Tips For Controlling Acne And Promoting Healthy Skin

Clear, healthy skin doesn’t always come easy. Few of us were born with it, but here are seven great tips to help both teen girls and guys control acne and attain ideal healthy skin.

Clean It.
Cleanse, tone, and moisturize your face on a daily basis. Don’t skip days, even if you didn’t do any physical activity. Inconsistent treatment isn’t effective enough.

Drink Plenty of Water.
Water helps flush out toxins from the body, which can lead to clearer skin. Drink the recommended 8-10 glasses per day and you are sure to see results. (Read Does Drinking Water Help Prevent Acne?)

Eat Healthy.
Stay away from foods which are high in fat, sugar, oil, or are highly processed. Instead opt for a diet which includes whole grains, fruits, green vegetables, and lean meats.

Get More Sleep.



The average teen needs 9-10 hours of sleep every night, but only 20% are actually getting it. Sleeping helps keep stress and hormone levels down. These are some of the major causes of teen acne, so the more you sleep, the more your skin will benefit.

Exercise.
Being active on a regular basis helps regulate hormones in teens. So dance, swim, walk, or play, and you will surely see a difference in your skin and your overall health.

Treat It.
There are many acne treatments available. One effective treatment is an, “acne facial.” Facials are cosmetic treatments that include extractions and a variety of different masks, creams, and lotions. An acne treatment that actually gets rid of bacteria under the skin is an ideal treatment. It reduces acne, sun spots, and oily skin. It also improves skin’s overall texture. Find a list of Phoenix day spas and Scottsdale day spas that provide skincare treatments that not only treats acne, but beautifies the skin as well.

AcneFree is an self treatment set of acne control products available at many Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale retail outlets including Target, Walmart, Costco, Sam's Club, Walgreen's, CVS Pharmacy, Albertson's and Fry's Food and Drug as well as other stores. Click here for more information about AcneFree that helps fight teen acne 24/7.

Consult an Expert.
A dermatologist or skin care specialist will be able to recommend products that will work best on your particular skin. Head Medical Trainer at Dermacare Ahwatukee, Dr. Jessica Anderson, says teens should see a dermatologist especially if they if acne problems are not improving. A dermatologist can help to make sure there isn’t a deeper problem.

If you follow all of these tips than you are sure to see major improvements in your skin. But if you find yourself facing a sudden breakout, use a concealer pencil to cover it. Also remember to use and oil-free sunscreen to protect your new, clear skin from harmful UV rays.

source : azteenmagazine.com

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Tips for Hiding a Pimple

Without Makeup

You don't always have to seek refuge in makeup to hide a pimple. Makeup should be used very sparingly on skin that has already had a break out as it can further ruin the situation. Here are some excellent ways for you to hide a pimple without makeup.

• Use a face wash containing at least 4% benzoyl peroxide. Leave the lather on for 2 minutes after massaging it on skin. Rinse.
• Use an oil-free moisturizer in the morning.
• Follow an intense washing, cleansing and toning routine. It will prevent excess facial oils from further aggravating the problem. Do NOT scrub.

Overnight's Time
If you want to diminish the appearance of a pimple and you have an overnight's time to do it, mix a pinch of salt in lemon juice and apply this solution on the pimple. Leave it on for 20 minutes. Gently wash with cold water. Dab some tea tree oil on it to dry it up. White toothpaste also works for some people.
**Lemon juice might sting sensitive skin. If it becomes unbearable, wash it off and use warm water in its place.

2 Hours Time
Mix a teaspoon of sandalwood powder and rose water. Apply on the pimple and leave it for 20 minutes. After washing, use Visine eye drops over it to reduce the redness. Press an ice cube against the pimple for 20 minutes. This will significantly reduce the size of the pimple in 2 hours' time.

15 Minutes Time
Now, this is an unusually short time to do anything that will pooh-pooh the pimple. You can only downplay it by applying a fake beauty mark with a waterproof eyeliner. Done. This works if you have one pimple on a clear skin. It will hide it like it was a part of your face. Else, if it erupts on your forehead, use your bangs to cover up.

