Acne Treatment

How Exercising Help You Fight Acne?

2007-05-16T04:29:00.000+01:00

Are you haunted with the fear of acne scars all over your face? You have left no stone unturned in getting a treatment done for those ugly looking acne patches? Do not worry. We have come to take all your worries away.

With a burgeoning technology, there have come a number of treatments by which you can prevent and also treat your acne and related problems. Innovative treatments in the form of prescription as well as home-made and natural therapies have come up to cure acne. Besides this, there is a plethora of other preventive measures that boast of clearing your acne.

As a result, people are all the more particular in choosing a treatment for themselves. The type of treatment that has lately gained importance within a large chunk of people is exercising. The best part about it is that, it not only works in the direction of curing your acne problems but it also benefits you in other diseases or disorders that you might be suffering from.

The main propaganda that an exercising regime carries with itself is to keep you in shape and thus reduce acne. You must be wondering what relation our keeping in shape has with the reduction in acne problems. The answer to this is very simple. Exercising helps in reducing the negative energy and the toxins in your body in the form of stress, tension and anxiety. A healthy body is the only way to a beautiful skin.

But not all types of exercises help in giving relief from acne. Therefore, before choosing any particular exercising regime, it is important to first understand the crux of the treatment. Because if you become negligent, your acne condition may aggravate further. So, the rule of the law says that you should practice all indoor exercising, which produces moderate amount of sweat.

Besides this, the other important thing that you need to keep in mind is that the products that you intend to use on your acne afflicted skin should be mild with low levels of chemical substances. This is because, when you exercise, the sweat produced will combine with the chemical agents present in your cosmetics, leading to a more outburst of acne. Therefore, the problem can be solved by using oil-free cosmetic products. Such products even help you to prevent the clogged pores, which are one of the main reasons for acne outbursts.

When you finish with your exercising, take care to washing your face immediately. This prevents in clogging facial pores due to sweat and cosmetics.

Besides, the type of cosmetics that you use, the types of clothes you wear also hold importance. Avoid wearing clothes made of synthetic fibers like nylon and lycra. The reason being, these fibers prevent sweat from evaporating, while you are exercising. And leaves open grounds for the growth and multiplication of bacteria. Therefore, cotton remains the best option at this time, as it is porous in nature. And when you complete your exercising, do not forget to change into fresh dry clothes.

So all you need to do is to follow these simple steps and your acne problem will be solved forever.

Avoiding the Acne Scar

2007-05-02T06:42:00.000+01:00

While most leave acne behind with their teenage years, some carry the scars of their acne through their adult life. Since these scars can have an affect on the bearer's self confidence and self image, it is important to learn to deal with these scars.

Perhaps the first step in dealing with acne scars is avoiding them in the first place. Once acne scars exist, it is extremely hard to get rid of them. Here are some tips to help avoid the acne scar, information on different types of scars and removal methods for the acne scar.

The first line of defense against the acne scar is to properly treat breakouts of acne when they first appear. Without acne, it is impossible to have an acne scar. With the number of acne medications now available there is no reason for acne sufferers not to receive proper treatment.

Another note for acne sufferers who don't wish to live with scars - resist the urge to pop your pimples. This action can cause more damage to the skin and can actually make scars worse.

When dealing with the acne scar, there are two main types of scars. These are the ice-pick type scar and the keloid scar. The ice-pick scar is a depressed area that looks like damage that may have been done by an ice-pick. Keloid scars are raised areas caused by the build up of collagen in the skin resulting in a raised mass. Staining of the skin by acne is often confused with acne scars. Unlike scars, however, staining fades over time and may even disappear completely.

Removal of an acne scar can be a complex and costly procedure. Some of the more well known methods include dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, chemical peels, punch techniques and augmentation.

