Cold Sore vs. Acne

One morning, you wake up and find your lips are tingling, swollen and sensitive to the touch. Within a day, a pimple forms on or at the edge of the lips. Is this a cold sore or acne? Most likely, it’s a cold sore.

Different from Acne

The tell-tale signs are the tingling and the area where the cold sore is forming. Cold sores occur on the lips because herpes simplex, the virus that causes cold sores, lives within the nerves of the lips. It stays there dormant until the immune system lowers its defenses. This may happen due to illness, premenstruation, sun exposure, stress or injury. Then the virus awakens, travels to the surface, and starts multiplying. Tingling is the first sign that the virus is on the move. It fills up clear blisters on or next to the lips with replicas of itself. Another difference between acne and a cold sore is that this clear fluid-filled cold sore blister will usually have others alongside it. All of them will scab over in a few days. It is important not to try to remove the scab, or to burst the blisters, before they heal.

Herpes simplex is a very contagious virus during an outbreak. The fluid or the scab can transfer the virus to another person, or to your eyes or genital area. Cold sores on your fingers, nostrils, and chin are not unheard of. Within your mouth, if herpes simplex occurs, it is not the same as a canker sore. Canker sors form in soft areas, like the inside of the cheeks. Cold sores within the mouth form on the hard surfaces, such as the gums or roof of the palate. Herpes simplex can also travel to the esophagus and form lesions within. When you have a cold sore, it is important to
• wash your hands after touching your lips
• not share lipsticks or other lip cosmetics
• not share utensils, cups, napkins, or towels
• not kiss anyone, while you have a cold sore

Furthermore, while having a cold sore, you should avoid contact with a person who has a weak immune system such as an HIV/AIDs sufferer, any infants, or anyone with actopic dermatitis.

Antivirals will help reduce the length of the cold sore outbreak, but there is no cure for herpes simplex as of this writing. Antibacterials will have no effect on curing cold sores, and could make other infections (such as candida) even worse. Antibacterials are good for acne pimples.

Similar with Acne

Taking care of yourself will help both acne and cold sores. A good sunscreen should be used, even during winter months. You should NOT try to pop either a cold sore or an acne pimple. Remove makeup before sleeping and be careful with what else you put on your face. Overall body health translates to good immunity AND clear skin. So keep up with a regular exercise routine, and eat healthy high-glycemic foods.

How to Stop Squeezing Acne

It’s a big day for you, and you’re busy getting ready. Finally you spot yourself in the mirror. Wait, where did that big zit come from? The timing couldn’t be worse!

Or maybe you have a recurring problem with acne. It just seems quicker to squeeze the acne rather than wait for it to go away.

In either case, you will often be told to stop squeezing the acne. Harmful effects include more irritation, and that the acne bacteria will spread and ultimately will cause more acne, not less. Squeezing acne is also unhygenic, unsightly and pretty painful until the primary plug of sebum and dead skin comes out.

Learning about other ways to deal with the renegade zit is how to stop squeezing acne. Here are six things to do instead of squeezing or popping the pimple…

1. Apply an ice pack for 10 minute periods of time with a 5 minute break in between. Make a mini-ice pack by freezing water in a small container beforehand. Keeping an ice pack in the freezer will keep you prepared in case of acne 911.
2. Wash well with your favorite gentle soap.
3. Then apply benzoyl peroxide, at least 5 to 10 percent, to the offending pimple. Wash after it dries.
4. Then apply honey to the pimple. Leave on for as long as possible, then wash again.
5. Or you can put triple antibiotic cream from the drugstore on the acne lesion. Any antibiotic cream can be used in a pinch.
6. Use concealer. Sometimes this has an effect on the pimple too, later on. Perhaps it cuts off the airflow to the bacteria that are involved, or it encourages exfoliation of the live skin cells that are forming a living “pot lid” on the top of the comedone.

These simple steps should get you on your way. When you come home, you can apply the steps of your normal acne care routine. This should include cleaning off of all makeup and debris with a gentle cleanser, applying benzoyl peroxide for 10 minutes, then applying a good, non oily moisturizer.

Outside of your daily routine, things you might do on a weekly basis include steaming your face under a towel, and applying a facial mask with any of a number of good natural products. A doctor can also prescribe medicine, which you should not forget to incorporate in your routine. Some medications and treatments need to be applied for a long time before they show an effect. They may also cause acne to worsen before it gets better.

A good diet will help reduce breakouts like this. A study recently was published in scientific circles that should that the old myth about diet not affecting acne is just that, a myth. Slowly the evidence is growing that a low glycemic diet will lead to more acne while a high glycemic (low in sugar) diet will lead to less acne.

So eating well, exercising and taking care of your skin are ultimately the best ways to stop squeezing acne pustules, whiteheads and blackheads.

Skin Diet Acne Studies

Is there a relationship between your skin, diet, and acne? Will diet studies show a reduction in acne? Many seem to think so, based on non-scientific evidence. One writer reports that immigrant friends of hers said that acne was unheard of in her home country. Back home, they had a diet of fish, fresh vegetables, and whole grains. As soon as her friends adopted a typical American diet, their skin started to have acne breakouts. This “immigration acne” has been discussed anecdotally, but only recently has scientific studies supported this view.

High and Low Glycemic Index Study

Dr. Mann and Dr. Robyn Smith of the Royal Melbourne Hospital studied the effect of diet on the acne of forty-three young men between the ages of 15 and 25. Half were put on a high glycemic diet and half were on a low glycemic diet. They found that after 12 weeks on the high protein and low glycemic diet, the boys had 50% less acne. The results are very preliminary, but were accepted for presentation at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venerology, and published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (July 2007), and the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (August 2007).
“A diet high in processed foods pushes glucose and insulin levels higher, exacerbating the problem, but low-glycemic foods do the opposite,” Mann said. “The mechanism and the results are clear as day.”

Diet Study 2: The Kitavan Islanders

In 2002, a study was conducted on 300 natives of the Kitavan Islands, near Papua, New Guinea. Dr. Cordain and others found none of the 300 had ever had acne. Similarly, a group of South American Indians known as Ache, living in remote Paraguay, have never had a problem with acne. Both these skin diet acne studies implicate our low-glycemic diets as a factor for producing acne.

Acne Diet Studies and Sugar, the Bottom Line

What you eat can give you acne. Dr. Mann’s study is basically saying that foods that are high in sugars can make acne worse. The body reacts to these high-glycemic foods by making more insulin. Raised insulin leads to more male hormones, which in turn leads to more making of sebum, the oil that clogs pores. Therefore acne is related to diet, and you should be careful not to eat high-glycemic foods such as french pies, potatoes, processed foods, bread, carbonated drinks, dairy products, and certain nuts (brazil nuts, almonds, walnuts, and filberts).

The alternative clear skin diet for naturally reducing acne would be low-glycemic. Lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, cereals that contain bran, barley and oats, and drinking water, vegetables juices (low-sugar) and herbal teas are all part of the low-glycemic natural diet. Another part to consider is the protein, as the Royal Melbourne hospital study also assigned high protein for the group with less acne.

Baby Urine Helps Acne

Although the thought of using urine to cure diseases is really alien to most americans – and when you first bring up the topic people think ugh. Actually the notion of using urine to cure diseases of the body has been around since civilization began. The fluids of the body have been key ingredients in magic and folk medicine of all cultures. In Africa, mothers use their own urine to protect their children’s eyes from cataracts. Hoodoo spells for good luck often call for the application of urine on the objects that need good luck. Englishmen would call for “chamber lye” in their aphrodisiac spells. In Islamic Arabia, urine is considered impure, but the urine of breastfed baby boys is considered pure.

Testimonials about Use of Baby Urine on Skin

One person who used urine to heal a cut which they sustained while camping, refers to the use of urine as an immunity-boosting topical. Anecdotes similar to this prescribe the use of urine topically to help with jellyfish stings. Another story is told about lumberjacks using urine to prevent calluses while on the job.

Specific Problems of Baby Urine

Usually baby urine is colorless and odorless. If there are any of the following, a doctor should be consulted.

Maple Syrup smell — A sweet sugary smell in the urine may be an indication of diabetes, which is very rare in infants. Or it may be an indicator of Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD). The smell of the urine is occasionally or always sweet like maple syrup. One in 300,000 have it, and the forms of MSUD are varied. In the severest form, the child is very sick from the first week of life. In the intermittent form, the child is well the majority of the time and will only throw up and have the sugary smelling urine from time to time. The sugary smelling urine is the first sign of the intermittent form of the disease. The children with MSUD can be treated easily with a special diet, as their disease is the result of not having the right enzymes to process certain proteins.

Blue urine – When tryptophan is not absorbed by the stomach, the protein gets degraded in the intestine, to indicanuria which oxides to indigo blue upon contact with air. The infant may also have fever and visual problems. Again, diet would be restricted for such a child.

