Adult Acne: A Bumpy Ride Towards Aging

by: Charlene J. Nuble

Picture this; the snow-white clear skin that you have been proud of since your teen years has suddenly poofed into a wicked witch's warty face upon reaching the age of 30! "Acne, at my age?" This is often the distressed statement of pockmarked men and women in their 30's to 40's afflicted with adult acne. This problem is surely not the work of a vengeful sorcerer. Acne vulgaris is what this most common skin disorder in the United States is scientifically called. Statistics has it that 15 million people in US alone are afflicted with acne. It is an embarrassing problem among teenagers. But this condition is not only limited to those awkward years. Adult acne is also prevalent, especially among people in the age group of 25 to 40. Acne is a disease that resulted from the accumulation of sebum, a highbrow term for oil, underneath the skin. When this happens and the desquamation (human's way of molting) process goes wrong, the pores become clogged. Aggravation will continue and soon infection sets in. A bad bug called Propionibacterium acnes causes this infection. Overproduction of oil and mismanagement of the process of shedding cells equals bunged pores. Clogged pores plus P. acnes, the scoundrel, equals breakout. Those pesky zits are produced just as easy as that. One of the pushing forces that may cause the occurrence of acne includes the elevation of levels of testosterone among adolescents. No, it's not Toblerone misspelled. No matter how many anecdotes you've heard about chocolate addiction causing zits to dominate your face, there's really no enough scientific basis to prove this. Testosterone is a chemical produced by the body that increase sebum production and change the keratin of the hair follicles. Testosterone is an androgen. Androgen is a hormone produced in high levels among males. This is the reason behind the worse cases of acne among teenage boys more than girls. Adult acne is called acne rosacea. It is characterized by the following: unsightly thick, red skin on the nose and cheeks, pus-filled blisters, small red bumps, and small red blood vessels seen on the skin surface. It is more commonly linked to increased levels of stress. Isn't it interesting how the body reacts to this stimulus? NOT. When exhausted, like Gizmo getting wet, our skin could actually give birth to little monsters! Though they are not as troublesome as gremlins, they could be just as annoying as well. Seriously, pimples can be difficult to deal with, and can cause depression and anxiety in an adult the same way it can in a teen. Pressure from work and family responsibilities is thought to possibly affect the normal balance of our hormones. And hormones messed up means having to put up with bumpy complexion caused by adult acne. Aside from stress-triggered hormonal imbalance, hot foods alcohol consumption, and smoking are also considered to exacerbate adult acne. This may help you reconsider your food preferences and habits. Acne lesions are commonly found on the face, but they can also pop out anytime on the neck, chest, back, shoulders, scalp, and upper arms and legs. Adult acne is more persistent than teen acne. It is because adults are consistently exposed to the many factors that cause breakouts. Another hitch of adult acne is permanent scarring. It is an evidence of the inevitable reality that with the coming of age, the skin loses its erstwhile ability to repair itself. As if there's a need to be reminded of that when your face starts to wrinkle already. Now here's more to shriek in terror for, especially those in their mid-20's: adult acne causes PREMATURE AGING. Isn't that just nerve-wracking? Enough of the endless yada's regarding how adult acne could further destroy us. As how master Yoda puts is, educated we must be with the crusade towards clearer AND younger skin. Or at least skin that is just our age we must maintain. At the first sight of those wicked pimples together with gray hair and wrinkles (talk about aging signs overkill), just like with teenagers, impulse dictates squeezing. But you very well know that squeezing is a big no-no. How old are you? You surely don't need any more marks of time's passage. In severe cases, consulting a dermatologist would best help in dealing with adult acne. The dermatologist may prescribe an antibiotic, vitamin A derivative like Isotretinoin or other acne drug available. More women may be afflicted with adult acne than men. Pregnancy is another story if you are prescribed anti-acnes, especially Isotretinoin. Proper skin care may not guarantee a flawless complexion. But a good skin care regimen may aid in warding off bacteria that worsen adult acne. If you love scrubbing for its squeaky-clean feel, think twice. It can render more damage to your already-blemished skin. Another hint especially for women: use NON-COMEDOGENIC products. Non-comedogenic basically means anything that does not clog skin pores or cause acne. Do your homework and look for as many non-comedogenic versions of the skin care products you use. It's worth it, you'll see. If stress is linked with adult acne, then, disengaging yourself from stressful activities might work wonders, right? A day away from work or catching up on one of your hobbies won't hurt. There's this bold Jean Kerr reacting on a classical quotation. "I'm tired of all this nonsense about beauty being only skin-deep. That's deep enough. What do you want, an adorable pancreas?" It doesn't mean the depreciation of a pleasing personality. Such reaction only imparts a message of giving value to what boosts your self-esteem. If it's a clear complexion along with your aging gracefully, so be it. No adult acne should put a shame on your face and get in your way of becoming more confident. About the Author: Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about acne, please go to: http://acne.besthealthlink.net/ or for updated links and information on all health related topics, go to: http://www.besthealthlink.net/ Source: www.isnare.com

