Archive for December, 2008

Dealing With Acne - I Will Show You How

Thursday, December 11th, 2008
Arnold Hexden asked:


Acne is a common skin problem for most adolescents and also afflicts some adults. People of all ages and backgrounds have had to deal with acne at some point. Hence, there has long been a desire to prevent it or cure it. We will look at some of the causes of acne as well as some of the ways in which people treated. Our hope is that you will gain a better understanding of why people get acne and what they can do for treatment and prevention.

Can acne be more serious than simply a cosmetic issue?

Many people ask this question. Perhaps you are wondering if acne has ever gotten so bad for someone that it turned into something worse. The answer is “yes”. Though acne is a larger health issue for only some people, it is still worth noting the development of the skin irritation into something more troublesome.

In some cases, acne leads to the scarring of the skin or the outbreak of a serious infection. This form of acne is known as cystic acne. Much like its name applies, cystic acne results in a large bump or cyst. Once a cyst heals, it may leave an obvious scar. It should be noted, however, that cystic acne is rare. If you believe that your acne is turning into something more serious than the usual skin irritation, consult a doctor.

How long will acne last?

The good news is that for most people, acne is a somewhat temporary situation. Ask any teenager about acne, however, and he or she will likely tell you that a fear is being destined to a life of acne. Such is the sense of despair and embarrassment caused by acne.

These teens will be glad to know that most will stop developing acne as they near their twenties, if not sooner. They can also rest assured that in most cases, the effects of acne are much less harsh as people exit their teen years. Unfortunately for some, acne can linger for many years after puberty.

Some adults experience severe cases of acne or notice occasional outbreaks as they near their thirties and beyond. In some extremely rare cases, individuals who have never had acne develop it in their later years.

What are the mental effects of acne?

Acne may show a body’s failure to properly deal with hormonal changes. Acne can indicate that a person is not dealing with stress effectively. It may be evidence of a potentially serious allergic reaction to a medication or other element. It is not these effects of acne that tend to do the most damage, though.

More than a health issue, acne is known causing people (mainly teens) a sense of shame and embarrassment. Acne is falsely associated with being unclean. Clear, healthy skin is associated with cleanliness, while severe forms of acne are often believed to be the result of sanitary neglect. Not only that, acne can be ugly and turn people away.

Most people who experience severe acne are emotionally scarred by the social rejection, leading to adolescent emotional insecurity and a sense of self-doubt. Because of this, acne should be treated as quickly and as thoroughly as possible.

Isn’t it true that staying clean helps prevent acne?

It is always better to rid your skin of toxins and dirt that accumulate during your normal routine. So yes, to some extent, it is true that washing skin can help prevent or decrease acne. Acne is a chemical matter, and it is something that occurs beneath the surface of the skin more so than on the skin itself.

Both daily cleansing and care of one’s skin will help reduce the bacteria that rests on the skin, but they cannot lessen the testosterone levels beneath the surface of the skin that help produce acne.

Understanding this basic fact should help reduce some of the stigma attached to acne. It should also allow people who suffer from acne to take some comfort in knowing that they are not necessarily less clean than others. The truth is that they have very little control over what is going on beneath their skin.

How important is a healthy diet to preventing acne?

It is no coincidence that people who eat healthy food tend to have skin that shines and glows. In contrast, think of someone you know who eats nothing but junk food. It is likely that they have some issues with acne. Experts agree that a good, healthy diet can go a long way towards either preventing acne or helping diminish it. The Chinese believe, and have been widely accepted in their belief, that acne is solely attributed to a poor diet.

They claim that too much sugar or grease leads to the potential for acne. Thus, they discourage the consumption of excessive amounts of chocolate and fried foods. Fruits and vegetables are generally considered better for the skin and a deterrent to acne. Another factor known to eliminate acne is continual drinking of water. Drinking plenty of it is your best bet to avoid acne.



WESLEY

Zinc Acne Treatment That Gets Results

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008
Mike Walden asked:


Zinc is a mineral and it is believed that it has curative properties on a skin where there are acne growths. It is believed that zinc can reduce the symptoms of acne. However on the other hand, many studies have indicated that this is not the case. So is there a connection between the two? Let us find out.

According to research carried out in recent years, zinc has the same properties of antibiotics such as tetracycline and it can fight the acne bacteria efficiently. And that too without the negative effects of antibiotics. Reportedly, zinc also enhances the immunity of the body.

I wanted to find out the truth and so I carried out experimentation for 7 long years. And after my research, I have been able to find out the zinc and acne connection.

So what is zinc and what is the zinc acne connection all about? How does the zinc acne treatment affect the sufferers and what is the best way to use this treatment to get relief from this terrible disease? And can the zinc acne treatment give permanent relief? This report discusses all these issues in detail.

Get all the zinc for acne information here

You will find traces of the zinc mineral in various food items such as mushrooms, soybeans, legumes, fish, sunflower seeds, egg yolks, soy lecithin and also in whole grains. Zinc is also present in many herbs such as dandelion, eyebright, cayenne, chamomile, mullein, nettle, milk thistle, alfalfa and in the burdock root. Zinc forms a part of insulin and can be found in the tissues.

There are many useful properties of zinc like providing the person with energy, prohibiting blindness, aiding the process of digestion by being a part of enzymes, supporting the reaction of more than 30 enzymes, strengthening the immunity, regulation of Vitamin E in the blood, helping the body absorb Vitamin A and B, speeding up the process of healing, regulating insulin, and it also fights bacteria. Zinc also present in estrogen, testosterone and growth hormone.