A Book On Uropoty And The Practice of Amaroli

The book “UrineTherapy” by Flora Peschek-Böhmer Ph.D., and Gisela Schreiber sheds light on a practice that is little discussed, the drinking of urine to help with acne and other diseases. The reasoning about drinking urine that the authors give us, is that the urine acts in the same way that a vaccine does. A vaccine brings you immunity by giving you a little piece of a dangerous virus, such as influenza virus. Your body then makes antibodies in response to the vaccine, and you then have protection. In urine, there are also small parts of digested viruses, bacteria, etc. When re-presented to your body through the drinking of urine, your immune system is better able to make antibodies than the usual infective route with the virus.

Germans are not the first to think of this therapy. In fact, urine drinking, or “amaroli” is a practice prescribed in the books of Hinduism and taught by yogis. The verses recommend drinking the middle portion of the first urination in the morning. This has been used to treat acne, boils, auto-immune diseases, fatigue, and even skin cancer. An account on the internet graphically described how parents who practice “amaroli” used it to treat their child’s foruncular acne.

CO2 Laser Acne Scar Removal

Searching online for before and after photos of CO2 laser for acne scar removal will bring up pages and pages of dermatologic surgeons. It is important to note that in before and after photos of CO2 laser use for acne scar removal, the before photo usually shows someone without makeup, in bad lighting, and frowning. Then in the after photo, they have makeup and so on. You should look past these factors and try to judge the job done on the acne scars only, not how good they look overall. Also, it may be one way by which you can judge the doctor, but there are many other factors to consider before laying yourself under his or her knife.

It is important to make sure the surgeon has all the right certifications and hospital priveleges. When you meet with them, they should fully answer your questions, and be rational and realistic in their promises to you. It would help if you also are realistic, and so reading about CO2 laser for acne scar removal is an important part of getting yourself ready for this major decision.

Dermatologists have been using the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser for acne scar removal since 1964. It is one of five types of lasers that are now in use. But even among CO2 lasers, there is great variation among surgeons as to how they actually use the laser, which may affect the final results. First, there are two types of CO2 lasers, ultra-short pulse beam and the scanned/shutter system. Both deliver a short hot pulse of laser light directly to the cells that the surgeon has targeted, but they deliver the laser light in different ways. Variation also exists in the preoperative procedures, the number of laser passes delivered, whether or not the burned tissue is removed between the passes of the laser, the degree of pulse or scan overlap, and postoperative wound care. Before the operation, the surgeon may prescribe antiviral cream and antibiotic cream, but the latter seems to be not as important. They may choose to use nerve blocks, or just anesthetic cream to make you more comfortable. There’s no agreement among all surgeons on the numbers of passes or degree of pulse/scan overlap. Some research has suggested that removing the dead tissue between passes of the laser makes the treatment more effective. Postoperative treatments are of three kinds: a closed dressing, a closed dressing with some topical creams, and topical creams only. The whole purpose of these postoperative treatments is to keep the area moist. Hopefully, if all goes well, new smooth skin will grow in where there was scarred skin before.

The CO2 laser for acne scar removal is best for those acne scars which are not too high or too deep. If the scars are too big, then another technique may be used before or after laser treatment. CO2 laser works best for acne scar removal on the face, because the face has the highest concentration of hair-follicle units, which will provide the cells that will replace skin that is being abraded.

Some previous treatments will make it less likely that CO2 laser for acne scar removal will work for you. Isotrentinoin within 6 months to a year makes scarring more likely. Previous laser resurfacing, or phenol peel, or even dermabrasion would make the area less able to heal quickly. You should be cautious about CO2 lasers for acne scar removal if your skin has a tendency to form keloid (raised) scars, or if you have had previous radiation and sun exposure to the area, or if you smoke.

Acne Foruncular Naturist Treatment

Foruncular acne is also known as boils, and a group of boils is called a carbuncle. Acne turns foruncular (becomes a boil) when the initial infection of the hair follicle goes deeper into the dermis and underlaying layers of tissue. The infection also spreads wider, turning into a large lump, characterized by a white “head” of pus.

Causes of acne foruncular

It is not known what exactly causes acne foruncular. Researchers speculate that small tiny tears in the skin occur either thru scratching, shaving, or other trauma to the skin. These tears allow staph aureus bacteria to enter the body. Although we are not normally bothered by this bacteria, which lives on our skin and in our noses, once it gets past the defense system of our skin, it can cause many problems. The most complicated cases involve MRSA, or multiple drug resistant staph aureus. When foruncular acne is caused by MRSA, the boils appear more rapidly, and they don’t respond to naturist home treatment or most antibiotics. If MRSA is suspected, by rapid growth or by fever, it is important to get treatment immediately. Bacteria other than staph aureus can also be the cause of the infection.

Symptoms of acne foruncular

Acne foruncular needing naturist or other treament may start with itching. The small bump may be tender to the touch, red, and raised up on the skin. Later on, the foruncular acne is hard, large, still painful, and deeper. It may heal on its own, but usually foruncular acne progresses. When a white or yellow head full of pus appears, it is a sign that the boil is maturing. Pain increases as the head fills with more pus, and will decrease if drained. The boil may crust or ooze instead of healing completely.

Acne foruncular Treatment

Naturist treatment at home includes a warm washcloth applied to the foruncular acne two or three times a day. The idea behind this naturist treatment is that heat will bring the boil to maturation faster, and it will break open and drain on its own. A boil should never be squeezed! that will just send the infection into deeper layers and organs of the body.

Draining is a cure for boils. But the draining either needs to come about naturally, or be conducted in a sterile surgical manner, which a dermatologist or primary care doctor can perform. A professional should be seen if the foruncular acne has lasted more than a couple of weeks, or if they come back often. Acne foruncular of the spine, or middle of the face need to be seen by a doctor to prevent complications.

Some herbals extracts have been recommended for helping foruncular acne. Garlic contains a known antibacerial chemical, so fresh garlic extract from a garlic press, can be applied to the boil. Also onion juice can be similarly extracted and applied. Both will help the foruncular acne come to maturation quicker, it has been said. Honey similarly has antibacterial properties, so a thin layer of it on the boil a few times a day should help. Other stories say that an icthammol-based lotion may work to cure the foruncular acne , or a bath in epsom salts. A bandage soaked with the naturist treatment of choice is one way to apply these compounds.

Acne Free in Three Days

“Acne free in Three Days” is an ebook written by Chris Gibson, also an expert on internet marketing. He claims to have cured his own acne in three days and now he is passing on that technique to you. His website welcomes you with the statement “Chronic Acne Sufferer Finds A Scientifically Proven Way To Permanently Clear Skin in Just Three Days”!

“Acne free in three days” has its fans and its critics. Even before getting into the content, the author has been criticized for not having any medical credentials, and yet he is espousing a medical treatment for acne. Also, his expertise appears to be in the area of internet sales.

On the plus side, the cost of “Acne free in three days” compares favorably to many acne treatments. It is “only” $39.95. You do not get a real paper and ink book, but a downloaded .PDF file. Some medications cost as much per month, and a doctor’s visit is definitely more than that. So you might learn something that will help your acne for the same price as other treatments. Of course, $40 is not the final cost. There are specific foods, creams, and supplies to buy, which has been reported to cost an extra $10 – $30.

The regimen that Gibson describes in his “Acne free in three days” ebook requires self-discipline to implement. It is basically a form of detoxification. By following a strict diet, the load on your digestive system is much lessened. Presumably, your digestive system can rid the body of more toxins via the gut rather then sending it out to your skin. Or perhaps the mechanism that is most important is the benefits in the actual food prescribed in this particular diet.

Diet is not the only factor for the success of the “Acne free in three days” ebook. Another method of colon cleansing known as an enema is also part of the process. Finally, there are topicals to be applied directly to the skin. All three of these elements make up the regimen in the ebook.

If you search the internet for “colon cleansing”, you will find that Gibson is obviously not the first to tout the benefits of colon cleansing. Many many websites are offering books, pills, and products that also cleanse your body of toxins (detoxification) and/or clean out your colon.

As for the success of the regimen, there are testimonials all over the internet. On some independent forums, there are what seem to be ordinary people who have had success by following the ebook. But those same testimonials say that although the strict diet etc. do help clear up the skin, the effects are temporary. “Acne free in three days” is 72 pages long, so it does include advice that is supposed to keep you acne free. You may also opt to go through the process every two weeks or every month.

Also, if you are in the group of people for whom this diet is unsuccessful, the process of getting money back seems to be tedious. In conclusion, buyer beware always applies, even on the internet.

Punch for Acne Scars NY

What is punch for acne scars?

