Create Your Own Effective Acne Cure

Since 1982 Accutane has been a reliable, if not controversial, drug for treating severe acne. Now with FDA representative David J. Graham’s statement that Accutane should be taken off the market, and pharmaceutical manufacturer La Roche’s defense of Accutane’s safety in a Florida courtroom, access to Accutane faces mounting restrictions.

Author of Acne Messages: Crack the code of your zits and say goodbye to acne, Naweko San-Joyz, understands the concerns facing acne sufferer’s who desire Accutane-like results. San-Joyz conducted research to inexpensively mimic the effects of Accutane. “ Accutane provokes five acne-fighting actions that anyone can replicate using nutrition and self-care”, explains San-Joyz.

Reduce excess oil secretion:
Accutane is a derivative of vitamin A and reduces 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Like Accutane, these five steps will not work overnight. Accutane works 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. For more acne self-care tips visit www.Noixia.com or read Acne Messages at www.Amazon.com (ISBN: 0974912204).

Treatment Tips for Acne Sufferers

Get plenty of fresh air and sunshine. Not only will your skin
appreciate the vitamin D, your body and mind will enjoy the
oxygen and stress reducer of just being outside in the fresh
air.Remember to use sun protection or tanning lotion if you're
out for any period of time.

Even "good" stress can trigger internal chemical responses that
result in acne, so plan ahead to deal with extra stress when
planning a wedding, graduation, move, new job, job transfer, new
baby, etc. Get help around the house, take time off, exercise
have fun or whatever you need to do. But be proactive.

When you control stress, you help control the stress hormone
cortisol - reducing its release as you reduce stress, reduces the
effects of acne. Activity and exercise help improve blood flow
and circulation and are natural healing aids for your skin
enabling improved waste management, via your skin pores.

Both blackheads and whiteheads are filled with trapped sebum and
bacteria. So prevention and treatment advice for how to handle them is important.

Drink plenty of water daily. A recommendation is three to four
tall glasses of mineral or filtered water. If you don't drink
enough, it can lead to dehydration, which leads to dead skin
cells not naturally falling off or sloughing properly. This
results in blocked pores which ultimately turns into acne.

Acne has nothing to do with dirt, so don't over-wash or
over-scrub your face or the rest of your body. Too much washing
and scrubbing can result in dry skin. Dry skin means your skin
creates more oil. which leads to extra dead skin cells and
blocked pores which trigger acne flare-ups.

Add more fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts to your regular diet.
Add salads, dried fruit and nut snacks, juices and other healthy
treats to your daily diet plan

Decrease your intake of caffeine, sugar and refined
carbohydrates. Some studies show caffeine can increases levels of
stress hormones inside your body, provoking or worsening acne
conditions.

Sugar and refined carbohydrates, such as that in white bread,
rice, flour, pasta, etc., can result in an insulin surge,
resulting in an excess of hormones stimulating the skin to
discharge lots of sebum.

Decrease your dietary intake of red meat and dairy products.
Since they are more difficult to digest, it's thought their
acid-forming properties are linked to our bodies's health. It's
thought when the body puts effort into the digestion of high
levels of animal protein, waste products are not completely
processed as quickly as they should be, i.e. they shed slowly,
blocking pores which causes acne.

Red meat and dairy products may contain high levels of hormones
that may generate higher levels in humans thus causing acne.

Use natural products on your skin. Avoid unnecessary chemicals in
skin/body products that may be harmful.
Use non-pore clogging or noncomedogenic products like make-ups
and tanning lotions.
Look for any combination of these terms on labels: natural
ingredients, antibacterial, antiseptic, anti fungal, anti
parasitic, antiviral and / or antimicrobial agent.

Taking these basic steps can help you control your acne.

Simple and Effective Ways to Control Acne

Acne control include unclogging the pores of the skin, destroying bacteria and reducing excessive oil, or, in other words, "Prevention".

As the saying goes "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"

With this in mind, what then are the best ways to prevent and control acne?

First of all remember the basics of healthy living- nourish your body with good food, consume 6-8 glasses of water per day and try to get enough shut eye (8-9 hours is highly recommended).

A method of controlling acne that is not widely known is to take fish oil supplements on a regular basis.

Fish oils contain EPA and DHA fatty acids as well as omega-3 and omega-6 oils.

These essential elements create prostaglandins in the human body.

Prostaglandins are chemical hormones and they serve to maintain optimum functioning in all of the body's organs and cells.

They keep androgen hormones, which cause the production of excessive oil, in check.

Using mild soap-free cleansers such as Cetaphil, Dove, Purpose or Neutrogena helps keep the skin clear of dirt and surface impurities.

Exfoliating creams and masques are also good for acne control as they work to gently peel away dead skin cells. But make sure you don't choose one that is overly abrasive.

Using an astringent or toner to rid your face of excessive oil is an effective way to control acne as is using topical solutions containing benzoyl peroxide or sulfur.

Some acne sufferers find products with benzoyl peroxide to be harsh or excessively drying to their skin.

Stress is a contributing factor in acne growth so try to keep it to a minimum.

