Acne afflicts 9 out of 10 people today. Its not just a skin condition related to teens and puberty. Acne can cause severe and permanent scars both physically and mentally. There are thousands of products hawked on various infomercials on TV that claim to cure acne, but according to the American Medical Society and leading dermatologists 99% of these are ineffective at best. So, what really works? Here are five guaranteed acne care and treatment tips that will leave your skin cleaner, healthier and less susceptible to acne.
1. Hydrate - The fact is that 70% of Americans are not properly hydrated. When our bodies are not given enough water, the skin loses its elasticity and ability to quickly heal and repair. This can cause the follicles to become blocked and make the skin a breeding ground for bacteria. It is recommended that the average person drink 6-10 glasses of water every day. To test for proper hydration, pinch, pull and release the skin between your forefinger and thumb. If you are properly hydrated the pinched skin will quickly return and show elasticity. Dehydrated skin is similar to aged skin and will show less elasticity. It is a clinically proven fact that proper hydration will help any acne care or treatment.
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2. Proper cleansing. Grocery and drug stores have hundreds of brands of soap on display and most are too harsh for your skin. These harsh soaps can dry out your skin, worsen acne, and increase the skins production of sebum or oil (which will attract acne causing bacteria in clogged pores). It is best to use a mild cleanser like Cetaphil or its cheaper generic equivalent (available at Target and Walmart). These cleansers will leave you with fresh, clean skin and are recommended by virtually every dermatologist in America.
3. Moisturize. That's right, moisturize. Even for oily, acne prone skin. Proper moisturizing will actually result in healthier skin which is less susceptible to most acne conditions. Make sure you use a non-comodogenic moisturizer as it will not clog pores. As everyone has different and unique skin you should try several different moisturizers to find the one that works best for you. Some may have botanicals and herbs you don't like or fare well with. There are many moisturizers, so find one that you really like and stick with it. Also, use a non-comodogenic high spf lotion for sun protection. The sun will age and dry out your skin and will increase production of acne causing oil.
Tip! Something which must be considered is the purpose for the skin clearing strategy. There are differing approaches for acne treatment, each with its own considered purpose.
4. Treat excess oil and clogged pores. For treatment of pimples and blackheads most dermatologists recommend benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid solutions of 5 - 10% strength. They can also be used on very light acne. They will actually inflame and worsen moderate or severe acne and are not recommended for this - regardless what any infomercial may claim. In severe and moderate acne benzoyl peroxide will dry out the skin too much and have an irritating effect. Salicylic is more effective for deep cleaning of pores.
5. TCA skin peels. TCA peels have been clinically proven to be as effective as isotretinoin (trade name Accutane) in treating moderate to severe acne without the side effects. They are also used in almost every dermatologists and plastic surgeons office (They are usually referred to as the Obagi peel, blue peel, or Estheticians Choice TCA peel). TCA peels are a deeper skin peel and will increase skin regeneration (through increased skin exfoliation), return the skin pH or acidity back to normal (excess oil can alter the skins pH and make it a breeding ground for acne causing bacteria). In the past TCA peels were only available in dermatologists or plastic surgeons offices as a very expensive outpatient treatment. They can now be obtained through the internet for in home use at very reasonable prices everyone can afford. The best thing is that a TCA peel only needs to be applied once every 3-6 months depending on the depth desired and strength used.
Tip! If one of your friends recommends you an acne treatment that has done wonders on him, don't expect it to have the exact same effects on you. You need to follow a treatment that fits your skin type.
David Maillie is a chemist with over 12 years experience in biochemical research and clynical analysis. For more information on TCA peels for in home use and great anti-acne products and ideas please visit http://www.bestskinpeel.com.
Acne Care and Treatment Tips
Treatment of Acne with Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide is probably the most widely used treatment for acne because of its antibacterial and drying properties. It is available for use by everyone from babies to teens to middle aged persons. It is available in mild solutions for over-the-counter use and in prescription strength.
Benzoyl peroxide is closely related to industrial drying agents in a variety of products. The products sold for a quick repair to automotive bodies contain benzoic acid. Another use of a similar substance is as a preservative in food. It's a pretty affective way to remove liquids. Still it can be overly drying as can be deduced from its use in car repairs.
Naturally something as widely available as this substance is misused on occasion. Overly strong solutions sold for use on the thicker skin of the torso would be harmful if used on the face. This would be extremely true if the very strong solution sold for a young adult were to be used for a baby's delicate skin. The same substance can be prescribed for a baby but in a much more dilute solution.
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This very simple approach to acne treatment enters the marketplace in many different forms. Whether used in soap or cleansing foam, it is just as easy to overuse this chemical. In any of its forms no matter how creamy the product may feel it really is the strength of the solution that determines the way in which it is to be used.
Baby and adult skin treatments use the lowest solution at 2.5% while the strongest solution at about 10% is used in the treatment of cystic acne of the body. A few applications for solutions of 1% are available for the treatment of rosacea acne.
