Archive for May, 2008

Blackhead Treatments

Wednesday, May 28th, 2008

Everyone has to deal with blackheads at some point in time but it can be difficult to find the right blackhead treatments that work for everyone. If you don’t know how to get rid of blackheads, don’t lose heart. Just by taking some simple actions, you can prevent and remove blackheads easily. 

Blackheads plug the pores of the skin and are caused by overactive sebaceous glands produce too much oil and become clogged. This oil hardens in the pore and the top part, which is exposed to air, oxidizes and turns black. This black part of the oil plug is then pushed up further by the oil which is hardening underneath it. The blackhead then becomes visible. Whiteheads occur in exactly the same way, except that the pore is closed and the oil does not oxidize. Blackheads can cause acne if the oil gland becomes infected because of the blockage. Therefore blackhead treatments are actually important for controlling acne.

Here are some tips on how to get rid of blackheads and how to prevent their recurrence. 

  1. One of the simplest blackhead treatments is simply to change your pillow case often. Oil from both your hair and your face transfers to your pillow while you are asleep and builds up. This build up can settle on your face while you are asleep and contribute to the development of blackheads.
  2. Use steam to open up the pores of your skin. You can do this by taking a very hot shower without the exhaust fan on and in a closed environment, using a facial steamer or simply by sitting over a bowl of steaming hot water under the covering of a towel to keep the steam in. Once the pores are open gently wash your face with water to clear out the plugs. Gentle patting with a soft cloth may be necessary. This is one of the most natural, easiest blackhead treatments you can use.
  3. Wash your face morning and night before bed, using a gentle cleanser which does not have a petrochemical base. It is important to keep your skin as free from oil as possible but avoid using harsh soaps or cleansers which can irritate the skin and only worsen the situation.
  4. After you wash your face, use a clean towel to dry your face. If you dry your face with a towel you have used previously, you may be undoing the benefits of washing your face and transferring oil and dirt back onto your face. If you automatically change towels on a daily basis you can avoid this problem.
  5. Eat a healthy diet and avoid all junk food and refined carbohydrates and sugars. People who eat a healthy diet are less likely to get blackheads. If you genuinely want to know how to get rid of blackheads in the long run, you cannot ignore the importance of diet.
  6. Pay attention to your nose. Most people are more prone to blackheads on their nose than anywhere else. Therefore pay particular attention to cleaning this area of the face.
  7. Exfoliate your facial skin to remove dead skin cells and keep them away from pore opening. A gentle facial scrub that doesn’t contain harsh chemicals is a good option.
  8. The old method of squeezing or scraping to get rid of blackheads is no longer considered a good idea as it can damage the skin around the pore, enlarging it so that blackheads are easier to form in the future.
  9. Pressing a warm, clean face washer to the area of the blackhead can be followed by very gentle pressure, which is often adequate to clear the clogged pore.
  10. Many people rely on commercial blackhead strips which are placed over the affected area (usually the nose) and pulled off, removing blackheads in the process. However, these products are chemically based and it is very important to understand any risks to sensitive skin and to read the instructions carefully before using them.

By using some of these blackhead treatments you will be well on the way to being free from blackheads and preventing their recurrence.

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Acne Skin Care Products And Treatments

Saturday, May 17th, 2008

Nearly 17 million Americans suffer from acne making acne skin care a major issue in our society. It is the most common skin disease in the world affecting most teenagers at some time and an increasing number of adults. It affects skin on most parts of the body irrespective of gender or race and it can appear as whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, nodules and cysts, often scarring permanently. Acne will quite often clear up on its own without the use of acne skin care products but it might take several years. In severe cases action needs to be taken, unfortunately it can be difficult to choose the right acne skin care products and treatments for a particular person. 

Acne is formed when skin cells plug up a hair follicle. This happens when the skin cells inside a hair follicle shed too fast. Acne can be inherited or triggered by hormonal imbalances, stress, hyperactive sebaceous glands, accumulation of dead skin cells, scratching a rash or itch, bacteria in the pores, some medications, certain make up, and skin care products with a petrochemical base. 

The first acne skin care treatments chosen by most people are over-the-counter topical treatments. The most popular ingredient for this type treatment is Benzoyl peroxide and is the main ingredient of popular brands such as Clearasil, Oxy and Neutrogena. Acne should be treated as soon as it appears as all treatments also prevent against future outbreaks. If these acne skin care products don’t work, many acne sufferers look to antibiotics and after that laser therapy. 

