Nov 22 2009

Adult Acne – The Whole Truth

Category: Health & Fitness — @ 6:06 am

Author: John Wellington
Source: articleage.com

The percentage of adults with acne is significantly lower than it is among teenagers. It is possible to get a blemish or have a full break-out at any age. The cause of adult acne is uncertain, but that does not mean it is not treatable. It is more common that most people may think. Teen acne is most prevalent in males, but adult acne appears more in females.
It is common to assume that acne is the result of poor hygiene, which is incorrect. There are several factors involved in the development of acne. Hormones that lead to excess skin oils, clogged pores, and irritation are all leading contributors. Frequent washing of the face could cause irritation that could result in a break-out. It is advised to limit yourself to washing twice a day and after you have been sweating.
Adult acne may be caused by hormones. If you are an adult that is getting more than the occasional pimple, bring the problem to your doctor. A hormonal adult acne treatment may be available, otherwise, they will most likely prescribe benzoyl peroxide, which is the same treatment used in teenagers. It has the greatest percentage of positive results than most other treatment available. It is a topical treatment that works to reduce the blockage of the sebaceous (oil producing) gland.
The best treatment is determined by the type of acne that you have. For women who have hormonal induced acne, oral contraceptives could be prescribed. If you have oily skin and only an occasional pimple or two, perhaps you should just try an over-the-counter topical medicine. Also, something as simple as taking a hot shower and exposing your face to the steam could clear up your skin. The steam opens up your pores to allow them to clear. Most acne is due to pores being clogged with dead skin and bacteria. Cellex-C is an over-the-counter medicine that has be proven a very effective anti-inflammatory. It is also an anti-viral and anti-bacterial antiseptic that promotes quick healing of existing pimples. This is recommended mostly for people who only experience occasional blemishes. It is preferred over benzoyl peroxide mainly because it does not cause additional irritation or redness to appear.
Acne can be depressing at any age, especially when you were expecting to be in the clear for the rest of your years. Adult acne can have a very negative effect on your overall feeling toward yourself. You may lose sight of your self-worth and hide from social situations because of something as simple to treat as acne. Stress can be the main factor in adult acne simply because of how stressful an adult life can be. Paying bills, children, work, and even relationships can factor into your stress. Stress in life is sometimes completely unavoidable, but there are different ways to deal with it. The best way to deal with stress is to find a way to relax. Exercising or stretching when things start to get hectic, or finding another stress-reliever could be very beneficial to you skin’s condition.
Check out our recommended acne resource guide here.
John Wellington is from AcneHelpZone.com which provides people who are suffering from acne with quick, relevant and free acne resources that they can download and take away with them for easy reference.

Tags: , , , ,

Nov 11 2009

Acne: What You Need To Know Today

Category: Health & Fitness — @ 5:59 am

Author: Martin Stephens
Source: articleage.com

Acne is a skin condition that has plagued teenagers and adults for centuries, and there are a lot of myths about what causes acne and how to cure it. The fact is we still don’t know exactly why some people suffer from acne and others don’t.
Basically, acne starts and pimples form because sebum gets blocked in the pores of your skin and bacteria begins to grow. Science doesn’t yet have a definite answer when it comes to acne causes, but several myths relate to eating junk food, stress, cosmetics, and exercise. Each of these things may be an acne cause, but not all doctors agree. The general consensus is that the strongest cause of acne is genetic, although these other factors may contribute to acne as well.
Adult Acne and Teenage Acne
Acne in teenagers is caused by the changes in hormone levels that occur as teens enter puberty. Not all adolescents experience teenage acne as they enter puberty, but many do. Most non-prescription acne products use ad campaigns that target teens, because teenage acne tends to have a great psychological impact on adolescents.
Adult acne is somewhat different, because it isn’t typically caused by hormonal changes. However, some women suffer from acne due to higher than normal levels of testosterone. Usually, adult acne is related to stress and diet, although these are not conclusive causes.
Natural and Alternative Acne Solutions
Consumers are always clamoring for natural solutions to medical problems, and acne natural treatments are no exception. There have been many suggested natural remedies used for acne treatment over the years, but recently some alternative methods have proved somewhat successful.
Some recent studies, for instance, have shown that acupuncture may help treat acne. Acupuncturists usually try to treat the root problems in the body, and acne happens to be a symptom caused by other factors such as hormonal imbalances. This why your acupuncturist may suggest a change in diet or some form of stress relief.
Tea tree oil has acquired a good reputation as a natural acne treatment too. As an acne solution, it helps kill the bacteria and cut down the amount of inflammation and redness on the skin. In some cases using tea tree oil can help traditional acne products penetrate deeper as well.
Home Acne Products
The most common home acne product available is benzoyl peroxide. This is the active ingredient in many acne treatments including Clearasil, ABY, AcneControl, and Proactiv Solution. It works by killing the bacteria that causes acne, and it also has a mild peeling effect which can reduce breakout and inflammation. Some sources say the bacteria can actually build up a resistance to benzoyl peroxide, making it less effective the longer you use it. Also, beware that a small percentage of people are allergic to benzoyl peroxide, and if you experience any excessive skin irritation when using it, you should try a different acne product.
Salicylic Acid is another common acne treatment that is the active ingredient in many home acne products. It works by unclogging the pores of your skin and works best when used in conjunction with an antibacterial agent like benzoyl peroxide. Some products such as Clearasil 3-in1, Neutrogena, and Proactiv Solution Deep Cleansing Wash use salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide together.
A trip through the Health and Beauty section of most grocers will supply you with plenty of options for acne products that contain these ingredients. The best acne solution may be to develop a regimen that cleans your skin, unclogs your pores, and kills acne causing bacteria. Choose your acne products based on this daily regimen.
Martin Stephens is a professional author and speaker who is constantly researching new treatment methods for acne. Part 2 of this article is available at http://acne-treatment-steps.com Part 2 discusses natural health treatments

