Showing posts with label sebum. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sebum. Show all posts

Friday, May 16, 2014

Can Home Remedies For Acne Really Help


Banner 250 WebSo, you have acne, now what ? How many over the counter, prescription, or surgical methods are there to treat this annoying skin breakout problem ? Well, there are countless products, but did you ever consider home remedies for acne flareups ?


You likely already know that acne is a skin disorder caused by increased hormones, the enlargement of sebaceous glands that are attached to the hair follicles, increased sebum or oil production and the presence of acne causing bacteria on the skin.



It is advisable to consult your physician or dermatologist before doing anything, but here are ten safe and effective home remedies for acne that can be used and some possible dosages - however, do not go crazy and use too much of these natural acne treatments.



1. Vitamins - one of the safest home remedies for acne is treatment through vitamins such as niacin, vitamin A, and Vitamin E.


For effective results, you'll likely have to take at least 100 milligrams (mg) of niacin, 50,000 international units of vitamin A three times a day and 400 mg of vitamin E once daily for at least one month. Of course, check with your physician if you're not sure.



2. Zinc - the use of zinc in curing acne is becoming more popular in the field of nutrition and wellness nowadays. After showcasing impressive results in some acne cases, more and more people are now taking in zinc in therapeutic dosages of 50 mg one to three times daily. Try this daily for a month and then reduce the dose to 25 mg a day. Stop using it if you get undesirable side effects.


Available in tablet and in capsule forms, the acquisition of zinc is now related to the treatment of acne. In its tablet form, zinc can be purchased under the name Zinfet in 200 mg capsule form, or it can be bought under the name Ulseal at 220 mg a pill. The product may also be simply labelled Zinc and each drug store often has their own brand name, which can cost less than popular brands.



3. Orange peels - strange, but true, aside from being a good source of vitamin C, an orange peel has become a popular home remedy for curing acne. After pounding the peel with water on a piece of stone, the patient can apply the mixture on to the areas affected by acne.



4. Lemons - don't laugh, this is probably one of the simplest remedies you can do at home to cure your acne. By extracting the lemon fruit juice and applying it regularly on the skin, you can terminate persistence pimples that may cause acne.



5. Garlic - Contrary to common conception, the use of garlic is indeed one of the most effective ways to treat facial blemishes. By rubbing raw garlic on the affected area several times a day, it acts like an acne cleanser and you can achieve clearer skin in a short period of time.


And by eating at least three seeds of raw garlic daily for a month, you can purify your blood stream and cleanse it to keep problematic bacteria away. Of course, nobody will want to get near you, but that's just the price you might have to pay for a while - just kidding.



6. Coriander and mint juice - okay, we are not losing our minds here - some people have used this with success - another known effective home remedy for acne is the application of coriander juice, or mint and turmeric powder mixture on the face. Make sure that you cleanse your face thoroughly before applying it at night.



7. Fenugreek paste remedy - aside from using its seed to make curry powder, fenugreek, through its leaves, can be a useful treatment for acne. Making a paste out of its leaves, you can produce a facemask that can be applied at night to prevent pimples and blackheads.



8. The cucumber answer - grated cucumber is considered as the best toner for the skin. By applying grated cucumber slices on the face, eyes, and neck for 15 to 20 minutes a day for a week or so, you can eliminate persistent blackhead and pimples.



9. Fruit and a well balanced diet - eating fresh juicy fruits apples, pears, grapes, peaches, and pineapples and peaches combined with healthy vegetables can eliminate the possibility of developing acne.



10. Other home remedies for acne include exposure to the sun (in moderation and with proper sunscreen applied) and even a hot epsom salts bath.


The aforementioned home remedies for acne have worked for many people and they might work for you too. Good luck and check with your family doctor if you have any concerns or questions.

More Information Click Here!

Author: Ken Black http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_4992.shtml Can Home Remedies For Acne Really Help

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Distressing Acne and its Probable Causes.


