Is One Pimple A Sign Of Adult Acne?

Are pimples the same as acne? If you have a lone pimple or two, is that acne? Actually, the presence of a pimple does not indicate an acne problem. Pimples are small skin lesions or inflammations commonly arising from clogged or infected pores. Most pimple outbreaks are usually a sign of impending acne, but there are other causes as well, like bacterial folliculitis, keratosis pilaris and other skin problems. If left unattended, they can multiply and lead to severe acne. They can even leave annoying scars on your skin if they are not treated immediately.

Medical studies indicate that approximately 85% of teenagers and adolescents experience pimple outbreaks. This happens when the skin tries to adjust to hormonal changes that are typical during puberty. However, even adults can have pimples. It is also common for women to develop pimple outbreaks during their menstrual cycle when their hormones surge before or during their menstrual cycle.

What causes pimples to occur?

Our skin has tiny pores which are connected to oil glands. Once these oil glands are blocked, either by dirt, oil, or dead skin, they excrete then block the growth of hair follicles, causing a pimple to form. Additionally, elevation of hormones produced during puberty or the menstrual cycle in women result in the hormone by-product called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This hormone by product over stimulates the oil gland resulting in plugging of the pore and acne production. To address this, there are acne products, creams and ointments, available over the counter which you can use topically. However, if after using these products your acne seems to be getting worse, it is recommended that you go see a dermatologist or skin expert immediately.

How do you treat pimples?

Many grandmothers have said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This old principle applies to the treatment of pimples and adult acne as well. Start by addressing the problem even before it happens. To do so, stick to a regular skin cleansing regimen that will rid your pores of unwanted particles and dirt. The easier it is for your skin to breath, the fewer problems you will have. It does require a bit of discipline and patience, but it will be worth it in the long run.

If you have been lax in the prevention department, or prevention simply doesn't work for you. there are things you can do to treat outbreaks of adult acne. First, don't squeeze your pimples and do the sebum extractions yourself. This could likely lead to further infection and scarring. Also, avoid touching your face and pimples often. Increased friction on the pimple will cause it to close up further, making extraction a lot more difficult.

You should use only oil-free, antibacterial cleansers made especially to combat pimple outbreaks. Be careful not to over scrub, though, as your skin still needs its natural oils to stay healthy and blooming. Believe it or not, If you dry it out too much, another set of pimple outbreaks could occur. Cleanse deeply, but moderately. In fact, some skin experts even recommend that you wash only with water and mild/baby soap. Switching from one cleansing product to another could also cause allergies and other skin problems.

If your pimples recur every time, it could be a sign of acne. In case the over the counter medications are not helping then consult your doctor immediately before your acne gets aggravated.

Article Source: http://www.article-exposure.com

Greg Roy is the father of 2 teenage boys. To find out more about adult acne, please visit adult-acnetreatment.com.

9 Acne Questions and Answers You Need to Know to Get Rid of Pimples

If you suffer from persistent acne, there are probably a number of urgent questions on your mind about how to make it go away. If you read this article, you just may find one or more of your questions answered.

1. What is acne?

It is a very common skin infection caused by excess oil produced by your sebaceous glands. The pores of your skin become blocked up with this excess oil -- plus dead skin cells. In this condition your skin become a great breeding ground for bacterial infections which results in pus-filled lumps on your face.

2. When does acne start?

It usually starts when puberty sets in, but it can last well into your adult years.

3. What causes acne?

It is commonly believed that hormonal surges during puberty bring on the onslaught of acne.

4. Is it expensive to wage war on acne?

It certainly can be costly to try to get rid of persistent pimples. However, there are a number of home remedies that you can do for yourself that don't cost very much at all -- such as being persistent about keeping your face scrupulously clean and eating wholesome foods instead of junk food. When it comes to dealing with acne, you will find that many of the treatments can be quite effective -- but they come at a price.

5. What types of over-the-counter acne products are available?

There are a number of factors to take into consideration when someone is suffering from persistent acne. As a result, different types of products have been developed. For example, some products specialize in attacking the infection caused by bacteria. Other products pack a fourfold punch -- removing infection, dealing with the excess oil production, removing dead cells plus trying to camouflage the damage caused by pimples popping out all of your face.

