Acne Medication - Be Careful When Pregnant

Acne medication is of different types. You may have topical or oral medication. The medication may include antibiotics, retinoids, antimicrobials etc. During pregnancy one has to be extremely careful before applying or oral intake of any medication. Some medication cause birth defects in the fetus and some are dangerous for breast-feeding child. Please take any medicine or apply any medicine after talking to your doctor if you are planning pregnancy, you are pregnant or while breast-feeding your child.

Please avoid every type of Vitamin a derivative either topical or oral. Medications such as Isotretinoin, which is one of the favorites of acne medicines, should be strictly avoided. Other topicals containing tretinoin, tazarotene and other Vitamin A derivatives should be strictly avoided. Please don’t use any topical skin care product before asking your doctor. Please avoid any oral medication after talking to your doctor. Many OTC skin care products contain Vitamin A derivatives. Please avoid all such products.

Please avoid antibiotics from the group of tetracycline such as tetracycline, doxycycline etc. They may damage the fetus or breast-feeding child. No antibiotic should be taken innocently.

Please avoid any hormone preparation that you may be using for your acne. Many hormones such as estrogen and other anti androgen hormones can damage the fetus and also get passed to the breast-feeding child. Avoid as many medicines as possible. Avoid all skin care and makeup products. Get everything certified by your doctor, if you are planning to get pregnant, or are pregnant or breast feeding your child.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Acne- Is It Contagious?

Acne is one of the most common disorders that trouble us. Many of us get acne even when we grow up. Acne spoils our looks and affects our confidence. The scars are as bad and make us self-conscious. Can acne be contagious? Should we keep away from acne sufferers?

Acne- is it contagious or not?

For any diseases or condition to be contagious, there has be an agent that is passed on from one person to another. Like in ringworm, where one can pass on the fungus and affect another person. Acne causes have nothing that can be passed on from one person to another. There is nothing that we can catch from others and that will cause acne on our skin.  

Acne- Causes-

Acne is caused by the excess production of sebum that is hormonal. The gland block that forms and makes the sebum remain inside is only dead skin and is also caused by hormonal and other unknown reasons. The bacteria P.acnes that inflames the acne is found on the skin of all of us. None of these three reasons for causing acne can be passed on. So acne is not contagious.

Acne- what care should I take to keep it away?

Avoid stress. Whenever you take any hormones or are nearing pregnancy, consult your doctor about acne possibility and prevent it. Keep your top layer of the skin healthy by use of AHA's etc. wash your face twice a day and keep it clean of dirt and oils.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Acne Free Treatment

Acne is very common among teenagers, and adolescents. No one is really sure what causes acne, or why it is known to form in the teen years. Although scientists don't know what causes it but heredity is at the top of the list of possible factors. Heredity has long been thought to be a large roll in who gets acne. If someone in your family has had, or has, acne, then you are more then likely going to develop it.

Acne can vary from mild to very severe. It is commonly formed when the skin ducts and oil glands start to work overtime. The lining of the duct will actually shed cells which are then moved away to the outside layer of skin. The skin duct clogs and oil is trapped underneath. This plug of the pore is called a comedo. When the plug is below the skin it is called a whitehead, or closed comedo. But then, if the plug pushed up and pops out of the skin duct, pore, it is then called an open comedo, or blackhead. It is called black head because the top of it appears dark, although it is not dirt that is trapped in your skin, and it cannot be easily washed away.

It is important that you do not let having acne restrict or control your life. Here are some tips for and easy Acne Free Treatment.

One of the most dismissed treatments for acne is water. Something so easy as drinking enough water a day is very effective in getting rid of acne. This is thought to be because water is alkaline, with a pH of 7.3, and is considered a natural treatment to become acne free. Drinking at least eight glasses of water a day will help your body get rid of oil and waste toxins that can damage your skin.  Water even helps moisten your skin and keep your pores from clogging. Drinking water will also lower your stress levels and relax your body, letting you get a better sleep. Along with drinking more water, try to lessen your intake of coffees, sodas, teas, and alcohols. These types of drinks are diuretics that take more water out of your cells then they put in.

Although astringents shrink your pores and decrease the appearance of acne for a short while, they are unhealthy for your skin in the long one. For one, they dry out your skin, forcing your cells to produce more oils, and that can lead to acne outbreaks. Also, when your pores shrink, oil is trapped in there, clogging the pores.