Distressing Acne and its Probable Causes.
by: Michael Sanford


If you are on your teenage years, pretty good chances that you have some acne. About 8 to 10 preteens and teens have acne along with many adults. It is but a common skin problem that is considered to be a normal part of puberty. Apparently, it does make teen or any individual uncomfortable and it doesn’t make it easier when you look in the mirror and see the big pimple on your face or chin. However, there is good news such as simple steps that will help you feel better about your face.

Acne is a skin condition that shows up as different types of bumps including whiteheads, blackheads, pimples and cysts. You are always wondering how those pimples have grown onto your face or the how you got those zits on your back. The simplest scientific explanation that you could know is that your skin is covered with tiny holes called hair follicles or pores. These pores contain sebaceous glands also known as oil glands that make sebum, oil that moisten your skin and hair. Glands, most of the time, make the right amount of sebum and the pores are fine. But sometimes, a pore gets clogged up with too much sebum, dead skin cells and germs called bacteria thus causing you to have acne.

Doctors believe acne results from several related factors but the exact cause is unknown. One important factor is the increase in hormones called androgens (male sex hormones). The increase in hormones during puberty causes the enlargement of sebaceous glands thus making more sebum. Also, the hormonal changes related to pregnancy or starting or stopping birth control pills can cause acne. Hereditary or genetics is another factor that acne may be related to. Others believe that the tendency to develop acne is inherited from parents. Certain drugs including lithium and androgens are known to cause acne. Likewise, greasy cosmetics may alter the cells of the follicles and make them stick together thus producing a plug.

Moreover, there are many myths about what causes acne. People often blame chocolates and greasy foods but foods seem to have little effect on the development and course of acne in most people. Dirty skin is as well believed to cause the skin disorder; however, blackheads and other acne lesions are not caused by dirt. Lastly, stress does not cause acne. Obviously, there are several factors that can make the acne worse. The changing hormone levels in the adolescent girls and adult women 2 to 7 days before their menstrual period starts affect the worsening of the acne. Leaning on or rubbing the skin, environmental irritants, squeezing or picking at blemishes and hard scrubbing of the skin are other factors that could worsen acne conditions.

Aside from the dermatologist who specializes on skin problems, there are doctors who treat all kinds of acne, particularly those of severe cases. Family practitioners, pediatricians or internists may treat individuals with milder cases of acne. It is always the goal of the treatment to heal existing lesions, stop new lesions from forming, prevent scarring as well as minimize the psychological stress and embarrassment caused by the disease. The drug treatment is to reduce several problems playing a part in causing acne; abnormal clumping of cells in the follicles, increased oil production, bacteria and inflammation. The doctor will recommend one of several over-the-counter (OTC) medicines or prescription medicines either topical (applied to the skin) or systematic (oral medication) depending on the extent of the person’s acne.

For more Acne related information please visit the acne resource center.

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Controlling Acne

Controlling Acne
by: Lori Stryker


Acne...it affects a majority of teenagers and many adults well into middle age. It is dreaded and despaired over by many who suffer from this common skin condition. Clearing acne begins by understanding what acne really is and what triggers it. Then we will consider how it can be controlled by lifestyle choices, skin care choices and wise use of make-up.

Who suffers from it?

Teenagers struggle with acne, but so do many adults. Acne breakouts can result from fluctuating hormone levels at various stages of life, such as puberty, pregnancy or menopause. Outwardly, acne can reveal internal signs, such as poor elimination or buildup of toxins, a lack of exercise or high stress levels. Both men and women contend with acne, and as good health and beauty are intertwined, the causes of acne can reveal the solutions to managing and reducing skin breakouts.

What is it?

Acne occurs when the oil glands produce excess sebum, the skin's own oil, which accumulates with dead skin cells to form a plug which results in a clogged skin pore. Bacteria trapped inside the pore feed of the sebum mixture, multiplying and producing agents which irritate the walls of the pore. As the immune system works to attack the bacteria, pus is formed leading to an inflamed pimple, blackhead or whitehead. Picking or squeezing a pimple can cause the pore to rupture, releasing the bacteria into the surrounding area, and can cause more pimples, cysts or scars. For many, certain areas of the skin have overactive sebaceous, or oil glands which produce excess sebum. These areas are typically the forehead, nose, cheeks and/or chin. Comedones, or blackheads, are not caused by dirt, but rather by sebum which has clogged a pore, oxidized and discoloured by melanin.

