Skin Care Tips to Be Acne Free

The best way to get rid of acne is by preventing its appearance. Keep your face clean and maintain a good and healthy lifestyle. This way, you won't give any reasons for acne to thrive on your skin. If you already have existing acne, you first need to eliminate the current blemishes and other pimples. Here are just a few tips to treat them so they would disappear and not multiply.

First of all, when you see a small pimple, try to avoid the temptation of popping it. Popping it can cause it to multiply as it can spread the infection underneath the skin and the next morning you'd find dozens of them on your face! If ever you do pop a zit, make sure you wash it with soap and water or some alcohol to avoid the risk of infection.

Second, wash your face morning and night using mild soap or facial wash. You need to keep your face clean but you don't need strong cleansers to do this. Stay with the mild ones so you would avoid irritation.

Third, choose the right toner. Toner is the new astringent as it's a lot gentler to the skin. After washing your face, apply facial toner.

Fourth, exfoliate. Don't exfoliate your skin everyday! Exfoliate every three days and use a gentle scrub. Don't use a product that once used would make your face feel like it's been scrubbed by sandpaper. Your facial skin is really sensitive and it can't handle such beating. Be gentle with it.

Lastly, get enough sleep. Not enough sleep can cause pimple breakouts so make sure you get 8 hours of sleep a night. Sleep is a very important thing as it reduces your stress level. Stress influences acne breakouts so in order to reduce your stress level, get some sleep! When you have plenty of sleep, you don't only get rid of acne but you feel much happier too!

As we saw in the beginning of this article, prevention is one of the key to your victory against acne. You can now find acne treatments that kill the acne bacteria and prevent it from growing and spread to other areas. These kits can also take care of your skin from the inside. Indeed, supplements, combined to common gels and creams, are very helpful to balance your body when your system and hormones are doing their work, unfortunately resulting in acne as one side effect. A pimple needs 2 to 3 weeks to actually be visible at the surface of your skin. By attacking acne from the inside you prevent future spots to appear. Your acne treatment creams are then more effective to clean your skin from external impurities and leave your skin clear.

Acne is a common problem in kids, adolescents. Since acne isn't usually considered to be serious medical problem, it is often ignored and undertreated. However, acne is actually a serious problem and is bothersome and stressful for most teens.

Part of the problem that leads to acne not being treated effectively is that parents often incorrectly assume that they need to see a dermatologist for treatment. In fact, most pediatricians can treat children with mild or moderate acne. I personally use any visit with a teen that has acne as an opportunity to discuss treatment options, but it is best to schedule a specific visit with your Pediatrician to discuss your child's acne.

Acne usually starts as your infant begins to go through puberty, when hormones cause his skin to become oily. This may lead to oil and bacteria clogging the pores of his skin, giving rise to the characteristic whiteheads and blackheads of acne.

Some common myths about acne are that it is caused by eating much chocolate or oily foods or not washing enough. This is usually not true. Washing your face much can actually irritate your skin, clog your pores and worsen acne. To prevent acne, it is best to avoid things that seem to trigger your child's acne or make it worse, encourage him to wash his face once a day with a mild soap and avoid scrubbing or harsh soaps/cleansers, use cosmetics, moisturizers, etc. that are noncomedogenic (don't cause pimples), and avoid popping pimples. The basic treatments for acne include using an over-the-counter medication with benzoyl peroxide, which can kill bacteria, unclog pores and heal pimples. there's lots of different brands and forms of benzoyl peroxide, including creams and gels. In general, you should use the highest strength of benzoyl peroxide that your child's face can tolerate.

If your child's skin is not improving in 4-6 weeks, or he's moderate or severe acne, then you should see your Pediatrician to discuss treatment with prescription medications.