What You Should Know About Acne

by: Amber Lowery

What You Should Know About Acne There are many different types of acne and with that come many theories, myths, and treatments. The exact cause of acne remains a mystery. Why some pores are affected by acne and others aren’t, is not known. Each case of acne is as complex as the individual battling it and a treatment that works on one person’s acne may not work on yours. Acne obviously has physical effects but it can also have psychological effects, especially in teens. Most teenagers already feel awkward and different, add acne to the equation and they are identifiably different. Most teenagers with acne tend to have lower self esteem, than their peers with clear skin, and are not involved in as many activities. Adult acne is on the rise and can also be very difficult to deal with. Due to the changes that our skin goes through as we mature, scarring is often worse in adults with acne than in teens with acne. Adults with acne are also less likely than teens to seek treatment for their acne, leaving them to suffer alone. Whether you are an adult with acne or a teenager with acne, your acne probably falls into one of a two main categories, inflammatory acne or non-inflammatory acne. If you have blackheads or whiteheads, or both, then you have non-inflammatory acne. Inflammatory acne can be a little harder to identify. Inflammatory acne is characterized by papules, pustules, and in more serious cases, nodules or cysts. Once you have determined which category your acne falls into, you can explore the treatment options for your acne. Keep in mind that even if you have tried several different acne treatments to no avail, there is always something else to try for your acne. There are new acne treatments coming up left and right and the next new acne treatment might be the one that goes directly to work attacking your acne and leaving you with the clear skin you’ve longed for. Amber Lowery is an online publisher and is responsible for maintaining a large network of health and beauty related sites. For more information on Acne, visit: http://www.acnehelp.info - the Acne Resource Portal. Comparisions of Acne treatments can be found here: http://www.acne-cure.us

Acne Treatment: 7 Things You Must Know!

by: Robin Araoz

Let me ask you this... Are you suffering from acne? Do you know what is causing it and is there any effective acne treatment? Studies show that an estimated 80 % percent of people experience acne at some point. No one knows exactly what the cause of acne is, but there are a few theories. Let´s take a look at 7 of them: 1. Acne normally begins between the ages of eleven and thirteen. This is true in both males and females due to changes in hormone levels. These hormones, called androgens, will enlarge the facial glands. The oil produced by the glands is known as sebum. The hair follicles shed dead cells too quickly and the cells and sebum form a blockage in the gland. 2. Pressure and rubbing from tight garments. Adult with acne should avoid tight-collared shirts that might irritate the acne further. Adult athletes may notice an outbreak of acne from equipment such as backpacks or athletic helmets. 3. Acne can also be caused by genetics. Studies have shown that a family history of acne can affect whether you have acne and the severity of it. So if your mother or father had acne as a teen, chances are that it will be a contributory factor to the cause of your acne. 4. Factors linked to women Women have several factors that men don’t that can be linked to the cause of acne. Women go through several phases of life that cause their hormone levels to change. These changes can cause acne in adult women between two and seven days before their menstrual cycle. 5. Pregnancy and hormones Pregnant women also experience a fluctuation in hormones. Those who may have previously had little or no acne may see pimples during their pregnancy and for a time after the birth of the baby until the hormone levels return to normal. 6. Menopause and hormones Menopause will cause changes in hormone levels for woman and can be a cause of acne. Women also tend to wear heavy makeup when experience an acne outbreak, which only worsens the problem by further clogging pores. 7.Stress. Especially in adults, stress can be another cause of acne. When you are stressed, the hormone cortisol is produced. Cortisol will worsen any acne you already have. To prevent stress-related acne, try relaxation and meditation. Some adults experience acne from picking at blemishes on their skin. You should never pick at or squeeze a pimple, blackhead or any other blemish on your face. This can only cause more acne and possibly an infection. When cleaning your face, avoid harsh facial cleansers(they cause the creation of more sebum) and scrubbing your face too vigorously. Acne treatments The sad part is that most of the acne products are sold over the counter for treatment. Most over-the-counter acne treatments are topical and come in the form of a cream, soap, lotion or gel. Acne products normally contain benzoyl peroxide (good for killing the bacteria and possibly reducing oil production), sulfur (helps eliminate blackheads and whiteheads) and/or salicylic acid (cuts down the speed of cell lose). More severe cases may require prescription acne medicine that is topical or oral. Oral acne medication can help reduce both the growth of the bacteria and inflammation of glands. Robin Araoz makes a short review about Chris Gibson´s natural acne treatment. Find out how thousands of people have cured their acne in 3 days. Please visit: http://www.acnetreatmentonline.biz

