Prevention Is Time-Tested Prescription For Acne

The American Academy of Dermatology has revealed that taking pains to have a clear, blemish-free complexion should no longer be considered vanity. Rather, people should see it as a preventive measure for the most common skin disorder affecting some 20 million people worldwide---- acne.Acne vulgaris is predominantly a genetic disease that involves the skin’s sebaceous (the oil-producing) glands. It is characterized by both non-inflammatory lesions (blackheads and whiteheads) and inflammatory lesions (papules, pustules and nodules). It usually appears on the face but it also occurs on the neck, upper arms, back and legs. Acne generally begins at puberty and may continue throughout one’s adult life due to higher levels of sebum or oil that is produced by the body as one matures.Those who have oily skin are more prone to pimple or acne which is why proper care must be exercised. Acne, when mishandled or mistreated, will develop to more serious problems like embarrassing scars that are oftentimes difficult to treat.But pimples or acne can be prevented. All it takes is a professionally-prescribed or traditionally-approved beauty regimen that is religiously followed.Caring for the skinAcne can be controlled by developing a good skin regimen. Washing the face with clean warm water and mild soap or facial wash will cleanse the skin, but dermatologists usually recommend products that are “non-comedogenic” as these do not clog the pores that may cause irritation to the skin.For dry skin, apply a moisturizer to retain the skin’s moisture. This will also ensure a smoother feel and easier glide when applying make-up.Eat a hefty amount of Vitamin A and E-rich foods. These vitamin food groups are the skin’s best friend. Drink lots of water, too.Lead a healthy lifestyle. Give your skin the chance to rest especially at night when cell renewal is at its highest level.Get professional adviceAvoid self-medication when dealing with skin problems. Consult a dermatologist and follow their advice. Remember that a dermatologist has less of a vested reason to guide your skin care program unlike the woman working behind a cosmetics counter.Caring for the skin is a must since when the skin is given little attention, it shows.

Got Iodine in that Milk? Unassuming sources of acne aggravat

Iodine is a trace mineral that regulates thyroid hormones while promoting normal growth and development. It is present in iodized salt, seafood and crops grown in iodine rich soil.So you’ve read that excessive amounts of iodine can irritate your pores and provoke acne. So what do you do? Avoid excess iodine, right? But iodine shows up in a motley of unassuming locals as Jean Carper, points out in Food Your Miracle Medicine. For instance, the Recommended Daily Allowance, RDA, of iodine for adults is 150 mcg, but one cup of milk has 88mcg of iodine, that’s over half of the RDA. One egg has 24 mcg and a slice of American cheese carries 16 mcg of iodine. And the content of iodine in some fast food meals has exceeded the RDA by as much as 10 times. Just because excess iodine may provoke acne does not mean you want to ex it out our your diet. Poor iodine intake can result in Goiter, an enlargement of the thyroid gland, and Cretinism, which causes dwarfism and mental retardation Foods that contain large amounts of iodine include:·Iodized salt, sea salt, and salty foods. Because it's hard to know which restaurants use iodized salt, you might want to avoid eating out during this time ·All dairy products (milk, sour cream, cheese, cream, yogurt, butter, ice cream) ·Margarine ·Egg yolks ·Seafood (fish, shellfish, seaweed, kelp) ·Foods that contain carrageen, agar-agar, algin, or alginate - all of these are made from seaweed ·Many prepared and/or cured meats (ham, bacon, sausage, corned beef, etc) ·Fresh chicken or turkey with broth or additives injected ·Dried fruit ·Canned vegetables ·Commercial bakery products ·Chocolate ·Molasses ·Soy products (soy sauce, soy milk, tofu) ·Any vitamins or supplements that contain iodine ·FD&C red dye #3 - this appears in many foods or pills that are red or brown, including colasFoods with moderate amounts of iodine include:·Egg whites ·Fresh noncured meat from the butcher ·Matzoh ·Homemade bread made with non-iodized salt and oil (not soy!) instead of butter or milk ·Most fresh fruits and vegetables (but not too much spinach & broccoli), washed well ·Frozen vegetables that don't have high-iodine ingredients (like regular salt) added ·Canned peaches, pears and pineapples ·Natural unsalted peanut butter ·Clear sodas ·Coffee or tea, as long as it's made with distilled water. But remember, only non-dairy creamer! ·Popcorn popped in vegetable oil or air popped, with non-iodized salt ·Sorbet - but remember to check the ingredient list for FD&C red dye #3!As with all things, self-knowledge and moderation are the keys to divine health. It’s always good to know what you are eating before it starts eating away at you.

Facial Acne and Treatments

If you suffer from shoulder and back acne, I have found a treatment that may help. Acuzine. is a new non-prescription acne treatment. Acne is caused from imbalances and impurities within the body, and that's why we treat the problem an internal cleansing treatment that goes right to the source and fights acne before it even begins. Acuzine provides antioxidents that can help eliminate the free radicals that are dangerous to skin and promote infections. It also fights inflammation, to reduce redness. And it works to heal damaged skin, naturally!Learn more about Acuzine.

