Do Antibiotics Really Work to Get Rid of Acne
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Antibiotics are one of the most commonly prescribed medications for acne today. While it doesn't make logical sense that an antibiotic would clear your face up, it does nonetheless have it's merits as an acne treatment. But how healthy is it really, to be taking antibiotics of any sort for long periods of time, simply to fight acne?
There are many proponents of the antibiotic method of acne treatment, but at the same time this common prescription for patients with mild to moderate acne is also at the heart of controversy. Why? Well, taking antibiotics long term, for anything, not just acne, can actually cause your body to have what's called a yeast imbalance.
Before we get into the yeast imbalance disadvantages to taking antibiotics for your acne problem, let's discuss what common acne antibiotics can do for your skin. Keep in mind, they do not work on everyone's skin. Some people may take these medications for acne, and get very little results, and yet have subjected themselves to the possibility of yeast imbalances.
The idea behind antibiotic treatment for acne is that they help to reduce the bacteria count in the hair follicles and undeeath the facial skin, and also help to reduce inflammation.
The most commonly prescribed antibiotics for the treatment of acne are Tetracycline, Doxycycline, Minocycline, Clindamycin, and Erythromycin. They are prescribed in varying dosages, usually to patients with mild to moderate acne, and usually take at least 4-6 weeks to see the full effects.
This, in my opinion, is way too long to be on an antibiotic for something that can be treated easily through alteative remedies and supplements that are not harmful to your system, and have no residual or long term effects, like candida infections or antibiotic resistance.
While yeast imbalances are not well understood or even accepted yet by the medical community or conventional medicine, it is something that the alteative and unconventional medicine community is raising more and more awareness on.
A yeast imbalance can be caused, aggravated, or brought on by the long term use of antibiotics. A yeast imbalance, or an overgrowth of the "bad" bacteria called candida albicans is when a person's body is over run with the unfriendly flora which permeates the whole digestive tract, causing a wide reaching array of health problems.
These health problems can range from digestive problems like IBS, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, mental fogginess, depression, chronic indigestion, headaches, and more. The problem with antibiotics is that they kill both the good and the bad bacteria in our intestines and digestive tract, but not the yeast.
Add this to the fact that you probably already get a hefty dose of antibiotics in the meats and cheeses that you consume, and you've got a case of unhealthy yeast overgrowth.
If you have acne, and you're considering professional treatment, either consider asking your dermatologist about non-antibiotic treatments and alteatives, perhaps something like laser therapy or another method unrelated to taking drugs. Either that, or get online and surf - there are lots of alteative methods to treating acne, without the use of antibiotics or other drugs with potentially harmful side effects.
Danna Schneider is the founder of the online magazine for acne sufferers with suggestions, reviews and alteative ideas for acne treatment called Acne Magazine: Acne News and Treatments for excellent advice and product suggestions for getting rid of acne, without the use of drugs or dermatologists. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Danna_Schneider |
Acne Rosacea Symptoms Causes Treatments
Friday, July 10, 2009
Acne rosacea is a skin condition characterized by reddish discoloration of the facial skin, particularly in the area of the cheeks, forehead and the nose. It is usually found in fair skinned adults, and is often mistaken for acne. The tiny blood vessels under the skin dilate and give the appearance of "blushing". While pimples may occur with acne rosacea there are no whiteheads or blackheads. At first the redness may come and go, but if untreated it will continue to worsen, with pimples and permanent flushing of the face. Extreme cases of acne rosacea that have not been treated can lead to disfigurement of the nose and puffy cheeks. Cosmetic surgery is the only way to repair this severe damage. Acne rosacea may also cause a gritty feeling in the eyes that, if not treated, can lead to impaired vision.
Acne rosacea can occur in men or women. Women tend to get acne rosacea more often than men, but men have more severe symptoms than do women.
Causes of Acne Rosacea
One of the most frustrating things about acne rosacea is that there is no known cause. There are many suggestion as to the origins of rosacea such as:
- Emotional factors that cause blushing or flushing of the face may trigger acne rosacea.
- Changes in the weather may cause acne rosacea to occur.
- Sun exposure generally worsens the condition.