Too much stress becomes a vicious circle in that pressure triggers the production of more oil which ultimately causes more skin problems and the acne that results tends to stress out the sufferer even more.

Possible Acne Messages

There are over ten forms of acne a person can experience, from chloracne to acne mechanica. Just as acne can take on varied forms, there are a variety of reasons why one may have acne.
Acne formations act as messengers from the body, suggesting beneficial changes to your lifestyle and areas of your life to which you should pay more attention. You know when you have found an acne message because using the information from the message actually improves your health and deepens you level of self-awareness.

Below is a sampling of the some of the needs or unresolved issues that may be exposed by an Acne Message.

Needed diet alteration

Poor level of self-love

Reduction in over the counter

medications

Internal detoxification

Need for more exercise

Move to a different relationship or end

a current one

Need for more personal challenges

Poor stress management

Uncontrolled emotions

Social anxiety

Boredom

Un-addressed personal fears

Unmeet goals

Unexpressed Feelings

Bodily neglect

Unadjusted to new settings

Contact with new environments

Poor understanding of cleansing agents

Misuse of hair care products

Excess hormones in foods

Weak organs

Extreme sensitivity to criticism

Acne is not a superficial condition. It strikes deep into the heart and psyche of everyone suffering with this disease. Once your acne trigger(s) is unveiled and dealt with, you, your health and self-esteem reap all the benefits.

Are You Still Blaming Acne on Bacteria?

All life forms strategize to survive and procreate. Weeds, worms, birds, fungi and bacteria all work to sustain their own lives on this planet. In fact, we humans survive because of the biological games constantly unfolding in our mist.

Propionibacterium acnes, or p acne bacteria, are no different. They want and need to survive. Skin bacteria perform an important function. Bacteria use the secretions of our sweat and sebaceous glands (sebum is the oil that makes our skin look shiny) as nutrients. P acnes that are in balance with your body prevent colonization by more harmful bacteria.

P acne bacteria only encourage acne formations if the production of oil on the face is excessive. This surplus of oil of prompted by hormonal, nutritional, environmental and/or psychological changes in the body. So to prevent acne, you do not what to kill bacteria per se, but keep the amount of bacteria on your skin at an optimal balance. You optimize your oil secretion by understanding and controlling your response to hormonal, nutritional, environmental and/or psychological changes.

If we upset the balance of bacteria in our bodies by taking antibiotics, our resident flora is upset and this enables harmful bacteria (such as Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii) to colonize our skin. What’s more, antibiotics can destroy the balance of intestinal flora and cause constipation.

In short, using antibiotics on bacteria is a battle amongst intelligent parties involving the bacteria, the body, and the human mind. If we fail to appreciate the bacteria as bodily maintenance workers and continue dousing them with antibiotics, the bacteria just become more resistant to our antibiotics. The bacteria are practiced at playing dead as a tactic for survival. Even people who have used the strongest acne drug on the market, Accutane, have witnessed the cunning behavior of bacteria as zits reappear some months after using this course of acne treatment. These people have discovered that bacteria do not die; they silently and strategically multiply. If you do not want your bacteria out of balance, do not provide them an environment conducive to acne.

Acne - Step 2: Using Acne Face Cream

After you have washed your face with a chemical free soap, use an applicator to dip into Scotty's face cream or you favorite face cream. Place the cream on your face and spread it all around. Massage the cream into your face gently so the skin absorbs the oils in this cream.

These oils will seal the pores and hold the natural moisture of the skin and enhance the curing effects of the cream

You can use the cream 2-3 times a day. It is best to use it after you have cleaned your face in the morning and right before you go to bed. You can also use it during noontime.

You can use Scotty's' cream under your makeup or over your makeup. It will work either way. However, it will work better on a clean face.

You will notice that when you apply the cream it will tingle in areas without sores and may sting in areas of open sores. This will pass and as it does it should reduce the itchiness of any sores.

Scotty's cream has allantoin, which will help to clear acne sores. The oils, vitamin A and E, and minerals in Scotty's will help to feed, rebuild, and rejuvenate your skin. The minerals also help to neutralize the toxic acids that have contaminated and inflamed pores on your face.

During cleansing and fasting, more acid waste may come out of your pores. This is why Scotty's cream will help you to reduce the inflammation and spread your acne.

Tree Tea Oil

To make Scotty's cream or your own cream even more powerful, you can add 5-10 drops of pure tree tea oil to a two-ounce container. You can experiment with the amount to add. You may want to add more drops to provide more tea tree oil for your face. But, do not use more than 15 drops.

Tree tea oil has been found to be effective in various skin disorders. It acts as an antiseptic, antifungal, and antibacterial. This oil helps to bring oxygen to the skin cell, which kills bacteria and fungus and helps to repair damaged skin caused by acne.

Borage Oil

There is one more thing that you can add to Scotty's face cream or your favorite acne cream that will boost its acne clearing power. This is borage oil. Borage oil contains EPA and DHA, which helps to control excessive hormones that cause the over production of sebum.

It is the adrenal glands that produce streams of androgens during puberty. These large quantities of androgens help to activate bone growth and assist in bringing forth sexual maturity.

