Skin Vitamins

Skin Vitamins

Some facts about vitamins and skin
1. Lack of vitamins can make skin lifeless, blotchy and dull.
2. A number of studies reveal that certain vitamins and minerals, when taken internally, can positively influence skin appearance, beauty, and a woman's overall health.
3. Researches have shown a strong relationship between nutritional intake and skin health.
4. Getting your vitamins for the day, i.e. taking a multi-vitamin or eating fruits and vegetables rich in all the nutrients is necessary for good health.
5. The number of skin care products containing vitamins has more than tripled since 1991.
6. Most people are deficient in vitamins, minerals and herbs that are important for your body to function properly.
You need to understand what vitamins work for what skin conditions and choose skin care products accordingly.
Skin Vitamins Glossary
1. Vitamin A
- strengthens the protective tissue of the skin and prevents acne. Recommended dosage to fight acne: 10,000 IU.
- helps reduce sebum production.
- essential for the maintenance and repair of the tissue which the skin and mucous membranes are made of.
- powerful antioxidant to flush out free radicals and toxins from your body which improves wrinkling and fine lines.
2. Vitamin B Complex
- help to maintain healthy skin tone - also helpful in relieving anxiety and stress.
- Fights acne.
- vital for healthy skin by improving circulation and metabolism. important in the functioning of your immune system and your antibody production.
Read an article on the benefits of vitamin B in skin care.
3. Vitamin C
- acts as an antioxidant and is considered vital in wound healing because it aids in stabilizing collagen.
- essential to maintain your good look and prevents the appearance of "broken blood vessels".
- When applied topically, vitamin C can reduce fine lines and wrinkles and may lessen the severity of sunburns.
4. Vitamin E
- another antioxidant that may have anti-inflammatory effects on the skin.
- When applied topically, vitamin E has been known to improve moisturization, softness and smoothness and also provide modest photoprotection.

Acne Skin Care

Acne Skin Care

The most important thing you need to realize before using any acne skin care products is that it does not work the same for every person. Because of our skin condition and the way we look, think and feel, no one acne skin care product is suitable for everyone.
Before we discuss the different types of acne skin care products, we will discuss what is Acne?
The medical definition in short is that it is caused by the inflammation of the skin. Usually, because of hormones that are released on the skin’s oil glands. They lead to pores being blocked and symptoms of pimples and zits.
Acne usually occurs on the upper part of your body such as the neck, face, back, chest and shoulders.
Though some acne cases are due to heredity, the majority of acne problems are caused by our way of life. For example, the type of food that you eat, how you clean your skin, your mental condition such as stress can all determine whether you have an acne breakout.
Types of Acne Skin Care Products
The majority of acne skin care products can be divided into 2 types. They can be taken either orally (taken like medicine) or topically (applied on the skin). There is a third type of acne skin care products which is laser treatments, but there is for serious acne cases and you will need to consult a dermatologist.
1. Wash your face regularly. If possible, at least twice a day to keep your face fresh and clean
2. If you have long hair, remember to keep it away from your face. The oils in the hair can aggravate acne. If the majority of your acne occurs near your forehead, then it may be due to your hair aggravating your acne problems.
3. Drink plenty of fluids. By that I mean water, juices, not beverages and alcohol
4. Sleep early and get plenty of sleep. When your body is well-rested, there is less chance of an acne breakout
5. Do not squeeze pimples. When the pore is broken, bacteria can easily get in and infect the skin. Plus, it may cause permanent scarring.
6. Avoid Stress. There have been studies that shows your mental health is just as important in preventing acne.
7. Follow the instructions as in your acne skin care products carefully. Do not use more or less than the recommended amounts. Sometimes, it’s because we do not follow the instructions carefully therefore we do not get the maximum effects.

