). Furthermore, the results of this study have been justly criticized and effectively discounted for more than 25 years.2 Still countless millions suffer needlessly.
Dr. Fulton studied 30 adolescents (14 girls and 16 boys) attending an acne clinic and 35 young adult male prisoners with mild to moderate acne. The Chocolate Manufacturers Association of America provided the study with two kinds of candy bars – one with and one without chocolate. Both bars were made mostly of fat and sugar and had similar amounts of calories (557 to 592 calories per bar). The subjects then added one or the other bar to their usual daily food intake for the next 4 weeks. Nothing else was changed in their diet during the experiment, except for the addition of the candy bars. Dr. Fulton and colleagues then counted the pimples on their young faces. Forty-six of the 65 subjects stayed the same, 10 were better and 9 were worse. (Not unexpectedly, the rate of sebum excretion increased by 60% with the addition of either kind of the high-fat, high-sugar candy bar (with or without chocolate) in all subjects.3) (Sebum is a fatty substance secreted by the skin.) Yet the results of this single, seriously flawed, and completely irrelevant (it only tested the effects of chocolate candy bars), experiment are the heart and soul of the claim that “diet has nothing to do with acne.”
The “Acne Plague” is Found Only Where Rich Food is Eaten
Acne develops when the pores in the skin (sebaceous follicles) become blocked with dead skin (hyperkeratinization); then fatty materials (sebum) accumulate within the blocked pore. This overstuffed pore then becomes infected by bacteria, resulting in inflammation – the pimple. The bacteria eat the sebum and thrive. Prevention and treatment are now directed at unblocking the pore, reducing the accumulation of the sebum, lessening inflammation, and killing the bacteria, by various pharmaceuticals sold over-the counter and by prescription. As with all Western diseases, there is a better way – and that is attacking the cause and invoking the cure with a healthy diet.
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| Adolescents | 79% to 95% |
| Older than 25 | 40% to 54% |
| Middle aged | 3% to 12% |
| Incidence of acne in | |
Multiple studies of people living on their traditional native diets – almost all of which are low fat-diets, based on starches, vegetables, and fruits – have found these people have little or no acne. When these healthy people learn the Western diet, acne becomes an epidemic – as do the other diseases of modern civilization (obesity, heart disease, diabetes, prostate and breast cancer). Examples of well-studied populations include the Kitavan Islanders of Papua New Guinea who live on a diet of 70% carbohydrate from plant foods, and the Ache’ of Eastern Paraguay with a diet of about 70% of the calories coming from manioc (cassava – a root vegetable).4 Acne is completely absent – not a single sufferer – in these two populations living primarily on unprocessed, low-fat plant-foods.
People living in Africa on plant-food-based diets show similar freedom from acne. Southern African Bantu adolescents have an incidence of acne of 16%, compared to the whites in Africa with a 45% incidence.4 Zulu have been reported to develop acne only after they move from the villages to the cities and learn a Western diet.5 People in both Kenya and Zambia have far less acne than do blacks in the USA.5 People from Malaysia living on rice-based diets have been reported to have no acne problems.6 A rice-centered diet is also the reason people in rural Japan have very few skin troubles. Even those Europeans on lower-fat diets (Crete, Southern Italy) have less acne compared to those in Western Europe on higher fat diets.6 The Yemenite Jews following a healthier, lower-fat diet than European Jews report less acne, too.6 The picture is clear to me: switch from a plant-based-diet to a high fat Western diet centered on meat and dairy, and your face lights up.
Undoubtedly, there are components of the Western diet that cause the skin to become unsightly – this is not a normal, natural condition – this is a disease.
Ways Diet Causes Acne
1) A high-fat diet increases the amounts of fats in and on the skin (sebum). With extreme changes in food intake such as almost total avoidance of fat (like the McDougall diet) or inclusion of fat as the sole source of food the amount of sebum production has been found to be greatly altered.3 Please note that it does not take much fat on the skin to plug the pores, feed the bacteria, and cause acne in susceptible people. Also note the bacteria eat vegetable oil as well as animal fats.
2) The rich Western diet increases sex hormones causing precocious puberty (girls mature at 12 rather than 16 – boys mature earlier too). Earlier maturation of women is known to be associated with more severe acne.7 Excess male hormones (androgens) in men and women are well known to cause acne and increase production of sebum.
3) Growth hormones adversely affect the sebaceous glands causing them to become easily plugged. Insulin-like growth hormone-1 (IGF-1) is known to be increased by dietary protein (meat, poultry, etc.), and especially by dairy products. Research shows elevated IGF-1 levels are associated with more acne.4
Other factors that may play a lesser role are:
4) Acne is promoted by lack of antioxidants and other plant-derived nutrients that keep the skin healthy.8
5) Poor circulation to the skin from a high-fat diet allows the skin to be more susceptible to acne.9,10
6) Fat and oils, brought to the skin by hands picking up greasy French fries and burgers, cause acne – this directly-applied grease plugs the pores and feeds the bacteria.
Preventing and Curing Acne
Everyone knows that acne is related to surging hormones during adolescence, but to blame acne on puberty is like blaming heart disease on old age. People get more heart disease as they get older, but only when they eat the wrong diet. Heart disease does not exist where people eat healthy, such as in rural Africa and Asia. Heart disease is also cured when sick people change to a healthy diet. Same story with acne.
Acne may be the best angle you will ever use to sell a healthy diet to your teenage children. After changing to plant-based, low-fat foods you (and they) should expect to experience a noticeable reduction in the oiliness of your face and hair within about 4 to 7 days. The pimples start to resolve shortly after that, but sometimes it takes as long as a month to start to show improvement. Strict adherence to the diet is absolutely essential, because I have found that small indiscretions result in a crop of pimples within a day or two. One night out to the pizza parlor will mean a face-full of flare-ups before you can say, “I shouldn’t have ordered the extra cheese and pepperoni.” This means you must follow a diet based on starches with fruits and vegetables – strictly avoiding all added fats, including nuts, seeds, avocados, olives, soybeans, and vegetable oils – even the so-called “good” fats. Wash all oils from your hands before touching your face, shampoo the oil from your hair daily, and use a “buff pad” to help open your pores and thoroughly clean your skin. If your skin is not improving, then my first guess is you are not adhering strictly enough to your diet and skin care. After all, millions of people living in Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, rural Africa and Asia who eat a plant-based diet are acne-free throughout their lives – so why can’t you also be acne-free, if you behave like they do?