Dermabrasion, which is a surgical scraping of the skin, works well on shallow acne scars. However, this procedure will set you back about $1,500 per treatment. In laser surgery, layers of damaged skin are removed using a laser. This procedure can cost $3,000 or more per treatment. Chemical peels are a less expensive option, coming in at $750 each treatment. These peels, however, are only effective on the most minor acne scar.

Two options for ice-pick scars include punch techniques and augmentation. In the punch techniques, the acne scar is surgically "punched" out using an appropriately sized biopsy tool. The remaining skin is stitched together resulting in a smaller scar that is more receptive to dermabrasion or other resurfacing techniques.

In augmentation, a substance, either collagen or the person's own fat, is injected under the scar to bring it to level with the rest of the skin. Again, this procedure is costly and the results are only temporary, repeated procedures are required.

Although acne scars can be removed, the procedures are costly and the results may not be the same as undamaged skin. The best way to avoid the acne scar is to get proper treatment for your acne as soon as possible. Also don't pick at, squeeze or attempt to pop your acne as this can make scarring worse.

Accutane Acne Treatment - What Your Need To Know

2007-04-30T05:59:00.000+01:00

Accutane is a medication that is prescribed by a physician for serious types of acne. Accutane is extremely effective at fighting serious forms of acne, because it targets the main causes of acne; that being sebum production pores becoming clogged with sebum and killing the P. acnes bacteria that infects the skin causing pimples.

Accutane is the trade name for the drug name Isotretinoin. There are many different names used for this medicine, however Accutane is most popular name used in the USA for this medication. Since Accutane is a commercial product, you can also use the generic form of Isotretinoin called Claravis.

Accutane treatment usually lasts from two to six months and usually includes a treatment of .50 to 200 mg per day. Usually an Accutane treatment can cost $150 to over $200 per month. The more mg. per day of Accutane usually the higher the cost. It should be noted that most health insurance companies do not reimburse or pay for Accutane. It most cases health insurance companies consider Accutane a cosmetic medication, however if you require Accutane to fight cysts or nodules, many health insurance companies will cover you due to the fact they don't consider this use to be cosmetic in practice.

Because there are many side effects associated with Accutane, in order to receive a prescription, you will need to sign up with the FDA program called iPledge. iPledge was mainly started to prevent pregnant women on Accutane from having children with birth defects. Besides signing up for iPledge, females that would like to receive an Accutane prescription must take two pregnancy exams, both showing negative and continue to take a pregnancy exam each month while taking the medication. In addition, women who are sexually active must either abstain from sex or use two forms of birth control.

While there are serious side effects, for those that suffer from serious forms of acne, Accutane (Isotretinoin) is one of the only practical ways to rid the face of acne breakouts.

Does Eating Chocolate Really Give you Acne?

2007-04-29T09:35:00.000+01:00

Chocolate always get the blame for causing acne so as pizza, potato chips and dairy products. No food has been prove to be the cause of acne but if the person maintains a healthy diet by consuming vegetables and fruits, acne is not a problem. Chocolate is also blamed for many health problems include acne, tooth decay, obesity and lack in nutrient. It is also known to have an anti-depressant effect and causes hypertension.

Those who love chocolate will be pleased to hear that chocolate is considered as one of the balance diet in our food pyramid. Chocolate carry the fact that it is one of the diet that adults need as one third of antioxidants are sourced from chocolate. There are also a number of cosmetic products that are made from chocolate of contains chocolate extract. There are also some company that puts chocolate in their skin creams as softener and chocolate contains also anti-oxidant which can help to prevent wrinkles. This can be very good for our skin as our skin oxidize and form wrinkles thus this can help us to prevent or slow the process down.

Theoretically, cocoa might actually prevent skin damage by free radicals to collagen, elastin and also other protein which is important to our skin. This theory is yet to be proved by scientist that this theory works. With or without proof, there are at least 90 chocolate products that are for cosmetics are in the market and growing rapidly. As prove, Chocolate show which is in New York turned into a spa which used chocolate as the main product. Consumer that tried chocolate based products claimed that it has a healing effect thus this myth can be denied.