With Makeup

If you can carry it off, you can hide a pimple for hours with makeup. All you need is an astringent or a toner, green or yellow concealer, regular foundation and loose translucent powder. Better yet, use mineral non comedogenic makeup. Follow these simple steps to camouflage the pimple.

• Wash your face with a salicylic acid based cleanser.
• Moisturize your face with an oil-free lotion and dab a little astringent or toner on the pimple to prevent a bacterial flare up and remove excess oil.
• Now, apply a thin base of your foundation. It lightens the marks, so you will need much lesser concealer to hide it. If you want a spot treatment, skip this step.
• Using a tissue or a flat bristled brush, apply the concealer only on the pimple.
• Wait for a minute, then twist the brush on the concealer until it's well hidden.
• Next, blend the edges in a light swirling motion using the brush or tissue.
• Tap the tip of your finger on the concealer to help it settle in and even out the skin.
• Apply a thin layer of foundation on your face, except on the top of the pimple, and blend it around the pimple's perimeter.
• Set with a translucent, preferably mineral, powder. Et voila!
• Draw attention away from the pimple by highlighting your eyes with a bright eye-shadow or wear a dark lipstick.

**You can also use a tinted moisturizer, instead of a foundation.
Recommendations: Mac Mineralize Skinfinish, Mac Studio Finish Concealer, Clinique Acne Solutions Clearing Concealer.

For Men

Hiding a pimple for a man can be a matter of concern because they are averse to using makeup. But, that doesn't mean that they have to sport a pimple around while the ladies get to conveniently hide it. You too can hide a pimple on your date. Follow these basic steps.

• Crush an aspirin and mix it with 3 drops of water. Apply this on the pimple and leave.
• Apply wet fuller's earth on the pimple and leave it on overnight.
• Another alternative is mixing a pinch of turmeric powder in 3 drops of lemon juice.
• Steam your face with apple cider vinegar in boiling water.
• After washing your face with a benzoyl peroxide containing cleanser, dab some neosporin powder on your pimple situation to get rid of pimples overnight. This is a hassle free method to reduce the size and redness of the pimple.
• You could try using a toothpaste, eye drops and a tinted moisturizer too!
• Grow a beard. Yes! Women love a 3-day stubble on men and it is the best way to hide a pimple on the lower part of the face.

Try to keep your fingers away from your face, especially the pimple, as much as possible, else you may be introducing new germs to it, causing an inflammation. If you are planning to pop the pimple, do not do it else it will scar your skin. Also, if it is a paptule or a pustule, it will keep oozing out the fluids in the pimple. If a pimple appears on your forehead or temples, wear a colorful bandana or over-sized glares to hide it while looking trendy. Other home remedies to hide a pimple are aloe vera gel, egg white and a yogurt mask. Supplement your diet with Vitamins A, B, C and E along with zinc to prevent pimples from appearing in future. Drink lots of water to get rid of toxins from your body because they are the real pimple culprits.

By Urvashi Pokharna from buzzle.com

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5 Tips to Help You Treat Acne and Sensitive Skin

Having acne is hard enough; having acne and sensitive skin may be even harder. Burning, stinging, redness, peeling, and overall irritation are just par for the course for those with acne and sensitive skin.

But you can treat acne, and get good results. You just have to pay attention to what your skin is telling you.

1. Stay Away From Harsh Scrubs

You may be tempted to scrub away at the skin, trying to banish blackheads and breakouts. Don't! Harsh scrubs can easily irritate your sensitive skin, causing redness and burning.

Treat your skin gently. Don't use abrasive exfoliants, gritty cleanser, or scrub at your skin with washcloths or coarse cleansing pads.

2. Slowly Introduce New Treatments

Until you know how your skin reacts, introduce new products slowly and carefully. You may even want to test a bit on your inner arm to check for a reaction before trying it out on your face.

Along the same line, start using acne treatments slowly as well. Sure, you're in a hurry to clear up your skin. But acne treatment products, even over-the-counter ones, can cause dryness and irritation in a hurry too.

Instead, try using your treatment products just three times per week. If your skin tolerates that well, slowly build up to using more often.

3. Don't Use Too Many Treatment Products at Once

Using an acne treatment cleanser plus a prescription treatment, along with a medicated moisturizer is probably overkill for your sensitive skin.