Another thing to avoid is stimulants. Stimulants such as coffee, tea, cigarettes, and sugar from sweets and soda should be considered unhealthy for the entire body. These stimulants affect the whole nervous system and brain, and can easily stimulate the oil glands to start producing more oil than usual. These can also trigger stress, which is also bad for your skin.

Watching what you eat is a good way to limit your acne breakouts. Diet does affect acne, so be careful what you eat. Try to stay away from foods that are high in fat, or foods that tend to be greasy. Think low fat foods and you will be just fine.

Alcohol is thought of as one of the best ways to relieve stress, alcohol is also a big contributor to acne. It is an astringent and shrinks pores. Also, alcohol inhibits sleep and can cause stress. You need rest and a stress free lifestyle to have healthy skin.
Scrubbing your skin, along with abrasive soaps should be avoided. They irritate the skin and damage the natural barrier between you and the acne causing bacteria.

Sure, the sun does kill most bacteria, but it also harms the skin. The skin is very fragile, and is harmed easily. The sun acts as an astringent that tightens and clogs the skin pores. It also dries out the skin, and there is also sun spots, freckles, and skin cancer. You should spend 15 minutes under the sun daily.

There are many medicines and cream that are used to fight acne. But so far, maintains a healthy lifestyle is the easiest way to go. It is important to say that by leading a healthy lifestyle, you will not only get healthier skin, but also a healthier body. Changing habits will be hard at first, but in the long run you will have a better general health, and more energy, and clearer, healthier skin.

Acne- Easy Ways To Stop Getting Infected Acne

Acne begins as a whitehead or a blackhead. These are uninfected comedones. The gland is full of sebum and the gland is clogged. If treated at this stage, the acne will resolve easily without any scar. But many times it gets infected and becomes a big pimple full of pus. Stop that happening with these easy steps.

Acne- how it gets infected?

A bacterium called P.acnes lives on our skin. Normally this bacterium makes no harm to us. If this bacterium is given a warm close place full of sebum, it loves that and multiplies there. This happens in acne. The sebaceous gland is the ideal place for the bacteria in acne and the bacteria multiplies inside that. When white cells kill the bacteria, you see the pus filled acne. We should stop giving the bacteria a place to thrive. Let us see how.

1. Treat the blackheads and whiteheads immediately with either Benzoyl Peroxide or Salicylic Acid. They will both unclog the gland. Consult your doctor about using tretinoin at this stage itself. Use AHAs around the affected area to remove dead cells faster and remove the top affected layer of the skin. Your doctor will draw a treatment program for you.

2. Ask your doctor if you can use a mild antibiotic along with other topical treatments to kill the bacteria before it grows. Kill all the bacteria before it multiplies. Generally we use antibiotic after getting infected. In this case, ask your doctor if you should use one as preventive.

3. Keep your hands clean and wash your face with a good acid balanced cleanser or an AHA based cleanser. Don't over clean the skin. Clean it two to three times a day. Don't touch the spots. That may infect them. Trying to remove the comedones may also infect them. Consult your doctor and if needed he/she will pull it out.

Stopping acne before it gets infected is the best way to avoid large-scale pimples and scars.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Acne- Does sunshine improve it?

Acne and treatments-

Acne has many treatments. Being a very common problem, people have found their own ways of treating acne. Some of them don’t cure acne but may further damage the skin. Many of us believe that acne can be treated by getting exposed to sun, but is it true? Let us find out the truth.

Acne- causes

Once we know about what causes acne, we can find out if sunshine affects any of them. The causes of acne are very simple. Because of hormonal changes and sometime pressure or chemicals, body produces more sebum. The gland keeps on producing sebum, but the gland opening gets closed with dead skin. This makes the gland expand like a balloon. The bacteria P.acnes infects the gland and inflames it. This gland forms the acne. If the infection is not severe you will call it black head or white heads, otherwise pimples, cystic acne etc.

Acne - treatments-

 Every acne treatment tries to address one or more of the causes of acne formation. Sunlight does not address any of the causes. What it does is to either burn the skin or tan it. With tanned look, acne looks less apparent and we believe that it is going away. But that is not true. Rather sun damages the skin and may cause early wrinkles, aging and even cancer. Please consult your doctor about acne treatment and stop believing that sun can cure it.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Acne- Does Food Make A Difference?

In the quest to cure acne faster and prevent it, medical science is looking at all the possible causes and treatments. In this respect various foods are getting examined and doctors are trying to find out if food has any connection with acne formation. Let us find out more about it.