Thus, eating chocolate is not bad for our health but it is better to be consumed moderately. It might be a good future for chocolate based cosmetic product and more researched has to be done. Who knows that one day chocolate might turn out to be an acne treatment product.

Best Treatment For Removing Acne Is Changing Your Diet

2007-04-26T07:38:00.000+01:00

No one in their right mind enjoys the awkward years. This is the time that takes place between ages 13 and 17. Okay, maybe I'm being a bit extreme here. I guess I should say no one enjoys the image issues that go along with the awkward years. First of all, we don't know who we're trying to become, and secondly there's the zits. Yeah, a good 80 percent of adolescents know all about this. You pop a zit, and then another three pop up.

It's a pretty depressing routine that keeps many teenagers locked away in their rooms for entire weekends. Clearly a solution is needed. Preferably one that will start removing acne before it rears its ugly white, black or red head. Getting started can be the hardest part.

What is a pimple? That's an easy one. A pimple is basically a clogged pore that has erupted. Since oil, dirt and grime are trapped in there with the hair follicle, an irritating bump appears. This means the trick to removing acne lies in the cleansing and balancing of your face. Always use a gentle cleanser that removes dirt, oil and make-up residue. This way your precious pores are less likely to get clogged. Check out what Neutrogena has to offer.

Secondly you'll want to use a preventative product on your face. The goal is not simply removing acne, but keeping it gone as well. Maybe you should visit a local dermatologist to see if Differin is right for your condition. You can also see what the local drugstore has to offer as far as astringents, creams and moisturizers go.

It's not just about proper grooming. A major aspect of removing acne permanently concerns your diet. What are you consuming on a daily basis? I can tell you right now if it's loaded with sugar, fat or salt, it's going to have an impact on your skin. It's time to think fresh vegetables, low-fat foods and plenty of water.

This is how you tackle the acne issue from the inside-out. Feed your body what it needs to repair and provide you with a clean, zit free complexion. I guarantee you will see a difference in your condition after only a week of healthy dieting. Eat right and look great.

Acne Removal Creams Help

2007-04-26T07:13:00.000+01:00

For those of us who know what it feels like to suffer from acne, nothing could be worse. Although it is not a painful condition like most other skin diseases, it is an acutely embarrassing one. And it attacks at an especially vulnerable age - when the hormones are raging and one is trying to look ones best. It is a double whammy like no other.

Fortunately, the ever greedy pharmaceutical companies have not been laggardly in spotting this malady as an exceptional source of profit. Which explains the numbers and range of the acne removal creams that flood every supermarket and pharmacy shelf. This is no exaggeration. Get in to the nearest pharmacy and see for yourself. I would not be surprised if you found an entire section dedicated to acne removal creams.

In fact, more than any other course of treatment, acne removal creams are viewed and accepted as the most popular acne treatment. And the most common over the counter acne treatments continue to be acne removal creams. But have you ever wondered why acne removal creams continue to be so popular? Well I have. And in a bid to find an answer, turned to human psychology. According to most people (and you can test this for yourself!) the most commonly attributed cause for acne is poor hygiene.

Although this is not true, most people continue to wash their faces day in and day out, oblivious to the damage they are causing themselves. And what aids washing faces best? Acne removal creams of course. Not only do these creams seem to be doing a good job or removing the acne, they also, psychologically, indicate to the user that they are helping keep the skin hygienic. So, more and more teenagers and even a few older people continue to buy and stock up on acne removal creams in the mistaken belief that these acne removal creams are helping them.

In most cases, acne removal creams don't do any harm, even though they may not actually be helpful in getting rid of the acne. But care must be taken to ensure that any acne cream used should be free of oil and sunscreens. All acne removal creams should also be free of comedogenic elements in order to be helpful. And finally acne removal creams should at least be manufactured by a credible manufacturer to ensure that even if they provide no additional benefits, they should at least bring on no further harm! Imagine being blighted by an acne removal cream that leaves behind unsightly scars!

