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Archive for April, 2008

What Is Acne Rosacea?

Sunday, April 27th, 2008

Acne rosacea is not really acne at all but a chronic skin disorder that is characterized by redness across the forehead, chin and lower half of the nose. Pimples can appear that look very much like teenage acne, however rosacea occurs most often in adults between the ages of thirty to fifty years of age. It mainly affects people with fair skin and women are more likely to get it than men. However, when men do get it, the symptoms tend to be a lot worse. There is no evidence of blackheads and whiteheads in rosacea, unlike acne.

When rosacea first occurs, it may appear for a while only to disappear again. After a while it will reappear and the cycle will continue. However, if this pattern continues untreated the skin will eventually fail to return to its normal color and the tiny blood vessels will dilate and pimples will appear. It is uncommon for acne rosacea to simply disappear on its own. In fact, untreated it can not only last for years, but it will steadily worsen and can create a condition called rhinophyma which is characterized by a bulbous, red, enlarged nose and puffy cheeks. Thick bumps on the lower half of the nose and inner cheek areas can also appear. Rhinophyma mainly afflicts men and can be treated by surgery. Dermabrasion can be used to repair scar tissue.

Rosacea can also affect the eyes. Approximately half of all people experiencing acne rosacea also demonstrate conjunctivitis symptoms. If it remains untreated, complications from this problem known as rosacea keratitis can damage vision.

While acne rosacea can be treated to alleviate the symptoms it cannot be cured medically at this time. Using pharmaceutical acne medications can cause real problems with rosacea. More effective treatments are topical antibiotics such as metronidazole and oral antibiotics such as tetracycline. Local inflammation can also be reduced by using short-term topical cortisone preparations.

It is important to limit blood vessel enlargement by avoiding rich food (spicy, fatty, sugary) and drinks (hot drinks and alcoholic beverages) that cause flushing and the enlargement of blood vessels. Avoiding extremes of temperature and extensive exposure to direct sunlight can help to relieve acne rosacea symptoms. So too can learning to manage stress. Since stress is a trigger for rosacea, learning relaxation techniques can be a helpful addition to any rosacea treatment plan.

Use natural products on your face if you have acne Rosacea. Make sure soaps, moisturizers, cleansers, toners and sunscreens should be free of alcohol and other irritating ingredients. Make sure topical medication has dried before applying a moisturizer. Only use rosacea treatments that are hypoallergenic, noncomedogenic and non-irritating.

Acne rosacea affects fourteen million Americans yet only one in four people have ever heard of it. If left untreated, rosacea can become disfiguring. Acne rosacea is an inherited disorder and it occurs so gradually that it may take a while before someone realizes that they have a problem. There is no cure for it, however if caught in the early stages, an effective rosacea treatment can improve the symptoms.

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Herbal Acne Treatment – Which Is Best?

Saturday, April 26th, 2008

Using herbal acne remedies can be an effective and natural approach to treating acne. There are many safe and easy to use herbal acne treatments which reduce the inflammation associated with acne, remove blackheads and whiteheads, and improve the appearance of acne scars, sometimes removing them altogether. Many acne sufferers find that commercial preparations dry their skin and don’t work for them anyway so they are turning to natural treatments such as herbal acne remedies.

Herbal acne treatments are natural and safe ways to kill the bacteria, which causes acne and to also soothe the skin and encourage healing. Freedom from acne can mean the same thing as freedom from low self esteem for many people. Self esteem is such a serious problem for people with severe acne that it is truly worthwhile to explore the benefits of herbal acne remedies. Not only do they tend to be far less expensive than other treatments, they are safe and do not have the side effects associated with many commercial preparations.

Acne is often an inherited condition. Other factors which can trigger acne are hormonal changes associated with menstruation or puberty, stress, allergic reactions, drug side effects, nutritional deficiencies, compromised immune system, overloaded and malfunctioning detoxification system and having an acidic body. All of these factors can affect hormonal balances within the body. If the liver cannot handle the level of toxins in the body which need to be eliminated, the skin will do some of the work. If there are more toxins than the skin can deal with, acne can result.

This is where herbs come into their own. Certain herbs can assist the main detoxification organs – liver, skin, kidneys and lungs – function more efficiently and normalize body functions.

