There is a multitude of products on the market for treating acne, many of which can lay claim to some success, but what are the best products? Successful treatments can take up to 3 months, yet many products claim effective results in around two weeks or less, most of which have no scientifically proven evidence to support these claims.

I researched one treatment that claimed to remove acne completely in just one day!

Most of these short term treatments are disappointing. The fact is though, that short bursts of cortisone can give very quick results, and some acne treatments can rapidly improve some active spots, but usually not all. The best treatments provide multiple effects simultaneously, including anti-inflammatory effects, but it’s worth noting that even the best treatments can have side effects, and you should consult your doctor when considering a treatment, to see what’s best and safest treatment for you.

Most Common Products For Acne Treatment

• Antibiotics – To kill bacteria and reduce inflammation.

• Benzoyl Peroxide – Also kills the bacteria.

• Retinoids – To unclog and clear the pores.

• Salicylic Acid – Helps clear pores and renews the skin.

• Anti-Androgens – To slow down acne-causing hormones.

• Accutane (Isotretinoin) - A treatment for severe acne.

Possible Side Effects

Possible severe side effects while taking Accutane include :

• Pains in the chest or abdomen.
• Headaches, dizziness and blurred vision.
• Joint pain.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Depression.
• Thinning hair.

Not everyone suffers side effects from Accutane, many swear by it, and it is reported to be one of the most effective drugs for treating acne.

What Is Acne And What Causes it?

It’s a skin condition (proper name Acne vulgaris) commonly referred to as pimples or zits, caused by changes in skin structure around a hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland.

Common Causes :

• An increase in male sex hormones called androgens, which both boys and girls accrue during puberty as a natural part of development.

• Blockages in follicles, and enlargement of the sebaceous glands.

• It can be genetic, sometimes with the whole family being affected.

• Hormonal changes experienced by stress or menstrual cycles for example.

• Dead skin cells that block or cover the pores.

The face and neck is most commonly affected, but the back, chest and shoulders can be affected as well. In severe cases it’s quite inflammatory. You are more likely to be affected during adolescence, and in many case it can continue into adulthood.

I always wanted to know why I had acne and other people did not. Worldwide, 60 million people suffer like I did.

I did some research and talked to my doctor to find the most common causes of acne.

>>Hormones: The number one cause of acne is the production of sex hormones, known as androgen, that begins at puberty. This is why majority of acne sufferers are adolescents and teens. Hormones are responsible for then acne flare-ups during menstruation and pregnancy.

>>When the sebaceous gland is stimulated by androgens, it produces extra sebum. In its journey up the follicle toward the surface, the sebum mixes with common skin bacteria and dead skin cells that have been shed from the lining of the follicle. While this process is normal, the presence of extra sebum in the follicle increases the chances of clogging — and acne.

>>Stress: can also cause the production of hormones, such as cortisol, which can aggravate acne. Stress brings upon different hormone levels. With hormone changes the body prompts the skins oil glands to enlarge, secreting more oil. Which causes white heads, black heads and pimples.

>>Oily or heavy make up: Heavy make-up clogs the pores and oily make-ups add more oil, which only adds to the problem if oily skin already exists. Cosmetics, especially certain moisturizers, foundations and pomades contain lanolin, petrolatum, vegetable oils, butyl stearate, lauryl alcohol and oleic acid.

>>Certain medications and steroids: Vitamins are good for your body, But an excess of vitamins B1, B6 and B12 can cause acne flare-ups. These vitamins are good for the skin, but avoid overuse.

>>Diets: For some people, a diet that is high in refined carbohydrates and sugars can actually aggravate their acne.

>>Over abrasive cleansing: Harsh exfoliators can damage skin and spread infections.

>>Picking and squeezing: This can actually send the infection deeper into the skin and can cause scarring.

>>Environmental irritants: such as high humidity and pollution. High humidity actually causes swelling of skin. Pollution is of course is a big cause for clogging your pores.

>>Genes: Family members who are also acne sufferers. Acne is inherited and severe cases known as cystic acne usually come from heredity.
 

Try asking people advice regarding your acne and the chances are, they would tell you that it is due to your poor hygiene or poor diet.

However, skin experts are actually dismissing those as nothing but myths. The best way to cope with your acne problem is to educate yourself and it is with this purpose that we decided to list here the common acne myths that people often encounter.

>>Acne is not a caused by poor hygiene. Many people believe that acne is caused by poor hygiene; therefore they tend to over-wash their skin. However, washing too frequently and too aggressively can strip the skin of its natural lipids, damaging the skin’s natural barrier function. In response, the follicle will produce excess sebum and possibly additional breakouts. So unless you get yourself dirty on regular basis (like a mechanic, perhaps), do not over-wash your face.

>>Acne is caused by certain foods. The common misconception is that eating junk food will lead to or worsen an acne condition. Scientific studies have shown that diet has little to no effect on acne. This varies depending on the person. While eating healthy and balanced diet is encouraged for our health, there is really no scientific evidence that connects certain foods to acne. If you are one of those who are affected by certain foods, it is always wise to avoid them.

>>You can outgrow your acne. It is much more sensible to treat your acne immediately to avoid emotional stress and permanent scarring.

>>Acne is just a little problem, no need to overreact. It is embarrassing to have acne, thus can affect our confidence and esteem. It may even affect our social relation and job performance.

>>Acne is just a cosmetic disease. Heavy and oily make up may contribute to acne build up. However, cosmetics labeled non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic might actually contain benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid that may help to fight acne.