What triggers it?

Often a spotty complexion denotes a diet high in sugar or saturated fats found in fried foods, refined or processed foods. Conversely, a diet low in fat may lack essential fatty acids, and can also affect the appearance of the skin. Breakouts can reveal toxin buildup, resulting from constipation, kidney or lymphatic problems. Other triggers include a polluted, dry environment, and seasonal climate changes. Genetics also determines whether a person will be predisposed to acne breakouts. In general, acne is caused by a combination of four main factors:

- Genetics
- Skin Care
- Lifestyle
- Emotional State

We cannot change our genetics, but we can change the other three factors to help reduce the likelihood of acne breakouts.

How can acne be controlled?

Skin needs to be cleansed, fed and nurtured. Externally, the skin benefits from a simple regimen:

- Cleansing with a mild, slightly acidic and all natural soap. Other kinds of soaps can cause redness, soreness, irritation or tightness because of the harsh chemicals, colorants detergents and fragrances they are made with. Avoid any products which contain ingredients which may irritate or dry out the skin. Most often culpable ingredients are petroleum derived, synthetic or animal based.

- Tone with an alcohol-free, all natural toner, since alcohol is drying to the skin and will cause the oil glands to produce more sebum. Toner also helps reduce the bacterial population on the skin, decreasing the number of bacteria which will migrate into the pores.

- Moisturize with a petroleum free cream. Petroleum is comedogenic and can clog pores unnecessarily. Creams which contain natural waxes such as beeswax do not have a comedogenic effect on the pores. At night, massage a facial oil into the skin as this helps increase circulation to the surface of the skin and suppresses the oil glands from producing excess oil.

- Once per week, use a gentle exfoliant to remove dead skin cells which accumulate at the surface of the pores and lead to blackheads. A mud mask used once every couple of weeks also helps draw out sebum in the pores as the clays present in the mask are highly absorbent.

Internally, the skin is fed and cleansed by a diet rich in fresh fruits, whole grains and vegetables. These foods provide more water, nutrients and fibre into the diet and can make a remarkable difference in the appearance of the skin. Relaxation, adequate sleep, exercise and stress reduction also play an important role in keeping the skin clear and healthy as they assist the body to repair and detoxify itself.

Seasonal or climate changes, such as winter and humid summers in addition to dry, polluted environments also contribute to acne breakouts by drying out or irritating the skin. As the skin is exposed to dry temperatures moisture is lost through the skin, triggering the oil glands to produce more sebum. Keeping the skin clean and moisturized is essential to preventing the pores from becoming clogged with excess sebum. In humid conditions, the skin loses moisture through sweat and evaporation, triggering the same process which can lead to breakouts. Moisturizing and regular cleansing in dry, humid or polluted conditions can reduce the onset of acne.

Makeup can also trigger breakouts. If they contain comedogenic ingredients, such as those derived from petroleum, they may contribute to acne despite a clean and healthy skin regimen or lifestyle. Choose all natural makeup which is in harmony with the rest of your skin care regimen and less likely to contribute to breakouts.

Acne treatments which contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide worsen acne, as these are skin irritants and very drying. Tea tree essential oil is a natural alternative, and works by sterilizing the infected area upon contact without damaging the surrounding skin cells. It can also prevent microbial growth in that area for hours. Other treatments for acne include hydrocortisone which thins the skin over time, or antibiotics which can contribute to microbial resistance in the long term. Hormone treatments work by decreasing testosterone levels in the body, since this is the hormone responsible for sebum production. There are natural alternatives to aid in controlling acne, such as tea tree, lemon and juniper berry essential oils. These are effective and much safer to use for treating acne.

