Skin Care Blog: 06/03/12

الأحد، 3 يونيو 2012

Vitamins and Minerals for Healthy Skin

We all want healthy skin. While our reasons for pursuing healthy skin tend to be cosmetic in nature, there are practical health benefits to maintaining the health of our skin. The purpose of the skin is to act as a barrier to prevent bacteria, viruses and other contaminants from entering the body and causing infection and disease. There are many vitamins and minerals which help to keep skin healthy, and thus able to serve its vital role in the protection of the body.

Antioxidant vitamins, such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E are very important to healthy skin because these vitamins share in the responsibility of controlling the damage that free radicals (byproducts of energy production within the body and of environmental contaminants) produce.

Among the several types of damage done by free radicals is the destruction of collagen and elastin, which are fibers that support the skin. As these are damaged, wrinkles and a lack of that youthful firmness can occur. Vitamin C also plays a part in the production of collagen, making it essential to the function and look of the skin. Recent studies have found that Vitamin C and E used together may help to repair sun-damaged skin.

Vitamin A has its own important role in skin health and beauty, in addition to its antioxidant properties. In terms of diet, even small deficiencies can negatively affect skin, causing flakiness and dryness. Dryness can make lines and wrinkles that much more apparent. Its primary use, however, is as a topical solution for the treatment of severe acne and the reduction of lines and wrinkles themselves. Recent research has found that a topical solution that contains both Vitamin A and Vitamin C can, in some cases, reverse damage done by the aging process and by sun-damage.

Deficiencies in the Vitamin B complex can leave the skin prone to cracking, bleeding, and skin lesions, which allow all manner of bacteria, viruses and other contaminants to easily enter the body. But in terms of strictly cosmetic concerns, even a little shortage of the Vitamin B complex can result in scaly and poorly textured skin. Topical preparations have been found to play an important role in the hydrating of skin cells, leading to noticeably firmer, healthier looking skin.

Vitamin K has been found to relieve those unsightly dark circles under the eyes. Some research has found that creams made up of both Vitamin K and Vitamin A are more effective than those that just contain Vitamin K, but the studies are still continuing.

Minerals important to the look and health of the skin include selenium, copper, and zinc. Selenium, whether used as a topical solution or taken in the form of a dietary supplement may play a role in the prevention of skin cancer. Copper, zinc and Vitamin C work together to form elastin, which helps to support skin, keeping it firm and healthy.

Topical solutions and dietary supplements can help to keep skin healthy and youthful in appearance. However, it's important to recognize that these are powerful substances, and using them within the standard guidelines of dosage is essential to good health. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing, and the results of too much are not pretty.

Three Tips for Dental Health

The following excerpts on toothpastes and preventing tooth decay are from How To Save Your Teeth: Toxic-Free Preventive Dentistry, by David Kennedy, Doctor of Dental Surgery. Many thanks to Dr. Kennedy for giving us permission to share this valuable information with our readers.

Toothpastes: Do They Help?

In general, toothpastes are often just a cosmetic product with limited decay-preventive value. If you stain your teeth with smoke or tea, then a toothpaste may help reduce the staining. Pleasant flavored toothpastes seem to help motivate children and adults to brush. However, kids may be tempted to swallow the good-tasting stuff, and if it contains preservatives, saccharin, lead, colorings, or fluoride, they will receive a dose of a questionable or toxic substance. The fact that a tube of toothpaste contains a lethal dose of fluoride for a small child has been discreetly obscured from the general public’s knowledge.

And remember when toothpaste tubes stayed rolled up? Many of those tubes contain lead which the toothpaste absorbed and thus gave you an additional daily dose of lead every time you brushed. Until manufacturers furnish complete evidence that their products are effective and harmless, I refuse to recommend them.

Many dermatologists are aware that some of the additives in toothpaste can cause a rash or sores inside the mouth. Fluoride is particularly notorious in this respect. One patient came to me after going to see a dermatologist about an irritation at the corners of her mouth. She had always had beautiful skin, but for the previous several months, she had a persistent rash. The doctor correctly identified her toothpaste as the culprit, and as soon as she switched to a non-fluoride brand, her problem cleared up.

The abrasiveness of toothpaste can help polish teeth, but too much abrasion will wear away the enamel and especially the root. Many of the gritty products sold as smokers’ toothpastes are overly abrasive. In time, they may actually cause yellowing of the teeth by wearing down the enamel. Gritty toothpaste should not be used around the root surfaces, since even the mildly abrasive products can damage this area. That does not mean you should not brush around the gums. I’d rather see a root worn down by brushing than rotted away by neglect. Wear is usually a minor problem but root decay can destroy teeth quickly. Baking soda should not wear away enamel, but if it is improperly applied, it can scratch the gums.

Other toothpastes contain bleaching agents that are supposed to whiten your teeth. Teeth can be whitened through the use of a mouth guard which holds the whitener against the tooth surface for several hours, but the topical application of a paste has only little effect on the brightness of teeth.

Several companies have advertised new toothpastes designed to prevent the buildup of tartar in the hopes that they will reduce gum disease. These tartar-control toothpastes apparently interfere with the remineralization of the teeth. Several of my patients have reported increased root sensitivity after using tartar-control toothpaste. There is little evidence at this time that the tartar itself is the cause of gum disease. It is but one of several factors that contribute to the spread of disease. Since I am concerned about the long-term effects of demineralization, I do not recommend the use of tartar-control toothpastes. Where root sensitivity is a problem, there are toothpastes designed to help remineralize root surfaces. These pastes are best applied after brushing just before bed. That way they will stay on the tooth longer. Just dab a spot on the sensitive root and go to bed. It usually takes six weeks to feel the improvement.

