Acne Facial Solution

Acne is an inevitable experience for most teenagers. It's a universal enemy of most young adults and ironically a result of growing from child to adult. While it's not entirely avoidable, there are ways to reduce one's acne.

Dermatologists worldwide have been battling acne for years - most of them are consulted after the acne has started. And what they contribute is great expertise, medications, tips on good hygiene, and emotional support that confirms that some acne is a normal part of life. None of this helps the self-esteem or confidence of the teenager who consistently deals with a face in the mirror they don't like. So consider some additional ways to limit the affect of acne in your life. Primarily, take care of your body. What type of food are you eating? How much sleep do you get? Do you wash with a hypoallergenic soap? These considerations are important ones. Food, for example, plays a big part in acne. Consult your dermatologist or online guide for more tips but be aware that fruits and vegetables are great for more than just healthy bones and teeth - they also lead to healthy skin. Similarly, watch your intake of sugar and manufactured products with heavy oil or fat.

Another preventative measure is to review and sample Proactiv, Clearasil, and other acne prevention or removal products and see if any of them work for you. Depending on your skin type, the type of acne you have, or how your body responds to different forms of medication, these products may have a selective benefit for you.

Finally, take care of your insides. No matter what effect acne has on your outside appearance during your teen years, only you can determine how you feel about your appearance and your looks. I'm not trying to minimize the emotional affect of acne, especially if some of the scars are permanent, but appearance alone is still only one factor that contributes to one's confidence and ultimately their enjoyment of and success in life. If you can regularly look in the mirror and say "I like myself" or "I like who I'm becoming", acne will never determine your sense of self. Do your best to prevent or reduce acne's affect on your physical appearance, and don't forget to take care of your inner self as well.

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Dave Lloyd can be reached at publisheremail@gmail.com and has written an online guide to removing acne at www.removemyacne.com

Contemplating how to get that clear beautiful complexion? The latest advance in laser technology could make this more than a pipe dream for acne sufferers. The technique is called BLU-U for short, basically because it involves the use of visible blue light.

How does blue light affect acne?

To answer this question let us briefly recapitulate what acne really is. Acne is simply the term used to describe the clogged pores (pimples, whiteheads, blackheads or lesions) that occur on your face or on other parts of your body. The cause of acne comes from a disorder of the skin's oil glands. These oil glands produce a substance called sebum, which is constantly secreting through openings in the skin.

In some cases cells that are too close to the openings of these oil glands actually end up in the way and block the opening. As a result, oil builds up undeeath the skin and provides a wonderful feeding ground for the nasty bacteria that simply multiply and cause acne.

What the blue light does is trigger the proliferation of photo sensitizers (so called porphyrins) in the acne causing bacteria. This creates a toxic environment, which destroys the acne bacteria themselves, thereby eliminating a major culprit in the process of producing acne.

What happens during a treatment session?

Blue-light therapy typically requires 16 minutes per treatment session. Patients sit in a chair while the therapeutic light is applied. Apart from an occasional, slight warming sensation, BLU-U light treatments are described as easy, even relaxing.

Typically, blue-light treatments are given twice a week for four weeks, then once a week for four weeks. Experts in photodynamic therapy generally recommend that patients do not miss any treatment appointments in order to see maximum results. BLU-U effectively clears 70% of moderate, inflammatory acne in 4-8 weeks, and best results are achieved when used with conventional treatments, such as topical creams and oral antibiotics.

BLU-U is FDA approved and is considered one of the safest acne treatments available. It has no known side effects. Some health care professionals like to say that teenagers can expect results to last for a year, while many grown-ups can expect them to last a life time. However, varying results should be expected from one person to the next and your skin type will play an important role in determining the results of blue-light treatments.

Can blue light cure severe acne as well?

In most cases of moderate to severe cystic acne the blue light itself is not enough to treat the condition. In those cases a prescription solution of a photosensitizing agent called Levulan (5-aminolevulinic acid) is applied to the affected skin. After the solution has been allowed time to absorb into the skin (it typically takes from 1-2 hours) the patient sits under a Blu-U light which activates the Levulan. The result is a reduction of acne lesions and oiliness and in tu produces skin rejuvenation.