Stick with one treatment medication, whether OTC or prescription, to clear your acne (unless your doctor instructs otherwise, of course.) The rest of your skincare products should be non-medicated options, preferably a gentle brand made for sensitive skin types.

4. Don't Leave On Leave-On Treatments

Letting a topical treatment like Retin-A or benzoyl peroxide set on your skin all day can be too much for sensitive skin. Your skin may tolerate these treatments in shorter periods, though.

Try washing the medications off after 10, 20, or 30 minutes. As your skin builds up a tolerance to the medication, you'll probably be able to leave them on for longer periods.

5. Get Help from a Dermatologist

Treating acne itself is difficult anyway. Trying to treat acne in sensitive skin can be even tougher, because acne treatment products often cause irritation.

Instead of trying to treat acne on your own, you'll probably do best seeing a dermatologist. Your doctor can prescribe acne medications (if needed), suggest OTC treatments and skin care products, and help devise a treatment plan that will work for your acne and your sensitive skin.

source : acne.about.com

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5 Acne Tips for Teens

Teens can suffer acne in a lot of different ways, and to many teens, it can feel like they are the only one suffering from the sting of unsightly blemishes and blackheads. Of course, almost all teens suffer from at least mild to moderate acne, and there are solutions. These acne tips won’t necessarily make your acne disappear, but they can help a great deal. Here are some basic acne tips for teens to consider.

See a Dermatologist



It may feel like seeing a dermatologist is “admitting” you have a skin condition, but there’s no shame in getting medical help for a medical problem. In fact, if you have a severe acne problem, you need to see a dermatologist so that you can get help before there is permanent acne scarring. Your dermatologist is very experienced in dealing with teen acne and he or she can tell you the best approaches for dealing with your acne so that you can make an informed decision about your treatment.

Take Your Vitamins

If mom and dad have been pressuring you to take your vitamins, here’s another reason to agree. Vitamins, in addition to being good for your general health, can be great for your skin. You probably don’t always have time to eat as well as you should, so taking vitamins is a good idea for a number of reasons, one of which being that they can help with your skin issues. Some vitamins that are indicated in better skin health include Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Omega-3 and zinc. Be sure to take only the recommended dosages of vitamins, exceeding these recommendations can be very dangerous.

Practice Good Hygiene

Take a shower every day, and be sure to thoroughly wash with soap and water, especially those areas that are prone to acne. Shower after strenuous activities like sports and try to wash your face with natural soap and water in the morning and at night. Again, moderation is the key. Too much washing can dry out your skin, but the right amount can help fight acne.

Natural Makeup

If you have sensitive skin, try to find makeup that is gentle and skin friendly. Certain types of makeup may leave residue on the skin that can lead to increased acne, even after you have removed the makeup. Some makeup may even contain acne medication that can help.

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl Peroxide really works. How well it will work for you will vary from person to person. Using benzoyl peroxide as a topical solution as needed for sudden outbreaks, or as part of a long-term acne fighting and acne control system can do wonders for your skin. If your acne is persistent and won’t respond to regular washing and general good health practices, you may need benzoyl peroxide to really get that acne on the run.

source : acne-teen.com

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7 Easy Ways To Fight Acne

The most effective methods to combat acne include a combination of prevention and better skincare.

Here are some of the ways you can use to prevent and treat acne:

1. Exercise

Regular exercise can help fight acne by fighting off negative stress levels that can come from negative self-esteem and depression. But avoid wearing tight lycra and nylon exercise outfits. These synthetic fabrics that tend to trap body moisture and heat, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. Stick to loose clothing made of cotton or natural blends, and keep your sports gear and equipment clean.

2. Safe Cosmetics

To avoid pore-clogging and skin irritations that can contribute to acne, use products labeled "noncomedogenic" or "oil-free." Opt for "hypo-allergenic" perfumes and cosmetics to avoid allergic reactions and skin irritation. Coal tar derivatives, carmine and heavy cream in blushes can cause reactions.

Shimmering facial colors can contain a flaky mineral called mica that can cause skin irritations and clog pores. Use a lip gloss with a matte finish for less pore-clogging. The more the shine, the more then comedogenic content and the more your pores can clog.

