Acne in Recent Headlines

On 2/25:

Accutane, also known as Amnesteen, Sotret, and Claravis, "is considered a highly effective treatment for severe and disfiguring acne. As many as 200,000 people use it each month," the FDA says. Yet because the drug has shown to cause fetal deaths and birth defects if taken by pregnant women, the FDA announced last Thursday that they are implementing a program which will prevent pregnant women from accidentally taking the drug: FDA to set limits on acne drug, despite complaints.


On 2/24:

DermaStyle is a new light pen that is giving creams and prescription treatments a run for their money. Yes you read that right--a pen. According to creators, if you shine the light on problem areas every day, you should start to see results in as little as a week. Believe it or not, this product is FDA approved. Read more: Zapping Zits with Light.

Acne and its Treatment

By: Tania Jain

Acne is a menace. However, it's not something that cannot be tackled. There are loads of acne skin care products around. We can classify acne skin care products into 3 broad categories -

1. Preventive or general acne skin care products

2. Over-the-counter, specialised acne skin care products

3. On-prescription acne skin care products.

The general acne skin care products are the ones that are used as acne-prevention measure. These include cleansers, make-up removers and similar products that help prevent acne. In the real sense, these acne skin care products are just those that should anyway be part of your daily routine. However, some of these are more oriented to act like an acne skin care product. These acne skin care products act against the causes of acne e.g. limiting the production of sebum/oil and preventing clogging of skin pores. Basically, these acne skin care products prevent the oil from getting trapped in pores and hence hamper the growth of bacteria that lead to acne. The general acne skin care products also include exfoliation products like skin peels. These work towards removing dead skin cells, hence reducing the possibility of pore-clogging and bacteria development.

Then there are specialised acne skin care products that are available over-the-counter i.e. without the need of a prescription. These include products like vanishing creams which extract the extra oil from the skin. Most of these acne skin care products are based on benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, both of which are the enemies of bacteria (and hence acne). You should start with a product that has lower concentration of benzoyl peroxide (e.g. 5%) and see how your skin responds to it. Alpha-hydroxy-acid based moisturizers are also popular as acne skin care products. You might have to try a few, before you zero-in on the acne skin care product that is effective for you. If nothing seems to work, you should contact a dermatologist.

On-prescription acne skin care products are the ones that are prescribed by a dermatologist. This can include ointments that can be applied on the affected area or oral antibiotics or just any topical treatment. Dermatologist could also suggest a minor surgical procedure to remove the contents of pustules. However, never try to squeeze or do this by yourself, it can lead to permanent damage of your skin. Your doctor could also prescribe a hormone-based treatment (since hormonal changes are also known to cause acne). Such acne skin care products are known to be very effective in some cases.

So, with all those acne skin care products, tackling acne is not that difficult.


Author Bio

For ultimate-cosmetics.com. Find lots of makeup and beauty tips. Learn how to cure acne, pimples naturally - with many home remedies.


Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com

Facial Cleansing For Your Skin Type

by Diana Clarke

Do you know best way to wash your face and which products to use? Dermatologists say that there are several ways to cleanse the face, but the ingredients that work for one person may not work for someone else. What's more, there is a barrage of new products to choose from.

To help you decide which methods and tools for cleansing the skin are best for you, dermatologist Zoe D. Draelos, M.D., clinical associate professor in the department of dermatology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, N.C., discusses skin regimens that are appropriate for each skin type.

"There are an overwhelming number of facial cleansing products, implements and tools available today. The most important thing an individual can do to determine the best facial cleansing routine is to visit a dermatologist who can provide recommendations based on the patient's skin type and lifestyle," said Dr. Draelos.

According to Dr. Draelos, there are [several] methods to cleanse the face:

• facial cleansers
• implements
• cleansers and tools.
• Facial Cleansers - Soap

Dermatologists don't recommend the use of soap on the face. In particular, a type of deodorant soap, comber, contains fragrance and harsh detergent, which is more suitable for the body.

Mild soap-free cleansing bars composed of synthetic detergent, called syndets contain a low pH. A low pH is more acidic, so it doesn't disturb the acid coating of the skin. A high pH, which is more alkaline, would disturb the skin's acid mantle and thus irritate the skin. However, facial cleansing bars may not remove oil from an oily complexion. Therefore, liquid facial cleansers would be more suitable for this skin type.

Lipid-free Cleansers

"Lipid-free cleansers are best for patients with excessively dry or sensitive skin," said Dr. Draelos. "However, they are not very effective at removing oil or environmental dirt and are only recommended where minimal cleansing is needed." Ingredients in lipid-free cleansers include glycerin, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, sodium laurel and sulfate, among others. Dermatologists don't recommend this type of cleanser for skin with acne because the product would moisturize the skin.

