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Acne Light Treatment – an Acne Cure

Dec 16

Posted by Mike in Treatment For Acne | No Comments

Acne light treatment is rapidly becoming a popular acne remedy because it is a fairly easy and a drug-free way to help heal blemishes. As you know, many topical medications contain strong ingredients that damage sensitive skin, resulting in peeling, redness, and increased sun sensitivity. Ouch ! But, Blue light (not the beer, if you are a Canadian) therapy is widely regarded as an excellent alternative to most acne medications. Some individuals have expressed concern over the safety of this procedure, becuase this procedure used to use ultraviolet (UV) light that was harmful to the skin. Fortunately, modern Clearlight treatments have been FDA approved and free of UV dangers.

The FDA approved blue light therapy for acne in August of 2002. In studies, two 15-minute exposures a week for a period of four weeks produced a 60 percent reduction in acne in 80 percent of patients. Reported remissions from acne lasted as long as three to eight months. The first approved system of treatment, ClearLight, is now available through dermatologists. This method involves a new therapeutic blue or red light that uses what is called Acne PhotoClearingTM – APCTM technology. It targets and destroys the surface of the acne and quickly and easily repairs it. It is also known to be effective in clearing inflamed acne in one month.

So how does blue light therapy work?

Basically, patients are exposed to a low intensity blue light source (405 nm to 420 nm) for 15 minutes twice per week for 4 weeks. Each session costs between $50 and $150, making a full course of treatment an average of $800. But, wouldn’t you know it, acne light treatment is considered cosmetic and is therefore not covered by insurance.

Another form of acne light therapy that is used more and more is known as pulsed light and heat energy (LHE) therapy.

LHE therapy uses both light and heat to eradicate the root causes of acne. Very much like blue light therapy, LHE therapy uses light to destroy acne-causing bacteria. It also uses heat to reduce the production of sebum and to help shrink sebaceous glands. It is an attractive option for many acne sufferers because it promises fast results. Usually, improvement in the symptoms of acne can be seen in as little as 30 days. Not surprisingly, this is becoming popular because it is a fast treatment, with most sessions done in just over 10 minutes. The FDA has approved LHE therapy for the treatment of mild to moderate acne.

While different kinds of light therapies may seem attractive, they can also be expensive, and may not be covered by most health insurance plans. If you are looking for an answer that is milder and less expensive, consider the many herbal therapies that are available. Some acne sufferers swear by certain herbal supplements, including black currant seed oil, evening primrose oil and others. Follow the instructions on the bottle or ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice. Also, never take any herbal medication if you are taking prescription drugs as their could be side effects. Consult with your Pharmacist or Doctor first.

Visit a skin specialist or dermatologist for more information on acne light treatments.

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What the Acne is and Its Causes

Dec 7

Posted by Mike in Acne | No Comments

Acne is found quite often in pubescent individuals. Because of a high genetic disposition to the condition, acne is particularly common in Western societies. It is believed that the presence of acne is due to an abnormal response to normal levels in the body of testosterone, the male hormone. For many individuals, this response tends to diminish over time, causing the acne to decrease by the time they reach their 20’s, or even disappear. Unfortunately, it is impossible to tell how long it will take for acne to completely disappear; for some people they may experience it for many decades- even beyond their 30’s or 40’s. A large number of people will experience this condition at some point in their life.

There are several different types of acne, as described below:

1. Acne Vulgaris – The most commonly experienced forms of acne and will appear around puberty it is typically to be found on a person’s face, shoulders and chest.

2. Acne Rosacea – This is a red rash which is predominantly found on a person’s face.

3. Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (also known as Pseudofolliculitis Nuchae)- this form of acne is caused by shaving.

4. Acne Conglobata (also knowns as Hidradenitis Suppurativa) – usually found in armpits, on the groin or buttocks, or also under women’s breasts. This type of acne describes chronic abscesses or boils on sweat glands and hair follicles.

