Acne Blog

by John Kearins

There are many different types of acne. It is a worldwide skin problem affecting people of all ages, not just teenagers as many people assume. The many types of acne include pimples, whiteheads, blackheads and skin cysts.

Dermatologists cannot agree on the best acne skin care product or the best diet for acne. Thus there are many theories as to the causes and many treatments to choose from. These include acne natural treatments and acne alternative medicine. However, there is agreement that acne results from blockage of the pores as the result of excess oil production.

Many of the home treatments for acne are cheap, simple and effective. Normally herbal medications have far fewer side effects and are not as dangerous or harsh as some of the prescription drugs.

One of the most common treatments is a change in diet. The effect of diet on acne has been debated for ages. Many foods are touted as causing or preventing acne. Some people claim that certain foods cure acne while others state there's no relationship between what you eat and acne. There is no absolute scientific proof one way or the other.

Those who claim food can affect acne propose a healthy diet with lots of fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts and limitations on coffee, oily and fried foods, milk products, chocolate and spicy foods. Acne problems are caused in part by the dilation of the tiny blood veins under the skin's surface. To avoid this possible reaction it would make sense to avoid hot and spicy foods, alcohol and hot beverages.

Eliminating sugar from your diet is another natural way to treat acne without spending money. Many studies seem to show that too much sugar in the body can actually aggravate acne. In one case a young fellow reports he has a sugar reaction after drinking one Coca-Cola. His acne begins to redden and intensify in less that five minutes.

A healthy diet has no possible side effects so most people are willing to adjust their diet accordingly.

Water helps the body rid itself of toxic wastes and allows the skin to function at its peak. So drink lots of it--a minimum of 8 full glasses a day. This step is vital to obtain the maximum benefit of the other things you are doing to cure your acne problem.

Exercise is another factor that can help cure your acne. When exercising your bloodstream works overtime. More toxins will be flushed away. And the increased circulation will increase the blood flow to the skin and thus help it heal faster.

Sun is another natural way to treat acne. Sun produces Vitamin D which is very important for healthy skin. But be careful. Avoid the mid-day sun--it's too strong. Also if you are taking any medication check with doctor before you sun bathe.

Acne is not caused by dirty skin. So do not go overboard and become a "face washing freak." Too much washing can aggravate the condition. A gentle washing twice a day should be sufficient. Use a glycerin based facial soap. These soaps contain ingredients that will not dry out or irritate your skin and they create a hostile environment for bacteria. Body soaps contain oils, dyes and perfumes that can dry out and irritate your skin.

Stress can influence the occurrence of acne. The more stress you have the greater the chances of having an acne outbreak. So if there are stresses in your life learn how to eliminate them or at least control these stresses.

As there are so many variations of acne and people suffering from acne, not all treatments will work in every case. Some may worsen the condition. Some prescriptions have bad side-effects. Natural treatments have very low potential for side-effects.

The important thing is to find a treatment that works for you. When you find that treatment you should start to see results in a very few days.

Hopefully these few comments have been helpful as a starting point in curing your acne. People are winning the battle every day in their quest for clear and radiant skin. Here's a winner who suffered for 10 years before he finally found a way to cure his problem and it worked in just a few days. He's been acne free for over 20 years without using any acne medications or over-the-counter products. To learn more Click Here

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Kearins

Yikes, one more thing I forgot to mention. (And I hope the Blogger bots don't lock my blog for posting twice in such a short time!) I am curious about back acne. I know nothing of it, other than it may be caused by excessive testosterone (but I don't know if there are any other causes, and I don't know of any cures). I have a friend who complains of it--and no, he doesn't juice--and, despite washing very diligently he continues to be plagued by it. So again, if anyone has any information about back acne that they can share with me, please...

I regret that I am at the moment too lazy (and too busy--I actually should be working right now) to do the research myself, although at some point in the future, if no one replies, I will. While back acne may not readily seem as bad as facial acne--it is on your back after all, and a shirt usually covers it--it can be an embarrassment for people when it comes to going to the beach, swimming, and even during intimate situations. Any info at all is appreciated. Sometime in the future I promise to try to get on the ball and try to provide this information myself--ater all, that is the point of this blog. :)

A while back I posted that I was looking for personal accounts--stories of people who have suffered, or are suffering, from acne; stories of people who need help or else have found help (tell us how you did it!). While I will post all kinds of personal accounts, right now I would really like to hear from someone that has had an issue with acne scarring. I personally have considered using certain methods (laser treatment and various products (mainly ointments of the OTC variety)), and I would like to know if any of these have worked for anybody.