Why haven’t any reliable scientific studies been carried out to determine the comparative safety and effectiveness of the different toothpastes? Maybe because there is no money to be made from such a study. Maybe because large toothpaste manufacturers don’t want you to know that fluoride-containing toothpastes cause allergic-type reactions and gum damage and that a family-sized tube of fluoridated toothpaste contains enough fluoride to kill a small child.

Many believe the pronouncements and recommendations made by the American Dental Association and leading consumer magazines, but few realize that these organizations have not done the scientific research necessary to show safety. In fact, in many cases, just the opposite has been found – the products they have recommended have been shown to be unsafe!

For now, the most reliable approach is to use the common, time-tested agents: baking soda and salt, or a mixture of both with hydrogen peroxide. Other natural products and options are listed in the chapter on gum disease.

Toothpaste is good to the extent that it encourages kids to brush. It is bad if it discourages dry brushing anywhere and anytime. Only a few commercial toothpastes are helpful in controlling tooth decay or gum disease. Feel free to brush without toothpaste; don’t get fixated on the idea that you must have it in order to clean your teeth.

To prevent tooth decay, Dr. Kennedy recommends the following three-step approach:

The first step is nutritional. The amount of decay is proportional to the length of time the teeth are in contact with sugar. Diet is very important. I can recall the surprise on a very health-conscious mother’s face when she found out that apple juice is a common cause of children’s tooth decay. “But it is natural,” she protested. Decay germs grow faster and produce more acid to damage teeth if sugar is present. Any kind of sugar will do, even the sugar found in dried fruit such as raisins.
The second step is easy. I call it antibacterial. The germs that eat teeth are removed by baking soda. They can be washed away after soda is applied. The soda also helps neutralize any acid present.
The third step may be the most important. The weak grooves in a child’s permanent molar teeth can be completely protected. By sealing them with a bonding material, tooth decay can be sealed out before it begins. If left unsealed, more than 50% of these grooves will decay within just a few years. The twelve permanent molars erupt four at a time at ages 6, 12, and 18. Other permanent teeth may have a significant groove defect that may need sealants but the six and twelve year molars are the critical ones.

Dr. David Kennedy practiced preventive dentistry for over 25 years in San Diego, California. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology from the University of Kansas and a Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Missouri at Kansas City. He served for two years in the United States Navy Dental Corps. He has lectured internationally to dentists and professionals on preventive and restorative dentistry and on the hazards of mercury and fluoride. He is a past President of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology.

Authors and Editors

Author: Gary W. Cole, MD
Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor, eMedicineHealth.com

Previous contributing authors and editors:

Author: Brian W Russ, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Dermatology, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Andrews Air Force Base

Coauthor(s): Christopher Sartori, MD, Chief of Dermatology Clinic, United States Air Force Academy Hospital; Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado School of Medicine; Paula Vogel, MD, Chief, Section of Dermatologic Surgery, Wilford Hall Medical Center; Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Editors: Scott H Plantz, MD, FAAEM, Research Director, Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine; Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine; Anthony Anker, MD, FAAEM, Attending Physician, Emergency Department, Mary Washington Hospital, Fredericksburg, VA.

What is acne?

Topic Overview

What is acne?

Acne, or acne vulgaris, is a skin problem that starts when oil and dead skin cells clog up your pores. Some people call it blackheads, blemishes, whiteheads, pimples, or zits. When you have just a few red spots, or pimples, you have a mild form of acne. Severe acne can mean hundreds of pimples that can cover the face, neck, chest, and back. Or it can be bigger, solid, red lumps that are painful (cysts).
Acne is very common among teens. It usually gets better after the teen years. Some women who never had acne growing up will have it as an adult, often right before their menstrual periods.
How you feel about your acne may not be related to how bad it is. Some people with severe acne are not bothered by it. Others are embarrassed or upset even though they have only a few pimples.
The good news is that there are many good treatments that can help you get acne under control.

What causes acne?

Acne starts when oil and dead skin cells clog the skin's pores. If germs get into the pores, the result can be swelling, redness, and pus. See a picture of how pimples form

.
For most people, acne starts during the teen years. This is because hormone changes make the skin more oily after puberty starts.
Eating chocolate or greasy foods may cause some people to break out, but studies haven't proven that eating chocolate or high-fat foods increases the risk of acne. Using oil-based skin products or cosmetics can make acne worse. Use skin products that don't clog your pores. They will say "noncomedogenic" on the label.
Acne can run in families. If one of your parents had severe acne, you are more likely to have it.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of acne include whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples. These can occur on the face, neck, shoulders, back, or chest. Pimples that are large and deep are called cystic lesions. These can be painful if they get infected. They also can scar the skin.

How is acne treated?

To help control acne, keep your skin clean. Avoid skin products that clog your pores. Look for products that say "noncomedogenic" on the label. Wash your skin once or twice a day with a gentle soap or acne wash. Try not to scrub or pick at your pimples. This can make them worse and can cause scars.
If you have just a few pimples to treat, you can get an acne cream without a prescription. Look for one that has benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. These work best when used just the way the label says.
It can take time to get acne under control. But if you haven't had good results with nonprescription products after trying them for 3 months, see your doctor. A prescription gel or skin cream may be all you need. If you are a woman, taking certain birth control pills may help.
If you have acne cysts, your doctor may suggest a stronger medicine, such as isotretinoin. This medicine works very well for some kinds of acne.

What can be done about acne scars?

There are many skin treatments, such as laser resurfacing or dermabrasion, that can help acne scars look better and feel smoother. Ask your doctor about them. The best treatment for you depends on how severe the scarring is. Your doctor may refer you to a plastic surgeon.

