Comedonal acne is just the medical name for whiteheads and blackheads. Inflammatory acne is defined as having red papules or pustules, and can also have whiteheads or blackheads mixed in. Finally, nodulocystic acne has deeper nodules or cysts. Acne care varies for each of these types, as does the strength of the acne treatment.

Treatment Of Whiteheads And Blackheads

Comedonal acne is best treated with topical solutions such as benzoyl peroxide and Retin-A. The key with these treatments is patience, as both of them can cause skin irritation if used too much too fast. To see maximum benefit from either of these treatments, six to eight weeks needs to elapse with consistent daily use.

In order to avoid the skin irritation that is common with these treatments, a good quality skin moisturizer is recommended. Used frequently throughout the day, a moisturizer can go a long way to keep the skin soft and pliable as the acne care products of choice do their job of sloughing off the old skin and removing the whiteheads and blackheads.

Treatment of Inflammatory Acne

Inflammatory acne may not only have red papules or pustules, but also a combination of whiteheads and blackheads. Because of this, an acne care program could include oral antibiotics as well as topical antibiotic solutions and oral contraceptives. Because of severity that inflammatory acne can reach, many people find that they will have to take a combination of two or more of these to get their acne under control.

Because acne treatment for inflammatory acne is primarily done with some form of antibiotic, over the long term, bacterial resistance can occur. Because of this, it is harder to control this type of acne than its comedonal counterpart. However, because whiteheads and blackheads are also very common with inflammatory acne, it is very important to use a good quality moisturizer to help the skin maintain it’s pliability and to cut down on redness and irritation.

Treatment of Nodulocystic Acne

Nodulocyctic acne care can include everything previously mentioned. However, when topical solutions and oral and topical antibiotics don’t work or don’t work well enough, strong treatments may be added. Accutane is a last resort treatment that can be used for this serious form of acne. It is used as a last resort due to the serious side effects such as liver damage that can occur from its long-term use.

Accutane should only be used under the direct supervision of a doctor familiar with its use, as regular blood tests are recommended to monitor liver function levels in the body.

While there are many ways to treat acne, its treatment and prevention usually boil down to either a topical or oral solution. Successful acne treatment can take up to six to nine weeks for mild to moderate acne and much longer for more severe levels. Patience is required, as is consistent use of any treatment selected.

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If you are between 16 and 20 years old, odds are you are having problems with the old enemy, acne, and that you are trying to find a solution to it. You’re far from being alone in this matter, as nearly 70% of all youths suffer from more or less severe forms of acne. And for many people, moving into the late 20s does not mean an end to acne, but the same old problem.

The most embarrassing, of course, is facial acne. Pimples on you back or chest can be hidden under clothing even in the summertime, but your face is always exposed. Every person you meet will look you in the face and even if no comment is made you know what they are all thinking, don’t you? Fact is, people tend to judge others from the clothes they wear, the state and color of their skin and other such superficial aspects. This is why you have to get rid of acne.

Causes of acne

Facial acne is easier to treat than body acne, but has a bigger chance of coming back in the form of flare-ups. Dust, air pollution, cosmetics and shaving are all factors that work in favor of acne by irritating your skin or clogging your pores. Moreover, dust and air pollution also bring the bacteria, which are responsible for pimples. Whenever a pores is clogged with sebum and dead skin cells, bacteria seize the chance and start multiplying in the sebaceous follicle. Before long, the follicle turns into a blackhead or a whitehead (in mild cases), or even into pustules or papules (in severe forms of acne).

While the market is practically awash with products promising to treat acne and teen magazines are drumming up for this or that trendy cure, we have conducted our own independent research into this issue. What we found is that most products are using either ineffective ingredients that do nothing for your skin beyond a short-lived improvement, or are made of strong chemicals. For instance, ProActive contains Benzoyl Peroxide, which is a strong substance known to cause rashes, skin irritation and crusting. Our advice is to stay away from such hazards to your health.