Birth Control Pill for Acne

by: Rodel Garcia

There are quite a few prescription medications used to combat acne, but one of the most frequent choices for women is the use of a birth control pill for acne. This approach can be used with teenagers as well as adult women, but if you're a guy, you are out of luck. Using the birth control pill for acne on a man is a recipe for disaster. The female hormones would wreak havoc on a man's system. For women though, the birth control pill for acne can be a minor miracle. And if your acne is severe enough to require use of the most dangerous acne drug, birth control is an absolute necessity. You will not be able to take the risky drug without also using the birth control pill for acne. Why does using the birth control pill for acne work? Teen girls and women often experience outbreaks of acne just before their menstrual periods. This is especially true with teens because their hormones are often surging out of whack and haven't settled into a more even production yet. The birth control pill for acne works by evening out those hormonal surges. When a woman's hormones are regulated by using the birth control pill for acne, they often find the breakouts lessen in both frequency and severity. Is taking birth control pills for acne right for you? The hormones estrogen, progestin and testosterone can be wildly unstable in the first few years after a girl enters puberty. The fluctuating levels of these hormones can really irritate the acne nearly all teens are prone to suffer. For girls experiencing moderate or worse breakouts, and the embarrassment that comes with them, using birth control pills for acne can be a miracle. Not only do their systems calm down, the breakouts become milder. Adult women often appreciate the clearer skin that comes with the pill, even though they weren't using birth control pills for acne in the first place. If you are suffering severe acne problems, your doctor may choose to put you on very effective medication called isotretinoin. This drug, sold under the name Accutane, is very powerful, highly effective and absolutely not to be used during pregnancy. This is where birth control pills for acne are most often prescribed. Accutane can cause such damage to a fetus that if a doctor prescribes it for you, he is required by law to make sure you have two negative pregnancy tests no more than a week before you start taking the drug. You have to be using birth control, so most doctors prescribe birth control pills for acne as well, and you must have a negative pregnancy test before each month's refill of Accutane. These regulations have been in place for some time, but because pregnancies while on isotretinoin are still happening, new federal regulations have been added. If you take the drug, you are required to sign into a national database so doctors, pharmacists and the government can track users of the drug and make sure all the anti-pregnancy precautions are being taken, including birth control pills for acne and a second form of birth control. What are the side effects to taking birth control pills for acne? If your doctor prescribes birth control pills for acne and you take the correct dosage, using the medication according to instructions, then the side effects are very minimal. The standard but generally low risks of birth control pills for acne or other uses include weight gain, nausea, irregular or breakthrough (during the month) bleeding. In very rare cases, this medication can cause problems with blood pressure, blood clots and perhaps even heart attacks or strokes. One important thing to know about taking birth control pills for acne is that if your doctor also prescribes antibiotics, and you're using the pill for pregnancy protection as well, you'll want to add a backup method of birth control. The birth control pill for acne will still help manage your skin, but can fail to protect you from pregnancy while you're also on antibiotics. About the Author Rodel Garcia was an acne sufferer one time in my life. WebAuthor of these websites and hoping in my own little way help the acne sufferers cure their acne.. Acne SCAR Products and Reviews Acne Products and Reviews

Acne Skin Care Tips that Work

by: Mike Spencer

How should people go about acne skin care? This article enumerates some basic guidelines to go by. For example, you should clean your skin gently, avoid frequent handling of the skin, avoid sun tanning, and lastly, women should choose their cosmetics carefully and men must shave carefully for good acne skin care. People with acne may try to stop outbreaks and oil production by scrubbing their skin and using strong detergent soaps. However, scrubbing will not help acne skin care; in fact, it can make the problem worse. Most doctors recommend that people with acne gently wash their skin with a mild cleanser for acne skin care, once in the morning and once in the evening. Patients should ask their doctor or another health professional for advice on the best type of cleanser to use for acne skin care. Acne skin care also means washing your skin after heavy exercise. Patients should wash their face from under the jaw to the hairline; rough scrubs or pads should not be used. It is important that patients thoroughly rinse their skin after washing it. Astringents are not recommended for acne skin care unless the skin is very oily, and then they should be used only on oily spots. Doctors also recommend that patients regularly shampoo their hair as part of acne skin care. Those with oily hair may want to shampoo it every day for proper acne skin care. People who squeeze, pinch, or pick their blemishes risk developing scars. Acne lesions can form in areas where pressure is frequently applied to the skin. Frequent rubbing and touching of skin lesions should be avoided if you take your acne skin care seriously. Men who shave and who have acne can try electric and safety razors to see which is more comfortable for acne skin care. Men who use a safety razor should use a sharp blade and soften their beard thoroughly with soap and water before applying shaving cream. Nicking blemishes can be avoided by shaving lightly and only when necessary. A suntan or sunburn that reddens the skin can make blemishes less visible and make the skin feel drier for a little while. But the benefits are only temporary and cannot take the place of proper acne skin care. The sun can seriously damage skin, promote aging of skin, and cause skin cancer. Furthermore, many of the medications used to treat acne make a person more prone to sunburn. People being treated for acne often need to change some of the cosmetics they use. Acne skin care demands that all cosmetics, such as foundation, blush, eye shadow, and moisturizers, should be oil free. Patients may find it difficult to apply foundation evenly during the first few weeks of treatment because skin may be red or scaly, particularly with the use of topical tretinoin or benzoyl peroxide. Lip products that contain moisturizers may cause small, open and closed comedones to form. Hairstyling products that come in contact with the skin along the hairline can cause burning or stinging in people with acne. Acne skin care products that are labeled as noncomedogenic (do not promote the formation of blemishes) should be used for acne skin care; in some people, however, even these products may cause acne. Mike Spencer is committed to helping people promote and protect their health, and has been doing so for many years. Here Mike talks about some help tips and techniques to combat acne. Read more about Mike’s Acne Prevention Tips here Acne Prevention Tips Mike Spencer http://www.acne-products-reviewed.com http://www.best-buy-acne-treatments-that-work.com Acne Skin Care Tips that Work