A side effect of these androgens is the release of excess oil from the oil glands near the hair follicle. This excess gives rise to

§ black heads
§ white heads
§ pimples
§ cysts


So here's what you can do to make your face cream even more effective,

§ Mix one or two capsules of Borage oil into your cream
§ Do this by cutting the tip off of the Borage oil softgel and squeeze the oil into the cream

There is a new form of EPA and DHA that is available in a product called Neptune Krill Oil (NKO)

Neptune Krill Oil (NKO)

NKO is the new EPA and DHA product, which maybe better to use than Borage Oil. NKO has the omega-3, EPA and DHA in the phospholipid form, which is easier for your cells to absorb compared with Borage oil. Borage oil contains the omega-3, EPA, and DHA in triglyceride form, which is more difficult for cells to absorb.

One other good property of NKO is that is does not have to be refrigerated like Borage. It can be kept in a cool place in your cabinets. However, it does cost more than Borage oil.

Word of Caution: As with all creams and oils, if you get any rash or skin reactions when using them, discontinue their use.

Use a good face cream to help clear your acne. You can boost the power of this cream by adding tree tea oil and borage or NKO oil.
Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural Nutritionist. He is the author of Constipation, Acne, Hemorrhoid, and Fatty Acid ebooks. He writes a newsletter call "natural-remedies-thatwork.com." More acne hints and information on his acne e-book can be found at: http://www.acne-remedies.for--you.info

Acne Program - Step 8 Vegetables to Eat and Drink

Eating and drinking vegetables is necessary for good health and for keeping your skin free from acne. Most people don't eat enough vegetables and seldom drink their juices. Here is a list of vegetables and their juices that you need to eat and drink daily to help eliminate your acne.

Vegetable juices

Vegetable juices are absorbed quickly into your bloodstream. As a result, your cells are quickly provided with nutrients that feed them and that wash away waste. Vegetable juices give you the opportunity to get quick relief from various body conditions such as acne, skin disorders, and constipation.

Eating and drinking vegetables provide you with minerals and nutrients that build your blood, tissue, bones, and cells. It is minerals that build every part of your body. It is minerals that keep your body's pH at the required level. It is minerals that keep your body alkaline by neutralizing body acids. Concentrate on putting minerals into your body by eating and drinking plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Carrot apple juice

Drink carrot juice every day. I like drinking carrot juice mixed with apple juice. My stomach can handle this combination better.

Carrot juice contains many vitamins and minerals. It is high in beta-carotene. Carrot juice will enhance your skins health and help you eliminate acne.

Carrot, spinach, and apple juice

A combination of carrot, spinach and apple juice is a powerful drink for cleaning the colon, relieving constipation and improving your skin conditions.

To make this drink, juice 3-4 carrots and a bunch of spinach. Then add juiced apples to make this drink more drinkable.

Vegetables

The word phytochemicals is used frequent here. Phytochemicals are all of the chemicals that exist in vegetables and fruits. There are so many phytochemicals that scientists have yet to investigate and learn about all of them.

Here are the vegetables that you should be eating the most of, so you can support the cleansing of your face and eliminating acne.

* Carrots - contain a rich source of vitamin A-like carotenoids. These phytochemicals have been shown to enhance the health of skin and repair it when it is damaged.
* Cabbage - helps to detoxify the body of harmful chemicals from the air and food additives.
* Celery - helps to reduce nervous tension. It contains many minerals that help to neutralize body acid waste and is high in fiber
* Cucumber - helps to reduce acne problems because it is high in silicon and sulfur. It is also a diuretic which helps flow more water through the kidney to clean out your blood
* Broccoli - is rich in beta carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, which is good for the skin
* Garlic - is a natural antibiotic and will help relieve skin bacterial infections
* Green pepper - The nutrients in green peppers are good for liver health and constipation. Its minerals are good for neutralizing acid waste.
* Radishes - help to digest your food. Good digestion is necessary to avoid constipation and to keep the liver and pancreas strongSprouts - provide plenty of vitamins and minerals, which help to reduce body acids
* Watercress - helps to prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies at the skin surface. It provides Vitamin A, B1, B2, C, iron, manganese, copper, and calcium.

Look this list of vegetable over, make a list of them, and head for your favorite store, or farmers market. Concentrate in eating and drinking these natural products and you will see results in your health and a decrease in your skin disorders.
Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural Nutritionist. He is the author of Constipation, Acne, Hemorrhoid, and Fatty Acid ebooks. He writes a newsletter call "natural-remedies-thatwork.com." More acne hints and information on his acne e-book can be found at: http://www.acne-remedies.for--you.info

A Look at Laser Acne Treatment

Laser acne treatment has been around for a few years now, and it is quickly replacing more traditional forms of acne removal and prevention. As antibiotics become increasingly ineffective due to overuse, more and more people are opting for this new technique. During laser resurfacing, a doctor holds a laser pen just above the acne or acne scar tissue and waves the concentrated beam of light back and forth, vaporizing only the unwanted tissue and creating a new surface for skin cell growth. Thus the term “laser resurfacing”. New collagen actually forms after laser treatment. (Collagen is a protein in the skin's connective tissue that helps give the skin its texture.)