The best acne treatment on the market

However, we do recommend a skin cleansing system that held our interest through both its quality of ingredients and safety record, since no customers complained of side effects. The ClearPores System is composed of deep facial and body washes, a herbal supplement and protection creams for face and body. The washes are based on the effective SD Alcohol and Salicylic Acid solutions that open the pores and cleanse the skin of dirt and bacteria, while the herbal supplement helps the body fight bacteria from the inside.

Unlike other skin cleansing products, ClearPores does not leave your skin shining with excess sebum or dry and swollen. By opening the pores to remove dirt and by fighting bacteria at the roots, the system makes sure you’ll no longer have to suffer whiteheads and blackheads on your face. It also helps reduce inflammation and rebuild damaged skin cells in order to make your skin healthy and smooth. And if this was not enough, the product is backed by an amazing 6-month money back guarantee that makes usage virtually risk free for you. What more could one ask?

Why spend your time feeling bad about your face and body when you can put an end to this nuisance with the help of the 3-part ClearPores System? We recommend it to all those who are struggling to hide or fight acne. No more will you have to be afraid of meeting new people. No more will your skin stand between you and a good time. With ClearPores, you can turn the tide of this struggle and win!

Take a look at Clearpores

Acne Information – Types – Myths – Treatment Options

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Some Facts:

Fact number one. The cosmetic industry makes billions of dollars from the public quest for great skin. They use the money to advertise and perpetuate their products. Do not be fooled by the hype.

Fact number two. There are many factors that contribute to the clogging of pores: like dehydrated skin, improper cleansing, excessive oil production, excessive build-up of dead skin cells, hormones, excessive sweating, dirty work or play environments, genetics, makeup, fingers on the face, allergic reactions, a diet high in sugar content and many others.

Fact number three. Most skin impurities are due to clogged pores, so the best way to have that beautiful skin is to unclog your pores.

5 Steps to unclog your pores

1.

Avoid oil-based products such as facial lotions, wash and cosmetics. Look for products that are “non-comedogenic,” it means it will not clog your pores.

2.

Do not wear tight headbands, baseball hats, and/or helmets when you exercise or play sports, and make sure you wash the sweat-soaked things each time you wear them.

3.

Keep the skin hydrated and moist so your cells can function properly. Moisturize your face with mild, non-comedogenic moisturizers to keep it hydrated. Moisturizing is a necessity. Again, the product with the least amount of chemical additives is the best. Always use a light moisturizer on your face after cleansing.

4.

Cleanse your pores with a toner or skin conditioner on cotton balls. Do not try to scrub harshly or you will strip and damage your skin. Even after rinsing your face, if you do not remove the remainder of cleanser and loosened debris residues, you are only going to imbed that debris deeper into the pores as you layer serums and moisturizers on top. The absolute best way to perform this deep pore cleansing is with a salicylic acid toner or skin conditioner on cotton balls. There’s no need to harm your skin by vigorous scrubbing or harsh treatments, simply wipe with toner damp cotton balls until the last cotton comes away perfectly white.

5.

Astringents, Salicylic Acid, retinoic acids, and glycolic acids all work to prevent pores from clogging. Be aware of some active ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, these ingredients can cause major side effects.

So there are 5 easy steps to eliminate or lessen your problem. Start today – beauty starts with your skin.

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Dermabrasion. The outer layer of the skin is removed in order to remove scars. This method is best used for scars that stand out from the skin and much less effective for scars going deep into the lower layers.

aser resurfacing. A laser beam is used to remove areas of damaged skin one layer at a time. Laser treatment is also effective in getting rid of areas of uneven pigmentation and achieving an overall healthy look.

Punch excision. This is a method of correcting deep scars through the use of a punch biopsy tool, which is matched to the size of the acne scar. The scar is excised with the punch tool and the edges of the skin are sutured together.

Chemical peels. This method relies on a mixture of chemicals to improve the texture of the skin and to make it smoother by removing the damaged top layer. Phenol, trichloroacetic acid and alphahydroxy acids are the most commonly used substances.

