So you have got rid of the acne, but what do you do about the scars?

With acne affecting about 25 percent of adults ? and roughly 80 percent of people in their teens and 20′s ? the desire for an effective acne scar treatment is widespread. Many people recover from acne without any permanent effects, but others are left with disfiguring acne scars. There are a variety of acne products and medicines that can improve mild scarring, but sever acne scars must be treated by a dermatologist, using a combination of surgical procedures and skin abrasion therapy.

Acne occurs when pores in the skin become plugged with oil, bacteria and dead skin cells. Bacteria grows inside the plugged follicle, creating red, pus-filled red bumps. Hormonal changes during the teen years (exacerbated by stress in both teens and adults) cause increased oil production that contributes to the problem. Most serious scarring is caused by the more severe forms of acne, with large pustules that are more likely to leave permanent scars, even with regular acne treatment. The best way to deal with adult acne is to begin using acne products as soon as the acne appears, this preventing more acne and more scarring.

After an acne lesion has healed, it may leave a red mark on the skin. This, however, isn’t a scar ? it’s a post-inflammatory change in the skin’s pigment as it goes through its healing process, and will slowly fade over approximately 6 to 12 months. If a good acne treatment program is followed and no more acne develops in that area, the skin can heal normally. Only if a change remains after a year is it considered a scar.

The best way to prevent scarring and pigmentary changes from adult acne is to is to prevent acne from occurring in the first place. If you have serious scarring from adult acne, however, you have a acne scar treatment options. The most state-of-the-art method for treating acne scars is laser resurfacing, which can be done by your dermatologist. The laser removes the damaged top layer of skin, leaving skin smoother. Treatments can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, and the patient is given a local anesthetic to lessen pain. It usually takes between three and 10 days after a treatment for the skin to heal completely.

The more traditional acne scar treatment treating acne scarring is dermabrasion, which uses an abrasive disc to wear down the surface of the skin, much like when you sand down a piece of wood. As the skin heals, a new, smoother layer replaces the abraded skin. It takes between 10 days and three weeks for skin to heal between treatments. Both of these types of treatments will take multiple trips to the dermatologist, and will cause the skin to turn red several months. Acne cannot be active ? meaning you can’t have any pustules or blackheads ? when these treatments are done. Depending on the severity of your scars, your dermatologist may also suggest a mild chemical peel or microdermabrasion as an acne scar treatment, both of which are done in the doctor’s office.

In some cases, a doctor may recommend surgery for deep acne scars, or collagen injections that displace the damaged tissue. It works well on the scars that are not too deep, but the treatment has to be repeated periodically. In the most severe cases of acne scars, your doctor may recommend plastic surgery. Plastic surgery as an acne scar treatment is an expensive option, and it has the added problem that, should you have problems with acne in the future, you have less layers of skin and new scars could be even worse.

Both dermabrasion and chemical peels work by removing the top layer of skin. So right after treatment, the skin is sensitive and unprotected. This can be an issue if you need to go outside a lot. Dust and strong winds can damage newly abraded skin as well. After you have had treatment for acne scars, you should only use acne products specially formulated for sensitive skin. There are many effective acne scar treatments and there is no reason to leave your scars untreated. Do your research, make an appointment with your dermatologist and be sure, that there is a treatment that can remove your acne scars or make them much less noticeable.

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You can find out more about the Best Acne Treatments or even about Adult Acne for those of you who, like Michael Jennings, have been unfortunate to suffer from it ==>http://www.effective-acne-treatment.net

Tags: Scars, Suitable, Treatment, Which

Filed under: Nutrition Date 8 July, 2008
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Remember the angst ridden acne years of your youth? On the other hand, perhaps you are still a youth. By youth, I mean either adolescent or teenaged. So many people today suffer from teenage and adult acne. The effect acne has on your self-esteem can be devastating, especially at a young age, when appearance seems so important, and people can be cruel. The nutraceutical acne pill is now changing that scenario for many teenagers, and is helping many people suffering with acne into adulthood to permanently clear acne.

Some excellent and comparatively new acne pills actually clear acne through precise combinations of herbal compounds and pure, natural ingredients. These acne pills have been used as very successful, and often times permanent, remedies to clear acne on both adults and adolescents.

How do acne pills work? Acne pills actually work by correcting the hormonal and chemical imbalances in the body that lead to acne flare-ups, persistent acne, and the more severe form, cystic acne. People suffering from cystic acne can really benefit from a natural acne pill, since they are designed to treat acne at its source, from the inside of the body, rather than topically. Cystic acne sufferers really tend to have hormonal issues, which acne pills address by “calming”, soothing and balancing.

Some of the common ingredients in these complexion-clearing acne pills are actually known in herbal communities for their skin soothing and “calming” properties, and have commonly been used to treat various skin disorders in the past. Natural acne pills actually blend many ingredients in precise combinations to effectively clear acne permanently, or with very little follow up treatment.

