Theway2Style: July 2010

Acne Care

Often the result of hormonal changes in the body, acne is common condition ranging in severity from occasional pimples to serious cystic acne that requires the intervention of the dermatologist If you suffer from acne, you may experience pimples around your forehead, nose, and chin, blackheads, whiteheads, and to a lesser degree, occasional more serious infections.Because the symptoms vary widely, there are a number of treatments for acne ranging from topical over-the-counter ointments to more serious prescription drugs and laser treatments.
The root cause of acne is a blockage in skin pores and hair follicles that leads to infection. Hormonal imbalances that result in the overproduction of oil by the sebaceous glands in the skin worsens the problem, as does the presence of any bacteria on the skin's surface. The most effective acne treatments work to reduce the amount of oil on the skin, keep pores and hair follicles open and clear, and keep affected areas free of bacteria.

Natural Remedies:

Scrubs

Natural methods of treatment include mild scrubs with oatmeal or other abrasives designed to open clogged pores. They are often combined with cleansing creams that work to kill bacteria.

Antibacterial Agents
Many ointments, balms, and lotions sold to treat acne are mild antibacterial agents designed to kill bacterial colonies and keep them from reforming. Tea tree oil, salicylic acid, and sulfur have excellent antibacterial properties and have been used effectively alone and in combination with other acne treatments.

Skin Repair
Aloe Vera, vitamin A, and vitamin E are useful in healing blemishes, repairing skin cells, and reducing inflammation. They are also used in combination with antibacterial agents to heal skin after an acne outbreak.

Treat Oily Skin
Preparations used to reduce the amount of oil on the skin often contain benzoyl peroxide, an antibacterial and drying agent. There are also non-prescription masks and peels designed to remove excess oil from the skin.
Mild scrubs, antibacterials, drying agents, and skin conditioners work together to open clogged pores and keep skin healthy and clear of infection. For minor skin problems they are very effective, and regular treatment using these products will reduce acne flare-ups.

Resistant Acne:

Cosmetic Procedures
More resistant acne often responds to chemical peels and abrasive techniques like micro-dermabrasion. These techniques are administered by a dermatologist in his office and can also be effective in reducing the acne scarring that may result from prolonged acne conditions.

Vitamin A Derivatives (Retin-A)
Therapies using concentrated vitamin A derivatives like Retin-A have had success in treating whiteheads, blackheads, and cystic acne. Used topically over a period of weeks, vitamin A derivatives increase skin production and help in keeping skin pores clear.

Oral Contraceptives
For women, often oral contraceptives have the side benefit of having a positive impact on problem skin.

Laser Treatment
Light therapy is a very effective treatment for acne. Reaching deep into the skin, lasers kill bacteria, help improve the skin's texture, and are effective at helping to reduce oil production.

Isotretinoin
Isotretinoin (Accutane) is reserved for the most serious skin conditions. Usually administered in pill form, it works internally to help reduce the skin's oil production and combat infection. Available only through prescription, it can have serious side effects, so discuss any treatment plan carefully with your doctor.

Acne can be a complicated condition, and it may require some trial and error to determine what type of treatment is going to work best for you. Even the most severe forms of acne respond to treatment, and with some experimentation you will discover a method that will provide the results that you are looking for. In the meantime, keep your skin as clean as you can, and never be tempted to squeeze blemishes. Although satisfying, damaging your skin invariably prolongs the healing process and can lead to deep and permanent scars.

Correcting dehydrated skin begins with faithfully completing your daily skin care ritual. Be sure to cleanse, tone, and moisturize twice a day- morning and evening.

Exfoliate gently and regularly using mild alpha hydroxyl acids to dissolve dead skin cells that buildup in the skin because of its dryness and keratinization. Improvement of the skin's natural moisturizing factor can be achieved by the use of lactic acid, squalene, glycerine, and urea treatments.For special treatment for your skin, a hydrating mask can be applied to make the skin remain moist but make sure that it will not unintentionally dry the skin.

For a special skin treatment, apply a hydrating mask that stays moist on the skin. Be sure your mask isn't intended to actually dry while on the skin.

Use sunscreen with the right sun protection factor and moisturizer when going outdoors. Select a foundation that keeps moisture in place like those that contain glyconucleopeptides, silicone, or silica. Drink fish oil capsules that contain essential fatty acids, or flax seed oil, every day. They will make your skin soft and supple. A dosage of 10 capsules or 2 tablespoons can suffice. Eating five to ten servings of vegetables and fruits daily with each meal also helps in hydrating the skin.

Choose a foundation that seals in moisture, such as one that contains silicone, silica, or glyconucleopeptides.

Take essential fatty acids, those found in fish oil capsules or flax seed oil, every day. Take about 10 capsules or 2 tablespoons. They will make your skin soft and supple. Eat 5 to 10 servings of vegetables and fruits dailt, or at least 2 with each meal.

Electrolytes should also be balanced to help regulate the hydration levels of the body. These can be found in fruits like bananas and oranges instead of so called energy drinks like Gatorade since it is composed of a lot of sugar and artificial ingredients.