Facts About Acne

Do Birth Control Pills Help Your Acne?
By Wong Darren

Since birth control pills or oral contraceptives are popular with many people, there just might be a chance that this approach to treating acne might gain ground. Does it work? There’s only one way to find out.

When to Use Birth Control Pills?

The pill helps to even out the irregular flow levels of your estrogens and progesterone. You will want to use birth control pills if:

1) You regularly engage in sex with one or more partners and need oral contraceptives.

2) You regulate your monthly cycle through oral hormonal therapy.

3) You are taking the anti-acne drug Accutane.

The pill alone is all that’s needed by women who have mild acne and need oral contraceptive protection at the same time. Acne that is moderate to severe requires stronger treatment measures – an oral contraceptive which can be used in tandem with either topical or oral acne therapies.

Alternative Contraceptive Methods Against Acne

If for moral or religious grounds you are unwilling to take the pill or switch to other contraceptive methods, you may want to consider other curative options such as anti-androgens or physical therapy.

The other methods of hormonal contraception like the birth control patches and rings affect acne differently and can sometimes aggravate it. Depo-Provera, a contraceptive injectable which contains synthetic progesterone, can even initiate a severe acne breakout from time to time.

Accutane (isotretinoin) is a very potent anti-acne preparation that has been linked to severe birth deformities. Women undergoing Accutane treatment are often prescribed birth control pills to stop pregnancy from occurring. Apart from abstaining from sex, the first line of defense in birth control for women taking Accutane is the pill.

Taking birth control pills for acne treatment has its share of advantages and disadvantages. Be on the safe side. Seek your doctor’s advice to know what is the right pill for you.

How Does Birth Control Pills Work on Acne Control?

The role of birth control pills in acne treatment is to keep androgens from affecting the oil glands. The pills contain estrogen which regulates the female’s monthly cycle to discourage ovulation. Apart from inhibiting ovulation, estrogens help treat acne by:

1) Decreasing the release of free testosterone or androgen from the ovary

2) Preventing the released free testosterone from stimulating the oil glands to manufacture and release excess oil.

Estrogens can diminish the rising amount of androgen in your system by releasing great amounts of SHBG proteins that “capture” and stick to the androgens, preventing them from stimulating the oil glands to release excess oil that triggers acne.

The most effective oral contraceptives in the treatment of acne are the ones that have estrogen and progestin, a man-made progesterone, working in tandem. The standalone progestin pill, also known as the minipill, is a good oral contraceptive with less adverse reactions. The more recent progestins have the capability to show great improvements against acne.

For every woman the biological clock brings once a month symptoms like bloating, acne, cramps, mood swings. It is a known thing that acne can be related to hormonal changes but the research on this theme has been rather limited.

Recent studies though confirm that about half of all women suffer from acne flare-ups in the week preceding the period.

This particular type of ace known as hormonal acne doesn’t respond to traditional therapies (retinoids, antibiotics)

Signs of hormonal acne:

-Acne outburst that occur for the first time in adults

-Acne flare-ups before the menstrual cycle

-Irregular menstrual cycle

-Excessive growth of hair in unusual body places

-High level of androgens in blood

-Excessively oily facial skin

Hormonal acne starts around age 20 to 25 but can affect equally teenagers and mature women. The most affected age group is women over 30.

A women suffering from hormonal acne will experience lesions mostly on the chin and the jaw line. Blemishes on the back and chest can also occur but the majority of them will be located on the face.

The blemishes are usually not severe and are mainly inflammatory papules and small inflammatory nodules and sometimes comedones.

Adult hormonal acne actually starts during puberty! Even before this stage in a girl’s life, around age of 9-10 the adrenal glands start being active producing an androgen called dihydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS).

At puberty other androgens such as the males hormones testosterone and DHT (dehydrotestosterone ) start being produced.

These hormones translate into more sebum produced by the sebaceous glands which means more of an oily skin favoring acne. This is why oily skin is so common in teenagers. It is only logic that boys have more severe teenage acne since their bodies produce more of the male hormone.