References:
1) Fulton JE Jr. Effect of chocolate on acne vulgaris. JAMA. 1969 Dec 15;210(11):2071-4.
2) Michaelsson G. Diet and acne. Nutr Rev. 1981 Feb;39(2):104-6.
3) Rasmussen JE. Diet and acne. Int J Dermatol. 1977 Jul-Aug;16(6):488-92.
4) Cordain L. Acne vulgaris: a disease of Western civilization. Arch Dermatol. 2002 Dec;138(12):1584-90.
5) Rosenberg EW . Acne diet reconsidered. Arch Dermatol. 1981 Apr;117(4):193-5.
6) Hoehn GH. Acne and diet. Cutis. 1966; 2:389-94.
7) Thiboutot DM. Diet and acne revisited. Arch Dermatol. 2002 Dec;138(12):1591-2.
8) Logan AC. Omega-3 fatty acids and acne. Arch Dermatol. 2003 Jul;139(7):941-2;
9) Rim SJ. Decrease in coronary blood flow reserve during hyperlipidemia is secondary to an increase in blood viscosity. Circulation. 2001 Nov 27;104(22):2704-9.
10) Kuo P. The effect of lipemia upon coronary and peripheral arterial circulation in patients with essential hyperlipemia. Am J Med. 1959 Jan;26(1):68-75.
How To Cure Acne, Treatment and Tips
After years of suffering from this skin condition I have made a page about how it effected me, and the products I used to finally cure me and hopefully others with the same problem.
It all started with blackheads at the age of about 12, as a male of this age it started to bother me but that was just the start. Another year on I had began to flare up with massive red spots with heads on, It knocked my confidence so much that some days I didn't want to go out.
At school I tried covering up with make-up which for me was quite embarrassing at times, years went on and I tried many products such as: Panoxyl, Oxytetracycline, and every over the counter product you can buy with little or no results
However I did find that erythromycin antibiotic cream did help from the doctor and had good results for one or two of my friends but the Oxytetracycline tablets had no effect at all. Id also heard that stronger tablets like Accutine from the doctor worked quite well but these required you to have regular tests by your doctor.
I found that washes, Clearasil and other products made little or no difference.
I also think that worrying about spots makes them even worse.
I got so frustrated that I began surfing the net and I was obviously hit by many pages claiming 'this and that' but the one that unbelievably helped the greatest for me was this site that claimed acne free in 3 days.
I was quite amused by its title acne gone in 3 days at 1st, it didn't actually give results that fast but I was quite impressed by it and with a money back offer I thought why not..
Out of all the treatments ironically it ended up giving me the best results the fastest. I think as long as you take each step carefully and read through it properly the Acne free in 3 days book can have good results for any acne sufferer.
Also if for some reason the effects are'nt that good on you theres a money back gurentee so theres really no risk!
Diet And Acne
The skin is the largest organ of the body and it helps other organs with eliminating waste. One of the best acne treatments is a diet which will help the body eliminate waste so that it won't interfere with your skin and cause acne. If you are unhealthy on the inside it will be reflected in your skin.It is the livers job to remove hormones from the body. If your liver can't remove hormones fast enough you will end up with too much oil in your skin because hormones are like an instruction manual telling your skin to produce more oil. The function of the liver is also to get rid of toxins. If there is an over-load of toxins in your body, the liver can have problems removing hormones.
So what toxins concern acne sufferes the most? Mycotoxins. These nasty little chemicals are the 'excreted' waste of bacteria such as yeast, and usually found in the intestines. Mycotoxins put a strain on your liver and you already know what happens when your liver doesn't get rid of hormones!
Using diet as a natural acne treatment was not as bad as I had thought it would be. There are many foods that help the liver and help remove waste from the body.
What foods are good for cleaning the body? Two of the best foods are apples and psyllium husks. They both contain fibers that act like a broom and absorb and push out all the junk that's stuck in your intestines, sometimes stuff that has even been there for many years! The 'junk' is also the perfect breeding ground for the bacteria that produce mycotoxins.
And what foods are good for helping the liver? Beetroot. Beetroot is known for it's exceptional liver cleansing properties. Another good food, or herb actually, is milk thistle. Scientific studies have suggested that certain chemicals in milk thistle protect the liver from damage caused by viruses, toxins and alcohol.
To cure your acne, you need to correct the problems inside your body that are causing your acne. No over-the-counter creams can do this. They can only kill bacteria on your face and help reduce the redness. All the information to apply this method to you're everyday life is explained in the acne free in days program
Tips For Blackhead Removal
Blackheads are small "plugs" that develop in the pores of the skin. They are caused when the over active sebaceous (oil producing) glands in the skin become clogged with oil. This sebum then begins to harden in the pore. Since skin pores are open to the air, the top part of the hardened sebum or oil oxidizes, turning black. This black top of the oil plug is then forced closer to the surface of skin by the oil hardening beneath it. This then causes the blackhead to be visible.
It is not clearly understood why the sebaceous glands begin to become overactive. It is often noted that this situation begins at puberty, and may stop at the end of puberty leading to the conclusion that it is hormonally controlled. For some people this is not the case however, and they may continue to experience blackheads and whiteheads well past puberty and into adulthood. Whiteheads are formed the same way as blackheads with the exception that the pore is closed and the oxidation does not occur.
Acne results from infection of the oil gland due to the blockage by the blackhead. Preventing and removing blackheads helps to control acne.
Blackhead Removal
The following are some tips for removing blackheads:
- Keep the skin as clean and oil free as possible. Use natural or chemically prepared cleansers, astringent solutions or masks to accomplish this. Avoid harsh soaps that may irritate the skin or any creams that leave an oily finish.
- Use a gentle exfoliant to keep the dead cells off your skin and away from the pore openings.
- Avoid harsh squeezing or scraping at the blackhead. Excessive squeezing can damage the skin surround the pore and can actually increase the size of the pore leading to more blackheads in the future.
- A warm compress of water applied to the area of the blackhead followed by a very, very gentle pressure can help in clearing the clog from the pore.
- Commercial "blackhead strips" which are basically a tape like substance that is placed over the nose and then pulled off will remove some blackheads that are at the surface. Caution should be used with these products and it is important to read the directions completely before deciding to use the strips or not.