Here is a list of excellent herbal acne remedies (and a few non herbal but natural ones) that very effective in bringing the body back into balance, assisting the detoxification process and therefore healing acne:

MILK THISTLE. Milk thistle supports the liver, our most important detoxification organ, particularly for hormonal balance.
GREEN TEA. Green Tea in Chinese herbal medicine is used for acne. It has natural antibacterial qualities, reduces inflammation and excessive hormonal activity and is a powerful antioxidant. It also aids in detoxification and when drunk after a meal helps digestion.
LAVENDER. Lavender is an essential oil which helps to relieve stress. Stress is a common cause of acne. Lavender oil is not to be taken internally but is very helpful used in a relaxing bath.
GARLIC. Garlic has antibacterial properties which work to kill the acne causing bacteria. It also strengthens the immune system and supports the body’s natural healing processes.
ECHNACEA. Echinacea also strengthens the immune system.
TEA TREE OIL. Tea tree oil must not be taken internally. It is applied topically to the skin and has antiseptic properties. Studies have shown that it can be more effective than benzoyl peroxide.
PROBIOTICS. Probiotics are friendly bacteria which improve our digestive and eliminative processes and support the immune system. This in turn supports the body’s detoxification processes and minimizes the toxic demands on the skin.
N ACETYL CYSTEINE. This is an amino acid, not a herb, however it needs to be included because it is an essential nutrient for liver function and liver function directly impacts the health of the skin and the incidence of acne.
ZINC. Zinc is a mineral, not an herb. However, it also needs to be included in this list because it has been found that acne sufferers are deficient in zinc. Zinc supports the immune system and helps the body detoxify and reduce inflammation.

This list of herbal acne treatments is by no means complete, however it can be a starting point to explore the many benefits of herbal acne remedies. Here are some more herbs that can be used to improve acne. You’ll need to do some follow up research to find out more about them:

Lemongrass Tea taken internally.
Lemongrass Oil in aloe vera gel applied externally.
Gymnema to regulate blood sugar. High blood sugar has been linked to acne in some people.
Blood and lymphatic cleansers such as burdock, cleavers, red clover and Echinacea.
Liver herbs such as dandelion root, globe artichoke and yellow dock.
Apply a comfrey poultice to the affected areas. Comfrey is very healing.
Sarsparilla is also a good herb for acne.

If you want to overcome this scarring skin disorder, while at the same time improving your overall health and avoiding unpleasant side effects, then eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of water, get enough sleep, exercise and support your body with products from nature’s own pharmacy.

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Acne Prevention Tips and Solutions

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008

Acne forms when the skin cells within hair follicles shed too fast and together form lumps which block the follicle, causing a pimple to occur. The tendency toward acne is largely genetic, however it can be triggered by any combination of hormonal activity, stress, over active sebaceous glands, bacteria in the skin pores, build up of dead skin cells, skin irritation of any sort, certain medications, anabolic steroids, hair removal products or processes, over-use of moisturizers, barbiturates or exposure to high levels of chlorine compounds (such as swimming regularly in heavily chlorinated swimming pools). Acne prevention is far easier than trying cure acne once you have it.

Here are seven acne prevention tips to help you minimize your risk of experiencing this personally devastating disorder:

KEEP YOUR SKIN CLEAN. Acne, including pimples and other blemishes, usually occurs because the pores of your facial skin become clogged with oil and dust. Therefore the first and foremost preventative measure for acne is to cleanse the skin regularly. However, it is important to use products that will remove excess facial oil. Some soaps do the opposite and actually increase the oil production which can establish an attractive environment for acne to develop. Salicylic acid is an ingredient of many facial cleansers that not only removes oil and bacteria, it also removes dead cells and residue that clogs the pores. Using a cleanser that just contains two percent of this ingredient two to three times a week can help to prevent the occurrence of acne.
EXFOLIATE REGULARLY. Use gentle facial scrubs regularly to exfoliate your facial skin. Facial scrubs getting rid of dead cells from your skin and will give your skin a healthy glow, removing all signs of blackheads.
BENZOYL PEROXIDE. Benzoyl peroxide is an effective ingredient of many acne products. It can also be used as an effective preventative when constituting five percent of the total product. When used in combination with a cleanser containing salicylic acid, at least once a week, benzoyl peroxide can help to prevent the occurrence of acne.
MOISTURIZE. This might sound like a strange preventative measure as a lot of people think that if they have acne they shouldn’t moisturize at all. This is incorrect. The problem is that most acne prevention products dry the skin so badly that they make it vulnerable to harmful UV rays. In fact, while you are using such drying products when you moisturize your skin it is advisable to use a moisturizer that contains UV protection.
LIVE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. A healthy lifestyle includes eating a healthy diet, avoiding an unhealthy diet, drinking adequate amounts of pure water, getting enough sleep and exercising regularly. No acne prevention products will help you avoid acne if you are eating junk food a lot of the time. A good start is to make sure you are eating enough fruits and vegetables every day and to reduce caffeine intake. If you are a cigarette smoker, you need to make a commitment to quit because the toxic load you are putting on your body makes it vulnerable to all sorts of health problems. Supplementing with at least one good quality multivitamin daily to restore any nutritional deficiencies and limiting your intake of toxins such as refined sugar, alcohol and coffee which stress the body, will help you maintain good skin health and protect you against the onset of acne.
ADD OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS. Omega-3 fatty acids have been found to help with both the prevention and improvement of acne. Try to incorporate foods containing omega-3 in your diet, such as salmon, sardines and flax seeds, three times a week. If you are unable to do this, make sure you take an Omega-3 essential fatty acid supplement, such as fish oil capsules, daily.
ADD ZINC. It has been found that people who get acne have low levels of zinc compared to those who do not get acne. Therefore supplementing with zinc (with Vitamin C to assist absorption) is recommended to help prevent or repair acne.

