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Posts Tagged ‘dermatitis’

Chemical Peel Precautions

November 15th, 2009 Tracy Jessen No comments

Have you been considering having a chemical peel done? If so there are some things you should be aware of before you go forward with the procedure. If you are having the peel done in a dermatologists office then you will probably have too sit through a consultation to help the doctor decide if a chemical peel will be a good choice for you. If, however, you are considering the purchase of an at home chemical peel kit you will need to make this determination by yourself.

What is a chemical peel?

The first thing you should understand is how a chemical peel works. First a chemical substance, usually in the forma of a cream or lotion, is applied to the skin and left in place for a period of time. While the chemicals are in contact with the skin they work to loosen the old skin cells and impurities in the pores so that when the chemical solution is removed from the skin it takes with it the dirt, oils and dead skin.

The chemical peel is actually removing a layer of the oldest and therefore the most dead skin you have. It also flushes away all the oils from your skin, as well as all of the contaminates from your pores. How long the acid is left on the skin and how concentrated the chemicals are determines how deep they penetrate into the skin and how much skin is removed.

Considerations

If you have sensitive or fair skin, you should be very careful about considering a chemical peel. These skin sensitivities are going to e compounded for a period of time until your skin has completely healed. If you already have problems with your skins sensitivity you may find the effects of a chemical peel to be more than you are willing to endure.

It is highly advised that you remain indoors for a couple of days after any chemical peel but especially after a deep peel. The reason you need to stay inside is because your skin doesnt have any of the oils it normally produces and because the layer of skin tat is now exposed has not had a chance to adjust to the air and the unseen contaminates will be irritating to it which can cause problems for you.

What to do after your chemical peel.

The most important thing you can do for your skin after having a chemical peel done is to stay indoors for a couple of days. Exposure to the sun is an absolute no-no but, if you find yourself with no choice but to venture out, be sure to wear a generous amount of a very high spf sun block. Beyond staying inside, you should not expose your skin to any kind of irritant including makeup, cream or lotion. In fact, you should try not to even touch your springy new skin for a day or two just to avoid the possibility of the salts and dirt on your hand causing a problem.

The best way to decide if you should have a chemical peel is always to consult with a qualified doctor but if you find that this isnt an option, you need to be sure to do plenty of research on the topic. If you take your time and study the topic you should be able to safely decide if you are a candidate for a chemical peel procedure.

If you have been thinking about a chemical peel, you should check out this article about home chemical peels.

Rosacea Pictures

October 30th, 2009 Linda Robison No comments

With over 16 million Americans are looking for a natural cure for rosacea. Alternative treatments for rosacea are becoming ever more popular as people are tired of expensive prescription medications, laser treatments and over the counter products that don’t always work.

7 Simple Tips that all rosacea sufferers should follow include:

-Washing with cool or warm water, never hot water.

- Treat your skin gently; never use abrasives or a rough wash cloth

- Blot your skin gently, never rub hard and always use a soft towel.

- If you wear makeup, choose only oil-free and/or non-comedogenic products. Always apply light layers of makeup because too heavy of an application can trap bacteria and oil inside the pores.

- Treat flare-ups immediately to prevent skin damage.

- Apply at least an SPF 8 sunscreen everyday to prevent UV induced symptoms. The sun is often the number 1 reason for flare-ups.

- Try to avoid foods that induce flare-ups such as alcohol, spicy foods and hot beverages.

Stages for Rosacea: Pre-Rosacea: The first sign of Rosacea is dilate blood vessels to the slightest stimuli. The blood vessels open wider and stay open for longer periods of time compared to normal persons. Mild Rosacea is when the facial redness induced by flushing persists for an abnormal length of time – usually 1/2 an hour or more after a trigger. Those who have frequent pre-Rosacea flushing are highly susceptible to progressing to mild Rosacea. Some of the common triggers for a facial flush are heat, cold, emotions, exercise, topical irritants and allergic reactions.

The third stage is called moderate rosacea and this where vascular damage begins. At this stage flushing happens more often and is more intense. The last stage is severe rosacea which is marked by intense bouts of facial flushing, inflammation, pain, swelling and burning. Some people find that their skin becomes so sensitive, they are not able to use the same products they could use before. At this stage, there may also be excess skin growth around the nose, causing a bulbous enlargement of the nose shape called Rhinophyma.

A Simple Alternative Treatment for Rosacea includes:

- An all natural, anti-inflammatory ingredient that helps reduce flushing and redness. A good botanical lotion can help constrict blood vessels near the skins surface.