Punch is short for punch excision surgery, a procedure that removes acne scars. A laser, scalpel or round punch tool is usually used to cut around the acne scar, following its outline. Then the skin that made up the scar is cut loose from the underlying tissue. If that skin is smooth inside of the scar, it could be reused for the graft if it is necessary for the larger acne scars. The skin would be regrafted to the area, but at a higher elevation than before. Instead of being lower than the surrounding skin, it would be grafted at the same level. This is also called a punch float. Presumably, some filler will be injected below, filling in the hole of the old scar. The skin may also be taken from a different area, such as from behind the ear.

If regrafting is not an option, the sides of the incision are sewn together. When healed, there may be nothing to show for the punch. Or there may be a small linear scar, that will be far easier to erase than the deep acne scar that was there before. To erase this scar, dermabrasion would be used.

Punch for acne scars NY

A recent article in Newsday magazine features the advice of NY’s top plastic surgeons, regarding the choice of a doctor for procedures such as punch for acne scar. These doctors include:

Dr. Martin Kessler, chief of plastic surgery at South Nassau Communities Hospital in Oceanside
Dr. Alan Gold, president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and head of a Great Neck ambulatory plastic surgery center,
Dr. Hillard Warm, chief of plastic surgery at John T. Mather Memorial Hospital in Port Jefferson,
Dr. Lyle Leipziger, plastic and reconstructive surgery chief at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park and Manhasset’s North Shore University Hospital.

These physcians say that when looking in NY for a good surgeon for the punch for the acne scars, there are many things to keep in mind. Before going in to see a doctor, check for credentials from the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons or the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Then you should have a long first consultation with the doctor, at least 30 minutes long. First, they should not promise to do the impossible. Often, plastic surgery patients wish for more than is reasonable. It is the job of the doctor to bring us back to earth from unreasonable expections. Secondly, a good doctor should be able to objectively explain all the risks of a procedure like punch excision. Also, in the interview, the doctor should speak of what is new in the technique of punch for acne scar.

To find a licensed or accredited facility for the performance of the punch surgery, as Dr. Richard D’Amico recommends, visit www.health.state.ny.us . The surgeon you choose should also be credentialed for doing the specific procedures in the place that they offer to do it. If any complications occur, you will have access to the services of that hospital if the surgeon has hospital privileges.

Cameron Diaz And Acne

The stereotype that may come to mind when acne is mentioned is a lone nerdy teenager at the bottom of the social heap in high school. But in real life, acne affects everyone, including celebrities in their thirties. Such a celebrity who has had a very public struggle with acne is Cameron Diaz.

Cameron Diaz is an American model and actress whose best known roles are in the movies The Mask, My Best Friend’s Wedding, There’s Something about Mary, the Shrek series and Charlies’ Angels: Full Throttle.

In 2004, a column written by Phillip Swann, a nationally recognized expert on HD TV technology, put Cameron Diaz at the top of the list of celebrities whose appearance suffers on HD TV. In that column, “Swanni’s Best and Worst of 2004”, he wrote:

“HDTV Horribles:”
“1. Cameron Diaz: The actress has had a terrible acne problem since high school; her cheeks and forehead are littered with unfortunate pockmarks. Ms. Diaz seems like a different person in HDTV; she looks more like a Charlie than an Angel.” — tvpredictions.com, and onHD.TV, its sister site

The column was picked up by news outlets and became widely talked about over the internet.

Cameron Diaz spoke candidly with Self magazine (published in Dec 2006). She talks about stopping smoking, which has no doubt improved her facial appearance. Cameron Diaz said, “I just decided I was done…it’s even more disgusting to me [now that she's stopped]. It makes no sense to me. I can’t believe I ever smoked”. On aging, Cameron Diaz mentions that she is going to try to age gracefully rather than fight aging. Facials on a routine basis are an important part of her acne and aging defense.

In a different interview, Cameron Diaz spoke of the importance of drinking water. She told Realbeauty.com’s Celebrity Beauty blogger that she felt good hydration kept her acne “at bay” and makes her skin look “refreshed and youthful”.

Also included in Cameron Diaz ’s acne prevention program is Proactiv, a product that has mixed reviews. Another product, which Cameron Diaz credits with really helping her acne is Sunforgettable SPF 30. This sunscreen , made by Colorescience, depends on the minerals titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to protect the skin from receiving the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. Since it is a powder, it is safe for all ages, and has no lag time before it starts working. Cameron Diaz claimed her skin has never been clearer since when she started using Sunforgettable.

Cameron Diaz is a natural beauty, thanks to her mixed Cuban-English-German-Native American heritage. She is one of only three actresses who have been paid $20 million for making a movie (the other two are Julia Roberts and Reese Witherspoon). Cameron Diaz will be appearing in the upcoming films What happens in Vegas…, The Box, and My Sister’s Keeper. While her star is definitely on the rise, and maybe Cameron Diaz has “arrived”, but she’s not so different than everyone else, at least when it comes to acne.

Que es el acne comedoniano? What is comedonal acne?

The root word of comedoniano is comedo, the scientific name for pores of the skin when they are plugged up with sebum and dead skin cells (plural: comedones). Eventually, pus forms inside the comedone as bacteria flourish and the immune system tries to clear the bacteria. If the pore is open and the plug is visible, the acne is called an open comedo or a blackhead. A whitehead pimple does not have a visible opening and looks like a small flesh-colored bump.

Tratamente del acne comedoniano. Treatment of comedonal acne

Inside the comedo, bacteria will grow, feeding on the excess sebum. Treatment will focus on opening the plug and killing these bacteria. While there are many medicines that are purported to open up comedones, you may feel more comfortable with a natural treatment for comedoniano acne.

Vitaminas para el acne comedoniano. Vitamins for Comedonal Acne.

Start your natural approach to acne by fixing your diet. First, stay away as much as possible from processed foods… that includes most baked goods, dairy products, and potatoes products such as fries. Next, the following vitamins are recommended (In the Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements, Michael Murray, N.D., Prima Publishing (1996):

* Chromium: daily 400 to 600 mcg

* Flaxseed oil: one tablespoon daily

* Vitamin A: no more than 25,000 I.U. per day. Vitamin E and zinc are important to take with Vitamin A. Vitamin A is converted by the small intestine into retinol, which is also in the sucessful anti-acne medications prescribed by doctors.

* Beta-carotene: 25,000 to 300,000 IU.

* Vitamin B5: in chicken, beef, eggs, saltwater fish, potatoes, and fresh vegetables. It is also found in grains, but 50% is lost in the milling process, so the less processed the grain, the better.

* Vitamin C: 500 to 1,000 milligrams 3 times daily

* Vitamin E: 200 to 400 IU daily

* Zinc: daily 45 to 60 milligrams daily

Tratamente Naturale. Natural Skin Treatments

Many natural products have shown to be good for reducing acne. The following can be used as spot treatments or as full facial masks.

* Green tea is a natural antioxidant and is found as an ingredient in many herbal skin treatments. It can be brewed at home and used as a natural face wash.

* Lemon contains citric acid, which can be a gentle astringent, removing dead skin cells.

* Honey has the quality of killing bacteria. Therefore, it can be applied directly to the acne pimples, or spread all over the face after steam treatment, for a home facial mask.

* Aloe vera gel can be obtained from the leaf of the aloe vera plant. Cut off a frond, and squeeze to extract the gel.

* One Ayurvedic treatment requires grinding up leaves of the neem tree with turmeric, forming a paste that is kept on the skin till dry, and then washed off.

* Facial masks for acne have also included the strange (Kraft Miracle Whip) to the specialized (green clay, black mud) to the mundane (oatmeal is a good drying agent).

Shaving with Acne Prone Skin

Sometimes the act of shaving irritates the skin and produces acne. And in a vicious cycle, once the acne is there, shaving becomes a painful ritual. How can one shave with acne prone skin, and avoid causing new breakouts of acne pimples? Here are a few ideas, compiled from different advisors:

• Work with, not against When acne occurs after shaving, it may be because you shaved too well. Cutting hairs down to a level below the skin surface causes them to grow back crookedly. They then “miss” the opening and start growing into your skin, like an ingrown hair. The pore gets clogged up with the ingrown hair, a pimple forms, and eventually pus forms in the “whitehead”. The solution here is to cut the hairs less well. Instead of pulling your razor against the grain, pull it in the same direction as the hairs grow. This should leave the hairs a little bit longer and now their growing back will not irritate acne prone skin.

• Soften Hairs can be softened to make the shaving experience less traumatic for acne prone skin. There are three suggestions for accomplishing this.

•Wash First, you could wash the face or leg, etc. with warm water and soap. This may be done at the sink, or even easier, in the shower.