Acne Pictures

Media file 1: Hair follicle

Media type: Illustration

Media file 2: Comedones (blackheads and whiteheads)

Media type: Photo

Media file 3: Papules, pustules (zits)

Media type: Photo

Media file 4: Nodules

Media type: Photo

Acne Causes

Several factors contribute to the development of acne. The primary problem is the abnormal development of cells inside the hair follicle, leading to the formation of a plug or blackhead (comedo). The plug inhibits the normal movement of hair, skin cells and grease (sebum), resulting in enlargement and eventually rupture of the hair follicle. A ruptured hair follicle spills its contents of oil and debris into the skin where it leads to swelling and causes redness (inflammation).

Propionibacterium acnes, a type of bacteria that normally lives in the skin hair follicles, also plays a role in acne. These bacteria produce substances that cause redness and irritation (inflammation). They also make enzymes, which dissolve the sebum from the oil glands in the skin into irritating substances. These substances also make the inflammation worse.

Certain hormones called androgens are an additional factor in causing acne. Androgens are male hormones that are present in both men and women but are higher in men. Androgens do two things: First, they enlarge the sebaceous glands in the skin. Second, they cause these glands to increase sebum (oil) production. The increased sebum production exacerbates plug formation and serves as more "food" for the bacteria. Androgens surge at puberty, which is why teens develop armpit and pubic hair and why boys develop facial hair and deeper voices. This hormonal surge also contributes to the development of acne in teens.

Estrogens, which are the female hormones, actually can help to improve acne in girls. A woman's monthly menstrual cycle is due to changes in the estrogen levels in her body. This is why acne in a female may get better and then get worse as she goes through her monthly cycle. A doctor may recommend acne treatment with birth control pills, which contain the helpful estrogens.

It is now also believed that severe acne can run in some families. This may be due to genetic factors that has not yet been discovered.

Anatomy of the hair follicle: Hair follicles exist on virtually all skin except for the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Inside the follicle, the hair extends up from the deep layers of the skin and comes out of a pore. Near the surface, the oil gland (sebaceous gland) enters the hair follicle where it empties sebum at a relatively constant rate. The sebum lubricates the skin and provides a protective barrier to prevent drying. Skin on the face, chest, and back has an especially large number of sebaceous glands. These are the areas where acne occurs.

Acne lesions: There are two major types of acne lesions: noninflammatory and inflammatory. Noninflammatory acne lesions include blackheads (open comedones) and whiteheads (closed comedones). Open and closed comedones along with papules and pustules are referred to as papulopustular acne, a form of inflammatory acne. Nodular acne is the most severe form of inflammatory acne.

Noninflammatory acne: Open comedones result from the enlargement and dilation of a plug that forms from oil and skin cells inside the hair follicle.

The hair follicle pore remains open, exposing a black plug (known as a blackhead). The dark color is not dirt inside the pore. Instead it is the oil inside the pore, which has become exposed from the outside air.

A closed comedo forms if the hair follicle pore remains closed. The plug in a closed comedo or whitehead is therefore not exposed to the outside air, and no black color develops. The closed comedo simply appears as a tiny, sometimes pink bump in the skin.

Inflammatory acne: Inflammatory acne lesions consist of red blemishes, pimples also called zits (papules, pustules), and larger, deeper swollen tender lesions (nodules).

Papules are closed comedos, which have become red, swollen, and inflamed.

Pustules are closed comedos, which become inflamed and begin to rupture into the skin forming pustular heads of various sizes.

Nodules represent large, tender, swollen acne lesions, which have become intensely inflamed and rupture under the skin. If untreated, these can produce deep scarring.

When to Seek Medical Care

Acne that does not improve with over-the-counter medicines should be evaluated by a doctor.

People with acne that is severe and tender or who already have scarring should also be seen by a doctor.

Women with acne who develop facial hair or have irregular periods require evaluation by a doctor.

Anyone with a sudden severe worsening of their acne or acne with fever and severe swelling should see a doctor immediately. These could be signs of a serious skin infection.

Acne Treatment

Self-Care at Home

Wash once or twice daily with soap and water to remove excess oil from the skin. An acne cleanser purchased over-the-counter in any drug store can also be helpful. Avoid scrubbing or using abrasives because this can actually irritate the skin and cause acne to worsen.

Over-the-counter acne medications can be used either at bedtime or during the day. Always follow the directions on any acne product. These products generally do not have any beneficial effects on inflammatory lesions, pimples, and are essentially used to prevent the development of new lesions. Therefore they should be applied to all of the skin in affected areas.

Many cover-up products are available without a prescription to improve the appearance of blemishes while they have a chance to heal. Most work well and should not worsen acne. If makeup is worn, it should be water-based, and the ingredients of the makeup should list water as a major component.

Some cosmetics and other skin-care products, however, can cause acne to worsen. Look for makeup, cosmetics, and skin-care products labeled with the word noncomedogenic. This means that it does not cause or worsen acne.

Recent, very preliminary, reports seem to associate cow's milk with more severe cases of acne.

It is of major importance that the patient with acne does not manipulate their lesions. Manipulation (pinching, squeezing, etc) of any type is almost uniformly going to result in worsening of any existing disease, potentially enhancing the chance for scarring and producing more long-lasting pimples.

Medical Treatment

The purpose of medical care is to prevent scarring until the disease characteristically spontaneously remits after the conclusion of puberty. Many treatment options are available to treat all forms of acne. Medications are the main treatment for acne and usually work well. Several preparations are available over the counter, while others require a prescription from a doctor.

Over-the-counter medications: Nonprescription or over-the-counter medications for acne are plentiful and can be effective for milder forms of acne. They come in the form of soaps, washes, and cleansers.