Yes, there are many utilities of zinc, but how does it help a person suffering from acne? To understand this, you will have to know the zinc acne connection.

What are the zinc and acne connection and the co-workers?

The causes of acne are all internal and they are imbalance in the level of hormones and build up toxic materials within the body. The hormones are responsible for producing oils, and the zinc can regulate the oil glands, and so if you can take them correctly (that is in the right quantity, quality and the correct essential fatty acids) you will be able to have some control over the level of hormones and this will ease the symptoms of your acne greatly.

Plus there are more benefits of the zinc for acne treatment. It helps absorb the Vitamin A, fights the bacteria that causes acne by strengthening the immunity, helps the body heal wounds and the zinc also has anti oxidant properties. All these are useful in tackling the secondary causes of acne and will help you reduce the symptoms of acne.

Another ability of zinc for acne is that it can regulate the production of hormones, which is a main reason why someone gets acne. However for this to happen, it needs to be taken in the correct quality and combination with essential fatty acids. This needs to be properly absorbed within the body and work together with some nutrients for the hormones to be balanced.

Here is something important that you will need to remember: zinc as an acne treatment may be effective, however take care not to mix it with some chemical substances, supplements and food items because they will make zinc less effective and its impact will go down by quite a bit.

So what are these inhibitors of zinc that does not let zinc function properly?

Zinc acne treatment: here are the various inhibitors

As mentioned above, there are some food items, supplements and conditions that can come in the way of the zinc being properly absorbed in the body. This may significantly reduce the impact of zinc on the acne.

So what are these inhibitors? Phytic acid that you will find in high level grains has been found to be one of them in recent studies. The acid can reduce the absorption by about 15%. And thus, those who are suffering from acne need to have fewer grains just about one to two servings a day. Grains may lead to mucus and acidity and taking them with zinc for acne can be a challenge.

Another zinc inhibitor is soy protein. If you are on the zinc for acne treatment, you need to take less soy as it can bind to minerals and lead to less zinc absorption.

Then there are other minerals like copper and inorganic iron. They also come in the way of zinc for acne bio-availability. However this issue can be solved easily, unless of course you are suffering from copper toxicity. Try not to take copper more than 2-3 mg a day and also do not take inorganic iron supplements.

Too much of physical exertion may lead to an increased demand by the body for zinc and thus, when you are exercising, you need to also take more zinc for acne treatment.

Strictly follow these rules to maximize the zinc acne treatment results:

1. Always take several nutrients like fatty acids, cod liver oil and coconut oil along with the zinc acne treatment as they will aid the establishment of the hormonal balance. You diet may not be enough and when this is the case, you will need supplements for these nutrients.

2. The food you are eating should not have zinc inhibitors such as excess copper and inorganic iron because this will come in the way of absorption. Also, if you engage in excessive physical activity, you need increase your intake of zinc.

3. Restrict the zinc intake daily to 100 mg; it is best taken with food. Remember, if you have more than that, it may lead to toxicity.

4. You will find zinc in many foods but it is basically a mineral and it is present in the same soil where cultivation takes place. And so the quality of the food depends greatly on how good or poor the soil is. Thus, getting your vegetables that have come from organic farming is always a good idea.

5. Food items often have little amounts of zinc in them and because of this, supplementation becomes necessary for the zinc acne treatment. Now there are basically 2 kinds of zinc supplements and they are Zinc gluconate and Zinc Monomethionine (Opti-Zinc). Zinc Monomethionine is better because it is more effective for the acne. It can also be better absorbed by the body.

6. Before you begin this line of treatment, always check for copper toxicity because if you have this, then the zinc cannot be absorbed properly. Ask for a blood test or muscle testing (Kinesiology). Caucasian people having brown ******* may indicate copper toxicity.

Zinc acne treatment offering a permanent solution to your acne problems.

Though it may help, but zinc alone cannot work wonders. This is because the acne did not occur from a deficiency in the level of zinc, but a lot of primary and secondary factors.

But this does not mean that the zinc acne treatment will not give you results. You need to just ensure that you are not encouraging any zinc inhibitors and that, you are taking it with the right nutrients in the correct quantity. Yes, the zinc acne treatment can control the level of hormone and reduce the symptoms of acne.

But the only surefire and permanent way to get rid of acne is by adopting the holistic path. Get rid of all the root causes of acne such as the toxicity in the blood and lymph and the hormonal imbalance and you can sure forget about acne. The zinc acne treatment and the holistic remedy can work together to create an environment that is unsuitable for the acne to flourish. And at last, you will be able to completely eradicate your acne worries.



CARL

Chicken Pox- the Kid’ S Disease

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008
Groshan Fabiola asked:


Chicken pox is very common in children, being actually a children’ s disease. It is very contagious and it is actually nothing but a viral infection. Chicken pox is cause by a virus called varicella zoster, thus the medical term for chicken pox: varicella. There are few complications in chicken pox cases, but when they occur, they are very serious. It does not matter if you are otherwise healthy.

Children under 10 years old are the main target of chicken pox. Adults can catch chicken pox as well, but this is very rare. Once you have had chicken pox, you can not develop it again. However, if you have not had chicken pox by the time you were ten, then things do not look so good. Older children and adults that develop chicken pox risk more severe complications. Winter and spring are the most common seasons for chicken pox. There are also some people that are more vulnerable to chicken pox than others. For example kids that are immunosuppressed or newborns are especially vulnerable to chicken pox.