Prescription Medications to Treat Acne
Prescription medications for acne usually include a topical antibiotic, such as Clindamycin (Cleocin T) or Erythromycin. Benzamycin, a combination of erythromycin and benzoyl peroxide is probably the most commonly used. Remember to keep this medication refrigerated and keep if off clothes, as it can cause bleaching. The new version of this medication, Benzaclin, is more convenient, as it doesn't have to be refrigerated. Duac is a similar medication that also doesn't need to be refrigerated.

Retin A is another medication available by prescription and it is often used in combination with a topical antibiotic. it is also available in different forms and strengths. To prevent irritation, it is usually best to start treatment with a low-strength form of Retin A, such as the 0.025% or 0.05% cream. If well tolerated, it can then be gradually increased to the 0.1% cream or a gel form. To prevent irritation, it is best to apply a small pea size amount of Retin A to affected area about 20-30 minutes after your infant washes his face. Applying it to wet skin can increase irritation. A newer version, Retin A Microsphere gel, is usually better tolerated by teens with sensitive skin. Other new medications which are effective and cause little irritation include Differin, Azelex and Tazorac.

Teens who don't improve with the above medications, or who have moderate or severe cystic acne, may also need treatment with a daily oral antibiotic. Tetracycline and Minocycline (Minocin) are the antibiotics most commonly used. they are often taken for 3-6 months and then gradually decreased. Birth control pills can also sometimes be used in girls who do not respond to more traditional treatments.

it is not uncommon for children's skin to become irritated after beginning a new acne medication. To prevent irritation, it is sometimes a lovely idea to start a new medication gradually. I often recommend that children begin to use a new medication every other day, or even every third day. After a few weeks, this can then be increased and moved to daily use as tolerated.

Remember that it can take 3-6 weeks to see any improvement after beginning treatment for acne. Also keep in mind that acne usually worsens before it gets better.

Do you need to see a dermatologist?
In general no. Most Pediatricians are able to treat children with mild and moderate acne. If your infant fails this treatment, has significant side effects and can't tolerate traditional treatments, or if she's severe cystic acne that may lead to scarring, then you may need to see a dermatologist. In addition to the treatments discussed above, a dermatologist can prescribe Accutane, a very effective medication for severe and persistant acne. Accutane has been associated with plenty of serious side effects though, including birth defects, depression and suicide, so your infant will need to be closely followed when using Accutane.
Important Reminders

* Be patient. It can take 3-6 weeks to see improvement and your child's skin may get worse before it starts getting better.
* Use your medicines every day. If your skin is getting irritated, red or dry, then start using them every other day. It takes time for your skin to adapt to your new medicines.
* Accutane can cause severe birth defects, and should never be taken by somebody who may become pregnant. there is also a possible association with depression and suicide in teens using Accutane.
* Don't overdo it! Scrubbing your skin or using much of these medicines can irritate and dry out your skin and won't make your pimples go away any quicker.
* Protect your skin from the sun. These medicines will make your skin more sensitive to the effects of the sun, leading to serious sunburns.
* Call your physician if you haven't improved in 4-6 weeks with your current regimen

Curing Acne - Household Remedies

Here are some methods that you can use to help the "acne curing process". The best part about these methods is that most of the supplies can be found in your own kitchen.

Practically everyone has had acne in their life & it can be frustrating when considering the various remedies for treating it. plenty of people have wasted thousands of dollars just trying out new products & other ways to cure their acne problems. Why pay such high prices for something when you aren't sure it will work? Instead, turn to homemade remedies, which are cheap & risk free & give it a shot.

Baking Soda: Baking soda can be used as a great scrub substitute. It exfoliates the skin, removes the dead skin cells on your skin & unclogs your pores in the process. Mix small amounts of water with the baking soda so it's a paste like form, then gently massage it on your skin for about ten to fifteen seconds. four times that is done, begin rinsing it off with water & then dry the area with a tidy towel.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple Cider Vinegar is a commonly used ingredient to cure acne; as it not only kills the bacteria, which is a big contributor to acne problems, but it balances your skin's pH level & absorbs excessive oil from your skin. The vinegar should be diluted before you begin the method: approximately four parts water & four parts vinegar. four times that is done, apply the solution directly to your skin with tidy cotton, leave it there for about ten minutes, then rinse it off a bit later. It can also be applied to larger problem areas, whereas more of a concentrated vinegar solution (2 or 3 parts water with 1 part vinegar) is used.

