October 01, 2007

Girls, Puberty and Acne

Girls go through many physical and psychological changes during puberty. These changes include body composition, fat distribution, menstruation, growth spurts, body and facial hair growth, body odor and skin changes. The body physically changes as the fat tissue increases in the hips, thighs, and breasts producing the typical hourglass shape of females. With all these changes going on, what effect does acne have on girls during puberty?

During puberty girls experience an increased likelihood and severity of acne from the increased oil secretions in the skin. Puberty is often a difficult time and acne only adds to the difficulty. During puberty girls usually experience increased irritability, mood swings, and feelings of low self esteem. Even girls who have been very sure of themselves may suffer from low self esteem when puberty sets in. These changes may be even more severe in the girl also suffers from acne.

The negative changes in girls during puberty are made even worse if acne is a problem. You can help deal with the changes when you know how to lessen the problems of acne.

Practical Acne Treatments For Girls...

Proper skin care is the first step in treating acne. The face should be gently washed with a facial cleanser. There are many skin care products on the market that may help with acne. To kill the bacteria that cause acne the cleanser should contain salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or sulfur. Gentle cleansing is an important factor when dealing with acne. A common mistake is to clean the face too often and with harsh cleansers. Careful cleaning of the face twice a day is the best way to go.

There are some cosmetics that can be detrimental if you are trying to control acne so it is important to use non-comedogenic products. Non-comedogenic products are less likely to cause acne, blackheads or block the pores of the skin. Today there are many non-comedogenic products available, such as makeup, lip stick, moisturizers, and even acne medicated makeup.

The changes experienced during puberty can take a mental and physical toll on girls. The onset of acne certainly makes these changes even harder to deal with. It is a good idea to visit with a dermatologist if the acne can not be controlled with over-the-counter medications. A dermatologist will understand the changes that are associated with acne and will be able to offer advice and treatment programs. It's also important to be understanding and offer support to girls as they go through the difficult time of puberty.


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Posted by KeyWest at 09:15 AM | Comments (0)

September 03, 2006

Clear Up Acne

Wow, is that a huge zit on your forehead? Don't you hate it when people go there? I mean come on, like you wouldn't already know if you have a whopping pimple on your face. It is after all, your face. Regardless, people tend to do this. I know I have encountered that random comment more than a few times back in high school. My greatest concern back then was finding the best way to clear up acne. No one wants a face full of blemishes. Those nasty little bumps always have a killer affect on the old self-esteem. Fortunately these days there are a number of ways to rid your delicate mug of any zit infestation. Yes indeed, it's time to blast those irksome bumps out of existence.

Do you know the best method to clear up acne, and get it done fast? Ha, so many of us don't have a clue. A large part of the dilemma concerns our skin types. Do you have any idea what your skin type is? I don't think I actually knew that mine was normal to dry until I was about 19 years old. One thing I can let you in on concerns gender.

Males naturally have oilier skin than females. Yes, this means males are more prone to acne. As far as your personal skin type goes, you can easily consult your family doctor or a dermatologist for that answer. They should be able to provide some decent advice on the best way for you to clear up acne, and keep it from ever coming back. You see, acne is caused by a blockage of the pores. When oil, dirt, and debris clog that tiny pore, it can result in a nasty blemish. The key is to keep you mug clear of all that mess and prevent future breakouts.

If you're simply not sure of how to clear up acne, you can turn to your friendly PC or Mac for assistance. There are infinite products available these days that can indeed clear up acne fast. Maybe you should try Proactive Solution, or possible a good prescription cream or pill, which can be prescribed by your physician.

There are additional factors that can aid you in the skin-clearing process. A healthy diet along with a lot of water it great for your skin and body. You always want to get plenty of sleep, which allows your body to heal and rejuvenate. Clear up acne the smart way by living right and acquiring the right treatments for your skin affliction.


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Posted by KeyWest at 02:36 PM | Comments (0)

September 01, 2006

Acne Free

How's your complexion looking these days? Is it oil free, shine free, perfectly hydrated, radiant, smooth, and free from any imperfections? Yeah, probably not likely. Although no one is perfect, you can do everything in your power to make sure your skin looks great at all times. Because let's face it, we all want a great complexion, and that means staying acne free. What causes acne anyway? Unfortunately most people don't even know. They just go about buying loads and loads of treatments, which unfortunately worsens the situation sometimes. To be acne free, you must first understand your face.

Okay, so you know your skin type; that's a good start. It's now time to find products that work well for you. Just because they say they're for your particular skin type, doesn't mean that they'll do your mug justice. While we all typically understand that pimples erupt due to clogged pores, many of us do not attack this dilemma in the right fashion. So you have dead skin, oil and bacteria; you know that these are the catalysts that initiate acne, but do you know how to deal with them properly?

First of all, you don't want to over-cleanse. This will only aggravate and irritate your delicate skin further. The last thing you need is a dry face. This dilemma will actually cause your glands to pump out more oil to compensate. What you need is balance if you want to be acne free. Try a gentle cleanser that's dermatologist recommended. This will wash away the dirt and oil, but not strip the skin's surface. A topical treatment may be necessary to apply after cleansing. It's always prudent to pat the face dry with a clean towel. You don't want to rub and cause further irritation.

