Sunday, June 24, 2007

The Causes And Treatments For Back Acne

Back acne is a common skin condition that affects almost everyone at sometime in his or her life. Acne is often thought of as appearing only on the face, however it is often on other parts of the body including the chest, arms, neck and back. Aside from the face, the back is the most common area to have an outbreak of acne.

Acne happens when the hair follicles or pores become clogged. This can happen when the glands under the pores secrete excess oil. Additionally, the skin is always growing new skin and dead skin is removed through the pores. A combination of excess oil along with too many dead skin cells can plug the pores causing acne.

There are also many factors that contribute to acne. Perspiration may cause acne on the body, particularly on the back. Sweat that is allowed to sit on the body for periods of time mix with the oils to form clogs of the pores. People often get sweaty backs when they sit in a hot chair for a long time, such as when driving.

Always take a shower after heavy sweating. Wear loose fitting, cotton shirts to allow the skin to breathe better. Cotton and other natural fibers help to wick perspiration away from the body. Avoid synthetic shirt fabrics such as nylon. Carrying a backpack can contribute to acne on the back by causing friction and sweat. Use another type of pack or carry the backpack until your acne clears up. Sporting clothing or equipment can also cause an acne breakout on your back. Wear clean clothes and avoid using tight fitting pads.

Getting rid of acne on your back may be difficult because you can't see or sometimes reach certain areas. Many over-the-counter acne treatments work very well on the back. Start with an acne cleanser. Use a small amount and work it into lather. Wet your back and apply the suds. Let it sit for several minutes before washing off. Use the acne cleanser daily on only your back or any other areas that have acne. After showering, dry your back thoroughly but gently.

Products that contain benzoyl peroxide help reduce acne by killing bacteria on the skin. These come in varying strengths based on the severity of your acne. The back is made of tougher skin than the face and can therefore tolerate stronger solutions. Try using a strong 10% solution. Apply to the affected areas on your back. Apply only to dry skin. Let the product soak in or dry before putting on a shirt.

Another common product in over the counter treatments is salicylic acid. These products help to loosen clogged pores and prevent new clogs from occurring. Often you may need to use a combination of treatments to help cure acne. Remember that most medications take several weeks or more to work so be patient. If your back acne persists or worsens, even after topical treatments, you should see a dermatologist. He can help determine the best course of action. He can prescribe stronger topical creams as well as oral treatments that can help clear your acne.


Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Get Rid Of Acne Naturally

Do you really want to get rid of acne naturally? Well, finding out how to rid acne naturally is one of the highest priorities that you should take consideration especially when you have an all significant event to attend and your face has suddenly popped up some bothering spots. Unfortunately, there is still no instant solutions that will help you get rid acne naturally even up to this time. And, whatever form of the typical solution that works for some does not necessarily work for others.

Although there is no one particular solution that will rid acne, there are still a number of helpful tips that will guide you to get rid acne naturally, without the need to apply prescription creams and medicines. One of those tips that will help you get rid acne naturally is to take enough amount of water. It is often suggested that if someone if really willing to get rid acne, he or she should try to cut down on coke and some sweet bubbly drinks, and drink plenty of water instead. You try to drink eight glasses of water every day since water is very necessary for keeping the skin hydrated; otherwise the dead skin cells are not shed as efficiently, which may then trigger the formation of acne.

Taking supplements can also help you get rid acne as fast as possible. This is important knowing that most of the foods we eat do not contain all the vitamins and minerals that are required for maintaining the health of our skin.

Aside from that step for getting rid of acne, it is also worth noting that stress reduction is but a good move if you want to rid acne naturally. Although there is no evidence that stress triggers the acne formation, there is still a great possibility that it can aggravate acne, especially once beyond the puberty period. It is even noted that when the body is stressed, it then emits a hormone known as cortisol which can in turn worsen acne. So as long as you can, try to exercise and look at some relaxation tactics that would be helpful for you to get rid acne.