So: If you have used any product or laser treatment to try to rid yourself of acne scars, I am curious to know how it went, whether the experience was good or bad. I hope for all readers that the treatment has gone successfully, but horror stories (readers, I think, should know what to be wary of as well) are also more than welcome.

Remember, if for whatever reason I do not post the story, it is nothing personal. It simply needs to be a true story and it needs to fit in with the subject at hand--i.e., acne.

'Til next time, take care. :)

~B.L.S.

P.S. Oh, I am also interested--if any skin experts or dermatologists happen by my blog--in an expert's opinion on what is the best way or method to prevent acne. I am aware that some of the certain things that have long been thought to cause acne (pizza, chocolate, and soda pop, to name a few), have been proven untrue. I am still very much in the dark about what is a 'myth' when it comes to what causes acne, and what isn't--and I'm very interested in an expert's view on such subjects as well. (Simply reply to this post if you have anything to share on this blog.)

It's been a long time since I posted anything--my intention was to post another article next (I hope that those suffering from acne are able to find some useful information in some of the articles and the links that some of my commenters have posted), but recently I received a personal story that somebody wanted to share with me and my readers. I have edited the submission for typos (with the author's permission), but have otherwise left this person's story intact. The story is from someone who wants to be known only as "Sarah," and who has suffered from a different type of acne than a lot of us are commonly used to hearing about: adult acne. What I like about Sarah's story is that she was finally able to find something (a solution) that worked for her. I truly wish Sarah (and all other acne sufferers) the best in finding a treatment that can work for them. I've said it before, and I can't say it enough: many 'outsiders' who have never suffered from this often do not understand how debilitating this condition can be, and exactly how heavily it can affect a person's self esteem.

Sarah from Vancouver writes:

"I also share some of the same struggles that you talked about in your story. My acne started at somewhat a young age, I think around puberty, and it got worse pretty fast. I too got made fun of throughout junior high and high school and I also tried every "gimmick" available to me on the market at that time. None of this worked and my friends and family kept assuring me that it was something that a lot of teenagers went through and that it would pass. Imagine my horror when I entered college and still the acne had not gone away. I still hoped that it would pass, but as the years went on I started to worry more and more that it would not pass. I now had access to the internet, and I began researching like crazy. I soon learned about something called "adult acne" and I was sure that I had it.

I had seen many dermatologists when I was younger and they all prescribed medications and when the medications didn't work, they told me that my acne "would pass." Of course I was frustrated by this but I tried to wait it out. I wanted to believe them. At one point I was 23 years old and I looked in the mirror and I realized finally that it wasn't going to just "pass." I had done enough research to know that I had a chronic problem and it really scared me to think that I might have to spend the rest of my life going through what I had gone through for over the past ten years. I was literally at the lowest point in my life. Everyone around me, all my friends, all my classmates and coworkers, all had beautiful perfect skin. I shut myself out to the world. I didn't want to go out with my friends anymore because when I did, it hurt too much to see my friends get attention while I sat alone in a club or a bar wishing that someone would take interest in me.

One incident that hurt the most was one night when I was out with my friends at a club and a group of guys spotted us from across the club. They were looking and one of them started pointing and smiling at me. My friends noticed this and left to dance knowing that if I was alone maybe he would approach me. Well, he did. He came up to me and we started talking at the bar where I was sitting. I noticed as we started to talk that he didn't seem as interested in me as he was when we walked up. He had bought me a drink but now was being very quiet and was barely looking at me. After we finished our drinks, by the way he drank his down like he couldn't wait to get out of there, he stood up to leave and I asked him "well do you want to trade numbers or anything?" He said no thanks and walked away. Later one of my friends was pretty pissed about what had happened so she went up to one of his friends and asked him what happened. He obviously liked me so why didn't he want my number? The friend, a total asshole, told her "did you see that girl's skin? I'm sorry but my friend has standards."

