Thursday, February 5, 2009

Few Tips to prevent "Acne Vulgaris"


Acne vulgaris - (commonly called acne) is a skin disease caused by changes in the pilosebaceous units (skin structures consisting of a hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland). Severe acne is inflammatory, but acne can also manifest in noninflammatory forms. Acne lesions are commonly referred to as pimples, blemishes, spots, zits, or acne.

Acne is most common during adolescence, affecting more than 85% of teenagers, and frequently continues into adulthood. The cause in adolescence is generally an increase in male sex hormones, which people of all genders accrue during puberty. For most people, acne diminishes over time and tends to disappear—or at the very least decrease—after one reaches his or her early twenties. There is, however, no way to predict how long it will take to disappear entirely, and some individuals will continue to suffer well into their thirties, forties and beyond.

The face and upper neck are the most commonly affected, but the chest, back and shoulders may have acne as well. The upper arms can also have acne, but lesions found there are often keratosis pilaris, not acne. Typical acne lesions are comedones, inflammatory papules, pustules and nodules. Some of the large nodules were previously called "cysts" and the term nodulocystic has been used to describe severe cases of inflammatory acne.

Sadess part of having a "ACNE"

Aside from scarring, its main effects are psychological, such as reduced self-esteem and, according to at least one study, depression or suicide. Acne usually appears during adolescence, when people already tend to be most socially insecure. Early and aggressive treatment is therefore advocated by some to lessen the overall impact to individuals.


Here are some steps on how to avoid Acne Vulgaris....


  1. Remove bacteria from your pores. Your skin can become "allergic" to this bacteria. Use anti-bacterial products containing benzoyl peroxide by rubbing, twice daily, into the pores over the affected region or washing with a medicated bar soap or wash. Keep in mind that this may cause dryness, local irritation and redness. Warm water cleans your pores very well. So you should fill the sink with warm water, pull your hair back and put your face under water for about 10 seconds.
  2. Avoid exposing your skin to other sources of oil and irritants.

    • Break the habit of touching your face.
    • Keep bangs off of your forehead. The oil in hair as well as hair products in general may clog pores. Or use oil absorbing sheets.
    • If you use a phone a lot, don't let it touch your face.
    • Change your pillowcases and sheets once a week to prevent the build-up of oils and bacteria that can re-occupy your pores.
    • Use non-comedogenic moisturizers and makeup. Choose cosmetics that are water-based and hypoallergenic. Avoid oil-based products, coal tar derivatives, and heavy creams. Make sure you wash your skin thoroughly every night to remove makeup residue.
  3. Review your diet and the research surrounding the links between diet and acne. The relationship between food and acne is a debatable topic. Your diet may or may not have an effect on acne.

    • Stay hydrated.
    • Studies have shown a correlation between milk and acne. Try substituting with soy milk and other calcium-rich foods.
    • Excessive consumption of foods high in iodine, such as seafood, may worsen acne, but probably won't trigger it.
    • Research suggests--but does not prove--that a diet with a low glycemic index may reduce the likelihood of acne. High glycemic foods to replace with healthier alternatives include:

      • soft drinks (drink water instead)
      • sweets (substitute with fruit)
      • white bread (replace with whole wheat bread)
  4. Consult a dermatologist regarding your acne. Minimize use of medication containing halogens (iodides, chlorides, bromides), lithium, barbiturates, or androgens.
  5. Keep your bedsheets clean. Wash your pillow case on a regular schedule to reduce the transfer of natural body oils.
  6. Wash your face one time a day. Don't overwash , because that w
  7. As with any common condition, keeping your body hydrated is sound advice.
  8. Avoid drinking too much alcohol (especially beer) and eating spicy food. These increase the level of heat within, believed by the Chinese to be linked to acne. Salads, avocado etc will help.
  9. Drink herbal or green tea at least once a day to help detox your system.
  10. Try Dan's regimen of gently washing your face twice a day, then applying generous amounts of benzoyl peroxide and finally putting on a good non-comodogenic moisturizer.
  11. Cleanse the colon by taking psyllium husks with water once or twice per day. This is another excellent way of detoxing the body. Psyllium can be found at most chemists, pharmacies, and drugstores.
  12. Sometimes the best way of taking care of this condition is by doing it naturally, as in using natural products. Witch Hazel can help when applied with a cotton swab after washing your face.
  13. It may not seem like it, but green apples are extremely good for preventing and fighting existing acne both on your face and around the body. To avoid acne, eat one green apple a day (cut it into slices if need be and eat it throughout the day). And to reduce existing acne, cut a green apple into quarters and rub two of those quarters over the acne areas. If needed, use the rest, or just eat them. Combine this with drinking plenty of water to achieve clear skin.
  14. If all else fails and you have severe problems: Accutane (also referred to as Roaccutane) removes the underlying root of Acne and will in many cases rid you of the problem forever. It does however have several side effects and potential severe ones.
  15. If you have glasses wash them so that all the oil is off your face.
  16. There are no perfect creams or medicines that make your face smooth, soft and acne-free.
  17. Try sleeping upright as often as possible (with your back facing the bed)
  18. If you smoke, quit smoking, as nicotine, an ingredient found in cigarettes, has been tied to the eruption of acne on the skin. Quit smoking, and notice your skin becoming clearer.
  19. Consult your dermatologist, he can help you get rid of the problem better than you can do it yourself.
  20. Oily skin may be a bad thing now. Fortunatly, the oils on your skin will slow down the aging process so you wont have many wrinkles when your older.


WARNING!....

  • Do not make any drastic changes in your diet or skin routine without first consulting a medical professional.
  • Anything beyond very gentle cleansing can actually worsen existing lesions and even encourage new ones by damaging or over-drying skin.
  • You should only scrub your face if you have no existing pimples. Scrub lightly; avoid scrubbing too much or with too much pressure.
  • Benzoyl peroxide can have a bleaching effect on clothes and hair. It may also increases sensitivity to the sun, so you might find that you burn faster!
  • Hydrating creams and lotions clog pores.



1 comment:

  1. wow health and skin conscious! haha.. i'll read of this bentot! nice one!

    ReplyDelete