The first time that you come in contact with a person that has chicken pox or other factors that put you at risk of developing chicken pox, you will have no visible signs of infection. This happens because chicken pox has a period of incubation that lasts somewhere between two and three weeks. After this period of time, you will start to have symptoms. Fever, but a mild one and headaches are the first signs of chicken pox. Then, after only a couple of hours, a rash will start to appear on your skin. This is the first visible chicken pox symptom. At the beginning you will see only some little, red spots on your skin that will quickly turn into blisters filled of fluid. This is the second important step in chicken pox. These blisters are very itchy. Then, just after a few days, these blisters scab over then dry up and eventually fall off. This is the way things evolve in chicken pox. Some, but very rare, cases of chicken pox have no symptoms so the disease will actually go unnoticed.

Some parts of your child’ s body are more likely to be affected by chicken pox than others. The chest and upper part of your child’ s back are the ares where the rash will first appear. However, chicken pox may affect your whole body, even the mouth. These are more rare cases of chicken pox, but they can exist.

Chicken pox can also lead to complications. The most common of all chicken pox complications is the secondary infection. This chicken pox complication can be fatal.

For more resources about chicken pox or even about symptoms of chicken pox please review this page http://www.chicken-pox-center.com/symptoms-of-chicken-pox.htm



FEDERICO

Overview of Acne Cures

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008
Gilles Coulombe asked:


Eighty percent of the people suffered from some form of acne in their life, People between the ages of 11 and 30 have acne outbreaks at some point. Close to 100% of people between the ages of twelve and seventeen have at least an occasional whitehead, blackhead or pimple, regardless of race and ethnicity. More than 40% of adolescents have acne severe enough to require some treatment. In most cases, acne starts between the ages of ten and thirteen and usually lasts for five to ten years. Acne normally goes away on its own sometime in the early twenties but, acne can persist into the late twenties or thirties even beyond. Some people get acne for the first time as adults. Acne lesions are most common on the face, the neck, chest, back,shoulders and upper arms and legs. Acne affects young men and women about equally. Americans spend over a hundred million dollars a year only for over-the-counter acne treatments. Acne is the most commonly diagnosed skin disorder in the United States.

CAUSES OF ACNE AND ACNE MYTHS

Acne treatments are developed every day, but a cure for acne has not yet been discovered. No one knows exactly what causes acne. Hormones stimulating the sebaceous or oil glands of the pores by dead skin cells, bacteria living in the pores breaking down the oil and causing inflammation probably play a role. Another factor could be genetics, family history with acne. If other people in your family had acne, you may be more likely to develop it too. There are many myths about what causes acne. Contrary to what you may have heard, acne is not caused by dirty skin .According to studies conducted at Stanford University, washing the face once or four times daily did not change the condition of acne. Also, based on the finding of those studies,, regular exercise can be encouraged for patients with acne. There is no evidence that stress causes acne, but it can make it worse. The Stanford survey also found that poor diet and decreased sleep can negatively affect acne and that drinking more water could improve the quality of the skin.

ACNE IS CURABLE AND TREATABLE

Having acne isn’t a pleasant experience. Are there any ways to get rid of acne naturally that actually work? In fact, using natural products can be a quick and easy way to reduce your acne or even eliminate it altogether. Eating a balanced diet always make sense. Nutritious foods can help keep you healthy, and your skin will benefit from getting enough vitamins and minerals. Acne, eczema, dry skin can be healed through healthful foods and supplements. Vitamins A, B, C, E and zinc are all necessary for healthy skin. Excessive amounts of processed. fatty and fried foods, fatty red meat . junk foods and sugar contribute to acne. It is important here to mention that acne could indicate an acidic condition in the blood. If this acid is flushed from the system, the skin will start looking and feeling better. A diet rich in whole foods like fruits, vegetables, healthy oils and grains along with more water intake could reduce acne outbreaks. Best is to filter your water and it is as pure as bottled water.

Start by increasing the amount of water you drink. This will help to detoxify your body. With the state of tap water nowadays, it’s probably best to filter your water. This is cheaper than buying bottled water and it is at least as pure. Jug style water filters are easy to use and many are designed to be kept in your fridge so that your drink is cool as well. Water helps rehydrate your body, which is around 50 to 60 percent water depending on your age. Water also helps flush away the different toxins that accumulate in your body and helps your body to naturally carry out detoxification.

Next up, start taking flax seed oil on a regular basis. Although it’s not technically an acne cure, it helps heal your skin and many people have reported having less acne symptoms once they’ve started adding flax seed oil to their regime. It’s also a great natural moisturizer. Don’t pick at your acne! This is easier said than done, but resisting the temptation to pop your pimples as much as possible is a good move in order to avoid scarring and spread the infection. There are many natural supplements that can help you out . Those natural remedies are enhanced with selected herbs and nutrients including multi-vitamin with vitamin A and Zinc. Those homeopathic Acne formula can heal existing pimples and prevent the emergence of new pimples. Take action now in order to control, prevent and enhance your skin.

Gilles Coulombe B.A. B.LL D.S.A.

For more information, go to My Site



FRANCISCO

Effective Dermapure Acne Treatment

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008
Sharyce Arciaga asked:


Acne is an Autosomal or what is referred to as dominant characteristic gene which is an inherited disease.  It is a condition that affects numerous areas of the skin such as the face, chest and also the back. 

Acne is rarely a serious medical condition but it often causes emotional distress and can lead to scarring of the skin.  It is the most common of all skin diseases and contrary to popular belief is not caused by dirt or surface skin oils. 

Acne is mainly caused because of hormonal changes in the body and is a common skin disease that causes pimples.  This skin condition characterized by whiteheads, blackheads, and inflamed red pimples or “zits can be easily treated. 