Let us look at some of the common skin clearing and therapeutic herbs and compounds that are found in an acne pill. First, vitamin E is a common ingredient. Vitamin E has been used as a skin soothing and repairing agent for decades. Vitamin E actually will help smooth rough skin when taken in the proper dosages, and actually, helps facilitate the clearing of acne in combination with other ingredients.

A second common ingredient in the acne pill is aloe vera. Aloe vera actually has many of the same skin soothing properties and advantages as vitamin E. I am sure you’ve used aloe vera at least a couple times to treat sunburn or irritated skin. Aloe vera seemed to be a staple in everyone’s home growing up for its skin repairing benefits.

Two more ingredients you may find in an acne pill are alphalipoic acid and collagen, both of which are actually beneficial for both aging skin and skin suffering from disorders such as acne or acne rosacea.
Other skin cleansing, purifying and balancing ingredients botanicals found in the acne pill are chamomile, rosemary, rose essential oil, and horsetail, all traditionally used to clear, tone and purify the skin for the most blemish-free complexion possible, even back as far as the early 1800′s.

The bottom line is, any dermatologist would recommend investing in either a natural acne system that combines topical treatment with an oral acne pill or just investing in a natural acne pill that is high in purity standards and has a good record of accomplishment of customer satisfaction. These treatments have proven to be just as effective as many of the often long-term and sometimes harmful treatments dermatologists prescribe. Not only that, you can order them from the comfort of your own home, and do not need to be burdened by dermatologist visits, or repetitive costs. It is truly one of the best investments you can make in your skin!

Tags: Effective, Herbal, Pills, Really

Filed under: Nutrition Date 6 July, 2008
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The acne products that are sold in stores are full of chemicals that you may not want to apply to your skin. Many people prefer more natural products, and often look for home treatments for acne. Home treatment for acne, in many cases, has proven to be as effective, if not more effective, than the products that you purchase in the store.

Home treatment for acne begins with proper skin care. Make sure that you wash your face, with a pure soap such as Ivory, at least twice each day. If you live in an area that has high air pollution, you may want to wash more often. You should also wash your face after activities that cause you to sweat. Wash your face with warm water, and do a final rinse with a splash of cold water to close the pores.

It is also important that you drink plenty of water to keep your body and your skin hydrated. The proper amount of water intake helps to promote healthy skin, and will keep your skin looking younger for a longer period. It will also help it to retain its elasticity. You also need to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

While no food has been scientifically proven to cause acne, any food that you have an allergy to, will cause an acne breakout. You can have food allergies without realizing it – the only sign of the allergy may, in fact, be the acne breakout. For this reason, you should pay close attention to the foods that you eat, and keep records of what you have eaten when your skin breaks out. You might also want to visit an allergist to find out what you are allergic to. Most people are allergic to at least one food, even if they do not realize it.

Home treatment for acne also includes exercise. Most people do not realize the overall effect that exercise has on our minds and bodies. Exercise relieves stress, and stress can cause acne breakouts. Exercise builds our immune systems and makes us less susceptible to infections – acne is a skin infection. Exercise causes us to sweat, which rids our bodies of toxins. Toxins can cause acne as well. Make it a habit to exercise at least three times each week for at least thirty minutes.

Home treatment for acne continues with natural products to prevent or clear up acne. For instance, Evening Primrose oil can be used both internally and externally to clear up acne. For internal treatment, take between 3000 and 6000 milligrams per day. For external treatment, apply the oil directly to the acne. Leave it on overnight, and then wash it away in the morning.
An herbal tea, made from the petals of the Evening Primrose plant will help prevent acne, if you drink it regularly. Crush the petals or the leaves from the plant, and mix one teaspoon of the herb for every one cup of boiling water. Avoid using a metal pot or cup, as the metal can destroy the medicinal properties of the herb.

Other herbs that are useful for the prevention or cure of acne include lavender, rosemary, patchouli, eucalyptus, sandalwood, bergamot, tea tree, and clove. Lavender, bergamot, clove, and eucalyptus are all anti-bacterial herbs. Rosemary can be used as an astringent, and sandalwood is used as an antiseptic and astringent. Patchouli is very powerful, as it helps to regenerate skin cells, and has antiseptic, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties. Tea Tree is known for relieving skin irritations.

You can make soap out of any of these herbs by mixing one ounce of bees wax, 1 ? tablespoons of water, and a ? cup of sweet almond oil or sunflower oil. Simply use a double boiler, and heat the wax and oil over boiling water until it is melted. Heat the water separately, and then add it to the mixture. Stir the mixture as it cools, then add 20 – 30 drops of essential oil of the herbs that you choose, or use a teaspoon of ground herbs.

When purchasing herbs or herbal oils for home treatment for acne, make sure that you look for products that have been organically grown. You do not want to use herbs or oils from plants that have been chemically treated with pesticides or other dangerous chemicals, as this actually defeats the purpose of home treatment for acne.