Wake Up With A Bad Spot? - Going on a date??
7 Quick Tips How To Get Rid Or reduce Spots Fast
Here's how to get rid of it quickly and safely:
1. Don't ever pinch, squeeze or pick at a pimple. This only causes it to become more red and inflamed, and will spread the bacteria and oils that caused it in the first place, to other parts of your face! It can also lead to scars.
2. Every 30 minutes, apply an ice pack to the pimple and hold it there for about 2 minutes. This will decrease the swelling and redness and help shrink the inflammation and pain that sometimes comes along with it.
3. They don't call it concealer for nothing! Covering the pimple with a light dose of flesh-tinted concealer can help mask it when you're in a hurry. It also helps cover up that oily shine.
4. Cleanse your skin 2-3 times a day with mild, unscented soap or a specialized acne cleanser that has no harsh chemicals (such as lye). Scrub skin gently with an exfoliating pad or washcloth, but don't rub too hard, otherwise you'll sap your skin of its own natural oils, which help to repel buildup naturally.
5. Apply a cream or ointment containing benzyl peroxide or salicylic acid (many over-the-counter acne medicines contain these ingredients) to the blemish or around the entire facial area. Note that these ingredients both have a tendency to dry out skin if used too much and are not recommended if you have sensitive skin.
6. Wear oil-free makeup whenever possible. These types have less of a tendency to cause the pore buildup that results in blemishes. Remove your makeup nightly and cleanse with an acne-fighting medicine to remove dirt, oil and makeup from deep within the skin.
7. If you're in need of a quick fix, a dab of toothpaste on the affected area right before bed can help soothe irritation and reduce redness. Pressing and holding a wet tea bag or a cotton ball with a dab of lemon juice against the blemish for five minutes can also reduce swelling and redness.
If you follow these tips, chances are you'll notice a significant difference rather quickly - often within a day or two. If pimples become a recurring problem or worsen, I suggest you take up the acne free in days program
Other long-term remedies, such as facial masks, diet adjustments and increasing the amount of water you drink can also help combat outbreaks.
Acne Myths
An obvious benefit of skin is that it protects our bodies' internal organs from harmful elements like dirt, insects, bites, toxic chemicals, nasty weather, and the like, and it certainly is more attractive than what's underneath.
When skin is healthy it's nice to look at, but when it's diseased, it can not only affect you physically, but more painfully can cause stress and social problems.
Like the common cold, acne and similar skin diseases can be treated and covered up, but cannot really be cured. The best treatment is prevention and knowledge about what makes your skin happy, so that you can avoid skin care enemies and breakout triggers.
The real cause of acne can vary from individual to individual, but some factors can be stated with relative certainty:
1. Acne occurs when pores or hair follicles become blocked or clogged.
2. There are basically 4 types of acne manifestations: whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, and nodules.
3. Acne can appear pretty much anywhere on the skin, though it causes the most concern when it shows up on the face. The worst forms of acne break out, however, on the chest and back, and most commonly on males rather than females because of hormonal differences.
4. There are many common myths and untruths about acne, rosacea, and other skin care problems.
Some acne myths include "you'll outgrow it, so leave it alone", "being out in the sun helps acne", "acne problems are directly or indirectly proportionate to sexual activity", "acne visits dirty people", "acne is contagious", and too many more to list in this short article.
The sad thing is that belief in the myths can be devasting, in that proper treatment is avoided, and lifestyle changes that don't need to be made can take away pleasure unnecessarily.
For example, at one point in my life, I truly believed that I was allergic to chocolate and that it caused my breakouts. Whenever I would succumb to the temptation and have "just a little" I would stress out waiting for the red spots, and sure enough they would appear.
After several years and much experimentation, I learned I had no allergy, the stress was a trigger for me, and a new over the counter face scrub has kept me in the clear ever since.
Knowing what triggers your breakouts can be the difference between constant battles and healthy skin. The Internet is a wonderful place to get the information you need, so stop stressing out and learn what it takes to put your
Free Acne Tips
- If you have acne, see your doctor.
- Acne can be more than skin deep. Often, acne doesn't just affect us physically...
- Keep your hands away from your pimples.
- Don't aggravate your acne! Squeezing or picking pimples will only increase inflammation...
- What causes acne?
- Acne is the visible end result of hormonal, bacterial and inflammatory disturbances....
- Plugged pores can result in acne.
- Common factors that cause our pores to become clogged are cosmetics, hair products and hats...
- Proper use of acne cleansers.
- Acne cleansers remove accumulated oil, makeup, sweat and dirt from the surface of your skin...
- What is this red mark? ...
- The pimple's gone - why is there a red mark? You may notice a bright red mark where the pimple used...
- Do you have mild acne?...
- You may want to seek out acne cleansers containing salicyclic acid, which is effective in breaking d...
- Increased sun sensitivity? ...
- Some of the most common acne medications, including tetracycline and the retinoids, can make your sk...
Keep Acne At Bay With These
These are some of the best products I'v come accross and used
AS SEEN ON TV Biotonic Facial BioTonic Blemish Remover
New product to remove skin blemishes, I have not reviewed this yet
Mederma Skin Care for Scars, 1.76 oz (50 g)
Treat your acne scars with this product, one of the best on market.
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Clean & Clear Invisible Shine Control Powder, .23-Ounce Compact (Pack of 4)
I found Clean&Clear range has a good range of products,
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $17.51 (as of 04/26/2007)
PanOxyl Bar 10%
10% benzyl peroxide has a good drying and peeling effect on acne, good for mild to moderate acne, this is the strongest version available
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Clean & Clear Instant Oil-Absorbing Sheets, 50-Count Packages (Pack of 4)
If you have an oily skin look these will take the shine off making you feel fresh and keep your pores clean
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $18.54 (as of 04/26/2007)
Acne Scars
Try To Prevent
When the body uses connective tissue to repair damaged parts of the skin, acne scars develop. The white blood cells work in conjunction with the antibodies to heal the damage that acne has done to the skin. Thus, acne scars then appear.
So, what can an individual do to prevent or treat acne scars? There are two natural ways of doing so. The first way to treat acne scars is to use both Alpha- Hydroxy and Beta- Hydroxy acids on the skin. Both of these vitamins speed up the skin's healing process and prevent and treat the acne scars.