3. Healthy Diet

Studies show that diet does not play a role in either the cause or the treatment of acne. However, what is best for your body is best for your skin. So make sure you get enough vitamins, minerals and supplements that have been known and recommended to prevent and help conquer acne breakouts. These include

* Vitamin A or Retinol (High doses are toxic)
* Vitamin B Complex
* Vitamin C
* Vitamin E
* L-Carnitine
* Zinc

A good quality brand name multivitamin will probably have the recommended vitamins and minerals that you need to help with acne prevention.

Drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day and making good, healthy dietary food choices.

4. Hormonal Treatment

Hormones (or a lack of them) during later years - especially for women - can play a role in acne flare-ups and prevention. One recent study showed that about 50 percent of women have acne, referred to as hormonal acne, problems during the week before their menstruation.

Treatment options include topical retinoids, oral antibiotics and Benzoyl Peroxide for teen years. For adults oral contraceptives or hormonal birth control pills and hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) may be helpful for women, combined with systemic or topical treatments, prescription or over-the-counter products and medications.

5. Healthy Skin Regimen

Avoid harsh scrubbing or over-washing, because this can cause possible skin irritation or possible over production of oil to replace what's washed off, clogging pores in the process. Use products with gentle exfoliation ingredients and skip products that contain alcohol.

6. Acne Products

acne treatment Some of the more popular products on the market that can prevent acne include:

* Benzoyl Peroxide
* Proactive Solution
* Salicylic Acid
* Retinoids
* Antibiotics
* Oral Contraceptives
* Anti-Androgens
* Isotretinoin (Accutane)


7. Shaving

Shaving is actually an excellent way of exfoliating or removing dead skin to help with the prevention and spreading of acne instead of leaving the remains to clog pores. And for some light acne cases already in process, shaving can help rid whiteheads and blackheads from the face. Do not shave areas taht are sore or infected. Use a shaving cream for sensitive skin.

Shave with a sharp blade. Use gentle swipes instead of heavy pressure and go with the flow or "grain." A single-edged blade is better than a twin-blade razor. Electric razors may not shave as close to the skin, but they help with the prevention of acne and other skin breakouts and flare-ups better.

source : acnecaretips

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Few Tips to Manage Acne

(i) Diet: Adhering to a healthy diet is most essential in preventing acne. Eating balanced diets and following regimes for acne skin care can help in reducing the severity of the outbreak.

(ii) Cleanliness: Washing your face several times a day and using a cleansing lotion suitable for your skin type goes a long way in treating acne prone skin.



(iii) No picking/squeezing: Fingers nails are acne and blemishes’ worst enemy. Picking or squeezing them can cause infection or leave marks on your skin which could last a long time.

(iv) Avoid razors: To avoid hurting your acne during shaving, switch to using a safety or electric razor. Try not to use a regular razor as this might nick at your acne causing pain and infection.

(v) Professional care: If your acne problem is severe, consult a dermatologist to suggest a acne skin care regime that will be suited to your skin type.

source : buzzle

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Early Acne Often Predicts Severe Acne

When acne begins early, between 8 and 11 years of age, it often means severe acne as a teenager. Treating the acne before it becomes severe can:

• Prevent severe acne
• Reduce the risk of acne scars
• Avoid lifelong emotional stress

Studies Confirm Link Between Early Acne and Severe Acne
Two large-scale U.S. studies looked at how acne develops during adolescence. One of these studies evaluated the severity of acne in 468 boys who ranged in age from 9 to 15 years. About half of the boys were African-American and half were Caucasian. The researchers found that acne becomes more common and more severe in adolescent boys as they mature. The researchers concluded that keeping an eye on acne in preadolescents and young adolescents can help determine when treatment, which can prevent severe acne from developing, should begin.

To expand upon these findings, the researchers evaluated acne in girls. This study followed 871 girls for 5 years. Again, about half of the participants were African-American and about half were Caucasian. At the beginning of this 5-year study, the girls were in 4th or 5th grade. Following the girls over a five-year period showed results similar to the previous study. The researchers found that the number of acne lesions and the severity increased as the girls matured. The girls who had significantly more acne lesions at age 10, when the study began, had the most severe acne at age 15. The researchers concluded that the best way to predict how severe acne will be at age 15 is to determine the severity at age 10.

