Know Your Acne - Forms of Acne and Proper Treatment

There are many different forms of acne ranging from mild to severe, it is important to understand what form of acne you have in order to treat it properly. Acne is initiated when excess oil and dead skin cells combine to plug the pore of a hair follicle; behind the plugged pore, bacteria grow and multiply, triggering inflammation and swelling. Acne can range in severity in conjunction with external factors and hormones. Acne Vulgaris is the most common form of acne. Mild to moderate Acne Vulgaris consists of blackheads, whiteheads, papules and pustules. While  severe Acne Vulgaris is characterized by mild to moderate Acne Vulgaris along with nodules and cysts.

Acne Vulgaris (mild to moderate) includes blackheads, whiteheads, papules and pustules.

Blackheads are pores clogged with debris such as oil, dirt and dead skin, the black color is due to the bacteria being exposed to the air.

Blackheads are opened lesions and can be cleared by an esthetician or dermatologist. To treat and prevent blackheads cleanse the skin properly and use a facial exfoliate to clear dead skin cells off the surface of the skin. Dead cleansing masks like ash or clay masks may be used to extract surface blackheads form the pore.

When a pore is completely blocked, with trapped sebum (oil), bacteria, and dead skin cells, it will cause a white appearance on the surface resulting in what is known as whitehead. These types of lesions should not be extracted and usually clear rather quickly. Whites can be avoided by controlling surface oils and using a cleansing product that contains benzyl peroxide or salicylic acid. These act as antiseptics under the skin, killing bacteria.

Papules are inflamed, red, tender bumps with no head. Papules are caused by debris mostly dead skin cells being trapped in the follicle or pore. The most common way to treat and prevent papules is to exfoliate regularly. Do not try to extract papules as they may become infected and worsen. Instead be patient and exfoliate regularly, and much like whites use a cleanser with benzyl peroxide or salicylic acid.

Pustules can be confused with whiteheads; however pustules are inflamed pores that contain bacteria. These lesions can be very sore and the

bacteria are considered a strain of staphylococcus, and thus can spread on your skin rapidly. This is why it is important to only allow a dermatologist to extract pustules. Cleansers and acne treatments with a form of antiseptic is best on these types of lesion. Exfoliation should be mild and gentle and an anti-inflammatory can be taken to decrease pain and redness.

Severe Acne Vulgaris is distinguished by the above lesions along with nodules and cysts.

Nodules and Cystic acne look very similar; both are large and painful and are inflamed clogged pores or multiple areas that contain bacteria. Nodules and Cysts rarely come to the surface and can take months to clear. These types of lesions are usually hormonal and caused by bacteria under the skin. These lesions should be monitored closely by a dermatologist and extracted by a doctor, however scaring is likely, so it is best to consult a dermatologist and let the nodule or cysts run its course.

Psoriasis 101 Information on Skin Disease

Top Five Psoriasis Myths

1. Myth: Psoriasis is contagious.

Fact: Psoriasis is not contagious. It is a life-long, immune mediated skin disease.

2. Myth: Psoriasis is caused by poor hygiene.

Fact: There is no link between hygiene and psoriasis. Psoriasis is a disease that no amount of washing or scrubbing can remove the scaly areas, or ensure they don’t come back.

3. Myth: Psoriasis is just an annoying skin rash.

Fact: Once thought to be a skin condition, research has shown that psoriasis is actually a disease of the immune system that causes abnormal growth in skin cells.

4. Myth: Psoriasis can be cured.

Fact: Psoriasis is a chronic disease for which there is currently no cure. Once symptoms appear, patients have psoriasis for life.

5. Myth: Psoriasis only affects patients physically.

Fact: There is a significant emotional impact experienced by psoriasis sufferers including feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, anger, frustration and even depression.