The Search for Acne Solutions

by: GSET Publishing

Billions of dollars are spent worldwide each year in search of acne solutions. Both consumers and pharmaceutical companies alike are spending the money to find an acne solution that works. Unfortunately, for many, the search is never ending. In most cases of teenage acne, the person will outgrow the acne before they actually find a solution for curing it - but they will spend quite a bit of money looking for that cure. What many people fail to realize is that in many cases, it takes more than medication to cure acne. It may also require some lifestyle changes, such as the foods you eat, the way you care for your skin, and what you expose your skin to. For instance, if a food allergy is causing your acne - and this is very possible - you can use medication to clear up the outbreak, but once you eat that food again, you will have another outbreak. In addition to using acne solutions, you also have to keep your skin clean. You must wash your face at least twice a day to remove the dirt that clogs pores. If you live in an area that has a lot of air pollution, you may even need to wash your face more often. You must also keep your hair off your face. Hair contains oils that cause acne. You should keep your hands off your face as well, since your hands and fingers also contain oils that cause or aggravate acne. Popping or squeezing acne pimples should also be avoided. Not only does this cause scarring, but it can also spread the bacterium that contributes to acne breakouts, making the current breakout worse, and even causing new breakouts in the near future. Using makeup is another problem. Daily use of makeup is bad enough, but when makeup is used to cover up acne pimples, the pimples heal slower, because the pores become even more clogged. Try to avoid wearing makeup, but if you must wear it, choose makeup that is hypoallergenic, or for sensitive skin. Also, avoid products that contain perfumes. When using acne solutions, make sure that you follow the directions. Overuse of the product can cause as many problems as under use of the product. Follow the directions to the letter, unless your doctor or dermatologist advises otherwise. The best acne solutions will contain both topical treatment, as well as oral treatment. Acne starts on the inside of the body, but it is prevented and healed on both the inside and outside of the body. Talk with your doctor or dermatologist to find the best acne solution for your condition. Make sure that you are aware of all of the potential side effects before deciding to use any type of treatment. Furthermore, make sure that you are giving the acne solution you are trying time to work. That is the biggest reason for failure with acne solutions. Some treatments can take up to three months before they prove to be effective. Acne cannot be cured overnight, in most cases. Don’t mix acne treatments. Don’t use one product one day, then another the next day. Stick to one form of treatment, and give it time to work. Keep in mind that those acne solutions that work for one person will probably not work for the next person. What worked for your mother, brother, or best friend may or may not work for you. We all have different skin types, and different chemical makeup’s - and we all respond differently to medication and acne treatments. Work to find what works for you and your acne. It is possible to find acne solutions that work for you. You just can’t depend solely on the acne treatment to cure or prevent acne, without making other lifestyle changes, even though those lifestyle changes are very small. You must be consistent in order to be successful. The biggest change you may need to make might be in the foods that you eat. A good allergy specialist can determine what foods may be causing your acne breakouts, and eliminating those foods from your diet will go along way towards helping your acne solution work for you. About the Author Acneteam.com strives to provide you with the latest information with regard to acne, the best acne treatments, the "old wives' tales" and info about acne solutions (http://www.acneteam.com/acne-solutions.html). Don't blame the blemishes, we love to help! See for yourself at: AcneTeam.com(http://www.acneteam.com/)

Herbal Acne Pills - Natural Acne Remedies The Clear Acne - F

by: Danna Schneider

Remember the angst ridden acne years of your youth? Or perhaps you are still a youth. By youth, I mean either adolescent or teenaged. So many people today suffer from teenage and adult acne. The effect acne has on your self esteem can be devastating, especially at a young age, when appearance seems so important, and people can be cruel. The nutraceutical acne pill is now changing that scenario for many teenagers, and is also helping many people suffering with acne into adulthood to permanently clear acne. There are some excellent, and fairly new acne pills that actually clear acne through precise combinations of herbal compounds and pure, natural ingredients. These acne pills have been used as very successful, and often times permanent, remedies to clear acne on both adults and adolescents. How do acne pills work? Acne pills actually work by correcting the hormonal and chemical imbalances in the body that lead to acne flareups, persistent acne, and the more severe form, cystic acne. People suffering from cystic acne can really benefit from a natural acne pill, since they are designed to treat acne at it's source, from the inside of the body, rather than topically. Cystic acne sufferers really tend to have hormonal issues, which acne pills address by "calming", soothing and balancing. Some of the common ingredients in these complexion-clearing acne pills are actually known in herbal communities for their skin soothing and "calming" properties, and have commonly been used to treat various skin disorders in the past. Natural acne pills actually blend several of these ingredients together in precise combinations to effectively clear acne permanently, or with very little follow up treatment. Let's look at some of the common skin clearing and therapeutic herbs and compounds that are found in an acne pill. First, vitamin E is a common ingredient. Vitamin E has been used as a skin soothing and repairing agent for decades. Vitamin E actually will help smooth rough skin when taken in the proper dosages, and actually helps facilitate the clearing of acne in combination with other ingredients. A second common ingredient in the acne pill is aloe vera. Aloe vera actually has many of the same skin soothing properties and advantages as vitamin E. I'm sure you've used aloe vera at least a couple times to treat sunburn or irritated skin. Aloe vera seemed to be a staple in everyone's home growing up for it's skin repairing benefits. Two more ingredients you may find in an acne pill are alpha lipoic acid and collagen, both of which are actually beneficial for both aging skin and skin suffering from disorders such as acne or acne rosacea. Alpha lipoic acid is gaining a lot of recognition in recent years, especially with the publication and advocation of popular cosmetic dermatologist Nicholas Perricone in his book The Perricone Prescription and other popular follow up books on how to stop and reverse the aging process of the skin. Other skin cleansing, purifying and balancing ingredients botanicals found in the acne pill are chamomile, rosemary, rose essential oil, and horsetail, all traditionally used to clear, tone and purify the skin for the most blemish-free complexion possible, even back as far as the early 1800's. The bottom line is, I highly recommend investing in either a natural acne system that combines topical treatment with an oral acne pill or just investing in a natural acne pill that is high in purity standards and has a good track record of customer satisfaction. These treatments have proven to be just as effective as many of the often long-term and sometimes harmful treatments dermatologists prescribe. Not only that, you can order them from the comfort of your own home, and don't need to be burdened by dermatologist visits, or repetitive costs. It is truly one of the best investments you can make in your skin! About the Author: Danna Schneider is the webmaster and founder of CosmeticsGalore.com http://www.cosmeticsgalore.com, a natural cosmetic enhancement and cosmetic correction product review site that offers acne, rosacea and breast enhancement (among others) products reviews, testimonials, and honest information about the latest in cosmeceutical and nutraceutical technology. Source: www.isnare.com