Another way to avoid acne scars is to simply take care of your skin. Limiting sun exposure can reduce the chances of developing acne scars. If one must spend time in the sun, using sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or greater can also help prevent acne scars. Lastly, if an acne scar does develop and a scab appears on the skin, avoid removing the scab; this can worsen the acne scar and make it more noticeable than it may have been otherwise.
Adult Acne
There are two types of acne, open and closed called blackheads and whiteheads respectively. Acne forms pimples, they are made up of a combination of skin debris and fat deposits in a hair follicle. A pimple develops when the deposits rupture the hair follicle wall causing irritation.
Treatments for Adult Acne are the same as with other forms of acne. There are lots of over the counter solutions and the internet offers many excellent products. Some of the best products cannot be bought in stores at this time. Looking through the offers on the internet will be time well spent.
If after 8 weeks you have not had satisfactory results you should seek a consultation with a dermatologist. Your skin type may require a specialized treatment to achieve the desired results. Do not scrub your face as this can cause acne to become worse, you should gently wash your face twice daily. It is also recommended that you do not squeeze pimples, this practice can lead to scarring of the skin.
Baby Acne
Yes Babies Can Get Acne Too!
Imagine you have a beautiful newborn baby and instead of seeing a clean skin you're seeing a baby with a skin full of pimples. Therefore I wrote this article about baby acne. Fist I give you a definition what baby acne is, then five points that causes baby acne
and last but not least tips how to handle your baby's acne.
What is baby acne? Baby acne also known as acne neonatorum is a condition that affect 20% of the newborn babies.
You see red pimples on the cheek in most cases but also on the forehead and chin. It can happen that it shows up directly after birth but in most cases you will see the acne appearing within a few weeks after the birth.
In most cases the acne disappears after three months. If not you should inform a doctor about it! Perhaps you have seen tiny bumps on a newborn baby face if they disappear within a few weeks then it's not acne but milia, milia is unrelated to baby acne.
What causes baby acne?
There are several factors that can cause acne on the skin of the baby.
* As with adolescent acne, the condition can be caused by a skin irritation
* Medicines can causes baby acne as well
* It's possible that mineral oil or petroleum can cause baby acne
* The hormones of the mother, As the baby gets older, it loses the mother's hormones and so the baby acne goes away.
* Drugs, taken by the baby or by the mother who is pregnant, can cause baby acne as well
Treatments for baby acne?
- It may surprise you but oil and lotions do not help. What can help is cleaning the face of the baby once a day with water or you can use a baby soap.
Don't scrub the face of your baby, scrubbing can cause skin irritation.
- Use a product with a vinegar solution make sure you buy a product with all natural ingredients.
- Keep in mind that it is not a good idea to put creams or oils on the face of your baby. This solution can work with teenager or adult acne but it will not help with baby acne.
- If you see that your baby still haves acne after a period of three months than it's time that you talk with your doctor about this problem.
- Just leave it alone, perhaps you think what a great tip, but most of the times baby acne disappears on his own.
You see baby acne isn't worse at all. I hope with reading this article you have picked up some tips to cure or prevent the acne of your baby.
New YouTube vids
Discussion:Avoid Acne
| "How to Avoid Acne" is the merge target for a commonly duplicated topic. Many articles on this same topic have been merged here according to the merge policy because it has the simplest, most commonly searched title for the topic discussed. Please do not merge this article to another or change the title without community feedback. |
I'm not so sure about the chocolate thing. I really belive, and I've read in countless publications, that eating chocolate does not cause pimples. In fact, nothing you eat can cause pimples.
Headzoo 13:50 PDT, 28 Jun 2005 (PDT)
- I've heard the same Sean. I don't know anything authoritative on it though. --Jack H 14:55 PDT, 28 Jun 2005 (PDT)
| 210.212.242.129 said: | On 12:50 UTC, 29 Aug 2005 |
sex depends upon yhe pimples or not | |
| 220.231.108.223 said: | On 04:16, 29 Nov 2005 |
| Actually the pimples you get on your face depend A LOT from what you eat, I mean its one of the most important causes of getting pimples, that is if we dont count the kind of skin you have, for example dry skin always has less pimples than oily skin... | |
| Bex said: | On 14:05, 30 Nov 2005 |
| It would be more accurate to suggest a balanced diet rather than cuttng out particular foods. | |
| 61.246.23.243 said: | On 21:49, 30 Nov 2005 |
| 71.193.35.183 said: | On 19:08, 28 Dec 2005 |
| I am only 12 years old and I dont know how i am breaking out its so irritating | |
| Krystle said: | On 20:02, January 13, 2007 |
| There's a lot of controversy surrounding the link between diet & acne; I gleaned info from the wikipedia entry to make suggestions in the article and remind the reader to do their homework. | |
| Reply to Krystle | |
| Inline skater said: | On 01:10, 24 January 2007 |
| Consult your doctor if you should remove stress? Come on, we don't need to talk to our doctor for everything. If I asked my doctor whether or not I should do something whenever it says to to ask them my parents would be poor from all the doctor visits. | |
| Reply to Inline skater | |
| 69.241.250.135 said: | On 17:10, 19 February 2007 |
| your make up and diet has NOTHING to do with acne. I say use proactiv | |
| Reply to 69.241.250.135 | |
| 82.128.189.35 said: | On 13:05, 12 May 2007 |
| http://www.nealhendrickson.com/mcdougall/031100acnePF.htm Acoording to this web page, acne has everything to do with diet. | |
| Reply to 82.128.189.35 | |
| 69.138.139.174 said: | On 20:13, 7 July 2007 |
| h | |
| Reply to 69.138.139.174 | |
| 69.138.139.174 said: | On 20:14, 7 July 2007 |
| ihave acne and i never stress, i eat crap, that's probably the reason i have acne. Oh well, it'll be gone sooner or later. | |
| Reply to 69.138.139.174 | |
| 69.138.139.174 said: | On 20:15, 7 July 2007 |
| ihave acne and i never stress, i eat crap, that's probably the reason i have acne. Oh well, it'll be gone sooner or later. | |
| Reply to 69.138.139.174 | |
| 154.20.38.179 said: | On 07:23, 28 July 2007 |
| Your diet has nothing to do with how your face looks, however water does play a small role (since the body needs it to clean the inside of the body). I know, since I've been to a dermatologist. Acne on your back is fairly easy to get rid of- just wash your back with soap every time you shower. Acne on your face is hard to get rid of, though- it really depends on how oily your hair is, how often you touch it with your hands (once again, oily), and that stuff. | |
| Reply to 154.20.38.179 | |
| 70.21.27.101 said: | On 21:55, 7 August 2007 |