Acne can be very difficult to defeat once you have it. If you follow these seven acne prevention tips, you will be giving yourself a very strong chance of avoiding this skin disease altogether.

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Get Rid Of Acne Scars

Sunday, April 20th, 2008

Many people who no longer have acne, still need to know how to get rid of acne scars. However, once people have finally succeeded in removing acne, they often do not want to risk further treatments to remove the scarring in case it causes side effects (such as acne). Nevertheless, the acne scars and pits resulting from long term struggle with the disorder, affect our appearance and consequently our confidence.

Cost can also be a factor in the decision not to remove acne scarring. This is because a lot of people think the only way to remove the scars is through cosmetic surgery of some sort or acne laser treatment. However, there are in fact a number of affordable options for acne scar removal. It is simply a matter of finding the right acne treatment at the right price for you.

The degree to which acne scars can be removed or at least repaired and made less visible, depends on how severe your acne scars are. There are a number of acne scar treatments that are easy to use and relatively inexpensive.

How to get rid of acne scars without paying a fortune:

1. CHEMICAL PEELS. Chemical peels can be effective for removing and improving small, depressed scars. It can also help to remove the actual acne, however you may need many treatments to get the best results.

2. DERMABRASION. Dermabrasion is used to treat and heal deeper acne scars. It reduces acne scar visibility by working on deep facial tissue. It can be used on all kinds of acne scars.

3. SOFT TISSUE AUGMENTATION. Soft tissue augmentation smoothes the skin by helping to correct the loss of skin cells as a result of acne scarring.

How to get rid of acne scars naturally:

1. ESSENTIAL OILS. Essential oils are applied externally. A mixture of lavender and patchouli mixed with almond oil is excellent for healing acne scarring. Rosehip oil is also very good for healing them. The following is a special recipe that can be used to heal acne scars but must not be used while the acne is active: 25 mls rosehip oil, 5 drops of lavender and 8 drops of frankinscence.

2. VITAMIN E. Vitamin E can be taken internally and also applied as a cream to assist in the healing of acne scars.

3. ZINC AND VITAMIN C. Zinc and Vitamin C should be taken internally as a combination to heal acne scars.

Finally, a lot of people are turning to laser therapy to heal acne scars. This isn’t cheap and it is very important to make sure that the practitioner has been well trained and is experienced to avoid the disasters that can occur. Laser therapy works best on fair skin and can cause permanent blotchiness on darker skins.

When it comes to choosing how to get rid of acne scars, you have more options available to you than you might think. It would probably be wise to try the least invasive, safer techniques first and only if they do not work to resort to higher risk treatments. Which ever course you choose, it is possible to vastly improve the appearance of acne scarring and in some cases to be rid of them entirely.

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Natural Acne Treatments Exposed

Saturday, April 19th, 2008

Natural acne treatments are safe, often effective alternatives to over-the-counter pharmaceutical treatments. They do not tend to be as harsh and usually contain soothing components that assist the skin to heal.

We often don’t think of our skin as an organ, but it is actually the largest organ in our bodies. The skin helps the body get rid of toxins. One of the best acne treatments is a diet that supports this process. If your liver is working optimally and your bowels are moving regularly, then your skin is less likely to be used to eliminate waste.

