Free of Acne

Tips for Buying the Best Acne Products

JL — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 18:02:51 +0000

Acne is a problem that no one can escape. Teenagers and adults alike suffer from breakouts on occasion, some more frequently and more severely than others. Issues such as hormone levels, pregnancy, stress, adolescence, genetics and diet can contribute directly or indirectly to breakouts. Thankfully, it is possible to prevent, control or clear up most acne breakouts, with widely available over the counter products. With so many brands and so many types to choose from, it can be confusing or even overwhelming to decide on a product to purchase. All natural remedies, products with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, once a day, twice a day the options are dizzying. The following is a list of simple tips we have put together to help you understand your choices and decide on the right product for you. There is no best remedy, treatment or product for everyone, so talk to your dermatologist if you need a more specific recommendation for your unique situation.

First of all, if your acne is causing you physical pain an over the counter acne remedy is probably not the best solution. Try a pain reliever with anti-inflammatory effects such as aspirin or ibuprofen then see your doctor or dermatologist as quickly as possible.

If your acne is not serious or painful enough to warrant medical attention, you need to know how sensitive your skin is. If you have sensitive skin, for best results you should rule out certain products right away. Using a product that is too powerful for your sensitive skin can wind up making your problem worse. Look for a product especially formulated for sensitive skin or with a lower level of its active ingredient rather than the “maximum strength” variety. Study the labels and compare products side by side if necessary.

Third, know what type of skin you have. If you have dry skin, you do not want a product that will dry your skin out further. Creams containing moisturizers or products created specifically for treatment of acne on dry skin usually work best. For oily skin, consider a gentle, oil free gel or cleanser to clear up your acne. If you have normal or combination skin, it may be most effective to choose a product based on the skin type of the affected area. For example, use a dry skin product to treat acne in dry skin areas and a product formulated for oily skin if you have an acne breakout in an oily skin area.

While we all suffer from acne breakouts, often at the worst possible times, they can be treated effectively with over the counter products. Consult your dermatologist or doctor and choose a product based on your skin sensitivity and type. For more articles on the best acne products as well as free tips for getting rid of acne, be sure to visit FreeofAcne.com often.

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Removing Acne Scars

JL — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 04:29:33 +0000

If you want to get rid of your acne scars, a number of options are available to you. Lasers, dermabrasion, microdermabrasion and collagen injections are all possibilities for treating your acne scars. You should consult a dermatologist who make a recommendation based on the location and severity of your scarring.

A newer and increasingly popular method for acne scar treatment is laser removal. Lasers are used to eliminate the damaged skin cells thus promoting the growth of new skin cells and stimulating collagen production. With acne laser treatment, it is possible for scars to be removed within one to three treatments, however you may also experience redness and irritation afterward.

Dermabrasion can involve the use of a sterile sander like instrument or a laser to remove damaged skin. The procedure can be painful and result in raw, reddened skin. Dermabrasion is not as effective as other treatments against certain types of acne scars, particularly recessed scars.

Microdermabrasion is a procedure where tiny particles are used to remove outer layers of skin slowly removing scars. For lasting results, several treatments may be needed. As with other scar removal methods, microdermabrasion may result in redness following the treatment.

Collagen can be injected under the skin to treat some types of acne scars. Collagen is derived from cows so some patients may be allergic and it cannot be used to treat people suffering from autoimmune disease. Collagen injection benefits are not permanent so additional treatments will be required roughly every three to six months.

Before seeking treatment to remove acne scars, evaluate your situation. Ask yourself why you want to pursue acne scar removal. Do you feel emotional pain or stress because of them or can you live with them? Talk to your doctor about what sort of treatment is best for you and understand the procedure. Decide if you are willing to commit to follow up appointments and aftercare if necessary. Your health insurance may not cover any portion of potential treatments, so ask yourself if you can afford it. With an honest, self evaluation and a thorough consultation with your dermatologist, you will be able to decide which procedure if any is right for you.

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© 2008 http://www.freeofacne.com

Acne While Pregnant

JL — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 19:41:10 +0000

Pregnant women often find themselves suffering from acne. These breakouts can last the entire pregnancy or appear at various stages. Acne does tend to clear up as the pregnancy progresses, but that does not mean you have to grin and bear it. There are safe remedies available for pregnant women and steps you can take to prevent or eliminate acne while you are pregnant. You should of course consult your doctor before using any acne product.

Acne during pregnancy is generally caused by changes in hormone levels, not by the more common causes of clogged pores or bacteria beneath the skin. As such, all pregnant women are susceptible to breakouts, regardless of whether bouts of acne were a problem in the past. Having had clear, healthy skin your whole life will not make you immune to acne while pregnant. Stress is also widely thought to worsen acne flare ups and women who experience high levels of stress during pregnancy may be more prone to breakouts.

