Acne Vitamins

In the section on "Skin Diet," vitamins received needed mention. Still, the importance of vitamins can not be overstated. Vitamins contribute greatly to the maintenance of a healthy, acne-free skin. For that reason, this section offers even more details about the vitamins that help to prevent acne.

Starting with the vitamin of greatest importance for those concerned about acne (and also starting at the beginning of the alphabet), this article will first examine the benefits of Vitamin A. Vitamin A helps the skin cells to produce vital proteins, thus strengthening the protective tissue of the skin. At the same time, Vitamin A lowers the level of oil production in the sebaceous glands.

Toxins can form within the skin, If not eliminated from the skin; then those toxins can irritate the skin, adding to chances for the development of acne. Consumption of foods with Vitamin A helps to move toxins out of the body. Please note that this section has advised looking to foods (fruits and vegetables) as a source of Vitamin A. Do not look to supplements for Vitamin A that can work to prevent acne.

Each of the various B Vitamins plays a part in the effort to keep skin free of acne. Vitamin B1 (thiamine) provides cells with the tools for metabolism. Metabolism creates energy. A diet of only carbohydrates does not give the body its needed Vitamin B1. A body in need of thiamine can obtain that chemical from digested garlic, parsley, leek, oranges, kale, pineapple, plum, cauliflower and tangerine.

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) lends assistance to Vitamin A. Those two vitamins work together to maintain the mucous membrane of the gastro-intestinal tract. Unlike Vitamin A, Vitamin B1 sources in food can be effectively supplemented by using the proper vitamin tablets. If you want to rely on such supplements, take 100 mg three times a day.

Vitamin B3 (niacinamide) also contributes to the functioning of the cells' metabolic pathways. In addition, Vitamin B3 insures the smooth flow of blood through the circulatory system. For supplementation of B3 in the diet, take 200 mg three times a day.

Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) reduces stress, a condition that can cause acne. Vitamin B6 (pyroxidine) enhances the functioning of the immune system (the elements that fight the bacteria in the skin).

In addition to vitamins, skin cells need minerals. Chromium helps to speed the disappearance of infections. Most of today's processed foods lack chromium. To get enough, use tablets that provide your body with 150 micrograms per day.

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Author: Steve Stoark

Acne Treatments
Nodular Acne
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Acne has been tormenting millions of people in the US. Many acne products have been popping up in the market but there is one acne treatment that had existed for thousands of years. That is the chemical peel. It was recorded in history that Cleopatra had been bathing in sour milk to maintain her skin smooth and nice. Lactic acid found in sour milk is effective in peeling the skin removing dead skin. Lactic acid belongs to a group called Alpha-hydroxy acid.

A recent study by researchers from Saint Louis University School of Medicine has found that Alpha-hydroxy acid and Beta-hydroxy acid chemical peels are found to be both equally highly effective in combating mild to moderate facial acne.

20 patients suffering from mild to moderated acne were studied in that research. There are 17 males and 13 female in the studied group. Alpha-hydroxy acid peel (30% concentration of glycolic acid) was applied on one half of the face, while Beta-hydroxy acid peel (30% concentration of salicylic acid) was applied on the other half of the face of each patient. The treatments are done every two weeks for duration of three months. A non-bias evaluator was used to examine the effectiveness of each acid peels on the reduction of acne. Both the evaluator and the patients did not know which sides of the faces were applied with Alpha-hydroxy acid or Beta-hydroxy acid.

At the examination during the second treatment, both sides of the faces have found to have significantly reduced the numbers of pimples. However there are more severe side effects found on the sides of the faces that were applied with Alpha-hydroxy acid during the first examination. All these side effects generally were reduced to minimal after further treatments. Some common side effects of Alpha-hydroxy acid and Beta-hydroxy acid are stinging sensation, redness, dryness and peeling.

An examination was done to check for post treatment effect one month after all 6 treatments had been completed. It was found that 94% of the patients still continued to see good reduction in the numbers of pimples on both sides of their faces. Alpha-hydroxy acid and Beta-hydroxy acid chemical peels were still able to maintain their effectiveness one month after all treatments had been done.

Another examination was done two months after all treatments had been done. Beta-hydroxy acid had shown a bigger improvement in treating acne than Alpha-hydroxy acid. The non-bias evaluator gave 81 percent of the sides of faces applied with salicylic acid chemical peel fair or good improvement in acne condition, while only 75 percent of the sides applied with glycolic acid received fair or good improvement. There were also a few numbers of new pimples popping up on the sides that were applied with glycolic acid. However the numbers of new pimples were insignificant to be bothered.

