Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Green Tea As A Natural Remedy For Acne

Natural remedies have become very popular in recent years. People have stopped looking at the expensive medications and creams to cure various conditions, and have started looking at remedies found closer to home. This is, in part, because they are less expensive, but they are also on hand and easily obtained.

Acne is a common condition in teens and adults alike, and is no exception to the theory that a home remedy can sometimes be better. If it’s worked for many years, why wouldn’t it work now? One such remedy believed to aid in the healing of acne is green tea.

While many teas are fermented, green tea instead, is steamed soon after being picked so as to prevent the oxidation of its leaves. This helps to retain the active substances the leaves contain. Camellia Sinensis, or as we know it, green tea extract, contains a high content of Polyphenol, along with other important antioxidants.

Green tea can serve many purposes, and it is recommended for a number of reasons. It acts as an anti-bacterial substance, decreasing hormonal activity. Since acne is often caused by hormones, which produce excess oil and clog pores, thereby causing blemishes, green tea could be a good remedy for this problem.

The antioxidents contained in green tea have been shown as very beneficial to acne prevention because they help the body fight against free radicals that cause cell and tissue damage. Green tea also has very few potential side effects, especially when compared to other acne products and medications.

Because of its advantages, green tea is also used in various creams and other topical products used to treat acne. When compared with other commonly used acne treatments, it ranked high, because of its natural anti-bacterial properties.

Other products containing green tea extract are also sold and developed, and are available as herbal remedies. It can be purchased as a cream.

Green Tea and honeysuckle is often called “Pimple Tea” in China. It also helps your body rid itself of toxins, which helps prevent acne.

Green tea is also easily available. It can be purchased in most stores that carry various herbal and other natural remedies, and can also be bought through many on-line sources. It comes in the form of tea that you drink, or can be purchased in the form of the cream mentioned above.

Drinking green tea will help cleanse your body from the inside out, while applying the topical cream, which goes directly onto the skin, will help cure and prevent acne at the source. No matter how you choose to use it, it can serve many purposes, and may be a welcome alternative to harsh products or unwanted medications.

Dealing With Teen Acne

Acne is one of the leading problems teens face. It causes changes in their physical appearance that can range from mild to severe, and can be dificult to treat. In addition to these physical changes, it carries a multitude of psychological effects that effect teens in different ways.

Social situations may also become dificult and unwelcome, and teens may steer away from them because they are self-conscious about their appearance. So what social ramifications does this condition bring? This article will discuss some of those social aspects and what can be done to help teens understand and deal wit the condition.

Many people who aren’t afflicted with acne do not understand the dificulties associated with this condition, and often accuse their acne suffering friends of being overly sensativ about the matter. In more recent years, however, the problems faced by those who suffer from acne are being more widely addressed, and the social and psychological effects being studied more closely.

Acne is every bit as much about how you feel as it is about how you look. In a society where so much importance is placed on appearance and complying to the “norm”, higher standards have been set concerning what people do and don’t accept. For teens this is espcially important. Many teenagers face the pressures put on them by their peers, and by what they feel is expected of them. Appearance plays a crucial part in how others see them, and how they see themselves.

When asked, teens suffering from acne said they feel ugly and sometimes depressed. These feelings can cross over into adult acne, and aren’t gender specific.

It has been said that there is no other condition that causes more psychic ore mal-adjustment between parent and child, more generall insecurity, and feelings of inferiority.

Understanding the psychological effects associated with acne has become more important, especially in teens where self-worth is stil being developed. It is hard, however, to find a conclusive way in which to study these factors because of the many differences in acne causes and severity, and because it can be dificult to separate the effects of acne with other social tramas many teens face.

It is suggested that the best way to understand these effects is simply to listen. Find out how your teen is coping with his or her acne and how it makes them feel. Let them know that they certainly aren’t alone. Acne is a very common condition among teens and adults, and can be caused from various things that effect many people. Also make it clear to them that having acne doesn’t mean they are viewed as being dirty or having poor hygiene. Hygiene does not effect acne directly, and ace isn't caused from not washing your face.

Help find out what is causing the acne. When you know its cause and what type it is, you can begin treating it. This is the first step to feeling better about your appearance, and, in turn, about yourself.