- Using an anti-bacterial agent to kill skin damaging bacteria and prevent breakouts.

- All natural collagen booster. In rosacea skin, collagen networks are weakened due to inflammation, bacteria, and age. By strengthening the collagen and skin you can help prevent flare-ups, help the skin heal faster, and help it to look better faster.

When looking for natural home remedies and alternative treatments for rosacea, remember that’s it’s an inflammatory condition so you need to treat the skin very gently and never use harsh cleansers, toners, or abrasives on the skin. You also want to preserve your natural oils which can help the skins defense against environmental assaults and help speed healing.

Linda Robison has been a health advisor for over 25 years with experience in skin aging and skin disorders. Visit her site to learn more about Symptoms and Treatments For Rosacea, acne scar healing, skin needling with the derma roller, celebrity makeup looks and other Non Surgical Face Lift Tips

Acne Remedies

October 27th, 2009 Richard May No comments

Of all the different types of skin conditions that people can suffer from Acne is one of the most common. But not only do teenagers suffer from it, there are also many adults who are now suffering from this condition as well. In most cases the only are of the body affected by this skin condition is the face, but some people find it can affect their backs, legs, shoulders; chest as well as their buttocks can be covered in acne. But luckily for these people there are plenty of different acne remedies that they can use to treat it.

Many people who suffer from acne today rather than using medications those they have been prescribed by their doctor or which can be brought over the counter are using more natural ones instead. Below we take a look at some of the natural remedies that one can easily use for treating this particular kind of skin condition.

1. Tea Tree Oil – Is an extremely popular way for treating acne and all you need to do is dilute a small amount of the tea tree essential oil and then apply directly on to the acne spots. This particular remedy is effective because it contains a property known as terpinen-4-ol, which has good anti-bacterial qualities. It is these qualities that help to kill off the bacterium, which actually causes the spots to form.

2. Zinc – Yet another very popular remedy for acne even though it is not as effective as some of the medications that are prescribed or can be brought over the counter. But although it can help to reduce the acne there are some side effects associated with using zinc one of them being it can upset a person’s digestive system. Plus taking too much could actually cause other medical problems in the future.

3. Garlic – This particular remedy is not very pleasant to smell, but just like the tea tree oil it contains effective anti-bacterial properties that can help to kill of the acne bacteria. Normally a person will either apply crushed garlic or the juice of the garlic directly to the area that is affected or then leave it on the skin to do its work.

4. Lemons – These are another effective way of treating acne as they contain high levels of Vitamin C, which can help to boost a person’s immune system. A boosted immune system means that the body is better able to fight off the bacterium that is causing the acne to appear.

Ideally you can either drink lemon juice mixed with other fluids to increase your Vitamin C, but a much better way is by applying it directly to the acne. In order to do this you need to mix the juice of a lemon with some rosewater before applying it directly on to the area affected using a cotton wool ball. Once applied you then need to leave it alone for around thirty minutes so that it can all be absorbed into the skin. Plus with this particular remedy you will need to apply it between two and three times each day.

Along with the acne remedies that we have shown above there are plenty of other natural treatments you may want to consider trying. A quick search of the internet and you will discover lots more very safe and effective treatments for this skin condition. But as well as being safe they are also likely to cost you a lot less than the remedies your doctor prescribes or which you can buy over the counter.

About the writer: Richard May has suffered from acne since he was a teenager and has tried a range of acne remedies over the years. He now writes publications for acne online to try and help others overcome their acne.

What is the Best Acne Treatment?

October 23rd, 2009 Richard May No comments

When it comes to treating acne the first step that you need to take in order to clear it, is to bring the condition under control. If left uncontrolled when you start treatment you may well find that this can lead to other areas of your face becoming affected by it. Today there are hundreds of different products available for treating this condition, but unfortunately not all of them do what they claim. Below we take a look at some of the best acne treatments that are now available.

It is important however that when using any of these treatments that you understand that they will not provide a cure to your problem overnight. In some cases, you may find that it takes weeks, months or even years before the condition is truly cured and brought under control. In addition, you may find that you need to try several different ones before you find one that works for you, because the effectiveness of each one varies from one person to the next.

Now let us take a look at the kinds of acne treatments that you may want to consider using. If you take your time and research each one as much as possible you could end up saving yourself not only money but a lot of heartache as well.

