Myths About Acne

1: Tanning clears up skin.

Fact: Although a tan may temporarily mask acne, the sun can make the skin dry and irritated, leading to more breakouts in the future. In fact, there's no link between sun exposure and acne prevention, but the sun's rays can cause premature aging and skin cancer. Always protect your skin by choosing a sunscreen of at least SPF (sun protection factor) 15 that says noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic on the label, which means it won't clog pores.

2: The more you wash your face, the fewer breakouts you'll have.



Fact: Although washing your face helps to remove dirt and oil from your pores, washing too much can lead to dryness and irritation, causing more breakouts. Also, avoid scrubbing your face, which can irritate the skin. As a general rule, wash your face twice a day with mild soap and water in a circular motion and gently pat dry when you're done.

3: Popping pimples will help them go away faster.

Fact: Popping a pimple may make it seem less noticeable temporarily, but popping can cause it to stay around longer. By squeezing pimples and zits, you can actually push bacteria, dead skin cells, and oil further into the skin, causing more swelling and redness — and sometimes causing a red or brown mark or scar to form. Sometimes marks can last for many months and true scars (dents and pits) will last forever.

4: Don't wear makeup if you want clear skin.

Fact: As long as you choose cosmetics that are nonacnegenic or noncomedogenic, they shouldn't cause breakouts. In fact, some concealers now contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, which help to fight acne. You can also try tinted benzoyl peroxide creams that hide pimples while helping treat them.

If you've had moderate to severe acne, though, talk to your doctor or dermatologist about the best cosmetics to use — he or she may recommend avoiding cosmetics altogether or only using certain brands so you're acne isn't aggravated.

And even if a product is labeled nonacnegenic or noncomedogenic, you should stop using it and talk to your doctor if you notice that it's irritating your skin or seems to cause breakouts.

5: If you keep getting breakouts, it helps to use more acne medication until the breakouts stop.

Fact: Because acne medication contains drying agents like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, using too much medication may cause overdrying, leading to irritation and more blemishes.

If over-the-counter acne medication doesn't seem to work on your acne, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor or dermatologist. Also, if you're taking a prescription acne medication, make sure you follow your doctor's instructions — some medications may take up to 8 weeks to make a significant difference.

source : kidshealth.org

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Does Drinking Water Help Prevent Acne?

Does Drinking Water Help Prevent Acne? Will drinking eight glasses of water each day keep my face clear?

The answer is no. Drinking water sounds good in theory, which is likely why the belief that our bodies need eight glasses of water daily continues to perpetuate. But the idea that drinking eight glasses of water is essential for having clear skin and good health is not accurate. This widely accepted reasoning has been debunked by the scientific community because there is no evidence to back it up.



Drink When You're Thirsty

In a video clip posted on CBS News Web site, Dr. Stanley Goldfarb (one of the researchers from the University of Pennsylvania who agrees that the eight glasses a day theory is bunk) states, "If you're thirsty, drink, if you're not thirsty, you needn't drink."

Factors that Contribute to Acne

Factors that can affect acne outbreaks include stress, hormone imbalances, and digestive disorders.

Drinking Water is Still Important

Since we don't have to keep track of our daily water consumption or feel guilty for not drinking enough water this doesn't mean water should be eliminated from our diets. It is still important to drink water. Water is one of the four basic elements afterall. Obviously, for anyone desiring a healthier diet, water would be the preferred beverage choice over caffeinated drinks or high-fructose sodas. Go ahead and reach for the water bottle or turn on the water faucet to treat yourself to a refreshing glass of water whenever you're thirsty.

Note: If your primary concern is dehydration it is important not to neglect your body's exterior needs. You might like to explore different types of facial treatments to moisturize your face and skin.

source : healing.about.com

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Leg Acne

The condition of acne is one that is familiar to most teenagers or those going through the adolescent years. The reason for this is that hormonal fluctuations are a huge cause of acne and pimples. What many people don’t know however is that acne can occur on numerous areas of the body and is not restricted to the adolescent age group. Acne is also common on the scalp, back, buttocks, arms, and legs. Acne on the legs is one of the lesser common forms of acne, but it does occur and is seen primarily in the thigh region, but can occur on other sections of the leg.

Acne on the legs manifests itself as small inflammations that appear reddish and these generally occur on the thighs. Sometimes it will go away, but then come back. Leg acne is a form of acne on the body that persists for many people into middle age. The primary cause is currently unknown, but most studies speculate that it has a genetic or hereditary basis. The medical term is known as keratosis pilaris, and it has been given this name because it is keratin protein that plugs up and collects in the hair follicles causing the red bumps.

For many people, treatment of leg acne is not even necessary as the acne may go away on its own permanently. It is not uncommon for acne on the legs to disappear naturally over time and never to appear again. However for those that deal with acne on legs on a recurrent basis, they may want to obtain treatment for it. Treatment is very similar to treatment of acne anywhere else on the body. A common over-the-counter method will be a treatment that includes both lactic and glycolic acid in its ingredient list. These ingredients will dissolve bumps that exist around the follicle. To date, outside of laser treatments or cosmetic surgery, there is no known treatment for acne on legs that will provide a solution that is permanent. As with any other acne case, constant treatment to the affected areas is needed.

Natural remedies have been suggested as both preventive and treatment methods for acne on the legs. Consistent exfoliation with pumice stones and exfoliating cleansers will work well for preventing acne on legs, and will also remove the buildup around the hair follicles, thus providing a gentle treatment method. Ensuring the area is consistently moisturized following an exfoliation is also said to go a long way towards preventing acne on legs. Some studies have suggested that a diet high in Vitamin A may be a preventive measure against acne on legs. A diet containing a high intake of fatty acids has also been said to work as a preventative means for acne on legs. If you suffer from leg acne, you can try any of these natural means to both prevent and treat it. Using these methods in conjunction with over the counter treatments will also be a very effective treatment for your leg acne.