What is acne - and how to prevent it

by: Mike Spencer

Have you ever had acne? Chances are that you have had or are still having acne. Teens are primarily the ones cursed with at least with a mild form of acne. But what is acne? Acne, also known as acne vulgaris, occurs when oil and dead skin cells form a plug and clog your follicles or pores. Eighty-five percent of teenagers have had at least a mild form of acne. During puberty increased hormone levels cause an increase in oil production. This increased oil can then combine with dead skin cells and cause acne. Acne does not discriminate though as some adults, especially women, have intermittent acne all their lives.What is acne symptoms going to look like to most people? You will most likely notice an outbreak of whiteheads, blackheads or pimples. These can occur on your face, back, shoulders, or chest. Whiteheads and blackheads are clogged pores, while pimples have a bacteria build-up under the clogged pores. Large and deep pimples are called cystic lesions and can be quite painful and create scarring.What is acne treatments going to consist of? Acne treatments depend upon the severity of the acne. The goal is to reduce or eliminate acne outbreaks and reduce any scarring that may occur with an acne outbreak. The first method of treatment to begin with is cleansing with a mild soap and warm water and using benzoyl peroxide. This often controls and prevents mild acne.If this does not reduce or eliminate the acne outbreaks, you will need to consult a physician to try more aggressive treatments. The physician may prescribe antibiotics combined with topical benzoyl peroxide. This increases the effectiveness of your treatment. If there is still no improvement and the acne is severe, the physician may recommend Accutane as a last resort. Accutane has rare but serious side effects and is very expensive. A new treatment available is Light Wave Therapy. This treatment was recently approved by the FDA and is helpful in reducing and eliminating mild to moderate acne that has not been responsive to other treatments.What is acne reducing things that you can do to help reduced your symptoms or outbreaks? Things you can do to help reduce your acne symptoms are cleansing your face twice daily using a mild soap and warm water. Use your clean, bare hands to wash your face rather than a washcloth. Vigorous rubbing of your skin will only make your acne worse. Follow your Doctor's directions fully. This will help to ensure that your acne is reduced or eliminated.What is acne? Acne is a condition that can cause moderate to severe embarrassment and self-esteem problems, as well as depression. If your acne is not responding to treatment then seek out a treatment that works for you or your skin.Mike Spencer is committed to helping people promote and protect their health. Here Mike talks about some useful tips and techniques to combat acne. Read more about Mike's Acne Prevention Tips here http://www.best-acne-treatment-solutions.com/whatisacne.html Mike Spencer http://www.acne-treatment-reviews-online.com http://www.best-buy-acne-treatments-that-work.com

How To Alleviate Your Acne Problem

by: Charlene J. Nuble

Acne brings huge problems to teenagers. Teenagers who have acne feel isolated, ugly, and insecure. Who wouldn't when everywhere you look, only clear skinned people are put on the pedestal. You tried every acne product out in the market but nothing seems to work. At this point, you feel that your social life is doomed but fret not because acne won't stay forever if you take the proper actions early. First step to take is to understand what acne really is and from there you can take the necessary actions in curing or at least reducing your acne problem. Acne is the term for plugged pores (whiteheads and blackheads), pimples, and deeper lumps (nodules) that happens in the face, neck, chest, back and upper arms. Acne is caused by build up of excess oil and dead skin in a pore. The causes of this are natural hormones, clogged skin and bacteria. The onset of acne happens between the ages of twelve to seventeen. Almost all teenagers had acne. Many of them used non-prescription treatments to alleviate acne but more than 40% of teenagers in their mid-teens have severe acne cases. Normally, it goes away in the early twenties. Then again, there are many cases wherein acne starts or continues into adulthood. It is interesting to note though that young men who are more likely to have severe acne, don't consult dermatologists as much as young women do. But then again, young women are more likely to have irregular acne due to hormonal changes during menstrual cycle or due to the cosmetic products they use. This kind of acne may afflict women even into adulthood. The ultimate question now is how do you reduce acne? Knowing the facts that debunk the myths and misconceptions about acne may help you alleviate your acne problem. Myth 1: Acne is caused by poor hygiene. This may be true if you don't wash your face at all. But if you resort to frequent and vigorous washing, it will definitely cause scarring which will worsen acne. The best approach is to gently wash face twice a day with mild soap and use appropriate acne treatment after. Myth 2: Acne is caused by diet. Scientific studies debunked this having found that there is no connection between food and acne. Myth 3: Acne is caused by stress. Stressors are not important factors in acne. Only severe stress that needs medication can cause acne as side effects. Myth 4: Acne is just a cosmetic disease. Acne does affect how people look but there's no serious threat to physical health. However, acne can result to serious scarring which can affect how these people live their lives. Myth 5: You just have to let acne run its course. The truth is, acne can be cleared up using acne products available in the market today. If they don't work for you, then try seeing a dermatologist. According to Thiboutot (2000), cure of acne lies in knowing three things: * That resolution to cure acne takes time; * That what works for one may not work for another; * and that a dermatologist's help may be needed if all actions you take to cure your acne fail. Remember that acne responds well to early treatment. So to prevent scarring have your acne treated as soon as acne starts showing up on your face. ------------------------- Note: This article may be freely reproduced as long as the AUTHOR'S resource box at the bottom of this article is included and and all links must be Active/Linkable with no syntax changes. ------------------------- ©Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about acne, please go to: http://acne.besthealthlink.net/ or for updated links and information on all health related topics, go to: http://www.besthealthlink.net/