Acne and chocolates-

 Many people believe that chocolates make acne worse. Many people believe that oily food will cause oily skin and make them more susceptible to acne. Acne formation does depend on stress. Genetics may have a definite role in acne formation. Why a teenager has got face full of spots, while other gets none. These are the mysteries of human body. Both produce hormones and both are at the age when most of the teenagers should expect acne. But some of them don't get any. Some of them not only get acne in adolescence but keep on getting it as they grow up.

Acne and food connection-

There may be a connection between eating a particular food and getting acne. But science has yet to come to a conclusion about it. That does not mean that your acne may not be getting by a particular food. Science has not solved all the mysteries and many of grandma's recipes work for no scientific reason. It is for you to make a chart of food and acne. Whenever you get a flare up, try to find out if you had eaten any particular food. If this match continues, avoid that food.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Acne- Do Miracle Cures Work?

Acne is a frustrating condition. It takes quite some time to resolve and by the time one pimple resolves, one may get another. That frustrates us more. Daily application of formulations that seem not to work makes us look for cures that may be quicker. Sunshine, application of toothpaste, essential oils etc. are al taken as quick treatments. Before you get taken in by any of such treatments, please read further.

Acne- why do many of us look for miracle cures?

The main reason that many of us look for miracle cures for acne is because we can not tolerate acne. If it is severe, we want to get rid of it immediately. It makes us feel very bad. Our confidence is affected because of acne. Modern medicine has proven acne therapy but all of them take weeks to show effect. That frustrates us and we want a quick cure. This makes us look for miracle cures. If you have an important function to attend and are affected by acne, please consult your doctor about steroid injection. A steroid injection in the acne can dry it within few days. Please talk to your doctor about that option.

Acne- is there anything wrong with modern medicine?

There is nothing wrong with modern medicine for acne except the time. We want that our acne should resolve as early as possible. All medicines take time. Benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, retinoids, etc. all take time to treat acne. Many of us have no patience and that is how we get trapped to use other methods. These methods do not work because there is no scientific finding that says that they can. But in the process we lose precious time and spoil our looks further. Please get acne treated by your doctor and have patience. Even the severest form of acne has proven treatment.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Acne Cure For Sure!

If you are already tired of your acne, you may resort to finding expensive acne treatments or you may try some surgical procedures. But these things are so expensive and you don’t know if both will be successful.

Here are some easy tips for acne cure and avoidance:

1. Regular Exercise

Regular exercise can help in acne cure by fighting off negative stress intensity that can come from negative confidence and depression. But avoid wearing tight nylon exercise outfits. These synthetic fabrics that tend to trap body moisture and heat, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. Stick to loose clothing made of cotton or natural blends, and keep your sports gear and equipment clean.

2. Using Safe Cosmetics

To avoid the clogging of pore and skin irritations that can contribute to acne, use products labeled "oil-free". Select "hypo-allergenic" perfumes and cosmetics to avoid allergic reactions and skin irritation. This may be the best acne cure for women.

3. Have a Healthy Diet

What is best for your body is best for your skin. Don’t forget to eat the right kind of foods that are less in oil and carbohydrates Make sure you get enough vitamins and minerals that have been recommended to prevent and help acne cure. Some of these vitamins and minerals are Vitamin A or Retinol (High doses are toxic), Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, L-Carnitine, and Zinc.

Don’t forget to eat the right kind of foods that are less in oil and carbohydrates.

4. Drinking plenty of fluids

Drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day helps cleanse our body internally. We know that acne cure can start from within. Fluids, especially water, can wash away the dirt inside our body.

5. Hormonal Treatments and Healthy Skin Regimen
Hormones during later years, especially for women, can play a role in acne cure and prevention for teen years. For adults oral contraceptives or hormonal birth control pills may be helpful for women, combined with systemic or current treatments, prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Avoiding harsh scrubbing or over-washing is a good acne cure, because this can cause possible skin irritation or possible over production of oil to replace what's washed off, clogging pores in the process. Use products with gentle exfoliation ingredients and skip products that contain alcohol.

6. Shaving

Shaving is actually an excellent way of exfoliating or removing dead skin to help acne cure and prevention instead of leaving the remains to clog pores. Shaving can help remove whiteheads and blackheads from the face. Do not shave areas that are sore or infected. Use a shaving cream for sensitive skin. Gentle swipes instead of heavy pressure and go with the flow or "grain" will be good for the skin. A single-edged blade is better than a twin-blade razor.