Many contain benzoyl peroxide, which does two things. First, benzoyl peroxide kills the acne-causing bacteria, which are thought to play a role in acne. Second, benzoyl peroxide can cause drying and flaking off of skin, which can help prevent the pores from becoming plugged. Plugged pores can develop into acne blemishes.

Scrubbing excessively with any over-the-counter preparation can actually cause acne to worsen by additionally irritating the hair follicles.

Prescription medications: Doctors can prescribe medications when acne becomes moderate to severe or is not controlled by over-the-counter medications. Prescription drugs can be used effectively alone or in combination with other prescription and nonprescription medications.

Azalaic acid products: These products are useful in mild acne composed mostly of comedones. The are unlikely to produce inflammation and are applied twice a day.

Antibiotics: Antibiotics can be effective in treating most inflammatory acne (papules and pustules). They work by decreasing inflammation caused by bacteria and other irritating chemicals present in the sebaceous follicle.

Antibiotics may be applied to the skin in the form of gels and lotions or by way of pills. Giving an antibiotic by mouth is often needed for acne that is more extensive, red, and tender.

Antibiotics may be combined with benzoyl peroxide, which is contained in over-the-counter medications, to form a topical solution that can be obtained with a doctor's prescription.

Antibiotics taken by mouth for relatively extended periods can be very effective in controlling acne. Although the development of resistant bacteria is a theoretical concern as a result of protracted courses of antibiotics, this does not seem to occur commonly for the antibiotics used most frequently by dermatologists for acne. As with any systemic medication they can be associated with more side effects than if applied to the skin and may interact with other drugs. Sensitivity to the sun can result in a "bad sunburn" in some people who take antibiotics in the tetracycline family.

Retinoids: Medicines structurally similar to vitamin A are useful in preventing several types of acne lesions. Topical retinoids are effective in treating the noninflammatory types of acne (blackheads and whiteheads).

Topical retinoids (applied directly to the skin) help to open clogged pores and produce a mild peeling effect. Drying and redness of the skin can be a frequent side effect and in some patients limit its usefulness.

An oral retinoid (isotretinoin) may be prescribed for treating the more extensive nodular type of acne or severe inflammatory acne, which has not responded to other treatments. All patients on isotretinoin will experience a peeling and drying of the skin. Most patients who take the appropriate dosage for an appropriate duration should expect a permanent remission in their acne. Isotretinoin is associated with a number of serious side effects, including birth defects in babies of women who become pregnant while taking the medicine. The drug can also cause elevated blood lipids and damage to the liver. Your doctor must perform certain blood tests to check for these problems and to make sure you are not pregnant (assuming that it is possible) if you are given oral retinoids. Depression and inflammatory bowel disease have been reported while taking oral retinoids. All patients on isotretinoin in the United States must be registered in a government-mandated program, the I PLEDGE PROGRAM, which is accessible online or by telephone. Beside the patient, the patient's physician and the dispensing pharmacy must also register with this program.

Other medications: A doctor may recommend other types of drugs or therapy to improve acne. For women, medications such as birth control pills or certain "water pills" may be helpful. These drugs counteract the acne-causing effect of male hormones. Newer treatments for acne include the use of light or zinc. Your doctor can advise you whether these types of acne therapy might be good for you.

Acne Prognosis

The prognosis for most cases of acne is excellent. Most people experience their worst acne during the teen years and grow out of it. The goal in all acne treatment is to prevent scarring. Severe acne left untreated for a long time can result in scarring. The scars can appear as pits (usually on the face) or as big, bumpy scars (usually on the chest and back). The scarring of acne can also be treated. Your doctor can tell you about various ways available to treat acne scars.

Pits and depressions left in the skin from acne scarring can be treated with a "skin-sanding" procedure called dermabrasion or by chemical peels.

Bumpy scars are often treated with injections of a steroid medicine.

Lasers can be used in treating scars but can be expensive.

Acne Overview

Acne is a red, irritating skin rash that is almost universal among individuals going through puberty in industrialized societies. It can, however, occur at all ages. Typical acne affects the skin of the face, chest, and back and rarely the neck and upper arms of teenagers and young adults.

Because acne typically occurs during a time of dramatic physical and psychological changes associated with the development of one's body image, it can exacerbate social withdrawal and even depression. Left untreated, severe acne can lead to disfiguring scarring which can be difficult to treat.

Several myths exist about acne.

Acne is not a result of uncleanliness or infrequent washing. In other words, acne does not result from too much dirt on the skin or in the pores. Too much scrubbing may actually make acne worse.

Acne is not caused by eating "fast" foods, chocolate or high-fat foods.

A Natural Approach to Curing and Preventing Acne

Of the many health challenges that I help people overcome through natural methods, one of my favorites is acne. It’s a favorite because I have yet to meet a person who hasn’t recovered from acne, no matter how severe the case, with appropriate changes in diet and lifestyle. Once a person identifies and addresses the root causes of acne, it predictability melts away.

There is nothing quite like seeing the relief and happiness that people experience as they recover from acne that they have suffered with for months or years. I will never forget one gentleman – a professor at a top naturopathic school – whose chronic acne completely disappeared within two weeks of following my suggestions. Tears filled his eyes as he spoke about the many years he suffered with acne despite trying numerous creams, cleansers, nutritional supplements, and oral drugs.

Many people in developed countries suffer with acne at some point in their lives. Rather than identify and address the root causes of acne, many people turn to creams, cleansers, and sometimes drugs to relieve their symptoms. While these approaches may produce temporary results for some, they rarely lead to lasting improvement because they do not take into account dietary and lifestyle factors that cause acne to begin with.