Why Don't Acne Cures Work?

by: GSET Publishing

Quite a bit of money can be spent searching for acne cures that work. There are so many products available, that it is hard to know which one’s to try. You try one product, only to be disappointed, and then spend a lot of money on another system that claims it will cure your acne, only to be disappointed again. It seems to be a never ending cycle of looking for a cure, thinking you’ve found an acne cure, then being disappointed all over again. The biggest problem is that people don’t give the acne cures enough time to actually work, switching from one product to the next on a weekly basis. It can take up to three months for an acne treatment to cure your acne, and you may even notice that your acne appears to be getting worse before it starts to get better. Failure to follow the product directions is another common problem. Using too much of the acne medication can be just as much of a problem as not using it enough, causing your skin to become irritated. The problem may not be the acne cures. Too often, people depend solely on the acne medication to cure acne, when in fact other lifestyle changes are needed. In many cases, medicinal acne treatments are not even required if you find that something else in your life is causing the acne. Most people don’t think in terms of what is causing the acne in the first place, concentrating solely on curing the existing acne. But, in order to cure it for good, you must first determine what is causing it. Then, you will have your acne cure. Science has shown us that acne is caused by excessive sebum production. With that proven, it is up to you, and possibly your health care provider, to determine exactly what is causing your body to produce excess sebum. Other than the medication, you have to look at how you care for your skin. You must wash your face well at least twice each day, stop wearing makeup - which only serves to clog your pores even more, drink plenty of water, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, and exercise at least three times a week. Many people don’t realize it, but exercise relieves stress and helps remove toxins from the body through sweat. Both stress and toxins contribute to acne, which is why exercising regularly can actually be an acne cure for you. Furthermore, you must keep your hair and your hands off your face. Hair and hands contain oils that contribute to acne. Squeezing or popping acne pimples is another problem, because it spreads the bacteria, and often causes scarring as well. You may have a food allergy that is causing your acne. If this is the case, a visit to an allergy specialist, determining what foods you are allergic to, and eliminating those foods from your diet will cure your acne in most cases. Many people don’t realize that they have food allergies, although most of us actually do, and in many cases, the only symptom that there is an allergy is, in fact, an acne breakout! Making simple lifestyle changes may be the best acne cure available to you, and you may be pleasantly surprised at the results - especially considering how small the changes are. You should also increase your intake of vitamins A and E, as both of the vitamins promote healthy skin. You can take supplements, or eat foods that are rich in one or both of these vitamins. This small change can also help to cure or prevent acne. However, if making these small lifestyle changes, and using over the counter acne treatments does not provide an acne cure for you, it may be necessary for you to visit a dermatologist to determine what will work. There are many different treatments available that have proven to be effective acne cures. While most of the acne cures your dermatologist will recommend can be expensive, they are usually well worth the cost. Again, make sure that you give the treatment time to work, and follow the directions of your dermatologist for use of the medication. About the Author Acneteam.com strives to provide you with the latest information with regard to acne, the best acne treatments, the "old wives' tales" and acne cures(http://www.acneteam.com/acne-cures.html). Don't blame the blemishes, we love to help! See for yourself at: AcneTeam.com(http://www.acneteam.com/)

Adult Acne Treatment – To Treat a Condition That No-One Talk

by: Peter Crump

Acne is the most common skin complaint in the world. And it is not restricted to teenagers. Adult acne is a common but rarely discussed complaint that is thought to affect around 25% of adult men and up to 50% of adult women at some time in their adult lives. And adult acne treatment is often sought although the cause, namely the existence of the acne, is rarely talked about. Adult acne treatment is very common. As with other types of acne including teenage acne, the exact causes of adult acne remain unknown, but are thought to relate to changes or imbalances in our body’s hormones. It is suspected that these hormonal changes at various times in our lives lead to increases in the amount of oil in our skin which in turn leads to clogged pores or hair follicles in the skin. This results in waste matter building up under the surface of the skin which becomes infected by bacteria and produced the well known spots suffered by adult acne sufferers or acne sufferers in general causing the need for the search for an effective adult acne treatment. There are a number of times in our lives when our hormones are more likely to get out of balance and these correspond with times of higher likelihood of experiencing acne. The obvious and most well known one is in our teenage years. However it is perfectly possible to suffer adult acne well into the later and even middle aged years necessitating adult acne treatment. It is thought that adult acne in women is more common because of the reproduction cycles a woman goes through such as menstruation, pregnancy, child birth and menopause. And in some cases hormonal products such as the pill can be used by doctors as a very effective adult acne treatment to produce some hormonal changes which can have positive results on the womans adult acne. In fact this can be the best treatment for adult acne of this nature. Normally though, adult acne does not result in a total face breakout as teenage acne can do, so can be more easily controlled by some form of masking such as makeup which negates the need for adult acne treatments. There may be spots, but not so likely to be thousands of them. The only real reason for an adult acne treatment, or any acne treatment at any age, is cosmetic. And so where a cosmetic effect can be achieved by other means the need for a treatment is removed. There are thought to be external factors which also contribute to adult acne, amongst them are stress, cosmetics and diet. Unfortunately none of these is sufficiently understood either so it is hard to get some hard and fast rules about what not to do and what to do. One thing that is known though, acne is not caused by eating too much chocolate as was sometimes said to be the case. Cheese is ruled out too. The remedies for adult acne are the same for other acne. First see your doctor to check it’s normal acne and not something more serious. Next try out some of the very good adult acne treatments on the market which may control your adult acne. These adult acne treatments are, in fact, the same treatments used for our teenagers. Not every product will work for everyone so find the one which works for you and then stick to it. Keep using it until you body decides it’s time to stop the acne. A few other suggestions which may work, or may do nothing. Wash your face gently and regularly, but don’t scrub. Keep your diet healthy and follow normal good dietary practices. Keep your hair well washed, especially if it’s oily, and keep it off your face. And avoid makeup or too much makeup. And try and avoid squeezing them. It’s not established whether squeezing is damaging or not, but avoid it if you can. So, if you have adult acne and are wondering about what you do about finding a good adult acne treatment, you’re in good company. About the author: Find out more about Acne at Peter’s website http://www.acne-all-gone.com/as well as Acne cures and adult acne, acne skin care products, the best acne treatments and more.