Proper diet is also a key factor in maintaining acne free skin. What we eat comes out through our pores. Think fruits, vegetables, and plenty of water. These give our body nutrients that we need everyday. A final tip concerning acne free skin relates to your night's sleep. Are you getting enough of it? You want to be sure to get enough rest each day.

This reduces stress and fatigue, which in turn affects your complexion. You may want to switch pillow cases every night as well. I know this sounds crazy, but all of that bacteria is imbedded into your pillow case every night when you sleep. Do you really want to rub your clean face on it night after night? With the right steps, you too can become acne free.


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Posted by KeyWest at 04:22 PM | Comments (0)

June 06, 2006

What Is Acne?

Acne is a common skin condition which most often appears during the teenage years. Commonly known as pimples, acne usually appears on the face but can also happen on other parts of the body such as the back, the shoulders, neck and chest. Even though most teenagers experience acne at some point, it is a condition which can also affect adults. Acne is universal -- it affects males and females almost equally and occurs in every race.

The proper name for acne is Acne Vulgaris. It is characterized by lesions which break out on the skin. The lesions can be whiteheads, blackheads, or cysts which form because of clogged pores. It is most commonly seen during puberty because it is at this time that the body produces an abundant supply of an oily substance called sebum. Sebum is needed to keep the hair and a skin soft and lubricated, but during puberty, the body produces more sebum than is needed. The excess can clog pores and leave the skin feeling oily.

Another change that occurs during puberty is the excess production of follicle cells. The dying cells can quickly build up and combine together with sebum to form whiteheads. This mixture of oil and dead cells creates a breeding ground for bacteria which results in redness and swelling in the afflicted area that are known as pimples.

Acne is an extremely common condition which affects about 85% of people between the ages of 12 and 24. One quarter of these people have acne on other parts of the body besides the face -- most commonly the back and neck areas. 40% of acne sufferers seek medical attention because of the severity of their breakouts.

The most common area for pimples to appear is the so-called 'T zone' of the face. This includes the forehead, the nose, and the chin, although acne may also appear on the cheeks and other parts of the face. The second most common area for acne is the back, followed by the neck, the chest, and the shoulders.

By the time they are in their 20s, most people's acne has cleared up. However, it may still persist throughout the adult years in some people. Some people even experience acne for the first time when they are adults. Slightly more boys than girls suffer from the condition.

Acne can be a problem for many people because it affects appearance and self image. Since teenagers are particularly vulnerable concerning their self-image, acne can cause feelings of depression and reduced self-confidence. It may cause some to withdraw from social interactions and cause feelings of anger and frustration.

Thankfully, there are many modern treatments for acne. The first line of defence is keeping the skin clean and oil free. This can be done by gentle washing with soap and water twice a day, particularly after activities which cause perspiration. There are also a wide variety of medical treatments available for acne, both prescribed and over-the-counter.

Severe acne conditions can be treated by a dermatologist. The doctor can prescribe ointments which are used directly on the skin as well as drugs like antibiotics which combat the bacteria which causes pimples. A dermatologist can also give valuable advice about diet and lifestyle changes which may help in combating acne.


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Posted by KeyWest at 11:51 PM | Comments (0)

May 27, 2006

Acne And Diet

Does Your Diet Really Affect Acne?

Whether or not a person's diet affects the presence or absence of acne is one of life's greatest debates. There are as many people who claim a relationship exists between acne and diet as there are those who swear no such relationship exists. So which way of thinking is right? Will you really break out if you eat too much chocolate or too many greasy, high-fat foods?

The Great Debate is Over

As much as we wish it could be true, to date there is no scientific evidence that links what you eat to the development of acne. Acne isn't caused by eating too much pizza or French fries or by drinking too much soda. Acne is caused by the oils that are produced by overly-active sebaceous glands beneath the skin, but these oils are very different from the oils that are used in food preparation. So next time your mother, friend or other family member tries to tell you otherwise, it's okay for you not to believe what they're saying.

If no relationship exists between diet and acne, how has this myth survived for so many years? Well many people simply believe it to be true. They believe that, in their own case, eating certain foods triggers acne outbursts. If you too happen to think this is true, then you have every right to steer clear of the foods you've identified as acne instigators. Doctors will tell you to avoid those foods that you think spell trouble, but that's as far as most will go when it comes to linking diet with acne.

Do Watch What You Eat

Even though there might not be a scientifically-proven connection between acne and food, there are many health- and nutrition-related reasons for limiting your intake of processed, fried, high-fat foods and those tasty sweet treats that are made from refined carbohydrates. Those types of foods have been proven to cause heart disease, a condition that is far more serious than acne. That reason all by itself should be enough to make every person, regardless of race, sex or age, change their eating habits.

A diet that is the right balance of vitamins and nutrients can greatly reduce the risk of heart trouble. Such a diet will leave you feeling more energized and may even slow down the effects of aging (the debate on this issue still rages). Equally important, a balanced diet is the most effective way to lose weight and keep it off, and that claim has also been proven.

What really happens when the body is fed a nutritionally-balanced diet is that it is more capable of performing at optimum capacity. When the body feels better, it acts better, and it's only a short time until it looks better too. So go ahead and start adding more fiber, anti-oxidant-rich fruits and vegetables and complex carbohydrates to your diet and start reaping the benefits. You might find that glowing, blemish-free skin is one way your body benefits from eating a proper diet!


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Posted by KeyWest at 01:03 AM | Comments (0)