These symptom-based approaches reminds me of a time when my kitchen faucet broke off and a powerful geyser of water exploded upward, taking a bite out of the ceiling. My first reaction was to cram the broken faucet in place. It took every last bit of my strength to hold this faucet down against the upward force of water. If I budged even a bit, water would shoot out in all directions with incredible force. Being the quick thinker that I am, I stood there for about five minutes, growing exhausted from holding this faucet down. It finally dawned on me that I had to reach down underneath the sink and turn off the water supply. During the few seconds it took for me to let go of the broken faucet and reach down to turn off the water supply, it was like having an open fire hydrant in my kitchen. The kitchen and I ended up soaked, but it sure felt great to know that no more water would come flying out of the broken faucet!
When I see people use creams, cleansers, and drugs to deal with acne, I can’t help but think that they are trying awfully hard to solve their problem, just as I struggled to hold the water down with the broken faucet, when a more effective and permanent solution exists. You can use creams, cleansers and drugs to deal with acne with temporary and limited success, but wouldn’t it be way better to keep acne from developing in the first place? I’m sure that once you identify and address the root causes of acne, you will feel just as relieved and happy as I did when I made that final turn on the water supply valve.

Here are my guidelines to solving acne naturally:

Avoid the worst triggers of acne; pasteurized dairy products, fried and deep-fried foods, hydrogenated oils, sugar, salty snacks, preservatives like sulphates, and highly processed foods that contain gluten.
Eat mainly whole, unprocessed foods, with vegetables making up at least 50% of the total volume of your diet. Specifics of your ideal diet depend on a variety of factors, including your body type, ethnic background, health history, and current health status.
Get enough sleep to feel refreshed when you wake up. It is during deep, restful sleep that your body is able to most efficiently repair damaged skin.
Do not rub your acne with abrasive towels or loofahs. Aggressively rubbing your acne can cause the underlying infection to spread, which can result in new spots. Sometimes, abrasive rubbing can create enough irritation to cause an infection that leads to acne. Instead of rubbing your face dry after washing, make it a habit to pat dry or even air dry.
Use as little soap and make-up as possible. Using soap on a daily basis is only necessary if you work with gas, coal, or oil. For most people who don’t wear make up, washing with cold water is enough to have clean and healthy skin. Washing with only cold water is what people have done through most of world history.
If your weather allows, expose your skin to sunshine each day, even if it’s for a few minutes. Just be sure not to burn yourself. Natural sunlight has remarkable healing and recuperative powers for your skin.
Consider taking a high quality probiotic. Having lots of good bacteria living in your intestines will provide protection against toxins that can contribute to acne formation. Lots of good bacteria in your intestines is also helpful for your immune system, which plays a significant role in maintaining healthy skin. My wife and I use Dr. Ben Kim's Greens.
If you are not seeing changes as quickly as you would like, consider doing a short water or juice fast, which can accelerate healing of your skin.

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Do Roasted Peanuts Cause Acne?

by Tim Gorman

Many people wonder what the active cause for acne to occur on an individual really is a result from and some folks even attribute it to roasted peanuts. The truth is acne, zits and blackheads can be caused from a variety of reasons. Your diet is really just one small piece of the acne causing problems. Other factors include exercise, cosmetics, diet, hormones, hygiene, medications, shaving and stress. For the subject of this article I’ll stick with the diet portion and how it can influence your resistance or encouragement of acne.
Studies show that diet does not play a role in either the cause or the treatment of acne. However, what is recommended for acne preventative care is a healthy diet along with a vitamin regiment that should prevent any sort of zit or blackhead outbreak. Here is a small list of healthy vitamins, minerals and other supplements that have been known and recommended to prevent and help conquer acne breakouts:
Vitamin A,
Vitamin B Complex,
Vitamin C,
Vitamin E, L-Carnitine and Zinc
In terms of diet the following measures can be taken with the hope of preventing an acne outbreak or at the very least minimizing further outbreaks of zits and blackheads. It’s recommended that you add more fruits, veggies, seeds and nuts to your regular diet. This can be accomplished by eating more salads, dried fruit and nut snacks and by drinking more juices.
It is recommended that you decrease your daily intake of caffeine, sugar and refined carbohydrates. There have been some clinical studies showing that caffeine can increase the levels of stress hormones inside your body, provoking or worsening acne conditions. This means you should cut back on your consumption of tea, coffee, chocolate and other beverages containing caffeine. The same advice goes for sugar and refined carbs. For instance white bread, rice, flour, and pasta can result in an insulin surge, resulting further in an excess of male hormones that stimulate skin to discharge lots of sebum, which in turn leads to clogged pores allowing bacteria to grow and acne to appear.
Finally it is also recommended that you decrease your dietary intake of red meat and dairy products. Since both are more difficult for our bodies to digest and some researchers say that when the body puts forth an increased effort in the digestion of high levels of animal protein, waste products are not completely processed as usual, instead they can shed slowly, blocking pores, causing acne.
Hopefully these few diet tips will help in your quest to stop the appearance of acne, zits and blackheads. And remember it hasn’t really been proven that roasted peanuts cause acne.

Some Tips on Acne Prevention

by Tim Gorman

In many cases acne can be avoided. There are lots of ways to avoid acne. Ways to avoid acne include dietary changes, skin care and home treatments.
This article will have information that explores ways to avoid acne.
Ways to avoid acne #1: Use a cleansing diet to get rid of the impurities in your system.
Ways to avoid acne #2: Clean your skin everyday.
Ways to avoid acne #3: Use a benzoyl peroxide lotion to keep blemishes at bay.
Ways to avoid acne #4: Check your cosmetics, foods and other products to make sure you are not having a problem with allergies that can be mistaken for acne.
Ways to avoid acne #5: If you eat a high-fiber, low-fat diet you are less likely to have problems with acne.