Acne Pimples

Acne Pimples

Pimples are tiny skin lesions or inflammations of the skin. They are commonly caused by clogged or infected pores. They may appear as deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) on the face, neck, chest, back and sometimes shoulders.
Severe acne can affect many facets of a person's life, causing a great deal of embarrassment and stress. Some severe forms of acne like acne cysts may rupture and cause scars that can result in psychological effects on the sufferer. Having skin full of pimples and zits may significantly limit one's social life. Although acne is not considered to be a life threatening disorder, the psychological impact of acne can be quite profound as it affects the most visible parts of your body.
If your acne condition is severe it can cause disfiguring and require years of treatment. In such cases seeking the help of a qualified dermatologist will be your best option.
What Causes Pimples & Acne
Pimples usually develop after blackheads or whiteheads have become infected.
There are oil glands on your chest, face and back numbering in the thousands. In fact, between the nose and cheek areas there are as many as two thousand oil glands every square inch. The function of these oil glands is to lubricate the skin by producing oil, or sebum. Oil that is produced in the glands flows through follicles or tiny ducts to the surface of the skin. It usually starts far beneath the surface of the skin. A blemish (or internal lump) begins about 2 to 3 weeks before it appears on your skin's surface. Acne first begins to form in your sebaceous hair follicles. You know this as "pores", the tiny holes on you skin. Deep within each hair follicle, sebaceous glands generate sebum, the oil that keeps your skin soft, moist and pliable. As part of your skin's renewal process the old cells die and are shed off. Normally, this cell shedding process happens gradually, and fresh new skin takes its place.
But sloughing (the process where living tissue is separated from dead skin tissue) is not the same for everyone. Some people shed cells evenly while others don't. The result of uneven sloughing is that dead cells become sticky, clogging together to form a plug, similar to a cork in a bottle. This plug traps oil and bacteria inside the follicle.
The trapped oil begins to form a lump as your skin continues its normal oil production. Your body's natural defense system then sends an army of white blood cells to attack the bacteria. The whole process takes around 2 to 3 weeks, resulting in a pimple.
Many teenagers experience pimple outbreaks. It is at this time that the skin attempts to adjust to hormonal changes that occur during puberty. There is a tendency for most people when seeing a 'ripe' pimple try to pick or squeeze it. This will cause further damage to your skin as germs or bacterias from your finger tips can cause inflammation and scarring as a result. The risk of infection is also increased. Most times, when acne is ignored, it can leave visible scars on your skin.
Acne Treatment
If left untreated acne can be a serious problem. Chris Gibson, who was once a chronic acne sufferer, found a scientically proven way to permanently clear his acne problem. In fact he cured his acne in 3 days without any harsh prescription drugs or over-the-counter products. In this well researched book Chris revealed the fast and easy way to get rid of your pimples, zits, whiteheads and blackheads.
For pimples that are persistent, consult your dermatologist for an antibiotic solution to be applied to the surface of the skin or an oral antibiotic. Using antibiotics as acne treatment functions to suppress bacterial growth thereby reducing the recurrence of persistent acne.
If you are considering an acne treatment, it's important to get sound information from a reputable source so you know what to expect. Healthy Skin Portal leads you into a range of skin care treatments with details on the top skin care clinics in your area.

Treatment of Acne

Treatment of Acne

The key to getting rid of acne lesions and preventing new ones from forming lies in knowing that:
*Resolution takes time.
*What works for one person may not work for another.
*A dermatologist’s help may be required.
Resolution takes time.
Treatments that promise “fast,” miraculous” or “overnight” results often capture the attention of acne sufferers hoping for quick resolution. However, the fact remains that acne does not clear overnight. On average, 6 to 8 weeks are needed to see initial results. Once acne significantly improves or clears, continued treatment is needed to keep acne from re-appearing. If acne does not improve in 6 to 8 weeks, treatment may need to be adjusted as not every acne treatment clears every case of acne.
What works for one person may not work for another.
What is an appropriate treatment for one person may not clear another’s acne because many factors affect resolution, including the cause(s) of the acne, a person’s skin type and the kind of acne lesions present.
A dermatologist’s help may be required.
With so many factors affecting clearance and a multitude of treatment options available (some only by prescription), a dermatologist’s help can make a difference. Before prescribing treatment, dermatologists consider several factors, including the severity of the acne, types of lesions present, co-existing conditions, as well as the patient’s age, skin type, lifestyle and motivation.
The knowledge gained from considering these factors allows dermatologists to create effective individualized therapy that will resolve the patient’s acne over time and prevent new lesions from forming.
Sometimes a dermatologist may combine two or more treatment options. A patient may be instructed to use one medication in the morning and the other at night. Or, two medications may be combined in one prescription medication. Due to possible side effects, over-the-counter medications should not be combined unless directed by a dermatologist or other medical practitioner.
Acne responds especially well to early treatment. Dermatologists recommend that acne be treated early to maximize effectiveness as well as help prevent scarring.

Natural Cure For Acne !

Natural Cure For Acne !