Tags: , , , ,

Nov 01 2009

Acne Skin Care Treatments

Category: Health & Fitness — @ 3:38 pm

Author: Jerrick Foo
Source: articleage.com

Acne sufferers today can choose from an array of products and regimens designed for acne skin care, both in prescription and over-the-counter preparations. Whether you are a teenager with typical hormone-driven breakouts, or are battling acne as an adult, you should be able to find a skin care treatment that gives you relief.
Acne skin care products target the problem of acne with several different strategies?some work by reducing the production of the oil glands, others by killing the P. acnes bacteria that cause the acne eruption, and others reduce the build-up of dead skin cells that leads to clogged pores. Several popular skin care products perform more than one of these functions.
The oldest commercial acne skin care treatment, and still one of the most widely available, is Benzoyl Peroxide. Sold in gels, creams, and washes, Benzoyl Peroxide fights acne by killing the P. acnes bacterium on the surface of the skin. It also has a drying and peeling effect, which may help reduce the severity of acne.
Users report that Benzoyl Peroxide can take four to six weeks of constant use to achieve full effect, but that it is a powerful tool in acne skin care when used faithfully. It can be found in commercial acne skin care products, such as Oxy 5 and Clearasil, but is also available in prescription strength.
Antibiotics are another common treatment used in acne skin care. Like Benzoyl Peroxide, they target the P. acnes bacterium, and can be found in gels and creams, but are usually administered as an oral medication. Common antibiotics used for acne treatment are Erythromycin, Clindamycin, and Tetracycline. Another aspect of antibiotic use in acne skin care is their anti-inflammatory effect, which reduces the redness and swelling of acne eruptions that have already occurred.
Additionally, Sodium Sulfacetamide and Azelaic Acid are prescribed to fight P. acnes bacteria, although neither are antibiotics.
Azelaic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Resorcinol, sulphur, and Adapalene are products that approach acne skin care with the intent to reduce clogged pores by peeling or sloughing off dead skins cells. Salicylic Acid is found in over-the-counter acne care products, such as Stridex, as are Resorcinol and sulphur.
While most acne skin care treatments in this group target the surface of the skin, Adapalene, a prescription-only medication, reduces the build-up of dead skin cells inside the pore itself. Also a prescription-only skin care product, Azelaic Acid has the added benefit of killing P. acnes bacteria.
To reduce oil production, there are two common acne skin care treatments: oral contraceptives, and Isotretinoin (Accutane). Of the two, Accutane, a vitamin A derivative, has the most severe side-effects, which include a high risk of birth defects, and is used for severe cases when other acne skin care regimens have failed.
Oral contraceptives work as an acne treatment because they are anti-androgens?they reduce levels of male hormones, specifically testosterone. Increased oil production in women has been linked to elevated levels of testosterone. Not all birth control pills work in the same manner, and the progestins used in some actually act like androgens, so be sure to inform your doctor if you wish your oral contraceptive to serve the dual purpose of acne skin care.
Every acne skin care product available today has side effects, some of them quite severe. Always consult your doctor or dermatologist, and read carefully all labels and warnings before beginning an acne skin care regimen.

Tags: , , , ,

Oct 19 2009

Ways to Treat People With Acne

Category: Health & Fitness — @ 6:04 am

Author: May Harrow
Source: ezinearticles.com

Acne or pimples is a problem for many people. That affects many people in their teenage years but may continue into adulthood. They are most often found on the face, but you can usually see on the neck, chest and back. Teenagers seem to develop acne more common due to hormonal changes. The sebum begins to form in sebaceous glands leading to the formation of acne. Men more often experience acne. There are various treatments, and there are different levels of treatment. Mild acne is common, and treatment may or may not be necessary. Thorough cleaning of the face twice a day is enough to keep the face clean for some people to prevent acne. However, other measures can be taken. Over-the-counter products are fairly common. The cleaning of the face is very important. Facial Wash with benzoyl peroxide or benzoyl peroxide itself is a good way to prevent and treat minor acne. Using an alcohol toner immediately after washing your face provides extra cleaning of the pores. Most over the counter medications containing benzoyl peroxide. It has antibacterial and drying effects on skin. If the acne does not improve the person with the above steps, a doctor visit can be justified. Many people may feel self-conscious about acne and want something more to help with treatment. A doctor can help with the prescription for stronger medications. It may even be necessary to refer the person to a dermatologist to receive special treatment. This medication after a doctor can give the patient an antibiotic cream. Acne is also caused by bacteria, therefore, a topical antibiotic cream is judged. It usually is, or tetracycline, erythromycin or clindamycin.

If you have acne, you can be sure that there are many acne remedy products available that might help solve your problem. Just be sure to not let your desire to get rid of acne cloud your judgment on which products are really going to work.

Tags: , , , ,