I didn't want to go out after that and like I said I secluded myself from everything and most social activities. I realized that this thing was ruining my life, my self esteem was completely down the tubes and I needed to do something or else I was not going to be able to live another day with my face being the way that it was. Even makeup couldn't cover it up. I have told few people this, but there were some days I looked in the mirror and thought about suicide, thinking that it was the only way that I could end this.

I called my mother who is my best friend to this day and I told her about how the acne was bringing my life down. She said to look into some treatment, that she was willing to go anywhere and to pay anything to make this better for me. To make a long story short, I did some research on the internet and found a treatment that I had not yet tried. It was laser acne treatment. I'm not positive but I don't remember it being around or popular when I first started researching acne treatments a long time ago.

We found a nice facility in Seattle and set up an appointment to meet with a doctor. He was very realistic about the process, he explained that I should not get my hopes up, that this works in some cases very well and in other cases it is less successful, and he also explained to me all the risks. By this point I was so desperate that I would have done anything. I also liked and trusted the doctor and I agreed to the treatments. To make a long story short again, I'll just say that the laser treatments completely changed my life. It was the best thing that could have happened to me and I am literally a new person ever since my skin has been ridden of this awful thing that had haunted me for over a decade. My only regret is not finding out about it sooner, maybe I could have saved some years of my youth. Now I am 28 and I go out and I party with my friends, but also I am married. I met a great guy who has seen pictures of me BEFORE the treatments and he said that he would have liked me anyway, but there is nothing that could have given me the self-confidence to meet him or do all the things I am doing now were it not for the laser treatments.

I know that there are lots of treatments out there that work for different people, but I just wanted to share my story in case there was someone out there who had not heard of acne laser treatment or had not yet tried it, who also might feel like I felt, totally hopeless. Thanks for letting me share and I want to tell everyone suffering from this disease that there really is hope for you out there! Just do your research. If you do decide to go through with any treatment, make sure you research your doctor well and learn your facts. Best of luck. Sarah."

After submitting her story to me, and apologizing for it being so long (no worries, Sarah! :)) she wrote me wanting to add that her emphasis was on the problem of adult acne and she hoped to educate people that this isn't just a problem that teenagers go through. I think that she has done a good job, and I commend her for having the courage to share such a personal story. Again, I wish her and all acne sufferers (whether they are young or in their adult years) the best of luck and to remind them (as Sarah has) that there is hope no matter what your personal journey has been.

If anyone else would like to submit a personal story to be included in this blog, please leave a comment and post your story in there. If it works for the blog, I will post it (I can't promise anything as I have not been active on this blog too much lately and as the story must be relevant with what I'm trying to do with this blog). Please be advised that if you post a story in the comment section for me to post in the blog, I would like to edit any typos that may exist in the original. If you feel more comfortable emailing me your story, just post a comment saying that you would like to post a story (give me the gist of the story too, if possible), include your email address, and I will send you an email. Thanks. :)

It was around the 6th grade when my problem with acne started. It was bad--really bad--and I have the photos and scars to prove it. No matter what I tried--acne pads, acne ointment, special facial cleansers, masks--nothing seemed to work. Even my prescription oral medication--you know, those pills that require you to stay out of the sun--seemed to do little in terms of improvement. The worst part was that other kids in my class did not understand. They looked at me and thought it was simply the result of poor hygeine. One of the boys in my class straight-up told me, "Why don't you just wash your face?" It was so ironic and so sad; they actually believed that the solution was something as simple as "just washing my face" and that for some reason, I just hadn't tried that yet. Little did they know that I washed my face compulsively. When you have a problem like that, believe me, it's a lot more difficult to go on living with the social and emotional problems that bad skin causes than to just pick up a washcloth and a bar of soap.

The truth was, for me, it was hereditary, and no matter what I did in terms of keeping my face clean, I was destined to have the problem. Everyone on my father's side had suffered from this family plague: my father, my uncle, and his children had all gone (or were going) through the same thing. It was horrible that people could look at me and think that I was just too lazy to wash my face. Didn't they know that if it was that simple we would have already done it? The truth is, if you don't have an acne problem as an adolescent, you're going to naturally assume that it's the result of your doing something right. Which is not always the case. Yes, cleanliness certainly helps, but sometimes (if the problem is hereditary) there is no amount of cleanliness that is going to solve the problem.

