A Bumpy Ride Towards Aging

The snow-white clear skin that you have been proud of since your teen years has suddenly poofed into a wicked witch's warty face upon reaching the age of 30!
"Acne, at my age?" This is often the distressed statement of pockmarked men and women in their 30's to 40's afflicted with adult acne.

This problem is surely not the work of a vengeful sorcerer. Acne vulgaris is what this most common skin disorder in the United States is scientifically called. Statistics has it that 15 million people  in US alone are afflicted with acne. It is an embarrassing problem among teenagers. But this condition is not only limited to those awkward years. Adult acne is also prevalent, especially among people in the age
group of 25 to 40.

Acne is a disease that resulted from the accumulation of sebum, a highbrow term for oil, underneath the skin. When this happens and the desquamation (human's way of molting) process goes wrong, the pores become clogged. Aggravation will continue and soon infection sets in. A bad bug called
Propionibacterium acnes causes this infection. Overproduction of oil and mismanagement of the process of shedding cells equals bunged pores. Clogged pores plus P. acnes, the scoundrel, equals breakout. Those pesky zits are produced just as easy as that.

One of the pushing forces that may cause the occurrence of acne includes the elevation of levels of testosterone among adolescents. No, it's not Toblerone misspelled. No matter how many anecdotes you've heard about chocolate addiction causing zits to dominate your face, there's really no enough
scientific basis to prove this. Testosterone is a chemical produced by the body that increase sebum production and change the keratin of the hair follicles. Testosterone is an androgen. Androgen is a hormone produced in high levels among males. This is the reason behind the worse cases of
acne among teenage boys more than girls.

Adult acne is called acne rosacea. It is characterized by the following: unsightly thick, red skin on the nose and cheeks, pus-filled blisters, small red bumps, and small red blood vessels seen on the skin surface. It is more commonly linked to increased levels of stress. Isn't it interesting
how the body reacts to this stimulus? NOT. When exhausted, like Gizmo getting wet, our skin could actually give birth to little monsters! Though they are not as troublesome as gremlins, they could be just as annoying as well. Seriously, pimples can be difficult to deal with, and can cause depression and anxiety in an adult the same way it can in a teen. Pressure from work and family responsibilities is thought to possibly affect the normal balance of our hormones. And hormones messed up means having to put up with bumpy complexion caused by adult acne.

Aside from stress-triggered hormonal imbalance, hot foods alcohol consumption, and smoking are also considered tomexacerbate adult acne. This may help you reconsider your
food preferences and habits.

Acne lesions are commonly found on the face, but they can also pop out anytime on the neck, chest, back, shoulders, scalp, and upper arms and legs. Adult acne is more
persistent than teen acne. It is because adults are consistently exposed to the many factors that cause
breakouts. Another hitch of adult acne is permanent scarring. It is an evidence of the inevitable reality that with the coming of age, the skin loses its erstwhile ability to repair itself. As if there's a need to be reminded of that when your face starts to wrinkle already. Now here's more to shriek in terror for, especially those in their mid-20's: adult acne causes PREMATURE AGING. Isn't that

just nerve-wracking?Enough of the endless yada's regarding how adult acne could further destroy us. As how master Yoda puts is, educated we must be with the crusade towards clearer AND younger skin. Or at least skin that is just our age we must maintain.

At the first sight of those wicked pimples together with gray hair and wrinkles (talk about aging signs overkill), just like with teenagers, impulse dictates squeezing. But you very well know that squeezing is a big no-no. How old are you? You surely don't need any more marks of time's passage.

In severe cases, consulting a dermatologist would best help in dealing with adult acne. The dermatologist may prescribe an antibiotic, vitamin A derivative like Isotretinoin or other acne drug available. More women  may be afflicted with adult acne than men. Pregnancy is another story if you are prescribed anti-acnes, especially Isotretinoin.

Proper skin care may not guarantee a flawless complexion. But a good skin care regimen may aid in warding off bacteria that worsen adult acne. If you love scrubbing for its squeaky-clean feel, think twice. It can render more damage to your already-blemished skin.

Another hint especially for women: use NON-COMEDOGENIC products. Non-comedogenic basically means anything that does not clog skin pores or cause acne. Do your homework and look for as many non-comedogenic versions of the skin care products you use. It's worth it, you'll see.

If stress is linked with adult acne, then, disengaging yourself from stressful activities might work wonders, right? A day away from work or catching up on one of your hobbies won't hurt.