Several factors are thought to aggravate psoriasis. These include stress and excessive alcohol consumption. Individuals with psoriasis may also suffer from depression and loss of self-esteem. As such, quality of life is an important factor in evaluating the severity of the disease. There are many treatments available but because of its chronic recurrent nature psoriasis is a challenge to treat.

Plaque Psoriasis

About 80% of people living with psoriasis have plaque psoriasis, which also is called “psoriasis vulgaris.” “Vulgaris” means “common.”

How to recognize Plaque Psoriasis:

1. Raised and thickened patches of reddish skin, called “plaques,” which are covered by silvery-white scales.

2. Plaques most often appear on the elbows, knees, scalp, chest, and lower back. However, they can appear anywhere on the body, including the genitals.

3. Plaques vary in size and can appear as distinct patches or join together to cover a large area.

In the early stages, the psoriasis may be unnoticeable. The skin may itch and/or a burning sensation may be present.

Plaque psoriasis usually first appears as small red bumps. Bumps gradually enlarge, and scales form. While the top scales flake off easily and often, scales below the surface stick together. The small red bumps develop into plaques (reddish areas of raised and thickened skin).

Now that you know abit more about psoriasis, we urge you to find out more about this!

About the author: Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition and CAN be cured! We urge you to find out more about Psoriasis at http://Psoriasis.eask.info

Psoriasis by Camry James

How to Properly Cleanse Your Face

By Van Le | Washing our face may be the simplest daily routine we can perform for a healthy complexion, but it is often a neglected subject when it comes to discussing skincare. As children, “washing your face” means to simply splash water on our skin for a few seconds. However, as our skin matures, it requires more attention and a proper routine, since properly cleansing our face daily is truly the foundation for fabulous skin. Essentially, the purpose of washing our face is to remove dirt and excess oil, unclog pores, and allow our skin to breath freely. At the same time, it removes dead layers of outer skin to make room for younger, healthier skin. Here are a few tips for properly washing your face.

First, thoroughly wash your hands with warm water. Grease, dirt and grime can transfer from the hands to the face by touch; therefore, it is important to get rid of any leftover residue before touching your face.

Second, wet the face and use a gentle cleanser to wash away the dirt, impurities and pollutants. Try an herbal product that contains natural ingredients and vitamins, such as Vivoderm’s facial cleanser. Infused with skin-friendly herbs such as vitamin A, vitamin E, Aloe vera, rosemary and chamomile extract, it leaves the skin clean and hydrated. It can also be used to remove eye makeup, since it is a gentle product.

Vivoderm’s line of skincare products contains no harsh chemicals or preservatives that can irritate the skin. Apply the cleanser to your face, use your middle and ring fingers to massage the product in a circular motion, moving upward from the chin to forehead. Be careful not to apply too much pressure, especially around delicate areas such as the eyes.

Rinse your face with plenty of luke-warm water to wash away the cleanser along with any dirt and oil. It is especially important to use warm water since hot water can cause capillaries under the skin to burst, while cold water won’t completely remove impurities on the skin. Make sure you wash along the hairline and neck, since soap residue around these areas can irritate the skin and cause more problems.

Next, pat your face dry with a clean towel. Never rub your face since it could cause irritations, and always use a clean towel. A dirty towel will just transfer dirt and pollutants back onto your face, defeating the purpose. Then, use an alcohol-free toner to bring your skin to the proper pH. Vivoderm offers an all-natural toner that helps sooth the skin.

Finish off by applying a moisturizer that replaces the essential oils that have just been washed away. Vivoderm’s intense moisturizer contains a cocktail of natural herbs that helps the skin maintain a healthy glow.

Cleanse your face in the morning and night, but no more than twice a day, since excessive washing can strip the skin of essential oils. By following these steps, clear, healthy skin is simple and easy.

Van Le is a staff writer for the CSU Daily Titan and writing intern for Vivoderm Laboratories in Los Angeles, California. She is currently pursuing a Journalism degree at California State University, Fullerton.

