Acne Treatment Category

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

Getting Rid of Acne Scars – Important Facts That You Must Understand

By Zacky Lim

After getting painful and unsightly pimples in your skin, the next thing that you have to worry about is the scarring. There are skin types that are more prone to scars. People with oily skin are the ones who usually get deep or dark scars which can be hard to get rid of.

There are several types of scarring. The first one is called the ice pick scars. Like the name suggests, these scars are small, like the pricking of an ice pick. The scars can be shallow or deep. You can usually find ice pick scars on the cheeks. The second type is boxcar scars, which look a lot like the scars that you can find after someone had chicken pox. The third one is called rolling scars, which is the result of the damaging of the tissue under the skin.

The type of treatment that you will get will depend on the type of acne scar that you have. Always remember that every scar treatment has its own set of pros and cons, and if one treatment worked well for one person, it does not mean that it can work wonders for you too. There are some who ended up having worse scar problems because they went for the wrong type of treatment.

To make sure that you get the right type of scar treatment, you have to consult a reputable dermatologist. He will know how to remove your scars by determining the type of skin that you have.

And now I would like to offer you more free acne information, tips and resources when you come to my website. You can get your instant access at http://www.GetRidOfAcneScar.com

From Zacky Lim – The passionate and helpful friend who provide valuable acne information at http://www.GetRidOfAcneScar.com

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Tags: ,

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

Natural Acne Treatment – Simple Home Remedies For Removing Acne

By Zacky Lim

Taking care of your skin is essential for a more beautiful and youthful appearance. To help maintain the good condition of your skin, you have to use products such as cleansers and moisturizers.

Unfortunately, these products can be quite expensive and will not suit everyone’s budget. This does not mean that you now have an excuse for neglecting skin care. There are simple home remedies that you can use, and the products that you will use can be found right in your kitchen. Here are some of the easy remedies you can make:

• Mix unboiled milk and ground nutmeg then apply on pimples. Leave for one or two hours.
• Make a paste by mixing cinnamon powder and honey. Put this on pimples before you to bed and wash it off the next morning. Use warm water for rinsing.
• Create an anti-pimple mixture for normal skin by combining one teaspoon of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of lemon juice. Do not use this if you have sensitive skin.
• Grind a few pieces of orange peel in water. Apply this on face to dry out pimples.
• Mix one tablespoon of lime juice with one tablespoon of groundnut oil. This mixture is effective in preventing blackheads.
• If you have red and swelling pimples in your face, apply the juice of raw papaya on skin to lessen the swelling.
• Mix rose water with sandalwood and apply on blackheads and pimples. Rinse it off after 20 to 30 minutes.

You have just learned about this natural remedy that you can use. Make good use of it and all the best to your acne treatment,

And now I would like to offer you more free acne information, tips and resources when you come to my website. You can get your instant access at http://www.GetRidOfAcneScar.com

From Zacky Lim – The passionate and helpful friend who provide valuable acne information at http://www.GetRidOfAcneScar.com

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Tags: ,

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009

How to help prevent acne and acne scars?

You can help prevent acne flare-ups and scars by taking good care of your skin:

* Clean your skin gently with a mild soap or cleanser twice a day―once in the morning and once at night. You should also gently clean the skin after heavy exercise. Avoid strong soaps and rough scrub pads. Harsh scrubbing of the skin may make acne worse. Wash your entire face from under the jaw to the hairline and rinse thoroughly. Remove make-up gently with a mild soap and water. Ask your doctor before using an astringent.
* Wash your hair on a regular basis. If your hair is oily, you may want to wash it more often.
* Do not squeeze or pick at acne lesions. This can cause acne scars.
* Avoid getting sunburned. Many medicines used to treat acne can make you more prone to sunburn. Many people think that the sun helps acne, because the redness from sunburn may make acne lesions less visible. But, too much sun can also increase your risk of skin cancer and early aging of the skin. When you’re going to be outside, use sunscreen of at least SPF 15. Also, try to stay in the shade as much as you can.
* Choose make-up and hair care products that are “non-comedogenic” or “non-acnegenic.” These products have been made in a way that they don’t cause acne. You may also want to use products that are oil-free.
* Avoid things that rub the skin as much as you can, such as backpacks and sports equipment.
* Talk with your doctor about what treatment methods can help your acne. Take your medicines as prescribed. Be sure to tell your doctor if you think medicines you take for other health problems make your acne worse.