Which are the best acne treatments? It depends.

by: Peter Crump

I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news but it’s not as simple as just listing the best acne treatments. That’s not because there’s no good acne treatments available, quite the opposite in fact, it’s just that there’s a few steps to take before deciding which are the best acne treatments for your acne. Not everyone has the same acne problem and so the best acne cures for one person may not be the best acne cures for another. Acne attacks different people differently. For some, it’s just a mild attack which will be managed quite satisfactorily with some simple facial cleansing routines. No more required. No need to search out any acne treatments, certainly no need to investigate the best acne treatments. For others acne can be a serious problem indeed. Acne can be serious enough to produce scars which, if left untreated, can be emotionally and psychologically distressing. These people certainly need active acne intervention, and the best acne treatments available. How do you know which category you are in? Consult your doctor. It’s not always easy to know whether your acne is a simple passing phase which can be easily controlled, or something which needs serious intervention before it’s too late. And your doctor will tell you the best acne treatments for your individual needs. The best acne treatments for YOU. And not all acne medications work the same way for everybody. The best acne medications for some people may not work at all for others. This is just the way it is, that’s not restricted to acne medications. So, often, finding the best acne treatments can be a difficult process. The most highly recommended treatment may not work at all for you, but work well with your best friend. That’s life, you need to move on to try another one until you find the best acne medication that works for you. And remember that acne isn’t a condition that is cured by a simple application of an acne medication. Acne isn’t cured, it’s controlled, it’s managed. Acne decides for itself when it is finished. Up to then you need to be active in managing it. Once you body says “enough” then it’s over. So the best acne treatments are treatments which need to be continued as necessary. Don’t expect to just apply a treatment and “hey presto” no more acne. Sorry, it’s not that simple. And adult acne? Which are the best treatments for adult acne? Same answer. It depends. The best treatments for adult acne are the same as the best acne treatments for teenagers. They are the treatments that work for you. After you have seen your doctor, had your acne checked out, tried one or more until you find the one that works, and then settled on that one. Then you’ve found YOUR best acne cure. And, one final suggestion, don’t buy a suggested acne cure, apply it for a week and expect that your acne will be gone. It’s not that easy. Apply the product for at least 2 or 3 months, or longer as recommended, before you make any judgements. Acne takes a long time to develop, and a long time to control. Even the best acne treatments on the market take quite a while to work. And remember to apply them exactly as recommended. So, in closing, what are the best acne treatments? See you doctor, then test and try until you find the one for you. Most of them work for some, and none of them work for everyone. About the Author Find out more about Acne as well as Acne Cures and adult acne, acne skin care products, the best acne treatments and more at Peter’s website, Acne All Gone.

The First Step To Curing Acne

by: Naweko San-Joyz

The first step to curing acne is knowing what type of acne you have. This information gives you precious insight to what may have actually triggered the acne outset. Once you know your acne trigger, you are one step closer to removing the acne activator and living acne free. There are numerous types of acne, which could explain why it is so cumbersome if not seemingly impossible for the acne sufferer to find a cure. Looking at the list below, you may be surprised discover that you acne is not caused by stress, but your new bottle of designer perfume. ·Adult Acne Sudden onset, or continuation of acne, during adulthood. The cause may be hormone imbalances, stress, pollution or medications. Studies have shown a direct link between hormone imbalances and the onset of acne in women ages 30 to 40 years old. Acne cosmetic This form may be rare but is triggered by use of cosmetics with acne aggravating ingredients such as lanolins, isopropyl mysristate and some pigments. Acne conglobata Severe hereditary acne that can cause scarring on the face and back. Acne detergens Acne resulting from abrasive cleansers. Acne excoriée (Mirror Addict Acne)- Psychosomatic disease caused by constant picking of the face and/or body. Acne fulminans (Too Much Testosterone Acne) Acute and severe form of acne accompanied by symptoms like fever and joint pain. This acne is common among males. Traits include: abrupt onset of acne, inflammatory and ulcerated nodular acne on the chest and back, severe acne scarring, fluctuating fever, painful joints, loss of appetite or weight, and high white blood cell count. This acne is caused by use of testosterone, used legally or illegally to enhance muscle growth. Over the counter treatments or not effective. If you don’t need the extra testosterone for your health, don’t take it. Acne keloidalis This acne occurs with people of African descent. It is characterized by firm papules and pustules at the nape of the neck. Acne mallorca Acne caused by sunbathing. Acne mechanica Acne provoked by mechanical irritation such as tight, restricting cloths or straps. Acne medicamentosa (Drug Induced Acne) Acne brought on by medications. Common culprits include phenytoin (Dilantin), isoniazid, lithium, bromides, iodides, androgens and corticosteroids. Lithium worsens acne vulgaris and can bring on acne in persons who have never experienced acne. Oral contraceptives containing norgestrel or norethindrone may also induce or worsen acne. Over the counter drugs containing potassium iodide, bromide (cold remedies) and chlorine (chloral hydrate) may cause acne with very small pustules. Acne neonatorum Infant acne triggered by hormones from the mother transferred to the newborn. This acne usually disappears without treatment. Acne pomade Acne occurring with persons who use pomades or thick oils daily on their hair. This oil travels from the hair to the forehead where it clogs pores and creates acne lesions. Avoiding touching the face with oiled hands and limiting use of synthetic oils on the hairs usually remedies pomade acne. Chloracne Acne created by constant exposure to hydrocarbons in motor oil and insecticides. Imaginary acne Imagining acne when there is actually no acne. Pitch acne Lesions created by coal tars or dandruff tar shampoos. Premenstrual acne Acne provoked by hormonal changes prior to menstruation. Steroid acne Inflammation of hair follicles caused by internal steroids or from topical corticosteroids on the face. Steroid induced acne appears as red papules and pustules concentrated in the area where the steroid was applied. Steroids thin the outer layer of the skin and make the hair follicles more susceptible to rupture. Lesions usually leave after steroid use ends. Tropical acne Acne experienced by some World War II soldiers in the tropics who developed severe acne with horrible scarring. About the author: Health author and Stanford University graduate Naweko San-Joyz lovingly writes from her home in San Diego. Her works include “Acne Messages: Crack the code of your zits and say goodbye to acne” (ISBN: 0974912204) and the upcoming work “Skinny Fat Chicks, Why we’re still not getting this dieting thing” (ISBN: 0974912212) for release in June of 2005. For useful acne self-help articles visit http://www.Noixia.com