There's this bold Jean Kerr reacting on a classical quotation.

"I'm tired of all this nonsense about beauty being only skin-deep. That's deep enough. What do you want, an adorable pancreas?"

It doesn't mean the depreciation of a pleasing personality. Such reaction only imparts a message of giving value to what boosts your self-esteem. If it's a clear complexion along with your aging gracefully, so be it. No adult acne should put a shame on your face and get in your way of becoming more confident.

6 Steps To Clear Acne-free Skin

Hundreds of medications, treatments, cleansers and cosmetics are available for people with acne, but the most important elements of an acne-fighting program won't cost you a cent.

Step 1. Nourish your skin by eating a healthy and balanced diet.

Most health care specialists agree that a healthy diet will benefit your skin. Cut down on caffeine, sugar and refined carbohydrates, all of which can activate the hormones that tell your sebaceous glands to produce more oil. Add more fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, juices and other healthy treats to your daily diet, and you'll see in improvement in your skin.

Step 2. Drink lots of water to maintain the skin's elasticity.

Plenty of water is essential to the health of your skin. One of the main activities of the body's self-healing system is to filter the blood, a job performed mostly by the kidneys, with help from the skin in the form of perspiration. This self-healing system removes the toxic wastes of metabolizing food and of other harmful substances that get into our bodies one way or another.

This purification system operates efficiently only if the volume of water flowing through it is sufficient to carry away the wastes. 6 to 8 glasses (64 fluid ounces) of water a day is the recommendation. To reach your quota, carry bottled water with you in your car, your purse, your
briefcase-wherever you go.

Get the water habit, and your skin will thank you for it.

Step 3. Exercise regularly for good circulation.

Get into a regular routine of exercise. Do it for at least half  an hour, five days a week. Exercise improves your blood circulation, helping your body clear toxins from your system, including your skin. Better circulation also increases the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to your skin.
Exercise also relieves stress, which is a common cause of acne flare-ups. Last but not least, exercise releases endorphins, the "feel good" substance in your brain that puts a smile on your face-the best beauty secret of all.

Step 4. Cleanse your face-then tone, moisturize, and exfoliate.

At night* First remove your makeup with an oil-free makeup remover and a cotton ball. * Then wash your face with lukewarm water and an oil-free, non-comedogenic (doesn't block pores) cleanser. * Pat (don't rub) it dry with a soft towel.* And apply an oil-free moisturizer.

In the morning* Wash your face as directed above, then use an alcohol-free toner. * Next apply moisturizer. * Then apply makeup-all oil-free and non-comedogenic.

Once or twice a week use an exfoliator with alpha hydroxy acid or glycolic  acid. This will aid in the shedding of dead skin cells, the "food" for the bacteria that cause pimples.

If you exercise during the day, you'll need to wash your face a third time, immediately afterward.

Step 5. Protect your skin from the sun and harsh weather.

One popular myth about acne is that tanning will clear it. It may seem so at first, but soon you will notice that your tanned skin becomes less pliable, making it less able to shed oil and dead skin cells, which clog your pores. Your acne will become worse, not better.

Always wear sun block with at least an SPF-15 UVA & UVB rating. If you'll be outside in the sun for long, wear a wide-brimmed hat.

Step 6. Get plenty of good-quality rest.

Your immune system requires energy to do its work, including the work of protecting your skin from acne. The deep sleep the brain needs for "recharging" comes several hours into the sleep cycle. That's why a few hours here and there won't do. Most people need at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep a night.
Consider it beauty sleep.

If you make these 6 items part of your daily routine, you'll look better, feel better, and have less need of expensive acne treatments and cosmetics.

5 Reasons Little White Bumps Are On Your Face And How To Get Rid Of Them

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 them 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.

5 Acne Treatment Tips You Can Use Today

Dealing with acne can be embarassing at any age. Luckily, there  area number of things you can do everyday to make sure your skin is lessprone to flare ups. Here are five tips for taking control of youracne starting today.

• Exercise - Keeping in shape can help fight acne by fighting offnegative stress levels that can come from negative self-esteem anddepression. However, some safeguards need to be in place to ward offacne that can result from your workout routines. Watch what you puton your body with regards to clothing, sports gear and equipment. 