Treating acne in teenagers can be tricky because their hormone levels are changing all the time. That is why sometimes in the beginning of the treatment their body may respond well to retinoids and benzoyl peroxide maybe doubled by oral antibiotics. When their bodies develop they will record different hormone levels and stop responding well to these treatments. It is common to adjust the acne treatments in teenagers because of their hormonal changes.

Many women get into their adulthood without resolving their ace problem. Others will only get acne in their 20s or 30s most of the breakouts occurring before their menstrual cycle.

During the menstrual cycle the estrogen levels peak in the middle of the period then decline o their regular level. Following the ovulation women bodies produce more progesterone, another hormone influencing the sebaceous oil production. As we well know more skin oil can translate into more acne.

Pregnancy is a time when hormone levels “explode” and so pregnant women can frequently experience acne during the third trimester of the pregnancy.

A smaller percentage of women experience acne after the menstrual cycle when the estrogen levels go down and the testosterone becomes the dominant hormone.

What to do?

Hormonal acne is not something you can hope it will go away with age. So, waiting doesn’t really work in your favor. Seeing a skin specialist and coming up with an action plan is your best move. There are plenty of great acne solutions out there!

I have not heard about your water supply being a potential problem for acne, but the article written by Theodore seems to make sense. What do you think?

Your Water Supply and Acne
By Theodore Michaels

Everyday, a countless number of people wake up to find that they are suffering from yet another acne breakout. What’s puzzling is that these same people take good care of their skin. They cleanse it two times a day, apply topical acne medication, sunscreen, and finally a moisturizer. The hidden culprit that eludes most is their home’s water supply. Water makes contact with your skin on a daily basis. Hence, there is little question that it may be contributing to your breakouts.

Water type is divided into two categories: hard water and soft water. The first refers to water that has a significant mineral contact. Minerals including Calcium are prevalent in such water. Soft water, on the other hand, has negligible mineral content. The minerals are instead replaced with higher concentrations of sodium.

Water that is overly enriched with minerals presents a number of damaging effects to the skin and other surfaces which it comes into contact with. When hard water combines with soap, it forms soap scum. What it should do is form a lather as to cleanse the skin. This soap scum remains on the skin and consequently irritates it. If your home receives hard water, you should see soap scum on your bathroom fixtures and in and around the shower area.

Soft water combines with soap to form a lather that ultimately cleanses your skin. Those who have grown up with it’s mineral-rich may complain of a “slippery” feeling after cleansing their skin. Soft water removes the soap scum buildup on your skin – the one that the hard water was supposed to remove.

There are some who refuse to believe that soft water is a more efficient solvent than hard water. Perhaps we can explore how well both types of water function in different applications. In dishwashers, for instance, hard water tends to etch the dishes. This can be extremely frustrating, especially after investing hundreds of dollars towards a new set. Soft water does not cause this etching effect as it effectively cleans the detergent off the dishes.

You can take some immediate, non-drastic steps to reduce the negative effects of hard water. First, replace your shower fixtures on a regular basis. Mineral buildup within these fixtures may be further increasing the hardness of the water. It is also advisable to avoid taking hot showers unless necessary. The steam will open your pores and allow the minerals within the hard water to seep within. This will cause breakouts.

A more expensive solution involves installing a water softener within your home. It can be a big investment, however you will benefit in a multitude of ways. If you find that the aforementioned tips improve the appearance of your skin, hard water may be aggravating your skin. A water filtration device can not only soften your water, but remove additives such as Chlorine. Chlorine can be extremely aggravating to the skin, and will indeed cause acne. It strips oils off your face, which ultimately irritates it. Again, this is a significant investment so all the factors need to be considered carefully.

Glycolic Acid Benefits – Are There Any Benefits to Using Glycolic Acid For Acne Scars?
By Cavyl Stewart

Glycolic acid benefits are very wide ranging, as this acid provides a number of functions that improve overall skin health and quality. In fact, glycolic acid can help with the appearance of acne scars, all while helping to keep your skin clean to prevent future breakouts, and thus, future scarring as well. Not only that, but the solution can even out your skin tone, improve the texture of your skin, and perform other functions as well! Read on for more information about this amazing acid and its benefits.