If you are pregnant and searching for an acne treatment, ask your doctor for a recommendation. Be aware that acne remedies designed to open clogged pores or fight acne causing bacteria may not be effective due to your acne being likely caused by increased hormone levels. Over the counter remedies applied topically are generally safe to use. Acne medication taken orally, however, should generally be avoided unless prescribed by your doctor. Treatments labeled “all natural” or “oral” need to be approached with caution. Natural or herbal remedies are not necessarily safe for pregnant women. As always, follow your doctor’s advice before applying any treatment.

While pregnant women are likely to experience acne breakouts due to higher hormone levels, they can do something about it. With a doctor’s advice and a bit of extra care, you can have clear skin while you are pregnant.

View Acne While Pregnant | Free of Acne
© 2008 http://www.freeofacne.com

Acne Green Tea Home Remedy

JL — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 00:16:34 +0000

The health benefits of green tea have been increasingly publicized and trumpeted by experts in recent years. One of green tea’s many beneficial qualities is its effectiveness as a home remedy for acne. In a study presented to the American Academy of Dermatologists in 2006, Dr. Jennifer Gan-Wong found that green tea applied to the skin topically was as effective at controlling acne as benzoyl peroxide.

In the study, a 4 percent benzoyl peroxide solution was pitted against a green tea cream and administered to patients with moderate to severe acne. The results indicated that green tea was as effective as the benzoyl peroxide solution. The green tea cream carries with it none of the extreme dryness and skin irritation often associated with the use of benzoyl peroxide.

Companies that produce skin care and acne prevention products have been quick to jump on the green tea bandwagon. Green tea extract is appearing on the ingredients lists of more and more face creams and moisturizers. There is no need to spend twenty to fifty bucks on the latest green tea face cream in order to enjoy green tea’s anti-aging and acne reducing properties. Green tea and green tea capsules are widely available and relatively inexpensive compared to high end cosmetics. You can make your own green tea skin care products right at home.

The simplest way to apply green tea to your face would be to buy bagged green tea, drink two to three cups per day then gently rub your face with the tea bag after preparing your tea. One teaspoon of cold green tea or the extract from green tea supplements can be added to your daily face cream and applied as you normally would. To make a green tea facial mask, you can mix cold green tea in a 1 tablespoon to 1 tablespoon ratio with rice flour to form a paste. You will need 3-5 tablespoons of each to make enough for a mask. If the mixture is too thin, add more rice flour. If it is too thick, add more green tea. After washing your face as usual, apply the green tea mask and leave it on for ten to twenty minutes before rinsing it off.

If you are looking for a simple, inexpensive way to reduce acne and have healthier looking skin, try green tea. It is inexpensive, abundant and easy to use.

Vitamins to Take for Acne

JL — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:54:24 +0000

Sometimes helping to prevent acne can be as simple as increasing your daily intake of certain vitamins. These vitamins play an important role in the body’s daily functions. While vitamins are readily available in pill form, they are virtually unknown to many seeking acne prevention techniques. It has been shown that in some people, acne can be triggered by vitamin deficiencies in the system. By making sure these all important vitamins are kept at appropriate levels, you can drastically reduce your chances of incurring an acne outbreak.

For starters, vitamin A is used in order to create one of the most powerful prescription acne treatment medications available today. While surely you can choose to take Accutane in its pill form, the associated side effects are nothing to play around with. On the other hand, since this drug is derived almost entirely from vitamin A, why not look to this particular vitamin to help prevent acne.

Vitamin B is well known for its ability to help maintain healthy skin. Stress is a common cause of acne and this vitamin is also very good at helping to relieve stress. Talk to a healthcare professional about the benefits of B vitamins in preventing acne.

Antioxidants are important to every day bodily functions and one great vitamin to get these from is none other than vitamin C. This particular vitamin is also well established at helping to boost your body’s immune system. A strong and healthy immune system can help fight the bacteria and germs that can lead to acne.

Vitamin E is also an important antioxidant which is extremely good at enhancing as well as repairing tissue, most importantly is that of the skin tissue. What this means is that it is great for making sure that after you do have an outbreak of acne, your potential for scarring can be reduced or minimized.

Choosing to take vitamins that help prevent acne is an important part of fighting off those annoying outbreaks. It all comes down to making sure your body is healthy and of course well-balanced. Making sure your body has the right vitamins is very important not only for the prevention of acne, but also so that you are able to live a longer and healthier life.