Cystic Acne, What causes It and How Is It Treated

Cystic acne is one of the most severe forms of acne. Nodules form under the skin, then later harden into painful cysts. This type of acne requires medical attention, and usually persists for long period of times, often weeks or even months.

Cystic acne is often treated with a drug called Accutane, an oral medication usually taken once or twice a day for 16 to 20 weeks. It is believed to marginally reduce the size of the oil glands so that less oil is produced. This reduces the chance for pores to clog because the body is not producing as much oil. When this occurs, the formation of pimples and cysts is reduced, the pre-existing ones are not further irritated.

This medication also helps to reduce cell shedding and the stickiness in the follicles, which helps prevent the development of this painful type of acne.

Advantages of this drug are: it is a very effective medication that can help prevent extensive scarring in many patients. After one to 20 weeks of use, acne is reduced, or in some cases, almost completely goes away. The downside to this is that when the patient stops taking this medication, the acne often returns and it is necessary to once again begin taking it.

There are, however, several disadvantages to taking Accutane, and they should be considered before making the decision to take this drug. In addition to being very expensive, this drug is linked to some very adverse effects.

Possible side effects include: inflammation of the lip, inflammation of the mucous membrane on the eyes, dry mouth, nose, or skin, itching, and muscle aches.

More serious side effects include decreased levels of blood cholesterol, lipid, and triglyceride levels, and abnormal liver enzymes. Patients taking Accutane are usually monitored by a physician to make sure these side effects don’t occur, and to stop the drug if they do.

The good news is that these side effects usually go away after the medications stopped, but if you are using this drug and experience any of these side effects, it is crucial that you tell your doctor immediately.

the most serious adverse effect of this drug is that it can cause serious birth defects. Women who are taking this drug are advised to take a pregnancy test each month to be sure the drug is stopped should they become pregnant.

There are other rules that women should follow pertaining to this drug therapy and having children, so it is important to consult your physician about this drug and its possible effects.

Cystic acne is one of the most painful types, and, perhaps, most difficult to cure. Find a treatment that works for you, and consult your physician about its effects

Hygiene Products and Your Acne

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions and is prevalent among both teens and adults. There are many products available to treat acne, some of which are common to personal hygiene. The most common of these is soap. While many soaps, especially those that are scented, can irritate skin afflicted by acne, many hygiene products hav been put on the market that are helpful in combatting acne, and are economocal as well.

Soaps come in two forms, bar and liquid. Facial soaps and cleansers are those products designed to treat problem skin. They contain products that promote healing and prevention.

Acne cleansers ar gennerally used to remove excess oil, dirt, and sweat from the surface of the skin. When this happens, it makes absorption of topical acne treatment easier. Topical products are those used on the surface of the skin to combat acne. Excessive cleansing with such products can dry and irritate the skin, therefore, making the acne worse, it is advised to only cleanse with these products once or twice a day.

There are different cleansers for different skin types. People with oily skin should use cleansers that rins off well. This is so the excess oil common to oily skin will be properly removed, leaving the skin smooth. Both bar soaps and liquid cleansers have been specially formulated for this purrpose.

For dry skin, the use of hard-milled products and gentle cleansers are appropriate. You may wish to use synthetic detergents if you have this skin type. Such cleansers do not necessarily need to be used often, as they are sometimes stronger than other products.

Most people with normal skin can cleanse daily with bbar soaps. Synthetic detergents do, however, react better to hard water.

If you have sensative skin, you are more proned to react to fragrant products, and those with grains or scrubbing agents. Stay away from the use of such products. Instead, use gentle cleansers and be careful how hard you wash. Wipe, do not scrub when removing dirt and oil from your skin.

There are many gentle cleansers availabl for use for skin that is easily irritated or aggrivated. There are also several types of acne cleansers appropriate for daily skin care that are available for purchase over-the-counter.

Oil-free and noncometigenic products are usually advisable, as these do not clog pores.

There are also cosmetics that have been developed to promote acne healing and daily prevention. Like many cleansers, many of these are oil-free and some contain a small amount of acne medication.