It is one of the most common disorders that trouble us and is one of those conditions about which insensitive jokes are still made.  Acne is an androgenic disorder, like ‘hirsutism’ which is characterized by hormones and unwanted hair which means that it is set off by the effects of the family of hormones called androgens. 

Acne is an equal opportunity destroyer, with no regard to race, culture, gender or even age.  Acne is not contagious and you cannot “catch it” from anyone. It is a disorder resulting from the action of hormones on the skin’s oil glands (sebaceous glands), which leads to plugged pores and outbreaks of lesions commonly called pimples or zits. Acne is usually defined in terms of plugged pores, pimples, and even deeper lumps. 

It is the most common skin condition and it is estimated that more than 17 million people are affected by acne.  Acne is not caused by your diet.  Acne is caused by a plugged hair follicle, not by foods; even chocolate or French fries. Acne is not typically caused by infection, but it sets the stage for secondary infections.

Acne is not caused by dirt or surface oil, and the presence of acne does not mean your face is dirty.  Acne is only a skin problem and does not affect your general health.  It is built into your genes and runs in families. 

Acne is not a serious health threat, although harsh acne can result in disfiguring and typical scarring that may be upsetting to people who are affected by the disorder. Acne is not something you have to live with, nor something that you just grow out of. 

It isn’t caused by eating greasy foods like french fries or pizza, chomping on chocolate, or drinking sodas.  It is not caused by lack of cleanliness and in fact excessive cleaning and scrubbing can make acne worse. 

Acne is caused by overactive oil glands in the skin and an accumulation of oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria which leads to inflammation in pores.  Simply, it is caused by an over stimulation of the oil glands in the skin usually caused by hormones. 

It is most prevalent in adolescence because hormonal changes stimulate the sebaceous glands during these years; thus, increasing sebum production and the chances of developing acne. 

Acne is especially hard for teenagers to cope with because of peer pressure and their need to fit in.  Natural acne cures, treatments, preventions and products to ease pain and suffering for teen, adult and premenstrual acne is readily available. 

As a general rule acne is quite curable, excluding those regions in which scarring has been so severe as to cause cyst formation in sinus tracts which may network the acne scarred face.  Natural acne cures are less costly and are probably more successful than prescription medications for dealing with acne. 

Natural acne cures are products with substances not man made or synthetic but rather substances that are naturally occurring in the Earth.  Natural acne cures contain no drugs and there is no need for a doctor’s visit or a hefty bill for prescription drugs.   

DermaPure Rx is a doctor-approved herbal supplement and a natural alternative to harshly medicated soaps and medicines.  And Dermapure seems to be a well researched combination of products that will benefit the user well beyond the control of acne. 

The product was designed to give consumers a non-medical approach to acne, so the first three products contain botanical and herbal extracts and do not include any FDA-approved medications. 

DermaPure Rx is a revolutionary, 100% all natural herbal formula guaranteed to control acne and its symptoms thereby enabling users to regain control and pursue life’s opportunities with renewed self-confidence and enthusiasm. 

This product attacks acne from within, purifying the blood, flushing away biological waste, and reinforcing the blood’s ability to ward off infectious agents.  DermaPure is an acne solution combining multiple elements to create the complete formulation. 

It is a safe, non-prescription herbal formula. And is a proprietary blend of 100% all natural herbs formulated according to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 

DermaPure-OTC is used on 3 consecutive days of application. Skin care ranges include Dermaquest Skin Therapy and Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics supported by a comprehensive training and education program, plus a private label skin care service. 

Dermapure offers a fully interactive website that gives professionals access to training manuals, news and information, educational dates, training with video demos and marketing material providing optimum knowledge at point of sale. 

Dermapure RX Overview is a line of acne products produced by CyberMed Industries Inc. and is designed to eliminate acne at its source by purifying the blood and flushing out biological waste. 

Dermapure provides a 100% money back guarantee with their product and provides an acne-fighting solution that can be effective for many people. It is one of the best acne treatment systems available. 

DermaPure Complete Acne Treatment System is simplicity itself, providing all of the skin care products you need to aggressively address any acne problem.  This acne treatment combines an herbal supplement and a topical cleanser. 

DermaPure Advanced Acne Treatment System effectively fights acne both internally and topically with a range of products including herbal supplements, cleansing gel, purifying soap, and an acne prevention guide.



ROBERTO

Acne Diet - is There an Acne Cure Diet That Works?

Sunday, December 7th, 2008
Asit asked:


Ask any medical doctor if there is a connection between diet and acne and almost all of them will claim there is none. Quoting from the Journal of the American Medical Association: “Diet plays no role in acne treatment in most patients…even large amounts of certain foods have not clinically exacerbated acne”.

With years of medical education and clinical experience behind these claims, how can we the simple folks who suffer from acne challenge these statements and think otherwise? The answer is: doubt. Doubt, if its stays in the borders of reason, can open many doors otherwise will stay forever shut. Believe it or not, doubt can change reality. Doubt can cure your acne and doubt can even save your life.

Fact is, countless of acne sufferers have reported that their acne seemed to get worse when they consumed certain foods and saw dramatic positive change over their acne condition when they eliminated the same foods from their diet and when certain foods with specific nutritional value were incorporated into their diet.

So why do dermatologists so stubbornly insist that diet does not cause acne? The answer: you can’t make a profit promoting a healthy diet. At least not as much money as you could make by selling drugs and over the counters. There is a huge pressure upon doctors coming from the drug and pharmaceutical companies to prescribe expensive medications and lotions that create dependency. The truth is, that your doctor is in a way, a hostage by the trillion dollar drug companies. Did you know that the drug companies, who have no interest in producing something that they cannot control financially, sponsor most medical schools?