• Soak Secondly, a washcloth soaked in warm water could be placed on the place to be shaved for a few minutes.
• Old Fashioned Shaving Cream Thirdly, try using an old-fashioned shaving cream and shaving brush. The shaving cream that is applied with a shaving brush has more liquid than the aerosol type shaving cream. Leave on the area to be shaved for over two minutes to achieve a softening affect. Then reapply the shaving cream with the shaving brush and then start shaving.

• Upgrade Try an electric razor. Sometimes the cut is adjustable to a more comfortable shave for acne prone skin. If using a manual razor, make sure the blade is new and sharp. Otherwise, the skin may be irritated by small nicks and acne may form. Also, you may consider switching from a cheap disposable type of razor to a quality metal double-edged razor.

• Less pressure For acne prone skin, the best way to shave is by applying little or no pressure. If the razor is a weighty metal type, the weight of the razor itself should be enough pressure. But if it is plastic and disposable, you may have to apply some pressure, but take care not to apply too much.

• Moisturize After shaving, pamper the acne prone area with a good after-shave lotion, not liquid. Rub in well. Some recommend using antibiotic creams at this time as well. To prepare the skin, you can try using an exfoliant to rid the skin of excess dead cells, which may get the hairs extend further out of the skin and to stand up straighter.

• Less is more Acne should not be touched often, or shaved off intentionally. This will just make the problem worse for already acne prone skin!

• There is hope: “Stick with it, keep trying different things until you find what works for you. I never thought I’d be able to shave, and had resigned myself to using a set of small clippers against my skin every morning to keep a constant 1/16″ of growth, but I eventually found techiques that allow me to shave like a regular person and not look like a thug all the time. It took a few years of trial and error, but was definitely worth it.” — From steadyhealth.com

Can you have a tattoo if you have acne?

The process of getting a tattoo may be complicated by the presence of acne in the area. Acne pimples are fluid-filled bumps. If a tattoo needle pierces a pimple, and deposits ink within it, there will be more ink in that spot than there would have been with normal skin. More ink in that spot means that, if and when the pimple heals, there will still be a darker than normal dot where the pimple once was.

There’s even a question about whether or not it will heal, first and foremost. The acne pimple may not heal, because the tattooing would aggravate what is essentially an ongoing infection. Then the chance of the pimple turning into a scar increases. Even worse is if the pimple turns into a larger lesion that has difficulty healing.

A second scenario that may happen with tattoos and acne, is that the acne pimple will remain untouched during the coloring process. When the pimple heals though, it will be an uncolored spot of skin in an otherwise colored area. So, given the two scenarios that may happen, the acne should be dealt with, before a tattoo is done.

Accutane treated skin is more sensitive and prone to scarring. Therefore, no tattooing should be attempted until at least 6 months after discontinuing Accutane use. The ability to heal well is critical to recovery from getting a tattoo.

Some people are trying to cover acne-scarred skin with tattooing. Whether or not this can or should be done, should be discussed with the doctor and the tattoo artist. A talented artist may be able to work with the scarred area. If your tattoo artist of choice does not feel comfortable doing so, you may shop around for someone who does.

One tattoo artist has the following to say about tattooing over acne scarred skin:
1. It will take more time, because a line may be have be drawn twice or thrice into the scarred area. Scar skin takes ink less well.
2. Scarred skin is more sensitive than regular skin, because the nerve endings are closer to the surface.
3. Black ink will stay, whereas color ink will bleed, from a scar.
4. The scar tissue should be at least a year old.
5. Try a small test tattoo to see if your scarred skin has any of these or unseen issues.

The professionals whom you consult may suggest not doing so, based on the skin surrounding the scar. They may feel that the acne will come back, and advise you to hold off on tattooing until you get the acne under permanent control.

If acne occurs after a tattoo has been done, it may be an allergic reaction to the dyes (red ink is especially irritating) or the healing ointment supplied by the tattoo artist. Hopefully, discontinuing use of the ointment should bring this type of acne to an end. Another caution after tattooing is to avoid using benzoyl peroxide on the tattoo. It will bleach the ink and also is reported to be painful.

Steam for Acne

What is the point of using steam?

Acne pimples grow when pores of the skin become clogged. Therefore, a common sense approach for preventing and treating acne is to get those clogged pores open. Is there a way to open these pores from within? There may be if we use the skin’s natural defenses.

A pore is an opening for a sweat gland. So if we can turn on the “faucet”, and create a flow of sweat, it should help to flush out the pore. Steam is the process by which the “faucet” can be turned on.

Sweat is not only water. It has mixed within it salt. Salt by itself is a good antimicrobial agent. So sweating salty sweat will likely help to kill some of the bad bacteria that cause acne in the first place.

The Process

Steam treatment for acne is a simple process, so it is easy to do at home. That makes steam treatment pretty economical as well. All you will need for a good face steam are the following:

1. Pot of boiling water
2. Bowl to transfer hot water to
3. large towel

Boil the water on the stove. Remove from heat when steam is coming from pot. Work quickly now, as you don’t want to waste all the steam. Water can be transferred to a bowl if you wish to set it on a heat sensitive surface. Sit down at the table where you have set the water. Fix the towel over your head, and put your face directly above the water. Keep the steam inside the towel, by draping sides of the towel over the pot or bowl. To help with breathing, one website user suggested using a straw.

The method may be modified to include salt. A handful of kosher salt that boiling water is poured over may be useful with your particular skin type. Another modification to make is to apply a mask after steam treatment for acne. Most makers of masks recommend such deep cleaning before applying their product.

Do I wash before or after?

When the steam hits your skin, it cools down and becomes water again. Warm water is thought to help acne by softening the skin and the plugs of dead skin with oil. When the skin is softened in this manner, it is easier to clean, and the cleaning is more effective. So it’s important not to forget to add a cleansing to the steam routine once you start it going.

Cleaning before is also important. Makeup must be completely removed for your pores to benefit and open up. The steam itself will help in the removal process, but it’s good to give the steam a head start!

Are there side effects?

Some people swear by this method. Steaming is done two or three times a week. More than that, and it dries out the skin.

Other users have reported having more pimples after steaming. This may be because the pores are blocked, and at the same time, the steam is encouraging sweat to come out of a pore that it cannot come out of. So sweat builds up under the clogged pore. Also, it is possible that the warm temperature and accumulations of sweat (and oils) encourages more of the acne bacteria to grow. Like all acne treatments, you should probably continue for a few weeks, because you may see results eventually. Good luck with the steam treatment for acne!

Acne and Rose Hip Oil

The beauty of a rose is not only on the outside. This wonderful shrub contains a natural treatment for acne. After the petals of a rose fall off, a round seed pod remains on the stem. This is the rosehip. The oil within its seeds have been found to be highly beneficial.

Rosehip oil is the only known vegetable oil to naturally contain retinoic acid, which is the same vitamin found in acne prescription medicine such as Tretinoin, all-trans retinoic acid. This molecule causes cells of your body to grow. That is why it is used in hair loss and leukemia. In terms of acne, cell growth is good, as more collagen means smoother skin, and cell turnover means old damaged cells are quickly gotten rid of. Scars disappear with both Tretinoin and rosehip oil for the same reason.

Rosehip seed oil contains 45% gamma linoleic acid (GLA) and upto 35% alpha linoleic acid. Both are essential fatty acids from the omega-6 category. Gamma linoleic acid is the form that alpha linoleic acid is converted by the body before using. Gamma linoleic acid was applied to the skin in one trial to determine its affect on acne, if any. Clearly it was effective, as 25% of the acne pimples were smaller after one month of treatment with linoleic acid. Rosehip oil may also encourage large pores to close, thereby reducing the number of pores that can become clogged by bacteria and or debris.

Another fatty acid that is present in rosehip oil is oleic acid (13-19%). This monounstaturated fatty acid is a different class of essential nutrients than the linoleic acid also present in rosehip oil. Oleic acid is the main fatty acid in olive oil. Given the use of olive oil for clear skin in Italy and Greece, it is no wonder that manufacturers of lotions and cosmetics have been including oleic acid in their formulations for years.

The high content of fatty acids is why rosehip oil has a low melting point (minus 20 degrees Celcius). A low melting point is desirable in a oil-based face treatment as it would bring down the melting point of other lipids (fats or oils) on the face, such as cholesterol which has a melting point of 150 degrees Celsius. These oils will then liquefy rather than forming solid obstructions of pores and contributing thereby to the birth of pimples.

Rosehip seed oil encourages skin to heal. It has been used in a trial of tissue regeneration (Valladares J, 1985) and found to have healing properties by others (Camacho et al.; Moreno et al.; Marchini et al.). For example, rosehip oil would be good for acne that is just ending. Rather than forming uneven or depressed scars where pimples occurred, rosehip seed oil causes the skin to heal correctly.