This sounds exciting, and it is. However, do not forget to be critical. First of all, according to the FDA, a Levulan/BLU-U treatment does have some potential side effects. These include, but are not limited to: "a tingling, stinging, prickling, or buing feeling of the treated areas. These feelings should improve at the end of the blue light treatment and should end within 24 hours.

Following blue light treatment, the surrounding skin, will redden. Swelling may also occur. These changes should reach a maximum the day after BLU-U treatment. However, these changes are temporary, should improve markedly by the end of the first week, and should be completely gone by 4 weeks after treatment. Other side effects at the treatment sites may include: scaling, itching, and changes in skin color."

Second, ask critical questions when you talk to your health care provider about Levulan/BLU-U. For example, the treatment regimen dramatically decreases the production of sebum, but is this really good for your skin overall? It may help relieve acne, but what if sebum is important for your skin in other respects? Does sebum help keep the skins elasticity? Does it play an integral role in the anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties of the skin? Does it prevent your skin from becoming to dry? Does it help protect your skin from the sun? Ask questions, and expect thorough answers. After all, it's your skin on the line.

An addition to the arsenal

Blue-light therapy, both by itself and in combination with Levulan, is a very exciting new approach to treating acne. Regardless of skin type or lifestyle, approximately 80% of the population will suffer from acne at some point in their lives. Acne is common in both teens and adults, and effective treatment solutions are in great demand.

BLU-U/Levulan is an exciting addition to the arsenal of those who battle acne regularly. At this point, however, it should not be considered the be all and end all of acne treatment, and both medical and alteative treatments should be considered as well.

About the author:
Martin Hansen is the creator of one of the most up-to-date acne treatment review sites on the Inteet today. Find new ways to battle your acne and possibly ban it forever at http://www.myacnetreatmentreview.com.

A common problem that affects most of us as teens is acne. While 80 percent of us struggle with this affliction, many have trouble controlling it. Acne blemish control typically begins with assessing the problem at hand. Most of us don't have a clue how to properly fight pimples and breakouts, therefore we take a clueless route, which only begets more acne. Acne blemish control is done through understanding and proper skin care.

I'm sure many people recall the hardships of their adolescent years. The insecurities, the hormones, the pizza face. When I first noticed a pimple on my face, I did what most naive teens do, and popped it. This is a mistake on several levels. First of all, popping a blemish can cause scaring. In addition, when you pinch or squeeze a zit, you only irritate it further. A more efficient road would be to treat it with some form of acne blemish control. There are a deluge of products gracing the drugstore shelves these days. Controlling and destroying our acne doesn't have to be so painful.

To become better educated on acne blemish control, it is prudent to seek advice from a dermatologist. They can give you proper guidance in controlling your breakouts. There are a number of prescriptions available to fight this ego crusher. Back in high school, my best friend was severely affected by acne breakouts. He was that guy people made fun of and called pizza face and blemish boy. Not only was his face covered, but he had the classic "backne" as well. I could tell that this was a huge shot to his self confidence. A large problem was his acne blemish control method. He would literally wash his face six times a day. This is overkill, which results in severe drying. Eventually he found a remedy through a dermatology clinic.

A great source to resort to today is the Inteet. You can find an abundance of information on skin types, and levels of acne. Acne blemish control no longer consists of rubbing alcohol on a zit you just popped. There are solutions and treatments galore at your very reach. Whether you're looking for a mild exfoliant to cure your breakouts, or a three step system to deal with more severe blemishes, you will find a remedy online. If you wish to get a more immediate treatment, the drugstore down the street will likely carry a variety of acne fighters.

Keith Londrie II has put up two informative web sites so that you can lea more about acne and it's control. For more information please visit http://acneinformation.info/ and also visit http://acne-solution-treatments.info/ for more detailed information.

For those teens with acne they should not worry so much as that time will pass and it is generally an issue with many kids developing super high amounts of testosterone and that is not necessarily a bad thing at all.

In fact a child or teen with high testosterone has some advantages over others when growing up and often tu out to be quite good athletically and extremely successful later in life. Some have theorized this is because a body, which can produce high levels of testosterone, also has more chemicals traveling thru the brain.