7 Secrets to Clearing Acne and Relieving Dry Skin

2007-04-24T05:11:00.000+01:00

There are several ways to clearing your skin and relieving dryness. There so many people out there who need to know how to clear their skin without spending a fortune. Dry skin is something that you can avoid.

I want to first start off with showing you how to clear your skin. If you use these secrets you should start seeing improvements within weeks.

Here are the secrets you can use to feel relieved:

1) Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil works well on fighting acne. It is a natural substance, which has been used all through out history for treating cuts, burns, acne and other infections. Tea tree oil is an essential oil derived from the Malalueca tree, which grows in North America.

The way tea tree oil works is by penetrating deep down into the skin layers relieving pain and healing your wounds. Not only does it disinfect but also deodorizes leaving you with a pleasant scent.

Massage tea tree oil into your blemishes and it will start to sooth your skin. For best results, look for 100% pure tea tree oil.

More about Tree Tea Oil>>>

2) Myrrh Wash

To prevent yourself from harming your skin you want to treat it gently. This is why herbalists recommend myrrh wash. You don’t have to worry about it being to strong on your skin. Myrrh wash treats acne and helps to prevent breakouts.

You can make your own myrrh wash. All you need is a shallow dish, some water and myrrh tincture. Add about 25 drops and then start to mix it. Take a swab of cotton and dab it into the dilution. And now brush gently across your face. Do this during the morning or evenings.

3) Barberry Capsule And Fennel Tea

There may be lots of build-ups of toxins and impurities in your body. If you fail to eliminate them they can and will eventually exit through your skin.

Use barberry capsules to cleanse your insides and eliminate toxins, which may be causing you skin problems. Barberries are often used for reducing inflammation, bruises, aches and sprains. Use up to four cups of fennel tea after taking the capsules. Fennel tea is used as a digestive stimulant.

Your skin should be cleared within 4 to 6 weeks.

more about Barberry>>

4) Azelaic Acid

Azelaic Acid is derived from wheat and helps to cleanse the skin from acne. It also reduces inflammation, exfoliates and clears up your skin. The gel works well to clear up papules and pustules. Can also be used on rosacea preventing flair ups.

Azelaic acid will keep pores clear. Now I must warn you that it does have side effects but nothing to serious. And so you can choose whether or not you would like to test it for your self.

5) If you are suffering from acne; trying to eliminate oil from the skin is not recommended. Use oil that is derived from flowers and plants. You can apply it directly to the infected area without it clogging up pores.

Some essential oils to use are:

Geranium oil: Is known for its healing powers. It is mostly used as an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic.

Chamomile oil: Also good for treating inflammation in skin.

Bergamot oil: Helps to reduce stress, acne, inflammation, infections etc. Also have antiseptic properties.

6) Papayas

Papayas are not just for eating. You can actually use them for treating dry skin. In fact, there are moisturizers that are made from papayas. Here is a way that you can use it to benefit your skin and relieve the dryness.

Apply the flesh of the papaya on your face and let it sit for about five minutes. Remove it sooner if you start to feel any stinging or tingling. It is believed that the enzyme in the papaya helps to get rid of dead skin cells. You should be able to find this product in your produce store.

7) Carrot Seed Oil

In this day and age most essential oils are overlooked. A lot of people feel the need to use expensive moisturizers to smooth their skin. Carrot seed oil is an essential oil capable of toning, smoothing, moisturizing and promotes healing to your skin.

You can use the standard dilution guideline of 2% essential oil and 98% carrier oil, which may be grape seed oil, olive oil, peanut oil, walnut oil or sesame oil etc. An aroma therapist in the herb store can help match your skin type and carrier oil.

Final Thoughts

If you apply some of these techniques to your skin you should see some pretty good results. The great thing about these products are that you don't have to worry to much about any side effects. I wish you success on your journey in finding that right formula to clear your skin.