Where skin disorders are concerned, it is best to stick as much as possible to natural cure options; these are less likely to have an adverse side-effect. A variety of Natural Acne Cure Products are available in the market and you can consider these, after consulting with your doctor. Please do not try anything without a consultation, however appealing and promising the description.
What is Acne?
Acne is a disorder that causes skin eruptions and inflammation in human beings. It occurs principally during the adolescence/teenage years – the Pimple Phase, so to speak, which is suffered or endured by nearly 90% of the young population. But Acne is also quite commonly seen in adults.
What causes Acne?
It is thought that the increased production of the Testosterone hormone and natural oils in the body during the teenage years is responsible for the formation of pimples. However other physical and genetic factors may also play a role. Stress, psychological disturbances, and irregular living habits can also bring on Acne.
Impact of Acne
While Acne is not life-threatening, it can have a very adverse psychological impact on it's young sufferer. At the very time of your life, when you're extra-conscious about your looks and want to fit in, being marked out by acne can be extremely difficult to live with. Teenagers with acne are often prone to depression and often show poor self-esteem and a general lack of confidence.
The large incidence of Acne is the reason there are so many skin products in the market, designed to fight and cure it.
Some Natural Anti Acne Products you will find in the market
Tea Tree Oil, Aloe Vera, Zinc, and Vitamin A are some natural products that have been used with some success to cure Acne. A word of caution about 'natural' skin care items. They often contain certain chemicals for preservation purposes. Some of these may not be advisable for you if you're pregnant or have certain special health considerations. As mentioned, it is best to consult with your doctor before embarking on any therapy.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree Oil is obtained from the Melaleuca alternifoliais tree from Australia. It is very effective against Acne as it contains bacteria-fighting substances called Terpenes. Acne is often caused by bacteria and the Terpenes either outright kill them or weaken them enough to be destroyed by protective antibodies. There are very little side effects from using Tea Tree Oil.
Aloe Vera
The watery gel from Aloe Vera plant is also a highly effective natural cure against Acne. The enzyme-rich gel has very soothing anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. It can also be taken internally and helps clean up and detox the digestive tract. This in turn can help clear up the skin.
Zinc
Zinc is taken in the form of capsules. It helps to strengthen the human immune system and to repair the skin.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A tablets are also a natural and effective Acne cure. Vitamin A promotes healthy skin.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E also helps in countering Acne. It is a natural antioxidant and beneficial for the skin. Vitamin E comes in soft gelatin capsules that contain Vitamin E, Soybean Oil, Glycerin, and Water.
Some Natural Homemade Cures to counter Acne
The most important thing to do if you suffer from Acne is to drink at least four pints of water every day. Drinking a lot of water is very beneficial to your skin. Including fresh fruit and leafy green vegetables in your daily diet will also bring about a marked improvement in the quality of your complexion.
Before bathing, apply a mixture of tomato pulp – real tomota pulp, not packaged one – honey and rose water to your face and keep for twenty minutes before washing off.
At night, before going to bed, apply a mix of cream, glycerine, and lemon juice to your face and again keep it on for a short while before washing.
Regular Yoga exercises will also improve skin and overall health.
Things to Avoid
Avoid touching your face all the time, keep your hair away from your face, and avoid picking at pimples.
Another important thing if you're prone to Acne is to avoid using heavy make-up – in fact, it is preferable to avoid make-up altogether. For an effective cure, stay as natural as possible.

Acne Scars Treatment

Acne Scars Treatment

Are you plagued with scars? Do you look at them and feel like they define you? When you meet a new person, you may feel like your scars are the first thing they see. Although most people do not see someones scars as a definition of the person, we tend to feel that way about our own scars. So, what can you do about it? Can you get rid of your scars. One person may heal extremely quickly while others take a longer period of time.
Teenagers as well as an adult may take several days to completely heal. While the treatments work the red marks are what take the longest to depart. In most of the cases, the treatment for cystic acne is restricted to oral medicines and therefore, it is preferred that all the cases required to be treated by some skin experts.
But there are some preventive measurements and remedies that can be helpful against cystic acne. For those people who look for some natural remedies for cystic acne should try some homemade remedies and other products that contain some potential herbs that have natural skin healing properties.
1.Chemical peel the best solution against acne scars:
Acne and acne scars has many solutions as the list will never end, from natural, herbal, or chemical creams to surgery; laser, light, masks, soaps, and many other stuff that will help you get rid of acne and the scars caused by acne.
2.Heal Acne Scars Naturally:
Biological acne cream for acne scar removal and acne treatment.Heals micro-tears in the skin, softens coarse areas and opens constricting pores, plumps up ice-pick acne scars, shrinks raised or hypertrophic scars, reduces keloid scar tissues and stops their itching.
3.Improving and Balancing Skin Tone:
One method for doing this is to apply fresh urine to the skin. Urine is completely sterile and very nutrient-rich, which is why it has been used for thousands of years to treat illnesses and skin disorders. Soak a washcloth or cotton pad with fresh urine, and apply the cloth or pad to the areas of the face with the acne scarring and discolorations.
4.Fillers:
This type of treatment involves injecting some sort of filler substance, such as collagen, into the acne scars. This basically "fills in" the craters in the skin, making it look and feel smoother.
5.Drink more water:
When your body doesn't get enough hydration, blood circulation slows down, which in turn can slow healing. To prevent acne scars, make sure you always drink enough liquids (especially water), as the water will increase circulation and contribute to the healing process.
6.Treating Early Acne Scars:
The post-inflammatory changes caused by acne are part of the skin's natural healing process. There are certain practices and medications that can help facilitate this healing process.
Unprotected exposure to the sun causes more skin damage and delays healing, therefore wearing a good sunscreen is important.
Using tretinoin (Retin-A, Renova, Avita) speeds up the skin's remodeling process and helps heal post-inflammatory changes.