Tags: approach, non-chemical, Treating

Filed under: Nutrition Date 4 July, 2008
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Skin care is important at any time of life but especially so if you have acne. Effective acne skin care can be the difference between enjoying life or hiding from it. Wash your skin with a mild cleanser, once in the morning and once in the evening and after heavy exercise. Wash your face from under the jaw to the hairline. Use a gentle soap or specialized skin cleaner for washing the face once or twice a day. It is important not to scrub the skin as this will further aggravate the acne. Try to avoid touching your face as much as possible. Many people do this unconsciously, but the hands are dirty and oily and can spread germs over greater areas of your skin. Medications are a great help in clearing up the skin and combating the bacteria which causes acne.

People who squeeze, pick or pop their zits risk developing scars or dark blotches. People should avoid rubbing and touching their skin lesions. The best choice for good acne skin care is to wear no makeup at all, but if you feel you must wear makeup choose some that will not clog the pores. Try both electric razors and safety razors to see which is more comfortable. Don’t use safety razors with dull blades change the blade every two or three shaves. Wash your face regularly. If possible, at least twice a day to keep your face fresh and clean. Sleep early and get plenty of sleep. When your body is well-rested, there is less chance of an acne breakout.
Do not squeeze pimples. When the pore is broken, bacteria can easily get in and infect the skin.

Acne Skin Care Tips

1. Avoid Stress.

2. Use exfoliating acne skin care products.

3. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

4. Use natural acne skin care products as well.

5. Mental health is just as important in preventing acne.

6. Wash your face regularly. If possible, at least twice a day to keep your face fresh and clean

Juliet Cohen writes articles for http://www.healthatoz.info/, http://www.health-disease.org/ and http://www.health-care-articles.info/ .

Filed under: Nutrition Date 2 July, 2008
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Do you wish that there was just one treatment that you could use to clear up your acne?

Whether you’re a teen or an adult, if you battled acne you’ve gone through countless medicines looking for the best acne treatment. An inflammatory skin eruption that most commonly affects the neck, face, shoulders, and upper back, acne is perhaps the single most common skin affliction, and there are thousands of acne treatment products claiming to be the best. But in truth, there are any number of acne medicines, soaps, creams and gels that could work for you – the best acne treatment for one person may be not the solution for someone else. This is because everyone’s skin is different, as is the degree and cause of their acne.

The best acne treatment for you could be an inexpensive, over-the-counter acne medicine with an alpha hydroxy formula, or one with salicylic acid. Or you might find that those do nothing to help your skin problems, and instead need a more expensive acne treatment program like Proactiv, or a more powerful, doctor-prescribed acne medicine like Accutane. It’s usually only through trial and error that you’ll find the acne product that works best for you.

When shopping for acne treatments, you should also consider the possible level of toxicity in the products you choose, which may cause health risks down the line. For that reason, many acne sufferers rely on natural remedies that have a lower risk of complications from their ingredients, and there are such a wide variety of natural products on the market, you may find that one of them is the best acne treatment for your skin.

Australian tea tree oil is one of the most popular natural acne treatments. This anti-fungal, anti-bacterial remedy has been used for centuries to treat cold sores, body odor, athletes foot, bad breath and acne. It’s a strong substance, so adding just a few drops to a cotton ball then applying it to the affected area can help treat individual blemishes – this is not, however, a treatment for large patches of skin or your face, as tea tree oil is very drying.

You can purchase bottles of tea tree oil online, at natural food stores and in some drugstores. There are a number of acne products that use tea tree oil as a primary ingredient. For instance, The Body Shop’s line of tea tree oil cleansers, toners and spot treatments, Skin Medica’s line of toners and cleansers with tea tree oil, the ‘Blemish Touch Stick’ from Desert Essence, and Murad’s acne treatment gels.

If you find that tea tree oil works as an acne treatment for you, find a line of products that you like and stick with it. Start with an antibacterial foaming cleanser ? harsh exfoliating products will only irritate your skin and exacerbate your acne – follow it with a good astringent or toner, and then use an oil-free moisturizer, preferably one designed for problem skin. Philosophy’s ‘Hope in a Bottle’ is one such acne product, designed specifically as an anti-acne, anti-aging formula by combining anti-bacterial ingredients with skin-soothing Vitamin E. Many companies like Murad, Dermatologica and Neutrogena sell moisturizers and spot acne treatments that work with a full line of acne products.

Adult acne is very common – in fact, 50 percent of adult women have it, as do 25 percent of men. Most adult acne can be easily treated to prevent breakouts, with the best acne treatment being a good regimen of cleansing followed by benzoyl peroxide directly on blemishes. In more severe cases, acne can be cured by retinoidal acne lotions like isotretinoin or by a hormonal treatment – usually drospirenone and cyproterone – under a doctor’s supervision. Dietary supplements containing antioxidants, vitamins, collagen and herbal extracts can be very beneficial to the skin and speed up recovery from severe breakouts.

Talk to your dermatologist, and don’t give up if the first acne medicine or treatment you try doesn’t have satisfactory results – it may take awhile to find the best acne treatment for you.

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Find out more about the Best Acne Treatments or even about Adult Acne for those of you who, like Michael Jennings, have been unfortunate to suffer from it ==>http://www.effective-acne-treatment.net

Tags: Treatment, Which

Filed under: Nutrition Date 1 July, 2008
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