How Your Skin Benefits

The reason for these benefits is that the substance stimulates collagen and elastin in your skin (specifically the dermis, which is the second layer). This can help to firm up your skin, which keeps it looking healthy and youthful. In regards to acne scarring, glycolic acid can help by raising the bottom of scars to make a smoother appearance which minimizes the appearance of these scars. Instead, they become much flatter, so that they are very hard to see in comparison to before treatments began.

These kinds of benefits can usually be seen within months of when you start treatment. You should apply glycolic acid twice per day if you want the maximum benefits. The substance comes in different percentages, and 12-20% solution is recommended for those hoping for improvements with the appearance of acne scarring.

At the same time, glycolic acid will clean your skin follicles, which clears out dead cells that would otherwise build up and produce acne at a faster rate. This acid will keep these dead cells from “clumping”, which in turn keeps your pores from being blocked and promoting exfoliation. Also, it can even prevent ingrown hairs! As you can see, there are a lot of various benefits from using this one substance for facial treatment.

The possible glycolic acid benefits for acne scars are well worth the relatively small expense of the substance itself. It is not a difficult product to use, and it will not only diminish acne scars, but also prevent future acne breakouts and give you healthier, younger looking skin. For all of these reasons and more, this acid continues to be very popular among people who want to take care of their skin and keep it looking healthy and great for years and years to come.

There’s no reason you should sit there and be embarrassed about your acne scars any longer when you can experience glycolic acid benefits that can improve your skin and clear up

your skin and clear up those bothersome scars. And for more tips and advice to get rid of your scars fast… Visit: http://www.acne-scars-remedy.com and be sure to download your FREE copy of my “Ultimate Acne Scar Guide.”

Five Home Remedies For Acne That Work Fast
By Alex Garay

You wake up in the morning feeling ecstatic and refreshed. The most important day of your life is tomorrow and you feel ready to take on the world. You cheerfully make your way to the restroom to freshen up but as you are about to grab your toothbrush you see them, big ugly spots, I am not talking about the mold on your bathroom walls; I am referring to those pesky pimples that weren’t there last night. Keep your cool and don’t fret; I know how you feel. But before you have a panic attack try these simple home remedies for acne that will start diminishing those pimples within 24 hours.

Remedies That Work:

Home Remedy #1:

Baking Soda paste…

I consider baking soda one of the wonders of the world. You can use it for almost everything, from cleaning the kitchen sink to whitening your teeth. I like using it as a face cleanser. Simply place a teaspoon of baking soda on a bowl and add a few drops of water until you form a mixture with the consistency of a paste. Put it aside for now and go to step two.

Home Remedy #2:

Open up those pores…

Pimples are formed when oil and dirt gets trapped inside your pores. To naturally unclog pores try using the power of steam. I don’t mean for you to go out and put your face on a car’s exhaust. To make your personal homemade “clean” steam, fill a pot with water and heat it until it boils. Carefully pour the boiling water into a second pot (or use a bucket if you have one available). Let the steam soak into your face for at least 5 minutes. When you are ready, wash your face with the baking soda mixture from step one. Try not to scrub to roughly especially if you are like me and have sensitive skin. Also be aware that your face might sting a little.

Home Remedy #3:

A dab of Benzoyl peroxide goes a long way…

Once your face is washed and toweled dry, put a dab of Benzoyl Peroxide on the pimples. Benzoyl Peroxide is a topical antibacterial medication used to treat acne. It kills the underlying bacteria that causes blemishes.

Home Remedy #4:

Vitamin E capsule…

I have to say that I absolutely LOVE Vitamin E, especially when treating acne scars. You can use the vitamin E oil that comes in a bottle or just squeeze the oil from the capsules. If you are going to use the capsules, the best way to get the vitamin out without making a mess is by pricking it with a needle. Slowly squeeze the oil and rub it on your blemish. I usually do this at nighttime and I like covering the spot with a bandage to avoid the gooey mess on my pillow.

