What is Acne?

Acne is the term for plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, and even deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that occur on the face, neck, chest, back and sometimes shoulders. Learning what causes of acne and pimples will help you find the right acne cure and acne treatment that's right for your skin.

Severe acne can affect many facets of a person's life, causing a great deal of embarrassment and stress. Some severe forms of acne like acne cysts may rupture and cause scars that can result in psychological effects on the sufferer. Having skin full of pimples and zits may significantly limit one's social life and even diminish career prospects. Although acne is not considered to be a life threatening disorder, the psychological impact of acne can be quite profound as it affects the most visible parts of your body. If your acne condition is severe it can be disfiguring and require years of treatment. Seeking the help of a dermatologist will be the best option.

What Causes Acne & Pimples

There are oil glands on your chest, face and back numbering in the thousands. In fact, between the nose and cheek areas there are as many as two thousand oil glands every square inch. The function of these oil glands is to lubricate the skin by producing oil, or sebum. Oil that is produced in the glands flows through follicles or tiny ducts to the surface of the skin. It usually starts far beneath the surface of the skin. A blemish (or internal lump) begins about 2 to 3 weeks before it appears on your skin's surface. Acne first begins to form in your sebaceous hair follicles. You know this as "pores", the tiny holes on you skin. Deep within each hair follicle, sebaceous glands generate sebum, the oil that keeps your skin soft, moist and pliable. As part of your skin's renewal process the old cells die and are shed off. Normally, this cell shedding process happens gradually, and fresh new skin takes its place.

But sloughing (the process where living tissue is separated from dead skin tissue) is not the same for everyone. Some people shed cells evenly while others don't. The result of uneven sloughing is that dead cells become sticky, clogging together to form a plug, similar to a cork in a bottle. This plug traps oil and bacteria inside the follicle.

The trapped oil begins to form a lump as your skin continues its normal oil production. Your body's natural defense system then sends an army of white blood cells to attack the bacteria. The whole process takes around 2 to 3 weeks, resulting in a pimple.

There is a tendency for most people when seeing a 'ripe' pimple to pick or squeeze it. This will cause further damage to your skin as germs or bacterias from your finger tips can cause inflammation and scarring as a result. The risk of infection is also increased. So the important lesson here is not to squeeze the pimple.

Acne Treatment

If left untreated acne can be a serious problem. As explained in the video above, Chris Gibson, who was once a chronic acne sufferer, found a scientically proven way to permanently clear his acne problem. In fact he cured his acne in 3 days without any harsh prescription drugs or over-the-counter products. In this well researched book Chris revealed the fast and easy way to get rid of your pimples, zits, whiteheads and blackheads.

If you have mild acne, or an occasionally inflamed red bump with visible accumulation of pus under the skin, a revolutionary device known as Zeno is known be to very effective. Zeno is a hand-held battery-operated device designed with a tip that heats to a pre-set temperature. It stimulates a heat-shock response in p. acnes, the bacteria causing at least 90% of all acne blemishes. Heat shock proteins, activated by bacterial cells under heat stress, cause the self-destruction of p. acnes within the lesion, reducing inflammation and allowing the skin to return to a healthy state. It is not recommended for severely inflamed red pustules with deep nodular lesions nor is it recommended for people that have "many nodular cystic lesions with scarring."

For pimples that are persistent, consult your dermatologist for an antibiotic solution to be applied to the surface of the skin or an oral antibiotic. Using antibiotics as acne treatment functions to suppress bacterial growth thereby reducing the recurrence of persistent acne.

10 Types of Food That Help Prevent Acne

Our skin is an amazing organ. It is the first line of defence against bacteria, it helps to make vitamin D, regulates temperature, provides sensory feedback and much more.

Skin cells are constantly regenerating but, unfortunately, this is not enough to prevent scars from forming when the skin is damaged. The skin is made up of three layers. The top layer, the epidermis, renews itself every 28 days, but this renewal takes place at the deepest level just before the dermis starts.

To have a beautiful skin, this area needs to have a good supply of nutrients, oxygen and removal of metabolic wastes.

The middle layer, the dermis, is where the glands, hair follicles, blood and lymphatic vessels are located.

This later contains collagen (which gives the skin a firm appearance) and elastin (which gives the skin its ability to stretch and bounce back). We lose elastin in the natural ageing process, which is why we get wrinkles.