Depending on your skin type or skin problem, your face treatments should contain anywhere from 25% to 85% rosehip seed oil. If you have oily skin or acne, you will want to use a preparation with 60% rosehip oil. But for dry, dehydrated, and older skin, use as much as 85% pure rosehip oil treatments.

It is clear that after a rose has finished blooming, it still brings beauty to the world.

Cleocin T for Acne

Acne pimples are painful raised bumps, usually found on the face, upper back and chest, because these areas have the highest number of hair follicles. Each follicle is the base of one hair. Also in this vase-like hole are oil glands and sweat glands. When oil production increases, usually due to hormones, the hair follicles become clogged with dead skin cells and oil. Underneath the clog, the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes start multiplying. P. acnes feeds on the excess oil, and turns it into simpler molecules of fatty acids. The body’s immune system senses the presence of these fatty acids, and sends out a strong response, complete with white blood cells and cytokines. The damage done by the inflammatory response is what leads to acne scarring.

Antibiotic acne treatments target the bacteria P. acne. Clindamycin is one of the most effective antibiotics for acne. It is sold as Cleocin T, an acne treatment . Cleocin T the acne treatment is available as a lotion, solution, or gel. The lotion is good for dry skin types, whereas the solution and gel are better for oily skin. All formulations of Cleocin T an acne treatment, have 10 mg of clindamycin per mL.

The antibiotic in Cleocin T acne treatment kills the bacteria that cause the pimple to become swollen and painful. Killing the bacteria also has an indirect effect on whether or not a clogged pore occurs in the first place. Of course, combining Cleocin T, the acne treatment, with other skin care products may be best because of the multiple steps that occur to turn a normal hair follicle into an acne pimple.

The clindamycin of Cleocin T, an acne treatment has been combined with tretinoin. A preliminary study showed that this was effective. Cleocin T, an acne treatment has been used with benzoyl peroxide (5% with 1% clindamycin). This also showed promise. It seems as though the benzoyl peroxid helped the antibiotic to enter the skin and pores.

Cleocin T, an acne treatment is safer to use than clindamycin orally. When the same antibiotic is taken by mouth, there is a risk of developing fatal colitis, a disease of the digestive system characterized by diarrhea. Of course, not taking it by mouth avoids all the internal systems being affected by this powerful antibiotic.

Finding Acne Treatments That Work for you

For many people acne as just one of those annoying things that everyone has to go to in adolescence, but for some people it is much worse. Acne treatments can usually eliminate or reduce the acne outbreaks making teens feel better about the way they look. Howver it can lead to severe scarring acne. Bad acne is not always something that will go away on its own. Bad outbreaks of acne can leave scars on the face that can last for the rest of your life.

That doesn’t mean that every acne treatment has to be drastic. Some people get find simple acne treatments using little more than soap, water, and common sense effective. Others have found a cutting out all fried foods and fatty meats, eating lots of fruits and vegetables and cutting out all processed foods reduces or eliminates a lot of teenage acne. Add an acne cleanser – basically rubbing alcohol with a little mojo – and washing your face three or four times a day works.

Some cases are different. They get little benefit from facial cleansers and soaps. Diet changes don’t seem to hep that much. Parents and teens often get worried about getting get scars. So if you don’t find, after a good trial that one of the recommended acne treatment products doesn’t work for you, ask your mom to take you to the dermatologist.

You’ll be glad you went. Acne scar treatment is a whole lot more difficult than treating the acne itself before it gets to that point. He provided a facial cream called Retin-A, and told me to come back if the problem did not go away. Some patiens are skeptical that things would get any better. After a few days of using the prescribed acne treatments, it will seem that things had barely improved. But be patient, however, and gave it another week. Slowly but surely, my face will start to look better and better.

The cream often does not work by itself, but with the adding careful eating habits and frequent facial cleansing, will give you a clear complexion.

Getting Rid of Acne Scars

Nothing is worse than a face full of zits. This is the reason so many struggle to fight back acne pimples. Daily regimes of cleansing, toning and applying acne creams and gels are effective at reducing or eliminating outbreaks. But, what about do we do about the numerous acne scars that we’ve might already have? Sure, it’s great to prevent new breakouts from forming, but some past breakouts may have left nasty scars or red spots behind. How does one get rid of acne scars for good? Well, worry! It can be done.

As anyone who’s ever had a pimple knows, acne can leave behind nasty scars. So its best to do everything you can to prevent acne scars from forming. However, you might already have a few from past breakouts. This is where treatments such as microderm abrasion come in. This popular cosmetic procedure can seriously reduce and get rid of acne scars. It basically works as a rapid exfoliator. Sand particles are sprayed onto small areas of the face with a little device. This sloughs away dead skin cells and allows the fresh epidermis to surface. This process will dramatically reduce signs of scarring after several treatments. But that’s not what makes it so phenomenal. Unlike chemical peels, microderm abrasion will not leave your face bright red and sensitive. You can literally leave just as you came in. Well, except for the fact that your face will be a bit smoother and more radiant than ever before. Even those who lack acne scars can benefit from this procedure.

There are several ways to get rid of acne scars, but your best bet is prevention. This is not only the cheapest route, but it’s also the key to great skin. One way you can prevent future breakouts and not be burdened with the process of getting rid of acne scars is through a good skin care regimen and a healthy diet. Know your skin type and treat it accordingly. If you suffer from severe breakouts and acne blemishes, then you should visit a dermatologist right away. In addition to cleansing and applying the right treatments morning and night, you should maintain a healthy diet with foods high in nutrients, but low in fat, sodium and sugar. These can all wreak havoc on your complexion. Especially sugar! Clear skin equals a new way of life.

Preventing Acne

Prevent acne is one of those questions people have been asking themselves for hundreds or years Today although we are still asking the same questions we have made some advances toward answering them. Although some people find some of the prevention methods effective unfortunately we can’t prevent all of the acne outbreaks all of the time. Luckily scientific research has brought us some new treatments and products that are effective for many.

There are a lot of different theories on how to prevent acne. Many are at least partly right but none of them seems to work completely for everyone. Theories preventing acne seem to fall in three different categories; diet, stress, and skin care.

One idea on how to prevent acne focuses on diet. Although this has proved effective for some for others changing your diet seem the least effective. It especially frustrating for a teenager who has been suffering from acne to be told just changing their diet will help after they have tried. For many ot doesn’t seem to matter even in the slightest what they are eating. But it has proved effective for some. Try eating the healthiest foods with low fat, high fiber diet with the right vitamins for a few weeks and see if your acne improves. You could just end up with clearer skin and be healthier as an added advantage.

Skin care seems to get the most attention as a way to prevent acne and probably the most effective preventative. Using an acne face wash and an acne body wash every day often seems to reduce outbreaks for many people. There are many effective acne washes to try. All treatments aren’t effective for all acne sufferers. Try one out and see if it helps your acne. Be sure to follow the directions and give it a fair test. Follow the directions. Some may take a few days and some may take a few weeks to be fully effective. However if that particular treatment doesn’t work for you try another. Sometimes the best treatment for acne is found by trial and error

Many doctors and acne sufferers are coming to recognize stress is underestimated as a cause of acne. For many reducing stress has proved to be an effective acne treatment. Staying active and exercising has proved to lower stress and so indirectly are a great ways to prevent acne. Exercise seems to be a good way to prevent almost everything bad in life, doesn’t it? Not only are you preventing acne in a roundabout way, but you are improving your health and fitness, preventing cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and you’re boosting your body’s ability to fight off many other diseases as well. Besides all of these reason excercise might just improve your appearance and increase your self esteem Incidentally, all of these diseases also seem to have a stress component to them.

Teen Acne – Avoid Both Physical and Emotional Acne Scarring

The adolescent years are one of the most trying periods in a person’s life. The teen is trying to gain independence and an identity while still being dependant on his family. Looks really come into play during this turbulent time because often teens are looking for acceptance. For many teenagers acne can be a very aggravating and embarrassing condition.

We all know someone who has suffered the embarrassment and frustration of having reoccurring breakouts during the teenage years. At one time or another teenage acne affects just about every adolescent. Many products that have developed in the past few years can help adolescents control their breakouts much better than older products.

Teen acne can be detrimental to a person’s self esteem and anyone who has suffered acne can relate. This is particularly true if the adolescent has other issues that affecting their self esteem. Low self esteem does not heal as easily as teen acne. It does not simply disappear when the blemishes fade away. For this reason, controlling acne breakouts during this stage is very important. Another very important point is that it is much better and easier in the long run to control acne breakouts than to have to deal with acne scar removal.

Adult acne can be to frustrating, especially when the cause of the breakouts is unknown. However, few adults have some of the additional self esteem issues and social pressures that are are likely to affect the teen with acne. Teen acne works differently because it really has an emotional impact that is not as profound in adult cases. If long term marks and scars result from the blemishes this can be detrimental to a teenager’s self image.