Certain foods are particularly helpful for eliminating waste. Apples and psyllium husks are excellent as they contain fibers that help remove waste from the bowel. Beetroot is also a blood cleanser and helps the liver work more effectively. Generally speaking, a diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables is very beneficial for acne sufferers. It is also very important to drink plenty of clean water to clean the blood and help the body to flush out toxins. It is very important to avoid fast and processed foods.

Here are five dietary tips to help you overcome acne:

Include foods in your diet that contain healthy omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, sardines and ground flaxseeds. If you cannot do this, make sure you take a good essential fatty acid supplement.
Drink eight large glasses of water every day to flush out toxins and support your body’s healing and repair activities.
Vitamins A, B, C and E along with zinc and chromium are important inclusions for reducing and preventing acne.
Do not eat fried foods, refined sugar, and trans-fat products such as all milk products, margarine, and any hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Certain foods and drinks are known to aggravate acne and should be limited or avoided entirely if acne worsens after consuming them. These include chocolate, caffeine, carbonated beverages, wheat products, milk products, shellfish and iodized salt.

As well as a healthy diet, natural acne treatments can use herbal remedies to help cleanse internal body organs and supply them with nutrients. An advantage of natural acne treatments is that they are generally less expensive than chemical agents and without the side effects common to pharmaceutical treatments. These treatments can be very effective and achieve lasting results.

Most natural acne treatments are based on plant extracts that can work internally or externally, depending on the product. Successful natural acne treatments contain ingredients such as tea tree oil, grape seed oil, calendula, aloe vera and vitamin E. Natural products are designed to heal the root cause of the acne rather than simply focusing on clearing the symptoms. By healing the cause of the acne, future outbreaks are prevented.

Blood purifying herbs such as burdock, red clover and Echinacea are effective liver detoxifiers and boost the immune system. They are also antibacterial. Consequently they can be very helpful in overcoming acne.

Far infrared saunas are very good for detoxifying through the skin. Therefore if the acne is a result of skin detoxification a far infrared sauna can assist with the process and hasten the healing process of the acne.

Cold water compresses of lavender and tea tree oil are very beneficial for reducing the bacterial load on the skin and healing skin lesions and are therefore an effective adjunct to any natural acne treatment.

There are many effective and inexpensive, natural treatments for acne. However, without a healthy lifestyle, all the natural treatments in the world will be of little use. A natural and healthy diet, free of de-natured processed foods, is the first step of any workable natural treatment plan for acne. Once this is in place, you can use a selection of natural remedies to support your body in becoming well and defeating acne permanently.

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Clear Your Skin With The Best Vitamins For Acne

Wednesday, April 16th, 2008

Taking vitamins for acne can sometimes be an effective treatment for healing this plaguing skin condition. Increasingly, natural or partly natural acne topical creams and ointments are also including vitamins for acne in their ingredients.

The purpose of vitamins for acne is to enhance the body’s own ability to heal. Sometimes the skin lacks essential nutrients that will help it to heal. They can be particularly beneficial if the cause of the acne is stress or hormonal activity. The best vitamins to assist in the healing of acne include vitamins A and D (taken together), Vitamin B, Vitamin C and Vitamin E.

Here are good reasons to take vitamins for acne:

VITAMIN A. Vitamin A naturally inhibits excess oil. It is also an antioxidant, promoting good health and a strong immune system. Vitamin A is found in carrots, green vegetables, oranges and bananas.
VITAMIN B COMPLEX. Vitamin B complex is found in sweet potatoes, chickpeas, and green peppers. Vitamin B also acts as an antioxidant. If the acne is caused by stress, Vitamin B can replace nutritional deficiencies caused by the stress and which may be contributing to the acne. Vitamin B5 is particularly beneficial.
VITAMIN C. Vitamin C strengthens the immune system which helps to fight the acne. It is found in citrus fruits.
VITAMIN E. Vitamin E is known as the healing vitamin. It soothes and heals the skin as well as protecting it from future outbreaks.

Zinc and chromium should be added to these vitamins in order to maximize the benefit and promote quick and complete healing.

However, taking vitamins either internally or externally, without improving your diet and overall lifestyle, will be of minimal benefit. It is also important to drink plenty of clean water to cleanse the blood. Drinking fresh juices, particularly containing beetroot, can also be very beneficial.

Studies have shown that our lifestyles play a big role in the health and appearance of our skin. By improving your diet and eating mainly natural and healthy foods, you will address any vitamin deficiencies you may have. Once these deficiencies are dealt with, your acne may well improve.