Already kicked your bad diet and threw out aggravating cosmetics? And do you still have acne? Check out Acne Free in 3 Days, a natural how-to book on how to get rid of acne once and for all. -- Editors

Ways to avoid acne #6: Some vitamins will decrease your chances of acne. Check with your doctor to see what she suggests.
Ways to avoid acne #7: Drink six to eight glasses of water a day. Water is important for the health of your skin.
Ways to avoid acne #8: Some people feel that cutting down on sugar, flour and caffeine is one of the ways to avoid acne.
Ways to avoid acne #9: If you have small blackheads or pimples do not pop them. This can lead to even more skin problems.
Ways to avoid acne #10: Don’t use greasy lotions and cosmetics as they contain oils that can promote acne.
Ways to avoid acne #11: Try not to take any medications that contain iodides or bromides.
The above information should help you find ways to avoid acne.
About the Author
Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Clear-Skin-Solutions.com. He provides more acne clearing solutions, remedies and home acne treatment information that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

How to Prevent and Control Acne

by John H. Moore
Do you have acne?
Acne may be the scourge of adolescent years, but it can follow people into middle age and beyond.
Acne is really a catchall term for a variety of symptoms such as pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads. It's a condition where the pores of skin become clogged and the person gets inflamed and non-inflamed lesions.
So what's the cause of all the clogging?
Heredity - at least for the most part. Acne is genetic - it tends to run in families, and it is an inherited defect of your pores. If both your parents had acne, three out of four of your brothers and sisters will get it too.
Stress, sun exposure, seasonal changes, and climate can all cause an acne attack. Certain types of makeup and taking birth control pills can also cause a breakout.

If you're tired of herbal remedies, ointments, and expensive and dubious prescribed medications, then you owe your skin to check out Acne Free in 3 Days, a natural how-to book on how to get rid of acne once and for all. -- Editors

Here are some simple things you can do to keep acne at bay...
Change Your Make-up
In adult women, make-up is the major factor in acne outbreaks, especially oil based products. It's the oil that causes the problem. The oil is usually a derivative of fatty acids that are more potent than your own fatty acids. Use a non-oil-based make-up if you are prone to acne.
Read the labels
Cosmetic products that contain lanolins, isopropyl myristate, sodium lauryl sulphate, laureth-4 and D & C red dyes should be avoided. Like oil, these ingredients are too rich for the skin.
Wash Properly
Wash your make-up off thoroughly every night. Use a mild soap twice a day and make sure you rinse the soap entirely off your face. Rinse six or seven times with fresh water.
Use Less Make-up
Whatever make-up you use, try to cut down on the amount you put on.
Leave Well Alone
Don't squeeze pimples or whiteheads. A pimple is an inflammation, and you could add to the inflammation by squeezing it, which could lead to an infection. A pimple will always go away in one to four weeks if you leave them alone.
Know When to Squeeze
Most pimples are best left alone, but there is one kind that you can squeeze to help get rid of it. If the pimple has a little central yellow pus head in it, then a gentle squeeze will make it pop open very nicely. Once the pus pops out, the pimple will heal more quickly.
Attack Blackheads
You can also get rid of blackheads by squeezing them. A blackhead is a very blocked pore, and a gentle squeeze will help rectify this.
Give Dry Skin Extra Care
Dry skin can be sensitive to some over the counter skin treatments, so please use these treatments with care. Start with the lower strength products first, and then increase the concentration slowly.
Stay Out of the Sun
Acne medications may cause adverse reactions to the sun, so minimize you exposure until you know what the reactions going to be. If you're avoiding medications because of their often terrible side effects, then getting 10 to 20 minutes of sun exposure on your acne can be an excellent thing to do.
Use One Treatment at a Time
Don't mix treatments. Use only one at a time because treatments may cause adverse reactions if mixed together.
Stop the Spread of Acne
Apply acne medication about half an inch around the affected area to help keep the acne from spreading. Acne moves across the face from the nose to the ear, so you need to treat beyond the inflamed area. Most people make the mistake of treating only the pimples and not the outlying areas of skin. This is wrong.
If you are an acne sufferer, then I trust this information will be very helpful to you. Thanks for reading my article.

About the AuthorAuthor John H Moore - please use my link

Mixing and Matching Skin Care Products Can Lead to Long-Term Damage

Hundreds of skin-care products.
So many choices.
Which products work best?
Well, today's skin-care consumer is justifiably confused, especially those confronting difficult skin issues such as eczema, psoriasis, adult acne, skin rashes, excessively oily, flaky and itchy skin, a combination of dry and oily skin areas, rosacea, and even a combination of conditions.
More and more people are developing sensitivities to artificial ingredients and harsh chemicals. Many factors cause the skin to rebel: the environment, diet, medications, hormones, stress, and chemotherapy.
Another factor contributing to unhealthy sensitivities results from the mixing and matching of products from various manufacturers - applying a hodge-podge of products not formulated to work together.
Just as it is dangerous to combine home cleaning products, it can be damaging to combine skin care products from a variety of manufacturers.
Due to the extensive number of skin care products on the market, consumers tend to purchase a mix of products and brands that synergistically don't work together. A typical vanity is stocked with a wide-range of brand names and products. "Brand B" moisturizer is applied after "Brand A" cleanser and "Brand C" anti-aging serum is used in conjunction with "Brand D" Facial masque.
One may ask: "Is such combining of products a problem?"
The answer is a resounding, "Yes!"
Mixing brands and products may lead to a form of chemical warfare with the skin is the victim. A skin-care manufacturer will formulate products within a specific pH balance range, blending ingredients that complement one another for best results.
For example, the cleanser has a certain pH level and so does the freshener and moisturizer. The term pH refers to the measurement of the acids and alkali in the skin. The amount of acid in the skin determines the skin's resistance to bacteria.
However, one company's pH balance range may be quite different from the pH balance range of another manufacturer. One brand may not work in harmony with another brand. Mix and match brands and the result can be very damaging. Skin that becomes "off-balance" and "confused" may develop acne, allergies, rashes, and any number of other skin conditions.
Using products that contain proven healing ingredients such as Aloe can be extremely beneficial to "confused" skin. Aloe, known as "nature's pharmacy," provides 75 nutrients, 200 active compounds, 20 essential minerals, 18 amino acids, and 12 vitamins. For those undergoing radiation therapy, Aloe can help ease painful treatment. Be sure to find and use products where Aloe is listed first on the list of ingredients.
Clear, smooth, healthy skin is the beginning of a beautiful, youthful look. The basis of healthy, beautiful skin is a regular program of intelligent skin care.
The four essential steps to healthy skin are