Subcision. The scar is cut loose from the deeper tissue, allowing a pool of blood to form under the scar. The blood clot helps form a new layer of connective tissue under the scar, leveling it with the surface

The most important thing to remember is that acne is a disease that affects people all over the world, regardless of their race or culture. Many people suffer from it past their teen years, despite acne being seen as a teenagers’ problem. The most common form of acne is known by doctors as “acne vulgaris”. The lesions caused by acne appear, usually, on the face, chest, neck, upper back and upper arms. The most severe forms of acne can lead to scars that may be visible for a lifetime.

The second most important thing to remember is to refrain from dealing with zits and pimples yourself by squeezing them open or picking them. In many cases, such actions lead to the spread of acne to other areas of the body. The best choice is to see a dermatologist. You can also use herbs, such as Echinacea, pokeroot, witch hazel or red clover, to treat acne, but this won’t work in the severe cases. These are best left to doctors.

Fight Your Acne and Compare Acne Products

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The best thing about herbal acne treatment is that there are no side effects for these products. Also, the natural ingredients that are used in these acne products make it possible to fight with the acne problems in the most effective way.

There are now many herbal treatment for acne available on the market. Acnezine is an example and it is quite popular because of its natural ingredients. The fact that acne herbal medicines contain all the natural ingredients makes them suitable for long term use.

It also contains some vitamins and minerals which not only cure acne naturally, but improves your skin condition. However, some researchers have claimed herbal acne medicine does not work since it has not been scientifically proven and they do not get the endorsement from the FDA (Food & Drug Administration).

The problem with herbal acne treatment is that it takes a longer time to see the effects compared to traditional acne medication such as accutane and hydrogen peroxide. This does not mean it does not work.

Typically, a natural acne treatment method such acne supplements such as Acnezine will take 3 to 6 months for the acne to be completely cured. On the other hand, traditional over the counter acne medication can reduce the symptoms of acne much quicker than herbal acne medication.

However, they only reduce or stop the symptoms of acne and do not tackle the root problem of acne. Herbal medication works from the inside out and can get rid of acne permanently. Another advantage of natural acne treatment is the ingredients are readily available.

One of the most commonly used ingredients is milk and lemon juice. Which type of herbal acne treatment you should use will also depends on your skin condition and I recommend you seek the advice of a dermatologist if you are not sure.

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There is good news though, there are some great adult acne treatments on the market today. Some that won’t break your bank account, irritate your skin, but will provide results.

That’s what we’re going to look at in this short article, what to look for in adult acne treatments that will get you results and not empty your wallet.

Look for the Guarantee First

The majority of respectable skin care manufacturers provide a decent guarantee on their products. Why? Simply put these companies know that their products cannot solve everyones acne problems (even though they put their best foot forward to do so). Because of this they stand behind their skin care cream, gel or what ever it is with a money back guarantee in case you don’t get the results you expect.

I’d suggest you avoid anything that doesn’t have at least a 30 day guarantee (the minimum time to see if a product works). You should be able to find information about a products guarantee on the side of the packaging, or on the companies website.

Check Ingredients for Harsh Chemicals

Before choosing an acne product you should familiarize yourself with the ingredients. Not all companies, but some, use harsh chemicals to kill acne bacteria. The down side to this is these chemicals can also negatively effect your skin.

The most popular ingredient is Benzoyl peroxide, yet this is also one of the ingredients that can irritate your skin. If you do use a product containing Benzoyl peroxide I suggest you start with a very small dose and work your way up to the suggested amount.

If you want to avoid Benzoyl peroxide all together I suggest you consider using Murads Acne Complex. Rather then Benzoyl it uses Hydrogen peroxide (the same thing we use on cuts and scape’s). This product should be easier on your skin.

Use it Long enough to Work

There are literally more then 101 different adult skin care products for acne. Most of these products require at least a month of steady usage to get results. Be sure that you’re giving what ever product you choose at least 4-6 weeks before you discontinue use. If you stop using a product faster then this then you might run the risk of wasting time and money on a product that otherwise would’ve cleared your skin.