| Although it was thought that eating junk food gave you acne, numerous studies have shown that this has nothing to do with acne. Whether or not you have acne depends on how well you clean your face, how oily your skin is, and if bad acne runs in your family. e.g., if your parents had bad skin as teens, your skin is probably more acne-prone. | |
| Reply to 70.21.27.101 | |
| 216.40.72.141 said: | On 01:42, 16 August 2007 |
| i don't think diet has anything to do with causing acne. it depends if your skin is oily or not, how much you clean your face, and what profducts you use. | |
| Reply to 216.40.72.141 | |
| 216.40.72.141 said: | On 01:42, 16 August 2007 |
| sorry i meant *products. | |
| Reply to 216.40.72.141 | |
On 12:43, 25 August 2007
Beefandy said:
After years of suffering from this skin condition I would like to share info how it effected me, and the products I used to finally cure me and hopefully others with the same problem. It all started with blackheads at the age of about 12, as a male of this age it started to bother me but that was just the start. Another year on I had began to flare up with massive red spots with heads on, It knocked my confidence so much that some days I didn't want to go out. At school I tried covering up with make-up which for me was quite embarrassing at times. Years went on and I tried many products such as: Panoxyl, Oxytetracycline, and every over the counter product you can buy with little or no results However I did find that erythromycin antibiotic cream did help from the doctor and had good results for one or two of my friends but the Oxytetracycline tablets had no effect at all. I had also heard that stronger tablets like Accutine from the doctor worked quite well but these required you to have regular tests by your doctor. I found that washes, Clearasil and other products made no difference. I also think that worrying about spots makes them even worse. I got so frustrated that I began surfing the net and I was obviously hit by many pages claiming 'this and that' but the one that unbelievably helped the greatest for me was this site that claimed acne free in a few days, I have included a link to a site here with info about it: http://www.squidoo.com/my-acne I was quite amused by its title acne gone in 3 days at 1st, it didn't actually give results that fast but I was quite impressed by it and with a money back offer I thought why not. I have put some info about one of the ways it starts to help in diet&acne in the right bar. Out of all the treatments ironically it ended up giving me the best results the fastest, I would recommend this program to anyone. I now havn't a single spot and rarely get them at all. It uses diet as the main part of clearing acne
On 22:48, 26 August 2007
70.50.181.254 said:
blue light therapy can prevent acne from appearing as it takes care of the bacteria associated with blemish outbreaks. the new shirt and hat made with blumod material is able to give the skin the sun's blue therapeutic light but blocks UV - making it a great idea for the acne sufferer who likes to spend time outdoors doing sports and leisure activities
On 02:55, 2 September 2007
216.40.73.30 said:
i like this.
On 22:26, 16 September 2007
Alternagirl said:
removing stuff about what you eat. diet has absolutley nothing to do with what you eat. its stupid idiots people trying to scare you into not eating chocolate.
On 11:16, 25 September 2007
88.109.1.212 said:
Chocolate may not make acne worse but there are ways you can use your diet to improve acne dramatically, well thats what I found anyway... Theres more about this on: http://www.squidoo.com/my-acne
How to Avoid Acne
Common acne (aka "acne vulgaris") is a skin condition characterized by what are often called pimples or zits. It can occur anywhere on the body and at any age, though it typically affects teenagers on the face and back. You can take steps to avoid and prevent acne, as well as keeping yourself healthy and presentable, by doing the following.
Steps
- Remove dead skin cells regularly by exfoliating. Use an abrasive cloth or scrub, or use an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant like salicylic acid and glycolic acid. Remember that over-exfoliating can actually increase the likelihood of red, dry skin by irritating the skin.
- Remove bacteria from your pores. Your skin can become "allergic" to this bacteria. Use bactericidal products containing benzoyl peroxide by rubbing, twice daily, into the pores over the affected region or washing with a medicated soap bar/wash. Keep in mind that this may cause dryness, local irritation and redness.
- Avoid exposing your skin to other sources of oil and irritants.
- Break the habit of touching your face.
- Keep bangs off of your forehead--the oil and the hair products (if any) can clog pores.
- If you use a phone a lot, don't let it touch your face.
- Change your pillowcases and sheets once a week to prevent the build-up of oils and bacteria that can re-occupy your pores.
- Use non-comedogenic moisturizers and makeup. Choose cosmetics that are water-based and hypoallergenic. Avoid oil-free products, coal tar derivatives, and heavy creams. Make sure you wash your skin thoroughly every night to remove makeup residue.
- Review your diet and the research surrounding the links between diet and acne. The relationship between food and acne is a debatable topic. Your diet may or may not have an effect on acne.
- Studies have shown a correlation between milk and acne. Try substituting with soy milk and other calcium-rich foods.
- Excessive consumption of foods high in iodine (e.g. some seafood) may worsen acne but probably won't trigger it
- Research suggests--but does not prove--that a diet with a low glycemic index may reduce the likelihood of acne. High glycemic foods to replace with healthier alternatives include:
- soft drinks (drink water instead)
- sweets (substitute with fruit)
- white bread (replace with whole wheat bread)
- Remove other potential causes of acne. Some factors, such as being in puberty, can't be altered, but these can, with the approval of your doctor:
- Try asking a skin doctor also known as a dermatologist about your acne
- Minimize use of medication containing halogens (iodides, chlorides, bromides), lithium, barbiturates, or androgens
- Keep your bedsheets clean. Wash your pillow case on a regular schedule to reduce the transfer of natural body oils.
- Wash your face at least two times a day. Use face washes such as Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash or other face washes.
- There are no perfect creams or medicines that make your face smooth, soft and acne-free.
Tips
- Watch your diet and observe the effects it has on your skin. Whatever science has to say, every body is different and how yours responds to certain conditions can best be determined by you alone. As with any common condition, keeping your body hydrated is sound advice.
- Sometimes the best way of taking care of this condition is by doing it naturally, as in using natural products. Recommended are some such as : Witch Hazel, to be applied with a cotton swab after washing face. Dr. Bronner's Tea Tree Body Soap, which because of its Tea Tree elements, can reduce pimples on the face quite well if used at least twice a day.