1. Cleansing
2. Exfoliation
3. Moisturizing
4. Protection (against sun and elements).

Tips for a Life Time of Healthy-Looking Skin

Avoid mixing skin care products. Use a skin care system intended to work together to maintain the skin's natural pH balance.
Drink plenty of water.
Don't use products containing drying alcohol.
Avoid cleansers that suds.
Avoid products containing artificial coloring agents, synthetic fragrances, parabens, propylene glycol, waxes, mineral oil, or sodium laurel sulfates.
Don't go to bed wearing make-up.
Increase fiber intake.
Don't smoke. Smoking constricts blood vessels, causing premature wrinkling.
Use natural based products.
Don't use soap as a skin cleanser. All skin types, by nature, are on the low pH side, or slightly acidic, measuring about 6 on the pH scale. One of the greatest enemies to the skin's pH balance is soap because soap leaves the skin in an alkaline state that is receptive to bacteria.
Get your beauty sleep. Eight hours is best.
Think positive, healing thoughts.

The skin is a marvelous organ and responds quickly to kindness and care. Care for your complexion and it will do everything naturally possible to be soft, clear, healthy, and youthful in appearance.

Why Antibiotics Are Not the Answer for the Common Cold and Acne

For years, dermatologists have prescribed various oral and topical antibiotics as a first line of treatment for acne.
This standard of care may soon change due to a study in the September 2005 Archives of Dermatology that reports that people who use oral or topical antibiotics to treat acne have more than double the chance of having a cold during the following year. To put it plainly, regular use of antibiotics increases your risk of developing the common cold.
How can this be?
The medical community has known for years that regular antibiotic use in situations that are not life or limb threatening can lead to health problems related to killing off friendly bacteria in your body. Having lots of friendly bacteria in your body is important to your health because they enhance the strength of your immune system and contribute to a protective digestive tract lining.
What's particularly ironic about the findings of this study is that antibiotics are used so frequently in today's society to treat the common cold. So, not only does regular use of antibiotics increase your risk of getting a cold by weakening your immune system, if you treat your cold with antibiotics, your immune system will be weakened even further and your suffering will in all likelihood be prolonged.

Speaking of treating colds with antibiotics, are you aware that the common cold is related to viruses and not bacteria?
Antibiotics are useless against viruses. I'm convinced that a major reason why antibiotics are prescribed so frequently for the common cold is that many doctors don't take the time to determine whether a person's symptoms are related to a bacterium or a virus. Plus, many people have just come to expect a prescription for antibiotics when they have any symptoms that resemble a cold and make a trip to the doctor's office.
What many people don't know is that antibiotics have a mild anti-inflammatory effect. So even though antibiotics are useless against viral infections, they can make you feel better in the moment, just like Tylenol, Motrin, and other anti-inflammatory pills can.
Getting back to the study on acne that prompted this article, I hope it's clear that I don't recommend the use of oral or topical antibiotics to treat acne. Acne is best addressed by working on your diet, lifestyle, and emotional health. For some recommendations on treating acne from the inside out, view the following article: A Natural Approach to Curing and Preventing Acne.

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Watch Out for Side Effects from Acne Treatments

Because acne treatments are so diverse and can both be ingested and applied externally, you should know exactly what you are putting in or on your body when it comes to acne treatment. Side effects and other "undesirable" variables are some of the complications you may run into.
Unfortunately, many acne treatments create a multitude of complications.
Allergic reaction is one such complication. Some acne victims are allergic to various ingredients in acne treatment products. Often they do not know about this allergy until they find out first hand through using the product and calling back their doctor and asking why they are having trouble breathing or have broken out in a strange rash.
Obviously, this can have serious consequences for many unfortunate individuals. After all, they only wanted to get their acne treated, but they end up with a new problem or symptom.
The most common side effects are flaking, redness, and inflammation of the skin. This happens when the many chemicals in acne treatments ignite a bad reaction and over-dry the skin, depriving it of any moisture and hydration. This often yields the dry flaking effect, while the redness and inflammation could be caused by a mild allergy associated with the treatment.
Remember, it's up to you to consider all the options and research any medication you take over the counter or are prescribed. This cannot be emphasized enough, as it is your skin and ultimately your health.
Don’t take any unnecessary risks just because you believe, or are told by a pushy physician, that you have no other option. Be informed about the acne treatment you are about to purchase. And don’t let acne cost you more than it already has.
Note: I think we've all tried conventional medications at some point in our tenure with acne. And a lot of us remember the nasty side effects even more than the fact that the medication didn't help the acne at all. For a natural, medication and side effect-free approach, try Acne Free in 3 Days, a how-to book on how to get rid of acne once and for all. -- Editors