• For example, tight lycra and nylon exercise outfits might lookgreat in the movies and on magazine models, but if you aresusceptible to acne problems, avoid these syntheticfabrics that tendto trap in body moisture and heat resulting in a bacteria frenzy.Instead, choose loose clothing made of cotton or natural blends toallow more air to get to your skin.

• And when you are finished with your workout, get out of clothing wetfrom perspiration or water sports. Shower and change into dry, cleanclothing. And keep your sports gear and equipment clean, too. Dirtyheadgear, for instance, can irritate forehead areas prone to acneproblems. So toss headbands into the washing machine after workoutsessions.

• Cosmetics  - To avoid pore-clogging and skin irritations that aresimilar to acne and that can contribute to acne, use products labelednoncomedogenic or oil-free. Shimmering facial colors can contain aflaky mineral called mica that can cause skin irritations and clogpores. Other additives in coloring that can cause similar reactionsare coal tar derivatives, carmine and heavy cream in blushes.

• More preventative measures include using a lip gloss that promotes amatte finish instead of a high gloss for less pore-clogging; note themore the shine, the more then comedogenic content and the more  thepores can clog. Beware that eye creams can contain heavierconcentrations of moisturizers than regular creams and lotions,meaning they have greater potential to clog pores in the surroundingfacial areas. 

• Diet - Studies show that diet does not play a role in either thecause or the treatment of acne. However, what is recommended for acnepreventative care is this: what is best for your body is best foryour skin, especially since your skin is the largest organ of yourbody. So remember to watch your diet and consume healthy vitamins,minerals and other supplements. This will help to prevent and helpconquer acne breakout.

• Hygiene - A healthy skin regimen should include no harshscrubbing or over-washing, because this can cause possible skinirritation or possible over production of oil to replace what haswashed off, clogging pores in the process. Products with gentleexfoliation ingredients are OK to use; i.e. not scratchy nut or fruitshell pieces that can tear skin. And skip alcohol products whenpossible; these can take off the top layer of your skin and causeyour glands to product more oil, clogging pores in the process.

• If you do spot acne-troubled areas, do NOT mess with them. Rememberthat these are already weeks in the making, and squeezing or pickingblemishes can force the infected area to regress back inside, furthertroubling the region and possibly leave a scar. If necessary, seekhelp from a dermatologist for alternative treatments.

• Shaving - Shaving for both genders is actually an excellent wayof exfoliating or removing dead skin to help with the prevention andspreading of acne instead of leaving the remains to clog pores. Andfor some light acne cases already in process, shaving can help ridwhiteheads and blackheads from the face. A word of caution: for areaswith infection or high inflammatory activity (redness,sensitive,open acne, sores, etc.), do not shave. Or at the very least, use ashaving cream for sensitive skin!

Easy Ways To Treat Body Acne

Are you suffering from Body acne? or Zits below the neckline?Don't worry. You are not alone! Lot's of teen get body acne. It is common in the winter months, when you are wearing piles of heavy clothing.

Sweat can clog skin pores and lead to breakouts all over. Other things that can cause body acne are tight fitting clothing ( It traps sweat against the skin, leading to logged pores and blemishes) stress and hormones. Body acne commonly pops up on the chest and back.

• To zap body acne and prevent it from coming back, you can wash your body daily with a salicylic acid based cleanser. Look for this ingredient on product labels.

• Shower daily and be sure to shower as soon as possible anytime you have been sweating ? such as after playing sports, working outside or just being in the sun. After your shower, you can follow up by a body moisturizer that contains Alfa Hydroxy acid. This will exfoliate skin and help prevent breakouts, without drying skin out.

• At Nighttime you can treat body acne just like facial acne, by applying an acne zapping gel or cream at the effected parts.

• If your body acne is particularly bad and wont respond to this treatment after about a month, you will probably need to see a dermatologist.

Cystic Acne

A more advanced pimple is called cystic acne.  Acne is fairly common amongst all people around the world, however a more severe type is called cystic acne.

A regular pustule (pimple) roots itself deep into the skin becoming a cyst. Cysts can be large and purple, or pink and small. Many cysts in the facial area and elsewhere throughout the body erupt in severe cases.

Heredity is thought to play a large role in cystic acne.  You are likely to acquire a form of cystic acne if you have a parent who has or had it.  While it can appear anywhere on the body it seems to do more damage on the face.  You can have it on the back, legs, shoulders, neck and check.Clothing can cover these cysts but if clothing is too tight it can irritate the area and actually cause more of these
painful eruptions to appear.  Loose clothing is the best apparel with body acne.