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Because acne often starts around the age of 19 to 24 and usually starts with teens but also affects mature adults, there is a belief that there is a connection between acne and hormones. This is when people will typically get lesions on the lower face, mostly on the chin and jaw line. It may also appear on the chest and back, although a majority of its victims are affected mainly on the face.

The idea that there is a connection between acne and hormones comes from thew fact that acne typically starts to appear when the body starts to produce androgen hormones. Androgens are the biggest culprit that incite the sebaceous glands to enlarge and emit sebum. Sebum builds up in the follicle and then gets pushed up the hair shaft until it reaches the exterior of the skin. With this movement the sebum then blends with bacteria which cause the hair follicle to get blocked. It is merely the blocked follicles which become the breeding area for bacteria, resulting in acne.

It is worth noting that hormones basically regulate every function of the body. As you may know, sleep, growth and other related body functions largely depend upon your hormones. Acne may be a byproduct of hormonal imbalance due to this dependency.With hormonal balance there is less chance for acne to emerge.

The occurrence of acne in teens as well as in adults also tends to explain the connection between acne and hormones. Since the production of androgen begins during the teen years at the onset of puberty, this contributes to the development of acne. The acne and hormones connection is most noticed in mature women during their menstrual cycle. It has been noted in certain studies that acne that worsens during a woman’s monthly cycle is not something that women will grow out of as they get older.

A good acne treatment should be effective at every stage of life.

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Acne is due to a hormone imbalance causing the sebaceous glands to produce too much sebum. This blocks the pores and causes a bacterial infection – the bacteria involved are called Probionibacterium acne (P. acne). Factors that can contribute to acne are oily skin, heredity, menstruation and some contraceptives (both increase levels of progesterone in the body), and an overgrowth of candida (a yeast) in the gut that causes hormonal changes. Other possible contributing factors are stress, allergies and certain drugs including steroids. Nutritional deficiencies and, or a diet high in saturated fats, hydrogenated fats and animal products can also be involved. The pH of the body is also important – an imbalance can influence the growth of acne-causing bacteria (see Cleansing supplements below).

Antibiotics and certain oral contraceptives are conventional treatments however neither solves the underlying problem. The acne bacteria are also becoming increasingly resistant to the antibiotics prescribed to treat it. Changes to your diet, and the use of supplements and herbs can help get your body back into balance. These improvements are not immediate but they can be long-term and far more effective. Using natural skincare products that are specifically designed to help combat problem skin (see below) is obviously very important, however just doing this alone is often not enough.

Dealing with the problem from the inside is just as, if not more, important. The skin is the largest organ of the body and one of its functions is to eliminate some of the body’s toxic waste through sweating. However if the levels of toxins in the body are too high for the kidneys and liver to deal with then the skin takes over, and this affects the health of the skin – this is key to many skin disorders.

DIET & LIFESTYLE: It is important to ensure that you are drinking at least two litres of bottled or filtered water at room temperature each day to flush out toxins. Fibre – increasing your intake of dietary fibre can also improve colon health – a healthy digestion leads to healthy skin. Eat plenty of whole grain foods and cereals and at least five pieces of fruits and vegetables each day. Try adding ground linseeds (see Essential Fatty Acids below) to your cereal or salads to give you extra fibre plus a comprehensive source of organic and naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, amino acids, Omega 3 fatty acids and Lignan – plant nutrients, which speed up the Omega 3 absorption and conversion in the body. Saturated fat – some people with acne have been found to have problems digesting saturated fat (animal fat and dairy products), which along with fried foods increase the likelihood of blocked pores. It may be beneficial to cut out dairy products for 6-8 weeks to see if there is any improvement. To ensure the nutritional balance of your diet consume alternative non-dairy products such as those detailed below. Either way if you are consuming dairy products ensure that they are organic, because non-organic dairy produce is likely to contain hormones and steroids. A low-salt, calcium-rich diet can help control outbreaks. Non-dairy sources of calcium are green leafy vegetables, broccoli, tofu, apricots and shellfish. Both tofu and soy are also rich sources of phytoestrogens – substances that can naturally help rebalance the hormones in both sexes, so eating organic sources of these foods at least three times a week will also help. Sulphur-rich foods such as organic eggs, onions and garlic can also be helpful. People with acne are often found to be deficient in potassium so aim to increase your intake of potassium-rich foods such as watercress, cabbage, celery, parsley, courgettes, cauliflower, pumpkin, molasses and bananas. Sugar and refined carbohydrates (white flour, white bread, white rice etc) stimulate your body to produce more insulin, therefore more hormones and more sebum (oil). Therefore try to avoid all sugar, animal fats, yeast, caffeine and alcohol – this includes butter, biscuits, cakes, cheese, chocolate, cocoa, cream, eggs, fat, meat, fried and processed foods, hot and spicy foods, wheat, margarine, and soft drinks.