1. Proactiv – The big advantage that this particular acne treatment has over many others is that it does not need to be prescribed to you by your doctor. Instead, you can buy it either over the counter or online. This product is made up of three separate treatments all of which contain the ingredient known as Benzoyl Peroxide and which has been found to be effective at treating acne. But in order for it to be really effective, all three treatments must be used in conjunction with each other.

2. Accutane – This is a very strong form of acne medication and can only be used after being prescribed by a health professional. This is more commonly used on those people who suffer from severe as well as persistent bouts of acne. Unlike Proactiv, Accutane needs to be taken orally and can lead to some unwanted side effects.

3. Retin-A – This is another treatment, which can only be provided by a doctor prescribing it. But those who have been prescribed with this acne treatment have found it to be extremely effective. Not only does it treat the acne but it has also been found effective at helping to treat and prevent acne scarring. Although this is mostly prescribed to acne sufferers, there are some over the counter products available that also contain small amounts of this ingredient in them but are not as effective.

As well as the treatments that you can purchase or which can be prescribed by your doctor, there are several others that you can try. These alternative forms of acne treatment are often just as effective but are less likely to cause side effects, because many are made using only natural ingredients.

But as well as the best acne treatments that we have mentioned above if you go online you will find other natural treatments that you may want to consider trying instead. Many of these can easily be made at home using ingredients that you will often have in your kitchen and cost less than those ready prepared treatments.

About the author: Richard May publishes articles for a number of websites including acne online who provide information and help on acne treatments. He has also written about what the best acne treatment is at this website.

Herbal Remedies for Acne

October 17th, 2009 Richard May No comments

In most cases where a person has begun to suffer from acne it is because the sebaceous glands (found at the end of their hair follicles) are producing too much oil. These increased oil levels in the skin can then cause the pores to become blocked and infected and so they start to notice spots forming. Most people will often seek out their doctor’s advice on how to treat the problem and they will generally prescribe some form of anti-biotic medication. However, there are others who would prefer to use more natural and safe ways of treating their condition and luckily for them there are plenty of different herbal remedies for acne that they can select from.

In this article we take a look at some of the kinds of herbal remedies which a person can use and why they are effective at helping to treat this particular skin condition. But before you do commence using them it is important that you discuss the matter with your doctor first.

1. Aloe Vera – This particular herb contains anti-inflammatory and immune stimulant properties. Plus the aloe gel also contains anti-bacterial and astringent properties both of which can help to fight the bacteria, which is causing the acne to erupt. To use this type of herbal remedy you need to apply the gel directly to the area of skin that is affected.

2. Calendula – Although not as popular as Aloe Vera or other herbal remedies for acne this is still an effective one. Not only does it help with healing damaged skin tissue but it contains anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties as well. Many people will apply this herb directly to the skin when it has been made into a cream or when it has been infused with water and then they wash their skin with it.

3. Lavender – This particular herb can help to reduce the inflammation that has been caused because of the prostaglandin inhibiting properties of it. Plus it has antiseptic properties which when the essential oil (mixed with a carrier fluid or water) is applied directly to the affected area will help to kill off the acne bacteria.

4. Tea Tree Oil – This is a very effective remedy for acne as it contains antiseptic, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, which can help to treat the acne bacteria. In most cases it is most effective when the essential oil is mixed with water or a carried fluid and then applied directly to the areas of skin that have been affected by the acne.

Along with the herbal remedies mentioned above for treating acne there are plenty of others that you may want to try. Such as walnut leaf that has astringent properties and is best used as face or skin wash. Then there is witch hazel that just like tea tree oil contains both anti-bacterial and astringent properties, which can help to fight the bacteria causing the acne.

However it is important to remember that using topical herbal remedies for acne will help to improve the skin on the outside. You also need to look closely at your dietary habits and lifestyle as these can actually be causing problems inside your body, which is further exacerbating the condition.

About the writer: Richard May has published many articles and reviewed herbal remedies for acne. He also writes for his website at acne online where there are a number of posts giving information and tips on stopping acne.

Herbal Acne Remedies

October 15th, 2009 Richard May No comments

Adult Acne can be caused by an excess of sebum on the skin, which comes from the expansion of oil glands. This excess sebum then gets trapped in hair follicles and clogs up the pores. These clogged pores then allow the growth of bacteria, in particular the growth of propionibacterium acnes which leads to the appearance of acne. The causes of acne are not exactly known and acne can affect different people in different ways.

Acne can be caused by a number of things, but no one knows for certain what causes the skin condition. Hormonal imbalances are one such suggestion, as are factors such as diet, vitamin deficiency and stress levels.