You may also need to take vitamin supplements. Supplementation with vitamins for acne should not be instead of eating a good diet. The consequences of a diet high in fat and sugar will not be undone simply by taking vitamin supplements. Furthermore, there is a vast difference in the quality of vitamins available. For the best results look for vitamins from natural sources as most of the cheaper products on the market are artificially manufactured and are not as effective as those from natural sources.

There are many reasons for acne, but the first place to start dealing with it should be your general health. Vitamins for acne are best obtained largely from a natural, healthy diet and if necessary, additional supplementation can be added. By taking these actions, acne could soon be a thing of the past.

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Laser Acne Treatments

Monday, April 14th, 2008

With seventeen million Americans suffering from acne, it isn’t surprising that laser acne treatments are becoming more popular. Acne laser treatments are usually reserved for the most severe cases of acne that nothing else has shifted. Acne scar laser treatments can be very effective in killing the bacteria and burning the affected skin to promote new cell growth.

Acne may not be life threatening, but it can be devastating. Ugly red pustules, glaring angrily from an otherwise attractive face, can destroy the self confidence of an otherwise successful individual, particularly if that person is still a teenager.

Most people’s first response to acne is to use over-the-counter topical creams and lotions. Most of the common brands contain benzoyl peroxide which can be very drying to the skin. While these products work for some people, they do not work for everyone and it is common to try one product after another without relief.

This is why laser acne treatments have become popular despite the cost of $2,500 and upwards for a full face treatment. During this procedure, also known as laser resurfacing, a doctor uses a laser pen to wave a concentrated beam of light back and forth over the acne or acne scar. The process vaporizes damaged tissue and creates a new surface for the growth of healthy skin cells. After the acne laser treatment, it is normal to experience bruising and swelling around the treated areas. It is important that you do not apply make up or chemical products on your skin until it is healed, which usually takes seven to ten days.

However, despite its popularity, acne laser treatments come with certain risks and their effectiveness and safety has a lot to do with the experience and qualifications of the practitioner.

Currently, laser acne treatments are not regulated. This means the practitioner or doctor providing the service may have had very little professional training in the technique and in using the various lasers available. Before you commit to an acne scar laser treatment, it is therefore essential for your own safety that you see evidence of the training your doctor has undergone as well as evidence of his experience. The best way to determine experience is to view before and after photographs of patients who have undergone the procedure.

Another risk to using laser acne treatments is that it works most effectively on lighter skin tones. Used on darker skin, acne laser treatments can leave permanently blotchy skin because the laser can change the skin tone of the new skin.

Due to the high costs and obvious risks, acne scar laser treatments should only be chosen after all other options have been investigated and even then, it is wise to get at least two professional opinions regarding acne laser treatments.

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Baby Acne: An Introduction

Sunday, April 13th, 2008

Sometimes, even small babies might develop acne due to lingering hormones carried over from the mother after delivery. These hormones will cause irregular activity in the sebaceous glands, causing excessive production of skin oil. The baby continues to get these hormones after delivery through breast milk.

Around 20% of all newborns have acne-neonatorum or baby acne. Do not worry too much if your baby has pimples.

Though there are some common causes of acne in babies, adolescents, and adults, it must be clear that baby acne requires a completely different approach in treatment. This age group has the most careful treatment because of the young age.

Baby acne affects more boys than girls. Most babies have acne attacks after they are 3 weeks old, though there are cases where babies will be born with acne. Most of the acne in babies is in the form of papules or pustules. Papules are the red bumps on the skin while pustules are simply whiteheads. They will usually be filled with pus.

Some baby acne can even affect the skin on the scalp. In most cases, baby acne seldom requires any treatment. The lesions in the skin usually heal by themselves within four months. However, normal care of the baby’s skin should continue in order to ensure that the problem does not become severe.

You should use mild baby soap and clean the baby gently with water at least once a day. Do not use regular soap or other harsh materials like oil or lotions. They will most likely make things worse. Remember that baby acne will heal with time and there is nothing you can do to hasten the process.

Parents sometimes apply cosmetics to the baby’s face in their eagerness to take a good picture but this is a very bad practice. The skin of a baby is extremely sensitive and you must keep it away from all cosmetic products.

If the acne gets severe, get it checked by the doctor and you will most likely be advised to treat the acne with benzoyl peroxide, topical creams, and keratolytic agents.

Note that if your family has a hereditary acne problem, it does not necessarily mean that a baby in the family will be born with it. Similarly, just because the baby has it does not mean that it will have an acne problem during adolescence or later years. Acne is a very unpredictable condition.