The right diet, although not a solution by itself, can, in many cases, dramatically reduce inflammation and even completely clear one’s acne (if you’re one of the lucky ones who’s acne is triggered by allergic response to food). Promoting a clear skin diet simply means less profits for the drug and pharmaceutical companies.

The truth is that conventional medications will never cure your acne, simply because they are pre-designed NOT to fix the internal cause of acne. They are pre-designed to deal with the external symptoms of a disease as they create more and more dependency and more dependency means making more money all at our expense and ignorance.

The Theory That Diet Doesn’t Cause Acne Is A Myth

The dogmatic theory that diet does not cause acne and that acne is merely an incurable genetic disorder was based upon two dated researches published in 1969 and 1971 that were aimed at studying the connection between diet and acne.

These studies were the foundation of the ‘acne symptoms treatment strategy’, meaning, because acne is a genetic disease that cannot be prevented, the only way to deal with acne would be to tackle its symptoms (bacteria, inflammation, puss, redness, greasiness), by applying creams, antibiotics, taking prescription drugs and over the counters.

Surprisingly enough, years after the above studies were published, clinical trials and in depth researches experimenting the acne diet link have found that the studies from 1969 and 1971 had came to the wrong conclusions and were in fact seriously flawed.

Recent studies have clearly found a significant connection between diet and acne. It appears that the wrong diet is now thought to be one of the leading acne contributing factors that can negatively affect hormonal regulation and the natural process of toxic elimination, which can seriously aggravate one’s existing acne.

Diet Shapes Who You Are (Including Your Acne)

In the same way that crashing waves shape beach cliffs and just like the wind shapes the canyon walls, slowly and methodically over time, so does eating shapes and effects our physic, our internal system, our physical and mental being, from the organ down to the cellular level.

The idea that an object foreign to our body that is inserted by the food that we eat, has no effect on us, or has no impact on chronic conditions such as acne is absurd. Diet is the primary thing that affects and shapes who we are.

Diet has cumulative effect on our bodies, and that includes our skin condition and acne, which is a manifestation of a chronic internal problem slowly shaped and built by the wrong daily dietary choices over the years.

Acne Diet and The Kitavan Islanders

While in the U.S, more than 80% of teenagers between 16 and 18 have acne and more than 17 million Americans suffer from some form of acne, there is an interesting evidence that native people that live and eat in traditional ways, have significantly lower to no occurrences of acne.

In 2002, Dr. Cordain and his colleagues published a landmark study that examined 300 people living in the Kitavan Islands off the coast of Papua New Guinea that showed that none of the islanders had even one blemish on his or her face. Similar to the Kitavans, no case of acne had been observed when the same experiment had been conducted upon the South American Indians called the Ache, living in a remote jungle in eastern Paraguay.

The natives of Kitavan and the South American Indians had no access to the latest over the counters, topical creams or conventional acne medications and they had no dermatologist to consult with. The only vast difference between them and American or European citizens is their diet.

Acne Diet and Sugar: The Sweet Poison

Aside from the fact that sugar is a 100% pure chemical with zero nutritional value, recent studies have clearly shown a connection between the consumption of sugar and the aggravation of acne.

When you consume any form of refined carbohydrates (white sugar, white flour, white rice) here’s what happens: right after you insert that ’sweet poison’ into your body, it rapidly spikes up your blood sugar levels. Your body needs to bring those levels down so it secrets a surge of insulin, other male hormones and an insulin-like growth factor called IGF-1. The excretion of these hormones overwhelms your liver and your internal system in general. The excess of male hormones encourages the skin to excrete large amounts of sebum oil: The greasy substance that encourages the p.acne bacteria to grow, resulting in the aggravation of your acne.

Acne Diet and Dairy Products: Got Milk? Got Acne

If you thought sugar can aggravate your acne, here’s another major nutritional player in the formation of acne: behold the miracles of milk. Milk (all dairy products included) is the most harmful, mucus forming, allergenic and acne aggravating food you can find. Surprised? I thought so. After years of constant brainwashing by the media, who can blame us for thinking milk is good for strong bones and healthy teeth? The truth is: every sip of milk contains 59 different raging hormones, (which trigger the hyper-production of sebum oil resulting in more acne), saturated animal fat, steroid hormones, dead white blood cells, and cow pus in abundance!

Did you know that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows 750 million pus cells in every liter of milk (about two pounds) produced in America? Think about it, the next time you pop a pimple.

Scientific studies already point the finger at milk as one of the worst acne aggravating foods: “As pointed out by Dr. Jerome Fisher, ‘About 80 percent of cows that are giving milk are pregnant and are throwing off hormones continuously.’ Progesterone breaks down into androgens, which have been implicated as a factor in the development of acne…Dr. Fisher observed that his teenage acne patients improved as soon as the milk drinking stopped.”

If there’s one element you should remove from your diet in the quest for clear skin make it this one. Not only will you see an immediate improvement over your acne, you’ll feel a huge weight has been lifted from your body. If you worry about calcium intake, don’t! Milk being acidic forming food creates a leeching effect where calcium is taken from your bones to balance the acidity. Milk actually deprives your body from its calcium resources. Green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds are not only excellent sources of calcium they also have the powers to help you fight your acne symptoms.

Diet Is Only One of The Factors That Cause Acne

Dairy products and sugar are not the only acne aggravating foods. The two above cannot sum up the list of western made acne triggering foods. There are several other foods you should clearly stay away from if you ever wish to clear your acne. The good new is that there are tons of other foods such as essential fatty acids that are not only excellent for your skin, they can actually help you clear your acne, by re-balancing your body and promoting to an acne-free environment.