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Cystic Acne

There is a reason that acne is referred to as a common condition, and this is because a large percentage of the population is affected by it at some point in their lives. Acne most commonly occurs on the shoulders, face, back, neck, and chest because these areas contain more sebaceous glands than any other part of the body. While acne most often appears as what is known as whiteheads or blackheads, it can often appear as cystic acne as well. Cystic acne manifests itself as thick bumps or cysts that occur under the skin and are created through a continuous buildup of oil that occurs deep in the sebaceous glands.

Cystic acne that occurs deep beneath the skin is considered to be an infection, and cystic acne has a tendency to heal much slower than other forms of acne if the waste in the cysts is not released. The cyst in the cystic acne is a sac that contains a liquid material that is composed of white blood cells, bacteria, and dead skin. The cysts are much larger than standard acne lesions and are usually very inflamed and can often be very painful. Cystic acne extends deep into the skin and is very difficult to treat through standard and over-the-counter treatments.

Because cystic acne is an infection of the pore, antibiotics are often prescribed for the treatment course. These antibiotics will reduce bacteria and combat the inflammation that occurs with cystic acne. In severe cases, antibiotic treatment may need to last for several months, and these can often be used in conjunction with topical treatments to eradicate cystic acne.

The prescription of Isotretinoin, more commonly known as Accutane, is a very effective treatment plan for patients who have severe cystic acne. This medication is taken orally one or two times a day for a period of 3 to 4 months. Accutane has proven to significantly decrease the size of sebaceous glands to ensure less oil production. When this occurs, the growth rate of bacteria slows significantly and cystic acne is eliminated. Accutane is generally used as a treatment of last resort for people with cystic acne due to its unpleasant side effects. This medication has been associated in the formation of birth defects and, thus, women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant should avoid this form of treatment.

Another form of treatment of cystic acne is through procedures that are done in the dermatologist ”s office. Your dermatologist can drain your cystic acne or use chemicals to destroy it. Freezing methods, light therapy, and laser resurfacing could be used not only to treat cystic acne but to eliminate any scarring that it may cause. Facial or skin peels are often used for scar removal, and procedures using rotating wire brushes are also used for this same purpose.

Cystic acne is a very painful condition both physically and emotionally. Cystic acne has a greater tendency to leave scarring and is much more difficult to treat than standard acne conditions. As a result, this condition is embarrassing and causes much emotional distress. If you have cystic acne on a regular basis, talk to your doctor or dermatologist about any of these treatment methods.

source : acnevulgaris.net

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Who gets acne?

Teenagers - Puberty is the pits. It's all hormones, hormones, hormones. About 85% of people ages 12 to 24 show symptoms of acne, thanks to the h-word. It's tough enough being a teenager, what with raging emotions and awkward physical changes.

Girls - Around the time that girls welcome a monthly cycle and curvier body, they develop blackheads and pimples around their noses. Then, depending on the individual, little red pimples and pustules may appear on the forehead, chin and cheeks.

Boys - Boys develop a little later than girls. They also usually experience longer bouts of acne than girls, due to booming testosterone levels. Their voices deepen. Their hair thickens and then, out of nowhere, they've got to face blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, pustules and sometimes worse, cysts and nodules. Boys who play a lot of sports tend to breakout on their backs and chests.

Adults - Believe it or not-many adults aren't in the clear when it comes to acne. Whether you're 15 or 50, acne appears on about half of women and a quarter of men. Since hormones continue to shift, blemishes tend to show up, especially on the chin and jaw-line. And much the same as teens, adults must deal with feelings of insecurity on top of daily stress.

Men - So now you know-it's not just a teenage skin disease. While many adults continue to experience acne, most men have seen their last breakout by their mid to late 20s. After puberty, skin clears up as hormones balance out. While it's more common for adult women to show signs of acne, adult men will usually have more severe acne, even deep cysts that may scar. Folliculitis (razor bumps or razor rash) is also a common occurrence on the face and neck. It's important to lather up with warm water, shave with a clean razor and finally, hydrate sensitive skin with a gentle moisturizer.


Women

Monthly Cycle - Many adult women have more oil and breakouts on their skin about a week before their cycle starts. Oral contraceptives are one option women can discuss with their physician or dermatologist. Some birth control pills have been shown to help clear up acne blemishes by stabilizing specific hormones.

Pregnancy - Nausea, stress-and pimples, are you kidding? Acne breakouts frequently occur during the first trimester of pregnancy as a result of fluctuating hormones. While estrogen production increases, skin continues to clear and improve over the next two trimesters. Following childbirth estrogen levels plummet and this may cause blemishes to return, but often for short periods of time. Salicylic acid is a gentle solution that clears skin without over-drying.

Menopause - Hot flashes, headaches-and great-you've got acne again! Pause. So you're not in the clear quite yet. Hormonal shifts during perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause can lead to breakouts. As estrogen decreases, testosterone increases, along with a surplus supply of oil, dead skin cells and facial hair (think teenage boy). Then, bam! A blemish-bomb. Use a gentle exfoliant on your skin and take care with a proper diet, including drinking plenty of water. Consult your physician if you're considering vitamin supplements or hormone replacement. But before you seek a solution to your skin troubles, discover your skin type.

source : acnecanada

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