See you, will be back with good articlemaking your skin healthy.

Types Of Vitamin And Mineral Supplements

2007-04-23T05:13:00.000+01:00

See purposes of vitamin...
There are many reasons why there are different types of vitamin and mineral supplements offered in over-the-counter forms. People might choose to take additional vitamins and minerals because they are involved in sports, or have a specific skin care problem that they need to rectify as soon as possible.

The types of vitamin and mineral supplements that are available in sports nutrition might include nutrients for all areas of the body. Bodybuilders and weight-lifters require certain types of vitamin and mineral supplements to grow muscle and find that growth hormones in pill form will make that happen. These weight lifters might also supplement their diet with amino acids, creatine, anabolic, cell volumizers, protein, and other sports supplements to give their body the refined textures that they need to be competitive in the bodybuilding challenges.

There are many age groups that are concerned with skin care and the types of vitamin and mineral supplements that they might focus on could be used for an acne treatment, anti-aging barrier and to help reduce wrinkles forming on their faces, or they might use different types of vitamin and mineral supplements to repair stretch marks after the birth of a baby or after they have dropped a lot of weight.

There are many types of vitamin and mineral supplements that will help in treating hives and rashes on the body. These lotions and creams are trusted because they are natural and manufactured for treating that specific ailment. Other types of vitamin and mineral supplements might be used to help people in their nail care problems, and moistures that contain all types of vitamin and mineral supplements can help improve a wide variety of body area.

Aloe is one of the many types of vitamin and mineral supplements that people use throughout their life. They may have an aloe plant in their home that they use specifically to treat burns, or they might use this supplement in addition to a sun-block agent to keep skin moist and supplement after sun exposure.

There are many types of vitamin and mineral supplements that make fine additions to medicine cabinet supplies to treat bronchial and throat irritations. Some of these vitamins are used to treat headaches, and cough and others are offered specifically in a children's formula to handle irritations through the use of lozenges that are made with many types of vitamin and mineral supplements.

These types of vitamin and mineral supplements come in handy when you are fighting the flu, or when you need to help a child with their nasal congestion. Some of the types of vitamin and mineral supplements are offered in cherry, grape and elderberry flavors to make them taste better.

For people that suffer from anxiety, high blood pressure and stress, there are types of vitamin and mineral supplements that will treat those problems quite adequately. Some of these types of vitamins and mineral supplements will help people achieve rest and help them to relax. Others are considered natural sleep aids, and will also help people in their weight control programs.

Credited to Lnda Polansky.

Detox Diets is one of solution too!!!

Dealing With Acne Problems

2007-04-22T05:03:00.000+01:00

As we know, there are many types of acne and one of them that are less visible is back acne. Its more likely to feel it than to see it. This kind of acne is not common among acne patients but it is quite the same as acne on our face. Thousands of oil glands are busy over producing oils to ensure your skin is smooth. Tight fitting clothes and fabric that do not allow the skin to breath is the two main reason of back acne popping out. Sometimes, wearing backpack can be one of the causes of back acne but it’s not serious as the reason mentioned above.

The skin of our body contains oil glands which also are evenly spread out throughout our body. Thus, the oil that are overproduced by the oil glands will get trapped. When it is trapped, it gets clogged which combined with dead skin cells and a little help from bacteria, acne is formed. It will soon inflame the tissue around infected area in which it is the same as common acne. Even though it is the same as acne on the face, the treatment methods are not the same.

There are treatments for back acne but it is not quite as easy as it looks. Our skin at the back is much thicker than the skin that covers other parts of the body. Due to these differences, we might need different treatment than other parts of the body.

One of the best advice is try to keep your back clean and the best way is to take bath or shower more often especially after a workout. Try to use body shower gels or soaps that contains salicylic or glycolic acid. Exfoliating your back skin can also be done when taking shower to reduce the dead skin cell which is one of the ingredient for acne outbreak.