- Mites or certain bacteria may cause the initial outbreaks of acne rosacea.
- Some medications for heart conditions that are used a vasodilator may bring about the onset of acne rosacea.
Treatments Available
It is important to remember that acne rosacea is not the same as teenage acne, and will not respond to over the counter acne treatments. These treatments are more likely to further irritate the skin and cause a worsening of the condition.
The most successful treatment of acne rosacea includes:
- A strong oral antibiotic that gradually decreases to a maintenance level.
- A topical cream that is applied regularly to the affected area. This cream usually will contain antibiotics in conjunction with cortisone or a prescription acne mediation.
Things to avoid/moderate
- Minimize skin exposure to the sun.
- Avoid or minimize smoking
- Moderate alcohol consumption
- Avoid spicy foods
As promised - you now know what acne rosacea is, what causes this condition and how it can be treated/controlled.
Mike Singh is the publisher of http://www.stopping-acne-now.com/. On his website, he shows how to cure a pimple and articles about acne causes and treatments.
Dry Pimples Fast Destroy Acne
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Clear, blemish free skin in no time!
Pimples and zits are the products of bacteria and clogged pores. When you see a white head, the thing you squeeze and white stuff comes out of it, that is a mix of dead bacteria, blood, and the white blood cells that combatted the bacteria... the mixture is known as pus. If you must squeeze, make sure your hands are clean or you use a pimple tool. Due to the way the blood vessels in the face lead directly to drainage sinuses in the head, it has been known to occur that if you squeeze a pimple, it can lead to an infection and even meningitis... So squeeze at your own discretion. I do believe it is better to let the pimple pop when it is ripe (whiteheaded). Some pimples after treatment go away on their own but before they do, they are hard lumps beneath the skin and when they go away, they leave a faint scar.
To prevent pimples, I suggest sleep and drinking plenty of water each day, at least eight cups. During menstruation, however, due to hormone levels and changes, many females have acne. I do not know if it is true, but eating hot peppers and very oil foods may lead to pimples as well.
Overall, try not to touch your face so often. Your hands and fingers are so dirty, it's just disgusting to add oil and germs to the pores in your skin. Having oily skin leads to breakouts, yes. Still, dry skin is uncomfortable. The following is not foolproof but it will work.
Wash your face daily with a soap. A good soap is Clinique Antibacterial Facial Soap. Follow with a toner or an astringent. After that, apply an oil-free lotion. Once a week or twice, clean your t-zone with a scrub. That will exfoliate your skin and clear some pores.
To treat pimples and zits that are incredibly big, ice them. This will not cure them but it will lessen the redness. I have heard about applying toothpaste and even wart-remover salicylic acid, but that stings and the labels on plantar wart removers say specifically to not apply them on the face. I have also heard about Cortisone or red-remover eyedrops to ease the redness of zits.
Finally, if you do have zits and they are killing your social life, just wear them proudly because undeeath the blemish is clear skin and one day, you will have clear skin, unless something is wrong with you genetically. After all, if someone doesn't like you because of how you look, that person is not a good anything at all, be he or she a friend or relative or crush or love.
Still, if you take care of your skin and prevent breakouts, it will only be a matter of time and persistence that will bring the results you seek. Hope this helps.
Visit http://nummyz.com for more information and free articles and the author's bio.
Acne Scars Cause Prevention and Treatment
Acne affects as much as 80% of teenagers and others in their early twenties, while most get out with only a few minor acne scars, some even without any at all; there is also a notable percentage that suffers from acne scars.
There are two types of skin problems caused by acne that can be recognized as acne scars, one is the red pigmentation that appears after acne has healed. These contrary to popular belief, are not scars, rather, these are post-inflammatory lesions which occurs as the acne heals, and these can be present for up to 6-12 months. If however the pigmentation that you see lasts longer than the said period, you may be facing acne scars.
Acne scars come from connective tissue that the body uses to repair damage done to a certain area. Together with antibodies and white blood cells, they work together to heal the wound. After the healing process, you are left with a scar.
Acne scars can develop as long as acne is present, so one good form of prevention is actually preventing acne. However, Acne scars can also be prevented even with the presence of acne. This is done by facilitating the healing of the acne, the faster it heals, the shallower the acne scar will be, making it easier to treat, or may need no treatment at all.
