Anti Acne Facial Masks - Need And Benefits

Acne scars and zits are pretty stubborn. They won’t go unless you force them out. Acne masks are held to be very helpful in dragging them out from your body and finally out from your life. People with a severe form of acne may not benefit from anti acne masks but those with relatively minor acne hold anti acne masks to be the best acne treatment. There are special facial masks that target annoying acne. There are pretty easily obtainable.

There is nothing as soothing as lying with closed eyes, thick mushy mask slathered all over your facial skin. Bliss! Of all anti acne masks, pumpkin masks and tea tree masks are the most tried and benefiting ones. Peach, yogurt and egg mask is very helpful to shoo away many forms of acne. Almond, oatmeal, olive oil and rosemary when mixed together into a paste also make for a good exfoliating mask. Clay masks are more popular with normal skin. Gel masks on the other hand are used by those having sensitive skin.

What is the basic underlying concept of facial masks? How do they work? Okay, it is very easy to understand the working of facial masks. As you remove the mask, top lusterless skin is scrapped off along and inner, fresh skin layer gets automatically exposed. This inner layer is more tight and youthful. Facial masks are known to relieve stress as well.

While the facial mask is on, play easy on your skin. Avoid unnecessary movement, talking and gesticulation. Also, allow the mask to work for some time. Some people are very impatient and they wash off the face within minutes of application of the mask. Whatever is the type of the mask, it must be allowed to dry down for at least half an hour. There are however, many masks which can be kept overnight as well.

Acne Treatment: Women Pinpoint the Trigger

From the occasional pimple during times of stress to the familiar breakouts before menses, acne affects almost all women at some time in their lives.

While acne commonly develops during the preteen and early teen years, it can also arise in young adulthood and persist for years. Studies show women feel more frustrated by acne than men do—adult women even more so than teenage girls. Why? Dealing with a chronic disorder typically associated with puberty can lead to great frustration. But don’t despair if you have acne, effective treatment is available.

How acne happens

Your skin is studded with thousands of oil glands that produce sebum to moisturize and enhance the skin’s ability to act as a protective barrier. Sebum within each gland is carried to the surface through pores. The highest density of oil glands is found on your face, especially at the nose, forehead and mid-cheek areas. The largest oil glands are found on the back and mid-chest. This explains in part why acne appears mostly on the face, chest and back.

But what actually causes acne is still unknown. Researchers suspect hormones play a role in pore blockage and increased oil production. A blockage creates the build-up of oil within the pore to form blemishes such as blackheads and whiteheads. “Zits” appear when acne bacteria multiply within the blocked pore, resulting in inflamed red bumps or pustules. Some of these large sacs of oil may rupture leading to large red lumps (also called nodules).

Unfortunately, you may inherit acne-prone skin—particularly the type susceptible to the more severe, scarring forms of the condition.

Prevention

For some patients acne can be aggravated by:

* Thick, pore-blocking creams
* Clothing, hats, helmets or pads that retain sweat or moisture
* Long hair that brushes the skin on your back, neck, and face
* Hair gels and sprays where they may touch your skin
* Sleeping on damp hair

While diet has not been conclusively shown to be an acne trigger, some women may notice certain foods aggravate their skin. Try excluding these foods for two or three weeks and see if your skin improves.

Treatment

Fortunately, therapy can reduce acne, minimize the risk of scars and improve your skin’s appearance. Treatment begins with discovering your acne triggers and learning what treatments will help you control the condition. Choosing cosmetics appropriate for your skin is important, too.

Acne treatment ranges from cleansers, topical gels and creams for mild acne to antibiotic or hormonal pills for moderate cases. Accutane may be prescribed for severe cases. Acne staining can be treated with exfoliating creams and facials while scarring may require the use of fillers, dermabrasion or laser treatments. Full compliance with a treatment program is the key to success.

About the author:
Jerry K. L. Tan, MD, FRCPC is an Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, Windsor, Canada. He is also Director, Acne Research and Treatment Centre, Windsor, Canada. Dr. Tan’s area of specialty: acne and rosacea.

Helpful Hints to Heal Acne

If you have ever awakened to a big day only to find a BIG SPOT where it shouldn’t be, read the below tips to help prevent and heal acne more regularly to help avoid those nasty last minute acne issues.

While we all wish to have perfect skin, some days are more important than others - whether it’s a job interview, an important date, or a social gathering where you may be introduced to many new people, looking our best during these special occasions is usually a priority. While acne should be the last thing on our minds, many times the additional stress brought on by these very important occasions can result in just that – unwanted acne.