You might want to give ProActiv a try. It's a popular over-the-counter product and is expensive, but you might find that the expenses worth it if it works for you.

6. How hard is it to find an acne treatment that actually works for you personally?

Most people can be helped by the various kinds of acne treatments available, but you have to be persistent as you are searching for just the right remedy for you. That's because when you choose a new project, you have to give it a good try and that may take a few weeks to see if the cream or lotion you choose works for you.

7. Can food allergies cause acne?

They can and do, so you should be on the lookout to see if any of your favorite foods activate pimple breakouts and then eliminate those foods if they do.

8. How helpful is it to seek medical care if you are suffering from acne?

One of the best actions you can take to clear up acne is to go to a dermatologist. There are certain medicines that only a doctor can prescribe and one of them may work for you. For example, Accutane although expensive, may work and be worth the expense. Don't forget to be on the lookout for side effects though which you should discuss with your doctor before taking Accutane.

Another acne remedy that your doctor might suggest is Retin-A. It not only can help acne, but it can help improve wrinkles, skin discolorations and scars.

9. What if your face has already been scarred from fighting your war against pimples?

If you often put your fingers on your pimples or squeeze them or pick them, you will probably scar your face. And these scars can be permanent as well as disfiguring. To prevent further scarring, keep your fingers away from your face.

Removing scars can be expensive but well worth it in the long run. You may need to seek the services of a plastic surgeon or dermatologist. There are a number of techniques that have been developed that actually work to remove embarrassing and disfiguring scars.

Don't be discouraged if you don't seem to be making any headway in your battle with pimples because help is available. Be persistent as you seek for an acne solution that works for you. The results will be well worth it.


Article Source: http://www.article-exposure.com

Win your war with acne with acne products info. Author Patricia Wagner writes about a variety of health tips to help you be healthier.

How Does Oily Skin Affect Acne?

As a general rule, acne affects people with oily skin, which is cause by overactive sebaceous glands (oil glands). Your oil glands produce natural oils which keep the skin irrigated in most parts of the body (not the palms or soles), but which oily skin, they tend to overproduce sebum (oil) on the face, neck, chest, and back. Of these areas, the nose is the most affected, followed by the chin and forehead. There is a reasonable explanation for these areas producing more oil than other areas of the body. The nose has the largest pores, followed by both the chin and forehead. Some people naturally produce more oil than others and various triggers increase this oil production.

One of these triggers is hormonal imbalance, which occurs most during puberty, followed by pregnancy. The hormones produced during these times stimulate the oil glands, sometimes causing overproduction of the natural oils. Stress affects oil production in much the same way. The excess oil fill pores and catches debris (dirt) in them. This, in turn, causes a reaction similar to an allergic reaction in the skin. Itching is usually the beginning; this causes scratching which not only adds more debris and bacteria but encourages inflammation. The inflammation (slight swelling in this case) causes the pores to further close, blocking the chance of escape for the entrapped toxins. This requires special care in order to create an optimal environment for the skin to heal itself and begin to regulate oil production.

An important thing to remember is that some natural oil is necessary for your skin to retain moisture like it is supposed to. Over drying the skin causes it to produce more oil in an attempt to replace the much needed moisture that has been removed. Many of the over the counter and prescribed products for oily skin and acne dry the skin too much. It is better to cleanse several times a day with warm water and a mild cleanser than it is to use harsh chemicals on the skin.

Creating an optimal environment for healing means reducing inflammation, unclogging clogged pores, and keeping the pores free of further trapped oil and debris. Obviously, the first step has to be to reduce the inflammation. Cold compresses can help this. First you need to wash well with a mild cleanser. Pure organic honey is excellent for this because it is a natural antibacterial cleanser. This cleansing should be done upon waking and before bed daily; fitting at one or two more honey washes into your schedule is even better.

Begin by putting a damp washcloth in your refrigerator.

Massage about a tablespoon of honey in tiny circles all over the face, giving acne-prone areas extra attention. Let the honey sit for a few minutes and rinse with warm water (hot water irritates and further inflames skin).

Take the washcloth from the refrigerator and lay it on your face for a minute or two. This will reduce swelling and the pre wash has removed excess surface oil and debris, so this will not get added to already-clogged pores.