7. Stress

Stress includes external and internal stressors. External Stressors are those that compromise your skin's ability to heal, like oily make-up and too much sun. Internal stressors like worry, fear, low self-esteem, depression and a variety of other emotions, can trigger chemical reactions inside your body that can result in acne outbreak and other skin irritations. To combat internal stressors and prevent acne problems, get plenty of rest and sleep. Try to maintain regular hours.

These are just some ways of acne cure that can help prevent acne outbreak in teens and adults. Always remember that healthy living is the key for a healthy skin.

Acne- Can You Stop Acne Formation?

Acne- How It Troubles Most Of Us?

Acne troubles most of us. Either when we are teenagers or when we grow up. Those who have acne on face are shy of meeting friends and those have acne on the back are shy of removing their shirt in public. Teenagers ask if acne will spoil their relationships. Acne has been taken as a way of life. We have all come to believe that cane cannot be prevented. it can be only treated once you get it. Can acne formation be stopped?

Acne- How It Forms?

Acne is associated with our sebaceous glands with hair. When the gland produces more sebum, and dead skin cells accumulate, they block the pore of the gland. This increases the pressure in the gland and forms acne. If we want to stop acne, we have to address these two main issues along with getting rid of excess P.acnes bacteria that produces inflammation.

Acne- How To Stop Its Formation?

Suppose I am prone to acne. I can surely try all the measures to control the oil. i can consult my doctor about drugs that will bring my hormones in order and not activate sebum production. I will ask my doctor about how to make my skin shed the dead skin cells regularly so that they don't block the pores. I will try methods such microdermabrasion and AHA treatments to remove the dead skin layer. I will find out which antibacterial will take care of the P.acnes and don't allow it to grow. The issue is that most of us never ask our doctor in detail about the prevention but are happy to clear whatever acne we get.

Please talk to your doctor in detail about you can address these three issues and prevent acne. Don't allow it to form. Take help of science and make every effort to stop it forming.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Acne- Can I Treat My Acne By Removing Surface Oils?

Most of us believe that when we get acne, we must be having oily skin. How can dry skin have acne? We believe that acne and oily skin are inseparable. These ideas are wrong. Removing surface oils and trying to dry the skin to make acne disappear will not work. Unless your skin is oily, no drying will help. With oily skin also , one can only keep the skin dry, but can not treat acne by drying the skin. It may hurt you more. You can treat your acne in other easy ways. Here is how?

Acne and Benzoyl peroxide-

If you have only blackheads or whiteheads, there is nothing better than Benzoyl Peroxide. If that is not suitable for you try salicylic Acid formulations. These are OTC products and if you have patience, they will get rid of your acne. Don't squeeze out your acne. That will enlarge your pores and may scar. Let it dry with the formulations slowly and after some time some discoloration may remain that will go away.

Acne and retinoids-

For severe acne, get antibiotics and retinol creams. The antibiotic will stop the bacteria P.acnes from spreading and retinol will dry the skin and remove the block that is causing sebum to accumulate in your pores and causing acne.

Acne and AHAs-

AHA formulations loosen the dead skin cells and remove them. If you regularly use AHA formulations, your acne may never get a chance to form. Acne forms only if the gland is blocked. AHA opens the gland and may work as a good preventive. Please consult your doctor about the above options.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Acne And Skin Changes In Pregnancy

All thanks to hormones your complexion may act up to during pregnancy. If you have had clear skin all along, pimples, acne, etc seems like unwanted guests. On the other hand, acne, pimples, etc prior to your pregnancy, your skin might just clear up. Irrespective of the situation, you can start by keeping your skin clean and moisturized. And if pimples, acne, start to appear, do not pick, squeeze, scratch or pop them. You make things worse for your skin by risking scars. Speak with your doctor if acne becomes worse.

Acne prevention pointers

- Wash your face twice a day with mild cleanser. Exfoliate but do not scrub your skin.
- Exercise to reduces stress, increases blood circulation and oxygen penetration to your skin
- Do not squeeze, pop, scratch or pick at your pimples, as this can make the infection spread.
- Drink adequate amount of water each day to help detoxify the body from the inside out.
- Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables and drink loads of water to maintain healthy skin. Avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates
- Avoid oil based cosmetics and clean your cosmetic brushes in warm soapy water.
- Avoid exposing your skin to too much sunlight, heat or cold.
- Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing as it can trap sweat against the skin.