Acne can be a source of frustration for many. Much can be done, however to minimize the occurrence of breakouts thereby reducing the impact of acne on our lives. Making healthy adjustments to our diet, lifestyle and skin care product choices can lead to clearer, more radiant and healthy skin, free at last from acne.

References:
- Erikson, K, (2002). Drop Dead Gorgeous
- Marsden, K, (1993). Super Skin
- Purvis, D, (1989). The Business of Beauty
- The Organic Makeup Company can be located at http://www.organicmakeupcompany.com

About the Author
Lori Stryker has been researching and developing all natural skin care and make-up for the purpose of offering men and women safe natural cosmetics for everyday use. She brings to her research a specialist in human biology from the University of Toronto, coupled with a professional home economics degree and an education degree from the University of British Columbia, fusing chemical and biological knowledge with food family and textile sciences.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Beware of Acne Cyst! Take the Precautions Necessary:

Beware of Acne Cyst! Take the Precautions Necessary:
by: Michael Sanford


People are exposed in many elements outside and inside  their homes. In a world today wherein pollution is
abundant, many things arises specially the skin problems.  The unhealthy habits usually cause problems in skin. Skin is  the largest organ in the body and serve as the protective  layer of the system that is why it is a responsibility of each  and everyone to take good care of their skin since the skin  is one of the first factor that affects your image.

During the puberty stages, the common skin problem that  occurs is the cyst acne that is usually found on a person's  face, some cases of shoulder, chest and back cyst acne. In  this stage of every individual, the sex hormone which is the  testosterone triggers the sebaceous glands. The clogged  pores that contain sebum-secreting sebaceous is  threatening. The sebaceous glands contain sebum which is  the substance that makes the skin oily and greasy. With  this, skin cyst blemishes and pimples sprout and considered  as one of the major factor why acne appears. It is a fact  that acne cyst can cause emotional problems but it is  important that you know that there¡¯s worst from that and  that is the development of cyst. Clogged pores that swell  with sebum can rupture and spread to adjacent areas  causing local infections, consisting of pimples and zits.  These blemishes can then enlarge to form cysts

Acne cyst doesn¡¯t appears to teenagers only but also to  adults. The adult acne cyst  gives bad complexion that may  cause you to lessen your confidence to face people. Based  on researches and studies, the severe pimples can cause  severe cyst acne. Open and closed comedones, pus pockets  and rose red areas of the skin are the common symptoms  of cyst. It is abundant on face, back and chest.

Cyst is acne  that can be easily identified because of its  symptoms. So if you see simple sign of acne you should
take the necessary precautions to treat it and don¡¯t let it  develop into cyst. Prevention is always better than cure.
Have your hygienic habit as always. It will help you a lot if  you wash your skin few times a day in order to get rid of
excess oil buildup. Doing this will keep your skin clean and  will prevent clog pore and cyst. Always think that the habit  of picking at your blemishes may lead to cyst. Of course you  don¡¯t want that to happen that is why refrain from doing  that to avoid getting the worst problem. It is true that cyst  sometimes leads to cancer.

In every problem, there is always a solution. For you to  prevent having cyst cause by acne, you should take the
things needed. There are the presences of the cyst  medication. It is a practical idea if you take the natural
remedies
to your problem. There are different treatments,  both prescription and over-the-counter, that can be used in your cyst treatment. There are also cyst medications which  is non-prescript remedies. Drugs stores usually have these  remedies in the form of ointment, lotions and treated pads  that you can apply to your face and body.

But the healthy type of the medication is always with the  help of a dermatologist. With their professional skill, you are able to determine the type of treatment you need.  Research and talking with your dermatologist will help you a
lot. Together, the two of you can find the perfect solution for your cyst condition. The sooner you find your ideal
treatment, the sooner the threat of acne can be eliminated.  Don¡¯t worsen your situation by having medications that is  not advised or permitted. Always ask the professional help  of the dermatologist.
For more acne information please check out the acne resource center