Skin Care

Acne And Your Diet

There are different reasons behind acne, blackheads and other skin problems. Some of the reasons are hormonal changes,stress,cosmetics,personal hygiene,side effects of medicines etc. Studies have shown that diet is not directly linked to acne. That is,your diet is not the cause of your acne. However,a healthy and balanced diet helps to prevent and control acne to a great extent.

A regular intake of some vitamins and minerals are recommended for your daily diet. Vitamins include Vitamin A, Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin E etc. Minerals include zinc,chromium, selenium etc. These are available in fresh fruits and vegetables. So you should add sufficient amounts of fresh fruits,vegetables,nuts etc. in your daily diet. It is recommended to have more salads,dry fruits and fruit juice. This diet will help to prevent and control acne outbreaks.

To control acne,you must reduce the consumption of tea,coffee,chocolate and other beverages. These beverages contain caffeine which tends to increase the level of stress hormones in your body. This may lead to an acne outbreak or if already suffering from it, may worsen the condition.

It is also recommended to cut back the consumption of sugar and refined carbohydrates. So you should take less sugar, white bread, pasta,flour etc. Also avoid eating a lot of junk and fatty foods. This may cause an increase in sebum secretion from your skin which may clog the pores of your skin allowing bacteria to grow.

It is also recommended to cut back the intake of red meat and dairy products. These are difficult to digest and have negative effects on our body.

So in order to prevent or control acne,you should have a healthy and balanced diet containing lower-glycemic carbohydrates and fats like cereals,fresh vegetables,fruits and fruit juices instead of high-glycemic foods like processed foods,bread, milk and milk products etc. You should also drink a lot of water.

Side Effects From Acne Treatments

There are various acne treatments available in the market. Some of these treatments are available ‘over the counter’ whereas some are prescribed by your doctor. There are also various home remedies available for acne treatment. There are both oral medications as well as topical creams available. However,sometimes these treatments may cause various complications and side effects.

Many acne patients are allergic to the different ingredients which are present in various acne medications. Often they are not aware of this. When they start using these medicines they may suffer from various symptoms like breathing trouble or rash on their skin. If such things happen,they must immediately consult their doctors and discontinue using the acne medications. Otherwise it may lead to other serious consequences.

The common symptoms and side effects which acne victims may suffer from,are rash on the skin,inflammation,redness and flaking. These are mainly caused due to the excess dryness of the skin which is caused by different chemicals present in the acne medications. Other than these common symptoms,there may be some serious side effects which may be caused by some oral medications. Some of them are stated below:

(1) Accutane: Accutane or Isotretinoin is an acne medicine which is only prescribed for very severe acne. It has so many side effects that it is used only as a last resort. The most serious side effect is birth defect. Women who are pregnant must not take this medicine. Other side effects include urinary problems,feeling of depression,muscle pain, headaches,dry skin etc.

(2) Antibiotics: The use of antibiotics also has side effects. Prolonged use of antibiotics may cause the bacteria to be resistant to medicines. Other side effects are rashes on the skin, gastric problems etc.

(3) Birth control pills: Birth control pills have a number of side effects. When used as an acne medication,the patient is subjected to such side effects such as vaginal bleeding, depression,increased risk of heart attack,strokes etc.

So, before using any acne medication,one should be aware of the different side effects which he/she may have to face.

Different Ways To Control And Prevent Acne

Acne is a disease which is generally found among adolescents but sometimes it occurs among adults also. Acne has various symptoms like pimples,whiteheads and blackheads. It is generally caused due to the clogging of the pores of your skin. There are various reasons behind acne — hormonal changes,stress,exposure to sun and even heredity.

The following are some basic steps which should be followed to prevent acne :

(1) Watch your make-up.

Make-up is a major factor which causes acne among adult women. Cosmetics which are oil based may cause acne breakouts. So those cosmetics should be avoided as far as possible. It is better to use a non oil based product. Other than oils,there are certain other ingredients which are present in many cosmetic products,which may cause acne. For example,products like Lanolin, isopropyl myristate and different types of dyes which are present in different cosmetic products may lead to acne breakouts. So whatever make-up you use,try to use as little as possible.

(2) Wash your face thoroughly.