Home Remedy #5:

Have a glass of water or eight…

It is a known fact that water is an essential part of life. Water helps transport waste material out of our bodies. It keeps us healthy both inside and out. So skip the soda pop and instead grab a glass of water and relax.

Want a permanent fix for your acne that works in 3 days? Visit lifefixers.info to find out how you can use even more exciting new home remedies for acne that will take care of your acne for good.

Lifefixers have been creating solutions to life’s most persistent problems for over a decade.

Types of Acne and Its Symptoms
By Winnie Warrant

Acne is a type of skin diseases that occur on both women and men especially people with oily skin. It can badly impact the outlook of a person if it occurs on face and neck. Although acne starts in a similar way but it may react in unique way based on the body conditions of the individual. This leads to many types of acne which have their own symptoms that need difference acne treatments. Knowing the type of your acne is an important step in treating the skin disease that happens on you.

In order to understand the different types of acne and their symptoms, you first need to understand how acne is formed. Basically, all types of acne are formed in a similar way that involves dead skin cells and other debris clog hair follicles trap oil under the skin. The build-up clog of oil trapped under the skin continues to enlarge and budges outward to form a visible signs of acne.

Generally, acne can be grouped into two big categories, named: non-inflammatory acne and inflammatory acne.

Non-Inflammatory Acne

Most people who suffer acne problems are likely to be non-inflammatory acne. It is the most common type of acne that is well-known as whiteheads and blackheads. With blackheads, the clog of hair follicle enlarges and pushes through the surface of the skin to block the pores. The build-up of melanin, the pigmentation of the skin at the pores will darken the pores and they are called as blackheads. Whereas, with whiteheads, the clog of hair follicle is formed under the skin to appear as small whitish bumps.

Inflammatory Acne

Inflammatory acne is a more serious type of acne that caused by the response of body’s immune system to a perceived threat such as a virus. It is harder to be cured if compares to non-inflammatory acne. Most often, the invader of this type of acne is bacteria. The symptoms can be seen as red color, swelling or elevated skin temperature in the affected area. Generally, it comes in three forms of lesions:

1. Papule

It is similar to the whiteheads of non-inflammatory acne, but is inflamed. The papule is often considered an intermediary or transformation step from non-inflammatory acne to more serious inflamed-type of acne.

2. Pustules

When papule begins to rupture onto the skin’s surface, the lesion becomes pustules. This type of acne contains visible pus (dead white blood cells) which appears red at the base and whitish at the center.

3. Cyst

It is one of painful lesions with a large pus-filled nodules present deep within the skin. It apparently affects the skin and causes serious scars at the inflamed area. A clear symptom of cyst acne is the formation of bumps. If it is not treated properly, it may cause scaring and others skin-related diseases.

Summary

Acne comes in difference types and each of them has its symptoms that need difference acne treatments. You need to know your type of acne before finding a right acne treatment to heal the disease.

Winnie Warrant runs http://www.acne-treatment.theinfoplus.com, a website that provides information and resources on Acne. Visit the site to find the acne treatments that suit the type of acne occurs on you so that you can get rid the acne effectively.

Baking Soda Acne Cream
By Luka Malgaj

Acne are one of the most common skin problems that affects many people. Some have serious acne problems while others have a milder version of this condition which can be treated easier. All those who suffer from acne are trying to find the most effective way to get rid of them.

There are several medical solutions as well as homemade treatments that can help us to reduce the acne. Difference between the medical and homemade acne remedies is that first might be more effective but at the same time they could also be more effective and second are cheaper but sometimes do not provide the best solution. Of course the effective treatment is the result not only of the type of treatment that we choose but also depends on the type of acne we suffer from.

Many people have discovered that the best way to treat acne is by making homemade acne remedies that are easy to make and you do not have to spend much money for the ingredients. Here we will explain how to make one of the easiest and most commonly used home remedies and that is baking soda acne cream.