Cystic acne is painful and undergoing a bout of it is extremely uncomfortable. Isotretinoin is the medication most effective for cystic acne.  It is a concentrated form of Vitamin A and is found in a drug called Accutane. Accutane must be used only as a final alternative because it has serious side effects.  It was found to cause birth defects and miscarriages in pregnant women.  A woman must prevent conception with two types of birth control when Accutane is prescribed.

You might want to ask for something a little less strong if you are a woman.  A product that contains high levels of benzoyl peroxide might be better suited because it is  safe for pregnant women. It can't hurt to try what you can before seeing a doctor; consulting with a physician is expensive.  You might discover that an over the counter treatment is much cheaper than the doctor visit and works as well.

Cystic acne can be treated successfully.  You just have to keep trying different treatments until you find one that works for you.  If you can afford one, see a good dermatologist.

Zit! Don't Pop It

Acne, which is commonly call zits and/or pimples by teenager, can cause tremendous damage to the body and can be very painful. Zits and/or pimples by teenager can cause terrible damage to the body and can be very painful. By squeezing and popping them you can do sever damage to the skin as well as create additional risks of infection.

There are two kinds for pimples, inflammatory and non-inflammatory.
The first is a whitehead also known as a closed comodones. The second is a blackhead also known as an open comodones. These are non inflammatory.

The cause of a whitehead is infected hair follicles. Yes, all people have hair on their faces even females. Enlarged plugs with a black color to them are called blackheads.
These will break through the skin. Papules are tender to the touch and a little pink in color. Pustules are lesions that are round with a yellow center and pink or red around the edge. These are the inflammatory types. 

The severest type of acne is a cysts or nodules which are very painful and will scar.

When you try a pop or squeeze a pimple you are damaging the tissue surrounding it and push the bacteria on to the  surface tissue as well as deeper into the tissue. The squeezing also damages the hair follicle. By exposing the surface and deeper tissues, you infect other pores.

Squeezing will cause swelling of the surrounding skin. Many manufacture produce blackhead removers. They advertise them on TV, on the Internet,  and in print ad's, even though scientific studies show that you should not remove blackheads. If a blackhead is not squeezed the skin will
not become inflamed.

Whiteheads are more damaged when popped or squeezed. Whiteheads are very small and may only be felt on the skin as a roughness, these are also called sandpaper comodones. Whiteheads quickly become inflamed and develop into papule and/or pustule.

Dermatologist should treat whitehead once they naturally develop in to papules and/or pustules. When the inflammatory type of pimples are irritated acne can become sever and damaging. Whiteheads have little content in them but can become very inflamed and an eye sore by simple
squeezing. Your dermatologist can determine the best treatment for your acne. They  will decide the treatment plan with medicines as needed. This could include soaps, cleaning methods, diet, and medication.

Lotion for Oily Skin

Some believe that putting moisturizer on oily skin makes it worse.  This isn't true or false but dependent on what kind of moisture it is.  Oily skin isn't different from normal skin in that you just need to be careful choosing a product made for your skin type.  Oily skin can't handle lotions for dry skin, as they will have that greasy look. For oily skin there are quite a few light and airy oil-free choices available.

One oil-free lotion that contains salicylic acid, which prevents and treats acne, is called Clean and Clear.  It moisturizes skin as well as fighting acne without causing additional problems.  Use it after treating pimples with benzoyl peroxide cream that could create dry patches.  This
is a good lotion if you  use a retinol product for your acne. You will need to use a year round sunscreen as this product does not contain one. 

Renergie Oil-Free Lotion from Lancomeis a good high end product.  It hydrates and plumps fine lines, is okay for night or day use yet it is totally free of oil.  ReVive Sensitif Oil Free Lotion is another one to think about.  It is shine free and leaves a matte
finish.  It contains the natural protein molecule EGF. It carries a SPF 15 but is not for the faint-hearted at almost $200.

Jojoba oil is one of the least expensive lotions for oily skin. The Desert Essence label sells various size bottles at reasonable prices.  It is a good cleanser for oily skin, cleanses away dirt and makeup and assists in regulating sebum production.  Finish with a thorough rinse after massing into dry skin with wet warm water.  Usually we don't think of putting oil on oily skin but in this situation it's okay.  Rub in a little jojoba oil to take care of dry patches as well if you have them.

Believe it or not use this as a good hair treatment and after-shave.