Finally, the subcutis is the deepest layer and is mostly made up of fat that acts as a shock absorber, and insulator. The body always trying to heal itself, so to help scars heal faster, it is important to treat it from the inside using good nutrition and detoxing if needed, and from the outside with creams and oils.
Prevent Acne From The Inside With These Foods:

1. Organic Green Tea - This is rich in an anti-inflammatory chemical called catechins, which helps to combat free radicals and prevent fine lines.
2. Olive oil - good monounsaturated fats like olive or sesame oil contain essential fatty acids that are needed for good health. Fats are an integral part of cell membranes and will help to nourish the skin and give it an inner glow.
3. Walnuts - They are rich in omega-3 oils, another powerful antioxidant that helps to keep the skin plump and flexible. Omega-3 oils are also found in oily fish such as salmon, or in flaxseed oil.
4. Berries - Blueberries, raspberries, cranberries are all rich in phytochemicals that are protective of skin cells. You can't get the same results though, from frozen or preserved fruit.
5. Lemon Juice - It's a natural bleach and can be used to fade sunspots and freckles. Put a slice of lemon over the spot and leave it for 10 minutes everyday for a week, or exfoliate by rubbing a cut lemon and half a teaspoon of granulated sugar over the skin for a few minutes. Be careful not to get any lemon in your eyes and stop immediately if you get a bad reaction as some people have extremely sensitive skin.
6. Watermelon - Some people believe that rubbing their faces with the rind of a watermelon will give them beautiful skin.There is plenty of truth to this, as the pulp of the fruit is a good exfoliant and watermelon is rich in vitamins A, B and C. The fruit contains a lot of water which serves to hydrate the skin and the gentle massaging action will stimulate lymphatic drainage.
7. Low-Fat Dairy Products - One the most important components of skin health is vitamin A. One of the best places to get it is low-fat dairy products. In fact, experts say that the health of our skin cells is dependent on dietary vitamin A.
8. Whole-Wheat Bread, Cereals and Brazil nuts - Dietary selenium comes from nuts, cereals, meat, fish, and eggs. Brazil nuts are the richest ordinary dietary source. The mineral selenium connects all these foods for healthy skin. Experts say selenium plays a key role in the health of skin cells. Some studies show that even skin damaged by the sun may suffer fewer consequences if selenium levels are high.
9. Yogurt - Yogurt is a very important natural beauty aid. Apply yogurt on the face every morning. Wash it off after a few minutes with cold water. This will keep the complexion smooth, healthy and fresh. A mixture of yogurt and lemon juice is ideal for softening hands.
10. Water - While the exact amount you should drink each day varies, no one disputes the role good hydration plays in keeping skin looking healthy and even young. When that hydration comes from pure, clean water - not liquids such as soda or even soup - experts say skin cells rejoice.

7 Easy Ways To Fight Acne

The most effective methods to combat acne include a combination of prevention and better skincare.

Here are some of the ways you can use to prevent and treat acne:

1. Exercise

Regular exercise can help fight acne by fighting off negative stress levels that can come from negative self-esteem and depression. But avoid wearing tight lycra and nylon exercise outfits. These synthetic fabrics that tend to trap body moisture and heat, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. Stick to loose clothing made of cotton or natural blends, and keep your sports gear and equipment clean.

2. Safe Cosmetics

To avoid pore-clogging and skin irritations that can contribute to acne, use products labeled "noncomedogenic" or "oil-free." Opt for "hypo-allergenic" perfumes and cosmetics to avoid allergic reactions and skin irritation. Coal tar derivatives, carmine and heavy cream in blushes can cause reactions.

Shimmering facial colors can contain a flaky mineral called mica that can cause skin irritations and clog pores. Use a lip gloss with a matte finish for less pore-clogging. The more the shine, the more then comedogenic content and the more your pores can clog.

3. Healthy Diet

Studies show that diet does not play a role in either the cause or the treatment of acne. However, what is best for your body is best for your skin. So make sure you get enough vitamins, minerals and supplements that have been known and recommended to prevent and help conquer acne breakouts. These include

* Vitamin A or Retinol (High doses are toxic)
* Vitamin B Complex
* Vitamin C
* Vitamin E
* L-Carnitine
* Zinc

A good quality brand name multivitamin will probably have the recommended vitamins and minerals that you need to help with acne prevention.

Drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day and making good, healthy dietary food choices.

4. Hormonal Treatment

Hormones (or a lack of them) during later years - especially for women - can play a role in acne flare-ups and prevention. One recent study showed that about 50 percent of women have acne, referred to as hormonal acne, problems during the week before their menstruation.

Treatment options include topical retinoids, oral antibiotics and Benzoyl Peroxide for teen years. For adults oral contraceptives or hormonal birth control pills and hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) may be helpful for women, combined with systemic or topical treatments, prescription or over-the-counter products and medications.

5. Healthy Skin Regimen

Avoid harsh scrubbing or over-washing, because this can cause possible skin irritation or possible over production of oil to replace what's washed off, clogging pores in the process. Use products with gentle exfoliation ingredients and skip products that contain alcohol.

6. Acne Products

Some of the more popular products on the market that can prevent acne include:

* Benzoyl Peroxide
* Proactive Solution
* Salicylic Acid
* Retinoids
* Antibiotics
* Oral Contraceptives
* Anti-Androgens
* Isotretinoin (Accutane)



7. Shaving

Shaving is actually an excellent way of exfoliating or removing dead skin to help with the prevention and spreading of acne instead of leaving the remains to clog pores. And for some light acne cases already in process, shaving can help rid whiteheads and blackheads from the face. Do not shave areas taht are sore or infected. Use a shaving cream for sensitive skin.

Shave with a sharp blade. Use gentle swipes instead of heavy pressure and go with the flow or "grain." A single-edged blade is better than a twin-blade razor. Electric razors may not shave as close to the skin, but they help with the prevention of acne and other skin breakouts and flare-ups bette

Oily Skin Treatment

Oily skin can cause pimples, zits, rough pores, blackheads and other embarrassing blemishes. For a teenager, this condition can be an emotional rollercoaster!

While it's not exactly the end of the world to get a pimple or skin rash, oily skin treatment is important for a person's self-confidence in this society that puts a high value on how good you look.

This condition is caused when the sebaceous glands are overactive and begin producing excess oil. This makes the skin shiny and causes the pores to become enlarged. This condition can be caused by heredity, diet, hormone levels, certain cosmetics, excessive exposure to humidity and heat, pregnancy and birth control pills.

While mostly prevalent in teenagers because of changing hormonal activity, it can affect people at all ages. However, as people outgrow adolescence their skin becomes dryer, thus decreasing the amount of oily skin and blemishes. It's not uncommon for a young person to see their skin progressively improve once they enter their late twenties.

Here are a few suggestions in seeking oily skin treatment. Wash oily skin regularly with a good facial cleanser and plenty of hot (not just lukewarm) water. This prevents the pores from being clogged. Don't use regular soap as it is too dehydrating for the skin. And don't wash more than say 3 times a day as this may cause the skin to be overly dry. A thin film of oil is actually healthy for the skin and helps to keep your skin supple.

Keep a packet of oil control film with you at all times when you are outdoors. Many brands are available. Those from reputable brands like Johnson & Johnsons work especially well. Whenever you feel your skin being oily to the touch, just use a sheet or two of the oil control film to remove excessive oil from your face. This is very effective for those with oily skin.

Getting oily skin treatment would also mean avoiding cosmetic products that strip your skin of oil and encourage flakiness. This can lead to a reaction known as Reactive Seborrhea, where the oil glands start to overcompensate and strain because of the loss of natural oils. Use oil-based cleansing products but avoid any lotions or cleansers with alcohol. Finish up after cleansing with an oil free moisturizer to keep your skin supple.

Other recommendations in oily skin treatment are to have a good diet, not eating or drinking too much sugar, fluids, fats and salt. Eat healthy foods that contain a diverse range of vitamins. Vitamin B2 for example is essential for skin tautness and natural Vitamin C helps keep the pimples at bay.

Avoid excessive fluids but drink plenty of water. Don't overindulge in beverages like soft drinks and coffee. Tea is fine. Avoid cooking with oil and further maintain your health by sleeping well and exercising regularly. If you smoke oily skin treatment is the least of your problems. Less oily skin is one more reason to quit smoking.

In addition to natural oily skin treatment, you can also purchase antiseptic night cream and cosmetic products that offer oily skin treatment. Make sure to take care of your skin and use an antiseptic protection before applying make up.