However there is a safe, effective and easy acne skin care treatment that is hardly used at all. The importance of diet to both preventing and treating acne is often ignored due to a general unawareness of its connection. People who believe that acne is primarily caused by hormonal imbalances do not acknowledge the very real connection between diet and hormonal activity. Acne is non existent among people who do not eat refined carbohydrates and sugars. These ‘foods’ affect insulin production because they cause sharp increases in blood sugar which triggers a range of responses in the body including hormonal activity that increases oil production in the sebum and increased skin cell production. This modern diet, called SAD (standard American diet) by some, also creates a highly acidic state in the body which encourages inflammation. It also lowers immunity making it difficult for the body to protect or heal itself from disease.

Surely the first treatment option for acne, then, should be a healthy lifestyle. After this, nutritional supplementation is important. Studies have found that acne sufferers are generally deficient in zinc and sometimes selenium. It has also been found that vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) is extremely helpful in the healing of acne. There are also supportive herbal acne skin care products that help to regulate the hormonal function of the body and improve detoxification processes so that the skin is not overloaded. The combination of a healthy diet, nutritional supplementation herbal acne skin care treatments can produce marvelous results, not just in healing acne but also in promoting excellent health. Not only will the acne be gone, but your skin will glow with genuine good health. 

Make sure that your body is getting everything it needs to function well. Give yourself every opportunity to defeat acne without exposing yourself to potentially harmful acne skin care products. An added benefit of the natural approach is that it is a lot less expensive than having to buy expensive commercial preparations.

If you want to be free of acne, start with good health and be patient. Be kind to yourself and make long term good decisions that support your health and well being.

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Using Antibiotics For Acne Control

Wednesday, May 7th, 2008

Antibiotics for acne do a number of things. Probably the most significant is that they decrease the number of bacteria in and around the hair follicle. Effectively, antibiotics work by reducing the chemicals produced by the white blood cells which irritate the skin. Antibiotics for acne also reduce the inflammatory response by lowering the concentration of free fatty acids in the sebum. Topical antibiotics eliminate the propionibacterium which is the organism largely responsible for aggravating acne. How long a person needs to take antibiotics for acne will depend on the severity of the infection. 

There are two main types of antibiotics for acne: oral and topical. Some of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics for acne are:

  • CLINDAMYCIN. Clindamycin can be used as a gel or a lotion, however, if you have ulcerative colitis or antibiotic-induced colitis should avoid this product. It is a topical antibiotic and must not be taken orally.
  • TETRACYCLINE. Tetracycline is a commonly prescribed antibiotic for acne. It reduces inflammation and destroys the acne causing bacteria. However, it may take several weeks to a few months to begin to see benefit from using this treatment and it must continue to be used even after there is no sign of the acne or else it will recur. Side effects may include include sensitivity to light, vulnerability to sunburn, dizziness, nausea, hives and vaginal thrush in women. Pregnant women should not take tetracycline because it can cause discoloration of the growing baby’s teeth. Similarly, children under the age of twelve should not be given this drug because it could potentially discolor their teeth.
  • ERYTHROMYCIN.  Erythromycin is the most commonly prescribed antibiotic for the treatment of acne. It has an anti-inflammatory action and is available as a solution, gel or ointment. Side effects include possible skin irritation in sensitive people, nausea and stomach disorders.
  • METRONIDAZOLE. Metronidazole is used to treat acne that is actually rosacea. It does not have any known serious side effects.
  • MINOCYCLINE. Minocycline is a derivative of tetracycline and is particularly helpful for acne lesions containing pus. Side effects can include nausea, light-headedness, discoloration of teeth and change in skin pigmentation.

Antibiotics for acne are often initially prescribed in high doses which are gradually reduced as the acne improves. It can take a long time for the antibiotics to completely eradicate acne. However, studies have found that antibiotics are generally effective fifty percent of the time. Considering the possible side effects, and the destruction of friendly bacteria in the body such as in the digestive tract which has a negative effect on health, antibiotics should be used cautiously. 

Before you decide to treat your acne with antibiotics and other pharmaceutical preparations, consider the fact that acne doesn’t occur in societies that do not have processed foods, in particular refined carbohydrates and sugar. These ‘foods’ cause insulin levels to spike and also release IGF-1, an insulin-like growth factor which increases the production of skin cells and testosterone levels. Testosterone increases the production of sebum from the oil glands and combined with the multiplication of skin cells (keratinocytes) dramatically increases the likelihood of acne occurring. Add stress and you are even more likely to have severe and extended outbreaks of this skin problem. 

There is clearly an obvious connection between the modern western diet and the prevalence of acne. So before risking the side effects of antibiotics for acne, wouldn’t it make sense to avoid all processed foods and eat a natural and healthy diet? Not only will you enjoy better general health, chances are your acne will disappear without the use of antibiotics for acne.

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