Although laser resurfacing is safe and painless in almost all cases, some post-procedural bruising and swelling are normal. In most cases, these side effects persist for seven to ten days. Wait until this passes before applying make-up.

Currently there are no federal restrictions on who can perform laser resurfacing; regulations only affect the laser manufacturers themselves. There are many types of lasers for many different purposes, so be sure to use a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. Be sure to ask where your doctor was trained to use the laser equipment and whether your doctor rents or owns his or her laser equipment. Ask to see before and after pictures of the doctor's cases, and find out how many different types of lasers the doctor owns and how often each piece of equipment is used.

Many doctors feel that laser resurfacing isn’t meant for dark skin because it alters the color of skin too dramatically and unpredictably. Others believe that in the hands of a very experienced surgeon, people with darker skin tones can benefit.

Lasers acne treatment is much more invasive than non-ablative lasers. They remove by erosion, melting, evaporation, or vaporization. Ablative lasers are not recommended for use on darker skin colors.

Laser resurfacing costs upwards of $2,500 for a full face, versus $1,000 for other types of scar and acne removal. Consult with an experienced aesthetic dermatologist and laser surgeon to determine what it best for you. Acne Treatment provides detailed information on the best acne treatments, including laser acne treatment, and scar treatment, as well as adult, natural, home treatment, and more. Acne Treatment is the sister site of Microdermabrasion Web.

Acne DOs and DON'Ts

Every little thing counts when it comes to fighting acne and keeping it under control. After all, zits are not that big themselves, they just bug us in a big way. We don't always realize that seemingly insignificant things can help us look better (or worse, depending on what they are), while intentionally following myths, we do more harm than good to the skin.

Here are a few things to consider if you don't want to see those pimples pop up.

DO:

= Clean your face twice a day. Use a cleanser that is designed for your skin type and avoid harsh and irritating products. When cleaning your skin and rinsing it with water (make sure to use plenty!), move from the neck to the hairline - that way you are not likely to spread hair build up over your face, as it can aggravate acne.

= If you work out and sweat, clean your face after you exercise.

= Use a moisturizer for your skin type. Even if your skin is oily, don't ignore this important part of your daily routine. Your skin needs protection. Overdrying your skin will not do any good: on the contrary, the oil glands will start working even harder.

= Choose cosmetics made for your skin type.

= Use products with fruit acids. They help to shed old skin cells and prevent pore clogging. You are not likely to see the results overnight, but be patient and stick to the treatment - you will be pleasantly surprised.

= Protect your skin from wind and harsh environment as they make skin prone to infections.

= Shampoo your hair regularly. Oil glands on your scalp produce the same sebum as those on your face. Add hair care products residues and environmental elements that stick to your hair - and you have a super-effective acne causing solution.

= Drink lots of water to clean your body of toxins and keep your skin hydrated from the inside.

= Take vitamins and eat a healthy diet. People who suffer from acne often don't get enough vitamin A in their diets (you may want to consult your doctor about that since large doses of vitamin A can be toxic). Zinc supplements are known to fight acne outbreaks. Healthy eating is good for all parts of your body. While diet changes alone won't spare you of acne, they will help your skin look better.

= See a doctor if your acne is severe.

DON'T:

= Don't use drying cleansers and harsh scrubs. They destroy the protective barrier and alter skin pH, making skin vulnerable and prone to infections. Astringents should be used on oily areas only.

= Don't squeeze zits. This is the worst thing to do, and for many the hardest to avoid. Still, if you don't want to aggravate the condition, don't pick on your pimples. You can, however, drain them with a sterilized needle once they are mature.

= Don't scratch or rub your skin. Sometimes rubbing can cause zits on otherwise clear complexion. You may want to experiment if you are brave enough, otherwise try to keep your hands off your face and avoid wearing hats, helmets or bands that may cause unpleasant surprises.

= Don't tan. Even though tan will mask the blemishes, the effect is temporary. Excessive sun exposure can aggravate acne. Many over-the-counter and prescription acne products make your skin sensitive to sun. In addition to causing skin dehydration and premature aging, UV rays destroy cells responsible for skin's immunology

Treating and Preventing Acne

Acne is a common skin condition that almost everyone
experiences at some point in their lives.

While it is most common in teens and young adults,
over 80% experience at least some mild form of acne.
Most people outgrow their acne by their 20's, however,
some people, especially women can experience outbreaks
in their 40's.

Acne typically occurs on the face but is known to
also occur on the neck, chest, shoulders or back. It
shows up in the form of pimples, generally known
as whiteheads or blackheads. Large, deep pimples are
known as cystic lesions. These are painful lesions
in the pores which can lead to scarring.

Elevated hormone levels, typically caused during puberty,
simulate sebaceous glands which produces sebum (or oil).
Sebum combines with dead skin cells forming a plug in the
skin's pores. Whiteheads and blackheads are clogged
pores. Cystic lesions on the other hand, are when bacteria
grows under the clogged pores with the mixture of sebum
and cells. This mixture can spread causing inflammation,
redness and pus.

Acne Treatments
While there is no cure for acne, there are a number of
treatments used to reduce or eliminate outbreaks and
hopefully prevent scarring.

