Feb 25

If we were to tell the absolute truth, science is yet to establish a direct connection between diet and acne. As the Journal of the American Medical Association states, “Diet plays no role inAcne Treatment in most patients…even large amounts of certain foods have not clinically exacerbated acne.” Dermatologist Dr Andrew Waite adds, “It is high time we discarded the myth that greasy and spicy foods cause acne.”12.jpg

Excellent, you say, before reaching for a bag of potato chips. And that would be a mistake.

Watch what you eat, acne or no

The thing is, while no specific food items directly causean acne outbreak, they may indirectly contribute to its occurrence by damaging the health of your skin. Additionally, since your body does not metabolize all foods in the same way, the digestion of certain foods may release chemicals that influence either the onset of acne, or aggravate an already existing condition.

Beauty therapist Simone Techera, who runs a clinic in San Francisco, is prepared to swear that those of her clients who eat more meat are a) more hirsute and b) more vulnerable to acne, and while that may be dismissed as an unscientific view based on individual experience, there are published reports that echo Simone’s beliefs.

Meat products typically contain relatively high levels of steroids and hormones, which may contribute to the hormonal imbalances already present in the system of an acne sufferer (I’d sure like to see a term coined for this breed of humans some day). On the other hand, the best dietary means of redressing a hormonal imbalance appears to be the intake of lots of essential fatty acids (EFA), which the body does not produce naturally. Dr Waite points out that several studies, including some published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology,have shown that the majority of people with hormone-related acne are actually deficient in EFA.

The world is eating healthy!

Therefore, it seems clear that diet plays a significant, if not direct, role in the occurrence of acne. If you go by a 2003 study, you will realize what I mean by significant. Published in the Archives of Dermatology in December 2003, the study focused on the effects of Western and non-Western diets on acne, and concluded that the Western diet somehow contributed to acne outbreaks in more than 80% of American teenagers. By contrast, the study observed 1200 residents – including 300 aged 15-25 – of a Papua New Guinea island and failed to detect a single instance of acne. The researchers noted that the islanders were physically active and subsisted on a low-fat, high-carb diet comprising mostly roots, fruits and vegetables that kept their insulin levels low.

Compare that to the dairy- and protein-rich Western diet and you will realize what Dr Waite means when he talks about “low metabolism” and “difficult digestion”. Logically, therefore, the ideal diet for acne patients is one rich in fruits and vegetables (abundant sources of vitamins and nutrients), whole grain and wheat germ (for fibers and EFA), lentils, beans, and root vegetables. They should also drink lots of water to flush out toxins, and avoid alcohol and caffeine as far as possible.

Even if you don’t have acne, a diet such as the one I have just described can do you no harm. Healthy food is, well, healthy, regardless of the state of your body!

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Feb 25

Many people who suffer from acne also suffer from acne scars. Scars in general are the result of injury to tissue. Scars may be raised or may form depressions in the skin. Some people have very few scars as a result of acne, others form many acne scars. For some, the scarring can be so severe that they feel a loss of self-confidence.inter.jpg

What causes acne scars?

Simply put, acne scars are caused by the body’s reaction to the sebum, dead cells and bacteria that are plugged up in the sebaceous follicle. This matter that is trapped irritates the skin and may become infected. The body sends white blood cells and inflammatory molecules to the site to try to fix the problem, and in the process, acne scars may develop. There are two types of acne scars: depressed scars and raised scars. Usually, the more severe the case of acne, the more severe the risk of acne scars. Acne scars sometimes diminish over time, but may never diminish or disappear completely.

Acne scar treatment

There are a number of treatments available for acne scars, but it is first necessary to determine if treatment is really necessary. Some people with acne scars are not bothered by them or may have only a few small scars. These people probably don’t need to worry about treatment. Others have quite extensive acne scars and feel that the scars diminish their quality of life. In this case, acne treatment is necessary if possible. Other factors that must be considered are cost, what the expected outcome is, and if treatment is even possible, as some people are not good candidates for acne scar treatments. A dermatologist will help to clarify the answers to these questions. Remember, it may not be possible to restore the skin to exactly the way it looked before the onset of acne.

Here is a list of acne scar treatments currently available:

Collagen injections – Collagen is injected under the skin at the site of the acne scar to stretch and fill the area. This works well with surface scars and deep soft scars. Collagen injections last three to six months, so the injections may have to be repeated.

Autologous fat transfer – Fat cells are removed from another part of your body and injected into the acne scar area to lift depressed scars. This is often effective in treating deep acne scars. The injections can last up to 18 months.

Dermabrasion – This acne scar treatment is very effective. A high-speed brush is used to remove surface skin thus smoothing the acne scar. Dermabrasion does not work for all scars and may not work well for those with dark skin as it may cause some change in pigmentation.

Microdermabrasion – This treatment is less invasive than dermabrasion, but works the same way. Aluminum oxide crystals are passed through a vacuum tube to remove surface skin cells. This method may require several treatments, but can improve acne scars significantly.