While having a blemish on your face is not the end of the world, with the advent of advance medical research in this field, there are many types of oily skin treatments to help keep your condition under control and pimple free.

If left untreated acne can be a serious problem. Read how Chris Gibson, who was once a chronic acne sufferer, found a scientically proven way to permanently clear his acne problem. In fact he cured his acne in 3 days without any harsh prescription drugs or over-the-counter products.

Natural Herbal Acne Home Remedies

Herbal acne home cures can be an effective adjunct to whatever other treatments are being used. It is important to understand that they are not hard and fast 'cures' in the absolute sense, but will instead support the body's capacity to metabolize fats and carbohydrates, and encourage elimination through the lymphatic system.

The class of herbs known as alterative herbs are conceptualized traditionally as 'cleansing' the body's tissues. They are thought of as detoxifying herbs, but they don't work in any obvious way on the body's elimination channels. - Namely, the lungs, kidneys, or colon. As such, they do not easily fit into a Western model of understanding the body. However, they do have a long tradition of use, and are certainly worth trying as an acne home remedy. Because they work on the internal condition of the body, they are not going to replace any of the topical, over the counter acne treatment. But they may provide benefit in an indirect way that these acne products don't.

Alterative herbs tend to be quite gentle in their effect, so they are best used as a long term treatment. Results won't be sudden, but they will improve the general health of the body. They tend to be given for chronic inflammatory problems, especially relating to the skin, such as acne.

These herbs include burdock, cleavers, red clover, figwort, poke root, echinacea, and blue flag. A great combination is blue flag, burdock, yellow dock, and echinacea. These can be mixed together and infused with hot water to make a tea. Drink a cup of this 3 times a day. You can put a little honey in it to make it taste better.

Another possible combination is burdock, dandelion, and sarsaparilla (not the cola!). Mix these together when they are dry herbs, and make a tea in the same way. They can be used separately as well.

There are a number of options for topical acne home remedies as well. Tea tree oil can be applied directly to breakouts, though for those with sensitive skin this may need to be diluted. Fresh cabbage juice can also be applied directly to acne blemishes,and this may be a better option for those with sensitive skin.

An anti inflammatory skin wash can be made from calendula and chamomile. Make a tea as above, then let it cool and keep it in the fridge. Spray or dab this onto the affected areas regularly.

Another combination for an acne home cure skin wash is yarrow, elder flowers, and lavender.

Colloidal minerals such as potassium phosphate and magnesium phosphate can help support the skin. Zinc is excellent to help prevent scarring, as well as fortifying the immune system, and help supports the normal functioning of hormones.

Vitamin C is excellent for encouraging the healing of acne lesions, as well as providing antioxidant support to the immune system.
Acne Treatment

If left untreated acne can be a serious problem. Read how Chris Gibson, who was once a chronic acne sufferer, found a scientically proven way to permanently clear his acne problem. In fact he cured his acne in 3 days without any harsh prescription drugs or over-the-counter products

Get Rid of Acne and Acne Prevention Tips

Effective acne prevention requires using the right acne treatments, and adjusting product use and hygiene habits. If you want to know how to get rid of acne and pimples, and deal with other skin problems like oiliness and blackheads, take a look at these great tips about acne prevention.

Oily hair can aggravate acne, so stay away from oily products like pomades or hair spray, especially if you want to get rid of pimples on your forehead.

If your hair is long, wear it pulled back or consider a shorter style that keeps it off your face, neck and shoulders if acne prevention is important in those areas. Be sure to pull your hair away from your skin when you sleep so that pimples don't develop overnight.

Use "noncomedogenic" (won't clog pores or cause blackheads) or "nonacnegenic" (won't cause pimples) cosmetics and suntan lotions.

Avoid using moisturizers on acne-prone areas to get rid of pimples. If you do use a moisturizer, make sure it is not acnegenic.

Use topical treatments, such as Nature's Cure medicated spray, anywhere that you tend to get breakouts for acne prevention - don't just spot-treat existing blackheads and pimples. The pore-clogging process happens two to three weeks before any blackheads or blemishes become visible on the skin. Since the salicylic acid acne medication in the body spray is an exfoliant, it helps to remove the dead skin that combines with oil and dirt to form those nasty blackheads and whiteheads that can get infected and become pimples.