Acne Tip #1

Drink plenty of water – plain and simple. This is probably one of the best ways to prevent future acne. Doctors recommend this easy exercise to remember – whatever your body weight is in pounds, divide that number by two to get the number of ounces of water you should consume for optimal skin flushing and overall health. Add a slice of lemon juice to further enhance the cleansing effects. Your goal is to flush all the toxins in your body and cleanse your skin from inside out. This will also help your body run smoothly by cleaning out unnecessary toxins that help build bacteria onto your skin.

Acne Tip #2

Resist the urge to pop - popping your pimples incorrectly is something you don’t want to do. There are dermatologist recommendations how to do this properly, but most folks want the offending item removed much earlier than it is safe to do so. While it can be a quick fix to your acne, the incorrect action could result in a scar that could become very noticeable if you make a habit of popping. Even worse, most dermatologists tell us the majority of the plugged oil creating the acne goes back into the underlying skin layer, which will reform as more acne later. If you really need to pop, try to follow a safe procedure.

Acne Tip #3

Change your bed linens regularly –changing your linens weekly is ideal. Repeatedly placing your skin on the surface of a pillow or sheet will allow bacteria and oil to build up, creating an environment for further outbreaks.

Following these simple actions can help tremendously when it comes to having acne free skin.

Acne Myths: Chocolate and Sex Causes Acne

Have you been told that you shouldn’t eat chocolate because it causes acne? Or how about French fries? Pizza?

Wrong! That’s just a myth, and while some foods can make acne worse for some people, researchers have found that it does not cause it!  There is recent work from Australia that suggests that high carbohydrate foods may in some people flare their acne. The theory is that chronic consumption of high carbs stimulates the excessive production of insulin so that eventually more and more insulin is needed to assist glucose into cells. This is called insulin resistance. The higher insulin may drive the ovaries to produce more testosterone which in turn encourages acne. This may be what is happening partly in a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome.

There are a number of myths about the causes of acne and how to treat it. Here are just a few:
1. Acne is caused by sexual activity.
When you reach puberty, your body experiences hormonal changes that lead to the development and maturation of your sexual features. These hormonal changes may also cause you to get acne. Acne is associated with these changes, not with sexual activity.

2. Cosmetics will make acne worse.
While it is true that many creams, oils and greases can aggravate your acne, there are many cosmetic products you can use that do not, including sunscreens, moisturizers and foundations. Those that do not aggravate acne or lead to development of comedones are labelled “non-acnegenic” and “non-comedogenic” respectively. (See more information about cosmetics and acne)

3. Acne is caused by dirty skin.
If you have acne, it does not mean that your skin is dirty. What may look like dirt inside your black heads is actually melanin, the pigment that provides the natural color in your skin. Cleansing and scrubbing your skin excessively will not help your acne. In fact, it may make it worse. Remember that the causes of acne affect oil glands, which are well below the surface of the skin, so you should avoid over washing. This can dry out and irritate your skin, increasing inflammation and aggravating the situation. The best thing to do is to gently wash your face twice a day with a mild soap and then pat dry. (Check out MildCleanser.ca for more hints)

4. There is nothing I can do to treat my acne. It will go away on its own.
This is not true! While your acne may eventually go away on its own, it can leave permanent scars on your skin that could have been prevented if you had treated your acne. These scars can really hurt your self-esteem, too! There are many treatment options available. Talk to your doctor about which ones are right for you.

5. Only teenagers get acne.
Wrong again! You can get acne at any age. Even babies can get it, and about 25% of all people between the ages 25-44 have acne. Many adult women have acne because of the constant fluctuation of their hormones during each menstrual cycle. Some medications, like birth control pills, as well as being pregnant can also contribute to adult acne.

6. Picking or squeezing a pimple is the best way to get rid of it quickly.
Squeezing or picking can damage the cells under your skin and cause the pimple to be inflamed or leave a permanent scar. As tempting as it is, you will be better off in the long run to leave them alone and let them heal on their own.

7. Sunlight will improve acne.
While it is true that sun exposure will dry out your existing pimples, it will not prevent new ones from forming. For some people, the sun can actually make their acne worse, and some of the common acne medications, like tetracycline and the retinoids can make your skin supersensitive to the sun leading to serious sunburns. When you’re in the sun, it is always wise to use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher to protect your skin.

8. Acne is caused by stress.
While the ordinary stresses from every-day living do not affect acne, some drugs that are used to treat people with severe stress can cause acne as a side-effect. If you think you may have acne because of a drug that has been prescribed for stress or depression, you should talk to your doctor about it.