Benzoyl peroxide should be used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. Free info. on Adult Acne and skin care treatments.
Alternative Acne Treatment
The causes of acne are not fully understood, but dermatologists have certainly evolved in their knowledge and treatment approaches. During the process, many things that were believed to be associated with acne have either been ruled out, or modified with a deeper understanding.
Acne can occur at any time during a person's life. Whilst many people suffer acne during teenage years, not having acne then does not mean it may not develop as an adult. However, genetics does play a role. So if someone in your family has acne, there is a greater chance of developing it.
But acne is not contagious. During teenage years, for women who are menstruating, and women going through menopause, there are hormonal changes that are associated with acne.
Acne sufferers have oil producing glands that are more sensitive to regular levels of the hormone testosterone in their blood. Sometimes too much testosterone is produced. Women have small amounts of testosterone also, and for some women, adrenal or ovarian disease is an underlying cause of acne which causes excess production of these male hormones.
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Testosterone, or the body's heightened responsiveness to it, causes the oil glands to produce more oil than they should. Here, other factors such as excess shedding of the dead skin cells lining the hair follicle, a narrowing of the hair follicles, and irregular clumping of the cells within the hair follicles, come into play. The end result is that the follicles become clogged with dead skin cells and oil, and the opening of the follicle is blocked. This is called a comedone.
This environment favors the multiplication of the acne bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes. This bacteria lives on the skin and is normally harmless. But the oil and dead cells in the clogged pore are like food to it, and the breakdown products of this bacteria's mealtime is irritating to the skin. If the bacteria multiply to the extent that the follicle wall breaks open, lesions can develop.
Tip! Who else wants to use natural acne treatment systems that work from the inside. To download your free report on the 2 fastest ways of getting rid of acne.
The role of inflammation in acne is being studied to give new insights into how to approach acne treatment. The inflammatory process within the skin can attract molecules that break down the collagen in the skin. This can lead to permanent damage - scarring. A research team at the University of Michigan is looking at testing treatments that reduce the intensity of the immune system's response to the effects of the 'acne invasion'. By reducing the level of inflammation, they hope to prevent acne scarring.
References:
1. innovations-report.com/html/reports/medicine_health/report-33149.html
Rebecca Prescott presents an overview of acne products here. Or for some quick acne tips, check out this article.
Acne Treatment - Knowing The Facts Can Help Prevent Scaring
Several acne treatments are out there on the market promising to treat and prevent acne from forming. But the truth is, only few acne treatments are noted for effectiveness.
Technically known as acne vulgaris, this skin disorder largely affects millions of people, from different walks of life, yearly. Most of the adolescents are the usual target of this disease. In fact, it is found out that about 80 percent of the teenagers develop acne, particularly for women.
Acne has two main types: non-inflammatory and inflammatory. The non-inflammatory acne is characterized with just few whiteheads and blackheads on the face. This can be treated effectively with the nonprescription medicines. On the other hand, in the inflammatory acne, the whiteheads become inflamed which cause the development of pimples and pustules. This type is considered by many as the severe form since it can cause disfiguring deep cysts, pitting scars of the face, back, chest, and neck. For this, serious acne treatment is commonly applied with prescription drugs and sometimes surgery.
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There are actually forms of acne treatment suggested by most doctors these days. One of those acne treatments is to take a nonprescription acne medicine and apply it regularly. It is often noted that over-the-counter drugs that are containing resorcinol, salicylic acid, sulfur, and benzoyl peroxide are all effective acne treatments for mild acne. Aside from such acne treatment, you can also use an ordinary hygiene on the affected portions, mainly by washing your face once or twice daily with your usual soap or cleanser. In relation to this kind of acne treatment, you should know that deodorant soaps may be applied, however, they are of no particular value for this skin disease.
However, if all those simple acne treatments or measures don't work, it is definitely the time for you to see a dermatologist. Always remember that while it might be enticing to squeeze blackheads and pick at pimples, this can certainly injure your skin and its underlying tissues. As we often observe in our friends way or our own way of treating pimples, we usually pick pimples until they bleed. Doctors generally don't advise patients not to pick pimples for it might bring some injuries and infections to your skin. It is interesting to know that some instruments are now suggested by several doctors for acne treatment. There are the comedome extractors, which are used to remove blackheads, and some of the doctors even recommend that their patients must apply such an instrument themselves. While these acne treatments work, a number of doctors would rather remove the blackheads in their own offices or clinic in order to avoid the danger of scarring. But, to avoid any possible risks caused by acne, perhaps the best way to deal with it is to ask your doctor what type of acne treatment will he/she be recommending.
Tip! Amy-Jo Strutt is a successful beauty writer and regular contributor to anti-aging-skin-carecentral.com an online resource to help you find the very best acne, acne treatment and acne skin care information.