The good new is that there are many resources for individuals suffering from teen acne. Proactive is a medication that is administered to individuals who have severe breakouts. This popular product has taken the skin care market by storm and for good reason. Clients swear that the product is very effective and they have the pictures to prove it.

Acne peels are usually reserved for teen acne alone. Adults are warned against using this process because it is too harsh for older skin. It is also harsh on teen acne. Many adolescents are finding the peels to be a great method of clearing their complexions and for maintaining the newly cleared complexion. The peels are costly, but well worth the investment.

With so many good products like Proactive and procedures like the acne peel its sometimes difficult to choose. Sometimes the best way to discover the most reliable approach to treating teen acne is trial and error. Whichever method you choose you usually have to stick with it for a while to see whether its really effective. Some products will take a few days treatment to become fully effective. Some might take longer. Follow the product directions. Not all products work for everyone. So after giving it a fair test if one recommended treatment doesn’t work try another recommended treatment. However, with such quality products and procedures, teens have little worry, at least when it comes to their complexions.

Can Vitamins be an effective Acne Treatment?

For some acne sufferers vitamins can be an effective acne treatment for clear skin. What we put into our bodies will affect every part — including our complexion! Vitamins for acne can be a very effective treatment either by itself of in conjunction with a skin cleaning.

Topical products help many but those products will never address the root cause of breakouts.

That’s why I began considering natural treatments for this condition, and researched the idea of vitamins for acne. It wasn’t difficult to do, since there is plenty of good information on the Internet explaining how supplements can work on this condition, and identifying which ones were the best. For example, there are a number of nutrients that you should look for in vitamins for acne, such as antioxidants and B5. If a product doesn’t contain those, it probably won’t help much.

Antioxidants are found in foods like fruits and vegetables, and fight the effects of free radicals that increase your risk for a variety of conditions (like skin conditions!) and cause premature aging. Since most of us don’t eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables daily, a supplement is a good way to get these much-needed nutrients. Once you start taking vitamins for acne, your skin will thank you with a healthier glow and a clearer complexion.

Another breakthrough in vitamins for acne has to do with B5, or pantothenic acid. This nutrient has been shown to be nearly as effective in achieving clearer skin as Accutane, but it is much cheaper and doesn’t come with a long list of side effects. There are a number of companies on the Internet that offer their own variety of this particular vitamin for acne, along with additional information about why it is so effective.

Dealing with this painful and embarrassing skin condition is no fun, but the good news is that there is help available. By finding vitamins for acne, you can give your body the nutrients it needs to stay at optimum health, which will allow you to look and feel better. Give one of these products a shot, and say hello to clearer skin!

Ponds Clear Skin Products

Ponds skin care products have been around for a very long time and that means they have met the test of time. Several generations have tried Ponds skin care products and have gotten good results. My grandmother used this brand and continues to use this line today. Considering that my grandmother looks a couple decades younger than she really is, I decided to adopt the habit of using Ponds skin care products as well.

Ponds was really a well known and recognized brand so I was aware of it even as a child. However I never used Ponds skin care. I thought that this was a line of beauty supplies that was designed for older people. I was actually introduced to using the Ponds skin care supplies when I was working in the theater.

I was in the play Othello and had a fantastic part. I also had to wear a lot of makeup to pull off the role. If you’ve worked in the theater you know theater makeup can wreak havoc on your skin. When you are 18 years old and still battling occasional bouts of acne breakouts this is especially true.

I thought that moisturizing beauty items would block my pores. I never would have thought that Ponds skin care products would work on me. As it turned out, I really did benefit from using Ponds skin care while working in the theater.

The makeup artist put a layer of what she referred to as “cold cream” on my face before applying the heavy theater makeup. I was really relieved to find that the Ponds skin care formed a comfortable barrier between my skin and the harsh supplies. The product made a world of difference.

Before I started using the Ponds skin care supplies on my face prior to wearing the heavy theater makeup it would take a very long time to get the stuff off after the show. It was a great feeling to know that I would be able to celebrate at the cast party with a fresh, clean face. The Ponds skin care products also made remove the heavy theater makeup a breeze too.

I haven’t worked in the theater for year, now but I still use Ponds skin care supplies. I’ve done so since I was 18. This line of products is ideal for complexions of any age. I plan to keep using the items. Ponds skin care has stood the test of time by women of all ages.

Skin Surgery to clear acne scars

Skin surgery is one option for the treatment of acne scars. If you are distressed by your appearance, then skin surgery may be for you. Discuss with your doctor your feelings about your acne scars, the side effects, and which skin surgery procedures will be right for you.

Acne scars come in two shapes, raised or lowered compared to the surrounding skin. Scars that are lower or indented can be treated with skin surgery.

Acne scars that are raised are termed “keloid” or hypertrophic, and whether or not they form depends on the person’s tendency to form such scars. It is easier to prevent keloid acne scars than to treat them, because skin that has a tendency to scar with acne, will form scars after skin surgery. So a dermatologist may forgo any skin surgery when dealing with raised acne scars.

The acne scars which are indented into the skin have been classified into three types. “Icepick” acne scars look like the indentation was made with a sharp pointed object which means the acne scar narrows to a point. “Boxcar” scars are boxy in shape, with a floor of skin inside the acne scar surrounded by walls. Boxcar acne scars can be further classified as shallow or deep. “Rolling” acne scars feel like the skin is rolled up and uneven beneath a normal-looking surface, due to new fibers being constructed and improperly attached in response to an attack of acne.

Punch excision

In this acne scar skin surgery, the floor of the scar is cut out with a sharp cookie cutter like tool. Then the remaining sides of the incision are joined together with stitches. The thinking is that this scar will be much easier to heal or to work with, than the old acne scar.

Punch excision with skin graft

Sometimes the floor of the boxcar type of acne scar is so broad that the sides of the scar cannot be joined together. In these cases, the hole left by the punch tool will be filled with a similar sized piece of skin lifted from behind the ear, or some other location on the body. If a scar still results from this skin surgery, the sides of the scar can be blended in with the normal skin with microdermabrasion.

Punch Elevation

In this skin surgery, the floor of the acne scar is punched out by the tool, and reattached with stitches to the upper parts of the scar. This skin surgery works best with acne scars that have even non-sloping “walls” in their boxcar acne scar and a floor that resembles their normal skin in tone. Since the floor of the acne scar fits evenly at the top as it did at the bottom, there is no need to cut a skin graft from another location. In a one-step skin surgery, the scar is filled in with its own “floor”.

Subcision

To treat rolling acne scars, the process is to cut the existing underlying fiber bands that have attached one layer of the skin (epidermis) to another layer (dermis) in an incorrect manner. A specially shaped knife is inserted between the eipdermis and dermis. With some postoperative treatments like bandaging, silicon gel sheets, and/or hydrocortisone injections, the band will re-form normally, leaving the skin feeling and looking smooth.

Skin resurfacing

Lasers in this skin surgery are used to burn away the top layer of acne scarred skin, leaving the underlying layers exposed. New skin cells grow to fill in the exposed area. They grow together smoothly, reconstructing the area of the former acne scar.
[tags] acne scars, skin surgery to clear acne scars, skin resurfacing [/tags]

Acne sulfur medication for clear skin

Sulfur is a non-metallic yellow chemical that can be toxic in moderate doses. Sulfur is not the same as sulfa or sulfites, two things people may be allergic to. Sulfur is an important component of many of our tissues and blood cells. For example, hair holds a curl because sulfur-sulfur bonds have formed in a spiral pattern. Sulfur gives the yellow color to many natural springs and it has been used to treat human diseases for a few hundred years. California’s Napa Valley is the sight of Sulfur Springs, where the rich and famous flocked to for the healing of its waters. Russians and native Polynesians are cultures that have used acne sulfur medicine traditionally.

Scientific studies have discovered what sulfur can and cannot do for acne and acne scars. Acne sulfur medicine for clear skin containing 5% sulfur given once or twice daily were shown to reduce pimples and clogged pores. Dryness and itchiness were the most common side effects.
The effects of sulfur on acne scars may be because of its antifungal, antibacterial, and toxic effect on cells. Acne sulfur medicine enters and poisons the fungus and bacteria that clog pores, cause dandruff and rashes. The sulfur causes the acne-scarred top layer, or epidermis, to come off, leaving the pimple exposed so that the wastes are washed away, the acne dries out, and new skin grows in smoothly, where before there was the unevenness of acne scars.

Acne sulfur medicines for clear skin.

Acne sulfur medications are available over the counter. Some of them have received thorough reviews and their side effects have been described.

Queen Helene Masque ($3.79) for 8 ounces. Two hundred thirty one users gave this product a 4.5 out of 5 stars. This is definitely good acne sulfur medication according to most customers. The masque is meant to be kept on the face for a few minutes, while its ingredients “suction” the toxins and wastes from your pores, and evens out your acne scars. There is a sulfur smell to the masque, which means it smells like rotten eggs.