Laser – Lasers may be used to reshape the acne scar and also to reduce the redness that occurs at the site of a healed acne lesion. Often, only one treatment is necessary, but there may be redness in the area as a result of the laser treatment for several months.

Surgery – Some deep ice-pick type acne scars may be removed surgically and repaired with a skin graft or by suturing.

How can acne scars be prevented?

The best and most important step in prevention of acne scars is early treatment of acne. Prevention or at least control of inflammation is key in the fight against acne scars. Acne scars can be emotionally scarring, too. It is important to treat your acne at the first signs. Consult with your doctor or dermatologist for treatment options. If you have acne scars that are affecting your life, there are treatments available.

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Jan 19

Many people cringe when they hear the word “wrinkle cream,” and mistakenly think that these creams are only for the aging population. Most people would be surprised to learn, however, that starting a skin regimen that includes using a good wrinkle cream in your mid-twenties or thirties can prevent troublesome wrinkles from occurring in your later years.

When conducting a search for the best anti aging wrinkle cream (through online wrinkle cream reviews, beauty magazines, or speaking with your dermatologist), it is important to consider the current condition of your skin. Wrinkle cream reviews will usually be categorized according to different skin types: oily/acne prone, dry, or combination skin.

People with oily skin that is prone to breakouts should avoid heavy creams with ingredients such as mineral or baby oil. Instead, the cream should have no added oils and be specifically recommended for acne-prone skin. Look for labels that say “for acne-prone skin.”

People with dry skin should look for a heavier cream for both night and daytime. Because people with dry skin have a higher likelihood of developing premature wrinkles and age spots, it is important to start incorporating wrinkle creams into the skin care regimen at a younger age.

People with combination skin, categorized by dry cheeks and occasional oiliness on the t-zone, will find that most online wrinkle cream reviews are catered toward their skin type since the majority of people have this type of skin. People with combination skin may want to consider just using wrinkle creams around the eyes or in dry areas.

Look for products that contain exfoliating ingredients such as alpha-hydroxy acids or natural citrus ingredients. The best wrinkle creams are free of harsh dyes and fragrances, and cater to people with sensitive skin. It is important to note your reaction to the wrinkle cream and start by applying the cream just a couple times a week until your skin gets used to the change.

A good wrinkle cream should feel rich and luxurious and by all means should not sting! If irritation does occur, wash with water immediately and stop using the cream. It is also important to remember not to let the cream get too close to your eyes. Wrinkle cream reviews on the internet and in magazines should give you a good idea of the feeling and consistency of the product, and what to do if your skin should get irritated.

By starting with a good wrinkle cream at a young age, you could be on your way to preventing many skin problems that can occur with age. Also, as a preventative measure, slather on a good sunscreen with a high SPF rating for even more protection. The more you can protect and pamper your skin today, the happier you will be tomorrow!

Geoff Hopkins has worked in the anti wrinkle eye cream industry for years. He maintains websites about Life Cell and Anti Wrinkle Cream. If you want to contact him, you can use the contact for at one of his sites.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Geoff_Hopkins

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Jan 19

Reviews on anti aging creams are great source of information for men and women who need to know more about wrinkle creams. Choosing the correct wrinkle cream can sometimes be a difficult task. Reviews on wrinkle creams provide valuable information about wrinkle creams.

You should weigh all the pros and cons before you zero in on a particular anti aging product. No company would come to you and tell you that its products are not good for your skin. One should not blindly follow what a review on a wrinkle cream says.

Trust only those wrinkle cream reviews which come from the desk of well known and knowledgeable research scientists and dermatologists. Randomly surveying a few hundred women about the effects of a particular wrinkle cream cannot give you proper information about that cream.

You should consider those wrinkle cream reviews which have been written by popular beauty salons and beauty experts. Moreover, a review coming from a beauty-parlor which is quite popular among hundreds of women does not produce any doubts about its authenticity.

There are innumerable beauty and fitness magazines which carry wrinkle cream reviews by certified skin care experts and dermatologists too. Such reviews are not printed for making money. Hence, you can definitely trust such reviews. Online reviews on wrinkle products are also helpful at times.

There would be millions of women who would have used the same product which you are using. Look for the comments of those women for better insights into the nature and effectiveness of the product you are using. You can also talk to people in your neighborhood about a particular anti-aging skin care product for getting sound advice.

You can find many web sites which specifically target wrinkles and wrinkle creams. Such web sites carry hundreds of articles on wrinkle creams. Reading a few articles will also help you increase your knowledge about wrinkle-treatment. You can answer the question best wrinkle cream only when you have thorough knowledge of wrinkle creams.

The best anti aging wrinkle cream cannot be found in a day or two. You need to cultivate patience in order to choose the best product. Thousands of skin care products arrive in the shops every day. Isn’t it a little complicated task to choose the best out of those thousands?

Geoff Hopkins has worked in the anti wrinkle eye cream industry for years. He maintains websites about LifeCell and new wrinkle creams. If you want to contact him, you can use the contact for at one of his sites.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Geoff_Hopkins

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