Acne Remedies

- Apply lavender or tea tree oil on the acne affected area. These essential oils are natural antibiotics destroying a broad range of microorganisms and reduce redness, itchiness and stinging. Try a steam facial of boiling water mixed with couple of drops of tea tree oil. When you are finished, splash your face with cold water, to help close the pores again.
- Cut fresh garlic clove in half and put it on the affected area.
- Put a tsp of lemon juice and ground cinnamon on the acne.
- Apply vinegar to the face with a cotton ball and let it sit for ten minutes and then rinse with cold water.
- Lemon or any citric fruit are good natural exfoliates. Squeeze a lemon or citrus fruit into a bowl and soak a cotton ball in the juice. Apply the lemon juice to the face and then leave for 10 minutes before rinsing with cool water.
- Beat one egg white and apply it on the face for 15 minutes and then rinse with cold water. Egg white with large amount of proteins and fatty acids replenishes the skin and tightens the pores.
- If you see a pimple starting to break out on your face, rub an ice cube on the affected area.

Acne And oily Skin

Acne is a real cosmetic problem. Many of the acne patients sometimes feel that they would never get rid of acne. With latest treatments, if you have patience, you can treat your acne successfully. But what if you also have oily skin?

Oily Skin- What is it?

Our skin has sebaceous glands. These glands produce sebum. This sebum keeps our skin well moisturized and protects skin from microbial infections. The sebum is mainly made of lipids and dead skin cells. The skin constantly produces the sebum. If you don't wash your hair for few days you will find that your hair is oily. That is sebum. What if your body produces more than required sebum? You get oily skin.

Oily Skin- Why some people get it?

Why some people have it? As we saw, the sebum makes the skin oily. Some of us have overactive sebaceous glands. That is mainly because of hormones that trigger excess sebum production. That is the reason many women get more oily skin during their menstrual periods. Apart from regular care of the oily skin, talk to your doctor about any method to control the androgens that trigger sebum production.

Acne and oily skin-

Oily skin is the right environment for the P.acnes bacteria to flourish. With more oil in the glands and on the skin, these bacteria infect many glands and produce acne. If you have oily skin, please manage it properly, otherwise your chances of getting acne are high.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Acne and Adult Acne (Rosacea), what is wrong with me?

When my friend Sid was small he used to get pimples. His brothers used to get acne pimples as well but they were lucky because their acne used to disappear quickly. He was the unlucky one because he used to get a new one almost every other day. Everyone told him that once he will reach the age of 25 they will go away, and they did but unfortunately he contracted with rosacea, i.e. adult acne.

He used to get patchy-redness and sudden flushing all the time, sometimes he had a pimple or two but his skin used to remain oily all the time. He used to wash his face every couple of hours with medicated soap but his face used to get oily very quickly.


The problem was that he didn’t even realize that he had rosacea for the first few years until his skin specialist diagnosed him with rosacea. He became self-conscious and used to avoid gatherings. He tried many different treatments and medicines antibiotics, Retin-A you name it he tried it including herbal treatments. Even used gram flour and orange peel, which his grandma prepared and forced him to used but nothing worked for him.

First I had Acne and now adult acne, what is the problem with me? The question he used to ask himself and to everyone else almost everyday for which the answer we still don't know.

He tried different creams and changed his skin specialist again and
again to find the right one. But unfortunately nothing and no one could help him. This is because what causes rosacea is still unknown. It is still a mystery even for some doctors that which rosacea treatment is actually right for someone who has rosacea. It’s not that treatments do not work with rosacea, some treatments work well, but which one is the right one is a million dollar question.

Until one day when his mum's ever increasing criticism became unbearable he stopped using soap, drinking more water and he started washing his face only with warm water. In his own words the first 3 weeks were terrible for him. He could not go out, he could not face anyone. I think it was just his imagination that he looked awful but after that his face accepted water and the oiliness of his face started to decline. It took about 2 months before his face started to remain dry and he got rid of oiliness.

The flushing was still the big problem for him. Even though he promised himself that he will not used any new treatment but a sudden flare-up still made him look around for treatments. Then he discovered Jojoba Oil, which was a turning point and a true-life saver for him, that’s what he says about the oil. It took about a week before his face actually accepted the oil. The best thing was the application of Jojoba oil was simple, just warm water a drop of pure jojoba oil every morning and evening and his face redness started to decline. Nowadays he doesn't get sudden flare-ups.