There is now a myriad of products in the market that are sold for acne treatments. A number of them are clinically proven effective, while many of them are without any scientifically proven impacts. Nevertheless, blends of various acne treatments are discovered that can usually prevent the onset of acne in all but the most serious cases.
Dean Shainin is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Acne.MyWisdomBase.com. For more articles, and valuable resources for getting effective products and remedies, visit his site at: best acne treatment.
Acne Cures
Knowing that no particular cause of acne is determined, perhaps the best move for you to take then is to find the right treatment that can help reduce and eliminate your skin condition to a certain level.
Acne is a serious skin disorder that plagues millions of people anywhere in the world. Certain reports have noted that acne can cause personal anguish and it may even lower the person's self esteem. For so many years, certain studies have been conducted for the cure of acne. Until these days, there is no one particular magic acne cure that can totally eliminate acne, although some products are claiming that they can. However, the news is not at all bad since a number of acne remedies, known be many as acne cures, are now available on the market. These acne cures largely vary according to the method of application, the severity of the acne condition, and to the type of the acne patient's skin.
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One of the typically used acne cures are those over-the-counter products such as cleansers, moisturizers, astringents, and pimple creams. These acne cures are actually non-prescription products that are to some degree proven capable for unplugging the whiteheads and blackheads. Some of these acne cures encourage the skin to peel off, giving way to the new skin to develop.
The topical antibiotics are also there, known as "prescription only" acne cures. These forms of acne cure generally help fight acne by means of knocking out the acne-causing bacteria that infect the pores. However, there are some instances that acne may become resistant to these forms of acne cure, turning them useless in the end. Apart from the topical antibiotics, there are also oral antibiotics. Among the many side effects of these acne cures, nausea and dizziness are the common.
Tip! If you suffer from acne, there are a few simple acne treatment steps you can follow at home to try and minimize your outbreaks. First, wash your face only twice a day.
Although a number of experts claimed that acne cures are not yet in the market, some people still find certain ways and medicines and hailed them "acne cures". Aside from such samples of deemed "acne cures", there are also some topical antibiotics, known as the "prescription only" products. Several acne patients and experts have claimed that these "acne cures" help fight acne by means of killing the bacteria that greatly infect the pores. Nevertheless, there are some instances that acne may become resistant to these forms of "acne cures", making them useless as it turns out. Oral antibiotics which are considered "acne cures" are also there, but one of the unfavorable idea about them is the fact that these "acne cures" can affect the entire body, causing serious side effects. The known side effects of oral antibiotics are nausea and dizziness.
Some vitamin A derivatives are greatly deemed by many as another great form of "acne cures" that they can prevent skin cells from clumping together and they promote shedding of the skin. However, just like the above mentioned "acne cures", these too have a number of side effects, such as dryness, redness, and irritation. There are even come cases that these "acne cures" are cause of some psychological disorders and birth defects.
Tip! In severe cases, it is best that you consult the dermatologist for advice and get a prescription for stronger acne products. These acne treatments and products require a higher degree of monitoring, as they tend to have more side effects.
Dean Shainin is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Acne.MyWisdomBase.com For more articles, and valuable resources for getting effective remedies, visit his site at: best acne cures
Home Treatment for Acne
Acne isn't an isolated problem. In fact it happens to many of us... and for some of us, acne problems could get so bad it would be embarrassing to show our faces in public, even to go to the doctor's office! This is just one of the many reasons why people would willingly buy into the concept of a good home treatment for acne.
Well, there are certainly home remedies for acne, but they aren't miracle cures; how they work will depend on the person's skin type, lifestyle, and the nature of the acne problem. Some acne problems may have deeper roots and need the guidance of a doctor. But for a lot of us, acne problems could be solved by a number of very simple things we could do everyday. You can get a good over the counter home treatment for acne at a good price!
If you want to look into items that you can buy in drugstores, salicylic acid products are a good place to start. Many dermatologists will recommend this for ordinary skin problems. A skin care product that has two percent salicylic acid content should help speed up the healing process of your skin.
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But a lot of times, you can make up home remedies from stuff you can buy at the grocery. For example, water. Did you know that drinking lots of water regularly can help clear up a lot of skin problems? A lot of times, skin disorders like acne are brought about by the buildup of toxins under the skin and in the pores. Lack of sleep helps this buildup along, and teenagers often find themselves staying up late for one reason or another.
In fact, teenagers are the most common victims of acne and other skin-diseases. Another reason for this is that skin diseases may be triggered by hormone imbalance. Pregnant women also suffer from skin diseases because of this. Thankfully, it's a temporary setup and either it passes or is outgrown soon.
You should also know that you can make a home treatment for acne even out of grocery-bought products. A mask made of cooked oatmeal can be allowed to sit on the face for 15 minutes - this helps in relieving acne. Aloe and witch hazel are also two popular herbal products that can cure acne. You can also stay out in the sun for a bit - the ultraviolet rays of the sun may be an effective "natural laser" treatment.