The right nutrition plays an important part in the complex process of acne formation. When doctors claim there is no link between diet and acne because certain individuals can eat specific foods and get acne while others eat the same foods and don’t, these doctors have failed to realize that there are several factors involved in the formation and aggravation of acne and diet is only ONE of them.

The Final Verdict On The Acne Diet Connection: How To Finally Overcome Your Acne Challenge

Acne is a complex condition that is triggered by several underlying factors. The only way to neutralize your acne condition is to tackle all these acne-contributing factors-holistically. Since the wrong diet is only one of these acne-triggering factors, in most cases no special diet can cure acne.

There is a however, a tight connection between diet and acne formation. Dietary factors can trigger and aggravate your existing acne. Avoiding the wrong foods such as milk, sugar and hydrogenated oils, and eating cleansing and hormonal balancing foods such as green leafy vegetables and essential fatty acids, can help your skin heal itself from the inside out and dramatically reduce your acne symptoms.

There are also several important dietary principals that you must understand and follow if you ever want to cure your acne for good.

Taking responsibility over your body and adhering to these dietary principals along with taking the necessary steps to tackle all acne contributing factors, holistically, will not only cure your acne permanently and give you the flawless acne free skin you deserve, following these principals will also significantly improve your overall health, mental well-being, look and feel.



WARD

Best Acne Treatment - Acne Treatments That Really Work

Sunday, December 7th, 2008
Jason Popper asked:


Which acne treatments actually work? There are so many on the market, so many fake and exaggerated acne treatment reviews floating about, it’s almost impossible today to get an accurate representation of an acne treatment. But, there’s no more need to worry, as long as you know what you’re looking for. Acne companies make outrageous claims as to what their acne products can do, when in fact their acne creams make acne worse. In this article, we’ll look into how you can find an acne treatment that works for you, and how to use this knowledge to make a wise acne treatment purchase.

Acne treatments that work treat acne by unclogging pores, killing off p.-acne, and slowing down the excretion of sebum. By solving all three of these problems, it is almost certain that you can become acne free. However, treating acne isn’t this simple - otherwise we’d all be acne free. No acne treatment performs these three steps perfectly. Some acne treatments unclog pores, or kill off bacteria better than others, however each acne treatment has a certain type of side effect you should be aware of. Some acne treatments initially treat acne, but they stop working after just a couple of weeks. Some acne treatments worsen acne initially, but slowly improve the skin. To understand how acne products will react with your skin, you need to understand what your skin needs.

For example, if your skin is dry, you’re going to need to find an acne treatment that doesn’t dry out the skin; dry skin leads to acne breakouts. This eliminates over half of the acne treatments currently on the market, because those acne treatments use chemicals that absorb skin moisture. If your skin excretes too much oil, you probably want an acne treatment that dries out the skin, or even better yet, an acne treatment that slows down sebum production. Also, do your pimples hurt - are they red and puffy? You need an acne treatment that kills off bacteria effectively. Or, maybe you have tons of whiteheads and blackheads. A good acid that eliminates extra dead skin cells on the skin will do the job. The type of acne treatment you need is based solely on what your skin needs. Until you figure out specifically what treatment your skin needs to be acne free, you’re going to continue to suffer from acne. We’ll discuss quickly a few types of popular chemicals used to treat acne.

One such chemical is benzoyl peroxide. This chemical is one of the best in terms of killing off the p.-acne. It does so so effectively, you might even consider purchasing a bottle of 10% benzoyl peroxide and applying it directly on the affected area. Benzoyl peroxide is mainly for spot treatments, since it does dry out the skin. Overuse of benzoyl peroxide will render this chemical useless and will even cause additional acne breakouts. No chemical is perfect for the treatment of acne.

Another chemical is salicylic acid. This chemical is in almost every single acne treatment currently on the market because it effectively unclogs clogged pores. This is a very important step in the acne treatment process. By allowing the pores to be clean, sebum can once again flow out freely, diminishing your acne. However, salicylic acid is almost useless against severe acne, and it doesn’t work for all skin types.

There are many chemicals, as well as natural ingredients, currently being used for the treatment of acne. There is no miracle acne treatment, despite what acne companies like to claim. Be sure to do proper research on ingredients for each acne treatment and understand how the acne treatment will react with your skin. Also, beware of skin irritants! Skin irritants, including many recommended home remedies, may initially help treat acne, but it damages the skin, causing further acne breakouts in the future. A common skin irritant is toothpaste. Toothpaste is strong enough to kill off some nasty bacteria, and even though it kills off individual pimples quickly, it damages the skin in the process. Many acne products include skin irritants without telling you! Be sure to read positive reviews of the product before you purchase it.



DEVON

Men’s Acne Facts Versus Fiction

Friday, December 5th, 2008
Deidra Garcia asked:


MenScience gives the inside scoop on myths and facts about men’s acne and acne treatments. How much do you really know about breakouts? Take our quiz and see for yourself!