Causes and effects of acne – understand your acne treatment

by: MR

There are several acne care treatment methods that work well and are not very time consuming or expensive. Such techniques would be the treatment with alpha hydroxy acid or several forms of chemical peels that can do wonders for zit treatments. These methods of getting rid of acne are proven and effective and many cases of patients suffering from aggravated pimple irritation found these to be the perfect acne treatment. In the following article we will look closely at the above-mentioned acne care treatment methods and help you decide which technique will work best for your pimple problems. Acne Care Treatment The causes of acne are tied to the changes that happen when a child passes from infancy to puberty. Many persons still believe that acne is caused by dirty skin. The truth is, instead, is that to only wash the skin does not make acne disappear, nor does it prevent it. Adult acne treatment methods works just like those addressed to other age groups. To wash the skin, however, helps to remove the excess of sebum and the dead cells of the skin, and adults should be aware of this as well. Many persons use every type of product, including alcoholic detergents and exfoliant creams, often irritating the skin more than clearing it! Adult acne treatment approaches should also consider the social and psychological effects of adult acne. To wash the face two times a day, in a delicate way with water and a delicate detergent, is the best choice. However, acne is caused from a complex array of biological factors that cannot be eliminated just by washing. For this reason, it is necessary to begin a serious adult acne treatment focused on the problem of acne. Adult acne treatment – myths and facts In some cases, acne also persists in the adult age. This type of acne, generally, hits the skin of the face, but also the one of the body, and men are more exposed then women. Adult acne treatment for women takes into account the fact that the appearance of this type of acne is parallel to the menstrual cycle. In other cases, the acne is introduced randomly in the adult age: this type of acne plagues men and women alike. Acne is not caused by food, but some food items do have the potential to irritate the skin. To follow a tight diet will not recover your skin. While some think that their problem of acne is aggravated from the foods they consume (like the chocolate, drinks, fat oysters and foods), there are no scientific tests that demonstrate this being true. However it is not a mistake to avoid the fatter foods, but a focused and well-applied adult acne treatment is also necessary in order to get rid of this annoying condition. There are several ways to eliminate zits in adulthood. The most successful acne treatment methods may include acne blemish laser treatment, acne rosacea treatment, laser acne treatment. Consult with your dermatologist in order to determine which adult acne removal treatment will work best for you. Treatment – Alpha hydroxy acid Also known in the medical community as ascorbic acid, this technique mainly focuses on improving the levels of oil in the skin. It actually reduces the oil amount produced by the skin, thus diminishing the chances of acne eruptions. Alpha hydroxy acid also reduces the number of dead cells in the skin so your face looks healthier and with less irritation. This particular acne care treatment is effective when used in the early or mid stages of the problem, but it also used in severe acne treatment. The acid is found in several acne treatment drugs and ointments Chemical peels acne treatment In most cases, chemical peel treatments are used to remove lines under the eyes and around the mouth, as well as, sun-damaged skin, mild scarring, age spots and other skin problems. Acne treatments may include this method in which the dermatologist applies a certain chemical substance to the skin. The targeted spot blisters and can be peeled off. This method of acne care treatment is effective mostly for removing scars, especially in the facial area. The treatment is accompanies by some heat and stinging sensation, a fact that most patients found acceptable given the efficiency of the acne treatment. Acne care treatment final remarks There are several other methods for curing acne, such as home remedies or laser treatment. In order to select the best treatment for your pimple and zits you should consult with your doctor or dermatologist. For more information please visit: Acne Blemish Laser Treatment - http://www.acnexpert.com/blemishlaser.htm About the Author Body Acne Treatment - http://www.acnexpert.com/bodyacne.htm Proactive Acne Treatment - http://www.acnexpert.com/proactive.htm All acne information - http://www.acnexpert.com/index.htm