More chemicals in the brain can cause acne and this can be so very troubling for youngster due to name calling from friends and acquaintances. Also we know that those kids that produce more testosterone are generally those who also typically have behavioral issues because they cannot keep still.

This makes sense because they are producing huge amounts of chemicals in their brains and this makes them work at higher levels and indeed makes it hard for them to handle and control the raw emotions and super high energy, yet all that is not necessarily a bad thing and indeed it discipline is very much a part of growing up.

It would make sense to explain to kids with acne that they should not feel less self esteem due to name calling, but rather realize that their bodies are actually working better and producing more than the next kid and therefore, in a way one could say they are superior. And we need to help channel that energy into perhaps sports or some other endeavor and help them with products to keep their faces clean as to minimize pimples and acne. Please consider all this in 2006.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow

There are two main groups of hormones that are neccessary to balance if you want to effectively treat and cure your acne.

The first type of hormones, androgens, are responsible for the regulation of sebum (skin oil). Your body creates acne when you have too much sebum mixed with other elements such as toxins in the blood and dead skin cells that clog up the skins pores.

Bacteria breeds in the blocked pores which create redness, inflammation and swelling which is your acne.

Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances which are produces in cells as chemical messengers. Prostaglandins are the important hormones that are responsible for inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses in the cells otherwise known as 'good' and 'bad' prostaglandins.

So the question is, how does someone regulate prostaglandins hormones in the body?

Most people lack the nutrients the body needs to produce enough 'good' prostaglandins while on the other hand produce too many of the 'bad' type which is why acne sufferers more often than not have inflammed, red and sore spots on their faces that take longer than normal to reduce.

ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) which is an Omega 3 essential fatty acid is the precursor to 'good' prostaglandins. Most americans are simply deficient in Omega 3 efa's.

Most animal products and household oils have very high amounts of Omega 6 efa's but very little if any Omega 3. Omega 6 is the building block for 'bad' prostaglandins.

Two of the best sources of Omega 3 acids are in fish oil and flax seed oil. Flax seed oil is great because it has a 2-1 ratio of Omega 3 which is good to counter the inbalance of these EFA's people have had most of their lives.

It would be a good idea to take enzymes with these oils to make sure they are broken down and utilized properly. Considering most americans also have an enzyme deficiency it would be a wise decision.

Alteatively, you may want to take flax/fish oil capsules with fruits that are high in enzymes such as bananas, papaya, pineapple, figs and kiwi fruit.

One of the biggest theifs of prostaglandins is stress. Smoking and other things that create free radicals, attack the chemicals that are used in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins.

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More severe cases of acne tend to be characterized not just by the presence of pimples and blemishes, but also by the formation of nodules or cysts. Acne that involves the development of cysts is called cystic acne.

A cystic acne lesion is much larger than a regular pimple, sometimes 5mm or more in diameter. These lesions can be hard and painful. Cystic acne lesions are filled with pus but should not be squeezed. Squeezing a cystic lesion can lead to a worse infection and inflammation. The lesions are prone to scarring and should be taken care of by a dermatologist, who often uses procedures to reduce swelling and to lessen the likelihood of scar formation.

In severe cases of cystic acne, it may be a good idea to consult a dermatologist about treatment. But there are many holistic remedies and preventative measures one can take against cystic acne. An alteative medicine practitioner should be consulted about some of these holistic remedies, while other more common procedures can easily be performed at home with no medical supervision.

Many dermatologists and alteative medicine practitioners believe that cystic acne can be controlled to some degree through diet. Cystic acne is often the result of an unknown allergic reaction to particular foods.

The first step in controlling cystic acne through diet is to experiment with the systematic elimination of certain foods. It is also helpful to add certain foods to your diet that are known to help in the recovery of severely acne prone skin.

Sugary foods and foods that contain milk or dairy products are commonly the trigger for cystic acne. As you experiment with eliminating these food types, be sure to read package labels closely so that you are not ingesting sugar and dairy products unknowingly. Be aware that it may be several weeks before you notice a change.