You should wash your face thoroughly at least twice a day. Use a mild soap .The soap should be washed away with fresh water. Make sure that you wash away all make-up off your face,before going to bed.

(3) Never squeeze your pimples.

It is better not to squeeze or pinch your pimples. This may lead to infection as the bacteria may spread to other parts of the face.

(4) Try to get rid of blackheads. - We have an entire article here about eliminating blackheads.

(5) Reduce your exposure to the sun.

When you are using acne medications,it is better to reduce your exposure to the sun as it may cause adverse reactions.

(6) Never mix treatments.

When you are undergoing treatment for acne,you must be patient and give it sufficient time to work. Never mix treatments — it may cause adverse reactions.

If you follow these basic steps,it will help you to prevent acne to a great extent.

Botox Treatments For Youthful Facial Skin

One of the more unappealing signs of aging, at least for many people, has something to do with those fine furrows which form on the brow, and the creases which extend from the sides of the temple. Most people deal with wrinkles with a sigh of resignation; but with Botox treatments, you can give out a sigh of relief, as it is a clinically-proven, effective method of reducing your prominent laugh and frown lines.

Botox is a purified variant of botulinum toxin type A, and if it is administered in small, controlled doses to certain facial muscles, it can block the chemical impulses which instruct the muscles to contract. This causes the facial muscles to relax, albeit temporarily; and since they cannot contract and tighten, the skin which covers the area flattens, and the wrinkles are less observable. Botox is the ideal treatment for most people who want to reduce their facial wrinkles, specifically in areas between the eyebrows, the corner of the eyes, flabby bands on the neck, the bridge of the nose, and forehead creases.

Botox treatments are administered by injecting small amounts of the substance into the target muscles, with the use of a thin surgical needle. It is important to keep the injections within the focused areas so that the substance only inhibits the contraction of wrinkle-causing muscles, thereby keeping your facial expressions natural. The frequency of the injections may vary depending on your facial features and the size of the treatment area, among other factors. For instance, a normal case of crow’s feet may require up to five injections, while frown lines may need at least eight injections. The treatment usually takes 15 minutes to accomplish, and is performed in a doctor’s office. There is a slight discomfort which is experienced with the actual injections, but it is tolerable, and the treatment does not require an anesthetic.

The results of the treatment are noticeable after a few days, but the real benefit may be achieved in as little as two weeks. Keep in mind that the effect is temporary, since the treated muscles will gradually regain their normal function as the Botox wears out, three to six months after the procedure. Follow-up treatments are necessary to prolong the benefit, and you’ll need to go back for further injections after several months.

There is no recovery period involved with Botox treatments, although you may experience headaches right after the procedure. Try not to massage the treatment areas, however; you may coax the substance to spread out to the surrounding areas on your face. As a result, you may experience weakness or drooping of the affected facial muscles. And although the procedure is safe if it is performed by a qualified practitioner, you may still obtain adverse effects and complications, including redness, pain sensations and bruising at the treatment area, symptoms similar to the flu, and queasiness. You may also experience symptoms indicative of botulism, such as difficulty in swallowing and breathing, slurred speech, and weak muscles; this can be the result of the spreading of the toxins from the treatment area, into other parts of the face. In the presence of any odd or discomfiting symptom, contact your doctor for medical assistance.

A Potent Acne Treatment With Microdermabrasion

Acne is a condition which cuts across all ages and races, and everyone, except for the fortunate few, will suffer a breakout at least once in their lives. Although an acute understanding of why acne develops and causes scars has advanced only in recent years, a potent cure for acne is still to be discovered. Those who experience severe acne have less reasons to fret, however, as treatment alternatives are numerous, the more popular of which is a procedure called microdermabrasion.
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Treatment Alternatives For Pityriasis Versicolor

If you’re wondering about those uneven patches on your skin, those which appear at the first sign of summer, don’t worry; they may just be a symptom of a skin condition known as pityriasis versicolor. This is an overgrowth of Pityrosporum orbiculare, a variety of yeast fungus which thrives on warm climates, but is relatively harmless and non-contagious. If you perspire a lot or if you have very oily skin, the presence of the patches may be even more profuse than normal. Everyone acquires the fungus at least once in their lives, but fortunately the condition is very much treatable with the appropriate methods.
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