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Archive for October, 2009

The actions required in removing acne scars can be expensive.  Depending on the severity and amount of scarring, multiple treatments may be needed in order to effectively minimize the lasting effects of acne.  The problem that many sufferers face is finding a way to pay for removing acne scars if their medical insurance does not cover the cost of treatment.

Because removing acne scars may be considered, by some insurance providers, as a cosmetic procedure, it may be difficult to get an approval.  If you are considering a procedure that will aid in removing acne scars, the best way to learn if your medical insurance covers this type of treatment is to review your policy.  Whether your insurance is provided through your employer or you obtained it directly from an insurance provider, you should have a detailed overview of your coverage.  Many providers do not cover the cost of cosmetic treatments and/or surgeries, which are often deemed as cosmetic or plastic surgery.  If you still have questions after reviewing your policy, call your insurance agent to inquire about coverage.

If coverage is in question, it may help to have your physician provide a written recommendation to your insurance company.  This letter should include the physician’s name, contact information and his/her determination and recommendation regarding treatment to help in removing acne scars.  Once this letter is submitted to your insurance company, a response should be given within 30 days.  This can either be to the physician directly or to you, but the insurance company will reply with an acceptance or denial.

In the event that you request for medical insurance coverage relating to removing acne scars is denied, there may still be other options.  For instance, if your condition warrants laser surgery for removing acne scars, the hospital may offer a payment plan to help cover the cost of the procedure.  Many hospitals provide this type of financing to help their patient’s afford treatment that would otherwise be unavailable to them due to lack of medical insurance.  In order to be granted a payment plan, you would have to first determine whether or not one is available.  This can be found at the hospital’s billing office.  If payment plans are available, your physician would have to determine a total cost for removing acne scars and provide it to the billing office.  Following the procedure, the hospital would issue a bill and, if you are signed up on a payment plan, would give you the opportunity to make low monthly payments.

The information in this article is intended for informational purposes only.  It should not be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice.  Prior to beginning any attempt at removing acne scars, individuals should consult their dermatologist for proper diagnosis and/or treatment.

Let’s face it: We mostly judge people on how they look.

This is a fact that cannot be denied and the reason why almost everyone is obsessed with their appearance. This is also why if anyone suffers from acne, they often go to any length to control this image distorting skin disease.

I am saying this from first-hand experience, pimples, commonly known as acne, can literally make you miserable. Imagine having a big bump nestled right on your lower lip with other small bumps crowding your face and all the while you’re talking to someone you keep wondering : “ Is this person looking at the bump…?”

Perhaps you may have tried everything from the popular products advertised on TV, to the over the counter drugs at the local pharmacy. Believe me, I have and NOTHING worked, on the contrary, they made matters worse.

I tried exfoliating, using a mask, applying astringents, creams. My roommate literally had to yell once: “What’s with all this ‘make-up’ like you are a Vegas show-girl?”
It would be an understatement to say my experience with acne was horrible.

I had just about given up hope and decided to accept the myths that maybe just maybe it was in my genes or as my pastor at the time said: “It was God’s will for me…” but, it was right around this time that I stumbled upon an associate whose conversation with me that day forever changed my life-at least in regards to dealing with acne.

He asked what I was using to control the acne and if you are a sufferer, you may know the feeling that arises within when someone brings up the subject of your malady. I got defensive and mentioned the product I was using rather snappily. He kept right on and as if sensing my discomfort, assured me he was only trying to help.

He introduced me to juice fasting as a therapeutic measure of healing (not the religious practice I thought it was) and also discussed facial massaging and how to properly cleanse the face. I was intrigued by these methods for the following reasons

1.    They were natural
2.    They cost little or nothing
3.    They made the most sense

After trying each of the methods simultaneously, within about 3 or 4 days, I was relieved of the acne and even the razor bumps I also had. If felt good to be able to walk into the office and know that the girls were looking at me admirably and it was also a relief to know this horrendous mask was finally taken off me!

Years later after learning more about Naturopathy, Yoga and diet, I decided to dedicate a page on my website to offer this free information on how to cure acne naturally to my readers and am now including some of the tips in this article.