Choose a Proactive Acne Treatment

Treatment and control are two words you often hear about acne. But when it comes to treatment and control, what works? Take your pick of drug stores and you'll find a smorgasbord of different products you can use to "clear acne in 72 hours."
Dubious claims. Sometimes these over-the-counter and prescribed treatments make acne worse or cause symptoms that make a face or back full of pimples look like a walk in the park!
So let's talk about proactive acne treatment. Many teens and adults alike believe this is a must in clearing up acne for the long-term. And what being proactive means is that you take charge of your own health and lifestyle and know what to do, and what not to do.
For instance, no matter how "ready" a white-headed pimple looks, you probably shouldn't pop it, though some controversy exists on this subject. And in contrast with what the majority of people do, you should gently pat dry your face. Washing and drying your face as if the cloth were a chainsaw will exacerbate your acne.
Purchasing acne treatment products and medications may seem like the first step you can take to achieve your goal of having clear skin. But sadly, easy solutions and chemicals rarely work for many people. And no matter what a drug ad says, acne treatments alone will not help you win the battle against acne.
For ultimate success, you must have an over-all lifestyle change.
That means you have to change your diet. Oil is the number one cause of acne. It's this very oil you need to avoid. So clearly eating hamburgers and junk food will not help you get rid of acne. On the contrary, oily foods are like fuel to acne.
The oil in greasy hamburgers will sustain the sebaceous oil glands, allowing them to continually pump oil to your face.
There are natural oils that help nourish the skin, such as omega fats from avocados and Carlson's fish oil. Eating plenty of greens daily will also make a substantial difference.
Effective acne treatment is an inside-out process.
So if you get rid of all of the garbage inside, it will show up on the outside; conversely, if the inside is filled with bad oils and processed foods, it will reflect on your skin.

Five Reasons Little White Bumps Are On Your Face and How to Get Rid Of Them

by Naweko San-Joyz
Are you making these mistakes each time you spot a little white little bump on your face? Fixing those little white bumps starts with a small dose of education and ends with a big dose of prevention. After understanding the five reasons below, your little bumps should give way to clearer skin.
Reason #1: You have no clue what those little white bumps are anyway.
Little white bumps, or milia, are keratin-filled cysts, or simply little globs of protein under the skin. There are generally two types of milia. Primary milia may result from oil glands that have not fully or properly developed. Secondary milia result from trauma to the skin.
Reason #2: You think all little white bumps are acne, and treat them that way.
Just because you have little white bumps on your face does not necessarily mean that you have acne. Milia, are little balls of protein beneath the skin that do not have a pore, or hole in the skin through which to escape.
Comedones or whiteheads are excess fats and wastes that are trapped in a hair follicle and so they clog up the pore. In short, milia are proteins trapped within the skin, while comedones are fats and skin debris trapped within the pore.
Exfoliating the skin, or removing the dead skin cells from your skin with an abrasive product or chemical, is beneficial. But brutally scrubbing your face with soaps and chemicals too frequently may actually create milia. To avoid this, remember that gentle exfoliation helps prevent excess dead skin cell build-up that could clog your pores and cause whiteheads, not milia.
This gentle exfoliation helps make eventual removal of the milia easier because the skin layer around the milia becomes thinner, with frequent, yet gentle exfoliation. In short, Exfoliate your skin to prevent milia, not to cure them.
Reason # 3 You have no idea what causes those little white bumps anyway.
When you were a baby, you were probably covered with milia that disappear after a few days. Or, you may have inherited milia from your parents.
On the other hand, you may develop milia after excessive exposure to the sun. The reasons for developing milia after sun exposure are debatable. According to some studies, the active ingredients sunscreens like Parsol 1789 may cause sun allergies and later lead to a milia breakout. Other studies blame the sun itself for “damaging” the skin can thus causing little white bumps.
Some people experience milia around the mouth. This could be the result of fluoride irritation from toothpaste.
Reason # 4: No one ever told you how to prevent milia.
The best way to prevent milia is to avoid treating your skin with excessively harsh chemicals and to limit sun exposure.
To reduce creating milia around the eyes, use eye creams with the least amount of ingredients possible to avoid irritating the delicately thin eye area. Also, gently touch the eyes and avoid rubbing the eyes vigorously so as not to damage the skin.
When brushing you teeth, try to keep the pasty foam from staying around your mouth too long. This limits possible fluoride irritation to the skin.
Use a sunscreen with the least amount of ingredients. Extraneous ingredients like fragrances may irritate your skin. Additionally, purchase sunscreens that offer physical sun blockage that contain active ingredients like titanium oxide or zinc oxide.
Reason #5: You still want to know what you can do right now to get rid of milia.
The key to getting rid of milia is realizing that they have no escape route, those little bumps are trapped under the skin. So, to get them out, you’ll need to have a professional like a dermatologist or aesthetician extract them. You can extract the milia yourself, but this involves risks.
Precautions You need to ensure that you milia are not symptoms of some underlying disease or illness. Also, if you extract the milia yourself, you may have trouble completely pulling out the cysts, as the removable process may prove too painful.
Otherwise, if you are confident with your health and courage, you can cleanse your hands and face. Then wet a cloth with warm water and apply it to your face for a few minutes. Gently apply a sterile needle to the center of the little white bump to create a tiny opening in the skin.
Wrap your thumbs in a clean tissue and, using your thumbs, proceed to gently squeeze the contents of the little white bump out. Finally, cleanse the area of the extracted little white bump with an astringent.
Now, you have no reason to walk around with little white bumps on your face. If you still think you do, please consider the possibility that you’re just telling yourself little white bumpy lies.
About the Author
Naweko San-Joyz is creator of the Acne Messages program, the only acne program to combine the latest scientific research and ancient wisdom to deliver an acne cure as unique as the acne sufferer. As there are millions of people with acne, there are a millions cures, find your unique cure with Acne Messages. ISBN: 0974912204.