June 04, 2006
Acne Diets
Do you have acne? This affliction can be a rather traumatic one if left untreated. Our appearance, as we all know, can have such a pertinent effect on our confidence, or lack there of. How is your skin looking these days? It's certainly no rarity to be tormented by acne, but you should never let this skin disorder get the best of you.
It's time to stand up tall, and demand your life back. With the oodles of resources at our disposal, there's no reason why we can't strive to be acne free. While proper skin care and reliable treatments are crucial in getting rid of blemishes, many people overlook the other things.
It's not just about your exterior, folks. We have to consider what goes on inside us as well. This brings me to the topic of acne diets. What do you eat?
You may or may not have come across the subject of acne diets. This pertains to what you consume and how it affects your skin. I recall a few winters ago I was sitting in the doctor's office with my wife. She was there for a back pain assessment. I had severely chapped lips at the time and asked her if she had some lip balm in her purse. The doctor looked at me with a smirk and said, "You know, the condition of your lips actually relates to your diet." Huh? She informed me that consuming the proper nutrients and fluids on a regular basis would prevent my lips from being chapped.
This baffled me. However, these days I have adopted a more nutritious diet and refrain from using lip balm. What do you know; I never have chapped lips anymore. It's bizarre how some things work. This concept also applies to our skin. Did you know that the food you eat excretes back through your pores? Well, substances from them do anyway. This gives whole new meaning to the phrase, you are what you eat. This is why acne diets may be important for some individuals. Foods high in fat and grease are known for causing breakouts. I'm talking about fast foods, especially.
When it comes to acne diets, foods that are great for your skin include, fruits and vegetables, organic products, non-processed items, and of course water. I highly recommend that you give acne diets a shot if pimples are giving you trouble. This should certainly better your complexion if you stick to it. For more information on acne diets, you can simply hop online.
Posted by personalhealthnews at 10:40 AM | Comments (0)
May 26, 2006
Acne Myths
Scientific knowledge about acne is gradually clearing up some of the misconceptions surrounding this condition, but there are many myths that persist. Here are some common acne myths.
Myth #1 - Acne is caused by poor hygiene. This belief may have arisen because of the skin infections associated with acne. However, lack of cleanliness is not the reason for outbreaks of acne. The mixture of sebum and dead cells which cause acne is situated beneath the surface of the skin where it is impossible to clean it away. However, gentle cleansing with soap and water once or twice a day will keep the skin as healthy as possible. Be careful not to scrub too hard, however, as this may make acne worse.
Myth #2 - Acne is caused by certain foods. There is a long-standing belief that eating chocolate will cause the face to break out in pimples. There is no scientific evidence for this -- studies have shown no statistically significant relationship between eating chocolate and acne. The same holds true of other foods associated like potato chips and sugar. It is true, however, that eating too much of these foods is unhealthy, and you wish to keep as healthy as possible at all times and especially if afflicted with acne. Limiting chocolate and sugar consumption is always a good idea.
Even though chocolate and french fries do not cause acne, there are some foods which do seem to aggravate it. There seems to be a relationship between milk and acne, and foods high in iodine also seem to cause pimples. Iodine is found in seafood, so those with acne may be advised not to eat too much seafood.
Myth #3 - Acne is related to sex. At various times we heard that masturbation or celibacy causes pimples. There is no evidence for this. There is a link between sexual activity and hormone production, however, but the relationship between sex and the production of sebum (the oily substance which combines with dead skin cells to cause acne) is unclear. Anger and stress also affect hormone levels.
Myth #4 - Acne has to run its course. There are many treatments available for acne, so those who are suffering from the discomfort and embarrassment that acne causes can find relief by consulting with a dermatologist or using over-the-counter medicine.
Myth #5 - Acne is only a teenage condition. It is true that most adolescents have acne, but it also affects some adults. Acne will usually clear up by time one enters their early 20s, but some people experience acne for the first time when they are in their 30s or 40s.
Myth #6 - Acne only affects appearance. Acne is a skin condition which can also cause psychological distress. Those with severe acne are especially vulnerable to feelings of depression and low self-image. There is a strong link between severe acne conditions and social withdrawal.
Myth #7 - Popping pimples is the best way to get rid of them. In fact, popping pimples may aggravate acne by spreading the bacteria which is causing it. Popping can also lead to scarring which in severe cases can be permanent.
Myth #8 - Sunbathing is good for acne. Exposure to the sun has the effect of drying out excess oils, so it does in fact have a short-term effect of improving acne. However, the skin quickly becomes accustomed to sun exposure so no long-term benefit is gained. Sun exposure may also damage the skin and increase the chance of skin cancer.
Myth #9 - Makeup causes acne. Some makeup can clog the pores which is bad for the health of the skin. Cosmetics labelled "noncomedogenic" or "nonacnegenic" are safe to use and some brands may include ingredients which can treat acne.
Myth #10 - The more acne medicine the better. Some people believe that if their acne gets worse they should use more medicine. Excess use of acne ointments, however, may irritate the skin, and oral medicines can be dangerous when taken in large quantities. Always follow the directions for the acne medications.