1. Popping acne pimples makes them go away faster.

• True

• False

2. You should wash your face several times a day if you have acne.

• True

• False

3. Eating greasy or oily foods causes acne.

• True

• False

4. Tanning clears up acne in men’s skin.

• True

• False

5. Where you work can affect your skin and cause acne.

• True

• False

6. Benzoyl Peroxide is the most effective ingredient for acne treatment.

• True

• False

7. Glycolic and Salicylic Acids are effective against acne.

• True

• False

8. If an acne medication causes your skin to get worse, you should stop using the acne product.

• True

• False

9. It takes 28 days for new cells to appear on the surface of men’s skin.

• True

• False

10. Acne-prone men should use noncomedogenic products.

• True

• False

11. Perspiration cleanses skin.

• True

• False

12. Teenagers (not real men) get acne.

• True

• False

13. Only men with oily skin get acne.

• True

• False

14. Acne is caused by bacteria.

• True

• False

15. Using a face scrub can control acne.

• True

• False

16. Acne is no big deal.

• True

• False

ANSWER KEY:

1. FALSE: Popping pimples may seem to reduce their size, but it can actually aggravate blemishes by spreading bacteria, causing them to take longer to heal. Not only that, but popping or picking at pimples causes scars and dark spots to form.

2. FALSE: It’s important to have a clean face, but washing your face with force several times a day can cause your skin to produce more oil to make up for the moisture being washed away. Not to mention skin will become red and irritated. Your best bet is to wash once or twice a day with a gentle liquid cleanser that contains Salicylic Acid and Tea Tree extract.

3. FALSE: Pizza, chocolate and junk food have long been labeled “acne magnets,” but there’s very little scientific evidence to back up this claim. However, men should aim to eat a balanced diet full of vitamins from fruits and vegetables, and drink a lot of water for overall well-being.

4. FALSE: When you tan, dead cells build up on your skin’s surface. This can often cause your pores to look tighter and the surface to look smoother. Tanning also masks redness caused by acne. However, once the tan disappears, you’ll be left with greater outbreaks and darker acne scars and marks. Protect skin exposed to direct sunlight by regularly applying sunscreen (especially if using a treatment containing Benzoyl Peroxide).

5. TRUE: Men who work in places that put them in constant contact with grease and oil (restaurants and garages, for example) may find themselves breaking out more because oil creates an ideal environment for bacteria to reproduce. Although there’s no simple way to rectify this, they should clean skin gently at least twice a day and try to keep their hands from their faces at all times.

6. TRUE: Benzoyl Peroxide is an antibacterial ingredient prescribed by dermatologists as the preferred topical medicine for safe treatment for acne. It clears acne-causing bacteria on the surface, absorbs excessive oils and clear pores, while promoting greater cell exfoliation and renewal. Doctors also prescribe Green Tea, Urea and Allantoin to help soothe acne-irritated skin. Because Benzoyl Peroxide has powerful antibacterial and exfoliating qualities, it may take some time for skin to get used to the treatment. Once skin has become accustomed to the treatment however, irritation, redness or dryness usually disappears. The best bet is to apply a small amount only once a day, and then increase frequency gradually over 5 – 6 days. If too much dryness occurs, decrease frequency and gradually increase again.

7. TRUE: Glycolic and Salicylic Acids work very effectively to exfoliate dead skin cells and clear pores. By reducing pore blockage, acne has less of a chance to form and breakouts are reduced. Exfoliation with gentle products that contain Glycolic and Salicylic Acids helps smooth and clean skin, while also reducing instances of ingrown hairs as well.

8. FALSE: During acne treatment, skin often seems to take a turn for the worse before it begins getting better. This is due in part to the need to become accustomed to a treatment and the exfoliating process of shedding dead skin cells. The important thing is to keep usage regular. If, however, skin remains irritated for a long period of time, stop acne treatment and consult a doctor.

9. TRUE: It takes new cells 28 days to form and move through the epidermal layer of skin to finally appear on the surface. This is why results are not always immediately apparent. Using a product with Glycolic Acid may accelerate this process and help clear away dead skin cells.

10. TRUE: Noncomedogenic means ingredients in the product do not clog pores or provoke acne. Although it’s definitely recommended for men with oily skin, you should use non-irritating, noncomedogenic products no matter what skin type you have. All MenScience products have been developed by doctors and are noncomedogenic.

11. FALSE: Perspiration helps flush toxins from the body and maintains body temperature, but it does not cleanse skin at all. In fact, leaving sweat on your body can actually cause acne breakouts. Because of this, remember to take a shower or wash your face immediately after sweating heavily with a gentle cleanser several times a day.

12. FALSE: If only this were true! While acne outbreaks are often strongest during teen years (due to hormonal imbalances and improper skincare), acne can affect men their entire lives. Good skin health needs to be regularly maintained to avoid falling prey to blemishes.

13. FALSE: Acne can affect guys with any skin type, from dry to combination and even normal. Men with oily skin might be more susceptible to outbreaks, but they are by no means alone.

14. TRUE: Bacteria (P. acnes) play a big part in the creation of acne. Once a skin pore becomes clogged, acne bacteria begin to grow, causing blemishes to form. Benzoyl Peroxide is the most effective treatment for acne because it introduces oxygen into the bacteria, which kills it.

15. TRUE: Using a gentle exfoliating face scrub that contains Salicylic and Glycolic Acids can help clear pores of dirt and blockage, cutting down on the instances of acne. However, do not use a scrub if your acne is severe; it could aggravate your skin further.

16. TRUE….and FALSE: Acne is a painful, annoying condition, but it doesn’t need to negatively affect your lifestyle. While healthy skin is something we should all aim for, an occasional pimple or breakout is nothing to freak out about and can be treated with the right acne products. Remember: almost everyone is affected by acne. By using the most effective acne products and skincare techniques, there’s nothing to stop you from attaining a clear, healthy complexion.

SCORING:

13-16 Answers Correct: Acne Expert

9-12 Answers Correct: Good job! Add to your acne know-how with more tips.

5-8 Answers Correct: Knowledgeable, but check out our articles for more info.