Cleansing Cream

Cleansing creams contain water, mineral oil, petrolatum and waxes. They are best for those with dry skin. Cleansing creams cleanse the skin as well as remove cosmetics.

Abrasive Scrubs

Abrasive scrubs not only cleanse the skin but also exfoliate it. "Scrubs were developed after it was found that exfoliating produced smoother skin," stated Dr. Draelos. "The challenge with abrasive scrubs is that the scrubbing granules can cause irritation, redness or slight wounds on the face."

Those with sensitive skin should not use harsh, abrasive scrubs that contain, among other ingredients, aluminum oxide particles and ground fruit pits. But even those with sensitive skin may use a mild facial scrub that contains polyethylene beads or sodium tetraborate decahydrate granules, added Dr. Draelos.

Skin Cleansing Tools

Skin cleansing tools were developed for those who want to achieve thorough facial cleansing. "Individuals who use implements or tools with cleansers often feel that they are getting a deeper clean, but cleansing involves the chemical interaction of the cleanser with the skin accompanied by the physical act of scrubbing," said Dr. Draelos. "Dermatologists can help individuals select the appropriate implement or tool to include in a good facial hygiene routine."

Woven Mesh

This implement helps cleanse and exfoliate the skin. Non-woven, polyester fiber sponges are too harsh on the skin. However, woven mesh sponges are appropriate for most skin types, are gentler, and contain a mild cleanser.

Face Cloths

Disposable facial cleansing cloths release a foaming cleanser when wet. "The recent addition of humectants and emollients to these cloths can decrease the damage to the skin’s natural barrier that occurs during cleansing and help smooth the skin," stated Dr. Draelos. "These ingredients also are especially beneficial for those of us with dry skin who need to wash frequently."

Loose, open-weave cloths help exfoliate the skin and are recommended for sensitive skin. Tight or closed-weave cloths also exfoliate the skin but to a greater extent. These are recommended for oily skin.

Cleansing Pouch

The cleansing pouch contains two fiber cloths with different size holes. The Size of the hole determines the amount of cleanser that is released onto the skin.

Face Brush Individuals can use the facial cleanser they choose with this electric cleansing brush that contains an oscillating brush head with soft bristles.

"While each of these cleansers and tools offers unique advantages, ultimately, working with a dermatologist to determine the skin’s tolerance for certain cleansing ingredients is the best way to keep facial skin clean and healthy," said Dr. Draelos.

SOURCES: American Academy of Dermatology press conference. "Cutting through the clutter: making the most of your facial cleansing routine." Zoe D. Draelos, MD, clinical associate professor of dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, N.C.

Author Info

Diana Clarke is a California credentialed teacher and health educator. Visit her website at www.yourskinandsun.com.

Acne - An Introduction

By: Rudy Silva


Acne is the most common skin disorder. Over 10% of Americans age 25 - 44 have acne. Over 85% Americans age 12 - 25 will have acne at one time or the other.

If ignored, acne can become infected, create scars, and pockmarks that become permanent on your face. I don't want this to happen to you, so I have written a series of articles on how to clear your acne.


Acne Is a Disease

Acne is a disease called seborrhea or seborrheic dermatitis. It occurs when the sebaceous glands, under your skin, become contaminated with oily toxic matter, which contains,

• dirt

• dead skin

• excess sebum oil

• acid waste

• bacteria

• toxic matter

Under normal conditions the sebaceous glands release oil that comes up through your pores onto the skin surface. This release keeps your skin moist and lubricated for protection from the environment.

If your pores on your face are not open or plugged, this creates toxic oil that cannot move out onto your skin. This results in a growth or pimple that start to increase in size as more toxic oil tries to reach the surface of your skin.

If the pore walls burst under the skin, white blood cells move in to digest the collagen around the pores. When this happens, you will have scars on your face.

To avoid having scars, you need to start an acne-clearing program before you get acne or just as soon as you see acne coming so that your pimples and back heads don't get to the point where they get severely infected and burst.



Clearing Your Acne

Acne is a complex condition that involves many parts of the body even though it shows up as only eruptions on the face and else where on your skin. It is a signal that you have problems elsewhere deep within your body. Acne can be caused by a toxic colon, poor digestion of food, weak liver and other conditions that cause the blood to carry too much toxicity.

To clear acne it is not always possible to just do one thing and expect acne to go away. But it may be possible to just use a special cream and have your acne diminish or clear.

Acne may go away by just doing one thing but don't expect it to. A facial cream, diet, herbal treatment, and colon cleanse alone may not be able to clear acne. A combination may or may not work.

In future articles [we] will be covering how to get rid of acne.



Author Bio

Rudy Silva is a Natural Nutritionist. Go here to get your free speical eReport called "How to Have A Blemish-Free, Super-Clean Smooth Face" : www.for--you.com/SkinCareTreatment

Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com