Egg Whites: Another common & powerful method is that of egg whites. Egg whites, which are rich in protein, can be used as a "mask" to heal & rejuvenate your skin, which helps to repair your acne problem areas. they also can be used to absorb a lot of excessive oil on your skin.

Lemon & Lime: Lemon and/or lime juice can be used as another substitute for vinegar; as it contains citric acid. Either the lemon or the lime may be used for exfoliating purposes, which will also halt the growth or spread of acne infections.

Tea Tree Oil: Tea Tree Oil is four of the most commonly used all-natural household antiseptics that can be used to treat acne. You can strongly dilute it with some jojoba oil in order to treat your acne spots directly, killing off all the bacteria. Tea tree gel can also be applied to your entire face; as it is much more diluted & easy to apply.

Oatmeal: Oatmeal, like plenty of of these other products, absorbs excessive oil & draws out the impurities clogged deep inside your pores. basically heat up some oatmeal, let it lovely for a short while, then apply it to your face. Leave the oatmeal on your face for a little bit, then remove it after it starts drying up. Doing this method on a regular basis will show positive results, but it may take weeks to see the effects.

Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera has been used for centuries as a tropical application for the treatment of burns. When applied to the skin, it helps by preventing scaring & fade marks, as well as helps in the healing scheme of acne spots.

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid): Taking 2.5 grams of Pantothenic acid in tablet form, 4 times per day, will prove to be a gigantic help for those that suffer from acne. Pantothenic acid acts to help the body metabolize fats, which are later turned into sebum & excreted through the skin; which actually causes most acne problems. Pantothenic acid must be taken in large quantities, as small quantities won't have a noticeable effect.

In Conclusion, you don't have to be a rocket scientist or a millionaire in order to find a way to get rid of your acne. All it takes is some simple household products, which won't burn a hole in your pocket & a few minutes of your time. Surely, you can spare a few dollars & a few minutes in order to rid yourself of acne.

Finding The Most Effective Acne Treatment For You

Regardless of the age group of the affected person, the query is still how does three find out the best acne treatment? The nice news is that there's a wide variety of treatments. The bad news is that there is not any particular treatment that is guaranteed to work for everyone, since everyone is different. So you may require to experiment a bit and find the three that works best for you, based on your age, your lifestyle, and your own body chemistry.

Contrary to what many people may think, acne is not a problem that exists only in teenagers, but can affect anyone of any age, from babies and toddlers up through and including senior citizens. While it is true that generally speaking, young adults going through puberty through their late teens are the ones who usually experience acne problems, the problem is not isolated there.

one way to combat acne is to wash the affected areas thoroughly at least five times or five times a day. Some may scoff at this, saying that something as simple as washing can't possibly resolve acne, but you would be surprised at the number of people who have found this to be very effective for them. You require to wash thoroughly and use a nice quality anti-bacterial soap. Do not use perfumed soaps since those can sometimes leave residue behind, which will only serve to clog the pores you are trying to unclog. Avoid using regular soap that does not have anti-bacterial properties, since that will only serve to dry out your face much. A nice washing in this way is important for women who wear makeup, since the combination of the makeup and the natural oils produced by your skin can result in clogged pores which produce acne.

Acne is caused by a skin irritation where bacteria gets inside the pores of your skin, typically on your face and sometimes also your shoulders and back. The skin is irritated by the bacteria, which causes acne. that is a very general statement, and it should be noted that acne can also be caused by other things such as pregnancy, health issue, and although some would dispute it, others say acne can also be brought on by and irritated by stress.