The researchers concluded that both salicylic acid and glycolic acid chemical peels are equally effective in acne treatment. Salicylic acid was able to continue its effectiveness and had lesser side effects than glycolic acid. Overall Alpha-hydroxy acid and Beta-hydroxy acid chemical peels are successful treatment of acne.

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• 8 factors cause acne
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Author: Visit How to Get Rid of Pimples Fast for more pimple treatment methods

Which Is The Better Chemical Peel For Acne Treatment, Alpha-Hydroxy Acid Or Beta-Hydroxy Acid?

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Can using castor oil for acne treating skin care products really clear up your skin? Believe it or not, the answer is absolutely yes! This natural oil has wonderful moisturizing and healing properties that few can match.

OK, so you understand the healing properties part, but why exactly would keeping your skin moisturized help your acne? After all, doesn't moisture clog pores and cause immediate break outs in the first place? In reality this is a very common fallacy that many have wrongfully accepted... including me at one time.

For years I tried everything in my power to keep my skin as dry as possible only to find that my condition became worse and worse. Not only did my acne break outs increase, but I had red, scaly and chronically dry skin. Only after I stopped this practice and started moisturizing regularly in a healthy way did I start to see improvements.

Now don't run out to your local drug store and pick up the first moisturizer that you see! Store bought lotions and moisturizing soaps usually incorporate synthetic elements and harmful carcinogens in order to decrease costs and increase shelf life. Unfortunately, in the cosmetic industry ingredients don't need to be disclosed to the consumer. In other words... you have no clue what you're putting on your skin!

So how do you moisturize in a "healthy way"? Simple... By using homemade all natural soaps. You can either make soap yourself, or you can buy handcrafted soaps from a reputable company that is most concerned with producing a quality product and not passing last quarter's sales goal. The important part is that you steer clear of "fake" ingredients and go 100% all natural.

There are a ton of different oils and fats that can be used to make soap, but I believe that castor oil for acne treating soaps is definitely the best because of its ability to moisturize and quickly heal the skin.

In order to make soap out of castor oil you will need to mix it with lye (sodium hydroxide) in order to create a chemical reaction called saponification. During saponification, the oil (acid) reacts with the lye (base) to form a salt (your soap). I bet you never knew that soap was actually a salt!

Never use just castor oil in a soap making recipe as it will produce a soft bar that will become rancid prematurely. I recommend combing the castor oil with a percentage of avocado oil, coconut oil and palm oil to produce an amazing finished product that will withstand the test of time.

Give homemade soaps a try. I don't think you will ever regret it! Getting rid of the "fake stuff" and using only natural ingredients on your skin could be the missing link in your skin care regimen that will make all the difference in the world.

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PhotoCredit: http://www.botanical.com

Author: To learn more about using castor oil for acne visit Steve's site http://www.soap-making-resource.com/. Here you will find detailed soap making tutorials along with skin care ingredient profiles and other helpful information.

Using Castor Oil for Acne - A Natural Skin Care Discovery

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What causes pimples and how long does it take for them to form are good questions. The answers are a bit confusing as till date science has not been able to pinpoint at the clear reasons for the formation of acne. Still, the conclusion that has been reached in this regard is that the oil glands in the skin that secrete oil cause these pustules. These glands become larger at the time of puberty making it obvious why teenagers struggle against acne the most.

Are you also troubled by pimples or have just got a teenie-weenie one yourself. A single zit or many zits are all acne. Either way, whether young or old- who in the whole wide world would ever want a pimple? It is an embarrassment and makes your self-esteem take a nose dive. You might have already asked around to know how long it takes pimples to form. If you have, it is good, for the more information you have at hand about acne, the better prepared you would be to effectively treat them and prevent new ones from forming.

Their Root Cause

Pimples start out in the hair follicles more than 2 weeks before you can even see them. So once you know you are getting one or more, you should immediately start off a preventive treatment regime.

To understand how long it takes these annoying blemishes to form, you have to first understand how pimples relate to hair follicles. Hair follicles contain oil glands that contain a substance called as sebum. This sebum after being formed in the hair follicle slowly travels its way upwards towards the surface of the skin. Hormones that are released in the body all along play a vital role in deciding how much sebum will be produced by your sebaceous glands.