For the latest findings on natural skincare and facemasks, you can also link to http://bestfacemask.com

Everyday protection and treatment of the skin

Lifestyle:

• Drink 2 liters of clear water a day, eat lots of fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts.
• Get plenty of sleep. Good 7-9 hour rest through the night helps organism to restore level of oxygen in the blood that is responsible for quick renewal of your body’s cells.
• Avoid direct sunlight, keep you face covered when in the sun – use high factor sunscreen, put on sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat.
• Quit smoking and avoid stress situations that can show up on your face no matter how thoroughly you take care of your skin.
• Women: Never go to bed with make-up on, it can seep into your pores, clogging them. Wash your skin twice in the end of the day – first to take off the make-up and then to wash the skin itself.

Everyday protection and treatment of the skin:

• Wash your skin thoroughly to keep its surface clean, avoiding clogged pores and inflammatory processes in the skin. Handle it very carefully – never pull, tug or scrub it.
• After washing your face at night be sure to remove dead skin cells (exfoliate) with the gentle scrub at least twice a week: use products containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHA), which are derived from fruit, milk and sugar cane and have anti-inflammatory properties.

  Home remedy: a tablespoon of sugar or oatmeal will work just fine.

  Facial mud and clay masques also help exfoliate dead skin cells, dry up pimples and rinse away blackheads. These masks normalize the skin, absorbing excess oil, shrinking large pores, improving skin’s texture, replenishing vitamins, minerals and moisture.

• Nourish your skin by making facial masks from plain yoghurt, banana, avocado and taking vitamin C that helps in formation of collagen, improving skin’s texture.
• Keep you skin well hydrated throughout the day.

  Home remedy: add a few drops of chamomile (rose) essential oil to the distilled water, pour it into the spray bottle – and spray it on your skin as frequently as possible, shaking gently before each use.

• Keep your skin supple and looking good by stimulating the blood circulation in it. Daily exercise and a shower alternating between hot and cold water will improve the bloodflow in your body thus providing your skin cells with vitally needed oxygen and nutrients.
• A glass of hot water with lemon daily helps to energize your entire organism, including liver and gall bladder, cleaning the blood of toxins responsible for problem skin.

Laser Treatments for Acne

Your skin has an amazing natural ability to regenerate itself and with proper nutrition and a regular cleansing routine, a new layer of skin growth will generally cover any scarring. But in the rare cases where this regeneration does not occur, then a more advanced scar treatment is in order. Always consult with your doctor or dermatologist before beginning any facial treatments to be sure you are not causing further damage.

Historically, adolescents have always faced the majority of acne eruptions and the scaring that they can produce. Hormonal changes present during the adolescent stage, stimulates the oil glands to produce more sebum (oil produced by the adrenal glands to keep our skin moist) which then gets trapped in the pores. With the added presence of bacteria it creates the familiar swelling known as blackhead, whitehead or pimple. For most cases, the acne disappears with age. For others, it is an ongoing painful and sometimes embarrassing battle.

Those of us who have ever experienced a bad case of acne know how it can demolish one’s self-esteem. If you had a particularly bad case then chances are you have scarring, including hard elevated areas on the skin’s surface or pits of different depths.

One of the latest techniques to help people recover from the scarring is acne laser treatments. When over the counter treatments aren’t working, laser scar removal can be a wonderful alternative to return one’s confidence to face the world afresh.

How Does It Work?

One of the recent FDA approved laser system s called “Aura” targets an organic compound produced by the acne bacteria called Porphyrin. This is done by delivering laser light impulses through the infected skin’s surface. These Porphyrins generate oxygen when targeted by the light pulses; this kills the acne bacteria causing the infection.

The number of treatments needed will vary depending on the severity of the infection but it usually starts with a twice a week session for two weeks. Future sessions will then be determined by your physician depending on the outcome of the initial treatment.