There are two dermatologically tested ways to facilitate the healing of acne, one is the use of Tretinoin, it's a form of vitamin A, which speeds up the skin's healing and renovation process shortening the inflammation period, thus preventing Acne scars.
The other treatment used by most dermatologists for Acne scar prevention is the use of Aplpha-Hydroxy Acids of AHA's and Beta-Hydroxy Acids or BHA's. These help the skins remodeling process, with the right concentration and proper application; these can also prevent acne scars.
Without the complicated chemicals and difficult dermatological treatments, you can also help prevent acne scars by treating your skin righteously. Avoid sun exposure, this can cause even more skin damage and may hamper the healing process of your skin. Wear sunscreen that has SPF 15 or higher. Picking at scabs never helped either. Never pick on acne as it heals; it interferes with the healing process and might worsen the resulting acne scar.
Of course, not even the most rigorous person can prevent acne scar, with the stress of everyday life, facial and other skin problems are really hard to avoid, there are however treatments available for acne scars, here are some of them.
Dermal Fillers
Collagen or other fillers are injected into the acne scar to raise is just a bit, so that it will be the same level as your skin, these treatments aren't permanent though. They mostly last 3-6 months and you'll need additional injections after that.
Punch Excision
This method is effective for some types of scars. It includes the surgical tool that matches the size of the scar; it can be compared to a cookie dough cutter. This tool cuts the scar out and the remaining wound is then sewed back together. The resulting scar will be unnoticeable, but if it is, it'll be easier for laser resurfacing to treat it. Other types of this treatment include the use of skin grafts.
Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing is a very popular and fast treatment for acne scars. Laser resurfacing basically works by buing a measure upper layer of the skin, and then letting it heal, leaving a newer looking skin. However, care must be taken after the procedure; the correct post operative procedure determines the success of the operation.
Discover how you can get rid of acne easily by visiting our site and discovering the truth about Treating Acne.
Acne Scars Cause Prevention and TreatmentAcne affects as much as 80% of teenagers and others in their early twenties, while most get out with only a few minor acne scars, some even without any at all; there is also a notable percentage that suffers from acne scars.
There are two types of skin problems caused by acne that can be recognized as acne scars, one is the red pigmentation that appears after acne has healed. These contrary to popular belief, are not scars, rather, these are post-inflammatory lesions which occurs as the acne heals, and these can be present for up to 6-12 months. If however the pigmentation that you see lasts longer than the said period, you may be facing acne scars.
Acne scars come from connective tissue that the body uses to repair damage done to a certain area. Together with antibodies and white blood cells, they work together to heal the wound. After the healing process, you are left with a scar.
Acne scars can develop as long as acne is present, so one good form of prevention is actually preventing acne. However, Acne scars can also be prevented even with the presence of acne. This is done by facilitating the healing of the acne, the faster it heals, the shallower the acne scar will be, making it easier to treat, or may need no treatment at all.
There are two dermatologically tested ways to facilitate the healing of acne, one is the use of Tretinoin, it's a form of vitamin A, which speeds up the skin's healing and renovation process shortening the inflammation period, thus preventing Acne scars.
The other treatment used by most dermatologists for Acne scar prevention is the use of Aplpha-Hydroxy Acids of AHA's and Beta-Hydroxy Acids or BHA's. These help the skins remodeling process, with the right concentration and proper application; these can also prevent acne scars.
Without the complicated chemicals and difficult dermatological treatments, you can also help prevent acne scars by treating your skin righteously. Avoid sun exposure, this can cause even more skin damage and may hamper the healing process of your skin. Wear sunscreen that has SPF 15 or higher. Picking at scabs never helped either. Never pick on acne as it heals; it interferes with the healing process and might worsen the resulting acne scar.
Of course, not even the most rigorous person can prevent acne scar, with the stress of everyday life, facial and other skin problems are really hard to avoid, there are however treatments available for acne scars, here are some of them.
Dermal Fillers
Collagen or other fillers are injected into the acne scar to raise is just a bit, so that it will be the same level as your skin, these treatments aren't permanent though. They mostly last 3-6 months and you'll need additional injections after that.