The hormone Androgen and Progesterone trigger excessive production of sebum in both men and women and those who have high levels of these hormones have acne prone skin. Sebum en-route to its way to the skin surface picks up dirt and debris as it gets nearer to the surface. Then it goes and blocks the skin pores, clogging the hair follicles. Bacteria attack the skin when it is clogged by sebum or perspiration. This bacteria scientifically known as P. acnes live on your skin and turns into a malicious harmful agent of acne, thriving and growing in the clogged hair follicles.

All this takes anything from 2-4 weeks, ample time for you to take action rather than grieve over your wrecked skin condition.

Types And Causes

Acne comes in various forms and the most common ones are blackheads and whiteheads. These are harmless non-inflammatory acne but make the face quite unsightly.

Now if bacterium infects a whitehead, a papule or pustule- a pimple forms. Such acne is inflammatory by nature and can be from mild to severe in nature. In very severe cases of acne, cysts and nodules develop, rupture and spread infection thereby causing permanent scars.

Everyone secretes oil from their glands but unfortunately some secrete it more than others. Genetics plays havoc here and so does pregnancy and other hormonal fluctuations in the body. All cause acne. Other modern day factors like stress, pollution and changing diet are also causes of pimples. The dead cells on the skin that seem harmless enough can also clog the hair follicles and because a cause for distress- pimples.

Basically, there is no single reason for acne and no fixed time for acne to form. Pimples are formed by a number of reasons and the time that they take to form also varies from person to person. You can fight the problem of acne right at its initial stage with proper care.

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Author: I hope you found this article helpful! Discover an effective cure for acne, and uncover the secrets to finding an acne free treatment that works for you, by going to: http://www.OnlineAcneRelief.com/

How Long Does It Take Pimples To Form?

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Does Toothpaste Help Get Rid of Acne?

Home remedies for acne come in all flavors of strange. There's the egg yolk mask, handyman soap scrub, lidocaine rub and even a urine toner. And like any trial therapy, homemade treatments may work sheerly because of the placebo effect. But, does toothpaste posses any properties that support its usage as an acne treatment?

The first place to begin answering this question is to consider the ingredients in common toothpastes and what effect they have on the skin.

Fluoride:


In almost any tube of toothpaste you'll find sodium monoflurorophosphate, or simply put, some chemical variety of fluoride. Fluoride prevents tooth cavities. But in the skin, fluoride typically causes more damage that it corrects. For example, medicals studies have reported that large does of fluoride could cause systemic poisoning. Though the amount of fluoride in tooth paste is less than one percent you may not want predispose yourself to risk.

If toothpaste does help acne prone skin, it's most likely not due to the fluoride because this chemical can irritate or burn the skin and sometimes provoke skin allergies.

Glycerin, sorbitol and alumina:

Skimming down the list of toothpaste ingredients, we arrive at agents with the potential to delete zits like hydrated silica, sorbitol, alumina and glycerin. Silica and types of aluminum are used to treat acne via dermabrasive products. However, in the toothpaste, they are too fine to profoundly exfoliate the skin. Sorbitol is a flavoring agent while glycerin makes the toothpaste feel good in your mouth.

Moving on, we come to sodium lauryl sulfate, or the toothpaste bubble maker. You don't need suds to get rid of zits. Next!

Getting rid of calcium:

Now we encounter sodium pyrophosphate, or some relative of this chemical resting in our toothpaste. Sodium pyrophosphate limits tartar deposits on the teeth by removing calcium and magnesium from saliva. It is with this calcium evicting phosphate that we may find a potential acne curative.

Skin levels of calcium directly influence skin cell growth and differentiation. One of the traits of acne includes improper shedding of the skin or improper skin cell separation. And according to research done by Chia-Ling L. Tu and colleagues, too much calcium in the epidermis skin causes more hair follicles to grow, makes the skin more susceptible to outside attacks and increases cell growth.

None of these activities help contain acne so taking away a little calcium from acne prone skin may eliminate a cluster of zits. So we allot a point to pyrophosphate as a possible acne taming agent.

Try these ingredients in a better product and they will help with acne:

Rounding out the toothpaste ingredients are minimal amounts of titanium dioxide and or baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). As far as the skin is concerned, these two agents are wonderful exfoliators, yet in some toothpastes, their presence may prove too small to positively affect the skin.

These guys may also absorb excess facial oils which will definitely help bumpy skin heal faster. As predominant skin care ingredients, titanium dioxide and baking soda sever as wonderful dermbrasion agents, so you may want to try them in this form.