Proper diet finally plays a large role for getting rid of acne. Although most the specialists don’t believed that there is a connection with the formation of acne and poor diet, new researches have demonstrated that sugar as well as refined carbohydrates leaves certain impact on causing acne. So, to rid acne naturally, you should then try to avoid sugar and carbohydrates, and increase your intake of fruits and vegetables. And, if you need snack between meals, you then try to take nuts and seeds. That way, you certainly can get rid acne.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Tetracycline and Pimples

Tetracycline and pimples are a common combination because tetracycline is the most prescribed antibiotic to treat acne. It can be taken orally or applied as a cream.

Before a doctor prescribes you tetracycline, he will ask about your allergies and advise as to the pros and cons of using an antibiotic like tetracycline.

If tetracycline is prescribed for you, it is important to let the doctor know if you are taking any other medication or applying any other creams to help your acne because they may potentially react with tetracycline causing your pimples to get worse.

Even if your acne starts to clear up within a few days of using tetracycline, you must continue and complete the entire treatment cycle. Otherwise, your acne may return. Be aweare that it may take 4 - 6 weeks before an improvement is seen. If there is no improvement, or the condition gets any worse in this time period, then it's time for another visit to your doctor and he may change your antibiotic prescription.

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Natural Herbal Remedies for Acne

Here are some additional Natural remedies for acne which include herbal remedies:

1. Wash your face with lukewarm water and mild soap twice a day.

2. Wash fresh methi leaves (fenu greek leaves) and grind it to make a paste. Apply it on face and wash it off with lukewarm water after 10 minutes.

3. Grind juicy tender neem leaves with turmeric to a consistency of paste. Apply this paste on acne and pimples. Wash this off after it dries.

4. Apply a face pack of ripe tomato pulp and wash it off as soon as it dries naturally (preferably after 45 minutes).

5. Do not keep the make up while sleeping. Cleanse it with a mild herbal cleanser.

6. Mix besan flour (gram flour) with rose water and apply a face pack.

6. Consuming fresh vegetable salads and fresh fruits keeps the skin healthy and resistant to blemishes.

7. Drink plenty of water (15 glasses a day).

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Top Causes of Acne Vulgaris

1. Acne vulgaris is a hormonally-mediated bodily process. It number one cause is production of sex hormones, known as androgens, which begins at puberty. This is why majority of acne sufferers are adolescents and teens. Hormones are also responsible for acne flare-ups during menstruation and pregnancy. The female body goes through extreme changes in hormone levels during this time.

When the sebaceous gland is stimulated by androgens, it produces extra sebum. In its journey up the follicle toward the surface, the sebum mixes with common skin bacteria and dead skin cells that have been shed from the lining of the follicle. While this process is normal, the presence of extra sebum in the follicle increases the chances of clogging; which results in the formation of acne.

2. Acne flare-ups most commonly appears on stressful periods. Stress can also cause the production of hormones, such as cortisol, which can aggravate acne. Stress brings upon different hormone levels. With hormone changes the body prompts the skins oil glands to enlarge, secreting more oil. Which causes whiteheads, blackheads and pimples.

3. Oily or heavy make up clogs the skin pores and oily make-ups add more oil, which only adds to the problem if oily skin already exists. Cosmetics, especially certain moisturizers, foundations and pomades contain lanolin, petrolatum, vegetable oils, butyl stearate, lauryl alcohol and oleic acid.

4. Certain medications and steroids. Vitamins are good for your body, but an excess of vitamins B1, B6 and B12 can cause acne flare-ups. These vitamins are good for the skin, but avoid overuse.

5.Diets: For some people, a diet that is high in refined carbohydrates and sugars can actually aggravate their acne.

6. Over abrasive cleansing: Harsh exfoliators can damage skin and spread infections.

7. Picking and squeezing: This can actually send the infection deeper into the skin and can cause scarring.

8. Environmental irritants: such as high humidity and pollution. High humidity actually causes swelling of skin. Pollution is of course is a big cause for clogging your pores.

9. Genes: Family members who are also acne sufferers. Acne is inherited and severe cases known as cystic acne usually come from heredity

10. Disease processes: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, polycystic ovary syndrome, and other endocrine disorders with excess androgens may trigger the development of acne vulgaris.