Archive for September, 2009

Finding The Right Acne Cure

ac6 Acne is one of the most common skin problems affecting people worldwide. A big misconception is that acne affects only teenagers, but many are surprised to learn that adults also suffer from this same inconvenience. Among the many causes are clogged pores resulting from makeup, everyday air particles and often a simple case of hormonal changes. While acne is a part of life for many individuals, it can be effectively treated with a variety of acne cure products.

One of the best, natural acne cure remedies is to wash your face at least twice on a daily basis. Early in the morning and late at night are both good times to cleanse the face. A moisturizing soap will be the most gentle for your skin whereas others with a harsh ingredient may strip the skin of it’s natural moisture and may even cause itching and/or redness.

Many people choose to use retail acne cure products, which can be effective if used properly. It is very important, however, that consumers read and understand the instructions and/or warning labels found in the packaging on all acne cure products. All treatment creams, pads or face wash products should be kept away from the eyes and are for external use only. This is not only true of retail products, but prescribed acne cure medications as well.

For a recurring or severe case of acne, many sufferers turn to a dermatologist for a more aggressive acne cure. In most cases, a prescribed routine and medication can help to treat acne. In most cases, a follow-up visit will be scheduled so that the doctor may monitor the patient’s progress and determine whether additional steps should be taken to treat the problem.

It is very important to avoid aggravating, or disrupting, any and all acne blemishes. Otherwise, the sufferer will face a possible bacterial infection from dirt and/or germs that may reside underneath the fingernail. Many believe that just because their fingernails appear clean, there is nothing to worry about. That’s simply not true. There are many germs and bacteria, which are not visible to the naked eye, that reside underneath the fingernail. This is why an acne sufferer should avoid any direct contact between their hand and the blemish area(s).

Who Should Use Acne Medication?

ac5 Anyone can have acne and it is a painful and embarrassing problem for most people.  There are ways to treat it so that no one has to deal with this uncomfortable appearance that makes him or her self-conscious all of the time.  For some people they are just entering their teenage years and there are others who have been dealing with acne for most of their adult lives.

There are so many forms of acne medication out there to choose from.  There are different skin needs and it is important to recognize all of the different types of acne and what the needs for it are.  There are so many over the counter products that can help treat acne for just about anyone.

Anyone can get acne at any stage in his or her life.  There are many things that can cause acne and that are why it may be necessary for someone to get different forms of acne medication for their problem.  There are different ways to handle the different kinds of acne and at different stages that it occurs.  With the right help, you will have a good result in the end.

As with most things, acne has a beginning, middle and end.  It is a skin condition and the best time for acne medication is at the beginning stages.  In the early stages of acne, the pores will enlarge and create thick oils.  They will fill up with black and white matter and this will result in a black head.  This is the part that will cause the acne and needs to be taking care of at once.  The dead skin needs to be exfoliated and removed.

There are many different kinds of creams and gels to use as a form of acne medication that you can find in the stores.  You may find that these treatments work, or you may have to take it one step further and get a dermatologist to assist you with your skin.  When this is the case, you may be prescribed some form of ointment or you may have to go through a form of therapy to get your acne under control.

If you go through therapy for your acne, you will find that there are a lot of different things to try. There are chemical peels, scrubs, and even electrical programs that may help you find relief from this acne problem.

It may take some work, but with enough information and some research, you will find the right acne medication that will help you get your skin looking clear and pure and give you the self-confidence that you deserve.

Don’t Believe These Acne Myths

ac4 There are many allegations as to the causes of acne. As technology and science help us find the actual roots, we are able to dispel many of the misconceptions surrounding acne. However, the myths still persist. Here are some more commonly known myths:

Myth: Acne is caused by poor hygiene.
Lack of cleanliness is not the reason for acne. There are skin infections associated with acne due to a mixture of sebum and dead cells that lie beneath the surface of the skin. Although gentle cleansing of the skin with soap and water once or twice a day will assist in keeping skin as healthy as possible, it is ineffective in clearing away the skin infections. Take care not to scrub too hard as this could further aggravate acne.

Myth: Grease and Chocolate will cause acne.
People have believed for years that eating chocolate will cause pimples. There is no scientific proof for this - studies have shown no direct relationship between consuming chocolate and acne breakouts. This is also true of other foods like potato chips and French fries. Eating too much of these types of food is, however, unhealthy, and advisable to eat in moderation.

Note: Although chocolate and greasy foods do not cause acne, some foods DO seem to exacerbate it. Milk and foods high in iodine (as found in seafood) seem to aggravate acne.

Myth: Sex is directly linked to acne.
Everything from masturbation to celibacy has been blamed for acne. This again is false. Although there is a link between hormone levels and sexual activity, it is unclear what the link between sex and levels of sebum (causing acne.) Emotions and stress also affect hormone levels.

Myth: You will grow out of acne.
Acne may last a matter of weeks or as long as several years. There is no need to try to live with it when there are so many over-the-counter treatments available to anyone suffering from the discomfort and embarrassment of acne. Dermatologists are also easily accessible for more severe cases.

Myth: Acne only affects teenagers.
Although 85% of adolescents experience acne, adults are susceptible to suffering from acne when they are in their 30s or 40s.

Myth: Acne is only a superficial condition.
Due to the severity of physical disfigurement acne leads to psychological stress. There are strong links to depression, social withdrawal and low self-esteem.

Myth: Popping/Squeezing pimples will get rid of them faster.
This may actually aggravate acne by spreading the bacteria which is causing it! Squeezing pimples can also lead to permanent scarring.

Myth: Sun exposure will help clear up acne.
Although short-term effects of the sun seem to dry out excess oils, the skin quickly adapts to sun exposure. This eliminates long-term benefits from sun exposure and increases the potential for skin damage and cancer.

Myth: Wearing makeup causes acne.
Healthy skin is the best way to avoid acne. Because some makeups can clog pores, acne can in fact result. Cosmetics have flooded the market with labels indicating they are noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic, which means they will not cause acne. These brands of makeup are safe to use. Some actually include ingredients that help treat acne.

Myth: Using more acne medication will treat the condition quicker.
Excess use of ointments may actually irritate the skin, worsening the condition. Oral medications can be dangerous to your overall health. Always use medications as directed.