Natural Back Acne Treatments

Natural Back Acne Treatments

Back acne, like other forms of acne is caused by hormones acting on the oil producing glands in the skin. This interaction leads to clogged pores and outbreaks on the surface of the skin. Natural back acne treatments are available to help deal with both the external outbreak and the infection that occurs under the surface of the skin.
The following list of natural remedies for back acne has provided relief and comfort for many. Try them out for yourself:
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is applied directly to the surface area of the infected skin. The oil penetrates the skins surface helping to control the infection while keeping the surface skin supple and hydrated. Tea tree oil soap may be used to treat the whole back and prevent further breakouts.
Capsule Supplements
Some evidence indicates that supplementing the diet with capsules containing Brewers yeast, potassium, magnesium and zinc help as a natural back acne treatment.
Lavender Essential Oil
When used as a natural back acne treatment lavender essential oil is rubbed on the skin surface. It stimulates circulation to the infected area, helping to naturally cleanse the tissue. It is also a natural antiseptic and is used to treat wounds and burns to prevent scaring.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel has strong astringent properties and may be helpful in cleansing the skin area around a breakout of back acne or as a cooling toner that can be applied to the back as a natural acne treatment.
Aloe Vera
While aloe vera does not stop outbreaks, it is a very effective natural back acne treatment for skin repair and reducing redness, swelling and scaring. Aloe vera is applied in gel form after a thorough washing of the affected area.
Natural Apple Cider Vinegar
This product, found in most health food stores, can be effective in treating back acne. Apply the apple cider vinegar, diluted with three parts water, to the acne at least twice a day. After a week increase the strength of the solution to half and half. If there is no irritation you can dab on the apple cider vinegar full strength. The astringent properties of the vinegar help clear up the acne. Discontinue use or go back to a weaker dilution if skin becomes irritated or burns after application.

Types of acne

Types of acne

There are many variations of acne, ranging in severity from mild to severely disfiguring. The Regimen works well to combat moderate to light acne. Severe acne may require more aggressive treatment. Visit the Types of acne message boards to seek further help from other members.cne Vulgaris is the most common form of acne which includes several types of pimples. These acne lesions include blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, nodules and cysts.
Mild to Moderate acne vulgaris consists of the following types of acne spots:
Whiteheads:
Whiteheads result when a pore is completely blocked, trapping sebum (oil), bacteria, and dead skin cells, causing a white appearance on the surface. These types of acne lesions sometimes seem to be begging to be popped. Make sure you read about how to pop a pimple before you attempt this. Whiteheads are normally quicker in life cycle than blackheads. You can view a diagram of a whitehead on the what is acne page. The Regimen provides a step by step program on how to treat a whitehead.
Blackheads:
Blackheads result when a pore is only partially blocked, allowing some of the trapped sebum (oil), bacteria, and dead skin cells to slowly drain to the surface. The black color is not caused by dirt. Rather, it is a reaction of the skin's own pigment, melanin, reacting with the oxygen in the air. A blackhead tends to be a stable structure, and can often take a long time to clear. You can view a diagram of a blackhead on the what is acne page. The Regimen provides a step-by-step program on how to treat blackheads.
Papules:
Papules are inflamed, red, tender bumps with no head. Do not squeeze a papule. It will do no good, and may exacerbate scarring. The Regimen provides a step-by-step program on how to treat papules.
Pustules:
A pustule is similar to a whitehead, but is inflamed, and appears as a red circle with a white or yellow center. Pustules are your garden variety zit. Before you pop or squeeze such a lesion, be sure to read about how to pop a pimple. The Regimen provides a step-by-step program on how to treat pustules.

Chlamydia Causes

Chlamydia is an infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. The infection is transmitted in 2 ways:

From one person to another by close personal contact such as through sexual intercourse (not by casual contact such as a handshake).

From mother to child with passage of the child through the birth canal. Chlamydia can cause pneumonia or serious eye infections in a newborn, especially among children born to infected mothers in developing countries.