- Neutrogena is a good product that can prevent or treat acne! it is sold at any drugstore.
- If you can afford it, I highly reccomend this place called Skinprint (I don't know where all of the branches are but there is one in Red Bank, New Jersey) They mix a face wash, moisterizer, and other products that are perfect for your skin, they test it in the beginning. The only problem is it's expensive, but it's worth it.
- It may not seem like it, but green apples are extremely good for preventing and fighting existing acne - both on your face and around the body (like the back - eek!). To avoid acne, eat one green apple a day (cut it into slices if need be and eat it throughout the day). And (here's the big secret) to reduce existing acne, cut a green apple into quarters and rub two of those quarters over the acne areas. If needed, use the rest, or just eat them. Combine this with plenty of water and voila - clear skin!
Warnings
- Do not make any drastic changes in your diet or skin routine without first consulting a medical professional.
- Anything beyond very gentle cleansing can actually worsen existing lesions and even encourage new ones by damaging or overdrying skin.
- You should only scrub your face if you have no existing pimples. Scrub lightly; avoid scrubbing too much or with too much pressure.
- Benzoyl peroxide can have a bleaching effect on clothes and hair. It may also increases sensitivity to the sun, so you might find that you burn faster!
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Myths About Acne
Do you think you already know all there is to know about acne? You may be surprised that some of the things you've heard about acne — like what causes it and how to deal with it — aren't actually true. Keep reading to find out some fast facts.
Myth #1: Tanning clears up skin.
Fact: Although a tan may temporarily mask acne, the sun can make the skin dry and irritated, leading to more breakouts in the future. In fact, there's no link between sun exposure and acne prevention, but the sun's rays can cause premature aging and skin cancer. Always protect your skin by choosing a sunscreen of at least SPF (sun protection factor) 15 that says noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic on the label, which means it won't clog pores.
Myth #2: Chocolate and greasy foods cause acne.
Fact: Although eating too many sugary, high-fat foods is never a good idea, studies show that no specific food has been proven to cause acne. Every individual is different, though. Some people notice their breakouts are worse after eating certain foods — and these foods are different depending on the person. For example, some people may notice breakouts after eating chocolate, while others are fine with chocolate but notice they get breakouts after drinking too much coffee. If that's the case for you, it can help to cut back on that food and see if it makes a difference.
Myth #3: The more you wash your face, the fewer breakouts you'll have.
Fact: Although washing your face helps to remove dirt and oil from your pores, washing too much can lead to dryness and irritation, causing more breakouts. Also, avoid scrubbing your face, which can irritate the skin. As a general rule, wash your face twice a day with mild soap and water in a circular motion and gently pat dry when you're done.
Myth #4: Popping pimples will help them go away faster.
Fact: Popping a pimple may make it seem less noticeable temporarily, but popping can cause it to stay around longer. By squeezing pimples and zits, you can actually push bacteria further into the skin, causing more swelling and redness — and sometimes causing a red or brown mark or scar to form. Sometimes marks can last for many months and true scars (dents and pits) will last forever.
Myth #5: Don't wear makeup if you want clear skin.
Fact: As long as you choose cosmetics that are nonacnegenic or noncomedogenic, they shouldn't cause breakouts. In fact, some concealers now contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, which help to fight acne. You can also try tinted benzoyl peroxide creams that hide pimples while helping treat them.
If you've had moderate to severe acne, though, talk to your doctor or dermatologist about the best cosmetics to use — he or she may recommend avoiding cosmetics altogether or only using certain brands so you're acne isn't aggravated.
And even if a product is labeled nonacnegenic or noncomedogenic, you should stop using it and talk to your doctor if you notice that it's irritating your skin or seems to cause breakouts.
Myth #6: If you keep getting breakouts, it helps to use more acne medication until the breakouts stop.
Fact: Because acne medication contains drying agents like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, using too much medication may cause overdrying, leading to irritation and more blemishes.
If over-the-counter acne medication doesn't seem to work on your acne, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor or dermatologist. Also, if you're taking a prescription acne medication, make sure you follow your doctor's instructions — some medications may take up to 8 weeks to make a significant difference.
The Skin
The skin is the largest organ of the body, covering 18 square feet and weighing about seven pounds in an average adult. The skin acts as a waterproof barrier that affords protection from invasion by dirt, bacteria, and other harmful substances and helps to regulate body temperature.
The skin is composed of three layers -- the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous layer.
Epidermis
The outermost layer of skin is the epidermis. The epidermis contains pigment cells that determine skin color and shield the skin against damaging sun rays. Specialized cells within this layer manufacture keratin, a tough substance also found in hair and nails.
Epidermal cells are continuously being worn away and replaced. This reconstruction process is usually invisible. Since the outer skin layer repairs itself quickly, any injury to the epidermis rarely causes injury to the body as a whole.
Dermis
The dermis contains blood vessels, nerve endings, hair follicles, sweat glands, and sebaceous (oil) glands. Damage occurring at this level can send infection into the bloodstream and throughout the body.
Within the dermis, blood vessels and sweat glands help the body regulate heat. If the temperature of blood rises, the brain stimulates secretion by the sweat glands. Sweat then flows to the surface of the skinthrough ducts and cools the skin by evaporating. The sebaceous glands prevent excessive evaporation by coating the surface of the skin with an oily substance called sebum.
Subcutaneous Layer
Beneath the dermis is the subcutaneous layer, in which the sweat glands originate and fat is stored. This layer also supports the blood vessels and nerves that supply the outer layers of the skin.
Because the dermis and the subcutaneous layer are rich with nerve endings, the skin is also a sensory organ. Nerves throughout these layers transmit tactile perceptions to the brain.
Your Pimples questions
What Is Acne?
Fast Facts: An Easy-to-Read Series of Publications for the Public
What Is Acne?
How Does Acne Develop?
Who Gets Acne?
What Causes Acne?
How Is Acne Treated?
How Should People With Acne Care for Their Skin?
What Things Can Make Acne Worse?
What Are Some Myths About the Causes of Acne?
What Research Is Being Done on Acne?
Acne is a disease that affects the skin's oil glands. The small holes in your skin (pores) connect to oil glands under the skin. These glands make an oily substance called sebum. The pores connect to the glands by a canal called a follicle. Inside the follicles, oil carries dead skin cells to the surface of the skin. A thin hair also grows through the follicle and out to the skin. When the follicle of a skin gland clogs up, a pimple grows.