How to make Baking Soda Acne Cream in 5 easy steps
You will need to have the following ingredients: Baking soda, two mixing bowls, water (filtered), honey, apple and cucumber.

#1 First take 2 teaspoons of filtered water and 1 teaspoon of the baking soda in the first bowl and mix them well. If the mixture seems to thick you should add some water and if it is too fluid add more baking soda.

#2 Cut the apple and put it into the second mixing bowl. Mash the apple pieces until they are a paste, make sure you mash it properly and that no big pieces are left. Take the apple paste and mix it in the first bowl with filtered water and baking soda.

#3 Grind a cucumber and add it to the previously made mixture. Now mix it until they are all mixed well together.

#4 Take one teaspoon of honey and add it to the mixture. Mix it until everything is mixed together and put the bowl in to the refrigerator. Leave the bowl in for an hour or two and your baking soda mixture will be prepared for use.

#5 Now your baking soda acne cream is prepared and you only have to apply it to your acne spots. Wash your face thoroughly. Take the bowl from the refrigerator and rub the mixture on your face gently. Leave it on for a while (5-15 minutes) and then wash it off with water. Repeat this treatment on a daily basis for a while and you will see if it works for you.

Now when you made your first baking soda acne cream you are on a good way to get rid of acne easily. Use it for a while and wait for the results, it helped a lot of people and probably it will help you too.

If you have further questions about making this effective homemade acne treatment you might want to read a comprehensive guide on baking soda acne cream. For complete overview on acne treatment you can visit acne cream website.

Acne Defined
By Keith M Johnson

Acne is defined as ‘a common inflammatory disease of young people in which pimples continue to appear on the face, back, and chest, occurring when oil glands in the skin become clogged and swollen’, according to Webster’s Dictionary. But it is not limited to just young people. Acne is a bacterial infection caused by overproduction of oil or sebum in the glands which gets trapped in skin pores. This will lead to breakouts which can be mild or severe, sporadic or chronic.

There are many factors which contribute to acne, including stress, hormonal imbalances, heredity and others. Hormonal imbalances occur throughout our lives, from puberty in the teenage years to menstruation and child-birth in women. The leading cause is stress, which sends messages to the brain to induce glands to produce more oil or sebum. Heredity also plays a large role in the development of acne. Usually if a person suffers from the condition, so will their offspring.

Smoking introduces toxins into the system which clog pores and inhibit the skin’s ability to regenerate and heal itself. Cosmetics work in a similar fashion if not removed correctly and completely. Oily skin is more prone to pore blockages and breakouts which usually lead to whiteheads, blackheads, and/or pimples. These are relatively easy to treat with either over-the-counter medications or home remedies. However, severe forms include nodular and cystic acne, both of which are marked by deep skin lesions and very severe inflammation and should be treated by a dermatologist as soon as possible in order to prevent extreme scarring.

Diet and vitamin deficiency are also contributors. Even though the myth about chocolate, junk food, and soda consumption being responsible for acne is not true, a healthy, well-balanced diet is recommended for the prevention of breakouts. Vitamin supplements are also recommended.

Whether you suffer from just a simple case of pimples or more severe nodular or cystic acne, you should seek treatment as soon as possible not only for the prevention of possible scarring but also for healthy self-esteem. If you would like to learn more, please visit Acne Information

Keith Johnson writes on various issues.

Means to Deal With Acne During Pregnancy
By Stella Hudson

Acne is a skin disease that is common common during pregnancy. It sometimes starts during the first trimester. However, it may also appear during other stages of pregnancy. Acne generally develops in the form of spots, cysts and blackheads during pregnancy and seems on the face, chest and back areas of the body.

Thankfully enough, there are numerous medications that may be used to deal with acne when you’re pregnant. There are pregnant. There are topical anti acne medicines such as Clindamycin and erythromycin that may be applied in the form of skin creams.

You should stay away from a few medications for the treatment of acne during pregnancy. Common examples among these include oral and topical retinoids, such as isotretinoin, tretinoin and adapalene, which typically cause malformed fetuses.