5. Acne Cosmetica – as indicated by it’s name, this form of acne is caused by cosmetic use.

6. Acne Fulminas – Is an extreme form of Acne Conglobata.

7. Acne Medicamentosa – typically triggered by starting or finishing a course of medication.

8. Baby Acne – very commonly found on infants. It is a rash that can be found on the baby’s cheeks, chin and forehead.

9. Chloracne – caused by being exposed to chlorinated hydrocarbons, such as PCB’s or dioxins.

Hopefully the information provided to you above with regard to acne will help you to understand more clearly what it is and how it is caused.

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Do Laser Acne Treatments Work?

Nov 26

Posted by Mike in Acne | No Comments

Numerous methods are used in the treatment of acne, such as topical and oral medications, but not many acne treatments were found to rid acne forever. The problem may be due to the fact that there are different types of acne. Inflammatory acne, for example, is usually treated with antibiotics taken orally. This is where the acne laser treatment comes in.
The laser treatment may be used to reduce the amount of medication taken to treat acne and improve acne scars. Acne laser treatment is quite recent. Many researchers have long been investigating better ways to treat acne. They came across this new acne-treating tool called acne laser treatment a couple of years ago and has been used since with a high rate of success.
Laser treatments have been known and applied for quite some time, but only a few years ago did they discover the efficiency of laser treatments when treating acne patients. Doctors discovered that a good number of acne patients showed extraordinary results after being exposed to the laser treatment. Before this discovery, laser treatments were mostly used for anti-aging purposes.
Laser acne treatments are used in very specific situations, such as in the reduction and elimination of scarring due to severe acne and in the treatment of active acne. The acne laser treatment has increased in popularity among acne patients since its first introduction a few years ago. This treatment is used on teenagers when other forms of treatment have been used without success, whereas adults will tend to opt for the acne laser treatment as being the acne treatment of choice.
Laser acne treatments may be used to reduce acne-causing bacteria or shrink oil-producing glands. Both approaches are efficient to get rid of acne, but many specialists believe that eliminating the oil-producing glands is the best route to an acne free skin.
How does acne laser treatment work? Depending on the approach, a different set of acne treating lasers and lights will be used. For example, if you want to eradicate acne-causing bacteria, a laser emitting yellow light will be used.
This yellow laser light interacts with prophorine, which is a substance found inside the acne-causing bacteria, to produce oxygen and consequently kill the bacteria. The yellow laser light also has a dual effect of favouring the formation of collagen, which in turn will help prevent scarring due to severe acne.
Acne laser treatment is still in its embryonic stage, much research is being done at the moment. Researchers are encouraged to further investigate acne laser treatments due to the acne problem being so widespread.
Consequently, newer and better methods are always being tested. Specialists often use a combination of different types of acne treating lasers and lights in order to get the most out of this laser technology when treating a patient. Of course, the methods used depend on the acne patient?s condition.
After numerous studies conducted to see the effectiveness of acne laser treatment, experts have found this treatment to be localized, secure, and producing no systemic side effects. More and more, lasers are being used in the treatment of acne scarring and in the treatment of active acne.

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How To Choose The Right Acne Cure Products

Nov 24

Posted by Mike in Acne Cure | No Comments

There are a lot of methods for the treatment of acne but everyone has their own favorite one depending on the cost and the safety of the same. Ranging from topical treatments for acne to laser surgeries, there is something for everyone. But there are a lot of advantages of using topical treatments for acne because there are no side-effects to hamper the cure.

http://sensibleacneadvice.com/

Most of the topical acne treatment products use the ingredients retinols, salicylic acid, glycolic acid and benzyl peroxide. This product is used for clearing up the clogging process in the skin by regulation and revitalizing the cell growth so that the skin is once again cleared up. The products which contain a predominant portion of retinols are used for clearing up the skin by revitalizing the skin cells while those having more of salicylic acids are more likely to be used for anti-bacterial purposes. Some of the products which have benzyl peroxide in them also sometimes contain some topical antibiotics like erythromycin which is used for anti-inflammation purposes. Acne cures are one and many but generally people like to use topical medications which may be in the form of lotions, creams, gels, solutions or ointments because these are more likely to have less side-effects.When you want to use these products to get rid of acne, you should know that these should be used in a combination to get the best results. Products which have a pre-dominance of benzyl acid and retinols are the most effective in curing acne. Also, you should remember to use the retinol based medications in the evening while the salicylic acid formulations should be used during the day for maximum effect. If you witness some side-effects like irritation of the skin or rashes, then these can be easily cured with the help of emollient creams.