B Vitamin Hype: With Ambitions of Fighting Acne, Rosacea and

Vitamin B is no small time player in the high stakes game of the beauty. Just take the case of pellagra for example. Pellagra is a life threatening skin disease characterized by dementia, diarrhea, and dermatitis that results from a niacin (B vitamin) deficiency. In the early 20th century in the United States pellagra plagued thousands of people in the South and Midwest. The condition was thought to be contagious until investigators discovered the underlying nutritional deficiency.
Even today, the importance of vitamin B is cultivating new roles in the world of beauty. Dermatologist Leslie Baumann, MD forecasts topical vitamin B and its multiple derivatives as key ingredients in future anti-aging products. For example, one derivative of the B vitamin niacin, nicotinamide, has been shown to improve the ability of the epidermis, the upper-most layer of the skin, to retain moisture. One study reports that topical nicotinamide, when applied to the skin for six days reveals softer, smoother skin with less dryness and flakiness, and a reduction of fine lines. Even more promising is its anti-cancer influences. For instance, when applied to mouse skin, topical nicotinamide produced a 70 percent decrease in ultraviolet-induced skin cancer.
Niacinamide, another byproduct of vitamin B, serves as an effective skin-lightening agent. In one clinical investigation, patients with hyperpigmentation applied a moisturizer containing five percent niacinamide. Four weeks later, computer analysis of the hyperpigmentation and skin color revealed a decrease in hyperpigmentation along with an increase in skin lightness. Topical niacinamide also exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it a potential treatment for acne, rosacea and any blistering-type disease.
Dermatologist Zoe Diana Draelos, MD, clinical associate professor of dermatology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, N.C. is confident that praise for the therapeutic effects of niacinamide will continue to rise. Dr. Draelos hails, "Already, topical 4% niacinamide has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of papular and pustular acne in a 4% gel, as well as the improvement of skin cancer and its anti-tumor characteristics".
Dr. Baumann cautions that the many versions of one vitamin can be confusing and recommends speaking with your dermatologist to ensure you are selecting the right vitamin product for your skin care needs.
While it’s comforting to place a host of cosmetic aspirations in the latest beauty craze, Mother Nature’s wisdom will never lead you astray. If you can’t wait to get the benefits of B vitamins in your beauty cream, just go to your local market and help yourself to some chicken, tuna, potatoes, spinach, asparagus, black beans and watermelon. These are just of few of the foods providing bountiful servings of vitamin B. Remember, these scores of medical insights and promises started with a nutritional deficiency.
Naweko San-Joyz writes health and beauty articles from her home in San Diego. She recently published “Acne Messages: Crack the code of your zits and say goodbye to acne”. To challenge and verify her research, San-Joyz trains for figure competitions.

Shopping for Sensitive Skin: A Guide for the Acne and Rosace

Acne and rosacea patients take note- you must know about proper skin-care and cosmetic usage to successfully manage your sensitive skin. This is the counsel of Dr. Diane Berson, who runs a dermatology practice in New York City. A critical step in reducing skin sensitivity is understanding the importance of the stratum corneum. The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the skin and is composed of dead, flat skin cells held together by the protein keratin. This skin barrier prevents molecules from passing into and out of the skin and thereby protects the lower layers of skin while reducing skin sensitivity.Healthy, uninjured skin is more effective at preventing skin irritations that may result from using cosmetics and skin care products. Individuals with altered nerve endings or more neurotransmitters under their skin are more susceptible to minor skin irritants in cosmetics and skin care products. When the skin is excessively dry or damaged, it cannot adequately protect these nerve endings. Sound moisturizing and a strong immune system help minimize possible skin irritants.Some of Dr. Berson’s recommendations for caring for sensitive skin include:Selecting mild cleansers. Use mild cleansing agents that have synthetic detergents or lipid-free cleansers. Resist using abrasive cleansers since they can cause microscopic tears in the skin and damage the protective layers of the skin. Rosacea patients should not use alcohol-based products such as toners or astringents. Acne patients will benefit from toners that contain salicylic acid or alpha hydroxy acid. However, when starting a retinoid treatment, temporarily discontinue using a toner or astringent since the combination may make the retinoid more irritating. Acne patients must also limit or abstain from excessively rough cleansing and washing. Julie Harper, M.D., who directs a clinic to treat acne at the University of Alabama at Birmingham laments, "Teenagers think they have acne because they do not wash enough, but usually they are washing too often with harsh scrubs that make their symptoms worse."Using moisturizers. Tracy L. Grosick, a key skin care product researcher with Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati says that when the skin’s moisture barrier is intact, it helps the skin to combat environmental attacks that are encountered on a daily basis. When acne and rosacea patients are using treatments that dry the skin, moisturizers may improve the skin’s barrier function. Dr. Benson recommends using moisturizers with the least amount of ingredients. Rosacea patients should choose a moisturizer with only glycerin, petrolatum, or aloe vera, which might be anti-inflammatory.Acne patients should also stick with products containing the least amount of ingredients.Using noncomedogenic sunscreens. Rosacea patients need to use a physical-blocking products containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide because these ingredients will not irritate red, inflamed skin and will provide optimal protection.Acne patients with oily skin should use noncomedogenic, non-pore clogging, products. Select an alcohol-based or gel-based sunscreen. Preservatives. The best preservatives for sensitive skin are those containing parabens like methyl paraben and butyl paraben. The key to keeping sensitive skin less susceptible to irritation is ensuring the integrity of your stratum corneum, the skin’s primary defensive barrier. You can start by using a minimalist moisturizer, and noncomedogenic sunscreen. Sources: American Academy of Dermatology (Newswise.com)Dermatology Times. Patricia Reiman. Alleviating sensitivity: Study finds moisturizers with niacinamide make skin more resilient. March 1, 2004Dermatology Times. Cheryl Guttman. Sensitive skin valid patient problem. May 1, 2002.E Skin and Allergy News. Timothy F. Kirn. Lifestyle, Cosmetics Integral to Acne, Rosacea Tx. August 2003.