Most pimples are found on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. Acne is not a serious health threat but, it can cause scars.
Sometimes, the hair, sebum, and skin cells clump together into a plug. The bacteria in the plug causes swelling. Then when the plug starts to break down, a pimple grows.
There are many types of pimples. The most common types are:
- Whiteheads. These are pimples that stay under the surface of the skin.
- Blackheads. These pimples rise to the skin's surface and look black. The black color is not from dirt.
- Papules. These are small pink bumps that can be tender.
- Pustules. These pimples are red at the bottom and have pus on top.
- Nodules. These are large, painful, solid pimples that are deep in the skin.
- Cysts. These deep, painful, pus-filled pimples can cause scars.
Acne is the most common skin disease. Nearly 17 million people in the United States have it. People of all races and ages get acne. But it is most common in teenagers and young adults. Nearly 85 percent of people between the ages of 12 and 24 get acne. For most people, acne goes away by age 30. But some people in their forties and fifties still get acne.
The cause of acne is unknown. Doctors think certain factors might cause it:
- The hormone increase in teenage years (this can cause the oil glands to plug up more often)
- Hormone changes during pregnancy
- Starting or stopping birth control pills
- Heredity (if your parents had acne, you might get it, too)
- Some types of medicine
- Greasy makeup.
Acne is treated by doctors who work with skin problems (dermatologists). Treatment tries to:
- Heal pimples
- Stop new pimples from forming
- Prevent scarring
- Help reduce the embarrassment of having acne.
Early treatment is the best way to prevent scars. Your doctor may suggest over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription drugs. Some acne medicines are put right on the skin. Other medicines are pills that you swallow. The doctor may tell you to use more than one medicine.
How Should People With Acne Care for Their Skin?
Here are some ways to care for skin if you have acne:
- Clean skin gently. Use a mild cleanser in the morning, evening, and after heavy workouts. Scrubbing the skin does not stop acne. It can even make the problem worse.
- Try not to touch your skin. People who squeeze, pinch, or pick their pimples can get scars or dark spots on their skin.
- Shave carefully. If you shave, you can try both electric and safety razors to see which works best. With safety razors, use a sharp blade. Also, it helps to soften your beard with soap and water before putting on shaving cream. Shave lightly and only when you have to.
- Stay out of the sun. Many acne medicines can make people more likely to sunburn. Being in the sun a lot can also make skin wrinkle and raise the risk of skin cancer.
- Choose makeup carefully. All makeup should be oil free. Look for the word "noncomedogenic" on the label. This means that the makeup will not clog up your pores. But some people still get acne even if they use these products.
What Things Can Make Acne Worse?
Some things can make acne worse:
- Changing hormone levels in teenage girls and adult women 2 to 7 days before their period starts
- Pressure from bike helmets, backpacks, or tight collars
- Pollution and high humidity
- Squeezing or picking at pimples
- Hard scrubbing of the skin.
What Are Some Myths About the Causes of Acne?
There are many myths about what causes acne. Dirty skin and stress do not cause acne. Also, chocolate and greasy foods do not cause acne in most people.
What Research Is Being Done on Acne?
Scientists are looking at new ways to treat acne. They are:
- Working on new drugs to treat acne
- Looking at ways to prevent plugs
- Looking at ways to stop the hormone testosterone from causing acne.
ACNE, Pimples- Dr. Rehana Khan
| | |
What is Acne?Acne is a general term for pimples and deeper pustules that are clogged pores. If severe enough acne can leave permanent scars. Acne is an inflammatory skin disorder of the skin's sebaceous glands and hair follicles that affects about 80% of people between the ages of 12 and 24. During puberty high levels of hormones are produced in both girls and boys. This leads to the production of large quantities of sebum. Sebum is an irritant that can clog the pores and form a pimple which may become infected and form a pustule. Hormones don't go away after adolescence. Many women still get premenstrual acne from of the release of progesterone after ovulation.
Normal pilosebaceous unit
Acne is a disease that affects the skin's oil glands. The small holes in your skin (pores) connect to the oil glands under the skin. These glands make an oily substance called sebum. The pores connect to the glands by a canal called a follicle. Inside the follicles, oil carries dead skin cells to the surface of the skin. A thin hair also grows through the follicle and out to the skin. When the follicle of a skin gland clogs up, a pimple grows. Most pimples are found on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. Acne is not a serious health threat but it can cause scars. What Causes Acne?§ The exact cause of acne is unknown, several related factors are: § Hormonal activity supposed to be responsible, such as menstrual cycles and puberty. § Increase in hormones called androgens (male sex hormones), which causes sebaceous glands to enlarge and make more sebum. § Hormonal changes related to pregnancy can also cause acne. § Another factor is heredity or genetics. Researchers believe that the tendency to develop acne can be inherited from parents. For example, studies have shown that many school-age boys with acne have a family history of the disorder. § Accumulation of dead skin cell. § Bacteria in the pores, to which body becomes allergic. § Skin irritation or scratching of any sort will active the inflammation. § Starting or stopping birth control pills. § Heredity (if your parents had acne, you might get it too). § Some types of medicine. § Greasy makeup. In some patients, contributing factors may be: Pressure: In some patients, pressure from helmets, chinstraps, collars, and the like can aggravate acne. Drugs: Some medications may cause or worsen acne, such as those containing iodides, bromides, or oral or injected steroids (either the medically prescribed prednisone or the steroids bodybuilders or athletes take.) Most cases of acne, however, are not drug-related. Pathophysiology of Acne
### Acne describes as a disease of the pilosebaceous units (PSUs). Found over most of the body, PSUs consist of a sebaceous gland connected to a canal, called a follicle that contains a fine hair. People with acne frequently have a variety of lesions, some of which are shown in the diagrams below. The basic acne lesion, called the comedo, is simply an enlarged and plugged hair follicle. If the plugged follicle, or comedo, stays beneath the skin, it is called a closed comedo and produces a white bump called a whitehead.
A comedo that reaches the surface of the skin and opens up is called an open comedo or blackhead because it looks black on the skin's surface. This black discoloration is due to changes in sebum as it is exposed to air. It is not due to dirt. Both whiteheads and blackheads may stay in the skin for a long time.