Punch Excision
This method is effective for some types of scars. It includes the surgical tool that matches the size of the scar; it can be compared to a cookie dough cutter. This tool cuts the scar out and the remaining wound is then sewed back together. The resulting scar will be unnoticeable, but if it is, it'll be easier for laser resurfacing to treat it. Other types of this treatment include the use of skin grafts.
Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing is a very popular and fast treatment for acne scars. Laser resurfacing basically works by buing a measure upper layer of the skin, and then letting it heal, leaving a newer looking skin. However, care must be taken after the procedure; the correct post operative procedure determines the success of the operation.
Discover how you can get rid of acne easily by visiting our site and discovering the truth about Treating Acne.
Here s Your Acne Cure Harry Potter
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Even though Harry Potter's magic wand could not cure the acne breakout he and co-stars Rupert Grint, (Ron Weasley) and Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), are experiencing, their special effects man could. According to a leak posted by Thomas Crosbie Media, producers for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire had to "employ a special effects man to go through every frame clearing up their complexions."
If you can't afford a camera magician to clear up your acne, rest assured that using the five steps below can magically transform your fantasies of clear skin into a reality.
Step One: Reduce excess oil secretion:
Vitamin A helps reduce the secretion of oil by the oil glands. Foods that supply the body with Vitamin A and beta-carotene (which is converted to vitamin A by the body) include: Liver, oily fish, whole eggs, carrots, sweet potatoes, and broccoli.
Step Two: Encourage extreme shedding of the skin:
Using a peel is the easiest method to promote shedding of the skin. Exfoliation releases the build-up of dead skin cells, oils and bacteria trapped in the pores, which could lead to the formation of blemishes.
Extreme peels Peels come in varying degrees, from mild to harsh. The trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peel is an extreme peel that can cost from $100 to $1000 depending on the degree of the treatment. It is only performed in a doctor's office. The TCA is not a save all however. The peel can make the skin sensitive to the sun cause hyper-pigmentation.
Home use peels Several over-the-counter peels contain papaya enzymes or glycolic acid. These peels lightly exfoliate the skin and are safe for weekly use.
Step Three: Reduce the spread of bacterial infection:
Using an astringent such as witch hazel or apple cider vinegar to disinfect the skin significantly reduces the presence of bacteria on the face. This reduction limits skin inflammation and the likelihood of a pimple developing.
Step Four: Enhance Fat Metabolism:
Free fatty acids can irritate the skin and provoke acne eruptions. Reducing intake of foods containing hydrolyzed fats will improve fat metabolism. However, do consume essential fatty acids such as Omega-3 and Omega-6, which are found in foods such as salmon and olive oil. These essential fats aid the gastrointestinal tract eliminate pro-inflammatory substances, which reduces the possibility of experiencing acne lesions.
Step Five: Reduce inflammation:
A strong immune system serves as a buffer against inflammation. Stress reducing activities such as exercising, eating a well-balanced diet and sleeping well boosts the immune system. A diet supplemented with B-Complex, zinc and vitamins C and E likewise enhances the effectiveness of the immune system.
These steps work via creating a bodily environment that is not conducive to acne. By adhering to the nutritional and aesthetic steps above, anyone can attain clear skin while simultaneously augmenting their health. It's a lot cheaper that hiring a special effects man.
Naweko San-Joyz is creator of the Acne Messages program, the only acne program to combine the latest scientific research and ancient wisdom to deliver an acne cure as unique as the acne sufferer. As there are millions of people with acne, there are a millions cures, find your unique cure with Acne Messages. ISBN: 0974912204 available at Amazon and http://www.Noixia.com
How To Alleviate Your Acne Problem
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Acne brings huge problems to teenagers. Teenagers who have acne feel isolated, ugly, and insecure. Who wouldn't when everywhere you look, only clear skinned people are put on the pedestal.
You tried every acne product out in the market but nothing seems to work. At this point, you feel that your social life is doomed but fret not because acne won't stay forever if you take the proper actions early.
First step to take is to understand what acne really is and from there you can take the necessary actions in curing or at least reducing your acne problem.