I hope that some people who are suffering from acne rosacea, if increase the use of water and use jojoba oil instead of experimenting on new medicated soaps and creams then they might help them with their rosacea problem.

Acne - Remove Milia That Look Like Whiteheads But They Are Not Acne

All of us want good-looking skin. Acne is the biggest obstacle in our effort. There are other skin problems that look like acne but are not acne. Milia is one of them. Milia are white spots on the face that can form at any age. Milia look like white pearls and most of us confuse them with whiteheads of acne. They are not whiteheads. So the treatment is different. Common acne treatment will not help remove milia but create more skin problems. Find out the difference between milia and whiteheads for a good-looking face.

Acne- what are whiteheads: whiteheads form when the dead skin cells, white blood cells, bacteria P.Acnes and sebum block the opening of the sebaceous glands. The gland has a closed mouth and this comedone is called acne. This acne troubles us because if it gets further infected, it can create scarring and spoil the facial skin forever.

Mila- milia is the accumulation of dead skin cells that is not able to get out of the skin. Milia has no infection like whiteheads and no bacteria or pus. Milia has no sebum in its formation. Our skin sheds dead skin cells everyday. Sometimes, when these cells cannot be shed out from the skin, they accumulate and form miila. When you extract a milia from the skin, you will only see white mass. They are dead skin cells.

Milia treatment- the only way to remove milia is to get them extracted from skin. Don't extract milia yourself if they are located on your eyelids. The best way to prevent milia is to get the top skin layer exfoliated regularly. Get microdermabrasion done regularly. AHAs are also good for removing the top dead skin cells regularly. Vitamin A derivative creams are also good to peel off the top skin layer. Consult your doctor about prevention and removal.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Acne, if Only It Would Go Away

Acne is one of life's little irritants and a major cause for loss of self esteem and self worth for our youth.  Occurring at any age, but commonly in your teenage year's acne is one of the most frustrating skin conditions you can have.

As a teenager I personally battled acne and lost.  I didn't know what caused it and there were myths all over about too much candy and chocolate, too much stress, preservatives in foods, sweating from exercise, etc.  There are probably hundreds of wrong statements about what causes acne and just as many home remedies that don't help to cure acne.

Acne is caused by excessive oils on your skin that clog your pores and eventually will result in an infection, which produces the pimple with its redness and swelling.  A blackhead is simply a pore that has been partially plug by oils or dead skin but still remains open and doesn't have an infection.

The key to controlling your acne is your ability to control the body oils that you have on your face, neck and shoulders. As a teenager your hormones are the cause of some of this excessive oil in you hair.  So it is important to keep your hair clean to help reduce the amount of oil you have around your face and shoulders.

As a teenager, I had very oily hair and had acne on my shoulders, I had sought doctors help and tried many things but what finally got it under control was a shorter haircut and washing my hair at least once a day, in addition to keeping my face clean by washing with mild soap and water.

If you have acne you should try not to pick at and pop your pimples. It can be very difficult not to pick at your acne, but what you are actually doing when you pop a pimple is spreading the infection to other pores in your skin.  You may have noticed that if you do pick at your acne it tends to spread, this is caused by spreading the infection (the white puss like substance) to other pores that may only be partially clogged but now have additional infectious material to completely clog the pore.

Keep in mind acne can also be caused by some medications so if you're taking proper care to control your body oils and it still hasn't worked, you may be taking a medication that is the main cause.  Be sure to consult with your family physician as he can determine the side effects of your medication and adjust if necessary.

Acne: Fact And Fiction

Myths about acne die hard. Old wives’ tales about its causes continue to persist, in spite of scientific condition to the contrary. This article aims to shed light on some common myths about acne and attempts to separate fact from fiction.

Myth 1: People who have acne are unclean and maintain poor hygiene

There is absolutely no truth to this statement. Acne is caused by a hormonal imbalance in the body. When the oil glands responsible for keeping our skin waterproof and moist, over react to produce excessive quantities of sebum, they block the associated hair follicle, causing clogged pores, which develops into acne. So hygiene has absolutely nothing to do with it. In fact unnecessary scrubbing of the skin can exacerbate the problem. Do take care of your skin though - wash your face gently and pat dry.