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Acne Laser the Ultimate Terminator

Nov 23

Posted by Mike in Acne | No Comments

There are really extreme cases when acne can’t be treated just by self medication. Your doctors can offer you a more potent drug, or he/she can suggest another good option – acne laser treatment. In our present day, technology is changing our world faster than we think! Through the advance of science, we can now take advantage of LASER technology further in medical operations. Medical specialists say that undergoing acne LASER treatment is one of the most advance and, probably, the most effective treatment you can have to totally get rid of acne today. This amazing procedure will surely give hope to people who are greatly suffering with their acne. We have already used LASER treatment on acne scarring successfully for years, but it is truly a breakthrough to be used in treating existing acne. The question now is how can acne LASER treatment actually cure acne? Is it safe and effective?

How can that be? Acne LASER Treatment is done by applying extreme thermal or heat effect on the sebaceous glands in order to damage it. Studies prove that the laser equipment used in the operation can actually do four treatments in one-month intervals. Statistics shows that 16 out of 17 patients got a 100% success on clearing the face. Test through skin biopsy immediately afterwards the operations revealed that the sebaceous glands showed alterations caused by the induced heat, decreasing the production of oil. Immediate proofs that acne LASER treatment is taking a postive effect!

Two Types of LASER In performing acne LASER treatments, doctors are actually using two types of LASERs. One type deal with the inhibition of the bacterial growth that causes skin problems, while the other is made to work with the sebaceous glands in order to reduce the production of oil in particular parts of the body especially the face.

Still Under investigation Even if it already proved to be a success on totally eradicating your acne, doctors admitted that acne LASER Treatment is still under research to further study its short and long-time effects. Thus, it is still not available yet for widely use to everyone. The patients should also know that insurance is not covered in the acne LASER treatment and that not all states can distinguish who are and who are not allowed to perform operations using LASER. Medical specialists also warn that procedures that require the use of LASER should be done by qualified physicians only. It is also suggested that you should ask for the qualification of the one that will do the operation before undergoing acne LASER treatment.

How many? for how long? Your doctor might suggest that you undergo acne LASER Treatment for about 5 months, one treatment every month, in order to get satisfying results. However, if acne reappears, additional acne LASER treatment done periodically will be required.

How does it feel? You might wonder how it feels undergoing the procedure. Well, most patients say that acne LASER treatment will give you a rubberband-like sensation during the operation. If ever you find this uncomfortable, you are given the choice to have topical anesthetic cream applied directly on your skin.

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Combat Acne With Effective Acne Treatment and Acne Products

Nov 14

Posted by Mike in Treatment For Acne | No Comments

Acne commonly occurs during the adolescence period. It is often caused by excessive secretion of oil from the glands. The typical acne lesions that appear on the face and body are comedones, papules, pustules and pimples.

Aside from the physical scar that acne leaves on your skin, it also inflicts an emotional toll, negatively affecting teenagers’ self-esteem and confidence. For some, acne can become so severe that they shun social contact, leading to social insecurity and sometimes even depression.

With the advanced acne treatments and acne products available today, acne need no longer have such a crippling impact on the sufferers’ life. Once the outward symptom of acne first becomes apparent, that is, inflammation and lesion on the skin, it is important that you treat it right away so as to slow down or stop further inflammation.

It is a good idea to pay the dermatologist a visit and to have the doctor recommend the best acne treatment for you. The treatment recommended will vary on skin type and also your age.

Acne can be treated much more effectively if it is treated along with acne products, be they over the counter or prescribed. There are numerous acne products sold over the counter currently for the prevention and treatment of acne, with many of these products scientifically proven to be effective in the treatment of acne.