Source: Office on Women’s Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Tags:

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009

When is surgery used for acne scarring?

If you have scarring, your dermatologist may suggest surgery to help heal acne lesions and remove scarring. A laser can reshape scar tissue and reduce redness. Dermabrasion is a type of surgery that can remove surface scars and reduce the depth of deep scars. Another option is to transfer fat from one part of the body to the face. In some cases, a single treatment can help scarring. But for lasting results, several are often needed. There are also topical treatments for acne scarring.

Photodynamic therapy is a new acne treatment. It begins with light microdermabrasion. This is used to remove dead skin cells on the face’s surface. Then, an acid is put on the skin for 30 to 60 minutes. After this period, the acid is taken off. Lastly, the skin is treated with a laser. This treatment is still being researched, but seems to give positive long-term results.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Tags:

Sunday, May 10th, 2009

Can birth control pills help treat acne?

For women who break out mainly around their menstrual cycle, some birth control pills can help. Research shows that these pills can clear acne by slowing down overactive oil glands in the skin. Sometimes, birth control pills are used along with a drug called spironolactone to treat acne in adult females. This medication lowers levels of the hormone androgen in the body. Androgen stimulates the skin’s oil glands. Side effects of this drug include irregular menstruation, breast tenderness, headache and fatigue. Spironolactone is not appropriate therapy for all patients.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Tags:

Saturday, May 9th, 2009

Can more serious forms of acne be treated?

Yes. Work with your doctor to find the best treatment for you.

Moderate to moderately severe acne. This type of acne consists of several whiteheads, blackheads, papules and pustules that cover from ¼ to ¾ of the face and/or other parts of the body. It can be treated with antibiotic lotions or gels, as well as retinoic acid. Retinoic acid is an altered form of vitamin A. It helps prevent whiteheads and blackheads. Your doctor may also prescribe an antibiotic pill, such as erythromycin. If you take birth control pills to prevent pregnancy, antibiotics can affect how well they work. Be sure to use a second method of birth control with the pill, such as a condom. Retinoic acid and antibiotic pills can make the skin sensitive to the sun. So, wear sunscreen and stay in the shade while using them.

Severe acne. Severe acne consists of deep cysts, redness, swelling, extreme damage to the skin and scarring. You should see a dermatologist to care for this type of acne. Scarring can be prevented with appropriate treatments. Your dermatologist can prescribe oral antibiotics and oral contraceptives. Large inflamed cysts can be treated with an injection of a drug that lessens the redness, swelling, and irritation, and promotes healing.

Your dermatologist may prescribe Accutane®, if other treatments have not worked. This is a strong medicine that can help prevent scarring and treat active disease. But, Accutane also can cause birth defects. It is important that you are not pregnant and do not plan to get pregnant while taking this medicine. You must use two methods of birth control at the same time. This is done for one month before treatment begins, during treatment, and for a full month after stopping the drug. Talk with your dermatologist about when it’s safe to get pregnant. Other side effects of this drug may include dry eyes, itching, mood changes, and changes in the blood and liver. You and your dermatologist can decide whether this medicine is right for you based on the pros and cons. Use any prescribed medicine exactly as you are advised. Taking more medicine than you are supposed to take may make acne or your general health worse. Ask your doctor what to do if you miss a dose.

Some large cysts do not respond to medication and may need to be drained or removed. Your dermatologist is the only person who should drain or remove these. You should never try to drain or remove your acne by squeezing or picking. This can lead to infection, worsen your acne, and cause scarring.

Overall, if you don’t see a change in your skin in six to eight weeks, talk with your doctor about your treatment plan.

Source: Office on Women’s Health
in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Tags:

Friday, May 1st, 2009

How is mild acne treated?

There are many treatments for mild acne. Mild acne can consist of whiteheads, blackheads and small pustules. At home, you can wash your face twice per day with warm water and a gentle cleanser or soap. Your doctor may suggest you also try an over-the-counter lotion or cream. These medicines may make your skin dry if you use them too much. Be sure to follow the directions.