Myth 2: Eating the wrong foods will lead to acne

The fact is that there is no co-relation between what you eat and acne. The chocolates, the French fries, the cheese pizza, and all those other fatty foods that have been lambasted ever so often, because of their unhealthy consequence have no affect whatsoever on your skin. However, eating a well balanced diet makes sense. So while you don’t have to be concerned as to whether your favorite treat affects your skin (at least directly), do remember that it does affect your overall health.

Myth 3: Acne is caused by stress

The truth is that the stress that most of us experience as part of our day-to-day existence does not lead to acne. Sometimes, acne can arise as the side-effect of drugs taken to treat severe stress. Talk to your doctor to find out if your stress medication is responsible for your acne. Stress can however make an already existing acne condition worse.

Myth 4: Acne is a merely a cosmetic disease

Well, acne does affect the way you look and yes, it is considered a threat to your physical well being. However, the fact remains that in some cases acne can lead to permanent scarring which is more than just purely cosmetic. Acne affects people psychologically. It is known to affect their perception of themselves, their self-esteem and confidence and their interaction with others. It can cause feelings of frustration, depression and social embarrassment.

Myth 5: Acne can not be cured

With the kind of products that are available in the market today, there is no reason why anyone should have to suffer the agony caused by acne. The fact is that acne can be cleared up with the right medication and a regime specific to their needs. Consult your dermatologist if you have acne.

Acne - Avoid Comedogenic Products

Acne avoidance needs lot of care. Use of products play a big role in Acne. If you use a product that can cause comedos- whiteheads and blackheads, you are inviting acne. to avoid acne you should use all products that are certified non- comedogenic. Let us find out what is comedogenicity and how to keep skin clear of acne?

Acne And Comedogenicity

Most of the materials that are used for skin and body care are tested for comedogenicity. For that test, the material is applied on the inside of rabbit's ear and the site observed after three weeks. A biopsy is taken and comedones counted. Depending on the comedone formation, the material is classified on a scale of 0 to 5. A material with 0 comedogenic potential will not cause comedones, while one with 5 will cause comedones in the largest quantity.

Acne- Skin Care Formulations

Here, please note that a skin care product may contain more than one ingredient. The manufacturer will label the product as comedogenic or non-comedogenic. Please use non-comedogenic product. Appearance of the product may not indicate its comedogenicity. Mineral oil that looks oily has the no.0!

Acne Care- Select Products

Acne care needs use of products after careful consideration. Use non-comedogenic products and if after using a product for sometime you find comedones increasing, stop usage for sometime and see the result. You r own judgment will guide you. Keep your skin free of acne.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Acne – Types, Causes And Treatments

Acne Vulgaris, commonly referred to as pimples, is an inflammatory disease of the skin. This condition is very common in puberty. As one reaches their early twenties, it either disappears or decreases. Acne begins because of the comedo, an enlarged hair follicle plugged with oil and bacteria. The comedo is invisible to the naked eye and is present beneath the surface of the skin. When it gets the right condition, it grows into an inflamed lesion. The oil produced from the skin helps bacteria to flourish within the swollen follicle.

Non-inflammatory acre are of two types – Closed comedo or white head, and Open comedo or black head. There are 4 types of inflammatory acne –

· Papule – It is the mildest form that appears on the skin as a small, firm pink bump.

· Pustule – They are small round lesions containing visible pus. They may appear red at the base and yellowish or whitish at the center.

· Nodule or Cyst – Large and painful, they are pus-filled lesions lodged deep within the skin. The nodules may persist for weeks or months with the contents hardening into a deep cyst. Both nodules and cysts often leave deep scars.

· Acne Conglobata – This severe bacterial infection develops mostly on the back, buttocks and chest.

The chief causes of acne are hormones like androgen, production of extra sebum, follicle fallout, bacteria and inflammation. For controlling acne, you can carry out the following steps –

· Avoid excessive washing of your skin. It can leave the healthy skin dry, thus irritating the acne prone areas. Over-washing may also stimulate extra oil production.

· Avoid alcohol products to tone your skin. Alcohol is a strong astringent that strips the top layer of the skin causing sebaceous glands to produce more oil.

· Do not squeeze or pick the acne with fingernails, pins or any other thing. It forces the bacteria deeper into the skin and often leaves a permanent acne scar.

· A wash is required after exercise. The heat and moisture trapped against the skin creates an ideal breeding ground for the spread of bacteria.