- Benzoyl peroxide lotions often control mild acne and help
in preventing new outbreaks. If these treatments do not
work, a doctor can prescribe topical antibiotics to help
kill the bacteria.

- Moderate to severe acne can often be controlled by
combining topical benzoyl peroxide along with oral
antibiotics. The combination has an increased effectiveness
while decreasing the risk of developing bacteria that are
resistant to antibiotics.

- Acne with large painful cystic lesions might require a
prescription treatment of topical retinoid (vitamin A).

- Recently, light wave therapy which has been federally
approved, uses a narrow-band, high intensity blue light
to treat mild to moderate acne. It is primarily used for
conditions that have not responded to other treatments.

- Acne Prevention
It's difficult, at best, to prevent acne but there are several
things you can do at home to keep it from getting worse.

- Gently wash your face every day. Take care not to scrub
too hard or use scrubbing materials. Harsh scrubs can scratch
your pores making acne worse. Also do not wash too
often. Once or twice a day is generally sufficient.

-Avoid excessive sweating. Sweating can be hard to
avoid, however wash soon after participating in activities
that cause you to sweat.

- Wash your hair often if you hair is oily. Also try to keep
it off your face as much as possible.

- Avoid hair care products such as gels, mousses, cream
rinses or hair products that contain lots of oils. These can
actually make your acne worse.

- Use cosmetic products labeled noncomedogenic or oil-free.
also avoid shimmering facial colors. These can contain a flaky
mineral called mica that can cause skin irritations and clog
your pores.

- Use Sunscreens. Always use a sunscreen.
The sun is never good for your skin.

- Natural remedies are often great places to start followed by
a good, healthy diet. Your skin is your body's largest organ.
If what you eat is good for your body, it will be good for your
skin.

If acne persists and you are plagued by painful cystic
lesions, it's best to consult your physician.

The natural remedy for acne

Acne can be one of the most distressing of afflictions, given that it tends to strike during the teens (although it can, of course, occur at any time of life too). As a highly visible problem, acne can cause acute embarrassment at the very time when a person is struggling to become comfortable with themselves. The symptoms are varied, and do not just consist of the familiar scarring and skin pitting. Other symptoms can include blackheads, whiteheads, pustules, inflamed and infected nodules, sacs, and cysts.

Caused by over-activity of the sebaceous glands, acne tends to show where these (oil) glands are most numerous (i.e the face, neck, chest, and back). Scarring and permanently expanded pores can result, and this is the symptom most familiar to acne sufferers.

Why does acne occur? Well, every hair follicle produces oil to lubricate the skin and hair. Over-production of this oil can lead to clogging, in which bacteria can multiply. This usually leads to inflammation, and if this sebum, plugs the pores it can lead to blackheads. Whiteheads form when sebum collects below the skin surface. According to reseach by www.freeremedies.com, the most likely time for these outbursts are between the ages of 12 and 24, when the teen hormones are running wild, and androgen production goes into overdrive. There is some evidence that overindulgence in junk foods, the taking of oral contraceptives, certain allergies and stress can also cause acne.

So how can you deal naturally with acne? First of all, cleanliness is vital, and you must always keep your skin washed and clean. Do not be tempted to apply any oils or moisturizers to the affected areas. Instead, use freshly-squeezed lemon juice 3 times a day as a natural antiseptic face wash. Grease from your hair can also exacerbate the problem, so shampoo your hair regularly. Diet also plays a role in acne, so stay off the junk (saturated fats in fried food, go carefully with dairy products, carbonated drinks, caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco). Instead, eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. Sleeping soundly will also help, as will regular exercise. regularly, and get adequate sleep at night.

Diet in more detail - raw vegetables can be a life saver for the acne sufferer, say specialists at www.freeremedies.com. Together with non-citrus fruits, raw vegetable juice, cooked vegetables, salads, whole grains, and a few low-fat seeds and nuts, you can construct a diet that can make it very hard for the sebaceous glands to overproduce. Stay right away from peanut butter, cheese, milk, and cream. Some sufferers have reported good results by trying 'vegetable juice' fasts of 1 to 3 days, although you should consult a doctor before considering any kind of fasting.

The second part of the natural remedy for acne is dietary supplements that have been shown to have a beneficial effect. You must ensure you get enough vitamin B6, zinc, and essential fatty acids. A general multivitamin once per day will probably be sufficient to make sure you are getting enough.

Finally, there are certain herbs which have been shown to be beneficial as a natural remedy for acne. Applied to the skin, dandelion root, echinacea, alfalfa, chaparral, and red clover are most beneficial, and are available from most health stores. Most importantly, stay positive! The problem CAN be beaten if you take care of yourself!

3 Easy Ways to Treat Body Acne!

Are you suffering from Body acne? or Zits below the neckline? Don't worry. You are not alone! Lot's of teen get body acne. It is common in the winter months, when you are wearing piles of heavy clothing.

Sweat can clog skin pores and lead to breakouts all over. Other things that can cause body acne are tight fitting clothing ( It traps sweat against the skin, leading to clogged pores and blemishes) stress and hormones. Body acne commonly pops up on the chest and back.