In severe cases, it is best that you consult the dermatologist for advice and get a prescription for stronger acne products. These acne treatments and products require a higher degree of monitoring, as they tend to have more side effects.

The acne product recommended depends on the type and severity of the acne. There are acne ointments and acne creams containing benzyl peroxide to treat both mild and moderate acne. For more serious acne, there are topical antibiotics that kill the bacteria in the blocked follicles. For even more serious cases, oral antibiotics are effective. And for extremely severe cases, laser surgery can cut the root of the acne.

Aside from treating acne with products, a proper diet is also very important. Teens should avoid eating foods that are too oily, too spicy or too acidic.

So with all these acne treatment options available, you can rest assured that acne will never be an ugly and permanent fixture on your face. When acne rears its ugly head, do not let it ruin your life. With the right acne treatment and right acne products you can get rid of acne for good!

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Acne – Curing Cystic Acne

Nov 14

Posted by Mike in Acne | No Comments

Cystic acne has become a common skin problem these days. However, most people are unaware of the term ‘cystic acne’. Cystic acne is a serious problem of skin that occurs when people deal with acne pimples roughly. This process results in formation of the cystic acne.

Cystic acne can be defined as the most severe kind of acne. Under this type of acne, the pimples work towards forming cysts. These are actually filled with pus. The problem results in scarring of the skin. These tend to aggravate more when the cysts are squeezed to express the pus. This results in a permanent scar.

There are several effective methods available these days to treat cystic acne. Don’t expect acne creams and gets to work wonders when the skin is suffering from cystic acne. Experts suggest injectable medication or oral antibiotics that are required to cure the cystic acne.

You should visit a good doctor to prescribe you some effective drugs to treat cystic acne. Under circumstances where initial antibiotic treatment proves ineffective, your doctor will prescribe you a stronger medication course to treat the problems.

These are also some effective methods that can treat cystic acne permanently. Cystic acne is termed as one of the most severe forms of acne that gets deeply penetrated in to the skin layers. You should try to understand the causes that result in cystic acne.

You can characterize cystic acne by hard, semi-liquid bumps that grow below the skin with the potential of causing severe acne scars. Acne cysts are quite larger and painful as compared to whiteheads and conventional spots. This type of acne is a result of oil gland blockage that triggers inflammation and pus in the surrounding tissue area.

Cystic acne is further worsened by Retention keratosis, under, this condition, skin cells of cystic acne are shed improperly. This further leads to clogging of the skin follicles and the dead cells in conjunction with the over production of sebum. This environment is perfect for growth of bacterial infections. The infection has potential of spreading to other follicles that can further aggravate the inflammation, swelling and redness.

Experts believe that natural approach works towards fixing the internal problem those results in acne. The holistic approach utilizes multidimensional protocols such as supplementation, dietary changes, rebuilding of the organs of elimination and internal as well as external cleansing. The whole process neutralizes an environment that encourages formation of acne work better to treat cystic acne in the long run. This treatment also prevents further acne scars.

Any oral medication should be taken, under the supervision of a dermatologist.

Isotretinoin is the most common and most powerful drug prescribed for cystic acne treatment. It can be defined as a man-made form of retinoid or vitamin A. It is taken in pill form. It is the only medicine that effectively treats excess oil productions, inflammation and clogged skin pores. The pill is supported to be taken up to twenty weeks and does not require more than one course of therapy in order to cure the problem.

Pregnant women should avoid taking this medicine as there is a possibility of birth defects to a developing fetus. You also require to go for regular checkups while using this medicine.

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Acne Treatment: the Acne Fact Sheet

Nov 14

Posted by Mike in Treatment For Acne | No Comments

Blemishes. Zits. Pimples. Bumps.

No matter what you call it, nearly everyone has had to deal with acne breakouts at least one time in their life. For some women, dealing with acne is a daily struggle; however, even if you only have to deal with the occasional eruption, acne can be a painful experience.