Foods containing trans-fatty acids are also a common irritant to skin prone to cystic acne. Foods like margarine, shortening, fried foods, salty snacks, soda, and meat contain trans-fatty acids and should be avoided.

Many people who suffer from cystic acne find that the addition of fruits and vegetables high in Vitamin A carotene can help to ease their condition. These foods include dark leafy vegetables, and yellow-orange vegetables and fruits such as carrots, yams, and squash.

It is also helpful to drink up to four quarts of purified water a day to eliminate toxins and to help the transportation of essential nutrients to the skin.

Cystic acne can also be aggravated by stress. Alteative medicine practitioners often suggest making yoga, breathing exercises, and meditation part of your daily activities. These activities can help to reduce stress levels, thereby decreasing the skin's tendency to produce cystic acne lesions. Getting enough sleep is also essential in holistic therapy treatments.

Sufficient and appropriate cleansing is also an important part of holistically taking care of skin prone to cystic acne.

To clean your skin effectively, wash it gently twice a day using warm water. Do not scrub or use harsh cleansing agents that are abrasive or high in Ph, which can aggravate the condition. Mild soaps are more effective. To dry your skin, pat it gently with a soft towel.

If you are considering treating cystic acne holistically, these tips are a good place to start. You may wish to consult an alteative medicine practitioner about further herbal and holistic therapies.

Greg Podsakoff is a former acne sufferer, and currently provides information on treating acne, pimples, and zits, via an objective informational skincare website, http://www.acne-treatments-guide.com

If you have acne, you know the deal- everybody has a cream or suggestion to help you get clear skin. But how do you separate myth, medicine and folklore to find an acne treatment that works for you? That's what researcher Parker Magin set out to do in a study entitled, A systematic review of the evidence for 'myths and misconceptions' in acne management.

Magin and co-researchers from the University of Newcastle, New South Wales, conclude that clinicians cannot be "didactic" when making acne treatment recommendations that are based on diet, hygiene and sunlight exposure. According to Magin, acne treatments should be individualized.

Meanwhile, the Academy of Dermatology has published a press release touting, The Stubbo Truth About Acne: Myths and Misconceptions. Though this article discusses a recent Stanford University survey that examined acne myths held among young adults, it offers no solid advice for securing an acne antidote. Moreover, its meaning is paradoxical.

For example, the article headlines Alexa Boer Kimball, M.D. who is an assistant professor of dermatology at Harvard University. Dr. Kimballs sums up the survey on acne by saying "that substantial differences still exist between popular belief and scientific support, yet this does not change the way patients attempt to care for their acne."

Dr. Kimballs's comments at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology casts a discrediting shadow over her groundbreaking research that aimed to separate acne fact from fiction. Just two years ago in 2003, Dr. Kimball was apart of a Stanford University study investigating the effect of stress on acne. Then, Dr. Kimball concluded that, "increased acne severity was significantly associated with increased stress levels… while self-assessed change in diet quality was the only other significant association." The results of this study suggested that the link between acne, and diet and stress are no longer hypothetical but warrant further examination.

Another investigation aiming to demystify acne came for Dr. Loren Cordain. Cordain and his associates explored the link between diet and acne in a study called Acne Vulgaris: A Disease of Weste Civilization. Cordain noted that Kitavan Islanders of Papua New Guinea and the Aché hunter-gatherers of Paraguay had no active cases of acne. This prompted the question, "So why does acne vulgaris affect 79% to 95% of the adolescent population in westeized societies?"

Cordain found that genes alone do not cause the disparity of acne incidences between non-westeized and modeized societies. Other factors must enter the equation.

Acne can arise from hormonal shifts, stress upheavals and a host of other causes. Your best defense against acne is observing yourself and noting what conditions, foods and emotions aggravate your acne situation. From there, you can use self-care to reduce acne flare-ups.

Health author and Noixia campaigner Naweko San-Joyz lovingly writes from her home in San Diego. Her works include "Acne Messages: Crack the code of your zits and say goodbye to acne" (ISBN: 0974912204) and the upcoming work "Skinny Fat Chicks, Why we're still not getting this dieting thing" (ISBN: 0974912212) for release in June of 2005.

For useful acne self-help articles visit http://www.Noixia.com