0-4 Answers Correct: Needs work. Discover how to treat acne with our expert advice.



BRUCE

Issues about Scabies Rash

Thursday, December 4th, 2008
Groshan Fabiola asked:


Scabies rash can be identified only if it is accompanied by other symptoms of scabies. If you have a severe, persistent rash that doesn’t seem to ease up it might be caused by infestation with scabies mites. Scabies rash is characterized through itching and soreness and it tends to intensify at night. Scabies rash may also become very irritated after taking a hot shower or bath. If the skin appears to be blistery and scratched and the presence of small burrows is revealed on the surface of the skin, it is a possible sign of scabies rash and appropriate dermatological treatment is required.

An overwhelming number of 300 million people worldwide are diagnosed with scabies each year. Scabies can be very easily acquired by simply touching a contaminated person. Although scabies is very contagious, scabies rash can’t be transmitted from a person to another. Scabies rash usually occurs when the body develops allergic reactions to scabies mites and their *****. The only contagious aspect of scabies involves the mite infestation. If the mites responsible for causing scabies are transmitted to a person, they will quickly infest the skin and the symptoms of scabies will occur within a few days. Scabies mites can be acquired through direct contact with an infested person or by touching or wearing contaminated clothes or personal items. Scabies mites can live without their human hosts for about 3 days and therefore they can easily contaminate bed sheets, clothes, towels, etc.

The main cause of scabies in people is contamination with a particular type of mite, called Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis. This microscopic mite lives only on the bodies of human hosts and an infected person can spread it to hundreds of other persons.

It is important to note that scabies rash, just like other scabies symptoms, doesn’t occur due to improper hygiene. Although in the past, when the true nature of scabies wasn’t completely understood, people considered scabies rash to be the consequence of poor hygiene, today the cause of scabies rash is clear to most people. It is true that scabies occurs mostly to people from the lower classes of society, but this has nothing to do with hygiene. The factors that facilitate the transmission of scabies are overcrowding and situations that involve a lot of physical contact (factory workers). Hygiene can neither facilitate the occurrence of scabies, nor prevent it.

The most common symptoms of scabies are inflammation, discomfort, pain, swelling of the skin, pustules, burrows, nodules. However, the most intense of all seems to be the scabies rash. This symptom of scabies occurs as a result of allergic reactions to the mites’ feces, secretions, eggs and larvae.

Scabies rash is among the first symptoms that occur and it is usually the last one to disappear. Even if the condition is appropriately treated with topical medications, scabies rash may persist for another few weeks! This is due to the fact that even after they die, the mites remain under the skin and continue to produce allergies that cause scabies rash. The mites’ secretions contain substances that are toxic to the human body. However, there are ways of easing the itch, soreness and pain characteristic to scabies rash. Dermatologists usually prescribe hydrocortisone and antihistamine along with the treatment for scabies. These topical medications are usually in the form of creams, gels and ointments and they ameliorate scabies rash. However, if the scabies rash persists and even intensifies after a few weeks, it is a sign that the mite infestation hasn’t been eradicated and the treatment needs to be repeated.



BRYON

Acne Treatment Reviews

Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008
maragatha meenakshi asked:


 

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

Acne develops as a result of blockages in follicles. Hyperkeratinization and formation of a plug of keratin and sebum (a microcomedo) is the earliest change. Enlargement of sebaceous glands and an increase in sebum production occur with increased androgen (DHEA-S) production at adrenarche. The microcomedo may enlarge to form an open comedo (blackhead) or closed comedo (whitehead). Increased sebum production provides an environment for the overgrowth of Propionibacterium acnes. Bacterial overgrowth of Propionibacterium acnes can cause inflammation, leading to inflammatory lesions (papules, pustules, or nodules) in the dermis around the microcomedo or comedo, which may result in scarring.

Acne is most common during adolescence, affecting more than 85% of teenagers, and frequently continues into adulthood.For most people, acne diminishes over time and tends to disappear, or at least decrease, after one reaches his or her early twenties. There is, however, no way to predict how long it will take for it to disappear entirely, and some individuals will continue to suffer from acne decades later, into their thirties and forties and even beyond.

SYMPTOMS:

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

The most common form of acne is known as “acne vulgaris“, meaning “common acne.” Many teenagers get this type of acne.

The face and upper neck are the most commonly affected, but the chest, back and shoulders may have acne as well. The upper arms can also have acne, but lesions found there are often keratosis pilaris, not acne. The typical acne lesions are comedones and inflammatory papules, pustules, and nodules. Some of the large nodules were previously called “cysts” and the term nodulocystic has been used to describe severe cases of inflammatory acne. True cysts are rarely found in acne, and the term should be abandoned and the term severe nodular acne used instead.

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

Causes of acne

There are many misconceptions and myths about acne.

Primary causes

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



Family history

Hormonal activity, such as menstrual cycles and puberty

Stress, through increased output of hormones from the adrenal (stress) glands.

Hyperactive sebaceous glands, secondary to the three hormone sources above.

Accumulation of dead skin cells.

Bacteria in the pores, to which the body becomes ‘allergic’.

Skin irritation or scratching of any sort will activate inflammation.

Use of anabolic steroids.

Any medication containing halogens (iodides, chlorides, bromides), lithium, barbiturates, or androgens.

Exposure to high levels of chlorine compounds, particularly chlorinated dioxins, can cause severe, long-lasting acne, known as Chloracne.



Several hormones have been linked to acne: the androgens testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), as well as insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I). In addition, acne-prone skin has been shown to be insulin resistant

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

 



MELVIN