If these medicines don’t work, your doctor may prescribe a cream or lotion with benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid, or sulfur.

  • Benzoyl peroxide works to reduce oil made by the glands.
  • Resorcinol, salicylic acid, and sulfur help breakdown whiteheads and blackheads.

If your acne does not get better after six to eight weeks, talk with your doctor about changing your treatment.

Tags:

Saturday, April 18th, 2009

New Treatments for Acne

Medical researchers are working on new drugs to treat acne, particularly topical antibiotics to replace some of those in current use. As with many other types of bacterial infections, doctors are finding that, over time, the bacteria that are associated with acne are becoming resistant to treatment with certain antibiotics, though it is not clear how significant a problem this resistance represents.

Scientists are also trying to better understand the mechanisms involved in acne so that they can develop new treatments that work on those mechanisms. For example, one group of NIAMS-supported researchers is studying the mechanisms that regulate sebum production in order to identify ways to effectively reduce its production without the side effects of current medicines. Another group is trying to understand how P. acnes activates the immune system in order to identify possible immunologic interventions. Other areas of research involve examining the effects of isotretinoin on an area of the brain that might lead to depression and developing a laser system to treat acne and acne-related scars without damaging the outer layers of the skin.

Researchers in Germany, funded by German institutions, have taken P. acnes and identified its genetic information (genome). This information may help researchers develop new treatments to target the bacteria.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Tags: , ,

Saturday, April 18th, 2009

How do I clean my skin with acne?

Clean Skin Gently

If you have acne, you should gently wash your face with a mild cleanser, once in the morning and once in the evening, as well as after heavy exercise. Wash your face from under the jaw to the hairline and be sure to thoroughly rinse your skin.

Ask your doctor or another health professional for advice on the best type of cleanser to use.

Using strong soaps or rough scrub pads is not helpful and can actually make the problem worse. Astringents are not recommended unless the skin is very oily, and then they should be used only on oily spots.

It is also important to shampoo your hair regularly. If you have oily hair, you may want to wash it every day.


Avoid Frequent Handling of the Skin

Avoid rubbing and touching skin lesions. Squeezing, pinching or picking blemishes can lead to the development of scars or dark blotches.
Shave Carefully

Men who shave and who have acne should test both electric and safety razors to see which is more comfortable. When using a safety razor, make sure the blade is sharp and soften your beard thoroughly with soap and water before applying shaving cream. Shave gently and only when necessary to reduce the risk of nicking blemishes.
Avoid a Sunburn or Suntan

Many of the medicines used to treat acne can make you more prone to sunburn. A sunburn that reddens the skin or suntan that darkens the skin may make blemishes less visible and make the skin feel drier. However, these benefits are only temporary, and there are known risks of excessive sun exposure, such as more rapid skin aging and a risk of developing skin cancer.
Choose Cosmetics Carefully

While undergoing acne treatment, you may need to change some of the cosmetics you use. All cosmetics, such as foundation, blush, eye shadow, moisturizers, and hair-care products should be oil free. Choose products labeled noncomedogenic (meaning they don’t promote the formation of closed pores). In some people, however, even these products may make acne worse.

For the first few weeks of treatment, applying foundation evenly may be difficult because the skin may be red or scaly, particularly with the use of topical tretinoin or benzoyl peroxide.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Tags: ,

Friday, April 17th, 2009

Other Treatments for Acne

Doctors may use other types of procedures in addition to drug therapy to treat patients with acne. For example, the doctor may remove the patient’s comedones during office visits. Sometimes the doctor will inject corticosteroids directly into lesions to help reduce the size and pain of inflamed cysts and nodules.

Early treatment is the best way to prevent acne scars. Once scarring has occurred, the doctor may suggest a medical or surgical procedure to help reduce the scars. A superficial laser may be used to treat irregular scars. Dermabrasion (or microdermabrasion), which is a form of “sanding down” scars, is sometimes used. Another treatment option for deep scars caused by cystic acne is the transfer of fat from another part of the body to the scar. A doctor may also inject a synthetic filling material under the scar to improve its appearance.

Source: National Institutes of Health

Tags: ,

2009 - 2010 © Benefito Inc. AcneDay All rights reserved.

Powered by WordPress

Blossom Theme by RoseCityGardens.com