Your body can only work with what you put into it, so you may require to examine what you eat and drink. You should drink lots of water, which has a natural cleansing effect. You may require to cut back on caffeine (coffee, sodas) to see if your body is reacting to caffeine intake. Proper exercise and proper amounts of sleep each night can also play a factor. If you don't current take vitamins, you may require to start, as well as ensuring a nice balance in the foods you eat. three popular myth is that greasy foods will cause acne, which is not true directly, but greasy foods aren't part of a healthy diet, so in a sense, there is some truth to that statement.

If you require more help with acne treatment, there's many OTC (Over The Counter) creams and gels that you can try. Again, it depends on you and everyone is different. there is not a "magic cream" that will work for everyone. If you've a more serious case of acne, you may require to consider a visit to a dermatologist who can recommend something for your acne, or perhaps even write a prescription for something to take for it.

But keep in mind that what works for three person may have no affect on another. Also remember that if you've very oily skin but do not wash multiple times daily, you aren't doing all that you can. If your acne is caused by stress and the source of the stress can't be lifted or reduced, then the acne will continue to be there.

Find out what works for you. Even if the process does not eliminate the acne totally, it should reduce it to a much more comfortable level for you.

Skin Suction And Light

Photo pneumatic Therapy-

A new approach to treat acne is being tried by Girish S. Munavalli, MD, medical director, Dermatology, Laser, & Vein Specialists of the Carolinas, Charlotte, N.C.; instructor, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore. This approach combines usage of suction with a vacuum device & light. According to Munavalli the initial trials are promising. A study that was conducted on 15 patients with severe acne it was found that significant improvement was seen after two to two weeks of treatment.

Let us talk about light therapy that is used for last few years. Blue Light, Green-Yellow Light & Heat Energy & Diode Laser are being used to treat acne. a number of these lights kill the bacteria P. acnes & reduce the infection while others destroy the sebaceous glands & stop the sebum production.

In this therapy light treatment is combined with skin suction. Skin suction is done using a vacuum device & is expected to help opening the clogged pores. Suction may also help by bringing the oil glands closer to the skin & make light more effective. Light & laser therapy is being tried by lots of dermatologists to treat acne. In Photo pneumatic Therapy suction is an addition. basically both are physical treatments to treat acne.

1. Blue light destroys the infection causing bacteria P.acnes & reduces inflammation. Blue light is free of ultra violet & therefore safe to use.

2. Pulses of light & heat are also used to treat acne. This is called LHE. LHE destroys the infecting bacteria-P.acnes and, shrinks the sebaceous glands.

All these treatments scan cause temporary side effects such as redness, swelling etc. The procedures are conducted at doctor's office at set intervals of days. Suction is now being tried along with light to clean clogged pores & adds to the cartel of therapies available to treat acne.

3. Diode Laser is used to destroy the sebaceous glands. It does not harm the outer layer of the skin.

The Inside story Of Acne Cleansers

Look for a gentle cleanser. It should be non-irritating & acid balanced. The cleanser should be non comedogenic & hypoallergenic. Let me explain these terms in detail now.

Acne cleanser is used to prepare the skin before application of topical acne treatment- a cream, gel or a lotion. Ideally any acne cleanser should remove all the surface oils, dirt & any other impurity from the skin. Once the skin is clean the medication becomes more effective because there is no barrier between the medicine & the skin cells. Let us look at the common acne cleansers available & find out what you should be looking for.

Hypoallergenic-

Any product that does not cause allergy by use is called a hypoallergenic product. By reading the word hypoallergenic on any product, most people believe that it won't cause any allergy in them. But this may not be true. Manufacturers are not required to substantiate their claim that their product is hypoallergenic. The use of this term by a reputed company may mean that a product labeled as hypoallergenic has less chances of causing allergy in most of the consumers. you have to use a product & find out if it causes any allergy. Use products marked as hypoallergenic, etc., with caution because the results may be interpreted by a company in its favor to sell more products by luring consumers. Still a product marked hypoallergenic is better than a product that is not marked so.