After your shower, apply some topical products that contain benzoyl peroxide to the areas on the back which has acne outbreak. Make sure your back is dry before the application. Its best to rub the topical medication on the skin to ensure it is absorbed into the skin. It is good to make sure your hand is washed up clean before applying the medication as we don’t want any infection. Try not to apply all over your back as it is useless to do that and ask for help to apply if needed. Over application can cause dryness in the skin.

For mild cases of back acne, you might want to try natural solutions like, tea tree oil, homeopathic treatments, Chinese herbs and other cleansing herbs like milk thistle.

Even though back acne or back pimples is not common but we should be aware and treat it before it gets worse. If it gets worse, do consult a dermatologist as it might turn out as not a normal kind of back acne.

This is some tips from Charley Hwang.

Thank you!!!

Dry skin --continue

2007-04-21T04:18:00.000+01:00

Try mild cleansers or mild soaps if you must use a soap or cleanser. Apply cool compresses to itchy areas. Keep baths or showers short using warm, never hot water.

Eat foods that contain essential fatty acids. Put two tablespoons of coconut oil in your all fruit smoothies. Good skin is often a reflection of a good digestive system. Use flaxseed oil or walnut oil in your salad. And concentrating on a diet of LOTS of fruits and vegetables (preferably uncooked) and no junk food, should give you an observable improvement within 30 days.
Use coconut oil to remove your make-up at night, like I do; it leaves a fine layer of oil to nourish your skin all night long. If you also have eczema or acne, coconut oil will treat those skin conditions too. Also use a thin layer of coconut oil under your make-up to moisturize your skin all day. Coconut oil is very inexpensive, therefore, a good, cheap, healthy, alternative home remedy.

Functions of the skin are disturbed when it's dirty; it becomes more easily damaged, the release of antibacterial compounds decreases and dirty skin is more prone to develop infections. The skin is subject to constant attack from without, so can be affected by numerous conditions, diseases and ailments.

Dry skin can be converted into healthy skin using natural home remedies. Usually, these days, we can take care of dry skin without seeing our doctor, but sometimes we can't avoid it. Call your doctor or naturopath when you feel itchy all over without a visible rash. If you're still worried, or the problems persist, see your doctor.

Good Luck for Dry Skin people.

This article came from Helen Hecker.

New Ideas About Dry Skin Care

2007-04-21T04:09:00.000+01:00

Xeroderma literally means "dry skin". Symptoms most associated with Xeroderma are scaling, which is the visible peeling of the outer skin layer, itching and cracks in the skin. Dry skin happens more often in the winter where the cold air outside and the hot air inside creates a low relative humidity.

Skin consists of loose connective tissue and elastin. Skin is considered one of the most important parts of the body. Skin contains the hair follicles, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, apocrine glands and blood vessels.

The dermis is the layer of skin beneath the epidermis that consists of connective tissue and cushions the body from stress and strain. The epidermis contains no blood vessels, and cells in the deepest layers are nourished by diffusion from blood capillaries extending to the upper layers of the dermis. Epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin.

Nutritional deficiencies, especially deficiencies of vitamin A and the B vitamins, can also contribute to dry skin.

Dry skin can be converted into healthy skin using natural home remedies. Usually, these days, we can take care of dry skin without seeing our doctor, but sometimes we can't avoid it. Call your doctor or naturopath when you feel itchy all over without a visible rash. If you're still worried, or the problems persist, see your doctor.

This article came from Helen Hecker.