Ø To zap body acne and prevent it from coming back, you can wash your body daily with a salicylic acid based cleanser. Look for this ingredient on product labels.

Ø Shower daily and be sure to shower as soon as possible anytime you have been sweating - such as after playing sports, working outside or just being in the sun. After your shower, you can follow up by a body moisturizer that contains Alfa Hydroxy acid. This will exfoliate skin and help prevent breakouts, without drying skin out.

Ø At Nighttime you can treat body acne just like facial acne, by applying an acne zapping gel or cream at the effected parts.

Ø If your body acne is particularly bad and wont respond to this treatment after about a month, you will probably need to see a dermatologist.

Debunking the Myths Concerning Acne and Skin Problems

Isn't skin a wonderful thing to have?

An obvious benefit of skin is that it protects our bodies' internal organs from harmful elements like dirt, insects, bites, toxic chemicals, nasty weather, and the like, and it certainly is more attractive than what's underneath.

When skin is healthy it's nice to look at, but when it's diseased, it can not only affect you physically, but more painfully can cause stress and social problems.

Like the common cold, acne and similar skin diseases can be treated and covered up, but cannot really be cured. The best treatment is prevention and knowledge about what makes your skin happy, so that you can avoid skin care enemies and breakout triggers.

The real cause of acne can vary from individual to individual, but some factors can be stated with relative certainty:

1. Acne occurs when pores or hair follicles become blocked or clogged.
2. There are basically 4 types of acne manifestations: whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, and nodules.
3. Acne can appear pretty much anywhere on the skin, though it causes the most concern when it shows up on the face. The worst forms of acne break out, however, on the chest and back, and most commonly on males rather than females because of hormonal differences.
4. There are many common myths and untruths about acne, rosacea, and other skin care problems.

Some acne myths include "you'll outgrow it, so leave it alone", "being out in the sun helps acne", "acne problems are directly or indirectly proportionate to sexual activity", "acne visits dirty people", "acne is contagious", and too many more to list in this short article.

The sad thing is that belief in the myths can be devasting, in that proper treatment is avoided, and lifestyle changes that don't need to be made can take away pleasure unnecessarily.

For example, at one point in my life, I truly believed that I was allergic to chocolate and that it caused my breakouts. Whenever I would succumb to the temptation and have "just a little" I would stress out waiting for the red spots, and sure enough they would appear.

After several years and much experimentation, I learned I had no allergy, the stress was a trigger for me, and a new over the counter face scrub has kept me in the clear ever since.

Knowing what triggers your breakouts can be the difference between constant battles and healthy skin. The Internet is a wonderful place to get the information you need, so stop stressing out and learn what it takes to put your best face forward.

Create Your Own Effective Acne Treatment

Since 1982 Accutane has been a reliable, if not controversial, drug for treating severe acne. Now with FDA representative David J. Graham’s statement that Accutane should be taken off the market, and pharmaceutical manufacturer La Roche’s defense of Accutane’s safety in a Florida courtroom, access to Accutane faces mounting restrictions.

Author of Acne Messages: Crack the code of your zits and say goodbye to acne, Naweko San-Joyz, understands the concerns facing acne sufferer’s who desire Accutane-like results. San-Joyz conducted research to inexpensively mimic the effects of Accutane. “ Accutane provokes five acne-fighting actions that anyone can replicate using nutrition and self-care”, explains San-Joyz.

Reduce excess oil secretion:

Accutane is a derivative of vitamin A and reduces 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Like Accutane, these five steps will not work overnight. Accutane works 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. For more acne self-care tips visit www.Noixia.com or read Acne Messages at www.Amazon.com (ISBN: 0974912204).

About The Author

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.

Acne and Green Tea

Green tea is used by the Chinese as a traditional medicine to treat many ailments including acne and to improve general well-being. But does it provide an effective herbal alternative to modern medication?

The answer seems to be ‘Yes’. There are only two herbal treatments that are known to be effective in treating acne and green tea is one of them.

In a recent study by Jennifer Gan-Wong, M.D. a green tea cream was trailed against a 4% benzoyl peroxide solution on people suffering with moderate to severe acne. The results from this research study showed that green tea was just as good in treating acne as the benzoyl peroxide.

But benzoyl peroxide dries out skin causing itching or allergic reactions. Unlike green tea that has the added advantages of natural anti-bacterial properties and antioxidants, particularly epigallocatechin gallate which is 200 times more powerful than vitamin E at fighting free radicals.

Green tea also helps to reduce inflammation, hormonal activity and aids in detoxification - which is all good news for acne sufferers.

Green tea extract is an extremely versatile herbal supplement - it can be administered topically, often being used in creams, taken as a in the form of a pill or incorporated into your diet and drunk as a tea.

This last method is very popular (Green Tea with Honeysuckle is often known as ‘Pimple Tea’ in many Chinatowns) when drunk after a meal it aids digestion and helps to detoxify your system, getting rid of the toxins that can cause acne. Tip: don’t drink it with sugar, this will neutralize the worthwhile effects of the tea.