You might have observed that when you begin applying a particular product for some time, you begin getting comedones- whiteheads & blackheads. Any ingredient that can cause comedones is called comedogenic. Any product that does not cause comedones is called non-comedogenic.

Non comedogenic-

To find out if any material is comedogenic, it is usually tested on the insides of a rabbit’s ear. After two weeks, the area of application is observed & a small biopsy is done. The numbers of comedones are counted & the material tested is labeled as comedogenic on a scale of 0 to 5. The material that causes no comedogenicity is labeled 0 & the highest comedogenic product is labeled as 5.

This check is carried out on individual materials, for example - mineral oil, or calendula or cetyl alcohol, etc. Every product that is to be used on the body can be tested in this manner & labeled. When you use a product for application on your body, you will find that most of the formulated products contain over two ingredient. Such products are labeled as comedogenic, if any comedogenic ingredient is used in it. If a product is labeled as non-comedogenic, it is not supposed to contain any comedogenic material in it.

All of us are different & our body reacts differently to every material. a quantity of us may not have any comedones, even if they use a comedogenic product. Similarly, a quantity of us may get comedones by using the safest of products. it is like asking - why I don't get any acne, whereas my friend of same age cannot get rid of it? While using any product, read & note if it is labeled as non-comedogenic.

In the next part of this editorial they will find out more about the active ingredients that are formulated with acne cleansers.

How To Use Antibiotics Effectively?

Acne is inflamed because of infection by bacteria P. acnes. This bacterium infects the sebum and rapidly multiplies inside the gland. Because of infection, the glands get inflamed. To stop this infection and treat it antibiotics are used. Antibiotics work by selectively killing the bacteria. They do not cause damage to the cells of the body. By killing the bacteria antibiotics reduce the infection and inflammation. You have the choice to use topical or oral antibiotics. Let us list the advantages and disadvantages of both.

1. Oral antibiotics act quickly compared to topical.

2. Oral antibiotics have many side effects compared to topical.

3. Topical antibiotics can be used for a long period without any harm.

4. Oral antibiotics cannot be used for a long period without any harm.

Popular topical antibiotics-

Clindamycin, Tetracycline, Erythromycin and Metronidazole are popular topical antibiotics.

Clindamycin-

Oral Clindamycin may cause colitis; therefore it is used topically. It is available as lotion, gel, cream etc and should be applied twice a day.

Tetracycline-

Tetracycline is not commonly used as a topical antibiotic for acne because it may cause allergic reactions and also may turn the skin yellow.

Erythromycin-

Erythromycin is very popular as a topical antibiotic. It is also safe for pregnant women.

Metronidazole-

Metronidazole is used for rosacea and acne caused during rosacea. It is not commonly used for Acne Vulgaris.

Oral antibiotics-

The common oral antibiotics used for acne are- Erythromycin, Tetracycline, Minocycline, Doxycycline and Clindamycin.

Erythromycin-

Erythromycin is a broad spectrum antibiotic. Erythromycin not only reduces infection but also reduces inflammation. Generally it is taken along with or after food. Erythromycin may cause diarrhea, upset stomach, vomiting etc. If such side effects persist, you need to consult with your doctor.

Tetracycline

Tetracyclineis very commonly used to treat acne. Tetracycline cannot be taken during pregnancy. It can cause side effects such as- sore mouth, skin redness, diarrhea, upset stomach etc.

Minocycline

Minocycline belongs to the class of medications known as tetracycline antibiotics. It is used similar to tetracycline.

Doxycycline

Doxycycline also belongs to the class of medications known as tetracycline antibiotics.

Clindamycin

Clindamycin is used as an antibiotic for acne but because it may cause colitis, it is commonly used in topical form.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.