Early Treatment Helps Prevent Physical and Emotional Scars
When acne is severe, large, red bumps called “cysts” form. Cysts can be painful and may cause permanent scarring. While not life threatening, these physical effects often cause extreme emotional distress that can last a lifetime.

Anxiety, loss of self-esteem, and depression are common in people who have acne. Even mild and moderate cases cause emotional distress. When asked to talk about how acne affects them, patients often mention feelings of inferiority, embarrassment, and depression. One teenager said, “I was more self-conscious about my skin, and at times very shy because I felt my acne made me very ugly.” A college student confessed that he avoided asking girls out because he thought, “She won’t be interested because of how I look.” Another patient confided, “I got severely depressed, and sometimes I wouldn’t go to school because I had a particularly large pimple, and I just didn’t want to be seen like that.”

Severe or long-lasting acne can cause feelings of insecurity that last a lifetime. One study found that people who had acne for a significant amount of time tend to feel “scarred for life.” Long after the acne clears, they may have low self-esteem and feelings of inferiority.

To avoid these physical and emotional scars, dermatologists recommend that early acne be properly treated and that treatment continue for as long as necessary to prevent the acne from recurring.

How Dermatologists Treat Early Acne
Today, there are a number of effective acne treatments and virtually every case of acne can be controlled. However, what clears one person’s acne may not work for another person. This is why appropriate treatment begins with an evaluation by a dermatologist.

During the evaluation, the dermatologist will determine the severity and types of acne lesions present. The doctor may ask questions to learn how the acne affects the patient. Sometimes the acne worries the parents; however, a young adolescent may not be concerned about appearance. The dermatologist also will want to learn if the patient is willing to follow an at-home treatment plan.

After the evaluation, the dermatologist will decide what, if any, treatment is appropriate. For a young adolescent who has mild acne, the dermatologist may prescribe a low-dose topical retinoid or benzoyl peroxide. It is important to realize that appropriate treatment may require more than one medication. Sometimes a topical antibiotic is part of the treatment plan. Severe acne may require an antibiotic in pill form as well as topical medication.

Proper skin care plays an important role in acne treatment. The dermatologist can provide tips for taking care of acne-prone skin as well as provide product recommendations for everything from cleansers to sunscreen.

Using Medication as Directed Gets Results
To get clearing, acne medication should be used as directed. Some medications must be taken daily; others may be used intermittently. Before leaving the dermatologist’s office, be sure that you understand how to use the medication and when to use it.

If using the medication as directed becomes a problem or the treatment plan does not seem to work, be sure to tell your dermatologist. There are many effective treatments available today.

It is important to realize that acne cannot be cured, but it can be effectively controlled. Keeping acne under control may require long-term treatment. Acne often returns when treatment is stopped, so continue to use your medication until your dermatologist tells you to stop. This helps prevent new acne lesions from forming.

A Lifelong Difference
Acne sometimes appears earlier than parents expect. If early acne develops, teaming up with a dermatologist can help keep acne from becoming severe as well as prevent physical and emotional scars. Preventing severe acne can make a difference that lasts a lifetime.

source : skincarephysicians

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7 Adult Acne Facts

If you noticed the acne you had when you were 15 has returned in your 30s, rest assured, you're in good company. One in five women between the ages of 25 and 40 suffer from adult acne. Here are a few facts about adult acne and how to rid your skin of it:

Fact #1: Acne usually begins with blackheads Blackheads are not dirt, they're actually the result of oil and dead cells getting trapped in a pore where they block the duct and mix with bacteria. They then turn black when exposed to air. Red pimples develop when blackheads become inflamed and they spread when touched with dirty hands. When the pimple becomes infected, it develops a whitehead or pustule. These can break and cause scars.

So how to banish blackheads? Gently, according to San Francisco dermatologist Seth Matarasso in InStyle Magazine. People tend to scrub too hard, which causes inflammation, he says. Instead of a grainy scrub, Matarasso suggests trying an exfoliant with alpha-hydroxy acids. A good one is Lancome Pure Focus Deep Pore Refining Scrub. You can also use a salicylic acid cleanser like Bliss Clog Dissolving Cleansing Milk. These chemical products clean out pores better than scrubs. For a great quick fix, Biore Pore Perfect Strips will get rid of your blackheads.