So as I said, I'd tried everything--every method and every product--under the sun. I'd even quit drinking pop and eating certain foods that were rumored to cause acne. Nothing worked, so I just lived with it. Finally, a package came in the e-mail from one of my mother's friends. She had sent me a medication--an ointment--that they sold over-the-counter in Canada, but not in the U.S. The chemical was nothing I hadn't tried before--it was benzoyl peroxide (which is available OTC in lower strengths in the US)--but it was much stronger than anything I had yet been able to get my hands on. Thus, I was hopeful and eager to try it.

It wasn't long before the ointment (in possible combination with the prescription pills that I was on), cleared up my acne (and just in time for high school). Who knows if it was the medication I was on or if it was just timing? I do tend to think that it was too big of a coincidence to have not been the medication, and I am tremendously grateful for my mother's friend's efforts.

My acne problem never went away completely (even now as an adult I have the occasional break-out), but it was a HUGE improvement from the blemish-riddled face that I had worn for three long and agonizing years prior to high school. And finally, those same boys who had teased me and told me to "just wash my face" began to get acne as well. Their hormones finally starting to kick in, they finally developed acne problems as well, despite that they were washing their faces (while in the meantime, my face had cleared up). I'd be lying if I didn't say that I had been secretly waiting for that moment all along. Finally, they would understand that when you're a teenager, the solution isn't as simple as just washing your face. Hormones and heredity are much more powerful than most chemicals and cleansers, and while it would have been nice to turn back to them and say "Why don't you just wash your face?" I bit my tongue, for it was a new-found understanding for them, that went without saying.

by Rosa Dawson

How do we go about preventing acne? Well to be honest if you don't have acne then you're probably not too bothered about preventing it. How about looking for a cure first of all and then looking for ways to prevent it coming back in the future?

Although it's common now to believe that it is not diet that brings about acne ("chocolate has nothing to do with it" scream the experts) it's interesting to note that Eastern countries don't have acne epedemics to the extremes that we in the West are used to.

One thing is clear; acne is not caused by dirt. It is caused when the oil in our body is not metabolized efficiently and dead skin cells become sticky and block the pores of the skin. Bacteria then enters into the pores and causes infection and inflammation.

So what can be done to prevent this happening? It seems obvious to stay away from McDonald's and other junk foods, yet our bodies may still produce oil.

Hygiene helps to control it, yet acne is not caused by a lack of hygeine, it comes about because of bacteria already present in the skin. The only true combatant, it seems, is to use a multitude of acne prevention methods at the same time.

Zinc gluconate and some antibiotics administered orally are both effective in treating the inflammation of acne, while insulin is also reported to have worked in the same way. No big studies have been done on the latter though, so proceed cautiously with this one. Some doctors have even recommended birth control pills as having limited acne, then again some say that they can cause acne!

Research is now being done on the use of lasers for the prevention of acne. Lasers have been used to treat the scars left by really bad acne, and it has recently been discovered that the follicle sac from which the hair grows, as well as the sebaceous gland that produces oil, can be burned away by the use of lasers.

You may have heard of the N-Lite laser treatment. It was recently shown in a popular daytime TV show in the UK with a guest who claimed it was the only thing that had completely cured her. This led to widespread acclaim for N-Lite and hundreds of new clients for the company.

Naturally, since this TV appearance, many people have used their services with varying results.

The fact is that there is no one cure that will handle everybody's skin type. The only way to beat acne is to mix and match different treatments, internally, as well as on the skin's surface, until you find the one cure that works for you and you alone.


Author Bio

Rosa Dawson is an author on www.preventingacne.info a complete guide to acne cures, treatments and all the latest news for acne sufferers.


Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com

by Elaine Clay

Green tea is used by the Chinese as a traditional medicine to treat many ailments including acne and to improve general well-being. But does it provide an effective herbal alternative to modern medication?

The answer seems to be 'Yes'. There are only two herbal treatments that are known to be effective in treating acne and green tea is one of them.