Remove the washcloth and return it to your refrigerator.
Now get a tablespoon of honey and mix a teaspoon of granulated sugar with it. Rub this mixture all over the face gently, again using the tiny circles and paying close attention to acne prone areas.

Rinse well with warm water.

Get the washcloth and lay it on your face again, removing after a minute or two.

Apply chamomile toner (see our article, Oily Skin Tips, Part II) to your face.

Apply a good organic moisturizer to your face; in this case, good means an organic moisturizer created for oily skin (we have various moisturizer recipes but you can also buy these ready made). This is an important step, even though it seems to contradict the removal of the oil. By applying the moisturizer, you are helping your skin to remain lubricated, which helps your oil production become balanced.

Never use moisturizers and lotions that are alcohol based because these actually dry the skin, creating a cycle of need in your skin.

If you wear makeup, make sure that you are using a water based makeup because oil based makeup tends to clog the pores. Always remove makeup before going to bed; leaving makeup on the face through the night tends to grind it into pores as you rub your face on your pillow during sleep.

Article Source: http://www.article-exposure.com

Louise Forrest has created the ultimate FREE Health & Beauty guide. Find out how you can gain access to FREE skin care articles, tips and techniques at www.NaturalElements.co.uk Learn how you can help treat your oily skin at www.NaturalElements.co.uk

Natural Acne Treatment

Many people are looking for natural acne treatment these days. The benefits of using natural medicine or methods from various cultures have been seen for thousands of years. In reality, thorough research has shown that without a level plan of using vitamins, fruits, natural minerals and other nutritional foods, one cannot be at their best in good health. You will undoubtedly see this same way of thinking when it comes to the horrible condition of acne. Perhaps acne is one of the topmost important conditions to be treated naturally due to its prevalence in the teenage years.

Because this acne condition is mostly caused by a high level of skin oil and the small bacteria that consumes it, a certain measure of prevention can be taken by easily making sure your face, body and hair are kept consistently clean. Truly, this method will definitely help acne cases that are not severe and some that are. Along with keeping clean, importance can be given to eating correctly to help prevent this condition. It is known that many foods can encourage acne to persist. Being alert at what foods might increase the condition of acne is very helpful.

Avoidance or reduce your intake of foods that contain too much high sugar, oily foods, meat (pork), transfatty acids (like margarine, milk products, fried foods), or high iodine foods like cheese, liver, and iodized salt.

Some natural substances exist that will help treat the acne condition. These may hopefully come close to getting that acne natural cure. These substances include sulfur containing products, zinc, Pantothenic acid, and Azelaic acid.

First, the use of items with sulfur content for helping skin has existed for many many years. Products such as these with sulfur are used as an antiseptic that is topically applied to the skin. In many cases, they can be very effective. You'll find that quite a few product medications have sulfur as one of the ingredients. Although most products don't have this ingredient and usually use benzoyl peroxide instead, some manufacturers do use it.

Secondly, zinc is commonly used to help with treating acne naturally since it is they nutrient of prime importance to consistently stabilize the human body. One area this helps with is keeping high testosterone levels at an even keel. During puberty these levels can go haywire and definitely can encourage the development of acne. Therefore it is good to stabilize these levels with zinc. The zinc also helps keep the immune system strong and assists with the control of inflammation.

Thirdly, Pantothenic acid at high doses can be very effective in helping to treat acne naturally. A usual dose of 10 g per day will often be used. Research studies have found that this acid work against acne fast by lowering the amount of skin oil produced by the body.

Lastly, Azelaic acid which is natural has been shown to give decent results that are possibly equal to benzoyl peroxide, tetracycline, and/or Retin-A. The products do with this acid containing a 20% amount have been seen to be most effective. Most all ranges of acne can be effectively treated with this substance naturally. However, it is important to note that it can take up to four weeks to show good effects when using products with the substance.

These substances should definitely help your way to being a natural acne treatment for your body. Sometimes you have to look extensively to find these substances in products but they can be found. Let me also say that other important nutrients should be used also including vitamins B6, E, and A, but also selenium, and chromium. Most all of these can be found in a local natural foods store or online.

Article Source: http://www.article-exposure.com

To find out more about acne treatment go to Acne Treatment or Acne Relief - Remedies Arland Kent writes about various topics including health, dogs and business.