Acne is the term for plugged pores (whiteheads and blackheads), pimples, and deeper lumps (nodules) that happens in the face, neck, chest, back and upper arms. Acne is caused by build up of excess oil and dead skin in a pore. The causes of this are natural hormones, clogged skin and bacteria.
The onset of acne happens between the ages of twelve to seventeen. Almost all teenagers had acne. Many of them used non-prescription treatments to alleviate acne but more than 40% of teenagers in their mid-teens have severe acne cases. Normally, it goes away in the early twenties. Then again, there are many cases wherein acne starts or continues into adulthood.
It is interesting to note though that young men who are more likely to have severe acne, don't consult dermatologists as much as young women do. But then again, young women are more likely to have irregular acne due to hormonal changes during menstrual cycle or due to the cosmetic products they use. This kind of acne may afflict women even into adulthood.
The ultimate question now is how do you reduce acne?
Knowing the facts that debunk the myths and misconceptions about acne may help you alleviate your acne problem.
Myth 1: Acne is caused by poor hygiene.
This may be true if you don't wash your face at all. But if you resort to frequent and vigorous washing, it will definitely cause scarring which will worsen acne. The best approach is to gently wash face twice a day with mild soap and use appropriate acne treatment after.
Myth 2: Acne is caused by diet.
Scientific studies debunked this having found that there is no connection between food and acne.
Myth 3: Acne is caused by stress.
Stressors are not important factors in acne. Only severe stress that needs medication can cause acne as side effects.
Myth 4: Acne is just a cosmetic disease.
Acne does affect how people look but there's no serious threat to physical health. However, acne can result to serious scarring which can affect how these people live their lives.
Myth 5: You just have to let acne run its course.
The truth is, acne can be cleared up using acne products available in the market today. If they don't work for you, then try seeing a dermatologist.
According to Thiboutot (2000), cure of acne lies in knowing three things:
* That resolution to cure acne takes time;
* That what works for one may not work for another;
* and that a dermatologist's help may be needed if all actions you take to cure your acne fail.
Remember that acne responds well to early treatment. So to prevent scarring have your acne treated as soon as acne starts showing up on your face.
Note: This article may be freely reproduced as long as the AUTHOR'S resource box at the bottom of this article is included and and all links must be Active/Linkable with no syntax changes.
©Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about acne, please go to: http://acne.besthealthlink.net/ or for updated links and information on all health related topics, go to: http://www.besthealthlink.net/
Common Skin Conditions Dermatitis and Moles
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Two of the most common skin conditions are the presence of moles and dermatitis. Moles can have more serious consequences than the irritation of dermatitis.
Moles occur when the cells in the skin that give it its pigment, called melanocytes, grow in clusters. These cells normally grow throughout the skin, but when too many grow in the same place a mole occurs. Most moles appear before the age of 25, but some may appear much later. Moles can remain static or change over time. Although most are not dangerous, some can be malignant and lead to melanoma. Any mole that oozes or becomes painful or sensitive should be checked out by a dermatologist. Moles that suddenly appear after the age of 25 or begin to change or grow should also be evaluated.
When evaluating your moles, keep the following in mind. Moles should be round. If your moles are asymmetrical, or irregular in shape, have it evaluated. If you find a mole that is larger than ¼", mention it to your doctor or dermatologist. If you find that your mole has an irregular or jagged edge, or is not all one color, have your doctor look at it. Finally, any mole that is red or blue may be cause for conce.
Treating moles is not difficult. If a mole is embarrassing, or becomes irritated under your clothing, you may ask your doctor to remove it. Moles can be frozen with a chemical, after which they dry up and fall off. Other moles can be simply cut off of the skin. Often, doctors will remove entire moles that seem suspicious and test the tissue for cancer. If any malignancy is found, they may cut out a slightly larger area of skin and then suture the site closed.
Check your skin regularly for changes in your moles. If any seem suspicious, or any changes have occurred, let your doctor know. Preventing a problem is as easy as going on "mole patrol."
Claire Bowes is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Eczema Causes & Cures. Claire provides more information on her site about Dermatitis & Moles that you can research at home.