>>Stress can cause acne. While over stress may actually produce hormones that can aggravate acne; normal, everyday stress does not really trigger acne.

>>Getting a tan would clear up acne. While sun exposure may dry out existing acne, it will not prevent new ones from forming. It can also over dry the skin thus sebaceous glands will produce more oil that will ultimately worsen your condition. It will also increase your risk of skin cancer and wrinkles.

So there, the next time somebody tells you one of those things, gracefully correct them and share what you know. Remember, knowledge is power.

Antioxidant is a popular term in all health care articles. We always encounter this term whenever we read or browse health articles in the papers, books or magazines. Moreover, almost all advertisements and commercials of beauty and health products always mention antioxidants.

The question to ask ourselves to be able to understand the sudden hype about antioxidants is to know what it is and what can it do to our body.

Antioxidants are chemicals that prevent the oxidation of other chemicals. In biological systems, the normal processes of oxidation produce highly reactive free radicals that can readily react with and damage other molecules which may continue to damage even the body’s own cells. Antioxidants play the housekeeper’s role, “mopping up” free radicals before they get a chance to do harm in your body.

Although all the hype about antioxidants slowing down the signs of aging and promoting skin rejuvenation do not have a solid scientific basis, most skin experts are claiming that antioxidant vitamins and minerals can help in our overall well being by combating the free radicals in our body.

Here are several antioxidant nutrients which appear the most likely to produce benefits to your skin.

Vitamin A or Beta Carotene. It has been discovered that beta-carotene protects dark green, yellow and orange vegetables and fruits from solar radiation damage and it is thought that it plays a similar role in human body. Carrots, squash, broccoli, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, kale, collards, cantaloupe, peaches and apricots are particularly rich sources of beta-carotene.

Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) is a water-soluble compound that fulfills antioxidant role, among others, in living systems. Important sources include citrus fruits (like oranges, sweet lime etc.), green peppers, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, strawberries, raw cabbage and tomatoes.

Vitamin E is a principal fat-soluble antioxidant vitamin in the body. It protects cellular membranes, lipoproteins and other “oily” structures. Skin is high in unsaturated fatty acids (“oily” molecules especially susceptible to free radical damage), and can benefit from vitamin E protection (both oral and topical). Sources include wheat germ, nuts, seeds, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, vegetable oil and fish-liver oil.

Flavonoids are a diverse group of plant pigments with antioxidant properties that contain proanthocyanins and polyphenols that are good for the skin. These substances are responsible for color in many fruits, vegetables and flowers. In addition to providing color that attracts insects or animals, these pigments protect plants from environmental stress. In addition to being potent antioxidants, some flavonoids have antiallergic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory activity. Over 4,000 flavonoids have been characterized and classified, but only a few have been researched.

Coenzyme Q10, lipoic acid, cysteine and methionine are potent antioxidants.
 

Acne is probably the most common skin disorder known today. In United States alone, nearly 60 million people are infected with acne, while 85 per cent of teenagers suffer from it.

Skin experts and practitioners recommend several natural acne treatments. Here are some that we have compiled just for you.

>>Wash your face twice a day (thrice at most) with gentle and unperfumed cleanser. Avoid using soaps as they contain harsh chemicals and ingredients that can damage your skin.

>>Avoid touching your face. Stop putting your hands by your face! I am often guilty of this resting my hand on the side of my head while reading. Also rubbing or bracing your chin is another common problem when thinking. Avoid rubbing, touching, or scratching your skin with your hands. Your hands contain a lot of bacteria that can cause acne flare-ups. It is probably one of the most difficult things to avoid since much of the hand to face contact throughout the day we are unconscious of. Make it a habit to avoid hand contact and be conscious of it during the day to avoid bacteria.

>>Avoid the temptation to pick, prick and squeeze your acne. This will send the infection deeper into the skin and can cause severe scarring. If you already have acne scars, it should be worth having a look at The Scar Secret Review for a natural solution for all types of scars.

>>For mild to moderate acne, you can use over-the-counter topical ointments, solutions, lotions or gels that contain benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or azelaic acid as an alternative to benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide is best at killing P. acnes and may reduce oil production. Resorcinol, salicylic acid, and sulfur help break down blackheads and whiteheads. Salicylic acid also helps cut down the shedding of cells lining the follicles of the oil glands.

>>Topical antibiotic solutions and lotions can also be applied.

>>Tea tree oil is a natural antibiotic and antibacterial agent and has a drying effect on the skin. It keeps the P. Acnes bacteria at bay along with decreasing facial oiliness, which makes this oil a worthwhile investment.

>>Sulfur helps to heal existing blemishes by unblocking pores.

>>Alpha or Beta Hydroxy Acids (AHA or BHA) works by keeping the skin exfoliated. Glycolic acid, the most well known of the bunch is a useful adjuvant therapy for mild acne. Mandelic acid, a lesser known one, but one that combines the keratolytic properties of glycolic acid, with natural antibacterial properties that help reduce the presence of P. acnes, may be considered a more effective alpha hydroxy acid in treating acne lesions. It is also much less irritating than glycolic acid, a factor that may be very important to those with sensitive skin who are unable to use other agents such as Retin-A, benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, or salicylic acid. It is effective in treating mild cases of acne on its own, and can be used successfully with other therapies on moderate acne.

These treatments are usually effective for mild to moderate acne problems only. The effectiveness usually takes several weeks or approximately three to six months to be noticed. For more severe and serious acne conditions, do not hesitate to consult your dermatologist.