New Ideas About Acne

2007-04-21T03:46:00.000+01:00

Acne is caused by the clogging of the follicle of a skin gland causing a pimple to grow. As a registered nurse, I've learned a lot over the years about acne, acne scars, and acne treatments. Living with acne can be very difficult, and even more difficult to find the right acne treatment for you.
Acne will affect almost every person at some stage of their life. There are several different types of acne. Acne is most common in teenagers and young adults. Acne is a group of skin rashes that have different causes. In a survey conducted in Great Britain, 95% of 16-year-old males and 83% of 16 year-old females had acne.
Understanding that hormones may have some influence on the cause of acne needs to be considered. The liver sluffs off toxins from bad foods, drinks, drugs and chemicals and sends them through your skin resulting in skin eruptions, acne, pimples and other skin disorders.
Check your shampoo to make sure it isn't causing pimples or other breakouts on your forehead. As time goes by, more research may help determine just how male and female hormones influence acne and the role diet plays.
It's easy to treat acne cheaply, simply, naturally, yet effective, at home. Try not to touch your skin to eliminate possible contamination. Popping pimples can cause infection and scarring. Shave carefully and try both electric and safety razors to see which works best for you.

See you...

This article came from Helen Hecker.

Your Guide On Body Acne(2)

2007-04-16T04:53:00.000+01:00

The treatment available to cure and prevent body acne is quite similar to that available for the facial acne. You can start your acne treatment by giving your body a wash with the soaps and shower foams containing Salicylic Acid. After taking a shower, gently wipe your body with a clean dry towel. But, do not rub your body. Rubbing will remove the dead skin, which will in turn clog your body pores (-which is the main cause of acne). After this, you can apply ointments having Benzoyl Peroxide content in them. When you are done with this, you can complete the process by applying moisturizer having a Hydroxyl acid-base.

This is a known fact that growth of certain bacteria on the skin is the main cause of the outburst of acne. Therefore, it becomes important for you to first deal with the incessant growth of bacteria over your skin. For this, you can use various antibiotics that will kill and further prevent bacterial growth over your body. The names of a few effective antibiotics are erythromycin and tetracycline. A combination of these antibiotics when taken orally can help you fight your acne problem.

Besides this, a new line of alternative treatment called as Phototherapy has also proved very affective in this direction. The principle attached with this treatment is very simple. Under this treatment your body parts are exposed to the rays of the sun. It is known that certain rays from the sun are very effective in killing the acne related bacteria.

All in all I would say, whatever mode you adopt to cure your body acne, you're your dermatologist.

This article came from Ashish Jain.

Your Guide On Body Acne(1)

2007-04-16T03:50:00.000+01:00

Human beings suffer from many skin problems. Of them the most common is acne and problems the related with it. Skin is a very valuable asset to all human beings. Therefore it becomes all the more important for us to take care of this protective shield of our body.

Since time immemorial, humans have suffered from the outrage of acne. Acne troubles them in many forms. Some people get mild outburst on their body. But many a times the spread could be colossal as well.

Besides this, acne affects many different areas of the body including your chest, whole back portion and the buttocks. But the most common part that is affected by acne is your face. This is called facial acne. But when acne persists all over the body parts, it is termed as body acne. The occurrence of body acne is not very common in human beings.

Body acne is generally characterized by small, red prominent spots, all over the body. These spots can be itchy and painful. These small spots can swell with time, making them more painful and unbearable.

Generally, body acne starts with a single portion of the body. If proper hygiene is not maintained, the infection spreads to the other parts, leading to a more aggravated form.

There are a lot many reasons attached with body acne. They are hormonal imbalance, excessive perspiration, hyper activity of the oil glands in the skin, allergy to certain synthetic fibers and prolonged wearing of tight clothes. Emergence of body acne is more common in teens than adults.

Causes of acne

2007-04-15T05:31:00.000+01:00

Exactly why some people get acne and some do not is not fully known. It is known to be partly hereditary. Several factors are known to be linked to acne:

Hormonal activity, such as menstrual cycles and puberty
Diet - Note that this has been denied by most doctors due to lack of scientific study.
Stress, through increased output of hormones from the adrenal (stress) glands.
Hyperactive sebaceous glands, secondary to the three hormone sources above.
Accumulation of dead skin cells.
Bacteria in the pores, to which the body becomes 'allergic'.
Skin irritation or scratching of any sort will activate inflammation.
Use of anabolic steroids.
Any medication containing halogens (iodides, chlorides, bromides), lithium, barbiturates, or androgens.
Exposure to high levels of chlorine compounds, particularly chlorinated dioxins, can cause severe, long-lasting acne, known as Chloracne.
Traditionally, attention has focused mostly on hormone-driven over-production of sebum as the main contributing factor of acne. More recently, more attention has been given to narrowing of the follicle channel as a second main contributing factor. Abnormal shedding of the cells lining the follicle, abnormal cell binding ("hyperkeratinization") within the follicle, and water retention in the skin (swelling the skin and so pressing the follicles shut) have all been put forward as important mechanisms. Several hormones have been linked to acne: the male hormones testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), as well as insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I). In addition, acne-prone skin has been shown to be insulin resistant[citation needed].

Development of acne vulgaris in later years is uncommon, although this is the age group for Rosacea which may have similar appearances. True acne vulgaris in adults may be a feature of an underlying condition such as pregnancy and disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome or the rare Cushing's syndrome. Dermatologists are seeing more cases of menopause-associated acne as fewer women replace the natural anti-acne ovarian hormone estradiol whose production fails as women arrive at menopause. The lack of estradiol also causes thinning hair, hot flashes, thin skin, wrinkles, vaginal dryness, and predisposes to osteopenia and osteoporosis as well as triggering acne (known as acne climacterica in this situation).

[edit] Misconceptions about causes

Symptoms

2007-04-15T05:28:00.000+01:00

The most common form of acne is known as "acne vulgaris", meaning "common acne." Many teenagers get this type of acne. Excessive secretion of oils from the sebaceous glands accompanies the plugging of the pores with naturally occurring dead skin cells (corneocytes) blocking hair follicles. The accumulation of these corneocytes in the duct appears to be due to a failure of the normal keratinization process in the skin which usually leads to shedding of skin cells lining the pores. Oil secretions are said to build up beneath the blocked pore, providing a perfect environment for the skin bacteria Propionibacterium acnes and the lipophilic (oil/lipid-loving) yeast Malassezia[citation needed] to multiply uncontrollably. Under the microscope, however, there is no evidence of pooled trapped sebum. Indeed the oil percolates through the plugged duct onto the surface. In response to the bacterial and yeast populations, the skin inflames, producing the visible lesion. The face, chest, back, shoulders and upper arms are especially affected. The typical acne lesions are: comedones, papules, pustules, nodules and inflammatory cysts known as cystic acne, one of the more severe forms. These are more inflamed and pus-filled or reddish bumps, that can easily lead to scarring or serious infections. Non-inflamed 'sebaceous cysts', more properly called epidermoid cysts, occur either in association with acne or alone but are not a constant feature. After resolution of acne lesions, prominent unsightly scars may remain.

Aside from scarring, its main effects are psychological, such as reduced self-esteem and, according to at least one study, depression or suicide. Acne usually appears during adolescence, when people already tend to be most socially insecure. Early and aggressive treatment is therefore advocated to lessen the overall impact to individuals

About ACNE

2007-04-15T05:22:00.000+01:00

Acne vulgaris is an inflammatory disease of the skin, caused by changes in the pilosebaceous units (skin structures consisting of a hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland). Acne lesions are commonly referred to as pimples, spots or zits.

The condition is most common in puberty. It is considered an abnormal response to normal levels of the male hormone testosterone. The response for most people diminishes over time and acne thus tends to disappear, or at least decrease, after one reaches his or her early twenties. There is, however, no way to predict how long it will take for it to disappear entirely, and some individuals will continue to suffer from acne decades later, into their thirties and forties and even beyond.Acne affects a large percentage of humans at some stage in life.

The term acne comes from a corruption of the Greek άκμή (acme in the sense of a skin eruption) in the writings of Aëtius Amidenus. The vernacular term bacne or backne is often used to indicate acne found specifically on one's back.