Wash the skin gently with a mild soap or cleanser and warm (not hot) water once or twice daily. Hot water and harsh cleansers can further irritate your skin and undermine your acne prevention efforts.

It's tempting to try to scrub away acne, but that's not how to get rid of acne and pimples. Scrubbing too hard or too frequently can actually make your acne worse and promote scarring by increasing inflammation or rupturing cysts under your skin, making bacteria spread.

Don't pick pimples or blackheads on your face or body. It can permanently scar your skin. If you must pick, immediately apply a topical antibiotic to help stave off infection. (See "How to pop a pimple").

Since stress can trigger acne, try to avoid stressful situations, resolve stresses by talking to friends/family or a professional, and be sure to eat right and get enough sleep. Sometimes the stress of having acne and trying to figure out how to get rid of pimples can make things worse. But if you take action toward acne prevention with these tips, you can diffuse some of that stress.

Exercising regularly can also help reduce stress and it increases blood circulation and oxygen penetration to the skin, which may help with acne prevention.

Drink at least 64 ounces of water a day to help "detoxify" the body from the inside out.

Avoid hot, humid environments such as poorly ventilated kitchens, gyms, or tropical climates and stay away as much as possible from cooking grease or machine oil that can contribute to blackheads and clogged pores.

If you work out, bring along pre-moistened alcohol towelettes to wipe sweat off your face, back and chest. Use towels to cover neck and chest areas to prevent coming in direct contact with the equipment.

If you want to know how to get rid of pimples on your body, you need to realize that bumps on chest and back can be caused by tight fitting workout clothes that trap moisture and heat, so wear loose-fitting all-cotton clothing when you work out.

Wear loose fitting clothing whenever possible and try to avoid friction against the skin caused by helmets, straps, backpacks or handbags.

weat combines with skin oils to trap dirt and bacteria in your pores, causing blackheads and pimples, so it's important to shower as soon as possible after you work out or sweat profusely.

Clean cosmetic brushes regularly in soapy water and throw out old, contaminated makeup. Since bacteria is one of the key causes of acne, anything that keeps bacteria from touching your skin will help in acne prevention.

If left untreated acne can be a serious problem. Read how Chris Gibson, who was once a chronic acne sufferer, found a scientically proven way to permanently clear his acne problem. In fact he cured his acne in 3 days without any harsh prescription drugs or over-the-counter products.

Choosing The Right Acne Cleanser

You see acne ads every day and all of them do promise a kind of miracle cure, though very few actually do cure acne. I've been leading a war against acne for years, but even having reduced the fast food to once per day, all the cleansers I've used so far either do nothing or do so little good that it makes no difference at the end. And what is more, they not only curing it but even making it worse sometimes, drying the skin more than the necessary. And then I start from the beginning with the greasy meals that are supposed to compensate for the dehydrated skin and I do not think I can continue with that any longer.

Looking for a cure for acne you have to know that still no matter how advanced science and technology are, there is no effective cure for acne. Yes you can believe me because my face in the moment has more craters on it than the moon itself. Of course some cleansers are not as bad as others, however they are so few and hard to find. And what is more is that even if you decide to go for the most expensive one it is still no good at all. So why then pay a fortune for it, if it still does what the rest of them do - nothing. In my opinion there is nothing as stupid as that, don't you have anything better to spend your money for?

To be honest I have generally tried all known types of acne, starting from the simplest, basic ones all the way through to the most technologically advanced and specially formulated ones. And of all those cleansers the one that is still my favorite cleanser is the pH Advantage Acne Cleanser. It contains 2% Salicylic Acid to kill bacteria and remove pore-clogging oil and Papain for gentle exfoliation. Although it never actually cured my acne, it never made my skin go dry and peel off as lots of others did, and it actually did improve the condition of my skin and beauty.

Apart from the cleanser itself, it is very important to use mild soap, especially if it is possible to get special acne cleanser soap. It is so important because acne itself is a type of dermal irritation normal soap does irritate the skin every time you use it, so it can always make it worse than you have ever imagined. If you do have acne don't just go for the most advertised cleanser, go for the natural treatment, it has proved to be better.

If left untreated acne can be a serious problem. Read how Chris Gibson, who was once a chronic acne sufferer, found a scientically proven way to permanently clear his acne problem. In fact he cured his acne in 3 days without any harsh prescription drugs or over-the-counter products.