Thirty five users of Clearasil Acne Control ($4.99) rated this acne sulfer medicine 4 out of 5 stars. When it was tolerated, the medication concealed pimples and acne scars while drying them out overnight or within a couple of days. This acne sulfur medicine for clear skin does have the bad smell. And the tint does not match everyone’s skin tone.

Murad Acne Spot Medicine contains 3% sulfer. It is also rated 4 out of 5 stars by 12 customers. At $17.50 for half an ounce, it is definitely more expensive. But given the active ingredient, it too was found to be potent for preventing acne scars.

High-end expensive acne sulfur medicines (no reviews available)

DDF – Doctors Dermatologic Formula – has a sulfur mask sold in 4 ounce tubs for $34.00.

EmerginC — Dessicator Drying Lotion 30 mL (six teaspons) for $27, contains zinc oxide and sulfur. Deglazing Mask 10 mL for $40, used one to three times a week. Has sulfer in addition to chamomile and calamine.

Peter Thomas Roth Sulfur Cooling Mask – this product contains 10% sulfur. Supposedly the odor of sulfur is masked by eucalyptus. The mask may dry out skin quickly, so it is recommended to use only for 10 minutes. For $40, you get 5 ounces.

Bumps of clear liquid underneath your skin

When a repetitive action is performed, such as walking or playing with a tennis racket, rubbing occurs. Rubbing tears apart the two layers of skin, which allows clear fluid to enter the space between the upper layer of skin, known as the epidermis, and the bottom layer, the dermis. The fluid fills up tiny bumps on previously clear skin. To avoid this tearing action, it is important to wear socks with shoes, and to use lubricants like talculm powder when there’s a chance of forming blisters.

Of the diseases that are association with bumps of clear liquid under skin, dishydrosis is fairly common but undiagnosed. The clear bumps filled with liquid under your skin could also be chickenpox, herpes simplex or impetigo.

Dishydrosis is also called dishydrotic ezcema. It was thought to be a disease of excessive sweating, but the small bumps of clear liquid under formerly clear skin do not form in the same areas as sweat glands. Instead, a huge amount of bubbles of clear liquid appear underneath the skin of fingers, palms of the hand, and soles of feet. They are sometimes itchy and painful. The liquid eventually drains from the blisters back into the body, and the skin flakes off leaving a tender area of clear skin painful to touch.

The cause of dishydrosis is hard to pinpoint. It should be treated as an allergy, and it is not contagious. If you find out the allergen causing the bubbles of clear liquid to form, then it will be possible to have clear skin by avoiding the allergen. Causes of allergies include foods (milk, eggs, wheat, nuts, shellfish, fish, fruits, vegetables), metals (nickel is in foods too), and antimicrobials like bleach, sunlight, etc. Some dishyroditic ezcema is caused by fungi and other cases of these itchy blisters are stress-related.

In chickenpox, the bumps start out red, and then turn into clear bubbles with liquid under the skin. Then in a couple of days the blisters scab over. The clear fluid in the blisters is also highly contagious. Clear skin may never come back if scarring of the pox occurs.

Herpes is the common name for infection by the herpes simplex viruses type 1 and type 2. Type 1 infects the area around the mouth, whereas type 2 infections are in the genitals, perineum and upper legs. Herpes simplex can actually infect any organ of the body, not just clear skin. The bumps with clear liquid under the skin come and go. Before an eruption of blisters, pain and swelling occurs. If the erupted blisters are burst, the infection will spread. Herpes simplex infection is very contagious and there is no cure. The virus lives in the host’s cells and an eruption can occur whenever immunity dips, such as when you have a cold. The clear bubbles with liquid will eventually resolve into scabs, and the scabs turn into clear skin, and some herpes medicines hurry the process along.

Both herpes and chickenpox are caused by viruses. Impetigo, on other hand, is a bacterial infection of clear skin. The contagious form of impetigo is common among school age children and those blisters are filled with pus. The bullous form of impetigo appears like bubbles with clear liquid underneath the skin. These blisters form on the legs, trunk and arms of children under the age of two. They are usually painless, though they last a long time. Antibiotics are prescribed to treat the impetigo and restore clear skin.

Can Aveeno Skin Brightening clear up acne scars?

In general, Aveeno skin products are considered a good buy because they are cheaper yet as effective as famous high-end brands. From the popular line of Aveeno skin care products, Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Scrub claims to brighten and exfoliate gently with microbeads. Aveeno Skin Brightening says it improves skin tone, making acne scars such as hyperpigmentation disappear for “even skin” tone.

Pros
In a study of 74 Aveeno Skin Brightening customers, nine out of ten people are happy with Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Scrub. Some users have seen their “age spots”, a precursor to acne scars, disappear with use of this product. Those who are happy with this Aveeno skin care product say that the cream smells good to them, and the scent is light. Their reviews claim the Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Scrub does indeed leave skin feeling bright, soft, and that acne scars disappear. One reviewer described how this Aveeno skin care produc t closed her pores, improving her appearance.

Cons

One in ten people reported having a bad reaction to Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Scrub. They felt misled by the labeling of the product. “Hypoallergenic” and for “sensitive skin” are some of the assurances made, and yet skin reactions to this Aveeno skin produc t included reddening, flaking, and increased breakouts of acne.

Some other complaints were that Aveeno Skin Brightening is expensive for only 5 ounces… a scrub that is used daily should come in a larger quantity. The microbeads felt inadequate for the exfoliating action to one user. Two people felt this Aveeno skin produc t did not work on their skin because of the oily texture of their skin.

The directions on the product seem to be misleading. It says to use on wet skin, but at least one reviewer was adamant that this Aveeno skin produc t did not work unless it was used on dry skin. Other reviewers did not specify how they were using Aveeno Skin Brightening.

More than one complaint said that Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Scrub could not be used twice daily, as per the directions. This Aveeno skin produc t was too drying. Some found it too drying even to use every day, so they used Aveeno Skin Brightening only two or three times a week.

A couple of customers loved the product, for its softening and cleaning, but found this Aveeno skin produc t does not brighten skin, or the evening out acne scars only lasts awhile. Others criticized the smell and the fact that this Aveeno skin produc t doesn’t have salicylic acid unlike other produc ts.

Testimonials

According to A.A.T., Aveeno Skin Brightening did help her skin stay soft. She uses this Aveeno skin care product to prevent acne scars during warm weather months. W.D.G. of Boston found this to be one of the few products that does not make her skin breakout. “Katie” thought Aveeno Skin Brightening was amazing and puts this Aveeno skin produc t on after a shower for moisturizing and evening out acne scars. L.M. asked her facialist what she used for smooth fresh and bright skin and her answer was Aveeno skin produc ts. These are just a few of the positive testimonials that were found related to Aveeno Skin Brightening.

Salicylic Acid Acne Creams

Acne creams are the vehicle of choice for delivering powerful medicines to the skin. They specifically target the area where the problem lies. So if the acne is not widespread, in different areas of the body, an acne cream and an acne scar cream may be just what you need. Also, acne creams can fit handily into your daily face care regimen. If used regularly, acne creams can not only treat acne, but also prevent it. Furthermore, a good acne scar cream will protect the newly healed area from further damage and allow it to heal naturally.

The potent drugs in acne creams which are effective in the fight against acne are well known and well established. Retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, and antibiotics are described in on this previous page. Here we discuss salicylic acid acne creams.

Salicylic acid was isolated from willow bark in ancient times, as far back as the Babylonians. The bitter powder was used in herbal medicine to relieve pain and inflammation, whether in the body or on the skin. Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid and was isolated in the laboratory in 1828 by Leroux and Piria. The extract has useful qualities in humans, but salicylic acid also has bad side effects. It causes the stomach to bleed. Salicylic acid can also cause diarrhea and even death in high doses.

In plants, salicylic acid has numerous roles. Salicylic acid helps the plant to defend itself from pathogens, to grow correctly, and to pass on information from older leaves to younger leaves.

On human skin, salicylic acid encourages exfoliation by loosening the underpinings of skin cells. It prevents pores from getting clogged, and by opening up spaces among cells, salicylic acid encourages new cell growth. Unfortunately salicylic acid can cause dark spots on skin.

Salicylic acid is found in the bark of the willow tree, but also in the herb meadowsweet, and the oil of wintergreen. Salicylic acid is the active ingredient in aspirin. That is why the “aspirin mask” is sometimes used instead of salicylic acid cream. Taking two tablets in your hand, and adding a few drops of water, is all you have to do to have a strong salicylic acid “cream” that is inexpensive and easy to make at home.