Scientists have demonstrated that if there is a reduction in the level of keratin and sebum being produced, then the amount of vitamin A is also affected. Because of this it is vital that you maintain a good intake of vitamin A as well as having a healthy balanced diet of fruit and vegetables.

Something that is linked to the above information about vitamin A is zinc. Zinc helps with the effectiveness of vitamin A and therefore is great for healing and repair of acne damaged skin.

It should also be remembered that there are many creams that can be helpful in reducing inflamation of acne. If you are going to look for effective creams then try to look for ones containing sulphur. A local pharmacist or your Doctor should be able to help with picking the correct cream for your acne. There are some things that you should also try to avoid, products containing bromide and iodide as they can worsen your condition.

Please remember to double check with your Doctor or Medical adviser before trying any new creams or medications to make sure they are suitable to you and have no hidden side effects.

Something else that you should avoid in an attempt to reduce your acne are foods which are have a high content of refined sugar. Aside from your acne you should avoid products with fried oils or hydrogenated vegetable oils, although not proven to cause acne, it is better for your overall health to avoid these oils.

There are a range of herbal treatments for acne which can be very effective for your condition. Another benefit of these treatments is that the chance of suffering from side effects is small when compared to regular medical products. The effects of these may not be as instant as normal medical products but can be very effective over a longer time period. It has been demonstrated that tea tree oils can reduce acne due to the fact that they have antibacterial and antifungal properties. These properties can help the natural treatment of acne.

But the biggest difficulty with acne is that without knowing the specific causes, it can be hard to find the right treatment. However there are a number of herbal remedies for acne which have been known to work very well.

Holistic Medicine and Acne Treatment

October 14th, 2009 Richard May No comments

Acne is commonly known as an external condition and it is easy to understand why. But essentially it is an internal condition which can be caused by a few things. The external causes of acne need to be brought under control before it is possible for any kind of treatment, especially holistic acne treatment to become effective. If these are not brought under control, then combined with the problems that the internal factors cause, it is hard to overcome and cure your acne.

Skin cleansers are commonly available over the counter from your chemist, they normally claim to be able to help with exfoliation and medicate the skin. However if these products contain benzoyl peroxide, they can sometimes cause more irritation and allergy reactions.

You can use a soap which is based on tea tree oil which has mild antiseptic properties as well. Using these type of products can help in reducing the swelling, soreness and inflammation of the affected areas of the skin. By doing this you are also avoiding the irritation and allergic reactions that other products can bring.

Five minutes before starting to wash your face, try to steam it first. If you can get into the routine of doing this then your skin and acne will improve gradually over time. Firstly use plenty of lukewarm water to wet the soap and start to apply it to your face in a circular motion using your fingertips. Try to avoid contact with your eyes. Next wash your face off carefully and gently pat your skin down with a dry cotton towel. Be careful not to wash your face too much as this can increase irritation rather than reduce it.

Internal ways of treating your acne often go overlooked when they can actually place a big part in the control and curing of your acne. One such way to treat acne internally is to increase your intake of natural water, ideally the recommended daily amount is ten glasses a day. The effect of this is to help balance the oil secretion which can lead to acne problems.

As far as external skin factors are concerned, these tend to be more widely available in the form of creams and gels. In particular you should try to find aloe vera creams which are known to have a good effect on acne and are available widely. If you can, try to use a cream together with regularly steaming and washing your face for the best results.

Acne sufferers often suffer from an excess of oil on the skin combined with large pores. This is often caused by a hormonal imbalance which consequently means that the sebaceous glands produce too much oil. If this is the case with you, you can start to treat this problem by firstly not using water and alcohol astrigent. Instead of this, try to find a neutrogena soap. In particular neutrogena clear pore oil controlling astrigent which can have a very good affect on your acne condition. Apart from this you could also use a natural mask composed of egg whites or bentonitre.

On the other hand you could use a natural skin mask that is made of egg whites or bentonitre. It is also worth noting that those who have sensitive skin must be very careful when trying new treatments and creams. If you are not sure about the effect of a product on your sensitive skin, just try a small amount on a small area of skin and see what the results are. Also keep an eye open for holistic medicine and acne treatments which are now very popular.