1. If you want to control your acne; you must make a change in your diet now.
This will not only clear up your skin, but will increase your all around health and well-being. A suggested diet will be a mucus-less diet comprising of raw and cooked Fruits, Leafy and Root vegetables augmented with a fast of some type. Remember the quote by Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine: “Let your foods be your medicine as nature heals ALL diseases!”

2. I can boldly say rid yourself of all topical and ingested drugs you are using to control acne as they only- from my experience- make matters worse.

3. Learn how to massage the face. You can type up facial massaging in your favorite search engine or simply view the free instructions and photos on my site. (Thank Goodness for the internet eh…?)

4. Change your pillowcase daily.

5. Steer clear of using microwaves. My anecdote on this device is in the same section mentioned in tip #3.

6. Engage in some form of vigorous exercise. This not only makes you fitter and healthier but aids tip #1 in detoxifying the skin, this being the second most important eliminating organ next to the lungs as stated by Dr. Stanley Burroughs, the author of the Master Cleanser.

In applying these steps above, you will definitely notice a drastic improvement in your skin. You too can cure your acne naturally without drugs and expensive visits to the dermatologists; you only need to be shown how.

If one way is true, it is the way of Nature.

What is Acne? Acne, most commonly known as pimples, is the worst nightmare for those too unfortunate to suffer. It is the most common skin disease today. In United States alone, nearly 60 million people are infected with acne, where 85 per cent of teenagers suffer from it. Acne is a disorder resulting from the action of hormones on the skin’s oil glands (sebaceous glands), which leads to plugged pores and outbreaks of lesions commonly called pimples or zits. Acne lesions usually occur on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. Acne can involve mild to severe outbreaks of pimples and cysts on the face and sometimes on the back, shoulders and chest. Here are several acne terms that can help you better understand acne. Comedos are simply a plugged and enlarged hair follicle. When a comedo is open, it is usually called a blackhead. When it is closed or deep into the skin, it is usually called whitehead. The whitehead differs in color from the blackhead because the opening of the plugged sebaceous follicle to the skin’s surface is closed or very narrow, in contrast to the distended follicular opening of the blackhead. Neither blackheads nor whiteheads should be squeezed or picked open, unless extracted by a dermatologist under sterile conditions. Tissue injured by squeezing or picking can become infected by staphylococci, streptococci and other skin bacteria. Cysts are lumps under the skin that have pus and other tissue in them, and they can be red, swollen and sore – but they do not come to a head like pimples do. Cysts can cause scarring and blotchy, uneven skin colour.

Acne Tips It is very important that teenagers and their parents know that the care that they give to their skin cannot stop pimples from coming completely, and that if the acne is very bad, skin care is not likely to make any difference. There is also a lot of mis-information about skin care. • Washing the face should only be done once or twice a day, with a mild soap. The skin should not be scrubbed. • Washing hair: the forehead can be oilier than other parts of the face, and have more pimples. The hair just above the forehead is also often oily. Oily hair probably does not cause acne on the forehead to be worse. Washing the hair often (such as daily) can make the hair look better, but may have no effect on the acne. If their forehead has a lot of acne, teenagers will want to cover it with their hair. This probably will not make the acne worse, and might be helpful in improving the way they feel about their face. • Pimples should not be squeezed, as this can damage the lining of the pore and the sebum and bacteria can get into the skin around the pimple, causing more inflammation (redness, swelling and pus). However most teenagers cannot resist trying to squeeze out pus or a blackhead. If they have to, make sure they know that they should have clean hands, and only squeeze very gently. If the pus or blackhead does not come out easily, it is not ready to come out. • Exposing the face to a little sunlight, not enough to cause any skin damage, may help a little. • Avoiding cosmetics and sunscreens which are oil based might be worth trying. • There are many products for sale ‘over the counter’ at pharmacies, or in supermarkets, which are claimed to reduce or get rid of acne. Some of these may help. Many of them work by increasing the speed of production of cells lining the ducts and cells of the skin of the face. This can unblock the pores, or make them less likely to block. • Cheap products may be as helpful as more expensive ones. Some make the skin more sensitive to sunlight, so sun screen should also be used. If the product causes the skin to become very red or sore, stop using the product.