No matter what type of cleanser you choose, whether it be soap or a special cleanser especially developed to help combat acne, be careful in how you use it. Follow the directions on the bottle or box, and be sure not to over wash. You will be on your way to controlling your acne

How To Treat Back Acne

Acne is a common problem among both teens and adults, and, as more people seek treatment, more information becomes available about this condition. When most people think of acne, they think of it occurring on the face, since that is where it is most commonly seen. That is, however, not the only problem area for the skin where acne can develop.

Acne is also common on the back and chest, and is often more difficult to treat when found on these areas. This is, in part, because the skin on the back is tougher than that on the face, so it is necessary to use different skin care products on this area. The back is also in constant contact with clothing and other materials that might irritate the skin, which can further aggravate the condition.

Acne is caused from excess oils on the skin that build up and form lesions called pimples. Acne prevention is the best way to treat it, but this can be more difficult to do on the back.

Like with facial acne, it is important to stick to a daily skin regimen especially for this type of acne. This includes a cleanser, lotion, and possibly a moisturizer. Glycolic acid is also said to work well with such a regimen.

Another way to try and treat back acne is to try to figure out what could be causing or helping to aggravate it. Heavy backpacks are worn across the upper shoulders and part of the back. If you carry one, especially on a daily basis, and have particular trouble with acne in these areas, you might try switching to a shoulder bag, or pack with carry handles. Once your acne clears up, try wearing the backpack once again. If the irritation returns, you will know at least part of the cause, and may consider other alternatives instead.

The clothing you wear can also affect and irritate your acne. Tight clothing can rub against your skin, which will aggravate it, and can also promote sweating. Sweat will, in turn, cause excess oil build-up, which will cause more breakouts to occur.

Rough clothing is also bad for acne-prone areas, as it aggravates the afflicted area, which can irritate existing acne and cause new breakouts.

Like other forms of acne, back acne can be mild, moderate, or severe. It is important to recognize the type and severity of your condition so you can treat it accordingly. Skin type also plays a part in the treatment of acne. Different skin types require different treatments, and react differently to products.

If you are using over-the-counter products that don’t seem to be working to clear up your back acne, seek the advice and care of a physician who can help you find a treatment that is right for you.

How To Determine Your Skin Type

Skin type plays a big part in how acne affects you and what is needed to treat is. It will also determine what types of products you will use to treat your acne and gennerally care for your skin.

There are some basic questions you can ask yourself to help you get started. First, how often do you break out? Do yu have blackheads? What do your pores look like? After washing with soap, how does your skin look and feel? Do you have facial lines? By asking yourself these questions, you can determine what types of products will work best for you and how your skin might react to them.

There are three basic skin types, but this does not mean your skin can’t be a combination of them. They are oilly, normal, or dry. You could have any one of these skin types, or a combination of them, such as normal to oily, or normal to dry. There are different products for caring for each.

Let’s break it down. Each skintype is characterized by different things such as texture, oil production, and frequency of breakouts.

People with dry skin do not suffer many breakouts, and rarely ever hav blackheads. This is because oil promotes breakouts by clogging pores and blackheads are caused by oil. If your skin is dry, you are not producing very much oil, therefore, aren’t prone to as many episodes.

Dry skin is also characterized by nearly visible pores, and may feel dry and tight after washing. Most people with dry skin are fair skined, and often develop facial lines earlier in life. This skin type also burns easily.

People with normal skin suffer occcasional breakouts, and can have blackheads that appear mostly in the t-zonne the area on either side of the nose and on the forehead. Pores often appear visible in the t-zone, and the skin may feel tight after washing, but will soon become comfortable with oil in t-zone.

The skin coloring is usually fair to medium, and a few lines may appear early on mostly around the eyes. This skin type when exposed to the sun, usually burns, then tans.

People with oilly skin often suffer frequent breakouts with blackheads. The pores are often enlarged, and after washig the face may be oilly, with the nose and forehead quickly becoming shiny.

The skin coloring is often olive to dark. Facial lines are usually very few to none in occurance, and oilly skin usually stays preserved longer and does not age as quickly as do the other skin types. When exposed to the sun, this skin type rarely burns, but rather tans easily.

After you determine your skintype,you can find products developed especially for it. There are a number of products on the market for dealing with each type, as well as for combination skin. Once you find a regimen of products that work for you, you can begin treating your acne properly.