Liver Detox – the liver is the organ in your body that helps to get rid of excess hormones and toxins, so a ‘liver detox’ can be very helpful. Have a hot drink of water (or herbal tea)Â with fresh lemon every morning as you rise, and consume plenty of raw foods and fresh fruit and vegetables. Include fresh juices in your daily diet, particularly ginger and garlic juiced with carrot and beetroot, celery, apple, lemon or lime. You may like to consider looking for books with recipes designed specifically to cleanse the liver. See below for liver detox supplements. Antibiotics – if you have taken antibiotics for a prolonged period of time, in fact if you have taken them at all, it would be very advisable to take a good probiotic (see below) to replace the friendly bacteria in the gut, which antibiotics destroy. Probiotics also help to rid the body of toxins.

Age – if you are suffering from acne, are female and in your late 20’s or 30’s it is possible that the cause may be Polycystic Ovaries. Other symptoms of this common condition are excess facial or body hair, weight gain and the inability to lose weight normally. If you suspect this might be the case then see your doctor and ask for a blood test to check your hormone levels. Ensure that your doctor asks when your last period was to validate the test. Again conventional ‘treatment’ for this is the contraceptive pill, but this merely blocks the symptoms so before agreeing to this consider seeing a qualified naturopath or nutritionist to help you address the problem naturally. Acupuncture is also very beneficial for this condition to help get your body back into balance – see Complementary Health for registered practitioners.

SUPPLEMENTS FOR ACNE TREATMENT: N.B. Children’s dosages: unless stated otherwise products that are not specifically for children are safe to give in an age-appropriate dose; for children over 17 give the adult dose; for children from 12 to 17 give three-quarters of the adult dose; for children from 6 to 12 years give half the adult dose.

Detox – this is an important starting point for combating acne. Consider the ‘Liver Detox’ supplement program and balancing your body’s pH with ‘Alka-Clear’. Alternatively take liquid herbal supports ‘Livertone’ or ‘Milk Thistle Complex’ for three months. Perhaps the most comprehensive detoxifying supplement for acne however is the ‘Anti-A Formula’. This contains a potent blend of herbs designed to reduce toxins in the blood, and help to restore normal glandular systems. It includes chlorophyll to cleanse the blood, burdock, echinacea, dandelion and sarsaparilla to help detoxify, sassafras to stimulate liver function, chickweed to help break down fats and Brazilian Ginseng to rebalance hormones and detoxify cells – see Cleansing Detox & Fibre for all these supplements.

Probiotics – these help replace good bacteria in the gut and many skin complaints are connected to problems in the gut. Probiotics also help rid the body of toxins, so a 4-6 week course of a probiotic can be very beneficial – see Probiotics. If you have been taking antibiotics a course of a probiotic is very important. N.B All the probiotics available are formulated in a base of fructo-oligosaccharides (F.O.S) – the substrate on which healthy bacteria feed.