Many different factors are considered by researchers to be the cause of acne, but a specific cause is still unknown. Factors such as increased hormones, heredity and even the use of some medications have all been attributed to triggering breakouts. In the case of women, it is often the changing levels of hormones in the 2 to 7 days prior to the beginning of a menstrual period that will trigger or worsen an acne flare-up. This combined with skin irritation (caused by rubbing, squeezing or picking at blemishes), pressure from tight clothing (in the case of body acne), pollution, and hard scrubbing can cause acne to worsen.

While dermatologists generally treat moderate to severe cases of acne, it is possible to treat a mild acne flare-up at home. Over the counter treatments that contain such compounds as benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid and sulfur are often used to treat acne, but each works a little differently. When using over the counter acne treatments, always be aware of possible side effects such as skin irritation, burning or redness, which may lessen with continued use of the product. If symptoms persist or worsen, consult your dermatologist. You may need to consult a dermatologist to see which treatment type is best for your skin type, acne type and cycle of breakouts. Your doctor may also recommend a prescription medication to help control breakouts. This group of treatments include antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide, tretinoin, adapalene and azelaic acid. With all treatments, either over the counter or prescription, products may have to be used for 8 weeks or more before results are visible.

For women, a dermatologist may be able to determine whether acne is related to environment (factors such as pollution and skin irritation) or normal hormonal fluctuation. Medications such as low-dose birth control pills, corticosteroid drugs, and antiandrogen drugs may help control hormone-related acne flare-ups. The use of these types of drugs must be considered carefully, as side effects may vary greatly from person to person and sometimes include irregular menstruation, tender breasts, headache and fatigue.

The first step in any acne treatment should be prevention. By adopting a daily cleansing routine, acne breakouts can be greatly reduced. All skin types can follow these simple steps to help stop acne before it starts:

Clean Skin Gently. Using a mild cleanser twice a day and after strenuous exercise to gently clean the skin can help to reduce the chance of an acne flare-up. Using strong detergents or rough scrubbing pads may seem like the correct way to get a thorough cleaning, but these types of cleansers may actually worsen a breakout. Clean the face from under the jaw line to the hairline; use astringent only if the skin is excessively oily, and only on oily patches.

Avoid Touching the Skin. Squeezing or picking at acne blemishes raises the risk of developing scars or skin discoloration.

Avoid Excessive Sun Exposure. Women have long believed that allowing acne to “get some sun” can help in the healing process by drying out excess oil near the lesion. These benefits are only temporary, and medications to help with acne breakouts often react badly to sun exposure, making the skin more likely to burn.

Choose Cosmetics Wisely. Cosmetics that are noncomedogenic may help in preventing acne flare-ups, and all cosmetic products (including moisturizers, eye shadows and blushes) should be oil-free to help stop acne before it starts.

Treating acne breakouts can range from quick fixes to long-term regimens for skin care set by a dermatologist. With good skin care, acne can be controlled or prevented. Finding the right acne treatment may take time, as women have varying skin types and sensitivities; but with proper skin care and proper treatment of acne, every woman can have beautiful, glowing skin.

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Acne Medications Types of Treatments

Nov 13

Posted by Mike in Acne | No Comments

Here is the list of the type of acne medications that is available on the market today:

Topical Acne Medications

Visit your local drug store, or even convenience store, and you will find a wide array of creams, gels, lotions, and other topical treatments for acne. These over-the-counter acne medications are usually for mild to moderate types of acne.

The common active ingredients that topical acne medications contain are sulfur, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, resorcinol or lactic acid. If you find that these medications do not work on your acne, it is time for you to visit a doctor, preferable a skin or acne specialist, so that you will be given prescription for a stronger type of topical acne medication.

Adapalene and Tretinoin are some of the active ingredients of the more potent topical creams. These two chemicals are derived from Vitamin A. These types of topical lotions or creams usually work by preventing hair follicles from clogging, which is the main reason for the development of acne, and hastening of cell regeneration.

If your acne is severe, your doctor might prescribe the use of topical antibiotics. These medications are aimed at killing or eliminating skin bacteria. Usually, topical antibiotics are used in conjunction with other acne medications.