Pregnant and nursing women should not use aspirin or salicylic acid products, as it can harm their fetus. Children should not be given aspirin or salicylic acid products while having a fever, because in rare cases, they may develop Reyes’ Syndrome. Finally, sensitivity to salicylic acid can develop, so if using a salicylic acid cream, discontinue use immediately if allergies develop. Salicylic acid is also used in toothpastes, foods as a preservative, and PeptoBismol.

Acne scar cream

The only acne scar creams for which there is enough scientific backing are corticosteroids. These affect the progress of the inflammation response, which is ongoing even after the pimple disappears. Scientific studies have also been done on antibiotics (bleomycin, Triamcinolone, mitomycin, to name a few), on 5-fluorouracil (a chemotherapy drug), retinoids, benzoyl peroxide and azelaic acid. The evidence is not yet strong enough for a scientist or doctor to say these are real medicines for acne scars. Until a true medicine is found, it will be up to individuals as to what they use, as an acne scar cream.

Derma-e Clear Skin 2 Spot Blemish Treatment

Your skin is a living landscape of cells quilted together. Some of these quilt patches are pores, or tiny vase-like cells from which a single hair and an oil called sebum come out of. When a pore of your skin gets clogged with sebum and bacteria, your immune system comes to the rescue. It sends troops of macrophages to the site of the clogged pore. While the battle is being fought under your skin, you suffer the embarrassment and pain of acne pimples and blemishes. Your body is doing the best it can but if you want quicker and better-looking results, you have to join the fight. That’s where Derma-e Clear Skin 2 Spot Blemish Treatment shines as part of your acne fighting arsenal.

Derma-e Clear Skin 2 Spot Blemish Treatment works naturally and gently to open clogged pores and banish the culprit bacteria. Each herb in its formulation assists the others in bringing back clear skin.

Tea Tree Oil

Australia’s native peoples have been using “tea tree oil” for centuries, for healing wounds, colds, coughs, and skin ailments. It is not related to the tea bush from which black drinking tea is made. Rather, the “tea tree” in this case is the Melalucea tree. It is found in Derma-e Clear Skin 2 Spot Blemish Treatment because its oils have antiseptic, antifungal, and antimicrobial (kills yeast) properties. A study by the Royal Albert Hospital showed that 5% tea tree oil gel had far less side effects then 5% benzoyl peroxide, but was effective against acne.

Willow Bark

Willow bark contains salicin, a derivative of aspirin. Salicin and its cousin salicylic acid are an important part of clear skin treatments like Derma-e Clear Skin 2 Spot Blemish Treatment. They cause dead skin cells to detach more easily for better exfoliation and growth by new cells. Derma-e Clear Skin 2 Spot Blemish Treatment will also keep pores clear because of the willow bark extract.

Rosewood

The woodsy smelling rosewood tree oil is used for calming cramps and reviving fatigued muscles. Not only does it have an antibacterial property to help clear skin, it also tones and maintains skin’s balance of oils. No wonder it is found in Derma-e Clear Skin 2 Spot Blemish Treatment.

Lavender

Lavender has many effects on skin, all of which will be part of the Derma-e Clear Skin 2 Spot Blemish Treatment experience. Lavender soothes with its pain-relieving parts, while clearing skin with its cytotoxic effect. The antibacterial element in lavender oil helps to eradicate the underlying infection of the skin.

Chamomile

Chamomile has shown promise in scientific studies as a skin treatment. In a study where it was compared to hydrocortisone, chamomile was more effective. Herbal wisdom says chamomile is also antibacterial, antiseptic, and great for encouraging new skin growth.

This highly potent mixture of proven herbs is found only in Derma-e Skin Clear 2 Spot Blemish cream. For best results, wash your face daily with Derma-e Clear Skin 1 Problem Skin Cleanser. And keep your face free of blemishes by applying daily Derma-e Clear Skin 3 Problem Skin Moisturizer.

Clear Skin Secrets Video

Clear Skin Secrets video. This low cost plan has worked for this user for over a year. Easy to do. The cleaning cloth describe and spot lotion are all it takes. Definitely worth a try. Click on the video below to watch.

Will Apple Cider Vinegar clear skin?

Apple cider vinegar has been labeled as a cure for many things. Vinegar in all its forms has been taken for medicinal purposes since 5,000 BC. It is simple to produce vinegar by souring alcohol with yeast. So the ancients were well aware of vinegar. Hippocrates prescribed it as an antibiotic, samurai in ancient Japan used it as a tonic, and civil war soldiers found it to have antiseptic and stomach settling properties. Dr. D. C. Jarvis in the early 1900s wrote a whole manual of how-to for using apple cider vinegar to clear skin and save babies, among other uses. But for us today to use apple cider vinegar for clear skin requires a review of its supposed and actual benefits.

Known Benefits of Key Components
 The first point to consider is that apple cider vinegar is made from apples which have beneficial vitamins and minerals, such as phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, and many trace elements as well.
 Apple cider vinegar contains a potent supply of potassium which researchers feel is helpful in easing the effects of common colds and allergies, tooth decay and splitting of the fingernails, soft tissue repair, as calcium is to the bones and teeth. A deficiency of potassium within the body can produce callous formations on the souls of the feet, insufficient replacement of worn tissue, and hair loss.
 Apple cider vinegr contains chromium which can affect insulin levels

 The sour taste of apple cider vinegar comes from acetic acid, which is formed from the second fermentation of alcohol (produced by the first fermentation of sugars)

Unsubstantiated Claims
 apple cider vinegar helps along digestion of toxic substances which improves the health and function of kidneys, bladder and liver.
 apple cider vinegar thins the blood, reducing high blood pressure. Apple cider vinegar helps with clotting
 apple cider vinegar helps blood to cleanse the body.
 apple Cider vinegar neutralizes any harmful bacteria in food prone to spoiling.
 apple cider vinegar prevents diarrhea or digestive upsets.
 apple cider vinegar helps with arthritis whether drunk or used as compresses soaked in hot vinegar applied directly to the joints.
 apple cider vinegar helps with asthma, nose bleeds, osteoporosis, cancer, candida, high cholesterol, colds, constipation, muscle cramps, colitis, diabetes, diarrhea, depression, dizziness, ear discharge, eczema, fatigue, gallstones, kidney stones, hay fever, headaches, heartburn, hiccups, indigestion, insomnia, kidney and bladder problems, metabolism, nasal congestion, sore throats, stiff joints, ulcers and weight loss.

Backed by Scientific Study

Several studies have shown that vinegars in general are good at lowering blood glucose levels, when taken after meals or before sleep.

In 2006, a study in rats showed that apple cider vinegar reduced high cholesterol levels in blood.

In a large survey comparing heart disease to diet, those who had salads with vinegar dressings five to six times a week had less heart disease.

Acne Scar Cream

Acne scar treatment concerns almost everyone, as 85% of young adults and 20% of older adults have acne, and many are prone to scarring. The first issue in the search for the best acne scar treatment is the definition of an acne scar. Let us remember how the scar is formed. The immune system responds to a blocked pore in your skin. White blood cells are sent to destroy the plug of dead skin cells, bacteria, and oils. The white blood cells may remain in the area of the pimple for days or even weeks after the pimple is resolved. They continue to try to repair the damage to the skin. The problem is that the intricate network of new skin materials they put down may be messy and uneven. There may be darker pigmentation at the repair site that the normal surrounding skin. It may look like a red spot for weeks. The acne scar may be raised. Or it may look like a permanent hole in the skin.

A dark or red spot where a pimple used to be may fade after 6 to 12 months and is not really considered a scar. You can prevent this spot from lingering by taking a few precautions.
1. do not pick at the scabs
2. use a retinoid to help with the healing of blemishes
3. use a sunscreen. Free radicals found in sunlight can add to the damage and mess up the newly repaired skin.
4. use an alpha- or beta- hydroxy acid formulations also help.

Such “post-inflammation” areas can benefit from some of the acne scar treatments that are out there. [The best way to determine what is the best acne scar treatment for you is to visit independent user sites, such as www.acne.org where hundreds of products have been reviewed by ordinary people. A good site that you may use to assess the value of herbal acne scar treatments is Memorial Sloan Kettering's herb database. For other opinions, on this and other issues, visit epinions.org which has a search box where you can enter “best acne scar treatments”.]

True Acne Scars and Their Best Treatment

Your dermatologist judges your scars differently than you might, and the acne scar treatment chosen depends on its classification. True scars last beyond 12 months. They can be divided into two types – indented scars and raised scars. If a scar is raised, it is treated as a keloid or hypertrophic (too much growth of new skin). If you have keloid scars, then your dermatologist will have to consider not doing any surgery at all. Skin that responds to acne damage by turning keloid, will also respond to acne scar surgery by making more keloid scars. Some skin care products for specifically reducing keloids are a better option.