Most patients will see noticeable results after two weeks of treatment and rarely will undergo another session. Again, some may need repeated treatments depending on the amount of scaring. A recent clinical study showed the patient’s acne was 81 percent less severe following the laser treatments.

Laser acne treatment usually starts out with a review of your medical history and any medication that you are currently taking (this is important to determine if it is safe for you to undergo the treatment without reactions). The scarred area will then be cleansed and a topical gel will be applied. The physician will then glide the laser hand piece over the areas needing treatment. Depending on the size of the area that needs attention, each session could take up to 20 minutes.

Are Laser Treatments Painful?

Most patients say they feel no more than a sensation like a rubber band snapping against your skin. Again, the reaction can be a bit more uncomfortable for severe conditions. A topical anesthetic may be used to make the patient more comfortable. A slight swelling and redness on the treated areas will be noticeable after every session but will eventually fade after a few days.

Costs associated with the procedure will vary depending on the physician or treatment centers that are offering the service. However, the costs are usually outweighed by the benefits of undergoing a laser treatment. It provides a quick and noticeable result in as little as two weeks. If you follow your doctor’s advice in preventing future infections, you should not see any reason for you undergoing another treatment.

Stubborn Acne Problems

For many people, nothing is more embarrassing or difficult to deal with than acne. Even adults can suffer from acne are search for a way clear their skin quickly and effectively. When you are suffering, there are many things you can do to eliminate acne immediately and effectively.

The most important and simple thing that you can to do is keep your skin clean as possible. Acne is typically caused by clogged pores from excess oils and bacteria. These clogs cause the skin to become swollen and red. A few varieties of acne are due to clogged pores; blackheads, whiteheads and pimples. Keeping the skin free from dirt and excess oils is one way that you can make sure that your pores don’t become clogged.
Scientific discoveries to understand and cure acne are occurring every day. These results may be able to help eradicate the type of acne you have in the future for good. For now, know what products are available and make the best-educated choice about your most valuable asset – your skin. Some who have a very stubborn type of acne will not respond to the usual products sold over the counter. Several will also not respond to their prescription medications.

Previously, most considered sulphur preparations the best of acne treatments. They caused short-term abrasion of the skin and acted as disinfectants, too. However, research eventually revealed that acne treated with sulphur-based preparations returned with increased severity. The search for the best acne treatments continued. The most commonly used acne-control agents today contain either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Both work by removing the obstructions that cause acne, but also seem to be of no long-term benefit unless used in conjunction with other preparations. Under the right conditions, the application of a compound containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or glycolic acid will generally obtain good results.

Most dermatologists will advise preventive measures at the first signs of serious acne infestations, and maintaining these at every stage of treatment to prevent reoccurrence. Such measures include scrupulous skin and internal hygiene and elimination of certain foods. The correlation between foodstuffs like milk products and fat-saturated items is yet to be scientifically established.

Regularly cleaning acne-beset skin with a good quality deep cleansing lotion can be nothing but beneficial. It will make even the best acne treatments more effective. However, contrary to popular belief, astringents do more harm than good – though they do remove excessive superficial oils, they cause the very closing of pores that may have lead to the acne in the first place.

Home remedies for acne abound, but the term needs clear definition. An effective home remedy for anything can and should transcend messy poultices whipped up from exotic vegetables in the kitchen blender. There is no limit to inventiveness on this one – people have used potatoes, basil, garlic, vinegar, lemon/lime juice and even toothpaste. They claim various levels of success.

There are certain domestic therapies that have proved very effective in controlling acne. Tea tree oil appears to be among nature’s best acne treatments. However, it must be borne in mind that tea tree oil causes the secretion of extra sebum, and washing the skin scrupulously after its use is important.

If you are searching for a way to eliminate acne, the key is to not give up - look for a product that is attacking the problem in another angle if the first one did not work. Your acne may not respond to all products, but try to find a different solution that will address the problem not only from the inside but also from the outside.