In a recent study by Jennifer Gan-Wong, M.D. a green tea cream was trailed against a 4% benzoyl peroxide solution on people suffering with moderate to severe acne. The results from this research study showed that green tea was just as good in treating acne as the benzoyl peroxide.

But benzoyl peroxide dries out skin causing itching or allergic reactions. Unlike green tea that has the added advantages of natural anti-bacterial properties and antioxidants, particularly epigallocatechin gallate which is 200 times more powerful than vitamin E at fighting free radicals.

Green tea also helps to reduce inflammation, hormonal activity and aids in detoxification - which is all good news for acne sufferers.

Green tea extract is an extremely versatile herbal supplement - it can be administered topically, often being used in creams, taken as a in the form of a pill or incorporated into your diet and drunk as a tea.

This last method is very popular (Green Tea with Honeysuckle is often known as 'Pimple Tea' in many Chinatowns) when drunk after a meal it aids digestion and helps to detoxify your system, getting rid of the toxins that can cause acne. Tip: don't drink it with sugar, this will neutralize the worthwhile effects of the tea.

It seems that taking green tea for acne is a win-win situation... It has many beneficial properties which promote good all-round health with little or no known side effects and for the price, it's definitely a herbal treatment that's worth trying.

Author info:

Elaine Clay is the owner of Acne-Treatments-Online.com :: Get articles and information to help you find proven and effective acne solutions available online to treat and get rid of your condition safely and naturally. Feel free to use the above article on your web site or ezine. Provided that it is published in its entirety, including my resource box above and a "live" clickable link to: http://www.acne-treatments-online.com

by Adam Sharp

Acne Scarring can have serious effects on a person's self-image and emotional state. Fortunately there have been significant advances in the treatment of acne-related scarring in recent years. It is important to note that nothing will completely heal the majority of scars.

Laser Therapy

Using lasers to treat scars is a new technology, but is one of the most promising options for severe scarring. The lasers remove the scarred skin, and encourage growth of new skin in its place. After treatment, the skin will be pink and swollen for a week or so. During this time, bandages need to be kept over the skin to prevent infection. It takes months for the skin to return to normal, but most people will see less noticeable scars and smoother skin. Laser scar treatment can be quite expensive, however.

Surgical Therapy (Dermabrasion)

This form of scar treatment uses a motorized burr, which usually contains diamond particles. Diamonds are very strong abrasives when in a powder-form. A scab will form once the procedure is completed. Once the wound is healed, a smooth pink layer of new skin will appear. Multiple treatments are often necessary, and each one can cost $1500.

Creams and Gels

There are many topical treatments that claim to reduce the appearance of scars. Some contain Vitamin E and other nutrients. Mederma is a popular brand name. Many people report that it can improve scars in as little as 8 weeks for new scars, or 6 months for older scars. Results with topical ointments like this will vary from person to person.

Collagen Injection

This is a temporary fix, where the patient's own body fat or collagen is injected into the scar site. This works well for some people with deep-pitted scars. The material injected serves to raise the skin, and reduce the pitted appearance, and wrinkling from the scar. However, this procedure needs to be repeated every 6 months and can be expensive.

Author Bio

Adam Sharp writes about acne at his website, http://www.adult-acne.org.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com

If you have any experiences with acne products, cleansers, or acne in general--if you have struggled with and/or overcome acne--this is the place to tell your story. What has worked for you? What didn't work? What is your story? Do you have any tips or insights for those currently struggling with acne? Please feel free to share any and all experiences here.

On 2/25:

Accutane, also known as Amnesteen, Sotret, and Claravis, "is considered a highly effective treatment for severe and disfiguring acne. As many as 200,000 people use it each month," the FDA says. Yet because the drug has shown to cause fetal deaths and birth defects if taken by pregnant women, the FDA announced last Thursday that they are implementing a program which will prevent pregnant women from accidentally taking the drug: FDA to set limits on acne drug, despite complaints.


On 2/24:

DermaStyle is a new light pen that is giving creams and prescription treatments a run for their money. Yes you read that right--a pen. According to creators, if you shine the light on problem areas every day, you should start to see results in as little as a week. Believe it or not, this product is FDA approved. Read more: Zapping Zits with Light.