EssentialFatty Acids – these are extremely beneficial for skin disorders and also help to rebalance hormones. Choose a pharmaceutical grade fish oil such as ‘MorEPA’ or ‘Lemon Fish Oil’, or the organic ‘Flaxseed Oil Complex’ if you are vegetarian. Supplement this with ‘Starflower Oil’(Borage Oil) which is high in the fatty acid GLA and is also important for skin health and hormone balance. It is important to allow at least three months for proper absorption and therefore to see a difference – see Essential Fatty Acids. NB. All recommended fish oil supplements have much higher and therefore more beneficial levels of EPA and DHA than most high street brands, are guaranteed to be free from contaminants such as heavy metals and PCBs or dioxins, and are exceptionally stable guaranteeing freshness and no fishy smell or aftertaste.

Colloidal Silver – this is a suspension of the element silver in water, and is a natural and powerful antibiotic (also anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic) with no side effects. Spray directly onto the affected areas twice daily – see Colloidal Minerals. For more information on Colloidal Silver read ‘The Colloidal Silver Report’ – see Books.

Specific Skin Formula – ‘Ultra Skin Plus’ contains glucosamine (from fish) and MSM (both vital for healthy skin) as well as therapeutic levels of vitamins A, B, C, E & zinc, important for skin health. Vegetarians can use the ‘Ultra Skin’ formula with the option of adding vegetarian ‘MSM’ separately – see Skin Hair & Nails for all these supplements. If you are pregnant see For Pregnancy for prenatal formulas. Once your skin has improved consider taking a good multi-vitamin to continue to nourish your skin and for long-term health and wellbeing – see Multi-Vitamins. If you are looking for a multi-vitamin specifically for teenagers from twelve years of age upwards see Multi-Vitamins for Babies & Children.

ADDITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS FOR ACNE:

Zinc – zinc helps to heal skin tissue, prevent scarring and boosts the immune system. Adults take 50-100mg of zinc a day – see Minerals. Please note the Ultra Skin supplements (as above) contain 50mg of zinc already. NB. Do not exceed 100mg of zinc a day. Avoid taking zinc at the same time as consuming citrus fruits or juices – they reduce its effectiveness.

Vitamin B complex – B vitamins are important for healthy skin, proper circulation and reducing stress. If your acne is a symptom of stress these vitamins are particularly important. Adults take one sustained release Mega B-150 each day, or use a 50mg formula and take three times a day. Please note the Ultra Skin supplements (as above) contain 50-100mg of the main B vitamins already – see Vitamins.

Vitamin C – adults take 3000-4000mg a day in divided doses to strengthen the immune system, reduce inflammation and help to produce collagen – follow Vitamins link above. NB. All the vitamin C supplements available are buffered so as to be gentle on the stomach, and are combined with bioflavonoids for maximum effectiveness. Herbs – for women and girls over 12 years of age the herbs

Dong Quai& Agnus Castus work well together to help to rebalance hormones, and prevent pre-menstrual breakouts. Take one to three capsules each day, for at least three months – see Herbal Combinations.

SKINCARE FOR ACNE: Although using the correct supplements is essential when dealing with acne, it is important to use skincare products that are specifically for acne and blemish-prone skin. Each skin care product in this category is 100% natural, and is uniquely and gently formulated to help unclog pores, reduce shine, minimize scarring, discourage the progression of spots, reduce redness, improve skin tone and texture, and improve overall skin health. If your acne has cleared but you suffer from acne scars ‘Rosa Mosqueta oil’ can significantly reduce scarring, and has shown incredible results with many types of scars.’Aloe Vera Gel’ is also very beneficial for healing scars and can beused as an oil-free moisturiser- see Blemished & Oily Skin for all these products. Make-up, and in particular foundation, often contains petrochemicals such as mineral oil or other heavy, greasy oils which can block the pores and worsen acne. The make-up ranges at 100% Nature are natural and allow the skin to breathe – see Make-Up.

NB. This information is in no way intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are unsure as to the suitability of any of the products or recommendations with regard to your condition please consult your doctor. If your doctor does not approve of complementary medicine it may be helpful to find one who does.

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