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Signs and Symptoms of Acne

October 8th, 2009 Richard May No comments

Today acne is not only a skin problem that teenagers can get, but there are many adults who are now getting this skin condition as well. One of the main reasons is that their body is actually producing too much oil (sebum) and this then causes the pores on the skin to become blocked. Should someone suffer from this condition not only does it look unsightly, but also if left untreated can lead to more permanent damage (scarring) to their skin. Below we take a look at the main acne signs and symptoms that are associated with this particular skin condition.

Generally a person who finds that they have acne will find it mainly appears on their face. However, in some cases it can also affect a person’s back, shoulders, chest and neck as well as all these parts of the body have glands, which produce oil. Yet we it does appear it can take on various different forms and below we look at just what these are.

1. In most cases the first sign of acne is when white head or black heads begin to erupt on the person’s skin. Known as Comedones by medical professionals these are produced at the hair follicle openings that will have become blocked because the body is secreting too much oil and this prevents dead skin cells from leaving the body. Also there is an increased risk that these can become infected as bacteria may well be prevented from being eliminated from the body also.

2. The next form of acne that some people suffer from is known as Papules and which will often appear on the skin as little raised bumps. These are often formed around the hair follicles on the skin, which have become infected and inflamed and will not only be tender to touch by red in color.

3. Another form of acne that some people may get is pustules that are very similar to Papules but will have a white tip, which contains pus. This pus is made up of bacteria which if allowed to come into contact of other areas of skin can cause further eruptions of acne.

4. The next type of symptom that forms on the skin of acne suffering is large solid lumps known as Nodules, which form underneath the skins surface. As well as being large and unsightly these are also painful as well and have been caused because oil and other secretions have been able to build up deep within the hairs follicles.

5. Finally there are cysts these again are painful and are similar in appearance to nodules but they are also filled with pus. The biggest problem a person faces if they have this kind of acne symptom is that they can lead to scarring.

If you choose to leave the acne untreated this can not only lead to further outbreaks, but may well also lead to more serious damage to your skin as well. If at any time you notice you are suffering from certain acne signs and symptoms then it is advisable to seek medical assistance as soon as you can. A doctor may well find that there is some other underlying cause for your problem and this will also need to be treated along with the acne.

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Psoriasis Diet – How To Treat Psoriasis

October 2nd, 2009 Linda Robison No comments

Can a psoriasis diet be one of your best home remedies for psoriasis ? Well the National Psoriasis Foundation has received a number of claims from former psoriasis suffers about the positive effects of certain foods and supplements on their psoriasis symptoms. However, due to the variation of psoriasis symptoms, life style habits, medical histories, and individual backgrounds it’s hard to pin point exactly what type of psoriasis diet is best for everyone.

Consider that the very same diet that worked wonders for person A could very well have no effect for person B, or even make person B worse than they were before. Therefore if you’re dealing with psoriasis, it can be very hard to figure out what diet will be best. Nonetheless, there is nothing that says you can’t try integrating various foods slowly to see if anything helps. Just take care that you don’t do anything that’s unhealthy.

Many psoriasis medications and medical treatments can create nutritional deficiencies such as protein, vitamin, and mineral deficiencies. So, if you are currently taking any psoriasis medications, you might want to consider increasing your intake of high nutritional foods including: oily fish like salmon, green leafy vegetables and broccoli, beans and peas, liver and other organ meats, fortified cereals, oranges, and cantaloupe.

No matter what foods you utilize for your psoriasis diet, the National Psoriasis foundation strongly recommends curbing how much processed white flour, sugar, caffeine and alcohol you consume. This group also supports an FDA approved, natural psoriasis treatment that you can read about here. This drug free treatment can begin healing your skin and reduce symptoms greatly.

As health insurance costs rise and people become less tolerant of toxic psoriasis drugs – more people turn to alternative psoriasis care products. In fact, the National Psoriasis Foundation states “As more people become active partners in their treatment, interest in alternative medicine has grown”.

By 2004 over 36 percent of American adults were already using alternative medicines to support or compliment main-stream methodologies. The National Center for National center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine reported this finding after a study. Even with that awareness, not a lot of products have been developed that help ALL psoriasis sufferers, especially not ones that target the itchy, thick, white scales that are common to most people with this condition.

But – there is good news. The FDA and the National Psoriasis Foundation recently approved a safe and effective, all natural psoriasis cream. This herbal remedy helps to: Moisturize your skin, Restore pH balance, Reduce thick skin buildup, Heals the skin
In addition to a healthy diet, which includes vegetables, fish, legumes – an herbal psoriasis cream can go a long way in supporting healthy skin free from psoriasis symptoms.

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