Posted by personalhealthnews at 09:17 PM | Comments (0)
May 19, 2006
What Causes Acne?
Acne is not fully understood, but we do know some of the biology behind it. The main culprit is the excess production of an oily substance called sebum whose function is to keep skin and hair lubricated and supple. During adolescence, the body often produces excess amounts of sebum. The sebum combines with naturally occurring dead skin cells to block hair follicles which prevents the sebum from escaping.
The resulting block up of oil beneath the surface of the skin provides an ideal environment for bacteria. The bacteria multiply and the skin area becomes red and inflamed resulting in what is commonly called a pimple.
The excess production of sebum is caused by the male hormone testosterone. Testosterone is present in both males and females, but during puberty, the body changes the way it reacts to the presence of testosterone. It is this abnormal reaction, characteristically appearing during adolescence, that causes the skin (especially on the face and upper torso) to become excessively oily. By the early 20s, the body usually normalizes its reaction to testosterone and acne clears up.
Acne seems to be partly hereditary, but we don't know exactly why some people are affected by it and others are not. Some of the factors which seem to aggravate acne conditions include stress, diet, skin irritation, certain medications, and hormonal activities such as menstrual cycles.
Medications that are associated with acne include anabolic steroids used for bodybuilding, lithium, barbiturates, halogens, and androgens. Dietary links seem to be mostly related to skim milk products. Many people associate food like chocolate and fast food with pimples, but there is no statistical evidence that this type of food causes or aggravates acne.
Recently, scientific attention has been focusing on the possibility that narrowing hair follicles could be at least partially to blame for acne. The hair follicles may become restricted due to several possible causes including excessive shedding of cells within the follicle, abnormal cell binding, or water retention which causes the skin to swell. The narrower hair follicles prevent dead cells from being expelled from the body, causing an excessive buildup underneath the skin, which combined with sebum creates the conditions for acne.
Many people are tempted to pop or squeeze their pimples, but this may only serve to spread the bacteria to the surrounding skin area making the condition even worse than before. Popping pimples may also lead to scarring which in severe cases can be permanent.
Simply touching the face can also make acne become worse. It is a difficult habit to overcome -- most of us touch our faces repeatedly throughout the day. The problem for acne sufferers is that the hands also contain oils and bacteria which will exacerbate acne symptoms. In fact, all objects that come into contact with the face must be clean. This includes eyeglasses and telephone handsets.
Hair (especially long hair) also comes into contact with our faces so it is important to keep hair clean and oil free. Clothing accessories like headbands or hats should be avoided or used as little as possible.
Posted by personalhealthnews at 09:42 AM | Comments (0)
May 17, 2006
What is Acne?
Acne is a common skin condition which most often appears during the teenage years. Commonly known as pimples, acne usually appears on the face but can also happen on other parts of the body such as the back, the shoulders, neck and chest. Even though most teenagers experience acne at some point, it is a condition which can also affect adults. Acne is universal -- it affects males and females almost equally and occurs in every race.
The proper name for acne is Acne Vulgaris. It is characterized by lesions which break out on the skin. The lesions can be whiteheads, blackheads, or cysts which form because of clogged pores. It is most commonly seen during puberty because it is at this time that the body produces an abundant supply of an oily substance called sebum. Sebum is needed to keep the hair and a skin soft and lubricated, but during puberty, the body produces more sebum than is needed. The excess can clog pores and leave the skin feeling oily.
Another change that occurs during puberty is the excess production of follicle cells. The dying cells can quickly build up and combine together with sebum to form whiteheads. This mixture of oil and dead cells creates a breeding ground for bacteria which results in redness and swelling in the afflicted area that are known as pimples.
Acne is an extremely common condition which affects about 85% of people between the ages of 12 and 24. One quarter of these people have acne on other parts of the body besides the face -- most commonly the back and neck areas. 40% of acne sufferers seek medical attention because of the severity of their breakouts.
The most common area for pimples to appear is the so-called 'T zone' of the face. This includes the forehead, the nose, and the chin, although acne may also appear on the cheeks and other parts of the face. The second most common area for acne is the back, followed by the neck, the chest, and the shoulders.
By the time they are in their 20s, most people's acne has cleared up. However, it may still persist throughout the adult years in some people. Some people even experience acne for the first time when they are adults. Slightly more boys than girls suffer from the condition.
Acne can be a problem for many people because it affects appearance and self image. Since teenagers are particularly vulnerable concerning their self-image, acne can cause feelings of depression and reduced self-confidence. It may cause some to withdraw from social interactions and cause feelings of anger and frustration.
Thankfully, there are many modern treatments for acne. The first line of defence is keeping the skin clean and oil free. This can be done by gentle washing with soap and water twice a day, particularly after activities which cause perspiration. There are also a wide variety of medical treatments available for acne, both prescribed and over-the-counter.
Severe acne conditions can be treated by a dermatologist. The doctor can prescribe ointments which are used directly on the skin as well as drugs like antibiotics which combat the bacteria which causes pimples. A dermatologist can also give valuable advice about diet and lifestyle changes which may help in combating acne.
Posted by personalhealthnews at 11:15 AM | Comments (0)