Baby acne will mostly appear after the baby is 3 months old and go away on its own by 12 months of age. Usually, treatment is not required. Sometimes baby acne may last up to 3 years because of genetic factors.

Parents can only watch baby acne appear and then disappear. There is nothing more to be done about it.

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Back Acne: Causes And Treatments

Thursday, April 10th, 2008

Nearly every human has to deal with an acne problem at least once. Acne is a problem that occurs all over the world with no exceptions. Though it is nothing more than a skin condition that occurs for normal reasons and is easily cured, it is the embarrassment caused during the teenage years that gives it such a powerful image. At an age when people are becoming increasingly aware of their looks, an acne outbreak is a cause of major concern. Though acne is mostly considered and, indeed, advertised as a facial problem, it can also appear on other areas of the body.

Similar to facial acne, there is no single known cause for back acne and it is believed to be caused by some of the same factors, or a similar combination, that result in facial acne. This involves overproduction of sebum by the sebaceous glands in the skin. The excessive oil production in these glands is triggered by hormonal changes experienced during puberty and also by females during pregnancy. Regardless of the hormonal triggers, any changes, even those associated with stress, can trigger an acne attack.

However, acne on other parts of the body besides the face, is suspected to have other contributing factors that are based on the local cell structure of that body area, as well as lifestyle factors. For example, tight clothing could result in acne development as the skin is not allowed to breathe properly. Tight clothing prevents perspiration from evaporating and the retained moisture clogs skin pores, inviting bacterial infection. A similar affect is created when carrying something heavy strapped to the back. This creates irritation in the back and shoulders where the strap presses into the skin. Movement also causes irritation through constant rubbing and this may also lead to back acne.

A major difference between back acne and other forms is that diet is not known to have any connection with it. However, there is a good chance that having back acne means you are likely to develop acne on body areas if you do not watch what you eat. Since there is no clear verdict on the connection between diet and acne, the only thing to do is experiment with your food and try to pin down the foods that cause an acne breakout and then avoid them.

Mild cases of back acne are treated just like mild cases of facial acne, which is with the aid of over the counter cosmetics or medications. However, even back acne can often lead to cysts and when the problem reaches that level of severity, it becomes important to seek medical aid. Cysts require examination and prescription by a qualified dermatologist. If cysts are not cured in time, they can cause permanent scarring.

Prescription medication can help alleviate the symptoms and cure back acne permanently.

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Cystic Acne

Monday, April 7th, 2008

Acne is a problem that is well known all over the world because it hardly spares anyone. Most acne first appears during the teenage years when appearance is suddenly important as children reach puberty. Thus acne cause lots of needless embarrassment and can seriously affect self-esteem. Sometimes acne can continue right up through the early 20s.

Acne may be mild or severe and might take the form of pimples or cysts. Though it mostly appears on the face, it is quite common for acne to show up on the arms, back, and chest.

The common form of acne is merely annoying and temporary but the severe cases can lead to permanent skin scarring and pitting. Cystic acne is the most severe form of acne and needs to be treated as early as possible.

Cysts are basically lumps under the surface of the skin. The lumps are made of skin tissue and pus but unlike pimples (blackheads and whiteheads) they do not break the skin surface. Cysts are responsible for blotched skin, uneven color, scarring, and other complications. In most cases the cyst will look like an acne nodule except that it is filled with pus. Most cysts are around 5 millimeters in diameter.

Cystic acne can be very painful and can leave permanent marks if not cured in time. If you suffer from cystic acne, it is very important that you never squeeze the cysts. This causes the infection to go much deeper and will result in even more painful inflammation and the healing time will be much longer. Go ahead with the treatment but do not touch the cysts. Just leave it alone.

It is recommended that if you acne becomes painful then you immediately get it checked by a dermatologist for cystic acne. Do not continue self-medication or use of cosmetics if the acne becomes painful. A qualified dermatologist can tell cystic acne from regular acne at a single glance and based on that, you may be prescribed some form of medication that will help with its treatment and ensure that there is no recurrence of this problem.

There are too many over the counter products in the form of cosmetics and medication that claim to cure acne. Some of them are quite effective, but every one of us has a unique skin type and all cures are not equally effective. If you do not find relief from over the counter cures within a short time, you should see a dermatologist before the acne problem becomes severe. Sometimes it takes prescription medication to cure this common problem, so stay in touch with your health care professional.

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Acne Uncovered