How Do I Deal With My Acne?

Acne can be caused in teenagers just from the hormonal aspect of being a teen and genetics (that stinks!)Many products on the market just don't work. If they work, what I am going to tell you is probably some of the ingredients in acne products. To clean your face:You can use oatmeal and add water. Rub this on your face and let it sit for 15 minutes. Oatmeal is a natural astringent that dries the skin.Rinse off with water. Get a spray bottle or dab your face with white vinegar or apple cider vinegar.Then if you want to, you can dab some hydrogen peroxide afterwards. By scratching pimples you can cause an infection so the hydrogen peroxide helps. And stop touching your hair and face during the day. Do this treatment at least 2 x a day.Here are other treatments you can try.After you wash your face with a soap like Aveeno, use a cotton ball to clean oil from the skin with this cooling astringent.Using Neosporin - Dad a little Neosporin on pimples and blemishes. The antibiotic helps clear up acne.Phillips' Milk of Magnesia. Using this as a facial mask helps dry up the excess oils from your face, and dabbing it on pimples to reduce redness and to speed up healing.Using ReaLemon. Rub the ReaLemon lemon juice over blackheads before going to bed. In the morning, wash of the juice with cool water. Repeat this for several nights and you should see a big improvement in the skin. Also dab ReaLemon on any blemish a few times during the day when you have a chance.When you break out in pimples, mix 1 tsp of Corn Starch with 1 tsp of ReaLemon lemon juice to make a paste. Apply to the affected areas and then let dry. This treatment eliminates the redness and helps pimples dry up faster.Remember, always consult your doctor before using any of the above treatments.

Brush your skin and keep acne away

The skin is the largest of the elimination channels. Through the skin toxins are eliminated which are brought to the skin surface from the blood. When the regular elimination channels are sluggish or partial plugged up such as your colon being constipated, not all toxins move out through your feces.Toxins that accumulate in the colon tend to move into the blood, when colon walls have been weaken through constant constipation or abused through eating excessive junk food. Once in the blood they move into the liver for detoxification.If you are frequently constipated, than your liver will be overworked and unable to detoxify all of the colon toxins. The liver will store a lot of these toxins in its own tissue and else where in your body’s tissues, joints, organs, cells and skin.When you have excessive toxins and your immune system is not able to detoxify them, these toxins will moved to the skin surface through the blood where they are enter the hair pores – follicles – and try to move to the skin surface. When your pores are not working properly, excessive toxins in the pores can lead to acne.Body odor is also a result of toxins coming out through the skin that should be moving out through the other elimination channels.If your body skin is clean and its pores are open and unclogged, toxins will move out through the pores without creating pimples or eruptions. The skin normally moves 1-2 pounds of toxins out of your skin daily.You can tell when your pores are open. You sweat freely during exercise. If you do not sweat much during hot weather or during exercise, then your skin pores are probably plugged.To keep your skin active and serving as a good channel of elimination you need to brush your skin daily before you shower or during your shower. When you brush your skin, brush in one direction, starting from your feet towards your heart.In her book, Detox For Life, 2002, Loree Taylor Jordan, C.C.H., I.D. says,“One of greatest gifts of health that you can give yourself is the gift of skin brushing. Dry skin brushing in one of the finest of all baths. No soap can wash the skin as clean as the new skin you have under the old. You make new skin on the body every 24 hours. The skin will only be as clean as the bloodstream. Dry skin brushing removes the top layer. This helps to eliminate uric acid crystals catarrh, and various other acids in the body. The skin should eliminate 2 pounds of waste acids daily.”Understanding how your skin lives will help you keep it clean. Brush your skin daily and bring toxins to the skin surface where you can get rid of them during your shower. Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural Nutritionist. He is the author of Constipation, Acne, Hemorrhoid, and Fatty Acid ebooks. He writes a newsletter call “natural-remedies-thatwork.com.” More acne hints and information on his acne e-book can be found at: http://www.acne-remedies.for--you.info