· Consume food rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin B-2, Vitamin B-3, Vitamin E and Zinc like eggs, nuts, liver, milk, fish and leafy green vegetables.

· Proper sleep and a life without stress and emotional anxiety can reduce acne.

· Wear little make-up while exercising. Avoid garments that are made exclusively with nylon.

Laser surgery is often used to reduce the scars left behind by acne. Treating acne with azelaic acid, salicylic acid, tropical retinoids and benzoyl peroxide is also common. A large number of people started trying herbal acne treatments over the traditional medications by using teas, oils and herbal creams.

Acne – Types, Causes And Treatments

Acne Vulgaris, commonly referred to as pimples, is an inflammatory disease of the skin. This condition is very common in puberty. As one reaches their early twenties, it either disappears or decreases. Acne begins because of the comedo, an enlarged hair follicle plugged with oil and bacteria. The comedo is invisible to the naked eye and is present beneath the surface of the skin. When it gets the right condition, it grows into an inflamed lesion. The oil produced from the skin helps bacteria to flourish within the swollen follicle.

Non-inflammatory acre are of two types – Closed comedo or white head, and Open comedo or black head. There are 4 types of inflammatory acne –

· Papule – It is the mildest form that appears on the skin as a small, firm pink bump.

· Pustule – They are small round lesions containing visible pus. They may appear red at the base and yellowish or whitish at the center.

· Nodule or Cyst – Large and painful, they are pus-filled lesions lodged deep within the skin. The nodules may persist for weeks or months with the contents hardening into a deep cyst. Both nodules and cysts often leave deep scars.

· Acne Conglobata – This severe bacterial infection develops mostly on the back, buttocks and chest.

The chief causes of acne are hormones like androgen, production of extra sebum, follicle fallout, bacteria and inflammation. For controlling acne, you can carry out the following steps –

· Avoid excessive washing of your skin. It can leave the healthy skin dry, thus irritating the acne prone areas. Over-washing may also stimulate extra oil production.

· Avoid alcohol products to tone your skin. Alcohol is a strong astringent that strips the top layer of the skin causing sebaceous glands to produce more oil.

· Do not squeeze or pick the acne with fingernails, pins or any other thing. It forces the bacteria deeper into the skin and often leaves a permanent acne scar.

· A wash is required after exercise. The heat and moisture trapped against the skin creates an ideal breeding ground for the spread of bacteria.

· Consume food rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin B-2, Vitamin B-3, Vitamin E and Zinc like eggs, nuts, liver, milk, fish and leafy green vegetables.

· Proper sleep and a life without stress and emotional anxiety can reduce acne.

· Wear little make-up while exercising. Avoid garments that are made exclusively with nylon.

Laser surgery is often used to reduce the scars left behind by acne. Treating acne with azelaic acid, salicylic acid, tropical retinoids and benzoyl peroxide is also common. A large number of people started trying herbal acne treatments over the traditional medications by using teas, oils and herbal creams.

About Adult Acne

Acne is often thought of as a teenage dilemma, and while it is true that acne appears most often during the teenage years, it is arguably just as true that there are a growing number of individuals that suffer from adult acne.

Adults in their twenties, all the way up to their fifties can still experience acne flare-ups.  And adult acne can have just as many negative effects on a person as teenage acne.  Possibly even more so, as the stress of career and family adds to the strain of living with an unsightly skin problem.

Mental stress can be one of the major causes of acne in adults.  It is not a surprise in the slightest that women are often more likely to suffer from adult acne than men, as it has been shown that women have much more stress in their day to day lifestyle, not to mention that they are prone to hormonal imbalances, especially during times such as their menstrual cycle and pregnancy.  Just as in teens, hormones play an important factor in the onset and exacerbation of adult acne.

The environmental factors that surround a person, paired with the individual's lifestyle can also play a huge role in the appearance of adult acne.  An improper diet or behaviors such as smoking and drinking affect the skin's condition and resistance to acne, as well as other diseases.

Prevention is the only obvious way to go when dealing with adult acne. A proper diet, paired with plenty of water and rest is a good start.  Trying to relieve stress and maintaining proper skin care and hygiene can also help to prevent acne from occurring.

But what about the pimples that you may already have?  There are many treatments available for people who have adult acne.

Anti-acne medications, certain skin care products, and even laser surgery are just a few of the many treatments available for acne on the market today.  Visiting a qualified doctor or dermatologist is the only way to determine how severe your acne really is and to find the proper treament available for you.