It seems that taking green tea for acne is a win-win situation… It has many beneficial properties which promote good all-round health with little or no known side effects and for the price, green tea it’s definitely a herbal treatment that’s worth trying.
======================================

Elaine Clay is the owner of Acne Treatments Online.com :: Get articles and information to help you find proven and effective acne solutions available online to treat and get rid of your condition safely and naturally
- Feel free to use the above article on your web site or ezine. Provided that it is published in it’s entirety, including my resource box above and a “live” clickable link to: http://www.acne-treatments-online.com

Acne and Skin Problem Myths Debunked

Isn't skin a wonderful thing to have?

An obvious benefit of skin is that it protects our bodies' internal organs from harmful elements like dirt, insects, bites, toxic chemicals, nasty weather, and the like, and it certainly is more attractive than what's underneath.

When skin is healthy it's nice to look at, but when it's diseased, it can not only affect you physically, but more painfully can cause stress and social problems.

Like the common cold, acne and similar skin diseases can be treated and covered up, but cannot really be cured. The best treatment is prevention and knowledge about what makes your skin happy, so that you can avoid skin care enemies and breakout triggers.

The real cause of acne can vary from individual to individual, but some factors can be stated with relative certainty:

1. Acne occurs when pores or hair follicles become blocked or clogged.

2. There are basically 4 types of acne manifestations: whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, and nodules.

3. Acne can appear pretty much anywhere on the skin, though it causes the most concern when it shows up on the face. The worst forms of acne break out, however, on the chest and back, and most commonly on males rather than females because of hormonal differences.

4. There are many common myths and untruths about acne, rosacea, and other skin care problems.

Some acne myths include "you'll outgrow it, so leave it alone", "being out in the sun helps acne", "acne problems are directly or indirectly proportionate to sexual activity", "acne visits dirty people", "acne is contagious", and too many more to list in this short article.

The sad thing is that belief in the myths can be devasting, in that proper treatment is avoided, and lifestyle changes that don't need to be made can take away pleasure unnecessarily.

For example, at one point in my life, I truly believed that I was allergic to chocolate and that it caused my breakouts. Whenever I would succumb to the temptation and have "just a little" I would stress out waiting for the red spots, and sure enough they would appear.

After several years and much experimentation, I learned I had no allergy, the stress was a trigger for me, and a new over the counter face scrub has kept me in the clear ever since.

Knowing what triggers your breakouts can be the difference between constant battles and healthy skin. The Internet is a wonderful place to get the information you need, so stop stressing out and learn what it takes to put your best face forward.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Dennis Becker has developed a free e-Course titled "Ultimate Acne Prevention and Treatment Guide" which debunks the myths and shows you how to look great consistently. The e-Course, along with other skin care articles can be accessed at:

http://www.skin-care-advice.com

Copyright (c) 2005 by Dennis Becker. You may publish this article, in its entirety, on your web site or in your ezine, as long as you include this full signature box including an active hyperlink to our web site.

What is Acne?

What is acne? Acne is a term attributed to plugged pores, commonly known as blackheads and whiteheads, pimples, and even cysts or nodules, occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and upper arms. Follicles, often called pores, often get blocked with sebum (oil), which normally drains to the surface, and a bacteria propionibacterium acnes, begins to grow. Both whiteheads and blackheads start out as a "microcomedone" which then become skin blemishes called comedones. Acne can be upsetting, disfiguring, sometimes leading to permanent scarring.

There are different types of acne. A white head is a lesion where trapped sebum and bacteria stay below the skin surface. A blackhead, on the other hand, is a lesion where trapped sebum and bacteria partially open to the surface and turn black due to the skin pigment melanin.

A papule is a small solid lesion slightly elevated above the surface of the skin. A pustule, again, is a dome-shaped skin elevation containing pus: a mixture of white blood cells, dead skin cells, and bacteria. It often has a hair in the center. A macule is a temporary red spot left by a healed acne lesion. It is flat and pinkish, with well-defined borders that can persist for days to weeks. A number of macules can contribute to the "inflamed face" appearance of acne. A nodule is a solid dome-shaped or irregularly shaped lesion, characterized by pain, inflammation and extending into deeper layers of the skin. It may cause tissue destruction resulting in scarring.

A cyst is a sac-like lesion containing white blood cells, dead cells, and bacteria. It may be severely inflamed and painful, extending into deeper layers of the skin and can result in scarring.

Who gets acne? Acne affects teenagers mostly; however it can occur in adults of all age groups also. Acne starts between the ages of ten and thirteen and usually lasts for five to ten years. It normally goes away on its own in the early twenties but can stretch into the late twenties or thirties or even beyond. Some people get acne for the first time as adults.

The treatment of acne is not difficult at all. Following a clear regimen helps considerably. Gentle cleansing plus plenty of 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide gives a clear skin as Benzoyl peroxide kills the acne bacteria well. A little itchiness after an application is quite normal, and some people also experience redness of the skin for the initial couple of weeks. However, this will definitely get better because it will cure the acne and prevent any new outbreaks.

About the Author

Lana Hampton is the webmaster of www.theacnecenter.com. Visit her site today for the latest acne information, treatments and product reviews.