Acne may also be treated during pregnancy thru natural treatments. The most common natural possibility is to delicately rub ice on the acne-infected skin surfaces. Another easily available option is Aloe Vera juice that can be applied externally to the influenced regions. Yet one more care is the applying of a mixture of rose water and lemon juice skin. A mixture of cinnamon powder and honey can also be really beneficial to cure acne in this period. Additionally, a paste of milk and turmeric and sandalwood powders can be also be of great help.

A rigorously selected dosage of vitamins taken frequently is a very safe method to deal with acne during pregnancy. Vitamin A supplement can be used to good effect. Vitamin B5 is helpful to control dangerous skin discharges and thus reduce acne abrasions. Vitamins C and E are robust antioxidants and help eliminate skin inflammation. Chromium controls skin infection by melting sugars that play a catalyst role in the development of acne. Zinc is another useful option to heal acne infections and restore the spoiled skin.

Using these vitamins alone would not be adequate. One also needs to follow a strict cleaning regime free to keep the skin free. Clean your skin twice a day in the morning and night. You could employ a peaceful anti acne cleanser for this purpose. In addition to using an anti acne cleaner, you might also use an oil absorbent microfiber fabric to clean the skin. This material scours away the OTT oils from the skin. Make sure that you chase up the cleaning of your skin with the application of a good oil free moisturizer. Also, try avoiding touching your acne and don’t over rub the acne area affected area as it can aggravate the infection.

Finally, you must drink lots of water daily. Water is the safest treatment option for acne during pregnancy. Likewise , you must exercise daily. It will help you get away with all the poisons that would excrete out in the form of sweat. Exercises increase the circulation of blood in the body so helping the skin to tone and become healthy.

To know more about Treating Acne and Acne Products> visit: http://acnetalks.com/pimple/

Tea Tree Oil is a natural remedy for acne. It has some amazing properties that Alwyn discusses below.

Tea Tree Oil For Acne
By Alwyn Tan

Hey gentlemen and ladies, guys and girls. Today, I would be discussing on the topic of “tea tree oil for acne.” Tea tree oil is quite a powerful cure for acne as many of you have heard of. Before I delve more into its acne-killing properties, let’s take a history lesson about it first. Tea tree oil is one of the many essential oils such as Lavender, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Lemon. It comes from the very therapeutic and medicinal valued Melaleuca Alternafolia tree in Australia. Tea tree oil comes from steam distillation of the leaves of the tree. Tea tree oil has been used natively since a long time ago and in World War 2, it was used as a disinfectant.

Tea tree oil contains 3 powerful properties that led to its wide use. It contains powerful antibacterial, antiseptic and anti fungal properties, making it very versatile and at the same time without compromising on any of the 3 properties. Other than lavender oil, tea tree is the only other oil that can be applied on the skin without any carrier oil, and is 100% concentrate, rendering effectiveness with just a very small amount. The natural disinfectant excels in killing bacteria on wounds, bruises etc. Therefore, it is also as powerful to acne.

Tea tree oil is commonly sold as a concentrated spot treatment in an oil/gel based form, or a diluted face wash. From people’s experiences, going for the concentrated tea tree oil spot treatment method is the most effective way tp do it. Applying a few drops of the oil or the gel directly to acne spots will kill the camping bacteria and dry up the affected region potentially as quickly as overnight. Many people find that the drying is not as severe as compared with other over the counter acne products such as benzoyl peroxide. The oil doesn’t bleach your clothing either. It is around the same price as BP, but last longer.

Tea tree oil is tolerated only for those with really sensitive skin. For such cases, the user can dilute the oil so that it isn’t as strong during each application. If you encounter any adverse reactions or discomfort after using it, stop and go visit your dermatologist, not a normal doctor. It is a excellent alternative spot treatment that isn’t as harsh as BP.

Lastly, tea tree oil is all natural so don’t fear of any side effects or clogging of pores!

Alwyn Tan is a successful webmaster and publisher of many home remedies for acne and other critical information to clear up your face! His website is http://www.Acne-Solution-Today.com!