Antibiotics

Acne problems that are severe usually need the help of oral antibiotics to help fight off the bacteria that are causing the breakout and ease the inflammation. You should never take oral or topical antibiotics without prescription. Usually, oral antibiotics are taken for weeks or months.

Oral Contraceptives

Women who have acne can take advantage of oral contraceptives to improve their acne condition. Usually contraceptives that contain ethinyl estradiol and neogestimate are the ones that are effective pimple fighters. However, since oral contraceptives might have side effects, you need to consult first with your doctor before taking such medications.

Isotretinoin

For the type of cysts and nodules that antibiotics cannot reach, isotretinoin may be the answer. This is a strong medication that is a last resort treatment for stubborn acne. A lot of people have confirmed the effectiveness of this type of treatment for hard-to-treat acne.

However, it also might have potential side effects. Thus, dermatologists usually closely monitor people who are using this type of acne medication. Some of the adverse effects of isotretinoin are birth defects, triglycerides increase and reproduction problems.

Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery is actually more useful in removing or reducing the appearance of the scars or craters from acne infections. Usually, the procedure called dermabrasion is used for the removal of scars on the face. This works by peeling off the top layer of the skin by use of chemicals and equipment.

Whatever type of acne medication you use, it is wise to consult a doctor first so that your treatment will be monitored. Furthermore, it is still best to know what is the underlying cause of your acne breakouts so that you can handle the situation right at its roots.

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Acne 101

Nov 13

Posted by Mike in Acne | No Comments

It is the bane of a person’s existence. Everybody gets it; everybody hates it. And once you have it, prepare to be tormented, embarrassed and humiliated. Such a small bump, so much at stake. So what is this little bundle of horror? What else but the dreaded pimple!

A pimple, or acne as some people calls it, is a dreaded red, swollen bump in the face. Nobody is spared from having it. Male or female, American, Chinese or Puerto Rican, they all have gotten it at some points of their lives and may even still have it. It is like a universal language; it is like a right of passage in a person’s life. Acne is a result of the hormones action on the skin’s oil glands (the sebaceous gland) which leads to clogged pores and outbreak of lesions like pimples, blemishes or acne. Acne commonly occurs in the neck, face, back, shoulders and chest because the sebaceous glands are most abundant in these locations. But the important question we should be asking to be able to avoid this dreaded “disease” is, “What causes this pain in the neck called acne?”

Unfortunately, the causes of acne cannot really be determined (unless your parents or their parents are acne infested too then there’s a big, big chance you’ll be called acne face by your peers and classmates) thus the acne myths are born! These myths claim to be the cause of acne. We shall enumerate them here.

Acne Myth Number 1

Acne is caused by not washing your face often and not scrubbing it hard enough. Many believed that acne is caused by dirt and dust in the face and by washing your face two-three even four times a day or even by scrubbing your face hard can prevent acne. Wrong, wrong, wrong! It is true that dirt and dust is unsightly to the face and washing the face is the way to eradicate them but washing often can actually irritate the skin more. Washing should not be done more than twice a day. More than twice is enough to strip the face of its natural oils making it dry. Also, scrubbing can cause inflammations. Washing the face should be done as gently as possible with the gentlest facial scrub.

Acne Myth Number 2

Improper Diet can cause acne. Certain foods that are oily like French fries and junk food can cause acne to erupt in our face. But scientific studies have not discovered any connection between these two. So this means that food does not cause acne. Though a proper and healthy diet is always good for our system, eating like a pig won’t make pimples a permanent resident in your face. So feel free to eat your favorite Lay’s, French fries and chocolates anytime.

Acne Myth Number 3

When you’re stressed acne tends to pop on your face like popcorn pops from a kernel. Not true. Stress is a part of our daily lives and believe it or not it is not a contributing factor to the acne residing in your face. Only severe stress treated by the doctor MAY cause acne to erupt only as a side effect of the drugs a person may be taking. If this is the case, consult your doctor immediately.

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