9. Some foods can cause acne.
In large clinical research studies, no clear associations have been made between foods and acne. However, some foods can make acne worse for some people. If you suspect that a certain food type is making your acne worse, you can determine if it affects it by avoiding that product for 2-4 weeks. If your acne improves over that time period, then it’s possible that you were right! After a break of a few weeks, you can try eating the suspect food again to see whether you get another flare of your acne. Just remember that a healthy, well-balanced diet is the best choice, and foods like chocolate and French fries should be eaten in moderation.

So chocolate lovers, you can still enjoy chocolate now and then without worrying about getting more zits!

About the author: By Richard Thomas, MD
Richard Thomas, MD, FRCPC is Assistant Professor of Clinical Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.

Natural Acne Scar Treatments

Hormonal changes and overly active sebaceous (oil) glands that commonly occur in adolescence usually cause acne, however acne can still affect adults as well. Zits, pimples, acne, cystic skin eruptions, blackheads and white heads all fit into the acne skin malady category.
The temptation to squeeze the spots and remove the infected matter, albeit tempting, will not reform your skin to its natural radiance. In fact, secondary infection by bacteria being pushed back into the deeper layers of the skin can cause more pain, inflammation and most likely future scaring. Once the bacteria have been released, it can re-infect the surrounding skin. The facial scars are actually remnants of the bacterial infection caused by ‘procedure.’
The unfair fact is that adult acne will affect 25 percent of men and 50 percent of women in their adult lives. We know that identifying hormonal changes as the main cause of adult acne aren’t entirely proven. There isn’t just one cause. Acne in adult women can be linked to cosmetic use, some hair products and can frequently be brought on by the hormonal fluctuations associated with pregnancy. Certain types of prescription medications can also cause adult acne. Some strains of acne, such as Acne vulgaris, don’t typically show up in adults until midlife. Adult acne also forms differently, whereas adolescent acne begins on the forehead and cheek area, adult acne tends to show more on the chin, jaw line and neck.

With all this new adult acne erupting (pardon the pun) more than before, natural acne and scar treatments are gaining more acceptance as consumers want to make healthier more sustainable choices for their skincare.

Your skin has an amazing natural ability to regenerate itself and a new layer of skin growth will generally cover any scarring, but in the rare cases where this 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.

A healthy, well-balanced diet plays a large role in helping your body and skin to regenerate itself to its optimal condition. Many dermatologists recommend a diet high in natural minerals. These minerals are to maintain the health of the skin cells, which in turn should prevent a further outbreak of acne and repair damaged tissue. Diets, which include plenty of green vegetables, un-cooked vegetables such as carrots, spinach and cucumbers, have also helped many to maintain smooth, blemish-free skin. The idea is to try to create a new fresh layer of skin so that the scars reduced or eradicated.

Are you drinking enough water?

By consuming a regular amount of water daily, you can improve the look of your skin. The average human body is comprised of 60 percent water. Drinking more water, instead of sugar-laden sodas or energy drinks will keep the skin moist and smooth; it will also clear away the dead skin cells, flush toxins and aid in the regeneration of new skin cells. Mixing water with natural ingredients like citrus, fruit or vegetable juices, can also be helpful to exfoliate the skin.

With a proper nutritious diet, vitamins and plenty of water, most see results within a few months. It can take up to a year for acne scars to heal completely. Acne scars do not show up overnight and removing them can take the same amount of time if not more. It takes patience, but with the proper motivation for beautiful, glowing skin, it will be well worth the wait.

Of course, some scars may be so deep as to require dermalogical treatments such as lasers or painful acid peels. Try the natural methods first, as theses procedures can be quite costly. Any effort you make to regenerate your skin naturally will only help the dermatologist’s treatments even further.

Always remember to gently cleanse and moisturize your skin everyday as well. Applying harsh, drying chemicals to your acne will usually cause further inflammation and breakouts. One natural treatment that had shown good results is to mix pure sandalwood oil with rose water, apply it to your scar(s) and leave on the skin overnight. Cleanse face as usual in the morning.

Acne Skincare

Healthy skin care for skin problems is part of overall good health. Healthy Skincare store sells skin care products that are effective anti-acne treatments for problem skin.

Acne is a common skin care problem for many individuals of all ages and all skin types. Acne Skin Care, no matter what kind of acne treatment you select, an outbreak can still emerge even after all blemishes have vanished. Read more