Acne is a group of skin rashes with different causes named as:- Acne vulgarisIt is most commonly experienced around puberty, typically of the face and shoulders / chest. Acne rosaceaA red rash predominantly on the face. Acne keloidalis nuchae (pseudofolliculitis nuchae)A rash caused by shaving. Acne conglobata (Hidradenitis suppurativa)Chronic abscesses or boils of sweat gland and hair follicle; in the underarms, groin, buttocks and under the breasts in women. Acne cosmeticaAcne caused by use of cosmetics. Acne fulminansAn extreme form of acne conglobata. Acne medicamentosaAcne cause by starting or stopping medicine. Baby acneA rash seen on the cheeks, chin, and forehead of infants. ChloracneAcne caused by exposure to chlorinated hydrocarbons such as dioxins or PCBs. ### Acne vulgarisAcne vulgaris is an inflammatory disease of the skin, which is caused by changes in the pilosebaceous units. Cystic acne on the face
Extensive acne on chest and shoulders It is the most common form of acne. Large number of teenagers suffers from this, during the period of puberty. In most of the cases it tends to disappear or atleast decreases after one reaches early twenties. There is no fix prediction how long time it will take to disappear entirely, Signs and symptoms of AcneAcne typically appears on face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and the areas of skin with the largest number of functional oil glands. People with acne frequently have a variety of lesions, some of which are shown in the diagrams below. The basic acne lesion, called the comedo, is simply an enlarged and plugged hair follicle. Acne can take the following forms; Whiteheads: These are created when the openings of hair follicles become clogged and blocked with oil secretions and dead skin. If the plugged follicle, or comedo, stays beneath the skin, it is called a closed comedo and produceswhite bump called a whitehead. Blackheads: These are similar to whiteheads, but are open to the skin surface and darken. A comedo that reaches the surface of the skin and opens up is called an open comedo or blackhead because it looks black on the skin's surface. This black discoloration is due to changes in sebum as it is exposed to air. It is not due to dirt. Both whiteheads and blackheads may stay in the skin for a long time. Other troublesome acne lesions can develop, including the following: § Papules – inflamed lesions that usually appear as small, pink bumps on the skin and can be tender to the touch
PAPULES § Macule - A macule is the temporary red spot left by a healed acne lesion. It is flat, usually red or red-pink, with a well defined border.
MACULE A macule may persist for days to weeks before disappearing. When a number of macules are present at one time they can contribute to the "inflamed face" appearance of acne. It shows the "red face" appearance. § Pustules (pimples) – These are raised; reddish spots that signal inflammation or infection in the hair follicles. Papules topped by white or yellow pus-filled lesions that may be red at the base
PUSTULES § Nodules – large, painful, solid lesions that are lodged deep within the skin
NODULES § Cysts – These are thick lumps beneath the surface of the skin, which are formed by the buildup of secretions deep within hair follicles. Deep, painful, pus-filled lesions that can cause scarring.
CYSTS After resolution of acne lesions their may be prominent unsightly scars Acne RosaceaAcne rosacea is a skin disorder leading to redness and pimples on the nose, forehead, cheekbones, and chin. The inflamed pimples and redness of rosacea can look a great deal like acne, but blackheads are almost never present. Fair-skinned individuals and people who flush easily seem to be more susceptible to this condition. Rosacea becomes progressively worse in many of those affected. The real cause of rosacea is now thought to be a tendency to flush and blush in a person with sun damage. Sun damages the supporting fibers of the small blood vessels just under the surface of the skin, allowing the vessels to stretch out (become permanently dilated). The damaged blood vessels leak fluid when flushing occurs, resulting in blotchy red areas. Swelling occurs, but is not usually so prominent to be very visible. The first sign most people see are small red pimples and pustules (pus-filled whiteheads). The redness can come and go and may be tender, inflamed and sensitive to the touch. Later, the skin tissue can swell and thicken. Eventually the redness and swelling can become permanent. Symptoms of Acne rosacea It may vary according to the severity of the case. Facial flushing is the classic symptom of rosacea. Flushing is the result of increased blood flow through dilated facial blood vessels. During a flush, face can turn various shades of red depending on the amount of blood flowing through the skin. A sufferer may experience a fire-red face during intense flushes, a mildly-red face during moderate flushes, or a barely noticeable pinkish-hue during mild flushes; it may be transient or long-standing. Facial redness is caused by hundreds of tiny dilated blood vessels near the surface of the facial skin Facial Telangiectasia; tiny broken blood vessels which are permanently fixed in the dilated state and take appearance of fine red lines coursing through the surface of the facial skin. Facial Skin Hyper-Reactivity: These blood vessels dilate very easily to topical triggers and physical insults Rhinophyma is a form of rosacea that is characterized by chronic redness, inflammation, and increased tissue growth of the nose. What causes Acne Rosacea? It is believe that rosacea is a disorder where the blood vessels become damaged when repeatedly dilated by stimuli. Triggers that cause episodes of flushing and blushing. Exposure to temperature extremes can cause the face to become flushed Acne keloidalis nuchae (AKN)It refers to the occurrence of keloidlike papules and plaques on the occipital scalp and the posterior part of the neck, almost exclusively in African American men. Initially, patients usually develop a chronic folliculitis and perifolliculitis of the occipital part of the scalp and the posterior part of the neck, which heal with keloidlike lesions, sometimes with discharging sinuses. The lesions are often painful and cosmetica.lly disfiguring Causes Causes are still speculative; it is supposed to be caused by-
Sign and Symptoms § Large lesions are often painful. § Older lesions with abscesses and sinuses may emit an odorous discharge. § Hats, shirts, jackets, and sweaters may irritate the involved area, thereby causing patients to alter their preferred style of dress. § Even if large lesions are asymptomatic, they are often a cause of great cosmetic concern. § Acne starts after puberty as firm, dome-shaped, follicular papules that are 2-4 mm in diameter. § The papules develop on the nape of the neck and/or on the occipital part of the scalp. § Pustules may be present in the same areas. § Comedones are not present (in contradistinction to acne). § More papules may appear and enlarge as the disease progresses. § Some papules coalesce to form keloid like plaques, which are usually arranged in a band like distribution at or below the posterior part of the hairline. § Hair is usually lost in large lesions. § Scarring alopecia and subcutaneous abscesses with draining sinuses may also be present.
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