Natural Foods that Induce Acne

Hearing that some natural foods actually induce and promote acne is not something we commonly hear. Some say, “that’s impossible!” But it’s true.

There are some natural foods that actually lead to blemishes and acne – regardless of whether you are a teenager or an adult. Acne can be prevalent in adults as well as teenagers and there are ways we can avoid it – although the pharmaceutical and drug companies will tell you otherwise.

The drug companies occupy a billion dollar industry and there’s a lot of money to be made. What the public doesn’t know is advantageous for these companies because it keeps us coming back for more treatments - that continue to feed this huge industry.
But what many people with acne also don’t realize is that what we eat can actually have a huge impact on our skin. What does this mean for us? It means less money spent on medicines and treatments and more time spent on enjoying life.

The Close Relationship between Food and Acne:

Did you know that mangos, bagels, potatoes, popcorn, papaya, and many other “natural” foods (which I won’t tell you about here) actually cause acne? It’s true. These foods are inflammation-inducing foods which cause problems such as a rapid rise in blood sugar levels. This leads to a burst of inflammation on a cellular level. Basically, as our insulin rises, this leads to increased inflammation throughout our bodies.

It is essential that we stick to eating anti-inflammatory foods like apples, oatmeal, yogurt, fish and celery (to name a few). There are tons more but you’ll only learn that by visiting www.acne-secrets.com. There I’ll share with you the secret foods that actually do induce acne. I’ll also share with you recipes and natural foods that actually stop acne dead! No more expensive drugs...

You will find the secret is right in your very own kitchen! Really… it’s all in what you eat. I’ll give you the acne-secrets that will treat your acne. You’ll be amazed!

Remember, your health and well-being is your responsibility. Take care of your skin. It will love you for it!

Herbal and Other Treatments as a Cure for Acne

The best acne cures are often at your fingertips.

Instead of relying on the foods you eat , you can begin taking B5 vitamin supplements. B5 plays two very integral roles in reducing acne and is thought of as being one of the best acne cures..

Vitamin B5 it cuts down on overproduction of oil in the skin and secondly, it helps to reduce the size of pores on the face.

Herbal medications also fall under the category of best acne cures.

The herbs chamomile, dandelion root, burdock root, juniper and lavender when combined in a variety of different ways have helped many acne sufferers with their skin conditions.

Herbal solutions help by cutting down on toxicity levels in the body as well as work as a natural anti-inflammatory for skin lesions.

Another cure for acne is "oral contraceptives".

This birth control method works double duty as an acne preventative because "the pill" contains hormones that lessen the production of something called androgen.

Too much androgen in the body encourages the growth of acne.

You can also consider another one of the best acne cures. I am talking about a topical solution called the Reversion Acne Control System.

This unique process is, Reversion Acne Control System, easy to use.

This is one of the best acne cures because it launches an assault on the affected areas of skin in many different places, not just on specific patches of skin.

The elasticity of skin can also very efficiently be improved upon with this system of treatment.

Order the Reversion Acne Control System today. It's guaranteed!

About the Author

"Discover more articles and information regarding acne and skin treatments", visit Acne-Care-and-Skin-Treatments.com

Effective Acne Treatments – Making Your Own!

Choosing effective acne treatments from amongst the plethora of products available today can be a daunting task, and while many skincare specialists advocate the use of gentle products, it can be difficult to find a natural facial cleanser that will effectively cleanse your skin, while attacking the causes of your acne. This is why many people are choosing to make their own natural face cleaner from products in their own kitchen. And these can make effective acne treatments.

It can be difficult to make sense of the complicated sounding ingredients listed on the side of manufactured products, but many of the active properties of these cleansers are introduced by the addition of some of nature’s simplest ingredients. You can recreate your very own effective acne treatments by putting these together in your own natural facial cleaner, making a product that can effectively treat your acne in a natural and gentle way.

A wide variety of natural products can act as effective natural facial cleaners that can be applied to the skin and rinsed away with warm water. The natural astringency of lime juice makes it an excellent base in effective acne treatments – mixed with boiled milk, it makes an effective and soothing facial wash. Mix lime juice with equal amounts of groundnut oil to use as a pre-wash: apply to the skin and leave for ten to fifteen minutes before washing. Mix with rose water and leave on the skin for about twenty minutes, and see how refreshed your skin looks and feels when you rinse with warm water.

Rose water can also be mixed with sandalwood to create an effective acne treatment – simply apply to the face and rinse with water after twenty minutes. Ground orange peel and water can be made into a paste and used in the same way. Natural facial cleaners can even be produced by mixing such strange ingredients as turmeric powder and mint juice; just rinse with water after twenty minutes to see the difference.

As with all new facial products that you use, it is always wise to test a patch of your skin for any potential adverse reactions before applying to your whole face. Rub a small amount of your selected mixture just behind your ear, rinse, and wait twenty-four hours. If you experience any redness or itchy patches, then one of the ingredients might not be right for you.

But don’t be disheartened – just try the next mixture. It could be one of the effective acne treatments you’ve been looking for.

You can often be surprised, but you can sometimes make your own effective acne treatments.