Fact #2: There are several causes of adult acne These are: Stress, bad cosmetics, hormones and birth control pills. Stress causes your oil glands to overcompensate. Bad cosmetics lead to bacteria-laden pores. Hormones cause the sebacuous glands to overact and birth control pills with androgen in them can cause breakouts.

To keep breakouts at bay, look for oil-free, non-acnegenic products like Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel and Neutrogena Oil-free Cleanser.

Fact #3: Cheese and chocolate have nothing to do with your acne Your skin, however, WILL benefit from a good facial. Why? Because acne is not a disease, rather it is a condition of the skin and a good facialist knows exactly what your skin needs: Sulfur, zinc and camphor masks, exfoliation, blackhead extractions and at-home follow-up.

Fact #4: Don't treat adult acne like the teen kind The products you used as a teenager won't work on adult skin. Here's a 2-step program for cleansing and treating your blemished skin:

Step 1: Pick the right cleanser. Look for medicated cleansers with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. See my list of the Best Salicylic Acid Cleansers.

Step 2: Exfoliate with a salicylic acid treatment, which will clean out pores. Just don't exfoliate too much or scrub too hard (see the blackhead section above). Two to 3 times a week is perfect.

Fact #5: Treatment systems have completely cleared up skin on many people Proactiv Solution 3-step System is a classic kit that has worked wonders on many. Mario Badescu Drying Lotion is another program that is highly recommended and my friends with acne personally recommend MD Skincare All-Over Blemish Solution.

Fact #6: The dermatologist will clear your skin up fast Too many women wait to see a doctor for their skin problems. If you have basic acne, over-the-counter treatments with salicylic acid (there's that magic word again) to unclog pores and benzoyl peroxide to reduce bacteria on skin should do you, but for serious acne, a dermatologist has an arsenal of products to clear up your skin.

Retinoids, antibiotics, azelaic acid and birth control pills are all options usually covered by insurance. You might consider laser treatments, but these are more costly (about $500-$2,400). Severe cases are best cleared up by Accutane, which is a 5-month course that is considered the most effective treatment available. However Accutane is controversial and can lead to a host of side effects including birth defects if taken during pregnancy. Other side effects can include severe depression, Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative colitis. See "Accutane Side Effects" from Drugwatch.com for a full list.

Fact #7: Yes, those new machines that target acne do work We were surprised to hear this as well, but the reports are out on machines like Zeno Acne Clearing Device and they are good. They won't help blackheads or deep cystic acne, but they do work for your general run-of-the-mill pimples, according to Glamour Magazine.

So how do they work? The Zeno, which is a handheld machine that looks like an iPod, works by driving heat through a pimple. The heat kills the bacteria and supposedly improves blood circulation to the affected area so it heals faster. Clinical trials show 90% of pimples treated with Zeno disappeared or were significantly reduced within 24 hours.

source : beauty.about

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8 unbeatable Tips To Fight Acne!

Stop being confused with the ways to fight against acne. Here’s a list of few easy and highly effective techniques, which if followed will give you a clean look.

1. Washing your face- At least wash your face twice a day with warm water (if possible use a gentle soap made especially for people having acne). It is strictly suggest not to scrub your face while washing, as it may lead to irritation. American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) suggests applying any ointment that contains benzoyl peroxide.
2. Never pop pimples! It’ll increase the redness and may also lead to more swelling.
3. Don’t touch you face with your fingers again & again, as bacteria can inflame your pores. Even before washing your face, always wash your hands.
4. If you like wearing glasses, make sure you clean them every time you put them on.
5. Avoid wearing tight cloths, if you’ve acne on your body. Your body needs to breathe.
6. Be aware while buying cosmetic products. Make sure you see the label saying “nonacnegenic” on the products. And do also take care of the fact that you remove your makeup before going to sleep.
7. Keep your hair away from your face to avoid dirt and oil clogging your face.
8. Guard your skin from sun. Tan can deteriorate your acne.

source : acne-treatment.yourhealthorbit

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