In short. proving whether or not your toothpaste will get rid of acne would require some costly research and you would still have to face the ominous doubt cast by the placebo effect. Toothpaste does contain agents with the potential to control acne like pyrophosphates that improve skin cell shedding, and skin exfoliators like titanium dioxide and baking soda.

The only problem is, toothpaste is formulated to treat and prevent cavities, not pimples. You really can't fully benefit from toothpaste's zit fighting agents because they are not concentrated enough. Instead, use acne products that contain right proportions of bump fighting ingredients, whether you buy them at the drug store or make them at home.

Sources:

Tu, Chia-Ling L; Oda, Y; Komuves, L & Bikle D. The role of the calcium-sensing receptor in epidermal dierentiation. University of California Postprints; 2004; vol 35, no3, pp 265-273.

Author: Naweko Nicole Dial San-Joyz created the acne trigger approach to naturally controlling moderate to cystic acne in her internationally published work, "Acne Messages". San-Joyz continues to serve the acne community by developing customized acne scar dermabrasion treatments for the face and body. If you want free tips for getting rid of acne scarring, visit http://www.Noixia.com

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8 Factors Cause Acne

Acne, also known as pimples, whitehead or blackhead, is a kind of skin disease that can happen on any part of the body, but usually on the face, neck and upper body. Whitehead occurs when the plug remains below the skin surface. Blackhead happens when the plug is forced to the skin surface by the pressure of sebum and dead cells.

People can tell you many factors that cause acne. In summary, below are the key 8 factors that bring you to this unwanted skin disease. The 8 factors can be simply classified into 4 internal and 4 external factors.

4 INTERNAL FACTORS

1) Bacteria

The bacteria, named Propionibacterium Acnes (P. Acne), are typically live on our skin and cause to acne. The presence of P. Acne attracts white blood cells produce enzyme that causes local inflammation and redness. The presence of P. Acne does not cause by dirt or poor hygiene. Reducing P. Acne numbers through treatment can effectively reduce acne inflammation.


2) Sebum

Naturally, sebum, produces by sebaceous glands, "fill up" the hair follicles and the "over filled" sebum gives the skin surface an oily appearance. Sebum good to our skin as it makes our skin waterproof. Also, sebum helps to carry dead cells to exterior of skin. For reasons that are unknown, some hair follicles become obstructed and the sebum that trapped inside the hair follicles can cause P. Acne to grow. Eventually, it causes inflammation and redness to our skin.

3) Hormones (Androgens)

Many acne causes come from hormonal change or imbalance. Hormone changes due to stress, menstruation, pregnancy, starting or stopping birth control pills. The hormones that cause acne are called "androgen"'. Androgens stimulate the sebaceous glands and secrete sebum to the surface of the skin. Combination of sebum, P. Acne and toxin-blocked-pore aggravate the skin and causes inflammation and redness.

4) Genetics

Although not been proven, possible cause of acne is heredity or genetics because it does influence thickness of skin, oily tendencies of the skin and basic hormone responses. Even some studies have shown that acne development can be passed down from one generation to the next. However one's parent has acne does not necessarily mean that next generation will suffer from acne.

4 EXTERNAL FACTORS

5) Improper skin care products

Improper skin care products can cause irritation to your skin. These include any products that can block oil pores. Besides, avoid applying herbal medication that has not been proven or approved. It might give you toxic reactions.

6) Over exposed to sunrays

Over exposure to sunrays cause skin damage and worsening existing acne. Some common acne medications can make your skin sensitive to the sun and lead to worse skin condition.

7) Picking and squeezing

Picking and squeezing acne is not recommended. Picking pushes bacteria deeper into the skin cells or spread the bacteria already beneath the surface of the skin. Squeeze acne using fingers can cause acne to become serious. In the situation that picking or squeezing is unavoidable, only dealing with blackheads and whiteheads, but not the swollen and red goobers.

8) Washing face too often

Too much washing can stimulate oil glands. Wash your face with mild soap and warm water 2 to 3 times a day. Again, acne is not caused by dirt and hygiene. Washing too often or too vigorously may actually make acne worse.

In conclusion, you can find thousands of resources related to acne skin care products, acne remedies, acne therapies and so on. Be aware of those who given mislead or wrong information. Also, many of them over claim their products over there. So, be a smart shopper, make sufficient survey and study before you spent money.

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